Norm Nathan's Vault of Silliness: Recent Episodes
Tony Nesbitt
This channel, Norm Nathan’s Vault of Silliness, will air the personal collection of the Norm Nathan Show for which I produced on WBZ-AM from 1989 until his sudden passing on October 29th, 1996.
Norm spent 50+ years in Boston Broadcasting working at WCOP, WESX, WMEX, WHDH, WEEI, WRKO, WMRE and WBZ. Whether news, talk or music…he did it, sometimes combining them all.
Many of the recordings you will hear were sent to me by a fan and friend, Joan McCool. Others are from my personal collection.
They will air as recorded, with the warmth an old, analog tape recording provides. Some with good, ol’fashioned home editing of the play/pause button. And ALL with the ever-comforting voice of Uncle Norm.
Thank you just so darn much for tuning in!
Welcome back to the Vault of Silliness!
Before we get to today’s wonderful installment, I wanted to remind everyone here at the top of the show to please like/subscribe and share from which ever service you use to enter the Vault every week.
And I could really use your support. Please consider joining Patreon (the link is below). Every little bit helps, and a percentage will be donated in Norm’s name to a scholarship fund at the Berklee College of Music here in Boston.
Alrighty…we have ourselves a NNS/DBG from August 10th, 1996.
The title for this stupendous moment in broadcasting history is:
“The Adlibbing Genius.”
Norm is at his finest with adlibbing songs, names and dramatic stories!
We begin with a great caller, Joel, talking bad movies and great jazz.
A LOT of names are mentioned throughout, so listen closely it’s super entertaining and informative!
Then it’s on to the DBG!
But before that begins, Norm and Jack ruminate on all things traffic.
Players:
Jack Harte
Eleanor in Tom’s River, NJ
Bonnie in OH
Karen from Brockton
Bruce from Attleboro
Tom Howie producing and playing in studio
Bdays:
Eddie Fisher
Rosanna Arquette
Rhonda Flemming
Jimmy Dean
And Patti Austin
Postgame Calls:
Susan, Wolfie, Leo, Charlie, Frank & Warren
Ep 196, The Adlibbing Genius, giggles its way to your ears in 3,2 and 1.
Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/normnathanvos
Halo Namibia! Ongeipei? (Own gep pee) Tangi for listening!
This week brings us a DBG from August 11th, 1992 which I have titled: Irene: Queen of the Non-Sequitur
Players:
The Sweet Voiced Kristin from Dorchester
Glenn ‘the blind piano tuner’ from Brighton
Billy the Kid from Lowell (14 yrs old)
The Smoke Free Irene from CT
Tony Nesbitt from home yet seated at the end of the aisle
Jack Harte
And the ‘Smokey Voiced’ Lynn Palumbo – Producing and playing in studio
Bdays:
Mike Douglas
Hulk Hogan
Carl Rowan
Jerry Falwell
And Eric Carmen
Date in History:
In what year did the Beatles start their Apple Records label?
Post Game:
We get some Commercials!
Call 4 Action
Hilltop Restaurant (Tommy Heinson)
CVS Samaritan Vans – Boston Traffic
Norm vamps with:
Weather/Sports/Lottery and some news before the Full Moon phone calls begin!
Eric from Lowell
Eddie from Fitchburg
Doris in Marshfield
And Delores from Burlington
Ep 195, Irene: Queen of the Non-Sequitur, talks and talks and talks its way to ears…now.
Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/normnathanvos
Let’s close out this rather, ummm, eventful month of July 2024 with a DBG from July 31st, 1994.
The Title? Bottom of the Barrel Broadcasting
Players:
Brian
Dorothy in NJ
Dennis from W. Roxbury
Adam Wolf producing and playing in studio
And Rob Floyd in Traffic
I did not call and Norm doesn’t hold back, nor does Adam Wolf, but Dorothy shows me some love later
Bdays:
Curt Gowdy
Don Murray
Bill Weld
Evonne Goolagong Cawley
Wesley Snipes
Sherry Lansing
Lobo
And William Bennett
There’s some post-game fun as Norm teases guest: H. Jackson Brown author of, “Wit and Wisdom from the Peanut Butter Gang.”
A Music interlude into the news sounder
And a call from Eleanor.
Commercials content includes:
Baby Gold Bond w/Wendy Miller of Loganville, GA
Listen to Collage! By Michele Bian
And Dave Maynard for Caitlyn Travel and a trip to the UK
Ep 194, Bottom of the Barrel Broadcasting, scrapes its way to your ears in 3, 2 annnnd 1.
Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/normnathanvos
Today brings us some NNS from July 23rd, 31st and August 1st, 1994. There’s an extra bonus included with another legendary WBZ broadcaster as well as a musical treat. We are just cruising along through summertime. Thank you for letting us be a part of it by tuning in.
I’ve titled this one: Road Trip Radio
The lovely Keith Shields was producing.
From the 23rd we take a bunch of calls:
Gene
Neil from St. John’s, New Brunswick
Laurie from W. Medford
Ida!
Norm’s daughter Sonja and her husband Lane calling from their car with a review of the Elton John/Billy Joel Concert that was at Foxborough Stadium!
Dottie and Peter
Helene in Belmont
Jean
Don
Arlene in Philadelphia
And Marie
From the 31st:
A guest talking, ever so briefly, about Carousels.
And a call from Bob Bachelder!
Now we jump to August 1st with none other than Dave Maynard! He’s hosting a show on some weekend after noon…First Day? Small Business Saturday? Who knows?
It includes a very interesting interview with a guest named Beau Bauman who assembled a book of advice and quotations from all sorts of people, famous and not, titled: “The Most Important Thing I’ve Learned in Life.”
Then Dave talks about the WBZ Farm Stand and just wait until you hear the shear amount of food that was being donated.
And we close with a call from WBZ’s auto guru, John Lawlor.
Put the top down and turn it up…
Ep 193, Road Trip Radio, drives its way to your ears…now.
Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/normnathanvos
Is it hot enough for ya?
Guess what? It’s summer and that’s what happens!
Sit back in some AC and laugh with this DBG from July 20th, 1996.
After the game, stick around for a couple of bonus audio clips.
In honor of the anniversary of the the Moon Landing, let’s title this one: Radio Spaceshots.
Players:
Tony on the phone
Jack Harte
John from Ashland
Keith from Walberg, NC
Wolfie!
Tom Howie producing but NOT playing
Bdays:
Kim Carnes
And John Lodge
Historical Events:
In what year did the Apollo 11 astronauts, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin become the first men to walk on the Moon?
In what year did Sioux Indian leader, Sitting Bull, surrender to Federal troops?
What year did Hank Aaron break Ty Cobb’s record for games played?
For the love, check out Patreon and think about supporting the show!
Ep 192, Radio Spaceshots, launches its way to your ears in 3,2 and 1.
Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/normnathanvos
Here we go with Part 2 of back-to-back DBGs. Today’s episode is from the very next night. Last week was June 27th, 1995. This week brings us June 28th, 1995. The title for this gem will be: Happy Radio. This should really make you smile.
The Players:
David in NY
June from Wellesley
Beth in MI
John in Westborough
I’m on the phone from home
Mike Epstein producing and playing in studio
Jack Harte aka Paul Drake or Jeffrey Spaulding
The Bdays:
Mel Brooks
Danielle Brisebois
Mary Stuart Masterson
Pat Morita
Kathy Bates
Ron Luciano orrrr maybe not
And Don Baylor
Please consider supporting the show on Patreon and always remember to Like, Subscribe and Share.
Ep 191, Happy Radio, chuckles its way to your ears…now.
Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/normnathanvos
Thank you all for the great viewer/listenership last week. Gained some subscribers too. Let’s keep that momentum going!
Today is the first of what could be called a two-parter. It’s a DBG from June 27th, 1995. Next week will be from the following day June 28th. These are two excellent examples of the level of fun we would have during those overnights on WBZ. Real, genuine madness at times.
I have titled this: Perfectly Telegraphed
The Players:
Jenny who had stoked the fires of Norms’ loins
Beverly in Tewksbury
Mike from Cornwall, Canada
Bernice in Malden
I’m on the phone from parts unknown
Jack Harte
And Mike Epstein producing and playing in studio
The Bdays:
Bob Keeshan
Ross Perot
Anna Moffo
Gary Crosby
Bruce Babbitt
And Julia Duffy
On This Date:
What year did President Truman order the Air Force and Navy into the Korean Conflict?
In what year was NY and Boston linked by telegraph wires?
Ep 190, Perfectly Telegraphed, taps its way to your ears in 3,2 & 1.
Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/normnathanvos
Well, hello fellow Vaulters of Silliness!
Today brings us a mix of NNS from early 1994. Maybe march and then we jump to June-ish of ’94.
And because we get to hear 3 calls from Ruth Clennott aka “Dave Maynard’s Ruth” this episode shall be simply titled: Ruth Radio
A nice Show Open kicks everything off.
Oh, I will add that the tapes edits were provided by the person whom recorded it.
Carol Metivier of Wicker Sportswear in Wolfeboro, NH is our guest.
The company makes hi-tech thermal underwear out of recycled plastic bottles. The only problem is they make that annoying crinkle sound when you sit down.
Next Guest:
Carl Thieterman of Selectra Electric Cars in Wilmington. All I’ll say is we’ve come a long way, BUT wait for the last comment from him and we can all have a good laugh together.
We are treated to many callers throughout this episode.
The aforementioned Ruth Clennott
A mystery caller
Judy
The one and only Generosa!
A caller from NJ
Ruth is back
Linda Chase on the line!
A caller unknown
A very brief call from Sue
Arlene
Third time’s a charm with…Ruth!
We hear from our good friend Raj from MIT
Mixed in here is a different show with a host named John. Unsure if it’s from WBZ. Well, he’s talking with Sharon who was doing a reenactment play in Lowell about a woman travelling down from Quebec on a seed boat. No, I’m not kidding.
The jam-packed Ep 189, Ruth Radio, fiddles its way to your ears…now.
Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/normnathanvos
Back again for more silliness, are you? I’m just so darn glad!
Today we reached waaaaay back in the Vault to grab a cassette from May 11th, 1991. An original if there ever was one…Classic dry open, the Olympic Theme, Norm’s headphone volume causing feedback and all the sfx
Let’s call this: Forming the Mold with 33-Year-Old Gold
We begin with AccuWeather with Jim Green and Traffic with Jack.
Then on to the game!
Players:
Arlene in Braintree
Kenton from Kitchener, ON
Ann from Hobart, NY
Mike from Marshfield
I’m on the phone from Master Control
Jack Harte
Bdays:
Mort Sahl
Foster Brooks
Denver Pyle
Martha Quinn
Robert Jarvik
Dead Bdays:
Irving Berlin
Ep 188, Forming the mold with 33 year-old gold, begins…now.
Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/normnathanvos
Today’s show begins with technical difficulties and even though I was home and not in the studio it was probably my fault.
There’s a special pre-game intro by WBZ Sports Guy, Tom Cuddy that leads into a DBG from May 18th, 1996.
The title: Hats, Coats and Tolls, Oh my.
Players:
Tony on the phone
Mike from Marshfield
Irene in CT – And we just may have figured out why her calls sound so bad
Don from Billerica
Marie in Boston
Jack Harte
Bdays:
Perry Como
Pope John Paul II
Bill Macy
Pernell Roberts
Dwayne Hickman
Brooks Robinson
Reggie Jackson
Ep 187, Hats, Coats and Tolls, Oh my, tosses its way to your ears in 3,2 and 1.
Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/normnathanvos
Hello all and welcome back to another episode of Norm Nathan’s Vault of Silliness. Today we have a DBG from May 27th, 1992 which I’ve titled: Weather or Not.
Players:
Ann from South Boston
Ted in Ottawa
Bobby in South Boston
Rob from Dorchester
Tony on the phone seeking Norm’s doctorly advice
Lynn Palumbo producing and on the phone from MC
And Jack Harte
Bdays:
Vincent Price
Henry Kissinger
Lee Merriweather
Lou Gossett
Bruce Weitz
And Herman Wouk
Events in History:
The Golden Gate Bridge was opened in what year?
Commercials:
Steinert & Sons Pianos
The Scotia Prince voiced by Tom Bergeron
Paperama
Purity Supreme
One caller:
The beautiful Robert from Everett!
Ep 186, Weather or Not, drifts its way to your ears…now.
Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/normnathanvos
Thank you all for your patience in waiting for the next episode. I appreciate every single one of you: subscribers, listeners and patrons. It has been a very busy month and life gets in the way. However I was able to push it aside to get this episode out and it’s a good one.
There’s a lot of fun packed into the 47-minute DBG here from April 13th, 1996. The title of which shall be:
The Aimlessly Rambling Man.
Tom Howie was producing.
Players:
Jack Harte
Glenn in Ames, Iowa!
Belle from Rockport
John in Portsmouth, RI
Al from Waltham
And maybe Bill from Beepsville or Brighton or a cave
Bdays:
Paul Sorvino
Tony Dowd
Al Green
Peabo Bryson
Max Weinberg
Lyle Wagoner
Bill Conte
And Rick Schroeder
Ep 185, The Aimlessly Rambling Man, wanders its way to your ears…now.
Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/normnathanvos
This episode, 184 for those keeping score at home, is an interesting one. It’s a collection of NNS from April 5th and possibly June 5th and July 9th, 1995.
Let me give you the title: An Eclectic Mish Mash
Now I’ll explain:
It begins with Norm speaking with a guest named Ed from Kent, WA about opening a classic style gas station.
Then a brief call with Dave
Next, Norm is hanging on every word from Fred in NJ who latest tales had Norm raising an eyebrow again…until…Fred’s friend, Prunella, gets on the line and verifies the wackiness including yet another Fred Fable.
We hear a promo for WBZ Sports Saturday and then step through a portal into the Jack Harte Traffic Sponsor Zone. Amassed here is a collection that includes:
Preparation H
True Value
Foxwoods
Thrifty Car Rental
Exxon
Massport
Star Market
John Deere
And Dunkin’ Donuts
There’s a commercial for Tweeter and the Grundig Yacht Boy 400 Shortwave Radio voiced by Bill Lawrence
Jack’s alter ego makes an appearance as Paul Drake delivers a traffic report for WBNW.
Next is Norm talking with the creator of the game “Daring Passages.”
But we don’t get to play.
Ken Newman has a cameo with another traffic report.
Josh Binswanger intros Jack with, you guessed it, Traffic.
Finally back to Norm promoting a couple of guests coming up: David Nemec and Rich Dubroff
Norm shares a Henry Morgan story about reading a commercial for the Eversharp Schick Injector Razor
More calls with:
David
Sandy/Cindy correcting Norm’s grammar
Mary in Gloucester weighing in on the haddock, cod scrod debate
Joan in Schenectady, NY
And Paul in NY who hosts a talk show on Sat and Sun on WGY.
You may want to print out this description to help you keep up.
Ep 184, An Eclectic Mish Mash, stirs its way to your ears…now.
Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/normnathanvos
Howzit Namibia? Let me officially welcome you to Norm Nathan’s Vault of Silliness. Everyone is in for another treat with this broadcast. It’s a DBG from April 5th, 1992.
And this is the most appropriate title I could come up with:
I Am an Innocent Man!
Players:
Scott in Peabody
Val from Needham
Barbara in Maynard
Annette from Maynard in studio
Ollie Kopacki from Middleton
Tony producing and on the phone from MC
Russ Gannon from Traffic
Bdays with ALL the SFX:
Gregory Peck
Arthur Haley
Colin Powell
Gail Storm
Max Gail
Frank Gorshin
Michael Moriarty
Get ready for a lot of laughs as Ep 183, I Am an Innocent Man! Pleads its way to your ears in 3, 2 and 1.
Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/normnathanvos
Hola, Puerto Rico! Welcome to the Vault of Silliness and thanks for joining us.
Oh, and for those of you who listened on the late Google Podcasts, thanks for seeking us out and finding us one of the other platforms that host us throughout the interwebs.
I’ve been swamped with other responsibilities. That’s why the Vault has been locked for a couple of weeks. With that said, let’s get to what you’ve been waiting for:
A VERY funny DBG from March 29th, 1996 that has been aptly titled: The HGPG DBG
A real highlight here is listening to Norm, at times, lose it with laughter.
And then we don’t get just one tidbit of wisdom from Norm’s HGPG but FOUR and then one from HG John Major and then the Lone Ranger and Tonto stop by!
Players:
Mike Epstein producing and playing in studio
Jack Harte in traffic
Jenny from Plymouth
Snoring Beauty aka Al in Waltham
And Terri from Newton
Bdays:
Elle MacPherson
Eileen Eckhart
John Major
Eugene McCarthy
Phil Foster
Jennifer Capriati
Marina Sirtis
And Eric Idle
Dead Bdays:
Billy Carter
Sam Walton
Cy Young
This one is packed with hilarity.
Ep 182, The HGPG DBG, extolls its way to your ears in 3, 2 & 1.
Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/normnathanvos
We have ourselves a DBG from March 20th, 1994 which I have titled: A Lozenge for the Lady?
Players:
Nora and her sexy laryngitis
Helen in Boston!
Rosemarie from Brockton
Rob Floyd in Tarffic
Emilio Marotta producing and playing in studio
Ethan Voght and Julie Gellar from Harvard and Radcliffe respectively
Bdays:
Spike Lee
Hal Linden
Carl Reiner
Bobby Orr
William Hurt
Fred Rogers
Holly Hunter
And Pat Riley
One lonely Commercial for The Brigham & Women’s Hospital Sleep Study voice by Michael Coleman
Ep 181, A Lozenge for the Lady, unwraps its way to your ears, now.
Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/normnathanvos
It’s your lucky day fans, why? Because it’s St. Patrick’s Day? Maybe. But more so because it’s another DBG from Norm Nathan’s Vault of Silliness! This one is from March 14th, 1992.
I’ve titled it: Norman Go Bragh
We begin with the world famous DBG Theme and then it’s on to the game.
Players:
Mark from Harper’s Ferry, W.VA
Mary from Kittery, ME!
Patrick in Arlington
Debbie in Wellesley!
Tony producing and on the phone from MC and sick as a dog but standing steadfast in my radio duties
Jack Harte in Traffic
Bdays:
Les Brown
Quincy Jones
Billy Crystal
Hank Ketcham
Michael Caine
Rita Tushingham
And Kirby Puckett
Events in History:
In what year did Pres. Warren G. Harding become the first Chief Executive to file an income tax report?
A historical, dead bday to break a tie:
Albert Einstein was born in what year?
We hear one WBZ promo for Accuweather and then Norm gives us the chilly forecast.
He also reads a story about Farm Aid 5.
And we take one call from?
Wolfie
Ep 180, Norman Go Bragh, steps its way to your ears…now.
Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/normnathanvos
A NNS from March 10th, 1996 is what the Vault of Silliness has for us today.
Let’s call this one: A Jewel with Jules.
Norm’s Guest was Jules Feiffer, cartoonist, author and playwright. His new children’s book was “A Barrel of Laughs, A Veil of Tears.”
Norm and Jules get along famously and it’s an interview that will leave a smile on your face (even though it gets a tad political, which Norm acknowledges).
They take calls from:
Eddie from Portsmouth, NH
John in Boston
And Michael from PA
Post interview and from a small sampling of the following hour we hear from:
Pete talking Jazz and RI broadcaster Jim Mendes
Chauncy with a check list of items for Norm to attend to
And a forlorn Miriam in Sharon with a bone to pick that seamlessly turns into a call from Kathy.
Ep 179, A Jewel with Jules, draws its way to your ears in 3,2 and 1.
Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/normnathanvos
First…Hail up, yow, wah gwaan Jamaica?! Welcome to the Vault of Silliness’ list of countries tuning in for some fun!
I have LOTS of episodes from 1996. Some nights were recorded from start to finish! For this month we will get three shows from that year beginning with a DBG from March 4th that I have titled: The Humor is Dry and so is the Hamantaschen.
The Players:
Karen Regal in Traffic
Mike Epstein producing and playing in studio
Irene from Brookline
Kevin in ME
Marge from Avon
And Chris in Worcester
The Bdays:
Paula Prentiss
Chastity Bono
Miriam Makeba
Mary Wilson
Barbara McNair
Events:
What year was President Calvin Coolidge’s inauguration broadcast live, coast to coast, across 21 radio stations?
And Ronald Reagan and Nancy Davis were married in what year?
There are entertaining Commercials for:
The TV Guide Baby Boombox and the Candela Skin Care Center.
We also learn about some famous people that started out doing overnight traffic for WBZ…You’re just going to have to wait to hear those.
Ep 178, The Humor is Dry and so is the Hamantaschen, crumbles its way to your ears, now.
Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/normnathanvos
I had planned on a different date and year to use for today’s episode but the second half of last week’s (Ep 176) was very entertaining with a little bonus content too soooooo...We head back to February 12th, 1996 for a post DBG/NNS 4am – 5am hour.
Why don’t we call this one, “The Carryover” due to the continuing discussions of previous subjects.
It all begins with an in progress call about Franco Zeffirelli
Jumps to another in progress call about who the heck knows?
Then it’s Roy on the Freedom Trail
Frank in Dorchester with some Arsenio Hall info
Julie in MI – easing Norm’s guilt
Kevin from Winthrop – Civil War Reenactor
Drew in Norwood
And Phil from Dorchester – who works for the Parks Service at the Charlestown Navy Yard with the USS Constitution
Norm talks about the World Chess Champ, Gary Kasparov vs an IBM computer, Deep Blue
Commercials:
WBZ News 4
Brooks Pharmacy
WBZ Winter Getaway Contest
AutoSound
Coricidin Cough and Cold Tablets
Quaker Oatmeal
Dunkin Donuts
Uniglobe Travel
Bonus Content!
5 mins of the WBZ Morning News with the voices of Gary Lapierre, Carol Laningan & Joe Stapleton
The bonus continues as we close with a Norm show already in progress. His guest was Jaid Barrymore, Drew Barrymore’s mom, talking about a movie project she has going on and her new book: Secrets of World Class Lovers – Erotic Tips and Sensual Stories for a Lifetime of Sexual Fulfilment.
The few minutes that are included here is very entertaining so stick around!
Ep 177, The Carryover, lugs it’s way to your ears in 3, 2 and 1.
Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/normnathanvos
Ep 176, That’s the Spirit!
And what do we have here today? A DBG from February 12th, 1996.
The title of which shall be Black Silk Norm-ligées.
Our Players:
I’m on the phone from home
Mike Epstein producing and playing in studio
Ken Newman in Traffic or not?
Arlene from Philly
Russ working at the Ottawa International Airport in Canada
Jean from Hyde Park
The Bdays:
Joe Garagiola
Arlon Specter
Bill Russell
Judy Blume
Arsenio Hall
Joanna Kerns
Franco Zeffirelli
Two Historical Events:
In what year did George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” premiere in NY?
And in what year did the first round the world automobile race begin in NY?
Oh that’s right…Dead Bdays:
Abe Lincoln
We are also treated to a commercial read from Norm for the Vt. Teddy Bear Co.
This is another classic. And, so you may participate at home and yell out “That’s the Spirit!”, I will pause after I mention the episode number. Ready?
Ep 176 (pause), Black Silk Norm-ligées, slinks its way to your ears…now.
Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/normnathanvos
Here’s another episode for all to enjoy, Episode 175 to be exact.
I can’t believe that, can you? And there are SO many more tapes in the Vault. The Silliness may outlive me! But then I would have fulfilled the goal of leaving this world a little sillier than I found it.
Today is an excellent DBG from February 8th, 1992.
This one is titled: Radio Pinheads.
It all begins with the Bleach Boys (Darrell Gould and Company) with their very own version of the DBG theme.
Players:
Mike in Marshfield
Dave from Chelmsford
Rich in Medford
Mary Ellen from Braintree
Tony on the phone from MC and playing the game.
Jack Harte
Bdays with ALL the SFX:
Jack Lemmon
Gary Coleman
Ted Koppel
Lana Turner
John Williams
Robert Klein
Nick Nolte
Brooke Adams
Post-Game:
Musical Weather Forecast with Norm, Roy Gallant and Ben Webster
Commercials:
Tom Bergeron for Constitution Tax Services
Dave Maynard promo for First Day Live from the North American Hose Show at the Bayside Expedition Center
And a super entertaining call from:
Mary in NH who loved the game and she and Norm reminisce about some great old-time radio fun
Ep 175, Radio Pinheads, needles its way to your ears in 3, 2 and 1.
Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/normnathanvos
I just want to remind everybody that a majority of the shows are DBG with the occasional NNS mixed in. The Vault generously offers up what it feels like and we go from there. Speaking of DBG’s…this one is from February 4th, 1995.
The title: Romancing the Phone
Players:
Joan from Tewksbury!
Stacy from Rochester, NH
Irene from Enfield, CT
Mark in Hyde Park
Jim Cormier producing and playing in studio
And Jack Harte
Bdays:
Ida Lupino
Dan Quayle
Alice Cooper
Clint Black
Lisa Eichhorn
Betty Freidan
Conrad Bain
Eric Leinsdorf
Rosa Parks
Ep 174, Romancing the Phone, rings its way to your ears, now.
Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/normnathanvos
Today’s episode is titled “Surprise!”
The date on the cassette really, really, really looked like January 30th BUUUUUT it turns out it was July 30th, 1994 the (1 was a 7). January is my least favorite month so why not think about the warmth of summer? So that’s what we are getting here today!
Please consider supporting the show on Patreon, your generosity would be and is appreciated. You may find the link below.
Players:
Brian in Brookline
Ruth from Winthrop
Monica from Nahant
Rose in Wellesley
I'm possibly producing and playing in studio
Jack Harte
And introducing, playing for the first time, the newly minted producer: Brian McKinley
Bdays:
Paul Anka
Anita Hill
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Pat Schroeder
Ed ‘Kookie’ Burns
Peter Bogdanovic
Delta Burke
And David Sanborn
Ep 173, Surprise! Shocks its way to your ears in 3,2 and 1.
Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/normnathanvos
Hello and welcome back for another episode of Norm Nathan’s Vault of Silliness. Today brings us aa show I’ve titled: “Time for a Name Change.”
Why? Because this was before Ed Mullen filed formal papers with legal to change the name to The Swell Music Quiz. For this one it was called:
The Dumb Music Trivia Quiz Game.
Ric Duarte was producing.
There were only TWO categories on this early incarnation of the SMQ:
Rock n Roll and Big Bands
But later, Darrell Gould joins in with Doo Wop!
So the The Panel consisted of:
Norm, Ed, Darrell, Jack Harte and much later, I grace the broadcast booth with my presence because I was working some bizarro shift WBZ created when they shifted hours around. There was a 3 hour shift M-F that ran 2-5am. Yeah, try to get up for that one if you fell asleep at home.
Did that sound like I was speaking from experience? Maybe.
Of course we begin with Ed explaining the rules and then it’s on the callers:
Fred from Medford
Sean in Cambridge
May in Boston!
Bill from Chelsea
Brian from Newton
Arlene in Braintree
Kevin from Providence, RI
Oakley from Falmouth
Joe in Malden
Derek in his car…nope, it’s Rick
Jim from Somerville
John from Hornell, NY
Ken in Randolph
Joe in Waltham
The prophetic Harry from Milford
Steve in Brockton
Jodie from NY
Beth in Michigan
Randy from Norton
Jerry in Quincy
Jonathan from Salem
Sean in Chelsea
Joe from Chelsea
Phil in Newton
Joe from Brookline
Geri in Clinton
Kathy from Quincy
John in Natick
Mike in Swampscott
David from Chelmsford
Andrew in Boston
Kevin in Malden
Geri from Clinton…wait. Again?
Warren on the Mass Pike
Bob in Fitchburg
And Rob from Needham
Ep 172, Time for a Name Change, hums its way to your ears, now.
Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/normnathanvos
Let’s keep the laughs going here early in 2024 with a DBG from January 7th, 1995.
The title? It Doesn’t Get Any Simpler.
Players:
Terry
Al from South Boston
Pat in Brockton
Rick from Newton
Jim Cormier producing and playing in studio
And Jack Harte the traffic guy
Bdays:
Nicholas Cage
Kenny Loggins
Katie Couric
Donna Rice
Alvin Dark
William Peter Blatty
Dates in History:
The world’s first typewriter was patented by Henry Mill in what year?
In what year was commercial TransAtlantic telephone service inaugurated between NY and London?
Ep 171, It Doesn’t Get Any Simpler, kindly makes it way to your ears in 3,2 annnnnnd 1.
Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/normnathanvos
Our first installment of 2024 is a DBG from January 1st, 1994.
Let’s title it, "Getting Saucy with Italian Names."
Players:
Julie in Medford
Ginny from Burlington
Judy in Lynn
John Kelly
Aaron Sawyer
I'm on the phone
Bdays:
Barry Goldwater
Frank Langella
Don Novello
JD Salinger
And Country Joe McDonald
Dates in History:
In what year did Elizabeth Taylor announce she would be marrying actor Michael Wilding?
Hank Williams died on Jan 1st in what year?
What year did President Abraham Lincoln sign the Emancipation Proclamation?
And The Ellis Island Immigration Station opened in what year?
Ep 170, Getting Saucy with Italian Names, stirs it’s way to your ears, now.
Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/normnathanvos
Ho, Ho, Ho and Merry Silliness to you all!
Today a fascinating interview with Nat Hentoff on Jazz, country music and his book, “Listen to the Stories” begins our NNS from December 27th, 1995.
Because of the time of year I will title this: The Past is the Present!
Next guest: Rebecca Molly – Middlesex News reporter who was doing an article on overnight radio, her focus was on the people who CALL talk radio during the overnights.
Norm teases guests and features on the show for the week as he filled in for the vacationing Bob Raleigh:
One was Jami Bernard author of “Total Exposure: The Movie Buffs Guide to Celebrity Nude Scenes.”
Richard Alan Heene – “The Offensive Driving Handbook”
Ann Marie Bivens – “101 Secrets to Winning Beauty Pageants.”
And Bruce Lee a former WEEI Broadcaster and his wife Norita, join us later from Sapphire Village on St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.
Callers:
The dreaded Unknown Caller
Fred from Medford
A familiar sounding caller talking about all different radio stations
Ruth Clennott
Charlie from NY
Caller talking books and reading
Another Caller with more on reading
Lynne from N. Andover
The Amazing Mr. B from Boston
Joan
And John from Charlestown
Ep 169, “The Past is the Present” unwraps its way to your ears in 3,2, annnnnd 1.
Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/normnathanvos
This week it's DBG/DBG from the weekend of December 17th and 18th, 1994.
Let’s call this one: “2 for the Price of None”
Players:
Laurie
Ellen in Stoneham
Carol Lee from Providence, RI
Brian in Plaistow, NH
Brian McKinley producing and playing in studio
Jack Harte in traffic
Bdays:
Eugene Levy
Robert Guccione
William Sapphire
Gene Rayburn
Sarah Dallin
Marilyn Beck
History:
Wilbur and Orville Wright had their maiden flight at Kittyhawk, NC in what year?
In what year did Edgar Bergen make his radio debut on the Rudy Vallee Show?
DBG #2 – 12/18/94
Players:
Thomas in Clevland
Frank in Ontario
Juanita from Birmingham, MI
Brian McKinley producing and live, in studio
Ken Newman in Traffic
Bdays:
Kiefer Sutherland
Keith Richards
Roger Smith
Steven Spielberg
Leonard Maltin
Anita O’Day
Bill “Moose” Scowron
Ossie Davis
Please don’t forget Patreon and become a subscriber for exclusive content.
Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/normnathanvos
Not one but TWO very silly DBG’s lay ahead here on Episode 167. Both from the weekend of December 9th and 10th, 1995. Based on the wacky discussions that took place throughout I have titled this:
“Shake Well Before Listening.”
Game #1 features the following cast:
Jack Harte
Ed LeClair
Dave
Ellen in Peabody
Forrest from Woonsocket, RI
And Dorothy in NY
The Bdays:
Kirk Douglas
Dick Van Patten
Beau Bridges
Dick Butkus
Douglas Fairbanks Jr.
John Malkovich
Donny Osmond
And Joan Armatrading
Game #2 stars:
Ken Newman in traffic
Ed LeClair
Marie in Quincy
Betty in Louisville KY
Kevin from Boston
And Jim in Lowell
And the Bdays:
Dorothy Lamour
Harold Gould
Susan Dey
Kenneth Branagh
Gloria Loring
12/11
Teri Garr
Brenda Lee
And John Kerry
Ep 167, Shake Well Before Listening, bubbles it’s way to your ears in 3, 2 and 1.
Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/normnathanvos
Hejsan Allt bra Sweden! Thanks for discovering us here at the Vault of Silliness!
Today, as we kick of December and feeling a bit nostalgic, I thought it would be a treat to make most of these episodes ‘2-siders.’ I mean, it is the season of giving.
Today we harken back to the heady day of December 5th, 1993 for a NNS/DBG which I have titled: “The Donahue Début,” because WBZ’s and now AP’s own Ed Donahue plays the DBG for the first time!
We get to it right away with calls:
Dennis
Bob
Jean
Hank
And then Steve
Now it’s DBG time!
Players:
Eddie in Allston – his cat’s name is Clyde
Our good friend Helen
The just so darn thriILLed Amy from Boston. Cat’s name is Ma
Mark in Hudson, NH – his cat’s name is BJ
Sid Whittaker producing and playing in studio
Bruce Connolly in Traffic
Ed Donahue on the phone!
Bdays:
Deanna Durbin is briefly discussed because of tech issues the night before the game was not played and I guess Norm wanted to mention her.
Now, the real bdays:
Jim Messina
Little Richard
Morgan Brittany
Jim Plunkett
Calvin Trillin
Wil Shriner
Steven Wright
And Dave Brubeck
Post-game callers
Joe in Waltham
And Jeff from Dorchester
Commercials:
The opening to a few Gold Bond’s and an Ovaltine spot
Norm read for Heritage Radio
The Irish Crystal Co.
A terribly annoying spot for the Westborough Antique and Flea Market
James Rife of Riverdale, IL for Gold Bond
Bessie Dupree of St. Petersburg, FL for Ovaltine
Ep 166, The Donahue Début, sparkles its way to your ears, now.
Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/normnathanvos
We revisit Thanksgiving week again, with this episode from November 28, 1993. It’s possible another date may have slipped in, or the tape was mislabeled. That does not happen often as our friend Joan was rather meticulous and would even provide copious notes.
So, Because this is a NNS/DBG/NNS broadcast, I’ve decided to call it: “A Cold Turkey Sandwich.”
The DBG is only a partial game that picks up towards the end. We get two celebrities, three history questions and lots of puns.
Callers throughout are as follows:
Good Ol’ Jack in NH
Jane in Pinehurst, NC
John
Paul
Dave
The Reminiscing Pete
The hacking, snorting, hysterical Beverly – what a call!
Guy from Westford
And Ann
We welcome an awesome repeat guest, Jean Aspen author of “Arctic Daughter: A Wilderness Journey” What an amazing story and life. Her description of being in the Arctic is stunning. We had her on with her other book, “Arctic Son.”
The DBG is joined in progress and is very funny.
Players:
I’m on the phone
Sid Whittaker producing and playing in studio
Bruce Connolly in Traffic
Fred in Medford
Dave
Virginia
And Itsy Bitsy Christopher
Bdays:
Gary Hart
Hope Lange
History:
What year did the The Coconut Grove fire happened in Boston?
America’s first auto race took place in what year?
What year was the 1st WSM Barn Dance (Later renamed: The Grand Ole Opry)?
We have Commercials from:
The Club
Ovaltine
Mrs. Nelson’s Candy House but it’s only a tease because it’s edited out
And a Commercial Read by Norm for Heritage Radio
Ep 165, A Cold Turkey Sandwich, slices its way to your ears in 3,2 and 1.
Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/normnathanvos
Episode 164 brings us back to Thanksgiving morning, November 24th, 1993 for a NNS that I will call: “Storytime.” Not only does our guest tell stories but so do the callers. It’s one I hope you enjoy all throughout this coming week.
Norm’s guest was uber successful film director Richard Fleischer (son of animation pioneer, Max Fleisher) and author of “Tell Me When to Cry.” He regales us with stories from his career in another great interview by Norm. They take one call from Mark in Newton. A phenomenal guest.
Post interview I joined Norm and we talked turkey including the SMQ and an upcoming guest: Fred Goss of The Newsletter Association
Calls:
Fred from Medford
A Caller with a familiar voice but I cannot recall the name. He reads a chapter from a story he was writing, I believe was titled, “The Castle.”
Charlie in Framingham – who keeps interrupting Norm
Gloria – sharing grief and maybe a love connection?
Danny from Revere who tells a personal Thanksgiving story
Janet with a sweet call
Joe the Baker/Plumber with some cooking tips
Robert talking accents
And Joe from Quincy who also chats about accents.
Ep 164, Storytime, turns to page 1, now.
Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/normnathanvos
A DBG from November 16th, 1991 roars back to life with today’s episode. I have named this one: “A Pun is a Pun, of course, of course.”
Norm had just returned from taking time after Norma passed. And there’s no better way to help heal than by getting back into the fray that is the DBG.
Players:
Mike
Paul from Malden
Frank in Waltham
Bob from Sanford ME
I’m producing and on the phone from MC
And Jack Harte
Bdays w/ALL the sfx:
Burgess Meredith
Dwight Gooden
11/19
Jodie Foster
Ted Turner
Larry King
Alan Young
11/20
Bo Derek
Goldie Hawn
11/21
Marlo Thomas
And for 11/22 we have Jamie Lee Curtis
There are some extras here with Norm reading the bottom of the hour headlines & Accuwx. Plus, closing out this episode, I decided to include a partial, top hour, ABC News w/Marty McNeely, Vic Ratner and Jane Platt.
Before that though we take calls from:
Bill in Revere
And Generosa!
There are some Commercials to keep an ear out for:
Triple Action Gold Bond Medicated Powder
Keep It In Your Sneaker
WBZ Boston College Football coverage promo
And Willard Scott for Riopan Plus 2
Episode 163, “A Pun is a Pun, of course, of course.” whinny’s its way to your ears in 3,2 and 1.
Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/normnathanvos
NNVoS features a DBG from November 1st, 1994 which is titled: Radio Bosco, not only because it’s mentioned here but as an homage to one of my fav drinks growing up.
The Players:
Crystal – exotic but not an exotic dancer
Steve from Newton
Joanne in Waltham
Maria from Nashua, NH
Mike Epstein producing and playing in studio
The forgotten Jack Harte
Bdays:
Fernando Valenzula - Si
Barbara Bosson
Betsy Palmer
Bill Anderson
Larry Flint
Lyle Lovett
Gary Player
History:
The play Harvey opened on Broadway in what year?
Please check out the Patreon link below where you can support the show.
Ep 162, Radio Bosco, mixes its way to your ears, now.
Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/normnathanvos
At the time of this post it will only be a few hours shy of the time, while working at WBZ, that I received a call from Sarah Nathan with the terrible news that her dad, my friend and mentor, a comforting voice to so many every weekend, had passed away. For those of you keeping track at home, it’s been 27 years.
On, at least what I hope is a happier note, today marks the 3rd anniversary of NNVoS!
There are SO many tapes remaining! Keep sharing and spreading the word about this silly little show.
Welcome to our new subscribers and listeners. Both numbers are up and here’s hoping that trend continues every week.
This week brings us a DBG from October 28th, 1995.
You will quickly understand why I’ve titled it:
Putting the ‘Talk’ in Talk Radio.
Players:
Jack Harte
Ed LeClair
Dorothy in Pleasantville, NY
Russell from Peabody
And the nerve racked Arlene in Woburn
Bdays:
Charlie Daniels
Dodie Goodman
Julia Roberts
Bruce Jenner
Dennis Franz
Jonas Salk
Events:
What year was the Statue of Liberty dedicated in NY harbor by President Grover Cleveland?
And Harvard College was founded on this date in what year?
There’s a special, very entertaining post-game caller so stay tuned all the way through!
Ep 161, Putting the ‘Talk’ in Talk Radio, yaps its way to your ears in 3, 2 and 1.
Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/normnathanvos
As the heavy rain falls outside of Norch Studios and FuzzyWuzzy Productions…here, let me turn on our parabolic microphone and pick up those sounds…
Ok, let’s wish a very Happy Birthday to Joan from Tewksbury!
Without her foresight and trust fund cassette tape budget we wouldn’t have as many amazing archives of Norm here in the Vault of Silliness. Thank you, Joan and hope you had a great day! And a Happy Birthday to our very own Jack Harte! What a week!
Speaking of bdays, today brings us a DBG from a mere 30 years ago. October 16th, 1993. It is titled: A Breast of Fresh Air.
Before we get to the game, we begin with some Jack Harte Traffic report fun:
Including an appearance by Jack’s third cousin on his mother’s side, Paul Drake who gives a rather dramatic report for WBNW.
Next, Joe Franklin for Bloomberg News drops by with some interesting facts about Ed Sullivan
Paul Drake can’t stay away as we get report #2, which sounds eerily similar to report #1 BUUUUUT wait for the surprise ending
The Jack returns on WBZ
And the traffic extravaganza closes with Paul Drake on WBNW.
Note that all of these sound like they came from Thanksgiving. From what year, I don’t know.
Time now for the DBG with full transistor radio sound!
Players:
Claudette from Dorchester
Greenie in Amesterdam, NY
Norma in the N End
Tony playing in studio
Jack Harte from Traffic
Mike Epstein producing and playing in studio
Sid Whittaker producing and playing in studio
Bdays:
Angela Lansbury
Suzanne Somers
Bob Weir
David Zucker
Charles Colson
10/18
George C Scott
And Pam Dawber
Post-game we take calls from:
Generosa!
Jim from Detroit
And the slumbering Ed
There’s a bonus traffic report with the Birthday Boy Jack Harte
And we wrap it up with Warren Shepherd on Countryside…the LAST Countryside Show!
It’s not all here but still nice to hear it again.
Commercials:
Dunk sponsor
Osco sponsor
Filene’s Basement
Scotch Pine Farm
Ep 160, A Breast of Fresh Air, heaves its way to your ears, now.
Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/normnathanvos
I’m experimenting with when to release these. Originally, I wanted to do Friday or Saturday to recreate the show on the same days Norm was on. But as views/listens go it’s definitely stronger during the week. I think people are listening on their commute to and from work or school. Last week we aired on Monday. This week I’m trying Tuesday! Next week, oh why not? Wednesday. And then maybe Thursday but we’ll see on that. I’m thinking those first three days of the week are crucial to let the silliness fly. Though we can use some of that anytime!
This week we drop 30 years back to September 10th, 1993. It’s a NNS which is simply titled: Hindsight
Norm feels this one will be an award winner so make room on the shelf or wall from a trophy or plaque.
Let’s get this one all summed up:
Jack with traffic x5
Norm show open x3
ABC News x2
WBZ News x2
Accuwx x4 + some forecast, lottery and sports reads from Norm
Callers:
Scott on a car phone
Edward in Allston
Alan in Peabody
Gary from St. Louis
Fred in VA
Glenn in Brighton
The exciting and vibrant Irene
Nina in Malden
Ian from NC
And a call from a listener I've been waiting for since I started this thing. You'll jsut have to wait!
Oodles of Commercials:
Home Security from ADT
Gold Bond with Michael Cook from Grand Prairie TX
WBZ Promo for the Patriots game with Gil Santos x2
Bill Marlowe for Tommy Floramo’s
Classic Ovaltine with the excited Paul Grassi of Valley Stream NY
Marezine with the lovely Hazel Dew of Houston TX
NTW National Tire Wholesaler
Baby Gold Bond with Louise Fallon from Brooklyn NY
Gold Bond with James Rife from Riverdale IL
Rich Chocolate Ovaltine – different than other Ovaltines and don’t you forget it!
Silver City Ford Hyundai Coachman and Silver City Dodge Toyota
Marezine with Arlene Treig of Coquille OR
Dave Maynard for Caitlyn Travel
Jacque Black of Newcastle IN for Baby Goldbond
And a dramatic WBZ News Promo with Jay McQuaide
Don’t forget to LSS and support the show by becoming a patron over on Patreon.
Episode 154, Hindsight, reveals it way to your ears…now.
Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/normnathanvos
A super show awaits you here on the VoS. It’s a NNS from September 1st and 2nd, 1995. I’ve bestowed the title of “Greedy Grabby Grubsters”
Mason Adams begins the show.
We cash in on a pile of callers:
Jim
Caller talking old time radio
Gregory, Gina and Baby Myles from Marion
Tom from Harwichport
Margaret from W. Newbury
Ruth Clennott – the 13th Farmstand!
Peggy
Joe in Taunton
Unknown Caller
Jim in the car
Marion in Greenland, NH
Rob
Dieter in MD
Deena from Branford, Ontario
Granny Brown from Norwood
And Irene in Ohio
Loose change:
Some Jack Traffic reports
Norm threatens to sing
Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame Grand Opening
ABC News with Dorothy McIntire
Mel Simons and his accordion was going to be appearing at the Farm Stand
Lots of fiery loins
Cumberland Farms
Nissen Bread
Artesani Park
Banks, naked tellers and keeping one’s dignity
Norm tells an old joke about a bank
Norm rails against banks and commercials!
Miss Emerson from the phone company
Tongue depressors up your poopy?
Magazines in the Dr's office waiting room are a clue to how long your wait may be
Clean Teeth
And Nickel Pickles
Commercials:
Bally Totally Fitness
MOM Ride at Jordan’s Furniture in Avon
Ovaltine with Martin Baird of Farmers Branch TX
Julianna Quisling of Chippewa Falls, WI with her red irritated baby for Baby Gold Bond
B.U. Windows Tech Night
Xerox copiers
WBZ Business Breakfast with Anthony Silva
Ovaltine vs Nestle Quik with Joseph Aruho of Lewisville TX
More red, itchy babies with Ann George of Philadelphia PA
Ep 153, Greedy Grabby Grubsters, deposits its way to your ears in 3, 2 and 1.
Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/normnathanvos
Holy cow we are back for another installment of Norm Nathan’s Vault of Silliness. Today we feature a DBG from August 27th, 1994.
The title of which is Ascending Assumptions.
Players:
Ann who sounds incredibly similar to Ruth Clennott
Dolly from Chelsea
Brian from Falls Church, VA
Sylvia in Waltham
Adam Wolf producing and playing in studio
Jack Harte in traffic
Bdays:
Mother Theresa
Margaret Rey
Tuesday Weld
Darrell Dragon
Tommy Sands
Pee Wee Herman
Barbara Bach
Jeff Cooke
More Silly Stuff:
Bellingham Sq in Chelsea has the most beautiful women next to Paris
The soap opera town of Falls Church, VA
CNN Radio’s Pat St.Clair
The Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta
Who is Dolly and Hello Sylvia?
The new parlor game sweeping across America: The Assumed Name Game!
Get ready for the extensive list covered in this show...
Registering under an assumed day, body of water, fruit, color, body part, animal, construction trade occupation, geographical feature, city, plant, bird, sensation or pain, means of entry or protection, mythical beast, building materials, direction, earth material, Las Vegas Hotel, heights, porridge, classical composer, dog sounds, financial situation and occupations.
Norm sings!
And looking Shapely in almost all the right places
Lastly, we learn that there’s only one thing left to do…
Ep 152, Ascending Assumptions, climbs its way to your ears in 3,2 & 1.
Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/normnathanvos
Today brings us a NNS from August 19th, 1995.
It shall be titled: The Gort-on Radioman
This “two-sided” rebroadcast podcast has a bit of everything. It’s post-DBG hours with callers, commercials and a wide variety of subjects.
Hope Schaeur was producing.
Speaking of Commercials, here’s what’s ahead:
Fun Center & Star Market
Ovaltine
Gold Bond
Pro Journey Travel
Lannan Chevrolet, Oldsmobile/Geo
Bill Lawrence for Tufts Health Plan
PowerVites and PowerMate
The Victory Group – Ford Dodge and Chrysler/Plymouth
And Ed Donahue tells us about the upcoming shows at Harborlights!
Our Callers:
Judy
Bob
A caller with a familiar voice but the name escapes me
Robert from Everett!
Louise
Bill (Who’s a dope) from Southbridge but listen closely because Norm’s response to what he said was hilarious.
Richard in Quincy
Everett in Arlington
The wonderful Joan from Tewksbury!
Unknown Caller
A Pay Phone Caller
Another unnamed caller
Irene
Carl
Rich – with quite the list of things to talk about.
Ruth in Brookline
Mike in Boston
Peggy in Georgetown
Doris from Sharon
And Nickie in Boston
Ep 151, The Gort-on Radioman, invades its way to your ears …now.
Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/normnathanvos
Today brings us an oldie. A DBG from August 11th, 1991.
I will simply title it: Spotlight Dancing with Dingbats
Players:
Stacey
Linda from Medford
Ruth Clennott
I’m producing and playing on the phone from MC
And Matt Phipps in Traffic
Bdays with ALL the SFX
Hulk Hogan
Alex Haley
Jerry Falwell
Eric Carmen
Mike Douglas
And Carl Rowan
Post-Game Fun:
Norm with a bottom hour news update!
Traffic with Matt Phipps
Some serious talk sneaks in with Bill from Waltham
Norm with the weather accompanied by his orchestra.
Then we close with Margaret from Stoneham who was concerned with Norm who had survived the earlier trauma of weird callers.
Other gifts:
We learn The DBG is secretly played in the Oval Office.
There’s Jack Benny Cosby cameo
Rabbi Giddleman
Revile
Hokey tunes that still suck
Annette Funicello and Mike Douglas operated a store in Cordyline, WA called The Bigfoot Indian Artifact Store. Carl Rowan handled the mail order side of things.
Teaching Ancient Greek Literature
Bribery works!
The middle initial ‘T.’
The Westinghouse Hitmen
Norm’s tap dancing suede pumps, yeth thir!
Venting your spleen
Going down the aisle and out the front door
And The great story of Brandi the Sheltie
Featured Commercials:
Stop Smoking with Resolve voiced by Steve Allen
Sears Kitchen Cabinet Refacing
Ask a Nurse
Dangerous Obsession at the N.S. Music Theater
Joan Cantwell from Brockton MA for Triple Action Gold Bond Medicated Powder
Keep It in Your Sneaker
Ep 150, Spotlight Dancing with Dingbats, shuffles its way to your ears…now.
Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/normnathanvos
A DBG from August 6th, 1994 entertains us today here at the VoS.
The Title? “The Dimpled Diva of the DBG.”
The Players:
I’m in Studio
The dimpled Liz in Studio
The adorable Kay in Studio
The lovely Lynn in Studio
Jack Harte from Traffic HQ
The terribly excited Adam Wolf producing and playing in studio
The alternate dimpled Brian McKinley also producing and playing in studio
The Bdays:
Robert Mitchum
Monday 8/8
Dustin Hoffman
Esther Williams
Donnie Most
Deborah Norville
Mel Tillis
Connie Stevens
And Joan Mondale
Other observations:
Danny Kaye and the History of Musical Window Washers?
Red Nichols and His Five Pennies
Norm tells his great story of spending the weekend with Dustin Hoffman. Went with him to visit Andover High School and Jay Leno was a student.
And Norm’s nose job
Ep 149, The Dimpled Diva of the DBG, smiles its way to your ears in 3,2 and 1.
Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/normnathanvos
Ola, Mehico! Welcome and thanks for joining us here at NNVoS!
Sorry I’m late with this post. A slow recovery from an Alaskan vacation is my excuse and I’m sticking to it.
The Vault has gifted us this jewel from July 29th and 30th, 1995. This show is packed full of great stuff. So much so that I’ve titled it: “A Treasure Chest of Norm.”
Show begins with Norm speaking to a fantastic guest, Dennis Webb, who co-authored “Greenberg’s Guide to Marbles.”
Next is a wildly interesting caller who tells us about her business…glass blowing. She makes Kaleidoscopes.
Switch next to another call and the subject of children gambling. Trust me, it’s not a serious call.
Next call talks about a guest we had on recently, Joanna Cole, who wrote a book called, “Jump Rope Rhymes.”
Next call brings up Dapper O’Neil and the Irish Belly Dancer
We connect with WERE in Cleveland with Mitch Mann, Rick “Gilly” Gilmore and Steve Wainstead and their show NightTalk. They have absconded with the DBG and play the SBG. They talk all things radio and silliness and Ken Newman from traffic joins the fun too. They take some calls mixing people from Cleveland and Boston like:
Mike the 45-year-old virgin from Cleveland
Tim from Franklin
Drew on WERE
John in his car who was chief engineer at WJUL University of Lowell radio station
Pete/Bill/Phil? on WERE
Katie in Malden
There’s a new show on WERE and Elvis tells us all about it
And some Wacky Police Blotter News
Moving on we are back to Norm solo with a couple of unknown callers to go along with Ruth The Molasses Baby and Shirley asking for info on Jump Rope Rhymes.
Now we leap to a weird segment that’s pitched down.
There’s a quick call and then Jack Harte is under attack?
Closing with a sponsor read by Jack that kicked open the door to his Broadway career.
There’s a lot more so just sit back and enjoy this piece of broadcasting excellence.
Ep 148, A Treasure Chest of Norm, begins now!
Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/normnathanvos
The Vault of Silliness rolls on with another rebroadcast podcast. This time we have, Direct from the Ed Mullen Collection, a SMQ from July 22nd, 1993.
The most, big band/jazz and musical comedy/theater questions EVER were asked on this game! So, let’s title it: Norm’s Quiz Cup Runneth Over
Right away, Norm refers to the game as “The Dumb Music Quiz.”
The Panel:
Norm, of course
Ed Mullen
Jack Harte
And Ric Duarte who's producing
Categories:
RnR
Musical Comedy/Theater
BigBand/Jazz
The Callers:
Marty in Rockland
Cynthia in NH
Bob in Norwood
Tom in NH
Helene from Belmont
Mae in Boston
Denise from Brookline
Paul in Malden
Paul from Haverhill
Mary in Danvers
On side B the tape jumped to the beginning of a SMQ from Thanksgiving 1993. I have archived that for later this year. Because of that we upcut to a call-in progress w/Ted from New Brunswick
John in Natick
Neil from Lynn
John in Billerica
Steve in Milwaukee, WI
Chris from Toledo, OH
Brad in Detroit, MI
Paul in his car
Peter at BU
Paul in Chelmsford
Rob from Milton
Dave in Woonsocket, RI
Randy in W. Boylston
George from Everett
And lastly, Fred from Yarmouth, ME
Ep 147, Norm’s Quiz Cup Runneth Over, a SMQ from the EMC, serenades its way to your ears in 3, 2 and 1.
Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/normnathanvos
Nice to have you back this week for more laughs from the Vault of Silliness. Today we will feature a DBG from July 19th, 1993. The title of which is: Only Three Because of Sleep.
Players:
Carrie from E. Bridgewater by way of Indiana
I’m producing and playing in studio
Paul Brennan in Traffic
That’s it but we have some fun…
Bdays:
Ilie Natase
Rosie Grier
George McGovern
Vicki Carr
Sue Thompson
And George Hamilton IV
An Event closes out the game:
What year were The Boston Braves known as “The Miracle Team” and went on to win the World Series?
Post DBG:
Norm reads the list of “Ten Top Movies”
Lollapalooza in RI
Nose piercings
And we take a call!
Frank in NH talking about The Big Broadcast, an Old-Time Radio recreation play covering the WWII years with Big Band music being performed in Portsmouth, NH
Some Commercial content too:
Marazine Tablets
Baby Gold Bond w/Barbara Lanier of Conley, GA
Ovaltine w/Ann Pugsley of Middlesex, NY
Michael Bissonette with Voice Power Technologies and their VCR Voice Programmer Remote
Ep 146, Only Three Because of Sleep, dreams its way to your ears, now!
Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/normnathanvos
The DBG’s keep spilling forth from the Vault with this selection taking us back to July 16th, 1995. Norm was in a feisty mood and had an ominous feeling about the game so for that reason I’ve titled it:
Must be the Heat.
Our Players:
Ken Newman from Traffic who also answers Norm’s questions about the steamy roadways
Craig from N. Billerica
Pete from Lawrence
James from IN
Hope Schauer producing and playing in studio
Bdays:
Orville Redenbacher
Ruben Blades
Stewart Copeland
And Barnard Hughes
Events that happened:
In what year were the very first parking meters installed in Oklahoma City?
In what year did Apollo 11 blast off and head to the moon?
And in what year was the District of Columbia established as the seat of the U.S. Government?
Ep 145, Must be the Heat, sizzles its way to your ears in 3, 2, and 1.
Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/normnathanvos
This week’s Vault of Silliness installment is a DBG from July 2nd, 1994.
The title? Heels with No Soles.
Let’s slip right into this.
Players:
Denise
Judy
I’m in studio
Jack Harte
Elizabeth from Chelsea in studio
Lynn from Malden in studio
Chris in studio
Emilio Marotta producing and in studio
Bdays:
Imelda Marcos
John Sununu
Jimmy McNichol
Polly Holiday
Lucy Baines Johnson Turpin
Cheryl Ladd
And Jose Canseco
Ep 144, Heels with No Soles, ties one on to your ears…now.
Howdy and welcome today’s performance of the Vault of Silliness starring Norm Nathan. Episode 143 presents a DBG from June 29th, 1995. The broadcast sounds like it was recorded by an old tape machine placed up against a transistor radio speaker. A classic sound if there ever was one, hence our title: The Tinny Transistor.
Players:
Michelle
Ken from PA
Jacque in Weymouth
Mike Epstein producing and playing in studio
Ed Mullen leftover from the Swell Music Quiz
Jack Harte in traffic
Bdays:
Ruth Warrick
Gary Busey
Fred Grandy
Little Eva
Cara Williams
Richard Lewis
And Dan Dierdorf
Date in History:
In what year did Marilyn Monroe marry Arthur Miller?
Ep 143, The Tinny Transistor, tunes its way to your ears in 3,2 & 1.
https://www.patreon.com/normnathanvos
All right people, I’m late.
Lots going on here. But things should begin to settle down as June ebbs and summer truly begins. And that brings me to today’s episode which is from exactly 29 years ago today. June 21st, 1994.
A DBG which I have titled: Keeping the Comedy Secure
Players:
Joanne from Walpole
Liza from Winchester
Deedee in W. VA
Rod the Security Guard
Mike Epstein producing and playing in studio
I’m in studio
Jack Harte in traffic
Bdays:
Jane Russell
Maureen Stapleton
Mariette Hartley
Joe Flaherty
Steve Merrill
Meredith Baxter & Michael Gross – same birthday, same age, same tv show!
Bernie Kopell
Then a crazy birthday free-for-all takes over:
O.C. Smith
Lalo Schifrin
Carl Stokes
Berkely Breathed
Ron Ely
Benazir Bhutto
And Francoise Sagan
There’s even a couple of post-game callers:
Glenn from Brighton
And Stan from E. Hampstead, NH
Ep 142, Keeping the Comedy Secure, unlocks its way to your ears, now.
https://www.patreon.com/normnathanvos
This week the Vault has exposed a DBG relic from June 12th, 1991. It’s a good one and I’ve titled it:
Out and About with Umlauts.
Norm begins by giving us a very interesting temperature and then it’s on to a classic traffic network sounder and Jack Harte with all the wall washing, bulb changing, ceiling repairs and work crews you can handle.
Then we get the driest possible show open for Bob Raleigh (as Norm was filling in that night).
Players:
Irene in CT
Judy from Needham
Harry Platcow and Jack Wertheimer
I’m on the phone
Jack Harte
And Mike Epstein producing and playing in studio
Bdays:
George Bush
Jim Nabors
Chick Correa
Vic Damone
David Rockefeller
Ally Sheedy
Uta Hagen
Other things that ‘punctuated’ the show:
We learn that the desks are being locked in sales dept so Norm can’t steal stuff for prizes.
Jack Clark and Carl Yastrzemski wwere traffic reporters.
Feedback
Like Marilyn Guralnick, we have loose rules.
Getting you right where we want ya
Mosquitos in your ear
Eyes wide in wonderment
Anecdotes
Beautiful, scantily clad women
An unspirited 76!
Martha Quinn, Adrienne Barbeau and Ally Sheedy and I’m in heaven
I recite one of Ms. Sheedy’s Poems
Producers screening producers
Ma & Pa Kettle, Ma Perkins & Tugboat Annie
VERY interesting facts on the umlaut. You DO NOT want to miss that.
Fits of anger that alter the rules
Bush on the button and Uta on her umlaut
Mike Epstein and Jack Harte are suspected to be the cause of a Hollywood wedding that was abruptly called off.
Some great traffic insight from Jack. You have to listen closely or you might miss it.
Commercials:
Jarvis Ford in Ayer
Kid Company
MVP Sports
Tennis Magazine
Hitchcock Home Furnishings
Norm read for Unique Baskets for Father’s Day
The Club!
Gold Bond with Joan Cantwell
Keep It in Your Sneaker
Ep 141, Out and About with Umlauts, accents its way to your ears…now.
https://www.patreon.com/normnathanvos
Hello, my friends ad thanks for tuning in for Ep 140. This is a DBG from June 6th, 1992. It’s another fun one but let me say that there’s a bit of a hum throughout the recording. It’s not overly distracting but it did help me aptly title the show: The Sound of Underwater Marbles
Players:
Jimmy from Winthrop
Mike from Marshfield
Jerry from Stoneham
Debbie, the Sleeping Beauty, from Wellesley
I’m producing and playing in Studio
And Jack Harte in Traffic
Bdays and events:
Bjorn Borg
Bill Dickey
Gary U.S. Bonds
Then we move to 6/9 for:
Michael J. Fox
And Jackie Mason
Events in history!:
DDay occured in what year?
The YMCA was founded in London in what year?
We close the game with bad horse jokes about the Belmont Stakes.
Commercials:
Bob Raleigh for Carpet Giant!
And Frugal Fannies!
Post-Game Callers:
Eleanor in Charlestown - She was so thankful for the craziness of the show.
And Hazel, whom Norm feels was a fraud and puts an quick end to the call.
Then Norm gives us some entertainment news to bring us to the top of the hour.
Other interference:
Stalwarts
Snoring
Slaps in the face
Arthur Godfrey, Jack Benny, Henry Kissinger, Bill Dickey and Jackie Mason make cameos.
The Wellesley School system has some issues, but they have an amazing hot lunch program
Incoming, angry letters
Jokes that stink so badly we have to crack a window
The good ol’ days!
Going for a cute little laugh
Scanning deep space for traffic
The Jack Harte School of Comedy
Emotional, Mediterranean outbursts
Norm sings!
And street corner apples
Episode 140, The Sound of Underwater Marbles, bubbles it’s way to ears in 3,2 and 1.
https://www.patreon.com/normnathanvos
I’m back after having my body ravaged by norovirus. That was a bit dramatic, but it wasn’t a whole lotta fun, that’s for sure.
And what a way to return with what I believe could very well be one of, if not the first appearance of the SMQ (simply known as The Musical Quiz) – May 29th, 1992.
Because of that I have titled it: The Debut Album
The opening track was a Kid Company promo, some lottery numbers and scores, then the Panel is introduced:
Ed Mullen
I’m producing, playing sfx and participating on the phone from MC
Jack Harte clearly relaxing by lighting up and enjoying some hot tea
Categories and Rules are explained and a “Diploma/Certificate of Award” suitable for framing is your prize.
Callers:
Glenn from Danvers
Mary from Kittery!
Sam in Newton
Jimmy from Winthrop
Ruth Clennott
Jack in Boston
Andy from Woburn
Glenn in Brighton
Gary from NH
Jim in Woburn
Tammy from Kentucky
Rick in Boston
Eric from Ontario, Canada
Fred in ME
Nancy in Chelsea
Eric from Canton
Bill in Chelsea
Rob from Melrose
Bob in Fitchburg
Norman in Marblehead
Peter from N. Chelmsford
Don in Peabody
Arnold in Winthrop
An upcut call with Ben starts hour two
Rusty from Winchendon
Wilf in Berry, N. Ontario, Canada
Mike from Andover
Janet in RI
And Bob from ME
We close the show with a bonus traffic report
B-sides:
The board of outstanding, unanswered questions is overflowing with outstanding, unanswered questions!
A traitorous, noisy yet knowledgeable Jack Harte
Let’s Dance with Bob Clayton and the Boston Ballroom
Longing for a Certificate of Award
Rhythm Carrots
Dick Stabile and his Orchestra
Old Norman’s
Arthur Friedman
Joyce Kulhawik
The Jewish Forward
La non tizzio di Giorno
La Page
Norm’s HGPG
The Anvil Chorus performed by The Panel
Butt aches and balloon angioplasty
90 minutes into the game and Norm has forgotten the rules
Norm’s Al Hibbler Impression
And that Little café in Antwerp, Belgium
Commercials and Promos:
Kid Company
2 from for Liberty Chevrolet’s Giant Conversion Van Show!
Ask-a-Nurse – fevers
Norm tells us all about “Sid Caesar and Imogene Coca: Together Again” at the Charles Playhouse!
2 from Purity Supermarkets – Peter Sadini , Pres of PS
A Matter of Health sponsored by St. Elizabeth’s Hospital
The overnight sensation himself, Tom Bergeron for the Scotia Prince!
Another Purity commercial
And Peter Meade for the All Walks of Life AIDS Walk
Ep 139, The Debut Album, grooves its way to your ears…now.
Happy Mother’s Day weekend 2023 to all you mom’s out there.
Today’s Vault of Silliness cashes in with a DBG from Mother’s Day 1996. May 12th to be exact.
Title: Mother’s Day Pancake (Make-up) Broadcast
It all begins with a fade in of WBZ sports guy, Tom Cuddy with a DBG Pre-game Show Intro! He also does a nifty disclaimer at the end too. I forgot all about these fun additions to the Show!
The Crew for today:
Tom Howie producing and playing in studio
Peter James in Traffic
Joe from Boston
David in Canandaigua, NY
Rosemarie from Wellesley
And Dennis
Tons of Bdays:
Katharine Hepburn
Yogi Berra
Burt Bacharach
Tom Snyder
George Carlin
Emilio Estevez
Stephen Baldwin
And Felipe Alou
Other extraneous fun:
Soaring into conversation and provocative talk
Norm has gone thru many traffic reporters, producers, program directors and GM’s
Sharone Stone, Michelle Pfeiffer, Alec Baldwin…just some of the folks who started out as traffic reporters on Norm’s show
Minus the pancake make-up, Sharon Stone looks like...
Coughing equals truth in advertising!
Devotion and adoration
The sands of time are running through Norm’s hourglass.
We have a DBG flashing marquee out on Soldiers Field Rd
Mounting Tension
Getting a hold on oneself
Steamy letters from Paula Abdul
We hear yet another one of Norm’s original names
We are graced with some wisdom from Norm’s HGPG
Dueling Benny’s
And Chet, Nat, Burt and Loni
Ep 138, Mother’s Day Pancake (Make-up) Broadcast, brushes its way to your ears, now.
https://www.patreon.com/normnathanvos
Guete Tag and Hallo to our new listeners in Switzerland!
Today’s feature presentation is a DBG from May 7th, 1994. It was mentioned by Norm and the players that it had been a weird, kooky night on the phones. Strange calls from strange people. Of course it continues on the DBG which I’ve titled, “The Laughing Loons of Lunacy.”
Players:
Andy from Norton
Harriet in Quincy
James from Indiana
Liza from Winchester
I’m on the phone from Every City USA
Jack Harte from Small Town America
Emilio Marotta producing and playing in studio
Bdays:
Teresa Brewer
Darren McGavin
Johnny Unitas
Dick Williams
Not included:
Amy Heckerling
Jim Lowe
5/9
Candice Bergen
Billy Joel
Mike Wallace
A Date in History:
What year was the resolution to create Mother’s Day introduced?
Additional fertilizer:
WBZ’s signal reaches the parking lot and maybe Soldier’s Field Rd on a good night
Tinfoil wrapped antennas
The Miracle Mile of Fond du Lac, WI
The Auto Mile
Norms’ sister’s bday
Making it dirty
Norm sings!
Mr. Potter cameo
Addis Ababa, Randy Vataha, Minnie Haha in a brewhaha
Norm sings again, the Chelsea H.S. Fight Song!
Silken Lounging Robes and English Spaniels
Peter Thorkelson and his Orchestra
Tasting the sweet fruit of victory
The Nectar of the Gods
Waste Basket Bathroom Breaks
Splinters from Competing with Dummies
And Billy Joel Puns
Ep 137, The Laughing Loons of Lunacy, guffaws its way to your funny bone in hee, ha and ho.
https://www.patreon.com/normnathanvos
The Vault of Silliness has surprised us today with quite the find.
A 32-year-old cassette that sounds like it was recorded yesterday. Hailing from Friday, April 26th, 1991, we have Steve Martorano hosting and his guest is none other than Henny Youngman. He’s in studio and sounding fantastic. He was going to be appearing at Nick’s Comedy Stop in Randolph and Framingham. He also had a new book about to be published, “Take My Life, Please.”
Let’s call this one “A Henny Good Time.”
You will hear the whole hour, uninterrupted. News, traffic, and commercials. All of it.
I love how ‘clean’ the station sounds. No frills, no noisy sounders behind every update and voice.
Lots of topics are discussed:
Vaudeville
His recent commercials endeavors and a hit movie
He was going to be doing some dates with Milton Berle & Red Buttons that October
Dial-a-Joke
David Brudnoy calls in to tease his show that would feature William F Buckley as his guest. David uses a Normism quite nicely.
Diane Stern with the news
Jeff Brown w/Traffic
And Accuwx w/Alex Seznowski
They take a call from Grace who had listened to Henny on the Kate Smith Show way back when
Al Jolson, Frank Sinatra, George Burns and more legends are talked about.
SO many commercials:
College Financial Planning Services of New England
Steve commercial read for a book: Massachusetts by Nancy Zaroulis
Steve read: US Protective Alarms in Waltham
Peter Meade Promo
Safe, Dependable Oil Heat sponsored by the Qualified Fuel Oil Dealers of Massachusetts
Texaco and their System 3 Gasoline
Louise’s Homestyle Pasta Company
NewsCenter 5 and Chronicle promo
A promo for a WBZ News Special Report: The Excise Tax with Jacqueline Goddard
Richard Simmons for Scratch Save and Win at the Cambridgeside Galleria, Emerald Square, Liberty Tree and Arsenal Malls.
The Spirit of New England jingle
Steve does a movie ticket giveaway for a Sylvester Stallone movie, “Oscar.” Also, you’re entered to win a General Cinema Prize Package where the Grand Prize is a $50 gift certificate to the Hilltop Steakhouse, 2 free 6 month memberships to LA Fitness, a $40 gift certificate to Chili’s and 4 Stallone video cassettes.
NYNEX Mobile – what a plan!
The Club and Operation Lock-Up
United Van Lines with Stiller and Meara!
Sleeper Showcase Going Out of Business Sale
Steve commercial read for Lo-Jack! Prevent, Alert and Retrieve.
And we close with a classic top hour sounder then some news and traffic.
Ep 136, A Henny Good Time, fiddles its way to your ears…now.
https://www.patreon.com/normnathanvos
normnathanvos@gmail.com
It’s school vacation week so I’ve got to get back to managing the brood here at the Circle N Ranch.
Today’s offering is a DBG from April 22nd, 1995. After a thorough review the title decision went to:
Radio Yehudi
Players:
Marge from Indiana
Egon from Quincy
Jack Harte
Jim Frawley
Hope Schauer
Bdays:
Jack Nicholson
Eddie Albert
Peter Frampton
Mel Carter
Yehudi Menuhin
Glen Campbell
Charlotte Ray
Aaron Spelling
Additional Silliness:
WBZ HoF & Museum is discussed.
The doddering fat guy.
Being stripped naked in Bellingham Square, Chelsea.
Jumping Jehoshaphats with raisins and honey.
Hampton and Frampton
Low lights, waxy ears and waxed cheeks
Jack’s swinging and singing traffic reports
Sex or asthma
The Lone Ranger and Tonto stop by.
Fan Mail
Peeper Keyrings
Talking to yourself
And Electro-magnetic interference causing an episode.
Ep 135, Radio Yehudi, sings to your ears, now.
https://www.patreon.com/normnathanvos
Welcome once again to NNVoS. Thank you for getting us to 150 subscribers on YT. Then it was back to 149, then 150 and then 149 again. Someday I’d like to get to 152. Then I’ll know 1000 is just around the corner. What am I talking about? Just keep subscribing!
And if you haven’t joined us over on Patreon what are you waiting for? You’ve been missing some good stuff such as this week’s exclusive content: a special DBG Theme only heard once, maybe twice on WBZ. Get on over and enjoy the fun.
Today we will feature a DBG from April 16th, 1993 which is aptly titled: Fuhnny Buhdies, Best Friends and Muhney.
The Players:
Mike in Medford
Debbie from Wellesley
Chris in Webster
Robert from Everett
I’m producing and in studio
And Jack Harte in traffic
Bdays:
Sir Peter Ustivov
Dusty Springfield
Kareem Abdul Jabbar
Henry Mancini
Bobby Vinton
And Edie Adams
History:
What year did Fibber McGee and Molly premier on NBC Radio?
Other taxing situations:
The Robert and Wolfie Grudge Match on Pay Per View!
Sympathy for the dying phone
Springfield, Malden and Chelsea
Lame Apologies
Robert’s mysterious wife
WJOK: the Jokes of Your Life
Perforating your gums with the phone
He comes riding in across the Plains with jokes of yesteryear, it’s the Lone Arranger!
Norm’s best years are behind him and it’s too bad his last show sucked.
Does Medicare cover radio related emotional problems?
Norm Plots Revenge on Tony plus a freaky family secret is revealed!
Ep 134, Fuhnny Buhdies, Best Friends and Muhney, chuckles its way to your ears…now.
https://www.patreon.com/normnathanvos
Hey, hey. Glad to have you tuning in again for the latest episode on NNVoS. Today we have a SMQ from April 3rd, 1996 which is titled: Dedicated to Darrell.
The wonderful WBZ news anchor, Darrell Gould, had passed away a few weeks before. He was an occasional panel member of the SMQ and was scheduled to be a part of this very show. I might add, to the best of my knowledge, he also gave the DBG its name. Norm would ask Darrell to guess the ages of celebs who had a birthday and at one point Darrell commented that the game was dumb. And the rest is history!
The panel of Luminaries are:
Ed Mullen, Tony Nesbitt (that’s me), Jack Harte, Fred Allen, Michelle Pfeiffer, Sophia Loren and some guy named Norm.
Categories:
Rock n Roll, Big Band, Jazz, Musical Comedy
Before we get to the fun, the rules had to be explained. And if you’re familiar with this show, you know how well that went. Ed pleaded for contestants to adhere to the very simple rules. Norm reiterated the rules to clear up any confusion. Listen later on as we try in vain a third time! And all of that to win a Decaying Music Certificate.
Thanks to the vigilant editing of Joan from Tewksbury, this Quiz is jampacked with callers. By my count, 39 to be exact!
John in Wellesley
Arlene from Braintree
Larry in Orleans on the Cape
Bill from Lexington
John in Peabody
Wayne from Boston
Tess in Somerville
Dennis From Malden
Josh in Hingham
Donna from Stoneham
George in Washington, DC
Ed from Weymouth
Jim in Framingham
Helene from Belmont
Scott in Allston
John from Livonia, Michigan
Joe in Weymouth
Andrew from Milton
Hour 2
Tim in Beverly
Side B
Lisa
Ken from Manchester, NH
Jean in Sharon
John from Dorchester
Tom in Boston
Ron from NY state
Ed in Braintree
Mark from Beverly
Kathleen in Halifax, MA
Rachel from Toronto, Canada
Kevin in Andover
Rick from MD
Jay in W. Va
Amanda from Andover
Jim in Winchester
Robert from Everett
Jack from Norfolk
Tony in Milbury
John from Somerville
And Robin in Lynn
Episode 133, Dedicated to Darrell, casts to your ears in 3,2 and 1.
https://www.patreon.com/normnathanvos
We are a mere 3 subscribers away from 150 on YT. If you haven’t, please do so and subscribe and follow everywhere else too, including Patreon, where you will find exciting, exclusive content, we can chat and you can help support the show.
As a matter of fact, there’s a special NNS episode airing there now that has Tom Cuddy and I whooping it up with Norm from April 17th, 1994. Speaking of April 1994…How about a DBG from April 2nd?
We begin with a full line-up, and then it slowly whittles down.
Because of that out title is: Hanging Up is Hard to Do
Players:
Lisa from Topsfield
Chris on a car phone
Dick in W. Yarmouth
Paul on a car phone as well
I’m on the phone
Jack Harte
And Emilio Marotta producing and playing in studio
Bdays:
Buddy Ebsen
Sir Alec Guinness
Emmylou Harris
Don Sutton
Linda Hunt
4/4
Robert Downey Jr.
John Cameron Swayze
Christine Lahti
Kitty Kelly
Other bad connections:
WNSH – they did not have their act together
Other stations go dark because they cannot compete with the DBG
Jed, Barnaby, Abraham, Capt. January and Shirley Temple
Ascots and scarves
Cleaning out one’s sinuses
The Dangerous Years
Mel Gibson & Stan Laurel
Having a strong character yet the inability to realize it’s getting you nowhere fast.
A cameo by Jack Benny
The bone falls of the meat!
The 37th Cone!
Leland Powers School of Broadcasting and the honorable Mr. Gilbert
The Camel News Caravan
Timex: Taking a licking but keeps on ticking
Norm Nathan’s personal inflatable passenger balloons
Class & Style
https://www.patreon.com/normnathanvos
normnathanvos@gmail.com
For the uninitiated, the sounds you just heard were Spring Peepers.
A brand new recording for 2023. My usual spot was quiet. I was driving by a very small pond and heard these sweet sounds and had to stop, record and share.
I plan on making another recording at the larger area when that one gets-a-peeping.
Now, for those who may be tuning in for the first time, my name is Tony Nesbitt. I produced Norm’s show from 1989 until 1996. I worked with him in studio and then when I moved to the David Brudnoy Show, I continued to book all his guests and make appearances that have become legendary. ;-)
The Vault of Silliness has been broadcasting for nearly 2.5 years! I’m just so thrilled that we can relive these classic radio moments that Norm graced us with.
I recently started a Patreon acct to help support the program. Please consider helping out and become a subscriber there. Once show costs are covered, I will be donating a % to the Berklee College of Music in Norm’s memory. The link is in the description box. Thank you again to those that have become Patrons.
Before we get to the meat of today’s episode, I also wanted to mention that WMCT here in Marlborough, MA, our local community cable outlet has expanded the reach of NNVoS. In addition to their public channel, they have added it to their ‘government channel!’ You can hear it on Friday and Saturday nights at 11pm just like those radio days of yesteryear. If you’re local, it’s on Comcast 8/Verizon 34.
Alrighty, today the Vault has spilled forth a DBG from March 25th, 1995. I have titled it: Amusing Musings.
We begin with Norm introducing Jack first and he was not quite ready.
The rest of the panel:
Joe in Boston
Howard from Laconia, NH
Alice in Quincy
Glenn from Brighton
Jim Frawley producing and playing in-studio
Bdays:
Howard Cosell
Gloria Steinem
Aretha Franklin
Anita Bryant
Elton John
Paul Michael Glaser
Mary Gross
Joseph Barbera
A sample of the many Amusing Musings that took place:
Variety is the spice of life
The DBG rules are taught to every school child for those hoping to be part of the game someday
The DBG is being considered for the Olympics and Jeopardy.
Nick Lowe & Bonnie Bedelia
Wickedly cool ideas
Millard Fillmore firsts
Norm’s cheap 72 – 77 key piano, The SteinPoop
“Mr. Ugly”
Tasteless, worthless material
Tension and hate
The hybrid talk/game show idea is genius!
Do we have a time traveler on the panel?
And dwarves envy.
Ep 131, Amusing Musings, brings a smile to your ears in 3, 2 and 1.
https://www.patreon.com/normnathanvos
Norm Nathan’s VoS is back for Episode 130. It’s a DBG from March 19th, 1994. Norm gets right to the game so I’ll only prepare you for it by letting you know that I have titled it, Punning Rampunt!
The esteemed panel:
The lovely Arlene in Philadelphia
Bob from Pittsburgh
Howard and Dave in Kingston
Rod the Security Guard
Emilio Marotta
I'm also in studio
And Jack Harte.
Bdays
Glenn Close
Phyllis Newman
Philip Roth
Bruce Willis
Ornette Coleman
Patrick McGoohan
And Ruth Pointer
More ridiculousness:
Sangawiches, the pixah show, this afta?
Norm is yet again way behind in sending out lots of prizes. DBG and stuff from guests.
The Quad State Area, NY, NJ, CT and PA
Portnoy’s Complaints
Counting the huffs and puffs
Drinking, smoking and thinking of women
NooseRadio 1030
A Cameo by Jack Benny
Norm began his 50-year career at the age of 51.
That’s the Limit…in Canada!
And Optical Illusions
Episode 130, Punning Rampunt, begins right now.
https://www.patreon.com/normnathanvos
Today brings us what was listed as March 11th, 1994 but turned out to be APRIL 11th, 1994. So instead of combing through the Vault for an appropriate March date I figured we should just roll with it and because of that a title was spawned: Misdated Madness
It’s a DBG that has a few side conversations that are a lot of fun.
Players:
Brian
Mark in Hudson
I’m on the phone from home
Keith Shields producing and playing in studio
Rob Floyd from WBZ’s 24-hour traffic network and marching society band.
Bdays:
Ethel Kennedy
Joel Grey
Ellen Goodman
Louise Lasser
Oleg Cassini
History:
What year was Napoleon Bonaparte banished to the Island of Elba?
What year was Jackie Robinson signed as the first black player to play for a major league team?
How about a bday from April 12th?
Tiny Tim – hang on…he will not be tip toeing through the tulips
So the game wraps with David Letterman.
Other goofiness:
Norm tells his moving story of how he lost his Congressional Medal of Honor
Silly Pooks
Norm will be in for Bob that week but a mystery lady, Victoria Jones will be subbing for a couple of days too.
Bubbling out of your undershorts
Norm has been Middleton Town Moderator since 1978! Term limits anyone?
We do get a little insight in to Middleton’s small-town politics.
Homonyms, Homophones and Palindromes
Emerson College Emersonians and their distinguished graduates.
The Little Building
Jack’s Joke Shop
Episode 129, Misdated Madness, begins ‘Marching’ to your ears in 3,2 and 1.
www.patreon.com/normnathanvos
It appears the trickery worked as last week’s entire episode played through without clipping at the end. I know the realization of missing my extraordinary closing pieces was an eye-opener (more like an eye-roller). You don’t know what ya got till it’s gone.
Today brings us a DBG from March 3rd, 1995. I found this an enormously entertaining show that has a little bit of everything in it. Because of that, I’ll go with titling it: Junk Drawer Radio.
The Players:
Russ
The very affectionate Val in Needham
Kevin from Dorchester
Ed from Melrose
I’m in Studio
Jim Frawley producing and playing in studio
And Jack Harte with a solution to a radio conundrum that was being discussed
The Bdays:
Emilio Estefan, no Emilio Estevez..no Gloria Estefan. Close, it’s her husband. Nah…forget it.
Chastity Bono
The attractive woman in a different kind of way, Katherine O’Hara
Barbara McNair
We move on to Monday, 3/6
Rob Reiner
Ed McMahon and Norm really gets a kick out of Ed’s resumé
And Tom Arnold
Other mildly useful stuff:
It is rumored that Norm was curmudgeonly the first half hour but has brightened up since then.
My stash of Woodsman Weather Sticks
Old Time Radio with Norm playing all the roles?
Chin Whispering
The story of a bright man (ahem) who wears two hats and may be very interested in what Norm has to say.
Star-studded cameos by George Burns, Fred Allen, Arthur Godfrey, Jack Benny, Kasey Kasem and Lionel Barrymore
The mystery of being simultaneously appeased and aggravated
Leeza Gibbons gives Ken Newman some air time
Observant TV talk show points
Y is the cousin to the other vowels
Buying the movie rights to Norms wonderful stories.
My other answers
Mumbling birthday formulas and bathroom breaks
Bad company polluting the minds of good kids
Publisher’s Clearing House and subscribing to every magazine such as: Woodworker’s Monthly, Alaskan Antler Collector, Magazine Subscribers Monthly, and other wonderful periodicals
Horse-questrian Crossings?
And loving your ‘fishterish.’ You know what I’m saying, my ‘butch-kala-cahnan-oh-ma?’
Episode 128, Junk Drawer Radio, slides open to your ears, now.
Welcome back to the Vault of Silliness, or should I say Vault of Clippiness? Yes, the clipping at the end of the episodes continues and the powers that be are fighting the good fight to resolve it properly. Buuuuut for now we have agreed to try a little trickery. A bit of video voodoo. Some audio abracadabra.
What is it? Well thank you just so darn much for asking!
I will add around 30 seconds of silence at the end of each show. The hope is that it will now clip off the added silence and my wonderfully entertaining close to each show will be heard in its entirety.
I’m sure some of you are saying, “He should add the silence at the start of his close.”
Let us venture back to February 25th, 1996 for a NNS show I have titled: Wolves at the Studio Door.
We have three guests all of whom will be speaking about the wolf.
Guest 1
Fred Keating from Loki (prn Lo-keye) Clan Wolf Refuge in Conway, NH – A shelter for wolf hybrids – wolves mixed with a domesticated dog. He provides excellent info on wolves and their abilities, explains all that his Refuge does and what started him on this journey.
Guest 2
Paul Saffron from the North American Wolf Foundation and Wolf Hollow in Ipswich, MA. At the time he had seventeen, 100% pure British Columbian Timberwolves – and they were howling in the background! He tells us about the horribly senseless and cruel ways the wolf was treated and exterminated in the past and how governments are trying to right those wrongs. And, of course, he talks about his Foundation, his experiences, and the presentations he and his wife, Joanie, do at Wolf Hollow.
Guest 3
Rick McIntyre – Author of ‘War Against the Wolf.’ He adds even more perspective on the anti-wolf mindset of the time and now, thankfully, a change in attitudes and philosophy about the wolf and its importance in the environment.
We do take some calls with Rick:
Joe from Quincy
Paul Saffron returns to speak with Rick
Jim in Georgetown
John from MI
Barbara in Brookline
Pauline from Westborough
Bruce in Boston
And Pat from Plainville
Episode 127, Wolves at the Studio Door, howls it’s way to your ears, now.
patreon.com/normnathanvos
A NNS from February 17th, 1996 graces the airwaves again with this episode. Because of the subject matter I have titled it: Help Wanted, Guidance Given!
We get a nice Show open and Norm teases the upcoming guests.
First will be Brandon Toropov – a Job Search Expert – His Book: “303 Off-the-Wall Ways to Get a Job.” He doles out resumé suggestions, advice and a whole lot of other strategies!
Later we talk with ‘Mr. Scholarship’ Dan Cassidy – Pres. and founder of the National Scholarship Research Service. Back then, 2.7B $ in financial aid went unclaimed!
Callers for Brandon:
Christine from Abbington
A Caller from Canada
Laurie
Dave
And Fred
Before we get to Dan Cassidy, Norm does some sports and talks up Sunday night’s guest which was to be Rupert Holmes, writer, composer, singer and multi-Tony award winner. His latest project that was airing on AMC was a series titled: Remember WENN
Now it’s time for Mr. Scholarship. Dan talks about the many different criteria that can lead you to get a scholarship and provides a ton of info! Some reference books that were mentioned were: For Undergrads…The Scholarship Book, The Worldwide Graduate Scholarship Directory for Masters, PhD and post-doctorate and The Worldwide College Scholarship Directory for foreign students studying in this country or a student from the U.S. looking to study abroad.
Callers for Dan:
Chris in NH
Jeremy from Cambridge
Beth in Easton which jumps to Side B
Joanne in Boston
Virginia from Hyde Park
Mary in Marshfield
Glen from Danvers
Mark in Taunton
Carol from Quincy
And Dawn in Medford
Norm does a quick station ID and we hear Jack Harte with a snowy traffic report sponsored by N.E. Car Stereos Rockin’ President’s Sale!
Bonus time:
The tape concludes with more Norm, but we walk it back to December 28th, 1995?
Callers:
Don
A Birthday Girl who’s turning 14
Anne from N. Reading
And an unnamed caller
Jack returns with just a sponsor read for the Christmas Tree Shoppes and we close with Kristin from Dorchester and yet another unnamed caller.
Episode 126, “Help Wanted, Guidance Given!” benefits your ears…now.
Patreon
patreon.com/normnathanvos
Welcome back to another episode of Norm Nathan’s Vault of Silliness. Episode 125 if you’re keeping track at home.
Just a brief reminder that you can support the show by becoming a subscriber/patron on Patreon. Some generous souls have joined and I’m forever grateful. But more assistance would be an excellent achievement. Exclusive content is posted every week. Link is below.
Let’s venture back to February 10th, 1996 for a scantily clad DBG. And because of this, the title is… “Lingerie-dio.” Huh? Pretty good, right?
Our players:
The dazed and tired Ed LeClair – producing and playing in studio
Jack Harte back from a relaxing couple of days off
Denise wearing her feather boa and celebrating her bday
Mary in Peabody armed and dare I say, legged with some lingerie knowledge
The wheezy Jack from Braintree
And Chris in Worcester with some questions
Bdays:
Robert Wagner
Mark Spitz
Leontyne Price (Lee-on-teen)
Roberta Flack
Donovan
Lenny Dykstra
And Laura Dern
Date in History:
In what year did “Death of a Salesman” open on Brodaway?
The tape switches to side B and Chris from the game talks more about Death of a Salesman.
We pick up after the news with about 8 minutes of Bob Hernandez playing one of his games.
Callers:
Manny
Anne
George
Sam
Fred
John
Beth or no Beth?
Spencer
And Scott
Other naughtiness:
Jack’s nightly outfit is described
Actuarial tables
Norm describes his nighttime ensemble. Jack makes a suggestion that Norm is excited about and will be adding.
Court TV
Fred Graham and his dirty jokes
The Asthma Inhaler Club
Theo-Dur asthma pills
Plunging necklines and dainty voices
Drumrolls and the native dances of Shagra
Falling on your spits
Water forming on your condenser tubes (you should probably see a doctor about that)
Pietro Mascagni
Norm pours his soul out
Open Doo-dahs
Library fines
The Hotel Ovary…I mean Avery
Tommy Carr and his Men of Melody
Norm with a great story from his WMEX days
Tony David at the organ live from the Silver Dollar Bar
AND cameo appearances by Tonto and the Lone Ranger, Jack Benny and an extremely elderly Alex Trebek from Jeopardy in the year 2100.
Episode 125, Lingerie-dio, brings its silky tones to your ears in 3, 2 and 1.
patreon.com/normnathanvos
It would help us a whole bunch if you would click on the like button. That can influence the algorithms on all the platforms and we may show up on more people’s casual scrolling or recommended shows. Let’s pack the Teen Canteen every week.
Also, each of the past few weeks, I’ve started uploading on Saturday’s. It appears as though we receive more views and listens with that strategy. I will continue to tinker with that as needed.
Let’s start the second month of 2023 with a DBG from February 4th, 1996. I should mention that ALL episodes this month, for no particular reason, will hail from 1996.
The Title of this one: A Handpicked Panel of Lovely Ladies.
The Players:
Eddie LeClair producing and playing in studio
Ken Newman in Traffic
Deena from Bradford, Ontario, Canada
Marie in Quincy
Lisa from Cortland, NY
Lana in Boston
The Bdays:
David Brenner
Conrad Bain
Lisa Eichhorn
Clint Black
Alice Cooper aka Vincent Damon Furnier
Dan Quayle
Betty Friedan
Ida Lupino?
Rosa Parks
And we have time for 2 Post-Game Callers:
Ed in Somerville
And Richie from NY
Other realities:
Coded Traffic Info
Traffic Reporter University
Vac-U-Traffic w/Kevin Brennan
No gloss, all soul
Cheek nibbling and head stands
Morals of an alley cat
CBS Radio Mystery Theater
Big Beaks
Numerology
It is revealed that the excitement of the DBG may contribute to breathing difficulties. If you find yourself in distress, please visit the WBZ Clinic on the 42nd floor.
DBG Rules and Handbook and the DBG H.o.F. where you can purchase pictures of muti-game winners for $5.00 each.
‘Llyod from Boxford’
George Burns
Solar calculators
Apples
School Music Programs
Ep 124, A Handpicked Panel of Lovely Ladies begins…now.
patreon.com/normnathanvos
Let’s do a little house cleaning here with a few announcements.
1
Yet another YT ONLY issue has been plaguing the broadcast with episodes be clipped short during my incredibly well written outros. It’s the hour + shows that are affected. The powers that be have been tinkering with that for a while and hopefully a solution will be attained and the closings can be heard in full!
2
If you haven’t subscribed on Patreon you’ve missed some just so darn wonderful things. I post little stories & audio clips with more on the way. And the only way to see and hear that stuff is to become a Patron for as little as a dollar a month. The link is below in the description box. Of course, as always, please continue to like and share.
3
Whilst listening to a local talk show this week there was a first-time caller named Glenn. Didn’t think much of it except when he introduced himself as a, “70-year-old, blind, piano tuner!” That’s right people, it was Glenn from Brighton. He sounds great and is working at a music shop doing his tuning thing. If you know Glenn, please let him know what we’re doing here and have him reach out and get in touch! Or let me know and I will.
All right, house cleansed.
Today brings us a DBG from January, 27th, 1996 the title of which is Regurgitated Reminisces.
It starts with a ‘foo-nay’ impression of Robert from Everett by Norm. And then directly to the game.
Players:
Ed LeClair producing and playing in studio
Jack Harte in Traffic
Buzzie from Weymouth
Bob in Boston
Emily from Medway
Jeff in Leesburg, IN
Bdays:
The not dead Mikhail Baryshnikov
The philosophical Troy Donahue
Skitch Henderson
Bridgette Fonda
1/29
Tom Selleck
Oprah Winfrey
John Forsythe
Katherine Ross
Claudine Longet
Other things coming up on us:
Norm describes the outfit he wore when he was a Chippendale dancer and it happens to be the very same get-up Jack wears at his second job.
Kissing up to the spouse
Axing Norm’s father in-law for adwice
Froggy throat clearing
Dead colleagues from WESX
Setting your clock by the belch
Riveting conversation about the weather
Getting comfortable and staying limber
Borders Books carries all the DBGs on cassette
Nabisco’s new Cheesey Thespian
Batons and low-cut blouses
Boxford Snots
The Lawrence Eagle Tribune
Vinegar, honey, meat, potatoes, jelly and jam
Robot wives
Feets too big for the bed
The Mojo Wire
Ski bunnies
And some excellent new phrases to embroider on our doilies:
“Keeping people awake and breathing hard and thinking of you, honey”
“If ya can’t just be stupid, what can ya be?”
Ep 123, Regurgitated Reminisces, gurgles its way to your ears in 3,2 annnnnnnd 1.
patreon.com/normnathanvos
Email the show
normnathanvos@gmail.com
Thank you to all the new Patrons that have joined over on Patreon!
If you haven’t, you can too, for as little as a dollar a month!
You may find the magical link below.
We are approaching covering the cost of distribution and then the % zone begins for the NN Scholarship Fund at the Berklee College of Music here in The Hub.
More exclusive content was added this week.
It’s all just so darn exciting!
Today we have a DBG from January 19th, 1992. It’s a pretty, straight forward game so we shall title it:
It’s as Straight Forward as it Gets. Creative, I know.
Norm begins with an amazing TV host impression and gets right to introducing the players:
Mark from Townsend
Fernanda in Salem
Jimmy from Winthrop
Barb in Ontario calling from her hospital bed!
I’m producing and playing on the phone from MC
And Lou Ambrosino in Traffic
Bdays w/ALL the SFX:
Phil Everly
Dolly Parton
Desi Arnaz Jr.
Robert Palmer
Robert MacNeil (MacNeil/Lehrer Report)
Jean Stapleton
Javier Pérez de Cuéllar (de quay R)
Post-Game we are treated to a romantic Accuwx forecast
accompanied by David Lanz on solo piano.
It was cold one that night, but the sound of the tinkling ivories warmed our souls.
And we close with a call from Paul in Malden.
Commercial content you ask?
Frugal Fannies!
A WBZ News Promo with all our friends from the Morning News
Career Tracks offering an audio tape program called, The Psychology of Self-Esteem. Please ask for Operator A.
Oh yes, and Norm offers a list of Dead Bdays.
Other lowlights:
The idea of combining Gold Bond and Eucalyptamint for therapeutic purposes or possibly creating a weaponized strength version is broached.
Norm sings!
The Square Dance of the Libertarians with David Brudnoy
Jack Benny is sick of Jack Benny
Chicken Fat
Paula Abdul
Babley, England
An historic moment was had the previous night as it is reported that Mike Epstein didn’t say, “Oh my!”
Joe Stapleton is NOT related to Jean Stapleton
Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg and its meaning
Norm has a collection of sugar packets with scenic views that he shows on his overhead projector. He’s especially proud of his Shore Birds collection.
Lima, Peru
Lima Beans
Dr. Walter Lipschitz
Drama and The Essex Street off-ramp
Short pants and funny hats
Forgotten Casablanca dialog
And The Woodsmen’s Weather Stick
Ep 122, It’s as Straight Forward as it Gets, beats a path to your ear drums…now.
patreon.com/normnathanvos
Kia Ora (Key Orra) to our listeners in New Zealand! Thank you for checking out our little slice of fun here at the Vault of Silliness.
I give you Ep 121. It’s a NNS, the majority of which is from January 8th and maybe the 9th, 1994.
According to the notes on the cassette, there’s a taste of December 4th, 1993. Because of that this cassette was all over the place. I’ve pieced it together chronologically as best as I could. It appears that December show was the one affected by all the technical issues that Norm briefly discussed in a previous episode.
Our title will be: A Slushy Great Adventure of a Show
We begin with 12/4/93, The Night of Technical Difficulties with a Jack Harte traffic report that has a section of said trouble and you can hear the smile in Jack’s voice as he soldiers on.
Darrell Gould with an intro to another report from Jack
Jack and Norm then lament the cancelation of the DBG because of all the problems and glitches.
There’s Scott, a Bentley College student. He and Norm talk about working overnights and how to sleep during the day.
Another Scott, this time from Wayland, who was on a previous DBG (Ep 114) but had to leave because he got pulled over by the police. He gives us the rest of the story. Plus he asks about Larry Glick, Emperor Hudson and Ron Landry. Some old station call letters are bandied about too:
WITS – the I.T.S. standing for Info Talk and Sports, WMEX, WMRE and WSSH
We now jump to 1/8/94
The stars must have been aligned because Elvis Presley who’s was ‘appearing’ on top of the dumpster at the Tedeschi’s in Weymouth. His main reason for calling was to request Norm sing Happy Birthday to him.
Norma from the N. End – the Old Howard Theater, candy hawkers selling naughty stuff with double entandrés and cats and dogs round out her call.
Chris in PA – Jason Robards is sexy and Norm looks just like him. She kindly inquires on the whereabouts of I. Norm gives her the lowdown and reveals just some of the things we do together off the air. Annnnd more cat talk with added raccoon fun.
Next caller had some Jazz questions about the Nat King Cole Trio but the call is cut short.
Now we hear from the lovely Helene from Belmont – They talk snow, sleet, windshield wiper issues and great adventures.
Joan talking Mac Davis, Elvis and more.
A great call with our good friend Rick from PA with more on Mac Davis, the TV production of ‘Gypsy’ and Tip O’Neill. His call is interrupted by Lou Ambrosino with an icy traffic report but we do get back to him.
We move on to Vivian whom Norm left momentarily speechless.
Bob reads ‘Boston Shade of Green’ and a passage from ‘The Seagull’ for Tip O’Neill
Fred from NJ and his crazy cats Ritzy and Tiger. We also learn that Fred enjoys telephones and has multiple lines at his house.
Other schlunk:
Norm has learned special skills from his time in the Orient
Profound statements that make you want to throw up
Peals of Laughter
Engineers climbing all over the transmitter
Vitality!
Norm sings his High School Fight Song
Years passing under the bridge
Looking your age
Historic Romances
Spending the Night with Helene and Norm bringing his jammies
Riding Phoebe Snow
Ringing phones
As for commercial content we get the first sentence of a few sponsors to what our appetite.
Ep 121, A Slushy Great Adventure of a Show, slides to your ears…now.
patreon.com/normnathanvos
Hello, Ni Hao, Namaste and Selamat siang (suh-lah-mat see-ahng), to our new listeners in Singapore!
The first episode of 2023 brings us a DBG from January 2nd, 1993. This one shall be titled: Punny New Year!
We're off to a bad start but Take 2 brings smooth sailing.
The Members of the Panel:
Mary in Somerville
Christopher in Boston
Addie
Lisa from Topsfield
Matt Phipps from Traffic, not working but on the phone
Jack Harte working in Traffic
And I’m producing and playing in studio
Norm has to reach into the Birthday Bag and pull-out names from the week:
‘Jailbird’ Jim Bakker – and boy, do we ‘cook up’ all sorts of jokes
Diahann Cannon and we have a ‘blast’ with this.
Jane Wyman
Tony Bennett
Woody Allen
Robert Duvall
Bonnie Franklin
Loretta Young – more pun with this one too!
And Kenny Loggins
Commercials:
Baby Gold Bond – Robin McEntire from Tracey CA and her now comfy, less irritated daughter
Lou Innis and his watch allergy for Gold Bond
Terrific Thursday’s with WBZ and the NE Aquarium
We’ve got a party package full of other silliness:
Mary, can you hear me?
Sensuous ear wax blowing and eye lash batting
Miss Downey, one of Norm’s teachers whom he had lust in his heart for. Realizing we have 12 yr old playing Norm apologizes but Chris doesn’t mind at all.
Jack Harte’s School of Cockamamie
Touch the radio and be healed!
Diahann Cannon’s daughter, Jennifer, is in the Teen Canteen audience
There’s an interesting technique on how you can surmise a woman’s age.
Religious incantations
Liberries on toosday and get some noosepapers
An important question is posed: Caledonia, Caldeonia what makes your big head so hard?
Gasps and Lulls
Christopher woke up from a bad dream three minutes before he called in but will not reveal the details to spare the audience from being frightened.
We get a descriptive explanation of Addie’s Birthday Game outfit
Selling Plumbing Supplies and Indian Blankets just outside of Fond du Lac, WI
Phony affectionate laughs
Lisa selling her previous prizes on the black market
Norm filling requests for his picture by sending the one that appeared in a 1948 National Geographic.
Hanging up on the host
Lustful dreams
And Norm closes with a very serious article from the California Avocado Media Bureau. However, those in Kansas City and Pittsburgh are not going to be happy about it.
Ep 120, Punny New Year, drops to your ears in 3, 2 and 1.
patreon.com/normnathanvos
Forgive me for being a tad late with the upload. I’m clearly suffering from a post-Christmas daze. But we are here now and ready to close out 2022 with this DBG/NNS combo from December 27th and 28th, 1995 which I have titled: Ringing in the New Year with Some Ding-Dongs.
We begin with Norm describing where Jack does his traffic reports from as well as inquiring about what the dress code is or lack thereof.
Jack offers a belated Birthday wish to Norm. Norm, who was slighted by Jack’s lack of gifts/card, runs down a list of the celebrity birthday greetings he received. One with a very clever tag line.
Mike Epstein, on the other hand, has been sending Norm cards since last February.
In addition to Jack and Mike, the rest of the Panel includes:
Arlene in Philadelphia, PA
Kevin in ME
Val in Needham
Jean from Kingston
Slim pickings on Bdays and Events:
Tovah Feldshuh
Anna Russell
Bernard Lanvin
Dr. William Howell Masters
Norm takes it to the break, and we move onto the NNS
Callers:
Fred
Alice
Ruth from Buzzards Bay
Cuts to Norm talking about Lou Gorman, then VP of the Red Sox, who would read a proclamation announcing Lizzie Murphy Day honoring a woman who played semi-pro baseball for 17 years.
Here’s Irene talking about the old days in Lawrence and Haverhill.
Mike talking Norm’s chickens, big band leaders and music.
Mary asking about Norm’s cats.
Suddenly Norm is talking to guests. They are Lucy Johnson (aka Princess Cheyenne) and Montana, who were appearing at Matthew’s in Tyngsboro. They chat about pick-up lines, careers, teasers and more…or is it less?
At one point Lucy asks Montana to tell a story but…the tape was paused! However, we do pick up when I enter the studio and it gets a bit racy!
They took some calls:
Mark in Newton who’s made a terrible career choice
Neil from Lynn – looking for measurements
Dan in Littleton – The Origami Dropper?
John from Boston – who needs a ride to Matthew’s
Other fun:
Imagine if the traffic guy gets hit by a car?
Wretches
The Homely Father
Double your money back if you don’t like the onion soup. I’ll let Norm explain that get rich quick scheme.
Happy Chattanooga Day?
A Pittsburgh radio host from KDKA, (Bob Jones?) is ghosting Norm.
Norm’s Uncle Max was assassinated in 1953 for his sharp sense of humor
The new nation of Methuen
The other new nation of Swansea
The Birthday Game Handbook
Have some Madera, my dear.
Clenched jaws
Gregorian humor
A Jack Benny Cameo
Frolicking in the woods
The Mystery of the Inner Lobe: A little known Spielberg movie
Norm’s opinions on Dean Martin
Norm speaks sultry French
Witty repartee and the rebirth of radio
And Norm is very territorial.
Ep 119, Ringing in the New Year with some Ding-Dongs, drops into your ears in 3, 2 annnnnnnnd 1.
patreon.com/normnathanvos
Christmas weekend’s 2022 cup overflow-ith with an EMC SWQ from Decemebr 23rd, 1994 titled: A Christmas Crossing of Musical Swords
We begin with a full-on Norm Open and the it’s showtime.
The Panel:
Norm, who’s done some homework and has prepared fresh questions.
Ed Mullen, whom always does his homework.
Steve Leveille – hanging with us after subbing for David Brudnoy and handling folk music.
I’m on the phone from a gas station because my car broke down again but I come bearing an armful of Christmas Music questions.
And Jack Harte – aspiring Broadway actor
The Categories:
Rock n Roll
Musical Comedy
Big band
Jazz
Folk Music
And Christmas Music
The Rules:
We ask, you ask, we ask again unless you’re wrong then you’re gone or we’re wrong or some facsimile thereof. But for the love…have a question ready for us in the same category AND it would be helpful if you knew the answer!
The Prize:
Cheap copy of the original, really nice certificate. This time on green paper.
The Callers:
Keith in the car
May in Boston
Jacque from Weymouth
Dave in Eastie
Don from Cambridge
John in Boston
Greg from Danvers
Joseph in Everett
Nicholas from Everett
Lou in Cambridge
Patty from Eastie
Brandon in Franklin
Norma from the North End which ends in a mystery…or does it?
Jack in Boston
Rich from Hyde Park
Rick in Boston
Karen
Debbie in Waltham
Fred from Yarmouth, ME
Janice in Arlington
Matt from RI
(Norma returns)
Tom in Indiana
Barry from Worcester
And Brian in Everett
Norm takes a break but the remainder of the show isn’t on the tape!
It ends with the very beginning of a Baby Gold Bond commercial.
Other tracks:
English is Norm’s third language
Michelle Pfeiffer started out in Traffic and even though she threw up all lover the copter pilot she rose to great fame.
Toast
Calling the neighbors
Jack attended the wrong convention
What time is lunch served?
Santa Claus
Grandma
And plowing westward making America great
Ep 118, A Christmas Crossing of Musical Swords, lunges towards your ears, now.
patreon.com/normnathanvos
Thank you to my new Patreon subscribers for supporting the effort to leave this world a little sillier than we found it. These days, a little silly is a lot of silly.
You can support the channel here for as little as a dollar a month. If just the 140 subscribers on YT gave that I would cover the costs of distribution in about 4 months. I know there are more of you out there who listen through Spotify, Apple, Google, Castos, and many other platforms. If more of you climb on board, we can start to build that percentage for the Norm Schloarship Fund at Berklee here in Boston.
Silly, supportive AND philanthropic? Talk about a triple threat!
patreon.com/normnathanvos
I am thinking of ways to provide supporter only content on Patreon to lure you into the cobwebs of my mind. Plus we can message there as well and you can reveal the dark secrets regarding the ways you listened to Norm as you pressed your radio to your ear.
I have been alerted to the fact that my outros are being cut off. Are they that bad? The authorities are looking into it.
Maybe that’s some subscriber only content for Patreon. The non-cut short outro? Yeah…I didn’t think so.
On to today’s feature presentation…Just a mere 9 days after last week’s episode, this one is from December 19th, 1993. A DBG to be exact and Norm’s Bday Eve!
Let’s call it, “A Pithy Bit of Fun.”
It begins with an odd snippet of a call: a threat to The Loverboy from NH from The Butcher in Salem, MA.
And then directly to the game.
Players:
Dave
Sherri from Flint, MI
Roger the Welshman in Southbridge, MA
Bert in Potts Grove, PA
John Kelly producing and playing in studio
I’m on the phone
And Aaron Sawyer in Traffic
Bdays:
Cicely Tyson
Tim Reid
Al Kaline
Little Jimmy Dickens
Robert Urich
Alyssa Milano
Jennifer Beals
Kevin McHale
Other gifts:
Unwanted, NO reward posters of Norm at the post office.
Lionel Barrymore and Jack Benny cameos
Swell dancers, great dressers, with sandals, knee socks, plus-fours, a cape, a Spanish shirt with the green and white cummerbund, a pith helmet with a year’s supply of leechee nuts in the sweatband…and underneath it all? A loin cloth.
Ep 117, “A Pithy Bit of Fun” flirts with your ears in 3, 2 and 1.
Patreon
patreon.com/normnathanvos
Here we are with a very special episode of NNVoS. It hails from December 10th, 1993 and is appropriately titled: It’s Shearing You’re Hearing
We begin with Carol Stein-Krauss, the PR manager from Parker Bros talking about the company and its games. There’s lots of cool info about Trivial Pursuit and Monopoly plus Company history, challenges and more.
Next is an absolutely, fantastic interview with George Shearing who was appearing at Sculler’s in the Guest Quarter Suite Hotel.
The talk is so varied. Everything from classical influences and relations to Jazz, sissy accents, great stories and lots of silliness from George. And it all gets even better when Ellie Shearing, George’s wife joins the fun.
They also take calls:
Bob in Boston
Janet from Arlington
Scott in Provincetown
Hank
Pete in Lawrence
And Bob in NH
Other extras for your dining and dancing pleasure:
Norm reading the weather
Top and Bottom Hour News Sounders
Darrell Gould intros Jack Harte for traffic
And Norm is seriously thinking about the need to re-do shows
We can’t leave out the commercials:
Norm does a read for: The National Credit Group. It’s ok to tell Norm about your bad credit because he’s a Dr. And if you’d like to remove all your clothes…
Frank and Shirley for the NEW Westborough Antique and Flea Market.
Marezine with the former, highly disoriented Linda Kern.
The Club (now available in designer colors!)
ADT Home Security
The red and chafed Jim Brown of Grand Prairie TX for Gold Bond
Classic Ovaltine with Paul Rossi drinking it live from Valley Stream NY!
And a brief sprinkle of Baby Gold Bond
Oh…make sure you listen closely to the end of the interview as George gets the last laugh.
Ep 116, It’s Shearing You’re Hearing, tickles its way to your auditory canals…now.
patreon.com/normnathanvos
Let me take a moment to inform you that I now, finally, have a Patreon acct. This is something I've been meaning to do for a while now. Over the past 2 years I've dedicated a lot of time putting this podcast together.
Your support would allow me to continue to create content and grow the channel.
I'm asking for $1.00 a month for a subscription. Of course, you are welcome to give more if you are so generously inclined.
Most importantly, a percentage of your contribution will be donated to the Norm Nathan Scholarship Fund at the Berklee College of Music!
You will find the link in the description box.
In the words of Bartles & Jaymes...
"We thank you for your support."
As we begin the month of Norm’s birth we have what is truly a near perfect example of Norm’s excellence. His personality, the callers, the show and what it all meant to the listeners. When did this achievement in radio occur? December 4th & 5th, 1993.
Because the reports with Bruce ‘Don’t Call Me Brian’ Connolly are super-entertaining the title of this episode will be: Trafficking in Laughter!
Sid Whitaker was producing.
We begin with a story, in progress, about Uncle Louie and Guinness Stout from a caller that sounds familiar, but I cannot place a name to the voice. Norm then adds his own story about someone named Ethel.
Norm teases a guest who writes obituaries for a paper in the South and we jump to Accuweather with Paul Pastelok introduced by Newsman, Ed Donahue.
And now the fun begins, as Norm and Bruce Connolly begin their night of frivolity with the traffic reports.
We talk with 90-year-old Porter Harvey who owns a newspaper, The Advertiser-Gleam, in Guntersville, AL. It’s a folksy kind of paper. Strictly local news. He told stories about writing obits and adding a little more than the usual family, friends and arrangements stuff.
After that we get another report with Bruce sponsored by the Norm Nathan Orchestra and the Bruce Connolly Quintet
Now it’s time for lots of callers:
I believe the caller’s name was Dorothy – 1st time she’s ever called a station
Glen in Portsmouth, NH
Helene from Belmont – singing and thinking of lyrics to songs whilst driving the car is the subject. Norm mentions some of his favs and they discuss many tunes and recite lines from them to each other.
Charlie from Manassas,VA - he Norm singing a theme from a program that hadn’t been on the air for 50 years. Charlie has high praise for the show! He's trying to start a fan club in Manassas.
Bruce with traffic and we switch to side B where Bruce and Norm continue with the silly. Norm moves to the back rows of the Teen Canteen with two pretty girls that just came in and asks Bruce to project so they can hear him. A comment about Joe Stapleton causes Norm to burst out laughing.
Dave from Uxbridge but really from Whitinsville. More high praise. He’s a bluegrass musician with the band Southern Rail. He has been loving the traffic reports and makes an awful third harbor tunnel joke that I thoroughly enjoyed. This led Norm to reveal that he subbed for Joe Green in the traffic copter?! Dave also objects to the stupid infomercials that had booted Norm off the air on Sunday nights.
Jim on a car phone –Gives his own foggy and rainy traffic report.
Glenn in Brighton – asking about the instrument called the Theremin.
Jim calling in about Dave and his band, Southern Rail. He’s a fan and says Dave’s a wicked good player. He was actually a former student! Informs us that when Dave was only 19 years old he scored a great achievement.
The most-brief call with Robert from Everett
Then it’s on to Pat! – a nutty caller with nutty questions that
Sorry for the late posting but I was stuffed from Thanksgiving and just woke up from tryptophan coma.
Let’s begin:
Assalamualaikum to our new listener country of Bangladesh!
Ep 114 brings us a DBG/NNS combo from November 25th and maybe 26th, 1993. I’ve titled it: A Turkey Sandwich of Thanksgiving Wishes.
Players:
Joe from Revere
Rod the Security Guard from the front desk at WBZ
Scott in his car from Wayland
Anne from the Catskills area of NY
Greg ‘Doug, Jeff’ Ebben producing and playing in studio
And the affable Jack Harte in Traffic
Bdays:
Amy Grant
JFK Jr
Ricardo Montalbán
Joe DiMaggio
Bucky Dent
John Larroquette
Kathryn Crosby
And Christina Applegate
We now move to NNS time!
Callers with tons of Happy Thanksgiving wishes and other praise!
Carolyn in NC
Mike in Boston
Mike from Kingston
Jerry in Natick
Katie in beeyooteefull Cape Breton, Canada
The one and only, Generosa!
Peggy
Lavera in Charlottesville, VA
Jim from Manchester, NH
Bill from Jaffrey, NH
May in Boston
Steve who wanted to thank Norm personally for something Norm helped him with back in February. I will let him tell the story so you just hang in there for it.
Pete in Roslindale
We close with a commercial for The Secret Garden at the Colonial Theater and then Norm teases SMQ and signs off.
Other leftovers:
Mixing metaphors and Old English sayings and speaking in dead languages
Bad Math
Through the entire game, Anne, unintentionally, does a great Gabby Hayes impression.
Rod reveals that he has been tutoring Mike Epstein on bdays!
Sipping
Does Scott get hauled off to the ol’ Gray Bar Hotel? Is his one phone call used to return the DBG?
Scratchy tapes
Anne gives us some fantastic inside baseball observations.
Norm likes his floozies young.
Yula Grunes(Runes? Rooms? Grooms?) and Donald Lowzahn were married today on top of a wedding cake float at the Detroit Thanksgiving Day Parade.
And cooking a special dinner for your pet?
Ep 114, A Turkey Sandwich of Thanksgiving Wishes, begins to baste your ears in wonderfulness…now.
Let’s begin episode 113 with some Happy Birthday wishes to one of Norms’ daughters, Sonja. Still 39 and holding here on November 19th. Happy Birthday my sister from another mister!
Today also brings us a DBG from November 19th, 1994 that shall be titled: Foot Fetish Radio.
This one starts right away. And besides Sonja, there’s a plethora of interesting people born on this day.
Players:
Alan in Smithfield, RI – a 1st timer
Lois in Fitzwilliam, NH – 1st timer
Marge in IN
Hillary in Buck’s County, PA
Brian McKinley – barely producing, playing in studio and just taking up space
And Jack Harte in Traffic who’s also ‘moonlighting’ on RoadWatch America
Bdays:
Norm’s daughter Sonja is officially recognized for her day of birth and suddenly it becomes an ESL class.
Dick Cavett – he has a foot fetish?
Ted Turner – he had a Fonda Fetish…
Calvin Klein
Jodie Foster
Meg Ryan
Alan Young
Larry King
And Jean Kirkpatrick
Other details:
Norm is woozy because Hillary wants more of him.
Rustling papers is driving her crazy, over and over again.
We find out that some people are famous for being famous.
It’s nice to live in a world of fantasy.
Norm is not very dad-like but more of a freelance single guy, making out with everybody.
A behind the scenes secret is revealed: We perform tests to determine the tackiness, tastelessness and uselessness of DBG prizes.
Jack Benny, Mason Adams and Jim Backus make cameo appearances.
And if you ever wondered where Norm got his last name from…the wait is over!
Ep 113, Foot Fetish Radio, strides its way to your ears in 3, 2 and 1.
Zdravey (Hello)! Kak varvi (How’s it going)? To our new listeners in Bulgaria!
Thank you all so much for joining us again here at Norm Nathan’s Vault of Silliness. Today the Vault has graced us with a DBG from November 8th, 1992. This is a good one with plenty of silly banter.
I have titled it: Locally Sourced
We begin with LOTS of Lottery numbers, some sports scores and then the magnificent DBG Theme.
The Players:
Mark in SC
Hazel in Ontario, Canada
Robert from Everett
Lisa in Topsfield
I’m producing and in studio
And Fred Jendren from Traffic
The Bdays:
Katherine Hepburn
Morley Schaffer
Bonnie Raitt
Patti Page
Dr. Christiaan Barnard
Mary Hart
Rickie Lee Jones
June Havoc
And Leif Garrett
The highlight reel includes:
Quite the list of other locals. You may want to get a notebook and pen to keep track.
The Spirit is here, twice I believe.
We are privy to an on-air affair and it’s really something else. Norm, that sweet talker, is in prime Romeo mode here.
Is it sneaked or snuck?
Jack Benny makes an appearance.
Robert from Everett has thousands of 8x10’s and 16 pounds of make-up.
We close with a Patriot’s promo with Gil Santos and a goodnight from Norm!
Ep 112, Locally Sourced, has been freshly picked for your ears and starts now.
normnathanvos@gmail.com
Let me take a moment to acknowledge the anniversary of Norm’s passing. October 29th marked 26 years. I hope you’re enjoying listening to these on that great radio in the sky as much as I enjoy producing them.
Now from the sublime to the ridiculous…
We are back for another dive into Norm Nathan’s Vault of Silliness. This time it’s DBG from November 3rd, 1991 which, borrowing a phrase from the game, is titled: The Night of 200 Wolfies.
We start with a lovely Show Open and some Lottery numbers.
Break for some commercials (which I will list in a just a bit) and then the sweet sounds of the DBG Theme
Players:
Paul in Stoughton
Jimmy from Winthrop
Norma from the N. End
Constance in Weymouth
Jack from Laconia, NH
I’m producing and in studio
And Lou Ianazzo in traffic
Bdays with all the sfx:
Bob Feller
Charles Bronson
Michael Dukakis
Ken Berry
Lulu
Roseanne Barr Arnold
James Reston
Adam Ant
And one from November 5th…
Roy Rogers
We are giving thanks early for the cornucopia of commercial content:
Florine Mark for Weight Watchers
Call for Action and the Mass Bar Association Promo for ‘Ask the Lawyer’
Resolve Stop Smoking Kit with Steve Allen
‘Tom & Russ’ for J&C Adams doors, windows, and stuff voiced by Peter Meade
Join WBZ and Jordan Marsh for an evening to benefit Children’s Hospital at the Enchanted Village at Downtown Crossing
Carpet Giant
Our good buddy, Patrick Palladino Jr of Winchester, MA for Gold Bond.
And Keep It In Your Sneaker
Other highlights:
We lost Thanksgiving but it was recently found down in Cohasset?
A Half-hearted Jack Benny makes an appearance.
Norma does an excellent impression of a wind tunnel and later Norm adds his own sfx.
Norm reveals he was filling out his letter of resignation during the game.
Players wishing me a long and happy marriage. Norm adds if it’s an unhappy marriage it’ll seem a whole lot longer. Norm was prophetic about that.
Norm makes a bold statement regarding this particular game.
Norm gives some insider information on where and how Bob Raleigh stores and accesses his pens.
I get to feel the power of ending a call.
And we end the game with a cryptic message from Paul.
Norm fills the time before news with the weather and tells us about a new program starting that very Sunday morning from 7-9am…Neil Chayet and Looking at the Law. It was replacing Dr. Howard Smith who had high-tailed it to the West Coast.
Norm sends it to News after he teases us with a history question.
The News Sounder segues nicely into the Traffic Sounder and a report from Lou Lou Lou Ianazzo.
A very moving Accuwx forecast with Dave Bowers and Norm trying to sound like he’s on public radio.
This all gives way to another Show Open and Norm gives the answer to the that pre-news question.
EP 111, The Night of 200 Wolfies, races its way to your streaming devices in 3, 2 and 1.
normnathanvos@gmail.com
Hello everyone. Welcome to Norm Nathan’s Vault of Spookiness.
We have a hauntingly good show for you today that has risen from the October 30th, 1995 archives. Let’s call this one Norm-O-Ween.
Norm was joined by 2 guests. First up was Linda Spencer, author of Knock on Wood. As you may have guessed from the title it’s about all sorts of superstitions and the history behind them. I STILL have this book in the Nesbitt Tomb of Tomes.
During the interview a question arises regarding witches riding brooms. There are other sweeping thoughts that will whisk you away because we take a few calls.
Tony on a pay phone at Logan Airport with some broom news
Joan from S. Weymouth with more info from the ‘newsbroom’
Helen from Weymouth
Debbie in Malden
Kevin in Abbington – who then disappears?
A caller who adds some other cool ‘witch-story.’
Norma from the N. End on hats, umbrellas, poles and cracks.
And our male listeners get some advice on how to meet a mate by naming clean socks, getting in bed backwards and dreaming…what?
Some static starts to come through on the tape…and you know what that means? Time to clean the tape deck!
Next is Haunted Hotels: A Guide to American and Canadian Inns by Robin Meade.
They talk about/mention hotels in MA including Longfellow’s Wayside Inn in Sudbury. Now they only mention it here, but I will share a story with you. That’s where my wife and I had our experience with the ghost of Jerusha Howe.
Norm also refers to a previous guest Laurie Jacobson who wrote Hollywood Haunted and Robin has some great stories to add.
Episode 110, Norm-O-Ween, howls it’s way to your ears, now.
We are back and healthy for Episode 109 which is a SMQ from the esteemed Ed Mullen Collection. This one hails from October 20th, 1993. Mike Epstein was producing.
We begin with a Darrell Gould intro to Jack Harte and then Accuwx with Dave Ryan.
The usual suspects comprise the panel with the addition of a beautiful moll: Linda Chase, who joins us later.
Before we start, Norm mentions he had been to the Portsmouth Music Hall for the Harry W. Jones Memorial Education Fund jazz concert (and he wore a tie!) Featured artists were: The Tommy Gallant Trio, Dave McKenna, Dick Johnson, The Swing Shift, Herb Pomeroy, Gray Sargent, Marshall Wood, Donna Burn, Les Harris Jr., plus relatives of Harry Jones, Sharon Jones Jenkins & Tom Jones.
It’s time to explain the rules, categories, and prizes that no one will understand until around 2:15am.
The callers that fill the quiz are as follows:
Joe from Hyde Park
Kevin in Providence, RI
Fred from Medford
Rich from Dorchester
Ann in Quincy
Ritchie in Winthrop
‘Dial tone’ Diane in Duxbury
Dave in Madison, WI!
Dave from Plymouth
Gil in Salem, MA
Yomico from Shadyside, OH
Diane in Duxbury
Michael in NH
Andrew in Norwell
Joan from Hull
Colin from Hingham
Alex in Somerset, PA
John in Bedford
Rob from Duxbury
Al in Eastie
Helene in Belmont
Nancy from Exeter, NH
Kate from Beverly
Faye in Waltham
Don in W.Va
Denise from Brookline
Michael in JP
Other highlights:
Ed and Norm had just seen Linda at Ken’s Steakhouse. Tony had seen here at Natalie’s
The Teen Canteen chanting for news!
Norm has an Oreck and likes to keep his house spotless. So clean you could eat off the floors.
Norm worked really hard on his musical comedy questions and nobody is asking for them!
And are we in for quite the variety of Commercials which are entertainment in and of themselves:
The show ‘Falsettos’
WBZ Afternoon News Promo
Barry and Elliot for Jordan’s Furniture
Silver City Dodge
The London sensation! The Madness of George the III.
Pilgrim Healthcare
EarthTunes at the NE Aquarium
‘Skates of Gold’ at the Boston Garden
Baby Gold Bond
VT Teddy Bear Co read by Arthur Godfrey and a cameo by Jack Benny with full musical accompaniment by the panel
Aloise Avrilla for Oreck Vacuums
James Rife and Jim Brown for Gold Bond
The queasy Linda Kern and Hazel Dew for Marezine
And Kas Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner
Episode 109, The Swell Music Quiz, Ed Mullen Collection V2, makes a sojourn to your speakers in 3, 2 and 1.
Before we begin you may have noticed a bunch of repeat postings of previous episodes. The issue that has been plaguing us has been corrected and, in order to test that, we had to repost. It looks sloppy but I don’t want to delete them as they have received views.
Thanks for your patience. Now everyone should be able to enjoy the shows on their desktops and laptops.
Hopefully it’s the last of the glitches.
Welcome to Norm Nathan’s Vault of Silliness very own October Surprise or should I say ‘Vault-tober Surprise?’
The fam and I have all caught the ‘Vid. For three of us it’s Round 2 for the other two it’s their first time. We all ended up with what amounts to a bad head/chest cold.
That’s not the surprise though. Because of feeling under the weather, we are just going to start this episode and let it fly! I can tell you it’s a NNS/DBG/NNS from October 16th, 1993. As for who’s playing and all those other details…we’re gonna find out together. And, based on the notes on the cassette, the surprise continues after the show!
Ep 108, The Vault-tober Surprise, begins now.
normnathanvos@gmail.com
This week’s episode is a DBG from October 5th, 1996 which I’ve titled, “Age-vantages.”
Tom Howie was producing.
We begin with quite the intro for Jack Harte from Norm.
Norm laments the transitions of the season but because he is a doctor, please take off everything and he will only look at you in a medical manner. Jack believes it all starts with windows going from opened to closed and that brings on general malaise.
There’s some Kyrie and Bobo talk (Norm’s Newfoundland dogs).
We are informed that people walk all over Norm because he’s too good of a person and Jack wastes no time requesting Norm’s help with something.
The subject of growing old comes up along with it’s advantages and disadvantages.
We get some incredible wisdom and insight from a stupid guy Norm knew and everyone’s favorite HGPG.
The Players:
Jack Harte
Mike from Marlborough
Joanne from Everett
Charlie in Malden
And Betty from Sudbury
During the introductions we venture into the “what exactly is middle age” territory and what age was it hardest to turn.
The Birthdays:
Bill Dana
Glynis Johns
Karen Allen
Donald Pleasance…no, wait…
Steve Miller
Sir Bob Geldof
Diane Cilento, Sean Connery’s ex-wife…on second thought
Some Dead Bdays:
Chester A. Arthur
Ray Crock
And Alan Ludden
The game ends with an Historic Event question:
In what year was The World Series first broadcast on radio?
Other highlights:
Joanne hearing static and another station on the line. Norm says turn it up it’s probably a lot better than this.
Newfoundland dogs help everything.
Norm was not a hunk.
Norm’s friend, Sydney Gelpi (sp?), had his own room with pin-up pix on the walls.
Mike needs socks.
WBZ is older than Norm.
Norm remains terribly behind in sending out prizes but in the end, it doesn’t matter because it’s all junk.
Norm’s father describing the younger Norm.
And Jack was at a charity function that his fine lady, Moneen was hosting where a 25-piece Big Band and singer Toni Ballard were performing.
Let’s get the candles lit on Episode 107, “Age-vantages”…now.
Thanks for joining us again as we close out September 2022 with a Norm Nathan Show from September 29th, 1996. This one is titled: BillyBobNorm.
Steven Adams was producing.
Also thank you for sticking with us, listening on your phones and from every other platform where we cast with no damn issues! Still no resolution to our little problem on YT. And with no response from my queries as to what’s goin’ on…I find that YouRUDE.
Before we dive into this episode, I’d like to say, “namaste” to our new listeners in India!
Here we go:
Billy Clyde’s got his dander up in an excited dialogue with Norm about music, then and now!
Norm teases guest Bob Hernandez who’ll be playing his game Significa!
And, again, Norm is WAAAAY behind in tacky, junk gift mailings.
To DBG or not to DBG, that is the question?
Shayna in traffic…or not…orrrrrrr?
Kevin in Dorchester
Wally in Waltham
With a malfunctioning peepers keyring in need of replacement we have Marge in IN
Jim in Lowell and another subject arises: banned records. Not BAND records but banned records.
We now roll on to Bob Hernandez and the aforementioned game, Significa! Bob will give ask 3 questions. Answer all three and WIN! Significa was 4 pack of small travel games covering varying subjects: History, Geography, Literature and more.
Callers:
Debbie in Malden
Bill from Lynn
Marian in Easton
Jenny from Plymouth
Joanne in North Reading
Ken from Roslindale
Christopher in Lowell
Christine from Worcester
Bob in Waltham – maybe not
Joe from Melrose
Anne in PA
Kelly from Weymouth
Bob is back!
Dorothy in Bridgewater
Doug from Newton
Michael in Chelmsford
Whitney
Horace in Brookline
Matt in Weymouth
Laura from PA
Lynne in Malden
Joel from Natick
Ken in Cambridge
Lisa from upstate NY
Bob in Leominster
Bill from Braintree
Bob in Richmond, VA
Geri in Everett
John from Boston (aka Chauncy without the extra accent!)
Heather in Wilmington, MA
Priscilla from Weimar, PA
Fred in Kennebunk, ME
Vivian from Malden
Beth in Boston
Jay from Dorchester
Loose ends…
Callers hearing Norm with an echo and a whoosh!
Traffic reporters are a happy lot hoping for a big traffic jam.
Jim says Norm has a nice singing voice and Norm mentions he’ll be singing with a The Bob Bachelder Band to benefit Self Esteem Boston at the Wonderland Ballroom in Revere. He had rewritten all the lyrics to Cole Porter’s “You’re the Top.”
Stay tuned as I will replay that magnificent performance.
And a question is posed, “Where’s the Gong?”
Ep 106, BillyBobNorm, begins in 3, 2 and 1.
We have another NNS/DBG/NNS from September 21st & 22nd, 1996.
Title: Cruising the Radio Waves
Tom Howie was producing.
We begin with a couple of jokes from a caller, Bruce the skip to Norm talking to Linda about sports talk shows, negativity and talking like an ass.
Now on to caller, Elizabeth, whom Norm hasn’t spoken with in a long time. She was former WBZ producer Eddie LeClair’s fiancé. We learn that’s not the only thing that can be referred to as former.
There’s a caller asking about Norm’s recent trip to Bermuda, his daughters, Sonja and Sarah, glaucoma and a renown eye doctor.
We move to Norm talking about all the wacky National Day of stuff such as: Dear Diary Day, Ice Cream Cone Bday, Long Count Day, National Centenarians Day, National Good Neighbor Day and more.
It’s time for the DBG!
Members of the Panel:
Jim in MI
Elizabeth from Allston
Michael in JP
Michelle and Todd from Salem, MA
Shayna in Traffic? Maybe not.
Bdays:
Tommy Lasorda
Shari Belafonte
Debbie Boone
Joan Jett
Scott Baio
Bob Lemon
There’s some weird noises and other discussions before we get to a date in History question:
When did Fiddler on the Roof open on Broadway?
A ton of fun is had during the game with impressions, great talk about Jack Benny and skit recreations.
Jim in MI was using the GE SuperRadio III and picking WBZ up nicely.
Elizabeth and Norm talk for a while longer after the game. She had spoken to Ed before she played and relates his thoughts to Norm.
Norm mentions that he hosted “A Child’s Guide to Instruments of the Orchestra.”
We Break for news.
He announces what he’s going to do but does it quietly because other stations steal our ideas. He gives out the phone number even though he’s tired of seeing it scrawled on the bathroom walls.
We come back with a caller, Don, complaining about a WBZ promo and a Beatles song.
Joan Jett was a guest star on The Highlander tv show? Sheena Easton too?
There was a concern that the classical audience is getting older and older but that fear is put aside with a call from Robin in Lynn. She and her 8-year-old love classical music and would be going to the Symphony!
Norm expounds on the virtues of musical tastes including mine.
Shirley in MI was so happy that Norm was back from his trip.
Next is Ron who praises Elizabeth and her call.
Then Beatrice in W. Roxbury – Happy to have Norm back from his trip too. Talks about Arthur Fiedler and tells a story of being at Symphony Hall where everyone was waiting for Fiedler to arrive. He was late because he helped fight the Vendome Fire. He was an honorary firefighter and took that very seriously.
Our last caller was Jim who was also in Bermuda but on a different cruise. They talk about the high cost of living on the island.
We end with a classic tag line from Norm.
Episode 105, Cruising the Radio Waves, sets sail to your ear canals…now.
Let me take a minute to thank YT for not doing anything again this week about the publishing issues we all experience when you’re trying to listen on a regular ol’ computer. You guys do nothing and do it extremely well. So, thanks again.
Let’s start the frivolity!
Episode 104 is a 31-year-old DBG from September 14th, 1991. I’ve titled it: Voices in the Night
We begin with Norm’s Show Open with some extra fun thrown in as we segue directly to the ‘original’ DBG theme.
Norm defines not only the game but really what his and now this show is all about. If someone asks you about it, you can use his words to describe it: A silly concept that creates moments of hilarity.
Players:
Charlene in Braintree
Paul from Malden
Pat in Melrose
Lenny from Charlestown
I'm producing and on the phone from Master Control and saying hello to a few hard-working ladies.
Jack Harte says hello to some hard-working ladies as well.
Truthfully there wasn’t much difference between them. Norm seemed to be familiar with one of the names Jack mentioned.
Bdays w/ALL the SFX:
Joey Heatherton
Mary Frances Crosby
Clayton Moore
On to 9/16
Alan Funt
Ed Begley Jr. – back again because we had him on the previous episode which was from 1993 so if you recall that show, subtract 2.
Peter Falk – back again as well for another ‘look.’
B.B. King
Lauren Bacall – a ‘noteworthy’ return also from the last episode
Other things:
Could a tape of Jack laughing become a collector’s item?
It was Farm Stand Day. Norm wasn’t sure he was going to attend as he forgot to shave. I told him the ladies love the scruff. Because of that he just may reconsider. He may even be there early.
I left Norm reading some headlines for the bottom hour news update to honor the newsman part of his career.
And we close it with a couple of commercials:
Camelot at the N.S. Music Theater and Waldron Bay Real Estate properties commercial with some smoooooth jazz as the background music.
Episode 104, Voices in the Night, begins transmission to your ears, now.
Today we have a NNS/DBG/NNS from September 10th, 1993. We get a little pre-game Norm, game-time Norm and then post-game Norm. Titled: Words to Live By
Mike Epstein is producing.
It all begins with a Jack Harte traffic report and then on to the callers.
Chauncy who nominates Norm for some special recognition.
Rich from W Roxbury
Lorriane in Boston who seconds the nomination. Please grab a pen and paper as the call includes a list of doily embroidery phrases. Email us at normnathanvos@gmail.comn with pictures of those completed projects. My favorite is the advice Norm was given by his alcoholic Uncle.
Jack in Somerville with compliments and a favor to ask.
Beth in MI who accuses another caller, Weldon, of telling fibs!
Heading to 3am we hear the top hour news sounder and then cut to Big Bill Watson introducing Jack in Traffic. Then the Accux forecast with Dave Ryan followed by Norm with the Temp, Lottery, Sports and Intro with full Show Open that leads us to the DBG and that special theme song in its entirety!
It’s one of games where Norm delves into the upcoming week for more dates.
The Players:
Joe in Brockton
Joanne from Fairmont, W. VA
Rich from W. Roxbury
Lorraine in Jamaica Plain
Mike Epstein and Jack Harte
The Bdays:
Brian De Palma
Tom Landry
9/13
Jacqueline Bissett
Nell Carter
Mel Torme
On to Side B to finish out that first half of the game before we break for the bottom hour news. Bill Watson, Jack Harte and Dave Ryan do their thing before we return to the game!
Moving on to 9/16
Lauren Bacall
Ed Begley Jr.
Peter Falk
And then it’s Back to 9/13 for
Claudette Colbert
Before news time we take a call from Paula in Dracut She asks about Norm’s dogs. She is also heading to video a wedding and that starts a conversation that carries over after the top of the hour.
All the usual suspects are back for news and then we finish up with Paula and close with Kevin from Roxbury who continues the talk about video recordings of everything. Norm gives great examples as it’s EXACTLY what’s going on now! Do we tape too much of ourselves? Wow…this was prophetic. It’s definitely a problem. I’ll save that discussion for my other channel, Tony Nesbitt’s Vault of Annoyances.
Other things:
Norm impresses again with his impressions.
Norm inquiring if there are any younger women who prefer older men. Real older men.
Jimmie Walker and Johnny Walker.
And Norm name drops the photographer from his wedding.
We are fully loaded with commercial content!
The rich, chocolaty taste of after school Ovaltine.
WBZ NewsRadio sales spot with Norman Sigorsky of Woodworkers Warehouse and advertising on Monday Night Quarterback
Dunkin Donuts
Baby Gold Bond with Gwendolyn Jones of Ft. Lauderdale FL
Kid Company Promo
Not one. Not two. But a Threequel of very serious commercials for Silver City Ford Hyundai Coachmen and Dodge Toyota bolstered by the legal powerhouse of Odotto, Cascadden and Hoke! They’re going to have “on-site disposal agents.”
Bill Marlowe for Floramo’s!
Triple Action Gold Bond Medicated Powder with Michael Cook from Grand Praire, TX and his heat rash
The screechy Bessy Duprie for Classic Ovaltine
WBZ TV Promo
Baby Gold Bond w/Louise Fallon of Brooklyn, NY and her red, irritated baby
Hazel Dew is thankful for her new-found self-confidence because of Marezine
The dry and flaky James Rife of Riverdale, IL for Gold Bond
The
Today’s episode in a NNS from September 1st and possibly the 10th, 1994. I have titled it: ‘Radio Hopscotch’ because there’s a lot of skipping from call to call.
It appears to be the last hour of the 9/1 broadcast and then we jump ahead to some other September nights and conclude with what is labelled as 9/10.
Brian McKinley was producing.
I found this whole cassette to be endlessly entertaining. There’s a lot here for me to whet your appetite with.
It all begins with a call from Fred in Medford about WHDH.
Skip to Norm talking about a pianist who seemed to know how to play every song. 36 musicians in some orchestra with I believe Dave McKenna? Norm sat two tables away from Frank Sinatra!
Skip to talking to Robert from Everett! Now we are in for a treat as this is the first of TWO calls from Robert in this episode!
Norm was going to be participating in a charity comedy show at the Comedy Connection.
Skips to a different caller from Maryland (maybe named Irv?) talking about WBZ history and a question for Norm, “Who were the talent known as ‘The Live Five?’” You’ll have to stay tuned for the answers.
Norm had recently spoken to Jess Cain. Norm cites Jess as an inspiration to because of all the wild stuff he would do on WHDH and Norm felt he had to keep up and be wild too.
We hear from Charlie in Abington with some broadcasting advice for Norm
Then Larry who started listening about a year ago when he began a third shift job as a security guard and loves the show.
Norm teases the guest for tomorrow night (kind of) then the kids in the Teen Canteen whoop it up one more time and he sends it to the morning news.
Now on to a Jack traffic report and spot for Store 24
Lovell Dyett makes an appearance! Norm talks to Lovell about Sophia Loren and the temptations that are flaunted at big time radio folks. Norm enlightens us on his most recent one.
Moving on, here’s Norm introducing Rob Floyd in Traffic but no report because we skip to a caller, Kathy.
Fred from NJ talking about a lady who sends him apple pies. The worst he’s ever tasted. He also tells a story about being at a BBQ and overhearing a conversation. The woman, when she was younger, couldn’t go to sleep at night until she checked under the bed. Sparked a conversation where many people there had done the same thing. That prompts Norm to mention a play called ‘Small Wonder’ A very interesting plot that I’m certain you’ll ‘see the point too.’
Norm worries more about walking down a dark city street than living in the woods.
Norm has never seen a UFO.
Let’s Jump to Norm talking with Jim Morley or Morlia, a toll taker on the Tobin Bridge for 20+ years. We get some insight into the big-time broadcasting dollars he was paid when he began his radio career.
Next caller, Tom, says a bad word and apologizes.
Tom also said how sorry he was to hear about Norm’s wife Norma passing. She had been gone for nearly three years. Norm tells a great story about Fr. Dick Schmaruk who gave the eulogy at Norma’s services.
Next caller, Mike, who believes he met Linda Chase and tells the Howard Stern fans to be nice.
Norm teases a guest for the next show and he signs off from another September day.
Here’s the next night with Norm talking to traffic reporter Rob Floyd who needs to call Norm’s brother in-law to fix some stuff.
Norm takes the blame for Adam and Eve being banished from the Garden of Eden.
Suddenly there’s a Jack traffic spot for Exxon and then Jack reports on every work crew in and around Boston.
All I’ll say next is Jack, gawkers and cockpit.
Norm says he’s the ‘throw-away act’
Before we get started I want to thank everyone for listening not just to last week’s Big 100th episode but all the time, every week.
Since I mentioned the 100th let me quickly explain the weirdness that went on with it. This was only a YT problem. Though displaying the full length, time-wise, it would only play for 2 seconds on desktop computers! Mobile phones worked with the YT app as well as all the other streaming services. We just may end up with a whole row of that broadcast until the issue is resolved. It’s silly but we wouldn’t have it any other way.
I also want to thank Jack Harte again for stopping by.
And another enormous thank you to Joan McCool. Her dedication and time she lovingly put in to recording Norm is really unsurpassed. And I know she’ll be pleased with what I have to say next…
“Dia huit” to our new listeners in Ireland! We’re ‘lucky’ to have you.
If you recall, last month we had a SMQ and it was mentioned that we were going to be back in August with another. As promised, we are back. This is from August 17th, 1995. And this one is direct from the Ed Mullen Collection (EMC)!
After approximately 26 years, Ed and I met for lunch and he arrived baring gifts. A lovely box full of SMQ’s and other treasures.
We will meet again and I plan on having Mr. Ed on the show.
These SMQ’s will be titled “The Ed Mullen Collection (EMC)” This being Volume 1 – All-Star Callers. Not only because of the excellent questions but there were a couple who were of some notoriety.
Here we find Uncle Norm filling in for Bob Raleigh. Mike Epstein is producing. BTW, Mike is on that future guest hit list too.
The Esteemed Panel:
Norm
Ed Mullen
Jack Harte
Where’s Tony? Fear not as I do appear after receiving treatment in the trainer’s room for a pulled music muscle.
You know the categories.
As always, before we begin, Ed reads the rules and makes them as clear as ever.
Norm reiterates the rules with even more clarity.
Those rules plague us, well, plague Norm really, throughout.
Let me note here that, for some reason, we were accepting requests for particular decades! And taking questions for fun.
The callers were as follows…
Kevin in RI
Barbara from Brookline
Virginia in Roslindale
Ben from Hudson
Deedee in W. VA
Deborah from Malden
Bill in JP
Ed from Cambridge
Dana in Salem
Jay from Bridgewater
Sal in NH
Chris from Roslindale
Ginny from East Bridgewater
David in Quincy
Jim from Boston
Bruce in NJ
Enos from PA
Bill in NH
Charles in Plymouth
Jerry from Natick – who, at the end of his call, says something we completely missed. Listen closely as it would have generated a bunch of questions from us if we were paying attention.
Phil in Johnstown
Toni from Braintree
Steve in VA – Colonial Beach VA is Norm Nathan Country!
Fred from ME – needs another certificate to finish wallpaper his bathroom.
Linda from Quincy
Joe in Providence RI
Joe from Hazelton, PA – Hazelton PA is NN Country!
Jay in Arlington – sang on the Gleason Show!
Jack from Springfield – with some information
And Mike in Springfield
Some other fun:
Ed makes a reference to a since long closed store.
Certificates have many uses...if you ever receive them.
I contribute a little-known fact about Neil Diamond.
Norm does impressions of Robert Goulet, Zero Mostel and Arthur Godfrey
There’s mic trouble, audio trouble and operator error.
I’d like to thank you all for joining us here for Episode 100!
It is a DBG from August 3rd, 1996, appropriately titled: Harte Murmurings.
Why? Because Jack Harte stopped by the Norch Studios this week!
That’s right, Jack and I talk about what he’s been up to the last 26 years since this game aired. Then we play along with the game.
This tape was chosen at random and I’m pretty sure Norm paid us a visit. Jack and I looked at each other in wide-eyed amazement.
So we can get to it, let me give you the players, birthdays and some highlights.
Players:
Jack Harte
Betty from Sudbury
Marge from Indiana
Bruce in Attleboro
And Hiram from Hudson
Bdays:
Tony Bennett
Jay North
Victoria Jackson
Martin Sheen
Richard Adler
John Landis
Martha Stewart
And John Graham
Plus a pleading Jack asks for a date in History:
What year was Calvin Coolidge inaugurated after the death of Warren G. Harding?
Other Highlights:
Peeper Battery Replacement Instruction from Jack
Authorities have contacted Norm and informed him Marge was responsible for a breakdown in essential services on her street.
Norm recites the Jack Armstrong theme.
Norm has taken a job as Jack’s spokesman.
Clare de Lune on the harmonica is an emotional experience.
Norm does many fine impressions.
The Limit, The Strip and The Route all make an appearance.
And to close Jack and I get philosophical, looking inward, zen-like regarding traffic and public transportation.
Episode 100, Harte Murmurings, beats a path to your ears…now.
Tickets please, tickets. Norm Nathan’s Vault of Silliness is now boarding the way-back machine for a DBG from August 10th, 1991, the title of which is: “I Can’t Fight This Reeling.”
Long before we had an official, real, honest to goodness opening song I played the Olympic Theme to kick off the proceedings.
In addition, we had smartly uniformed WBZ pages that would march into the studio, white gloves and all, carrying sealed envelopes containing all the birthday details. As Norm stated, it truly was a feather in the cap of WBZ.
The Players:
Paul from Malden
Wolfie
Alice in Brockton
Scott in Lynn
I’m producing and playing on the phone from Master Control
And a fully relaxed Jack Harte
The Bdays with all the SFX:
Jimmy Dean
Rosanna Arquette
Eddie Fisher
Patti Austin
Rhonda Flemming
And Bobby Hatfield
Other Stuff:
Poor Jack has been ‘Zha-dool-u-rized.’
Norm realizes he forgot to stay home.
Wolfie has doubled his thing.
The original songs 73 & 77 trombones didn’t take.
It’s an emotional rollercoaster of humor highs and lows.
Tony and Jack dispel any rumors of cheating!
At times Alice is calling from fah, fah away.
I’m is forced to stay another hour.
And Norm does the weather with some musical accompaniment that puts him in a romantic mood.
Classic Commercials & Promos:
Ask a Nurse with a semi-whispery announcer.
Dr. Howard Smith with be talking stomach pain with his guest, Dr. Michael Wolf
Bottom Hour News read by Norm which I include here!
A Traffic check with Jack in his polyester uniform and shiny shoes.
The Cape Cod Melody Tent.
We hear about the instant gratification Patrick Palladino from Winchester MA gets from Triple Action Gold Bond Medicated Powder.
Keep It In Your Sneaker – hot, sweaty, burning, sore and smelly…and that’s just the script writing.
Norm relates his very own experience with KIIYS.
The all-new Marshfield Fair – very excited announcers give you all the details.
WBZ/N.E. Patriots Promo with Gil Santos.
Barney and Carey Lumber Company in Quincy
Gold Bond is back with another one of our favs, Joan Cantwell of Brockton MA
And Keep It In Your Sneaker again! Must be for the other foot.
There was also time to take some calls:
Kathy who thought it was one of his better shows. She thinks he should let us keep punning until we exhaust all the options. I like Kathy. She is also awaiting a prize Norm promised.
And Marilyn from Boston – formerly from Wellesley by way of the Cape and maybe Maine and good gawd it’s a nutty call.
Don’t forget to like, subscribe and share!
Episode 99, “I Can’t Fight This Reeling” is cast to the airwaves in 3, 2 and 1.
normnathanvos@gmail.com
We reach all the way back to August 1st, 1992 for this glistening jewel of a broadcast.
I’ve titled it: Radiodorant
Norm makes a triumphant return to the airwaves after a two-week absence while he convalesced from hernia surgery.
It all begins with Bob McMahon from WBZ News and his intro to the Accuwx Forecast w/the lovely and exciting Roy Gallant.
Then Norm introduces Jack Harte for Traffic sponsored by IHOP! That Rooty Tooty Fresh and Fruity Breakfast was a bargain!
Next, our ears are caressed with the voice of Dr. Lonnie Carton, host of The Learning Center. Sally Six-Pack to Charlie Coke-head were in attendance.
Now the big DBG Theme to launch the frivolity.
Players:
Helen from Boston
Jimmy in Winthrop
Ann from Everett
Joe the Baker
Karen Meslener
I’m in Studio
And Jack Harte.
The comedy-soaked Birthdays are spread over FOUR days!
Dom Deluise
Geoffrey Holder
Joe Elliot
Norm left a bunch of bdays on the table for 8/1 and refused to divulge who they were!
So, we move to 8/3:
Martin Sheen
And we may have to send search and rescue out to find Ann.
Tony Bennett
Now on to 8/5 for:
Loni Anderson
Annnnnnd 8/6 for:
Robert Mitchum
Other revelations!
Norm is fired up for this one.
Norm has been remiss in sending out prizes and his 2-week recovery has made it worse.
Jimmy is still waiting for his Woodsman’s Weather Stick from 8-months ago. Turns out that was MY responsibility.
The sales dept has started locking their drawers and placing notes not use their typewriters!
Norm chortles along with Karen.
The jokes are so bad Norm feels it may be worse than when he left. He just may have more surgery and take another 3-4 weeks off and hopes I have gotten all the crumby jokes out of my system.
Jack Benny has returned in fine voice! Norm was practicing with the nurses at Salem Hospital.
Another Birthday Game Scandal may very well erupt
There’s only one book in the WBZ Library.
Down in the dumps? Depressed? Call Karen.
Oh la dee da oh wee ha ha
Is Norm dreaming this and he’s still in Salem Hospital?
On a separate note…Ann sounds like Ruth Clennott!
Post Game:
We discover Norm dislikes Mother’s and Father’s Day and Joe the Baker gives a pep talk about Chelsea.
Episode 98, Radiodorant, rolls on to your ears….now.
normnathanvos@gmail.com
All you guys in the Teen Canteen are simply the best! We have surpassed 10k views on YT before our 100th Episode! Thank you, thank you, thank you just so darn much.
Our offering today takes place over two shows. One from July 23rd, 1995 and then July 27th, 1996.
Titled: Butter Than Nothing. You will understand why, shortly.
The first quarter has various talk with some choppy edits.
We take calls from:
Norma who has a funny epitaph and then a poem to her boyfriend.
Judy in PA with some chat about restaurants. Norm wants to open ‘Picasso’s.’ And the hiring qualifications are very interesting.
Our dear friend Joan in Tewksbury talking about stamps, the Talking Information Centers for the Blind and being buried in newspapers.
We the move to July 27th, 1996 for the entire second part of the episode.
Our guest was Norma Duffy Lyon – The Butter Lady. She sculptures in butter! Stuff like a full-size Clydesdale horse, a brahman bull, Garth Brooks and oh, so much more. She was currently ‘churning’ out American Gothic for the Iowa State Fair. This is one fascinating woman. Not only her talents but her family as well. Just a super interesting lady and a great interview by Norm.
Before we end Norm teases an upcoming guest, Chuck Mitchell, owner of Dove Glove in VT. He rents doves out for all types of events.
And Norm is blessed with my presence.
Episode 97, Butter Than Nothing, melts into your ears…now.
The DBG: It’s a concept built from an idea! This concept is from July 23, 1993 and I have titled it:
“A Clear Case of Pun Poisoning.”
This one is unashamedly bad in the best of ways, though Norm clearly feels otherwise and believes he’ll likely be out of a job.
Norm had to scrape the birthday offerings to put this one together. Weirdly, only three people were playing…
Helen from Boston who sounded like Norma from Boston but really was Helen from Boston
I’m producing and playing in studio
And the Mr. Jack Harte in Traffic
Bdays:
Olivia de Havilland (de haven) – Norm had, at one time, a torrid affair with her. The question is posed if she played the character Violet Bick in ‘It’s a Wonderful Life?’
I’ll tell you now that the answer is no. Young Violet was played by Jeanine Ann Roose whilst Gloria Grahame played the twenty-something Violet.
There are many digressions during this one:
Sexy ladies from Swampscott.
Frolicking in the sand on King’s Beach.
The Westinghouse Hitmen.
Norm’s brother in-law’s lack of creative humor.
And “rating a ‘chippy.’”
Sam Watters from Oklahoma City, not to be confused with the Sam Watters from Methuen whose birthday is a week from next Thursday. Sam was in a group called Color Me Badd and Norm gives us a rendition of their hit, “I Wanna Sex You Up” which is not to be missed. We are awash in puns during this.
Spencer “Don’t Call me Mr.” Christian – A weatherman from GMA
David Essex – born David Cook in England and born Sidney Lefkowich in Methuen – sang Rock On. Also starred in some odd ball movies. Actually, the most underrated trilogy of medical films in movie history:
“Odd Balls of 1973.”
“Hold On, Let Me Cough” (in some countries it was known as “Excuse me while I Cough”)
“We Have an Ointment for That”
Norm wishes he was back on WMEX doing “It’s Curtain Time w/John Kiley on the Organ and the vocal stylings of Theo Carrero.” It had a swelling organ. Wait a minute…is that another medical film?
Supreme Court Justice Anthony M. Kennedy
Don Drysdale – we believe he just died a couple of weeks ago. So, let’s guess how old he would have been today if…
Pee Wee Reese – he was a ‘short’ short stop. We explore how his name also worked during other conversations.
Woody Harrelson – I’m was not a fan back then, but I am now.
Other Stuff:
One of my deepest, darkest secrets is revealed.
Norm sings and Helen wishes.
We learn of a costly medical procedure that Helen could choose to undergo.
“Schwoegler & Kent” – cigarette brand or clothing store?
We get some words of wisdom: “If it’s unfair for all then that makes it fair.”
Chicken brothel?
Burlesque and Vaudeville make a comeback on this show.
We get a couple of punchlines, “…but who’s smoking?” and "Excuse me lady but I think your sign fell down.” I coax Norm into telling us the set ups. Norm was worried he had an image to uphold. Needless to say, he didn’t have to worry.
Helen thinks this show is getting worse.
SO many puns that Norm questions all his life’s choices.
Susquehanna Hats
“…the Queen’s box.”
I feel duped by my comrade.
Norm had such high hopes when he was hosting su
We are cruising towards Ep 100 and it would be just so darn awesome to reach 10,000 views on YT by that time. We have close to 14.5k combined on others which means we are nearing 25k overall!
Thank you to every single one of you who listens and spreads the word. Keep liking, subscribing and sharing.
I will have some other news coming soon.
Now speaking of YT…
The Episode cover images that I’ve scoured the internet for and chosen for each and every episode finally started appearing on YT about 3 months ago. Now, for the last 3 weeks, it returned to what is my standard YT image backdrop. Well, that should be corrected once again this week, but I won’t know until it uploads.
The VoS has offered up a DBG from July 16th, 1994 aptly titled: “My Desperate Plea for Love.”
Darrell Gould joins Norm and I with some pre-game chatter.
A stealthy Norm begins the conversation…He asks me a question about my weekend away at Hampton Beach, NH where, at a club called The Electric Wave, I saw a beautiful young lass whom I was smitten with.
It’s quite the pathetic tale of squandered chances and lost love.
Amy was the name of the girl I was taken with. I was weak in the knees and couldn’t get up the nerve to talk to her. I did however get some details from her friend Laurie. Finally, at the end of the night, I said to her that I thought she was incredibly beautiful.
I won’t give you any further details but just say that the slobbering, plaintive, tear-soaked plea continues until it sickens us all.
Thankfully, Norm goes to a commercial where we only get to briefly hear John Wall from Wall’s Lincoln Mercury before it fades out.
Ok, it’s game time!
Our Players:
The breathy Arlene from Philadelphia
Rick in State College PA
Betty from S Portland ME
The stuffy but still adorable Kristen from Dorchester
I’m on the phone
Emilio Marotta producing and playing in studio and spending his penultimate night with us as he is heading off to San Diego CA. He describes a temporary job he’s lined up in Tijuana where he predicts his Lawrence Welk medley will be a big hit.
Jack Harte in traffic who’s insincere greeting prompts Norm to do an impression of his uncle. Wet, stubby cigar hanging from his lips…
The Birthdays:
Bess Meyerson
NEXT COULD POSSIBLY BE THE LONGEST TIME SPENT ON A SINGLE BIRTHDAY:
Orville Redenbacher.
The impressions, the jokes, the puns, the losing of one’s mind and the moaning and groaning throughout is FUNtastic.
Ginger Rogers who won an Oscar for ‘Kitty Foyle.’ Oh yes, the foolishness carries on with this one.
The very sharp, Reuben Blades
Before we skip to Monday the 18th here’s the list of leftovers that remained on the birthday cake plate:
Desmond Decker
Raine Pryor
Barnard Hughes
Jim Rathman
Barry Sanders
Dick Thornberg
Margaret Court
Stewart Copeland
And Pincus Zuckerman
Barbara Stanwyck, Mary Baker Eddy and Theodore Vail were also born on the 17th but were dead.
Monday, 7/18
Red Skelton
Harriet Nelson
We end quickly as news is fast approaching!
So many other highlights:
Norm declares may resign from shtick.
Egotistical hosts who are afraid to say there are open lines but not Norm. He has no qualms about begging.
Norm’s Bob Raleigh impression, “Nothing wrong with that.”
Kristen’s chafed and sore stuffy nose that was an adorable shade of red that matched nicely with her teary, swollen eyes.
We are back for another edition of NNVoS. Today we feature a DBG from July 7th, 1996…The title of which will be “The Raccoon Report” (because it just may be the most exciting thing you’ll hear during this game).
The show begins with some talk about Dragnet. Norm gives some details and mentions a funny tidbit about one of the show’s characters and then it’s on to the game.
The Players:
Kathleen in Milton
Cheryl from Weymouth
Jeanie in Hyde Park
Sid Whittaker in Traffic with a raccoon in the road down in Norwell.
And Tom Howie producing and playing in studio
It appears to have been an odd night on the phones so far and even though Norm spends hours of prep getting ready, he has lost interest in the game before it has even begun.
The Bdays:
Ringo Starr
Shelley Duvall
Vince Edwards
Doc Severinsen
Gian Carlo Menotti
Jessica Hahn
Pierre Cardin
Joe Spano
And Charlie Louvin
Other heart-pounding moments during the episode…
Norm went with a girl named Kathleen. She was a twin.
He spent time snuggled up in a rumble seat with her during a raging snowstorm.
Any day that your alive is a great day.
Norm pleads with the callers to win so he can get the junk out of his house to give as prizes.
The game has a pre-Olympic intensity because it's a try-out for the DBG Olympic Team heading to Atlanta. You can feel the sparkles!
A Best of the DBG Album is “in the works.”
Jeanie the Purring Stripper?
Give a bored and lonely Sid a call at *1030 for the BZ CellOne Phone Force
There's a promo for ‘Looking at the Law with Neil Chayet.’
And we close with an exciting Accuwx forecast and some lottery numbers.
I can barely contain myself!
Episode 94, “The Raccoon Report” crosses the road to your ears, now.
The summertime is heating up with Episode 93 of Norm Nathan’s VoS.
The number may just match today’s temp here in some parts of MA. It’s a scorchah!
We have a DBG from July 2nd, 1995 which is titled:
‘Raiders of the Lost Birthday Book’ because we begin with Norm not being able to find said book and a quest may be needed!
Was it just misplaced by Norm? Was it stolen by Sid Whittaker and WCCM? (a reference to some scandal back in Ep 91) Will Netflix buy the rights to this astonishing whodunnit?
Stay tuned!
Onward to the game:
Our 1st player is Stan Roberts, calling in from Buffalo. He worked with Norm back on WHDH from 1970-72.
They chat quite a bit before the game begins. Some WHDH history, station breaks, technology of the time, and how Norm got his overnight gig.
Stan notes that “In an age when machinery is replacing man, you replaced a machine.”
Wait until you hear Stan recall the great ad campaign for his show that was on a billboard along the SE Expressway.
And there’s talk of Stan’s career when he returned to Buffalo.
And now the other players:
Michael from PA
Tom in Cleveland
Robert in Framingham
Hope Schauer producing and playing in studio
And the wild, different and crazy Ken Newman in traffic.
Bdays:
Polly Holiday
John Sununu
Lucy Baines Johnson Turpin
Cheryl Ladd
Jimmy McNichol
And then it’s event time. And we get three!
What year did Amelia Earhart and navigator Fred Noonan disappear over the Pacific Ocean while attempting to make the first round the world flight at the equator?
What year did the Lawrence Welk Show premiere on ABC television?
And in what year was The U.S. Army Air Corp created?
The game is so exciting that it reminds Norm that just when he feels that he’s been in radio longer than he should be, nope. Not yet. This prompts a possible lead in the DBG Book theft!
We get the details on an old survey that Lawrence welk had taken where one of the questions was, “Larry, what do you think of violence?
It is revealed that Norm hosted a polka program which featured the one and only, Johnny Wilfahrt.
And post-game we get a few more minutes of conversation with Norm and Stan which takes us through to the end.
Ep 93, ‘Raiders of the Lost Birthday Book’ is comin’ atcha in 3, 2 and 1.
So happy to have you back for another episode of NNVoS. Episode 92 for those of you keeping track at home.
As promised, we will feature a SMQ from June 29th, 1995.
Let’s call this one: AM Gold
The usual suspects of yours truly, Ed Mullen, Jack Harte, and Norm comprise the panel.
Mike Epstein was producing.
The pregame ritual of explaining the rules is here in all its glory and is revisited later for even greater clarification.
The Categories:
Rock n’ Roll
Musical Comedy
Jazz/Big Band
And the all-new: Bible Songs and Yiddish Freylekhs
The prize package ante has been upped. Not only will you receive a Certificate of Award but a much-coveted Peepers Keyring!
Later the question arises regarding the keyring supply and what if we run out? Fear not as I put forth the best solution.
Another non-musical question is posed:
What happens if the Tobin Bridge toll takers run out of change?
This discussion was prompted by Norm giving an on-air “hello” to one of them.
The game begins a little differently as Ed and Norm give some starting questions before we take calls.
AND for RnR it will be multiple choice 70’s theme question night – get 2 out of three and move to the next round!
If my count is correct, we took 38 calls.
And here now, for your dining and dancing pleasure, are the names:
Frank in Leicester
Ann in Marlborough
Jim from NH
Ken in his car
Lance from Dorchester
Chris from Peabody
Linda in Quincy
Deedee in W. VA
Helene in Belmont
Eddie from Attleboro
Tom in Fitchburg
Brian in Walpole
Ruth from Portland ME
David in Brookline
Mike in PA
John from Cleveland
Dennis in Beverly
Joe from Cambridge
Matt in his car
Matt from Boston
Ladies and gents…Side B
Buddy in Belmont
Terry from Weymouth
Kevin in Lynn
Beth in MI
Frank in Dorchester
Mary from Worcester
Doug in Medford
Carl
Bob in Medford
Todd from Walpole
John in Arlington
Dieter from Maryland
John in his car
Gloria in Malden
Christian from Charlestown
Warren in Medford
Kevin from Foxborough
And Bill in Nashua NH
If the Swellness of the quiz wasn’t enough here’s some other highlights:
We break for a news update on the The Unabomber...that’s NOT included here!
The RnR HoF will be open Labor Day weekend – our caller from Cleveland was not a fan of the building.
We get the briefest snippet of a Jordan’s Furniture commercial and then we hear the end of Norm reading all about PowerVites and PowerMate. It’s another classic with Norm advising, “Call the number and ask them what it was I said.” And in a funny turn of events, one of our callers asks Norm about the number!
There’s a lovely resort town in the Appalachian Mountains where they take great care of you with clean sheets and feeding you five times a day.
A request for Linda Chase to do a SMQ theme.
Norm gives us his impression of “the guy with the muscles in his throat” - Vaughn Monroe.
Did you know that 4 Certificates of Award is equal to a PhD?
And Norm reads a Vermont Teddy Bear commercial that was done with full accompaniment by ‘The Bunch of Hairy Guys.’
Episode 92, AM Gold – a SMQ from June 29th, 1995 is in the cassette deck. Pressing play in 3, 2 and 1.
normnathanvos@gmail.com
Welcome to Episode 91 – A Cavalcade of Clips & Work Crews.
It is a collection of Norm’s show hours from June 16th and June 25th, 1995. Hope Schauer, Mike Epstein and someone named Ed St. Clair, not to be confused with Eddie LeClair, producing.
A lot of the calls heard here are in-progress, a bit choppy, cut short, and unnamed but, as always, just so darn entertaining.
It all begins with Louie talking about how radio was changing.
We hear from Chauncey and eating rubber chicken in Canada?
A caller who entertains with his wife at the Boathouse in Hyannis, the Brandy Barrel in Lynn, and Natalie’s in Danvers.
Quick hit from a guest on at 4am from across the pond who ewrote a book on Lorenz Hart.
There's some random musical interlude.
Then we move to a broadcast from WCCM in Lawrence MA with former WBZ producer Sid Whittaker doing the news! The host was Bruce Arnold and what I believe to be his producer, Eric. There’s some behind the scenes talk about a ‘Countdown to Weather.’ Then a scandal erupted to my ears! They play something called The Birthday Game?! Eric, Sid and a caller take guesses on a couple of celebrity birthdays to be entered to win a gift certificate to The Pasta Shack - We shall return this this later.
Next up is Paul Drake doing traffic for Boston’s Business Station, WBNW. That guy sounds familiar.
Then some traffic with ‘Paul’ Jack Harte for WBZ
We get lots of Norm Show opens throughout this episode.
Norm teases an upcoming guest, Phil Kaufman.
Some More Jack Harte traffic.
Let’s now jump to Norm and Jack talking. I had clipped out an article on The Zipper Lane and the wacky machine that moves the little barriers on the SE Expressway. Norm was fascinated by the whole thing. They have cameras monitoring all of it and this leads to a discussion on all sorts of cable channels dedicated to all sorts of camera feeds. Norm has a particularly good idea that you’ll have to wait to hear. There’s even a mention of the long-lost Store 24. They may have something here since Norm would have never believed there would be a channel totally dedicated to weather (TWC) yet here we are!
Norm tells us of another upcoming guest Tom Hamil, editor of Collecting Toys Magazine.
Another Jack Traffic report.
Let’s take some more calls:
Jim from the Burlington, Vermont area
Next caller is a musician and soloist. Plays a variety of string instruments. Does comedy and offbeat stuff. Plays a regular gig in Boston on a night when Norm’s not on. He won’t recognize Norm by sight, so he’ll have to do his best work all the time just in case he shows up.
During this we hear some wisdom from Norm’s grandfather.
Jack Harte in traffic again!
A caller complimenting Norm.
One from whereabouts unknown, talking about shooting pigeons in the park from 6pm to dusk.
We take a moment to understand how to use clothes on the clothesline to find the wind direction?
Thankfully this was very ‘brief.’
Next caller, Chris, talking about old time radios, the Antique Radio Association and the N.E. Antique Radio Club, Hosts a program called ‘Let’s Talk Showbiz’ on WOMR down on the Cape in Provincetown.
There’s VERY Quick call from Foster Brooks?
Next up is Frank, continues the old radio talk tubes and testers
Then our old friend Glenn from Brighton is on the line. His friend Eleanor in Quincy is afraid of balconies. Glenn has a foolproof solution you’ll want to hear and maybe even try. There’s some discussion of The Shadow, Kato (Not to be confused with Kato Kalin) and Margo Lane.
Hillary from Bu
This episode took a while to produce as I had to stop a few times due to uncontrollable laughter. Now I may be building this up but if you don’t at least laugh out loud and maybe even hit pause to collect yourself then I don’t even know you!
Gracing the airwaves today is a NNS from June 10th, 1995.
It is a mash-up of 2 hours and I’ve titled it: The Games People Play
Hope Schauer is producing.
We begin with some mystery applause for someone named ‘Jim.’
Norm reads the Accuweather forecast…or does he?
We are then joined by a the very serious Bert Cohen – a veritable master of all thing’s marbles. They talk about an upcoming Marble Tournament being held on the Boston Common at the Frog Pond.
This leads into Norm and I and callers talking all about children’s games, being creative, the old days and not so old days, rhymes, jokes and antioxidants.
Callers:
Pete from Methuen
Paul in Winthrop
Ed from Boston
Jen in Salem
Jeremy from Framingham or NC?
Elaine from Chelsea on a payphone including the clicking and operator warning as her time expires!
And a side-splitting call from Kay in Lunenburg who informs us on the history of Ring Around the Rosie.
Other highlights include:
Commercials from Dave Maynard for Caitlin Travel, Jack Harte tells us about Kwai Garlic and an unforgettable, partial, live read from Norm for PowerVites. That sponsor got so much more than the sixty seconds they paid for.
We learn of the great 12th century Maestro Myron Boskowitz and his pharmaceutical background.
I pry into Norm’s life and ask a very personal question.
We are stopped in our tracks not once, but twice with thought provoking, life changing quotes from Norm’s Hungarian Gypsy Princess Grandmother (HGPG).
There’s talk about some talentless bum who gets a lot of publicity.
Phone prompt Hell
And bile duct blockage.
Ep 90, The Games People Play, jumps into your ears in 3, 2 and 1.
normnathanvos@gmail.com
May I have your attention…
Please stand by for some pre-show announcements.
Congratulations are in store to my cousin Taylor, her husband Dan and their daughter Arla, as they added to the family and welcomed their second child, a boy, Riley James, on June 1st. Today, June 3rd , is my first born’s 19th bday – Happy Birthday, Chanson. Also, tomorrow, June 4th, is my cousin Tim’s Happy double-nickel Birthday and lastly, Sunday, June 5th would have been David Brudnoy’s 82nd birthday.
Love to you all.
And now back to our regularly scheduled program…
Before the we start the DBG we have Norm in the middle of a story about the time he was able to suit up in a Red Sox uniform and hit a “hot sizzler halfway back to the pitcher’s mound.”
The game here is from June 4th, 1994, of which I’ve titled: What did Emilio say?
And what a cast of characters we have lined up to play:
Chris parked in his driveway, double parked and then parked at Gold’s Gym in East Boston
The adorable Kristin in Dorchester
Kathy from Tewksbury with the world’s worst phone connection? – She used to work with Norm doing trivia with Marty Minasian and Bernie Corbin from 12a – 5a back in 1980 on WHDH Radio.
Steve in Allston - first time caller/player and at 25 years old and a new dad! 5-week-old baby, Hailey.
I’m on the phone
Jack Harte – making the streets safe for humanity and raucous punchlines
Emilio Marotta producing, playing and causing trouble
The Bdays:
Dennis Weaver
Gene Barry
The Big One, Parker Stevenson
Freddy Fender aka Baldemar Huerta – American success story.
Robert Merrill and Norm blows the roof of the dump with his rendition of “The Bluebird of Happiness”
Michelle Phillips
And Bruce Dern
We close with an Historical Event:
The White House was completed on this date in what year?
Other stuff, and not surprisingly it all involves Emilio:
Emilio brings up Bob Barker, a lawsuit and how does Norm feel about this old guy having relations with this beautiful, young woman?
Norm’s integrity is on display here. Hey! Put that thing away! No one wants to see that!
Norm flexes his muscles with Emilio!
We hear a Lovell Dyett word
There are well deserved, hurt feelings
Norm shuts off Emilio’s mic and then releases him from that bondage
Emilio states he is here to provide entertainment.
Jack asks the question that’s been on all of our minds. Listen closely as it goes by quick but it’s darn funny.
Lastly, there’s a quick flip to Side B to finish the game
Episode 89, “What Did Emilio Say?” begins now.
normnathanvos@gmail.com
Crazy 8’s is what we have here as we bring you Ep 88 of Norm Nathan’s Vault of Silliness.
We love it when you like, subscribe and share our moments of madness.
Don’t be afraid to do that on whichever service you use to allow us to tickle your ears with fun.
A DBG from May 25th, 1996 closes out this month and leads us into the long Memorial Day weekend.
Because the Game features many birthdays from the fairer sex, this one is titled: Ladies Night.
We begin with an appreciation for Jack’s traffic advice as well as his summer fashion awareness and then it’s on to the game.
The Players:
Jack Harte
I’m on the phone and looking not to make people laugh (which is very presumptuous of me) but for people to make me laugh.
Call me crazy…and Norm doesn’t hesitate to call me something else!
Mr. Direct, Tom Howie producing and playing in studio
The slow talking, possibly inebriated, Kevin in Jamaica Plain
Kathy in Altoona, PA – a virgin player but requests “no sacrifices.”
And Scott in Wayland
The Bdays:
Karen Valentine – we have a ‘hearty’ time with her. The Lone Ranger and Tonto stop by. Also, Norm recites a ‘poem.’
Leslie Uggams
Dixie Carter
Beverly Sills – and an operatic debate ensues
Connie Sellecca – and I injure myself with whilst reaching for a pun
K.C. Jones
Kitty Kallen
And Hal David
Other highlights include:
Norm sharing observations because he’s a ‘relations expert.’ And the relations discussed should really be re-examined by a trained professional.
I had seen Spy Hard with Leslie Nielsen and give an in-depth review.
We learn that Norm’s mother in-law had no sense of humor. Nor did Shirley, his date to the prom.
Norm still cleaning out his house to put together prize packages. Maybe a bag of ashes is suggested. Why? Norm had a small fire at his house, “Just in the house, in the walls and things, didn’t amount to anything, the usual type of wall fire.”
I also had recently watched, “The Benny Goodman Story” with Steve Allen on AMC and give another in-depth review that’s not to be missed.
A scoring update could be the beginning of a dirty joke.
We get a nice Sherm Feller history lesson from Uncle Norm.
And there may be some angry letters to the rules committee.
Episode 88, Ladies Night, begins…now.
Email the show: normnathanvos@gmail.com
The Dumb Birthday Game-a-palooza continues this week with a recording from May 22nd, 1993.
I have titled this one: “Two’s Company but Eight’s a Crowd” because we have amassed a panel of EIGHT Players:
How many bdays will we be able to get to with that many people? Just you want and see.
We have Roy, who’s working construction in Bedford but is from Lawrence and taking an unauthorized break to play the game.
Andy from Topsfield
‘Calendar’ Bill in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada
Evelyn in London, Ont
Hazel from Hamilton, Ont
I’m producing and playing in-studio and had been recently vetted by Ch. 4’s investigative Eye Team
Jack Harte the WBZ Traffic Person
And Keith Shields, (no relation to Brooke) whom I’m training, playing in-studio and is revealed to be a management spy.
We all have a good laugh about the windfall we receive every week in our paychecks from Westinghouse.
Norm possibly can’t afford the job because it costs him too much!
But the lure or reaching 38 states and parts of Canada with the 50,000w clear channel signal of the nation’s first commercial radio station…well, that should be payment enough.
Bdays:
Charles Aznavour
Peter Nero
Richard Benjamin
Paul Winfield
Judith Crist
We have time for some dates in history as well:
Mr. Rogers Neighborhood premiered on PBS in what year?
And in what year was the first life insurance policy issued in the U.S.?
We are informed that Norm’s 26 year-old horse, Sunflower, was entered into a horse show that weekend.
A caller seems very interested in her so Norm tries to do some matchmaking.
We learn that there were some mystery players participating in the game from a remote location: Saul, Brett, Bartholomew, Sidney, Gladys, and Shirley.
I open up and you get a glimpse in to my tv-less world.
We get a brand-new phrase to embroider on our doilies
A learned quote from Norm’s HGPG and a pun from Norm that, while putting this show together, had me laughing hard here at the Norch Studio and FuzzyWuzzyProductions.
And we close with a commercial for Marezine.
Episode 87, “Two’s Company but Eight’s a Crowd,” begins in 3, 2 annnnnnd 1.
normnathanvos@gmail.com
I would like to welcome my local cable channel, WMCT-TV in Marlborough, MA as an affiliate of Norm Nathan’s Vault of Silliness!
Now I don’t know about you, but I get quite a few local channels from the surrounding communities so even if you’re not in Marlborough you just may be able to find it on your cable carrier.
It will air later in the evening while the message boards fill your screen with that all-important community info.
They will begin with Episode 1 and roll on from there.
When the time comes to incorporate a video aspect we just may move to ‘prime-time’ (wink-wink).
Granted, by the time THIS episode airs everything I just said will be old news to the viewers.
We are just so darn thankful to WMCT for expanding the reach of our silliness.
I have titled this DBG from May 13th, 1996: Truth, Lies and Analog Tape.
From the moment we press play the game is on! But the first bday guessed is absent.
Side note:
We are joined in the Teen Canteen by reporters from some local papers that are covering this highly contested competition: The Brockton Enterprise, The Middleboro Gazette, The Chelsea Record, The Salem Evening News and the The Lynnfield/Saugus Hadassah Newsletter.
Players:
Lisa
Susan
Tess in studio
Karen Regal in traffic
Michael in Arlington
Mike Epstein producing and playing
Bdays:
?
Harvey Keitel
Peter Gabriel
Dennis Rodman
Bdays from 5/15:
Lainie Kazan…nope
Trini Lopez…pass
Anna Maria Alberghetti gets the nod!
The game is held over until after the news because of commercial content! But Karen from traffic has vanished.
We continue with:
Eddie Arnold
AND Lainie Kazan and Trini Lopez make a triumphant return to the list!
Ever wonder what happens to the DBG Scoresheets?
They are all entered in to the WBZ H.o.F. where Broadcasting is our middle name.
Classic Commercials Content:
BJ’s Cellular Centers and CELLULAR ONE
Living Trust Seminars with Attorney’s Guliomo and Cody of Braintree
And a Jack Benny impression begins a commercial, but it gets cut off.
A post-game caller talking jazz closes out this episode.
Ep 86, Truth, Lies and Analog Tape is all hooked up and ready to analyze.
Hola to Spain, yassou to Greece and tanks for hoppin’ on the jitney to the Bahamas! Those are the three new countries that have joined us in our quest to leave this world a little sillier than we’ve found it.
The Medley of Blame, Hate & Technical Difficulties is the title of this show as we withdraw from the Vault a DBG from May 4th, 1996.
We begin with the technical difficulties or is it ‘operator error?’
Before the game begins Norm does an entertaining tap dance to fill the time while the issue is being worked on. However, due to the previous editing of the tape, it is not included here. But one can imagine…
Jack Harte gets on his soapbox to praise radio and in the end…all the problems are blamed on one of the players; Shirley.
Speaking of players…it’s a short list:
Shirley from Michigan
Margaret from Falling Waters, W. VA
Jack Harte
And Tom Howie producing and playing
They digress again before playing the game with Norm railing on about blame and hate and society crumbling. That troublemaker, Shirley, is asked for her opinion and doesn’t hold back!
The dregs of daytime TV talk at the time are mentioned as well.
Birthdays:
Pia Zadora and Norm sings a medley of her hits
Randy Travis aka Randy Bruce Traywick, aka Randy Ray – Norm gushes on about his love of Randy from his days as a dishwasher to country music stardom. Though there are some seedy details revealed so stay tuned!
Opera singer Roberta Peters
Jackie Jackson
Honsi Mubarak
Maynard Ferguson – and we just may get another medley from Norm.
Norm was going to be taking that Saturday night off (the lovely and talented Paul Sullivan was filling in), so he includes May 5th birthdays too:
Annette Benning
Alice Faye
And Tammy Wynette
Other highlights include:
A moment of sensual delight, perspiration, a Lionel Barrymore cameo, and Norm telling us how he reflects on the show when he gets home.
We close with an abbreviated caller talking about Big Bands, band leaders and black musicians.
Episode 85, The Medley of Blame, Hate & Technical Difficulties, begins now.
Before we get started on today’s featured presentation…
Risking life and limb to bring this to you…as promised…making their annual appearance…please welcome to the show…Peepers 2022!
Now back to our regularly scheduled program already in progress.
Thank you just so darn much for tuning in again to Norm Nathan’s Vault of Silliness.
Today we have a DBG from April 30th, 1994 aptly titled “The Hello Bluebird ‘Shmateh-time’ Mixtape” as Norm sings many iterations of the song throughout the game. The shmateh reference? Well, just you wait.
The Players:
Libby in VA
Carol from Lynn who’s all dressed up and rarin’ to go
Henry-Harry-Harry-Henry from Attleboro
Ron in Chelmsford – 1st timer
I’m on the phone and Norm and I discuss some upcoming guests and their square-dancing llamas.
Emilio Marotta – producing and playing in studio
And Jack Harte in Traffic
Before the birthdays we will get a world-class llama impression from Norm and some not so world-class jokes from me and Jack.
Bdays:
Cloris Leachman
Willie Nelson and his flammable shmateh
Jill Clayburgh
Bobby Vee
Gary Collins
The very controversial Al Lewis
And Al Toon
Norm sweet-talks Carol and Arthur Godfrey is back, better than ever, singing “On the Road Again.”
The madness of Episode 84, The Hello Bluebird ‘Shmateh-time’ Mixtape, hits the road to your ears in 3, 2 and 1.
Email the show: normnathanvos@gmail.com
First, thank you all in the Teen Canteen, we did it. Over 100 subscribers on YT. And well before the 100th episode! You guys are the best!
Let’s keep it up and spread that love over all the platforms where Norm Nathan’s Vault of Silliness appears.
April 22nd and 23rd 1994 are the days that re-grace the airwaves for Episode 83.
This one is titled: The Business of the Radio Business.
We begin with something a little different. David Brudnoy speaking with Anthony Silva, who was reporting from Vietnam at the VietnAmerica Expo. There are two reports with David and in between those is a daily check-in Anthony did with Jay McQuaide. These are excellent and informative reports with outstanding phone quality. The culinary delights he talks about with David are a highlight.
The second interview closes with David saying we will be breaking for an ABC Special Report.
It was on the death of former President Richard Nixon. I have included it here as it is also referred to, briefly, during Norm’s Show.
We take a break with a Jack Harte Traffic Report sponsored by Riopan and to the show open and a dire warning from Norm.
Our guest was Zane Parsons from the Museum of Radio & Technology in Huntington, W.VA. Norm and Zane have a great conversation about radios and radio’s influence on products. Details about the museum and take a call from Charles who’s a member of the New England Antique Radio Club.
Jack is back with a quick commercial read for Dunkin Donuts…listen to the bargain price for your coffee and donut fix.
Other callers:
One talking about WBZA in Springfield and crystal radios.
Michael on a car phone about Nixon
Then we hear from the one and only Golda! She and Norm have a fun conversation filled with memories and ends with plans to go together to Rio de Janeiro for Madi Gras.
Brief calls from the not so shy Josephine and then Dorothy.
Our next caller discusses wrestling bouts on the radio, fish prices and the daily catch.
And we close with Norm and an anonymous lady dancing to some piano.
Ep 83, The Business of the Radio Business, begins broadcasting….now.
Greeting and salutations. I see you’ve returned for another episode of Norm Nathan’s Vault of Silliness. You have excellent taste.
Before we start, I want to mention that Peepers 2022 will be hopping onto the digital streaming platforms soon! I’ve heard a few here and there but my favorite spot has been quiet. When the peeper speed dating begins, I’ll bring back those mingling sounds and share them with you.
Ok…Today we have a DBG from April 17th, 1993, which I’ve titled “Gabby Birthday!” You will understand why in a few minutes.
A Norm chuckle kicks this one off. Norm and Westinghouse agree that he’s money well spent.
Do you want to hear a Yiddish colloquialism?
The Clientele (players) for the game is/are a panel of virgins:
Mike from Wakefield
Kay in Easton
Dave in Bellingham
Gabby from Brookline
I’m in studio and Jack Harte’s in Traffic
BDAYS:
No one from April 17th will be included and Norm gives us the examples to prove his point:
Genevieve from the Jack Paar Show
Chris Barber
Ann Shirley
Olivia Hussey
Jan Hammer
Lon McAllister
Don Kirshner
Lindsey Anderson
Elizabeth Lindsey
Dead Bdays for the 17th:
Harry Reasoner
William Holden
Thronton Wilder
JP Morgan
Nikita Khrushchev
Instead, Norm has made an executive decision to start with Wednesday, 4/21 of the coming week.
Tony Danza – and wait until you hear Kay’s impression of one of our beloved, regular players.
Charles Grodin
Anthony Quinn
Let’s stroll on over to Thursday, 4/22 for:
The waxed-cheeked Glen Campbell
Jack Nicholson
Eddie Albert
We merrily skip to Friday, 4/23 for:
Valerie Bertinelli
Shirley Temple Black
And Hervé Villechaize
There’s lots of love from the player’s post-game.
Norm, Jack and I chuckle for world brotherhood!
And Norm again wonders what kind of a station WBZ is to allow this foolishness on the air.
Commercials:
Gold Bond with Todd Adams from Haverhill, MA and his itchy, burning left foot.
A VERY enthusiastic Gil Santos tells us that WBZ and the Lottery want to send you to Greece!
And Norm’s preferred medication to help him get through the show – Marezine.
We close with Norm, Gabby Hayes and Arthur Godfrey performing one of the first rap songs.
They are joined by a guest whistler and a world-renown trombone player!
Oh the laughs we have on this one!
Let’s start the party. Episode 82, Gabby Birthday! Begins now.
Ahoy faithful listeners!
We are holding at 95 subscribers on YT. Wouldn’t it be just so darn great to get to 100 by the 100th episode?
If you haven’t already, please subscribe. Let’s get to 100 together!
Today’s episode features Norm in caller free-form mode.
Coming to us from April 6th, 1996 it is titled: ‘Yo-ho-ho and a Bottle of Fun.’
Tom Howie was the producer.
We begin our journey with Norm and I talking everything from guest and scheduling issues to bumper stickers and job dedication.
Norm’s Hungarian Gypsy Princess Grandmother (HGPG) offers up more sage advice that has me on the edge of my seat, only to fall right off the chair in disappointment.
There was a guest problem as Carol Gardner, author of ‘Bumper Sticker Wisdom: America’s Pulpit Above the Tailpipe’ was attending a function that conflicted with our interview time but that doesn’t stop us from having a lively discussion about bumper stickers that Helene from Belmont join in on later.
Marge from Indiana calls in to talk about pirate radio stations.Norm had mentioned that our guest the next night would be Andrew Yoder who wrote ‘Pirate Radio: The Saga of America’s Underground Illegal Broadcasters.’
It was also going to be Game Night on Sunday with Linda Romero and the game ‘Perspectives’ then John J. Moran with ‘Daring Passages: The Boardgame in a Bottle.’
Uncle Norm talks about being the interviewee when he was speaking to Jeff Kaufman of WFAD in Middlebury, VT where Norm and I were going to do our little Old Time Radio Show.
This leads to a list of the upcoming event dates on the Old Time Radio Show World Tour. Peabody, Topsfield, Medford! If any of you had a chance to see us do this or just want to say hi, I’d love to hear from you.
There’s a double date brewing for the Prom with Monica and her daughter Veronica from Nahant.
We learn that one or both of Norms’ daughters were overwhelmed by Boston at Christmastime when their grandmother took them to see Santa at Jordan Marsh.
Peter with a sweet call and Norm is just so grateful he’s sending him quite the gift.
We are now graced with the presence of the lovely and talented Linda Chase. She’s accompanied by the lovely and talented Dick Paris. They promote some upcoming shows and talk to callers including:
The one and only, Robert from Everett. This is another classic Norm and Robert call.
The tape skips to an inquisitive caller asking about Linda’s looks and wishing she would cut an album.
Moving to side B we continue with Linda as we hear from Carrie. She’s a high school student who, at the time, was ranked #2 in the State for drumming.
Lawrence from PA tells us more than you’d ever want to know about Windber, PA.
Mary from PA adds a very important detail Lawrence left out.
Bernie asks about Guy Mainella and Norm lets him know what his own personal goals are.
There’s another very sweet call. This time from Dottie. She sums up how, I believe, we all felt about Norm.
Episode 81, ‘Yo-ho-ho and a Bottle of Fun’ set’s sail in 3, 2, annnd 1.
Email: normnathanvos@gmail.com
Hallo and goedendag to the Netherlands! The latest country to pop up on the revered Norm Nathan Vault of Silliness Map of Worldwide Listeners.
I’ve noticed what is referred to as the ‘static image’ that appears on YouTube (YT) can now reflect the specific picture I choose for each broadcast. These painstakingly researched images have always showed up on Spotify, Amazon and other platforms but could not be changed on YT. Well, it seems that has changed and I’m just so darn happy about it!
Jim Frawley is producing this April Fools' Day version of the DBG. This one hails from April 1st, 1995.
I have titled it: Radi-Yo-yos
One of the prizes up for grabs, heard about through legend and song, is the much sought-after, Peepers Keyring!
And later, there’s the possibility of another prize that, I believe, is spelled with 19 letters.
Our players:
The one and only, Joan from Tewksbury!
Chris in Somerville
Kate from Scituate
Jack Harte
Jim Frawley producing and playing in studio
And I’m on the phone
Now before we start the game, we have ourselves a grand ol’ time talking about pranks. Norm gives some hilarious examples and tells some very funny stories. Jack and I add our ribald representations as well.The Teen Canteen was ROTFLOL! We talk about Bromo-Seltzer, scuba diving Marezine takers, daytime television and getting certified by a committee of idiots.
Finally we get to the game!
Birthdays are being calculated using new math and the metric system:
Debbie Reynolds
Ali MacGraw
Jane Powell
Gordon Jump
David Eisenhower
Rudolph Isley
Phil Niekro
And one event:
What year was the Yo-Yo introduced?
Now part of the way through this we flip the cassette over to side B. The pitch suddenly changed to what I call ‘demon-like slow.’ With the magic of digital adjustments, I was able to make it audible again. That is until the tape starts to garble. Can’t do much about that except edit it and make it just tolerable enough until sanity returns. Par for the course on April Fools' Day.
The interpretation of what was going on was trying to come up with some other ways to give away the Peeper Keychains. Jack suggests providing the set up to a joke and a caller could give the punchline. Norm and I wonder if puns would work. We miss the set-up of a joke that I probably have here on another tape, but we hear the punchline before news time gets us.
Oh and we get a WBZ Sports Saturday Promo and commercials for CartilAid and Caitlin Travel.
Episode 80, Radi-Yo-yos, begins rolling up and down…now.
This month really marched along. A DBG from March 23rd, 1996 closes out the month and is titled:
“The Lady Doth Protest Too Much.”
It starts off with the wit of Jack and Norm always just so happy to speak with each other!
Our players for this fine broadcast are:
Jack Harte
Tom Howie producing and playing
Annette
Phyllis from Appleton, WI
Dan from Maryland
And Kevin in Dorchester who has a complaint to file with the DBG Board of Directors
The Bdays:
Marty Allen – and Dan sings the age with a bluegrass flair
Chaka Khan – And just you wait to hear Norm recreate his introduction of
Jerry and the Hay Shakers playing…Nova Scotian music?
Louie Anderson
Ric Ocasek - Norm, believeing Mr. Ocasek is listening has a message for him.
We are momentarily interrupted by Phyllis who refers to the DBG as the Stupid Birthday Game. Norm corrects her, “Please…we have some pride, ya know!”
Amanda Plummer – daughter of Christopher Plummer. The Lone Ranger and Tonto make their first of two cameo appearances during the game here.
We borrow some bdays from March 25th
Elton John – And the Lone Ranger and Tonto return here for some additional hilarity.
Aretha Franklin
And the handsy Gloria Steinem
Other earth-shattering topics discussed are:
Norm thinking about giving a ‘warm-up’ bday for players to get the feel for the game and mere seconds later makes a decision on that.
The ever-expanding DBG Rule Book which is up to 900 pages.
We learn of an old, Colonial New England saying.
Norm just may write a Bluegrass Opera sung with a Wisconsin accent.
Which do you prefer: Beano or Bingo? Beans or Bings?
How about NORMO? Maybe not because of two ‘O’s’’ Maybe NORMY?
There is the sudden realization that this is what is airing on a 50,000 watt radio station.
Jack does some math that pains Norm so greatly that blood stopped flowing to Norm’s fingers.
Most importantly we gain some valuable insight into the prize closet where Norm gathers all the goodies for our winners.
Then the consternation begins:
Contestants suggesting that if Jack wins, he could ‘will’ the prizes to someone else.
The protest continues with sections from the rule book being quoted but alas, Jack doesn’t get anything so there’s nothing to pass down.
But that doesn’t prevent another attempt saying that the prize must go to the contestant calling the longest distance.
And the show closes with what becomes a 50,000-watt Party Line!
It’s madness…and Norm deftly regains control in the smoothest of fashions.
Episode 79 – The Lady Doth Protest Too Much, begins in 3,2 and 1.
Welcome to Episode 78. Today’s offering dips back to March 17th and 18th, 1996.
Based on birds, callers and guests in this installment, I have titled it: Mystery and Magic
The producers are Mike Cannon and Tom Howie.
We begin with Norm riffing on a few subjects.
I think we have a moment here where Norm is waiting for calls and is just going through news and info. I found it especially comforting just listening to Norm shuffle papers and tell us little stories and factoids from the wires. Simply soothing.
St. Patrick’s Day, birds migrating, the Swallows returning to Capistrano and Motown returning to Detroit are talked about here.
We take some very interesting calls:
Ruth Clennott from Boston gives us her review of “Mr. Holland’s Opus”
Now Norm, you see, has not been able to see many movies as he’s an advisor to the President as well as the State Dept and does a lot of traveling around the world putting things in order.
She talks about Community Auditions where she was the auditioner for 25 years!
Norm helps clears things up when Ruth inquires about someone featured in the movie.
She talks about Riverdance.
Their banter closes with a job offer for Ruth.
The next call is from June in Brookline – Sidewalk game reporter and Observer of the American Scene.
I will not give any more away as this is quite the call and I swear Norm is trying not to break out laughing through most of it.
After the call we only hear the first few words of a commercial but it is so appropriate. Listen closely as it goes by quickly.
We now hear from Sarah, I believe, and learn about schlemiels and schlimazels and more Yiddish expressions.
Marylou from Lowell – 1st time caller and thrilled to talk to Norm.
We learn of Lord Briscoe, the Jewish man with the Irish brogue.
Next up is Don with lots of talk about trains.
We get a great call from John in Allentown, PA – Lover of old-time radio. This being a subject right up Norm’s alley, he dives into it and wishes radio was like that again. John agrees and says it is with the DBG!
That concludes our March 17th broadcast. We now cut to March 18th.
Norm teases the upcoming guests:
Steve Daly author of “Toy Story: The Art and Making of the Animated Film.”
Charles Solomon, animation historian, author of “The Disney That Never Was.”
Before that we are joined by…Lennie Sogoloff from Lennie’s on the Turnpike!
A few great stories are shared. Lennie driving down Morrissey Blvd with an artist heading over to Norm’s show in the early am hours to hang out. Count Basie, The Turnpike Club, Norm’s unpaid bar tab and more.
Lennie, still promoting jazz off and on, had something coming up with Grover Mitchell leading the Count Basie Band. They were going to be appearing at the Temple Emmanuel in Marblehead.
There’ll be Dancing and refreshments – Don’t miss it!
Our next guest who had no problem holding while the jazz talk was going on because he’s a jazz fan was Steve Daly, staff writer for Entertainment Weekly and co-author of “Toy Story: The Art and Making of the Animated Film.”
A book I believe I still have here in the Vault.
Tons of interesting info on the whole process and story!
We then turn to the next guest: Charles Solomon, author of “The Disney That Never Was.”
There’s only about 10 minutes of the interview here and that’s a shame, but it is still worth a listen!
Episode 78: Mystery and Magic begins now.
Email the show: normnathanvos@gmail.com
It’s Swell Music Quiz time here on NNVoS – this time from March 11th, 1995.
Titled: It may be a ‘Quiz’ but Norm is ‘testy’
Jim Frawley was the producer.
We begin with Norm and the major changes being made for our Show Stage.
The panel of experts:
Ed Mullen – also appearing as a category?
Tony ‘Bennett’ Nesbitt
Jack ‘It’s Good to Be Here’ Harte
And Darrell Gould!
The usual Categories:
Rock n Roll
Musical Comedy
Jazz and Big Band
And with Darrell, Doo-Wop and “Old timey Rock n Roll”
The Rules are deciphered by Ed Mullen.
As always a Cheap Certificate of Award is the prize.
NOW the game begins…
Callers!
Hold your applause until I’ve introduced the entire head table.
Larry in PA
Gail from Milton
John in Boston
Barry in Woburn
Scott from Norfolk
Tom in Marshfield
Bill from Everett
Alan in Newburyport
Marsha from Arlington
Mark in Randolph
Brandon from Franklin
Frank in PA
Matt in Foxborough
John in Boston
Bob from Brockton
Karen in Cambridge
Fred in Medford
Stacy in Tewksbury
Very brief commercial break as we hear Jack Harte talk about ‘Nation’s Air’
Elmer in Framingham who didn’t call for the game
Bob from Holbrook
And Helene comes to Norm’s rescue
INTERMISSION
Ok, that gave me time to switch the cassette to Side B and we pick up with:
Linda Chase who was supposed to be joining us but got held up at her show because she’s just so darn popular.
Joanne in Rochester, NY
Betty in Randolph
Larry from Peabody
Denise in Brookline
May Kramer from the WGBH Blues program
Deedee in W. Va
Tom from JP
Steven in Dedham
Ken from Akron, NY
Mark in Troy, MI
Tom from Wellesley
Betty in Fishkill, NY
Ruth in Boston
Rocco from Weymouth
Mark in Warwick, RI
Frank from Revere
And Tom in Melrose
Other moments sprinkled throughout:
The subject of WBCN comes up, which used to be known as Boston’s Concert Network, and Norm has an opinion.
We get the Chicken/Pea soup joke!
We learn what song played the first time Norm got a hot meal at the Senior Citizen’s Center.
Not helping his mood, Norm complains that he’s done all this work on his new typewriter and there’s been very few questions asked of him.
Ed provides a possible solution.
A new category maybe added for future shows.
And as always, we clean up the outstanding questions.
Ep 77 (That’s the Strip!) - It may be a ‘Quiz’ but Norm is ‘testy’ gets a rollin’ in a-1-a and a-2-a and a-3-a.
Email the show: normnathanvos@gmail.com
Castos: https://norm-nathans-vault-of-silliness.castos.com
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/norm-nathans-vault-of-silliness/id1539251258
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/74Z2CAHU1TT9KHCEiEdrkG
Amazon:
Well, it appears our YouTube bug is back and that explains the delay in Ep 75 posting. Will it be working by the time this episode should publish? If you’re listening to me now on YT then yes! If not, then no.
Ok, sidebar completed
And now, ladies and gents of the Teen Canteen I give you…
Episode 76, That’s the Spirit!
It is a DBG from March 3rd, 1996 which I’ve titled “Proud Mary Keep On Talking.”
Before the game begins there’s a discussion on what image should be placed on a postage stamp honoring Traffic Reporters as well as who should paint it? There are a couple of great suggestions.
Of course, while this is going on the Tobin Bridge has partially collapsed, there’s a 700+ car pile-up, the Sumner Tunnel and Ted Williams Tunnels are no stranger to disaster here as well, but the game takes precedence over that trifling stuff.
The players are:
Ken Newman from Traffic
The young whippersnapper, Michael Cannon who’s only 18, producing and playing.
The stubborn and cantankerous Toni from Middletown, OH.
The whispery and chatty Mary from Kittery, ME.
And the hacking Al in Waltham.
Bdays:
Enzo Stuarti
Lee Radziwell Ross – aka Caroline Lee Bouvier
The saucy Ed Marinaro
Jackie Joyner-Kersee
Herschel Walker
Event in history:
In what year did The Star-Spangled Banner become the National Anthem of the United States?
Did you know that Norm was in the area when the bombs were bursting in air? He was there in downtown Baltimore picking up girls when he looked up and the flag was still there. And he has proof through the night!
Mary is so loquacious throughout the game. It provides a lot of entertainment including Norm revealing he’s telepathic and can sense fear and nausea.
We are informed of a binding resolution that appears in the 700-page DBG Rule Book (now available on cd-rom!)
Norm runs out of stuff and the tape runs out as well so good timing.
The high-spirited Episode 76: “Proud Mary Keep On Talking” begins now.
Email the show
normnathanvos@gmail.com
Castos: https://norm-nathans-vault-of-silliness.castos.com
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/norm-nathans-vault-of-silliness/id1539251258
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/74Z2CAHU1TT9KHCEiEdrkG
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Ep-Norm-Nathans-Vault-Silliness/dp/B08JJSR5MF/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=vault+of+silliness&qid=1604440081&sr=8-1
Google: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9ub3JtLW5hdGhhbnMtdmF1bHQtb2Ytc2lsbGluZXNzLmNhc3Rvcy5jb20vZmVlZA?sa=X&ved=0CAYQrrcFahcKEwiY4PGsu-_sAhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQAQ
Episode 75! And you’re in for a treat.
It’s a DBG from February 28th, 1993.
Norm is oxygen deprived and possibly tipsy on lozenges. He does many impressions in what very well, could be his last show as he may pass away during a fit of coughing, live on the air.
And because of all this, bringing the possible, literal meaning to ‘dead air’ - Episode 75 is titled: PNormonia
Players:
Dan in Melrose
Ann from Quincy
Lisa in Topsfield
Amy from Fitchburg
The very hirsute Tony producing, playing in studio, freshly ‘Puiged’ and apologetic
The cherubic and glimmering Bill Wilson, oiled up, wearing his gladiator uniform and prepared for battle with his Popeil Pocket Fisherman
Bdays:
Bernadette Peters
Gavin Macleod
I am suffering from a major symptom of PNormonia: Fruit Festival Fluster. Stay glued to your radio for info on the warning signs.
Norm ripping Boxford is hilarious. Unless you’re from Boxford.
We learn that it’s illegal to cop a gonfalon.
Where were we…ahhh yes, more birthdays.
Fenway Frank ‘the Calzone’ Malzone
Big, fat, pot-bellied Charles Durning
Norm, with the oxygen deprivation taking its toll, channels Mr. Durning more than once in this highly entertaining part of the game.
Tommy Tune with legs taller than most people. And you better be ‘roddy’ as we lure you in with some comedy bait.
Mario Andretti who raced in the Indy 27, 500 times.
Linus Pauling – Nobel Prize winning chemist and doused in vitamin C
Dates in History:
What year did the last episode of M.A.S.H. air?
What year did Mr. Ed the horse die?
Contestants fighting over Norm as they pair off after the game
And love is in the air between me and Lisa.
We had to end the game quickly for The Message of Israel.
The Message that week had a song that I just couldn’t resist sharing with you so stay tuned for the post-game close!
Ep 75: PNormonia, filling your airwaves with fun, starts now.
Man, it’s slim pickins in the February deposit drawer here at Norm Nathan’s Vault of Silliness. With that being said, this episode and next weeks are money in the bank.
Norm, who was sick as a dog the week before may just relapse during this game. Heck, my reflux was kicking up producing this one. After we start the game, I’m going to have myself a nice tall glass of Brioschi.
The title of this beauty will be: InfluPUNza
Players:
Mary from Kennebunkport
Kevin in PA
Bill from Orange St in Chelsea
Peter at B.U.
Jack Harte in Traffic
I'm producing and in studio
Bdays:
Elizabeth Taylor – her perfumes at the time were Passion, White Diamonds and a limited-edition fragrance that was available only in the WBZ Tacky Gift and Book Shop.
The Liz talk brings up the subject of Michael Jackson and the Jackson family and Norms’ revelations as to why he feels so out of place.
Joanne Woodward
Howard Hesseman
Mary Frann
Guy Mitchell
Ralph Nader – and now it’s a full blown PUNdemic
John Connolly
Chelsea Clinton
Norm cannot believe he’s hosting a show like this. When he was on WMEX (the glory days of broadcasting), doing a program called The Classical Album, he thought he would continue on in radio with class, not descend into his current career of despair.
A player goes a loooong way to make a joke.
However, it prompts Norm to offer some commentary on Boston Phoenix publisher, Steve Mindich.
Lastly, we get a Date in History:
What year did the Boston Celtics beat the Minnesota Lakers 179 – 139.
Norm educates us on the seven NBA records which fell that day.
After the final scores are tabulated it’s a raucous goodbye from the players:
Mary closes the game with quite the invitation.
Kevin adds that this is the most exciting hour in radio.
Bill is making smooching sounds.
Peter questions his life choices.
Commercials:
Ovaltine
Bretton Woods w/Dave Maynard
Triple-Action Gold Bond with a dry and itchy Arthur Lamenen of Ipsilanti, MI
Norm’s enjoyed Arthur’s voice and admits he’s also itchy all over.
We now get an Accuwx forecast from Uncle Norm accompanied by peepers and silliness.
We spend a moment with Roberta Motts from St. John’s, MI with her red bottomed baby healed by the miracle of Baby Gold Bond!
And Norm announces his secret plans for the show after the news.
Ep 74 – InfluPUNza, transmits across the airwaves in 3,2 and 1.
I see you’ve returned to the plush but not overly ostentatious Norm Nathan Vault of Silliness.
Thank you just so darn much for doing so.
This episode hails from February 11th, 1995 and, because it’s Valentine’s Day Weekend I have titled it:
Norman’s Assorted Radio Sampler.
We begin with a Ken Neuman traffic report which is sponsored by Powder Mills Sports Center in Maynard
Then a promo for the David Brudnoy Show voiced by Michael Coleman
The show briefly picks up with an interview Norm is doing with Norman Donaldson, author of “How Did They Die?”
There’s a call from Joan talking about Steve Leveille and that WHAM in Rochester, NY needs him.
We hear Jack doing his best Bob Raleigh impression on a CitiBank Mortgage commercial.
Gary Lapierre and his commentary on a recent snowstorm.
Two Jack Harte sponsor reads.
It’s on to a Norm Show Open and some callers.
Fred – Norm bashing obnoxious Ovaltine commercials and that management and sales doesn’t listen so he’ll keep doing it.
Feline ear mites?
He inquires about natural plant pesticides and Norm brings on the recent guests, Dr. Robert Richard Smith & Mark Abrahams, authors of “The Annals of Improbable Research,” who give Fred some advice.
Fred the reveals some of his own improbable research…Disclaimer: Don’t try this at home!
Ruth Clennott informs Norm that Michelle Pfeiffer, Hasty Pudding Woman of the Year at the time, will be in town with her husband, David Kelly and visiting his parents in Belmont.
Norm and Ruth hatch a plan for Norm to camp out in the lobby of the hotel they’re staying at or get a job at the hotel coffee shop. Maybe even disguise himself as the doorman.
Ruth moves on to the Miss USA pageant and a biting critique of the judges ensues which then leads to Norm considering doing a program about “People You Don’t Understand How They Got Where They Are.”
I wander into the studio and join the fun.
By the end of the call the radio waves are getting steamy between Norm and Ruth.
I get to tease the upcoming guests:
Husband and Wife Authors of the book “2002 Ways to say I Love You”
Coolidge Corner Theater – will be having their 24hr Science Fiction Marathon
Marcia McCreadie – “Women Who Write the Movies”
For your dining and dancing pleasure we hear another Show Open and more calls.
Joan – And Norm talks about shopping with Frank Avruch for suits!
Penny who Norm tempts to run away with him to teach him the tango.
Edna, who’s running around with all sorts of men.
Now, ladies and gentlemen…Side B
Norm ends a call and then we hear from Virginia.
We take a short break as Jack does a sponsor read for Riopan
Norm teases the weekend’s guests again but with more details!
Did you say more calls please? Well, we aims to please here.
Stacy suffering from Norm and Norma confusion.
Les on a car phone talking about Norm doing a voice over for him in the 70’s for a dramatic Fire Safety video.
Another Stacy that mentions some nuttiness between Jack and I that had him laughing hard.
Our friend, Helene from Belmont with talk about old time radio.
Ted and Norm talk WHDH, The Cloud Club and Norm graces us with the history of Sounds in the Night.
Norm sings before talking with Mike in Cambridge
Let’s pause and bow our heads to Baby Gold Bond with Ann George from Philadelphia, PA
We are entertained by Accuwx w/Alex Sosnowski which leads to Norm scatting over the show open.
Thanks for joining us again for Norm Nathan’s Vault of Silliness.
I hope our YouTube issues have been revolved and this episode is showing up on time.
As the month of February is short so is our supply of February dates in the Vault.
On tap today is a DBG from February 6th, 1993.
I have titled this one: Your Cheating Harte?
It starts off with that infectious Norm chortle as he briefly loses it after mentioning the requirements or lack thereof, for playing the game.
The line-up of players is as follows:
Helen – and love is in the air
The cheery and chipper Maryanne in PA
The lovely voiced Kim from South Portland, ME
The short-lived Bruce in Boston and Norm offers a quick prayer
I’m producing and in studio and recently passed the producers exam and just may be certified for an executive postion.
Jack Harte in Traffic and Dr. Norm diagnoses him with a terminal illness and later offers fatherly advice.
Before we get to the birthday’s we have a couple of ‘shout-outs,’ one of which is, ahem…unforgettable.
The birthday honorees…
Ronald Reagan
Zsa Zsa Gabor
Rip Torn
Tom Brokaw
Natalie Cole
Axl Rose
Mike Farrell
Fabian Forté – Tony: “What’s his strong point?”
(Norm provides what I think is one of his best lines ever regarding Fabian. You won’t want to miss that).
And Michael Tucker
Norm closes out the program with a riveting story about some construction near the John Hancock Tower in Boston.
Our beloved sponsors are:
Ovaltine
Baby Gold Bond with Roberta Motts of St. John’s MI
WBZ StormCenter brought to you by Jordan’s Furniture and Texaco Anti-freeze//Coolant.
Please like, subscribe and share!
Episode 72, Your Cheating Harte? begins now.
Norm Nathan’s Vault of Silliness brings the final weekend of my least favorite month of the year, January, to a close with an auditory gem from January 28th & 30th, 1996.
The title of this one will be: A Winter Garden of Glorious Guests!
We begin with a Show Open and Norm asks news anchor, Bob Ames, about the Superbowl.
We move on to some excellent guests booked by yours truly.
Guest #1
Harry Carey Jr. who wrote “Company of Heroes: My Life as an Actor in the John Ford Stock Company.”
Guest #2
Bud Greenspan – Olympic Historian and author of “100 Greatest Moments in Olympic History” – an absolutely fascinating man that will have you riveted to your audio streaming devices.
The interview continues on Side B of our well-preserved cassette.
Norm and Bud really enjoyed talking to each other and Bud is looking forward to being on again. I always thought Norm had such a way with interviews. He asked more than those standard questions that were included with the press materials. The guests truly enjoyed it. You could hear it in their voices.
And, off the air, when I would speak to them to thank them, they would often comment about it.
OK, let’s take a call!
The wonderful Billy Clyde is on the line and agrees with Norm’s personal assessment. They discuss snow in Middleton, radio host Barry Farber, sneaking into events because of a guest we had on, Scott Kerman who wrote “All Sold Out: How to Sneak into Sporting Events and Concerts.” He had sneaked into the 5 Superbowl’s and was going to update us if he got into the latest.
Guest #3
Francis Essex who’s written a play called ‘Jolson.’
It was getting rave reviews at the Victoria Palace in London, England.
We reach him at his home on the south coast of Spain and he and Norm talk everything Al Jolson, the good and the bad, as well as the cast and all that went in to putting the show together.
Such an enjoyable interview and he takes calls: Anne in Lexington and then Joan in Deep River, 130 miles NW of Ottawa, Canada but originally a Londoner. Hearing Francis talk about the theater scene in London has made her homesick. Joan shares some sweet memories.
Episode 71, A Winter Garden of Glorious Guests is ready to roll.
Email the show: normnathanvos@gmail.com
Welcome back for another episode of Norm Nathan’s VoS.
Number 70 to be exact.
A DBG from January 20th, 1996 is on tap today.
Let’s call this one: Jovial Jocular January Jesters
It begins with some entertaining banter between Norm, producer Ed LeClair and Jack Harte.
Subjects include: Angry radio hosts, Norm’s contract/job description, Seasonal Affective Disorder, rickets and the mummified remains of former broadcasters.
Additional players are:
Don in Middleton with a lovely thought for the day
Our dear friend Norma from the North End
Russ in Peabody
And Wes from Hampton, NH
Bdays:
George Burns
Ray Anthony
Arte Johnson
Lorenzo Lamas
Slim Whitman
Edwin ‘Buzz’ Aldrin
Patricia Neal
Shelly Fabares
Event:
What year did The U.S. Senate approved an agreement to lease Pearl Harbor in Hawaii as a Naval Base?
Episode 70, Jovial Jocular January Jesters, begins now.
Email the show: normnathanvos@gmail.com
Castos: https://norm-nathans-vault-of-silliness.castos.com
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/norm-nathans-vault-of-silliness/id1539251258
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/74Z2CAHU1TT9KHCEiEdrkG
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Ep-Norm-Nathans-Vault-Silliness/dp/B08JJSR5MF/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=vault+of+silliness&qid=1604440081&sr=8-1
Google: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9ub3JtLW5hdGhhbnMtdmF1bHQtb2Ytc2lsbGluZXNzLmNhc3Rvcy5jb20vZmVlZA?sa=X&ved=0CAYQrrcFahcKEwiY4PGsu-_sAhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQAQ
We return this week with a DBG from January 11th, 1992.
This one will be titled: Pun for the Hills!
If you’re playing the home version, make sure your pencils are sharpened as there are a lot of them to keep up with!
The show is off to an auspicious start as Norm forgets to do something very important but then, thankfully, rights that wrong and avoids what could have been…crushing disappointment.
The game begins with a very special open by Big Stretch and the N Billerica Rhythm Aces or was it Tailfin and the Hubcaps?
Stay tuned to find out.
The illustrious list of players:
Debbie from Wellesley who is playing for the first time!
Joe from S. Boston who is also a first timer
Ruth Clennott
Joe the Barber-Baker
I’m on the phone
Mike Epstein is producing and playing in studio
And Jack Harte in traffic
The puntastic birthdays and dates in history:
Ben Crenshaw
Naomi Judd
Grant Tinker
Rod Taylor
A very special bonus birthday
History dates:
What year did the American League adopt the DH rule?
And in what year did the U.S. Surgeon General, Luther Terry, issue the first government report that smoking may be hazardous to your health?
We are required to dip into the coming week for one more birthday:
January 14th, 1992
Andy Rooney
Before we say goodbye, Ruth has some breaking news and then we elope, ever so romantically, from Chelsea to Providence.
Thanks to our sponsors:
Forever Plaid
Kid Company
And Wachusett Mountain
EP 69 – Pun for the Hills! Begins in 3, 2 annnnnnnnd 1.
To inquire about/purchase a copy of my book, ‘Bows on Bears and Ties on Tigers,’ please email me at fuzzywuzzypublishing@gmail.com
Email the show
normnathanvos@gmail.com
Castos: https://norm-nathans-vault-of-silliness.castos.com
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/norm-nathans-vault-of-silliness/id1539251258
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/74Z2CAHU1TT9KHCEiEdrkG
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Ep-Norm-Nathans-Vault-Silliness/dp/B08JJSR5MF/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=vault+of+silliness&qid=1604440081&sr=8-1
Google: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9ub3JtLW5hdGhhbnMtdmF1bHQtb2Ytc2lsbGluZXNzLmNhc3Rvcy5jb20vZmVlZA?sa=X&ved=0CAYQrrcFahcKEwiY4PGsu-_sAhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQAQ
Hello and Happy New Year to all of you.
Before I give you the details of today’s broadcast let me take a moment to wish Norm a belated Happy Birthday. He would have turned 95 back on December 20th.
Thank you for your patience as I convalesced from the Covidronacroninator. I’m feeling much better and Norm Nathan’s Vault of Silliness is ready to kick off 2022 with…the episode I was in the middle of writing and editing that was to air back on December, 17th.
This originally aired on December 16th, and I believe the 17th of 1995. There’s some miscellaneous content too but I believe it was all from the same weekend.
I have titled it: The Cockamamie Christmas Punch His Lights Out Show.
Have fun listening to find out why.
There’s so much going on here…
We begin with a Jack Harte holiday celebrations traffic report and then on to the Show Open.
Norm gives the line-up of guests coming up that weekend including Nancy Sinatra. I do hope that interview is here in the Vault somewhere as it was not included on this tape.
Norm mentions he will be filling in for David Brudnoy from 7p – midnight on Christmas Night! ANNNNND he will in for Neil Chayet on New Year’s Eve beginning at 9 and will be on all through the night!
Callers:
The always entertaining Helene from Belmont
We drive on over to our next subject: The dedication of the Ted Williams Tunnel.
This leads to a discussion of other celebs who’ve had things named after them and I reveal what my choice is if the powers that be wanted to name something after moi.
Now hang on as now the fun really begins as Norm and I talk about a magical night when this completely ad-libbed, off-the-cuff, perfectly timed production took place: The Toilet Dedication!
After that there’s a brief, partial call that turns us on.
Norm tells a story of scraping ice off a windshield during a double date.
There’s a recollection of when Ed Mullen (the SMQuizMaster) proposed to his girlfriend on the air.
We then take a call from Jeff who just may have pulled the taffeta over our eyes.
And now comes Norm’s rant about David Brudnoy’s quarterly Libertarian Panel Show, which, by the way, David would always dedicate to Norm.
Back to the calls!
Johnny in Boston who was recently on the Jerry Springer Show doing his Psychic Elvis act.
Bob from Framingham who’s celebrating his 1st wedding anniversary
Fred on the line talking about Mason Adams and we get Norm’s fantastic impression.
An upcut call with Margarite talking about Norm’s Mom and Dad.
Side B:
Starts right off with a caller named Joan
Then a very brief call with Jeff who must’ve asked about Robert from Everett because we drop in some Robert laughs.
Another quick call from one of our regulars, Kristin from Dorchester. Norm asks her to do the Station ID and she delivers.
June with some talk about Jack Harte, Moneen Daly, Ed Leclair and his fiancé Elizabeth and Little Baby Snoogle-Fleejer?
The Libertarian Panel talk returns and Norm’s riled up again!
Leuellen closes out the calls here as we move to one of our ‘Game Guests,’ Jeff Pinsker. We get to have some fun as he and the callers play one of his latest games.
Kathy in Lynn
Mary in Quincy
Leeanne from Blackstone
Paul from Somerville
Faye in Somerville
Wally from Brockton
We hear yet another Norm Show Open courtesy of Dave Currier and Linda Chase.
More Calls and guests!
Fred…talking all sorts of stuff including some rela
Hello listeners, subscribers, fans and everybody in the Teen Canteen.
I apologize for not reaching out sooner but, in the immortal words from the band Disturbed, I was, “Down with the Sickness.”
That’s right. I had the thing.
Now I don’t know if it was the Omni Magazine, JetBlue, Lambda Lambda Lambda (Tri-Lambs) or the original, rich, chocolatey CocoRona version. What I do know is it knocked me on my arse.
I had episodes all laid out for the weeks that have passed so I may still finish those and slowly get caught up. Because the lasting fatigue and headaches are still a real pain, just hang in there with me and look for those alerts when new shows are up and running.
Thank you all for a being here and enjoying Norm Nathan’s Vault of Silliness. Talk to you all soon.
The Vault of Silliness has offered forth show highlights from December 10th and 11th, 1994.
This episode is titled “Where’s the Beef?"
And you’ll know why when I tell you about the guests.
It starts off with a caller talking to Norm about weather reports.
Norm goes off on a rant and has a particular place where TV anchors with poor adlibs can go.
We then enjoy a Norm Show Open.
Let me take a moment to acknowledge the comments I’ve received on Google Podcasts. Thank you and to answer the latest question, I will plan a show where I play all the show opens as a treat for us all.
After the Open there’s zero reaction from the Teen Canteen. I mean crickets.
Our first guest was Barnaby Conrad.
He was an artist, bullfighter, nightclub/restaurant/saloonkeeper back in the 50’s and 60’s and author of many books but at the time his latest was ‘Name Dropping: Tales from My Barbary Coast Saloon.’
The tape skips to the interview in progress
Norm just scratches the surface with Barnaby but some of the names that are dropped are John Steinbeck, Bing Crosby and Lenny Bruce.
He was also co-director and founder of the Santa Barbara Writer’s Conference and, at the time, writing his 26th book.
We get an brief respite and Jack Harte tell us all about the latest boxing card at Foxwoods.
Our next guest was…well, I don’t know his name.
Norm’s intro isn’t included nor is the last part where he would thank the guest.
It doesn’t take away from the enjoyment though!
It’s about how the guest began to raise, breed and sell buffalo on his 13,000 acre ranch.
It’s an interview filled with interesting info including cooking prep!
Now we move on to some callers:
Laurie armed with a variety of subjects and for whom Norm gives an assignment.
Judy with a call in progress
And Darrell from Boston
Before Norm signs off for the night we get an Accux forecast with a live field check!
Get ready for the COW-ntdown for Ep 67, “Where’s the Beef?”
Here we are for the first episode of the last month of 2021.
Oh, mighty Vault of Silliness, what have you for us today?
It’s a DBG from December 5th, 1992.
The title of this bit of radio insanity is “Assumed Names.”
More on that later.
Norm gives a great intro to the game informing us of its worldwide appeal.
In addition to visits from Arthur Godfrey and Lionel Barrymore we are treated to a couple of tales from Norm’s storied career in radio.
One even includes a full-on re-enactment!
Our sponsors:
Classic Ovaltine
Lou Innis of Chicago, IL and his watch allergy for which Gold Bond Medicated Powder provided soothing relief
First Night ’93 Promo
And Norm reads one for WBZ and the National Safety Council
The cast of characters for the game are as follows:
Ron in Bellingham
Barbara from Quebec
Wolfie – loaded with howlingly poor jokes
Debbie in Wellesley back from a date to iHop
I’m in producing and in studio
Jack in Traffic
Wolfie wastes no time saying inane things and Norm says if he wanted that he could have had Robert or Greg the Squirrel Man on.
Then we chat about peak/flow meters, toys from the dentist and Norm regales us with the great prizes he would get from his barber including medical devices.
Other prizes allowed Norm to work magic with his scale model creations.
Birthdays:
Little Richard
Calvin Trillin
Morgan Brittany – now if you thought the show wasn’t already off the rails, this birthday is the genesis for the title of the episode.
It also begins a hilarious contestant revolt against Wolfie.
Continuing with the birthdays
Jim Messina
Chad Mitchell…maybe not.
Kim Basinger – this one reveals Debbie’s true motives as to why she has never heard of most of the celebs…and it’s a personal one.
Beau Bridges
And Kirk Douglas
Get ready to laugh. Episode 66, “Assumed Names” begins now.
Happy Thanksgiving Weekend from all of us here in Norm Nathan’s Vault of Silliness and the Teen Canteen.
A Thanksgiving staple is on tap for our episode today...
The Swell Music Quiz (aka ‘Music with Turkeys’).
This one, from November 24, 1995.
Mike Epstein is producing
We begin with a declaration from Norm and then it’s on to the game.
Ed Mullen in studio
Jack Harte in traffic drinking his ‘radiant roasted’ coffee
I’m on the phone, desperate and lonely on Thanksgiving Day.
My cousins, Taylor and Bianca, had the chicken pox.
I had never had them, so I stayed home.
Ed says hello to his wife, Patricia. Two years ago on this very program, Ed proposed.
On to the Quiz!
Catergories are:
Rock and Roll
Jazz/Big Band
Musical Comedy
And Christmas Music
Ed explains the rules…good thing because I still don’t understand them.
The prize is a poorly written, badly copied, though highly coveted, junky Certificate of Award.
We take 35 calls:
Fred from Medford
Sam in Newton
Bob in Waltham
Paul from Canton
Chuckles from Chelsea
Ronnie in PA
Tom from JP
Glen from Peabody
Chris in Lexington
Rick in Canton
Joe from Winthrop
Mike on a car phone
Craig in Newton
Scott from NY
Dave in Boston
Carlene from PA
Irene from Dayton, OH
Paul in Foxborough
There's a short traffic report with Jack with an Osco commercial
Dave in Leominster
Victor from Winthrop
Side B
Picks up with Victor’s call
Linda in Quincy
Louie from Lunenberg
Dave in CT
Dieter from MD and a SMQ scandal ensues
Lisa from Cortland, NY
Glenn in Fairbanks, AK and he’s listening to us!
Originally from Marlborough, MA
Has a 38’ antenna on his house. Norm asks to put his radio up to the phone and sure ‘nuff we hear ourselves!
Dave from E. Cambridge
Steve in Dedham
Lisa from Chelsea
Brian in Boston
Jim from Ithaca, NY
Mary in Peabody
Sarah from York, ME
Don in Billerica
And we close with Bob
Arthur Godfrey makes two appearances and waxes poetic that he smoked 72 packs of Chesterfield’s and that is why today, he’s dead.
We return after the news to give the answers to the unanswered questions along with learning that Norm owns the only house in Massachusetts where you need a front-end loader to get across the kitchen into the dining room.
Black Friday Traffic is discussed and I recommend a movie.
Ep 65 – The Swell Music Quiz dba ‘Music with Turkeys’ begins in a 1 a 2 a 1,2,3,4.
Email the show
normnathanvos@gmail.com
Hello, hello and thanks for checking in to Norm Nathan’s Vault of Silliness. Please sit down and get comfortable as we bring you another 2-part show which I’ve titled ‘Two Pairs and a Bunch of Jokers.’
There’s a whole heck of a lot to tell you about so let’s get started.
We begin with a DBG from November 20th, 1993. After that we will mosey on to the post-game 4-5am hour and our regularly scheduled NNS already in progress.
The players for this game are:
Betty in Sudbury maybe a first-time player?
Betty from Hyde Park definitely, a first-time player
Alan from Medford but working in Watertown
Jack from Cumberland, RI another first-timer
Tony Nesbitt in studio
A stressed and strained Jack Harte from the Pru
Sid Whittaker – producing, playing and later, uncovering a family secret
The Birthdays:
Alistair Cooke
Dick Smothers
Bo Derek
Richard Dawson
Veronica Hamel
Sean Young
Estelle Parsons
And Judy Woodruff
We hear some events, but they are NOT part of the game.
And we are informed of some birthdays of the dead.
We close that hour with a post-game caller from Mike in Medford.
After a brief intermission we return with our second act.
Beginning with a fade in of a Gold Bond commercial
Accuwx w/Paul Pastelok and Norm provides a temperature that meteorologists everywhere are still researching.
Then we are joined by WCVB Ch. 5’s Steve Sbraccia who was bringing coffee to his wife, WBZ Radio’s Susan Rist!
Norm has known both since they were just wee little news reporters.
Now comes the promenade of caller persons:
Al in Framingham
Glenn from Brighton
Mick from Boardman, Ohio
This next call is one of the best:
The warm, toasty and flirty Marie from Revere. So much riotous laughter.
Brad in Lapeer, Michigan
John in Lynn
Generosa joins us to give John directions to the St. Adelaide’s Craft Show and could there be a love connection as well?
They make plans on how to identify each other and Norm has some recommendations for Generosa.
Helen from New Bedford - She asks Norm what he would do were he President and the list is impressive. Especially the last entry.
Ed from Cambridge – Tells story of when he met a couple practicing their golf swing across the street from WBZ that turned out to be Steve and Susan!
And we close with Beverly. She came to Massachusetts from Cannon Beach, Oregon in 1961. Always listened to Norm. Moved back to Oregon about 7 years ago and happens to was back visiting to sell some property. She just had to tell Norm how special he is to her.
Our sponsors!
Baby Gold Bond twice. First with Jackie Black from New Castle, IN and then Gwendolyn Jones of Ft. Lauderdale, FL
ADT Security twice, voiced by Jay McQuaide
A VERY excited Paul Grassi of Valley Stream, NY for Classic Ovaltine.
WBZ Afternoon News Promo voiced by Diane Stern
WBZ and Wonderland Park is giving you a chance to win a trip for two to the ProBowl in Hawaii – voiced by Bob Raleigh
AutoMax Classified Television Program on WLVI TV 56
Bill Marlowe with another mouth-watering commercial for Floramo’s
And the former dizzy and nauseated Hazel Dew of Houston, TX for Marezine.
Episode 64, ‘Two Pairs and a Bunch of Jokers’ is ready to roll.
Email the show
normnathanvos@gmail.com
Castos
https://norm-nathans-vault-of-silliness.cast
Today’s episode, number 63 to be exact, is another Dumb Birthday Game. This time from November 13th, 1994.
Now this is an excellent example of Norm’s appeal to younger listeners as I've titled it: The DBG: College Bowl Edition!
All our players are attending college in the Boston area.
Well, to be truthful, I’m not sure about one but he’s still a younger caller.
Our contestants:
Scott from higher education unknown
Jonathan at Harvard University
Raj from MIT
The peer pressured Lara from B.U.
Sid Whittaker, producing, playing and a student at B.U.
And the Dean of Traffic School, Jack Harte
For some reason I was busy in the newsroom and could not participate.
An interesting tidbit about Jonathan: he was the co-creator of Inside Edge Magazine. A periodical geared toward 18-24 year olds.
Norm had spoken to him earlier and plugs it a few times during the game. Mr. Jonathan has done quite well for himself as he is a CFO of some large company.
The celebrity birthdays and events:
Whoopi Goldberg
Linda Christian
Richard Mulligan
Madeleine Sherwood
Joe Mantegna
Events:
What year did…
…the Holland Tunnel open?
…Walt Disney’s ‘Fantasia’ made its world premiere?
In what year was artificial snow invented?
During this game, many stories are told, references made, opinions given and souls bared.
Did I build that up enough for you?
Episode 63, the College Bowl Edition of the DBG staaaaaaarrrrts now.
To inquire about/purchase a copy of my book, ‘Bows on Bears and Ties on Tigers,’ please email me at fuzzywuzzypublishing@gmail.com
Email the show
normnathanvos@gmail.com
Castos
https://norm-nathans-vault-of-silliness.castos.com
Apple
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/norm-nathans-vault-of-silliness/id1539251258
Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/show/74Z2CAHU1TT9KHCEiEdrkG
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Ep-Norm-Nathans-Vault-Silliness/dp/B08JJSR5MF/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=vault+of+silliness&qid=1604440081&sr=8-1
https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9ub3JtLW5hdGhhbnMtdmF1bHQtb2Ytc2lsbGluZXNzLmNhc3Rvcy5jb20vZmVlZA?sa=X&ved=0CAYQrrcFahcKEwiY4PGsu-_sAhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQAQ
We begin Year 2 of Norm Nathan’s Vault of Silliness with a Dumb Birthday game from November 2nd, 1991.
I am calling this one The Rift since Norm is hating on me, right from the start. So much so that I stop talking to him and have Jack relay my answers to Norm.
Besides the palpable displeasure with me there’s lots of good stuff in this one.
Players:
Stacy from Boston
Steve the Wrestler from Melrose
Kristin from Dorchester
Scott from Peabody
Tony producing and on the phone from the control room
Jack Harte from the Pru
Bdays with all the music and sfx:
Burt Lancaster
Ray Walston
Pat Buchanan – and Norm doesn’t hold back
The adjective rich Stephanie Powers from Haahht to Haahht
11/4
Walter Cronkite
Art Carney
11/5
Tatum O’Neal
Back to 11/4
The adjective laden Loretta Swit – Jack adds some very interesting info
Do we actually hear the age 76 guessed without saying “That’s the Spirit?”
A 55 without “That’s the limit?”
A 66 without “That’s the route?”
A 77 without “That’s the Strip?”
You’ll have to break out your stat sheet and keep track at home.
After the game we are entertained by the following:
Some Bottom of the hour news with Norm (10 minutes or so late)
Traffic with Jack
Accuwx with Norm
Caller:
Randy ‘The Macho Man’ Savage
He said he heard that Norm went out as him for Halloween because he went out as Norm.
Norm with an exciting sports update
Teases future guest:
The Flat Earth Research Society International which had 3500 members at the time.
Warren Shepard Countryside tease for 5am
Ray Brown was going to be in starting at 5:30am
Neil Chayet Looking at the Law on Sunday mornings from 7-9am
Dr. Howard Smith was leaving the time slot and moving to the West Coast
Top Hour Sounder
Darrell Gould’s intro to Accuwx w/Brett Anderson
Traffic with Jack and Norm
Old, dry Norm Show Open
And we close with diving into our telephone booth reference book and place a call to the Motel 6 in Sioux Falls, SD to ask about the blizzards. Norm speaks with the front desk clerk, Joan.
Even though she can’t occupy that main line, Norm manages to keep her on for a short time and then someone walks in and she had to go.
We are also graced with a variety of commercials!
The Bolshoi Ballet
Gold Bond 2x – once with Patrick Palladino Jr. from Winchester MA and the other from Joan Cantwell of Brockton MA
Keep It in Your Sneaker Powder twice
Join WBZ and Jordan Marsh for a sneak preview of The Enchanted Village to benefit the Children’s Hospital Fund!
The Graduate School at Lesley College
The Door and Window Specialists at J&C Adams (starring Tom and Russ) Peter Meade voiced!
And Danielle Steele for the Ad Council
Ep 62, The Rift, is ready to roll.
Today’s episode marks the One Year Anniversary of the start of this channel and podcast. It is also 25 years since Norm left us.
I hope that you enjoy listening, share in the many laughs and smiles and maybe even a shed a tear or two. I know I have.
I will continue to work hard to bring you content with some plans and ideas for this channel that I hope will entertain you as we begin year 2.
Like, subscribe and share…across all the platforms. It really helps.
I’m considering starting a Patreon where you could support the channel and podcast and a portion of that revenue would go to support the Norm Nathan Scholarship fund at the Berklee College of Music.
We shall see what the next year brings!
Now let’s wind it back to the penultimate day of October…October 30th, 1993 for a Dumb Birthday game and then a Norm Nathan Show post game hour.
Our Players:
Hillary from Upper Bucks County PA
Phil from Mt. Forest, Canada
Mike in Medford
Barry in Worcester
Mike Epstein producing and playing
Sid Whitaker producing and playing
Jack Harte in his Traffic Suite adorned with birthday easy chairs, charts and where he does his birthday-ups exercises
Bdays and Events in History:
Henry Winkler
Grace Slick
Louis Malle
Ruth Hussey
Harry Hamlin
Timothy B. Schmidt
Events in History:
In what year did Orson Welles do the ‘War of the Worlds’ broadcast which created panic?
Muhammad Ali regained his heavyweight boxing title by knocking out George Foreman in the 8th round in what year?
Post-game we get calls from:
Glenn in Brighton inquiring about Sid Whittakers’ roots but the tape switches sides and talk continues with Glenn about some other subjects including a past DBG and, if you can believe it, considering the foolishness going on now, offensive Halloween costumes?!
Lisa with some details on Ruth Hussey
Larry in Westborough with a bewitching call
Jim from RI
Rob with a Floramo’s review
Betty in Sudbury who would like Norm to talk about jazz to the 7th graders she teaches and just the mere possibility is creating a buzz!
Maria from NH
Norm mentions his ambition to play piano for booze.
And we get some ribald ‘Casting Spells’ jokes from the man with a body of well-tempered steel.
Commercial content is as follows:
Ovaltine
Marezine helping Arlene Trieg from Coquille, OR
Advertise on WBZ starring 'Call Mr. Duplitron!'
AMTRAK/Kid Company – Geography Bee to Washington DC
The One Year Anniversary Show begins now!
Email the show
normnathanvos@gmail.com
Castos
https://norm-nathans-vault-of-silliness.castos.com
Apple
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/norm-nathans-vault-of-silliness/id1539251258
Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/show/74Z2CAHU1TT9KHCEiEdrkG
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Ep-Norm-Nathans-Vault-Silliness/dp/B08JJSR5MF/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=vault+of+silliness&qid=1604440081&sr=8-1
https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9ub3JtLW5hdGhhbnMtdmF1bHQtb2Ytc2lsbGluZXNzLmNhc3Rvcy5jb20vZmVlZA?sa=X&ved=0CAYQrrcFahcKEwiY4PGsu-_sAhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQAQ
Episode 60 brings us a Dumb Birthday Game from October 21st, 1995
I’ve titled this: Wild Abandon. Not only because of what Norm says but also because of one of the players. And listen closely as we get a couple of definitions of ‘wild abandon.’
We begin with Norm and Jack Harte talking about the tag line “Welcome to our world!” on the Air Canada commercial which leads to some voice lessons from Jack.
And speaking of welcomes…Bonjour, France! Yet another country added to our simmering fandom.
And the timing couldn’t be better as France plays a role in the DBG too!
The players:
Jack Harte
Ed LeClair producing and playing
Kevin in Kittery ME
Sally from Reading
Mary Ellen in Braintree
Larry in Orleans on the Cape who can’t say when he’s enjoyed himself, though he can’t stop talking.
Bdays:
Whitey Ford
Carrie Fisher
Elvin Bishop
George Bell
Dates in History:
First lightbulb that really worked was turned on by Thomas Edison in Menlo Park.
Women in France were allowed to vote for the first time.
Norm sings “La Vie En Rose”
Then Norm AND Jack go all French on us!
The U.S.S. Constitution “Old Ironsides” was launched.
I will inform you that the tape ends, switches sides and then we hear the close of the game but there’s quite a nice prize for the winner.
Email the show
normnathanvos@gmail.com
Castos
https://norm-nathans-vault-of-silliness.castos.com
Apple
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/norm-nathans-vault-of-silliness/id1539251258
Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/show/74Z2CAHU1TT9KHCEiEdrkG
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Ep-Norm-Nathans-Vault-Silliness/dp/B08JJSR5MF/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=vault+of+silliness&qid=1604440081&sr=8-1
https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9ub3JtLW5hdGhhbnMtdmF1bHQtb2Ytc2lsbGluZXNzLmNhc3Rvcy5jb20vZmVlZA?sa=X&ved=0CAYQrrcFahcKEwiY4PGsu-_sAhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQAQ
This episode of Norm Nathan’s Vault of Silliness has a little something for everyone. It hails from October 16th, 1996.
Norm is in for Bob Raliegh for the Columbus Day holiday.
I’m calling this episode: Radio Digressions
We begin with a Dumb Birthday Game.
The Players:
I'm on the phone and opening mail
Mike Epstein producing and in studio
Jack Harte
We were having so much fun talking before we finish the player introductions:
Norm talks about trepidation in having to read bra commercials.
He tells a great story about growing up in Everett.
I ask an important question.
And THEN it’s back to the other players:
Jack in Ottawa
Justin in Roslindale
Bdays:
Angela Lansbury
Tim Robbins – and we go off on a Tony Robbins tangent
Suzanne Somers
Jack and Tony sing the Three’s Company theme!
David Zucker
Barry Corbin
Norm’s grandfather makes an appearance sipping some ‘gluz tai.’
Mike wants to take a break to air some bladder control commercials (which we don’t have here)
And Norm teases the The Gary Lapierre Show?
We then take a tertiary road and enjoy some commercials.
I love hearing old commercials. I hope you do too because we have a wagon load of ‘em.
They come to us from WSRS and the voice you hear between them as well as with the weather forecast is Moneen Daly.
Kellogg’s Honey Crunch Cornflakes! Visit Tony the Tiger on Halloween Night @ the Greendale Mall
Subway
Levitz Columbus Day Sale
Strands Ski Shop in Worcester
Savers Cooperative Bank
EBS Test with announcement saying it will change to the EAS
WSRS Weather jingle with Moneen on the forecast
McDonald’s
McDonald’s again but different – SpookyWorld mention
NYNEX – jazzy
Sears Furniture and Appliance Outlet Store
Stratton Mountain – Express Card
Home Depot Carpet Installation
Plymouth Neon Expresso
We return with Norm in the 4am hour with 4 callers:.
Regis, Al, Jack and Justin...who reveals the reason he’s going to Newark!
Buna Ziua, Romania! Welcome to Norm Nathan’s Vault of Silliness!
I would also like to note that we have surpassed 70 subscribers on YouTube.
Let’s keep it going and thank you just so darn much.
A cassette from October 9th, 1993 jumped off the shelves for our episode today which I have titled: Storytime with Uncle Norm as Norm adds some great details to some of our birthdays.
However, before we get to the DBG we have a taste of the 2am hour to entertain us.
It begins with a very foggy traffic report from Jack Harte and some Accuweather from Dave Ryan.
We hear from Don who’s 300 miles north of Toronto in Sudbury Ontario, Canada where it’s 28 degrees and snowing.
The caller and Norm get a bit political. Amazingly, it’s a bit telling of the times we are living in now.
Jane on a car phone who’s very thankful for Norm’s show on her drive home from work
And then we have Allison in Saugus who has some sage advice on how to treat a genius. This one is another shining example of Norm’s wit.
And now it’s DBG time!
It starts with some player introductions:
Rosemarie from Wellesley
The debut performance of Sid Whittaker!
But the tape runs out and switches sides. When it starts again, we hear Norm chortling about something. Probably about the revolving door of producers he’s had. Hearing is laugh just makes me smile.
We continue with player intros:
I’m in studio with Mike Epstein
And Jack Harte (who has an astounding game)
Bdays are a mixed bag from the upcoming week:
10/9
Jackson Browne
10/12
Susan Anton
Chris Wallace
10/13
Marie Osmond
Margaret Thatcher
Art Garfunkel
10/14
Everett Coop
Roger Moore
Norm talks about taking piano lessons again, the Ol’ Drunken Pianist…On Tour Now. Stick around for those dates!
And boy do we get to hear some Commercials!
Grab a pen and paper to jot down these classics:
Marezine – twice – Linda Kern from Lahaina, HI & Hazel Dew from Houston, TX
Ovaltine – twice
AutoMax Classified TV program on WLVI TV 56
WBZ Traffic on the 3’s Promo
Campers Rental Sales and Camp America…The RV Mile
Boston MoS – The Dinosaurs of Jurassic Park
Percy’s Electronics – twice
WBZ 24 Hour Traffic Network
42nd St at the Colonial Theater
Baby Gold Bond – twice – Gwendolyn Jones from Ft. Lauderdale, FL &
Louise Fallon of Brooklyn, NY
The Boat Show at the Bayside Expo Center
Kid Company Promo
Wittnauer Watches
Bill Marlowe for Tommy Floramo’s!
Regular Gold Bond – Michael Cook of Grand Prairie, TX tells us all about his skin problem
And we close with Scotch Pine Farm voiced by Bob Raleigh. It’s only a partial commercial because the tape ran out. I hope we have the full version somewhere because what we hear is funny.
Hey there! It’s so great to have you back for another visit to Norm Nathan’s Vault of Silliness.
We return to 1996. October 5th to be exact.
I have titled this: Propositions, Poultry and a Performance
It begins with a Darrell Gould intro to a Jack Harte traffic report and then we jump to Norm!
Though the first call is upcut it’s a great one from Tom – who clearly gathers up a bunch of things, makes a checklist, and talks about it all with Norm.
This time it starts off with what sounds like he wanted to head up tours to Norm’s house.
Is Norm the Lowell Thomas of Boston?
Tom gives us a great idea based on something he recalls from WHO in DesMoines, IA.
Sadly, Norm and I wouldn’t be able to consider and expand on it as he would pass away a little over 3 weeks later.
We continue with Tom’s call…moving on to the subject of Stan Freberg.
Next on Tom’s checklist is some advice when talking to yourself.
Norm reveals he enjoys full on conversations…with himself.
The call closes with a proposition to open a VERY specialized school.
Next up is a sweet call from the woman who has been vital in stocking the Vault with so much Silly: Joan from Tewksbury.
Monarch butterflies, Norm’s fill-in schedules, newspaper articles, big, New England Fall Fairs and a special event that Norm was going to performing a song at!
Stay tuned for a special treat…
Episode 57 – Propositions, Poultry and a Performance begins now.
Please check out Self Esteem Boston at selfesteemboston.com
Email the show
normnathanvos@gmail.com
Castos
https://norm-nathans-vault-of-silliness.castos.com
Apple
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/norm-nathans-vault-of-silliness/id1539251258
Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/show/74Z2CAHU1TT9KHCEiEdrkG
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Ep-Norm-Nathans-Vault-Silliness/dp/B08JJSR5MF/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=vault+of+silliness&qid=1604440081&sr=8-1
https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9ub3JtLW5hdGhhbnMtdmF1bHQtb2Ytc2lsbGluZXNzLmNhc3Rvcy5jb20vZmVlZA?sa=X&ved=0CAYQrrcFahcKEwiY4PGsu-_sAhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQAQ
I have something a little different here for Episode 56.
In September of 1996, WBZ was celebrating their 75th Anniversary.
The following are two segments from David Brudnoy’s show on September 19th, 1996.
After a retrospective open, David (who I will refer to here as ‘Bruds’ so as to keep the Dave/David name count manageable) joins us with his special guest, Dave Maynard. There’s talk of Dave’s career with Bruds making all sorts of jokes about his age.
Bruds shares a story about listening to WBZ on a drive down to Texas.
Together they take many calls from listeners that share all sorts of memories.
Larry who recalls a very tense call Dave took when he was on the overnights.
Andy from Lynn asking about some former ‘BZ personalities
Barbara with a quick memory
Frank calling back due to a threat
Brian with a heartwarming story
Wolfie being Wolfie
Pat from Waltham with some early recollections of Dave
Mayor Tom Menino – will he get in the dunk tank at the Farm Stand?
Mark who’s a new listener
Claire in RI who asks about a mysterious caller
George who has a bone to pick
Marie who simply believes Dave Maynard is perfect
The tape then jumps to the next segment. David’s guest former WBZ producer and host, Kenny ‘Muck’ Meyer.
We learn of his wide-ranging career at the station. From working with Larry Glick to having his own show.
Ken also gives his thought on the state of radio at the time.
Bruds gives Norm some props!
They take some calls starting with Mark who asks how Ken got his nickname ‘Muck.’
Leon from NY talks about a local radio poll
Paul in Milton asking about a special broadcast
Louise in Framingham who’s not happy about all the sports on WBZ at the time. Bruds tells us the reason why. A ‘why’ that wouldn’t happen for another 13 years.
It was excellent to hear the two Dave’s in great voice once again.
Email the show
normnathanvos@gmail.com
Hello, Austria!
Thank you for joining us here in leaving the world a little sillier.
Today’s episode hails from September 17th, 1995.
I have titled it: The Night of Tertiary Talk!
We begin with a Jack Harte traffic report.
Then Norm talks about his rather busy day. He got off the air and went over to the WBZ Farm Stand. Later that day, before he came back to work the overnight, he attended an event at the Hatch Shell: A Swing Celebration in honor of Ballroom Dancing Week!
And later we learn that the next day he and I were going to be doing a show. Norm used to go around to senior centers, private meetings and other places and talk about Old Time Radio. Arthur Levine booked the gigs. Ed Mullen, of Swell Music Quiz fame and fortune, used to do the set up and produce them. When he moved on, Norm asked me, and we worked together on that until his passing.
It consisted of playing cuts from classic radio broadcasts and commercials, plus a world renown demonstration by Norm and I on sound effects…and talking about all of it with the audiences.
The procession of callers are as follows:
BILLY CLYDE!
I was so thrilled to find this tape with Billy on it. He was a popular caller on the Larry Glick Show and famous for, among other thing, a story he told about an orangutan. He and Larry were laughing uncontrollably. It was so popular that other callers would request to hear it again. I have not come across it here as of yet but I’m sure SOME body has a copy and if I get the chance I will definitely share it!
He loved Norm too and they talk about jazz.
The tape cuts out and returns with Billy again.
He starts the ‘tertiary roads’ discussion that dominates the episode! The bonus is we get to hear that great Billy Clyde laugh!
They move on to talking about some radio personalities and Norm gives us some fun insight.
Just an all-around super moment from Norm’s Show.
We hear from Mel who references Billy Clyde and talks more jazz with Norm.
Then we have a brief call from Diane who will be attending the Old Time Radio show we would be doing later that day.
There’s a bizarre call from someone going by the name of Carmine.
Tertiary Talk carries on with Jane from Woodstock, CT. She also discusses the Brimfield Antique Show. She happens to be a dealer in antique electrical goods!
Providence, RI chimes in with their ‘tertiary sewage treatment.’
Then we cut to the close of a Dumb Birthday Game. Players were Reed, Marge, Margaret, Ken in traffic and Patrick Murray who was producing and in studio.
Before Norm lets Patrick go we discover that someone has parked a moped IN the mailroom at WBZ!
We return to calls:
A listener talks all about their love affair with the Corvette.
Pam from Saugus asks Norm about the Lynn Item newspaper and Norm tells of his losing battle with a vending machine.
We close with Irene from Dayton, OH looking for the answer to trivia question she heard on Bob Raleigh’s show. Stick around because Norm leafs through his leather-bound tombs of useless info to help her out.
A while back I said we were approaching 10k views slash listens across all platforms. Well, we skipped right by that like an AM radio wave bouncing off the cloud cover and have now surpassed 12K!
Thank you just so darn much.
Keep liking and subscribing and sharing Norm Nathan’s Vault of Silliness so we can continue to spread the hilarity and leave this world a little sillier than we found it. We certainly need more of that these days!
Second note on the agenda: I have occasionally put up two episodes in one week. The regular Friday and then an extra Saturday cast.
I noticed that one of the two would never garner as many listens as if they got lost in the weekend shuffle of life. If you think you may have missed one, go on back and check them out.
The last time was back in May.
I will stick with the single episode a week so as not to have any of you lose out on the funny.
Final item: Some of these, like today’s episode, are culled from multiple tapes.
Various adjustments have to be made on the fly. Sometimes I have to listen multiple times for note taking and quality control.
Though most are remarkably well kept, it’s not all plug and play when a tape is 30 years old.
I’ve had to disassemble a cassette to splice a broken tape back together.
Today’s episode is an excellent example of that. I have titled it: Quizzes, Advice, Fantasies and Bonus Content!
And we begin with the Bonus Content!
The cassette is dated September 1990.
I was filling in for producer Bill Flaherty on Tom Bergeron’s show.
Yep, the same Tom Bergeron who hosted 'People Are Talking' on WBZ-TV. He did some network TV later in his career, but I it didn’t amount to much. I believe it was Hollywood Stars and Dancing with the Squares. Yeah, that’s it!
Anyway, the piece here is a brief conversation to kick off the early morning drive show. Much too early for me as you will learn.
Then we move to this forgotten radio moment:
My WBZ Radio soap opera debut in “One Star General Hospital.” It was a feature that was part of Dr. Howard Smith’s Show that also starred another WBZ producer at the time, Alicia Lancaster.
It’s a silly script that was written around a wacky but true medical story.
That segment closes with some brief medical talk regarding a caller’s condition. You’ll have a ball with that one.
Now on to Norm!
On Septempber 23, 1990, Norm and I gave sage advice to a caller, Meagan, regarding her young dog who’s chewing up everything.
Dog owners…you won’t want to miss this.
Next, we sail to sometime on Columbus Day Weekend 1990.
Norm indulges us in one of his fantasies.
We get a wild, rock n’ roll, Accuweather forecast from Uncle Norm as he and one of our ladies, Gusty Breeze, dance up a storm.
Listen closely as, off mic, Norm is really laughing and trying to gain his composure.
Then we hear an overall serious call from George in Quebec but he has some really nice things to say about Norm and I.
And for our last chapter we get a firm date of October 7th, 1990. This is from the tape I performed surgery on. It was already in rough shape as the audio, at the start, is pitched up to helium sucking levels for just under 3 minutes. It then begins to moderate. I thought about trying to correct it but figured, what the heck!
I give Norm a quiz on horses.
And now for the big surprise…The Vault of Silliness bestowed upon us, what I believe could very well be, the Birth of the Dumb Birthday Game!
Norm just mentions people who were born on October 7th and while in the control room, I just start guessing ages and give them to him over the intercom which he repeats on the air.
June Allyson
Yo-Yo Ma
Desmond Tutu
Al Martino and an actress named Christopher Norris
We get to hear the great, original telephone number used to call in:
254-5678. Area code is the lovely 617.
There’s also a great WBZ jingle drop-in.
Traffic report entertainment is provided by Lou Ambrosino.
Lastly our sponsors, promos and PSA’s…
Dedham Racquet Time Athetlic Club
Fiber-All!
Dr. Howard Smith promo
The 1990 Interior Design Show
A Call for Action Promo
The Trump Shuttle
And a PSA for the Greater Beverly Chapter of the Red Cross
Here we go…Ep 54 – Quizzes, Advice, Fantasies and Bonus Content
Email the show
normnathanvos@gmail.com
Hola! Quiubo? Colombia!
The latest country to appear in this shows analytics as we slowly inch towards conquering the world!
And this episode should bring us about a centimeter closer.
A DBG from three decades ago: September 8th, 1991
Let’s call this one: Shower Radio.
Players:
Jim from Winthrop
Roberta
Bob from Arlington
Glenn from Beverly
I'm on the phone because I took the night off because...
Mike Epstein – producing and on the phone
And Lou Iannazzo in traffic
Sept 8th Bdays
Sid Caesar – NOT the Joker on Batman
Sam Nunn
Sept 9th
Michael Keaton
Billy Preston
Cliff Robertson
Sept 10th
Amy Irving
Jose Feliciano
Charles Kuralt
Did I drop an antique China figurine?
Norm not a fan of the Hasty Pudding Club.
Norm advises that I should take up drinking
Mike Epstein speaks Spanish!
We learn what Norm’s real name was at birth.
I do a does a post-game press conference.
Commercials:
Sears Siding voiced by Bob Raleigh
Kid Company Promo
Gold Bond with Patrick Palladino Jr of Winchester, MA
Keep It In Your Sneaker
The Club!
N.E. Patriot Football Promo
We round out the episode with Norm talking about Jimmy Connors fighting his way through the U.S. Open.
And then the nervous Carol from Scituate – talking about the FREE air show happening South Weymouth Naval Air Station.
Norm can relate to this from his time as a test pilot.
Stand by for take-off because here we go!
The Vault of Silliness spotlight swept across the cassette stacks and stopped on a DBG from August 29th, 1993.
I have named this episode: Mumbly Liars and Cheats
The great cast of characters are:
Dave from Bellingham
Larry in Somerville
Bijou from CA but a student at Suffolk University
Twinkles!
I’m producing and in studio
And we have Bruce Connolly in Traffic
Honored Birthday Guests:
Michael Jackson
James Brady
Elliot Gould
Barry Sullivan
Isabelle Sanford
Robin Leach
Rebecca De Mornay
Here’s an odd added feature…Bdays we don’t guess because Norm wanted to get to the event in history:
William Friedkin
George Montgomery
James Florio
David Pryor
Dead Bdays that Norm just mentions:
Charlie Parker
Dinah Washington
Ingrid Bergman
Oliver Wendell Holmes
The Event in History that was so important:
The year the Beatles concluded their 4th American tour with, what turned out to be their last public concert in front of 25k fans at Candlestick Park in San Fran.
And because of a tie we get a bonus event!
What year did TV audiences watch the last episode of ‘The Fugitive?’
Keep liking! Keep sharing! Keep subscribing!
Thank you just so darn much.
Email the show
normnathanvos@gmail.com
Castos
https://norm-nathans-vault-of-silliness.castos.com
Apple
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/norm-nathans-vault-of-silliness/id1539251258
Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/show/74Z2CAHU1TT9KHCEiEdrkG
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Ep-Norm-Nathans-Vault-Silliness/dp/B08JJSR5MF/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=vault+of+silliness&qid=1604440081&sr=8-1
https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9ub3JtLW5hdGhhbnMtdmF1bHQtb2Ytc2lsbGluZXNzLmNhc3Rvcy5jb20vZmVlZA?sa=X&ved=0CAYQrrcFahcKEwiY4PGsu-_sAhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQAQ
This episode of Norm Nathan’s Vault of Silliness is jam packed with a variety of subjects, calls, stories and quick clips.
After listening a few times and taking lengthy notes I’ve settled on the following title: Radio Talk about Radio
The dates are a bit scattered. August 1st, 7th, 13th and 14th from 1994 and then March 3rd and April 4th 1995. But don’t quote me on that.
Three producers cover this one with Adam Wolf, Brian McKinley and later, Mike Epstein.
I will do my best to give you a semi-brief summation.
The callers with names:
Ruth Clennot
Rick
TWO great calls from Chauncy!
Glenn from Brighton with erroneous info and a bad Amish joke
Bob with some radio memories
Dorothy from Haskell, NJ
Mike with more radio memories and Norm gives broadcasting advice
A fired-up Fred
Paul from Malden discussing Norm’s many talents
The excited Kristin in Dorchester
Dora and Norm talk about town government
Pat from Riverdale, GA and her draining sinuses
John in NH who used to work for the old Boston Post
And then there’s a handful of callers where we don’t hear their name mentioned who add even more fun to this extravaganza.
We have guest stars!
Tom Cuddy
Ed Mullen
Rick Kassiotis
And Darrell Gould!
PLUS three Jack Harte traffic reports with work crews a-plenty!
Norm talks about having to do some stand-up comedy at an upcoming benefit being held at the Comedy Connection.
He then lists the dazzling array of other performers that will join him.
We get some unabashed commentary from Norm on when he met Abbie Hoffman.
I’ll wrap it up with the commercials that are included:
STP Fuel Injector Cleaner
A VERY dry WBZ Sports Saturday promo touting its debut
IDS Financial Services
And a very funny commercial for Boston Gas
Email the show
normnathanvos@gmail.com
Castos
https://norm-nathans-vault-of-silliness.castos.com
Apple
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/norm-nathans-vault-of-silliness/id1539251258
Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/show/74Z2CAHU1TT9KHCEiEdrkG
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Ep-Norm-Nathans-Vault-Silliness/dp/B08JJSR5MF/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=vault+of+silliness&qid=1604440081&sr=8-1
https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9ub3JtLW5hdGhhbnMtdmF1bHQtb2Ytc2lsbGluZXNzLmNhc3Rvcy5jb20vZmVlZA?sa=X&ved=0CAYQrrcFahcKEwiY4PGsu-_sAhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQAQ
Episode 50!
I’ve been sitting on this one for a while waiting for the opportune time to return it to the airwaves. That time has arrived!
Norm Nathan’s Vault of Silliness presents a Dumb Birthday Game from August 10th, 1992.
I will title this: A Gem of Foolish Hilarity
EVERY time I listen to this, I laugh just as hard.
If ever there was an example of Norm’s motto: “Leave this world a little sillier than you found it” it’s this one.
Our esteemed panel is a s follows:
Paul – the school teacher from Malden
Little Mike from Chelmsford – 13 years old and only 5” tall.
Dominic from RI (he can’t help it he has to live someplace)
Chris from PA who is expecting twins!
I’m producing and in studio
Russ Gannon in Traffic
Featured Birthdays:
Jimmy Dean
Eddie Fisher
Patti Austin
Roseanna Arquette
Rhonda Flemming
Ian Andersen
And then some dates in history to round out the game:
What year was Herbert Clark Hoover born?
And Leo Daft opened America’s first commercially operated electric streetcar in Baltimore.
The whole crew really goes off the rails, especially Norm!
Other high lights include:
Commercials and promos:
Dave Maynard – Cruise Night! Caitlyn Travel/Wanderlust Travel Club
WBZ’s Monday Night Quarterback with Scott Wahle
The Birthday-gate Scandal reignites like a trick candle.
There’s one of the DBG excuses that drove Norm crazy.
Tiny Mike seems to have written a whole stand-up routine!
Norm has been delinquent in sending out prizes.
We are treated to guest appearances by Jack Benny, Lionel Barrymore Jimmy Stewart AND Arthur Godfrey.
We contemplate a philosophical statement so deep that we have to embroidered it on our doillies.
And Norm has an epiphany that if management fired him, he’d have no defense. Even the Union would abandon him after this show.
Norm Nathan’s Vault of Silliness brings a whole new dimension to broadcasting…again.
Email the show
normnathanvos@gmail.com
Castos
https://norm-nathans-vault-of-silliness.castos.com
Apple
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/norm-nathans-vault-of-silliness/id1539251258
Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/show/74Z2CAHU1TT9KHCEiEdrkG
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Ep-Norm-Nathans-Vault-Silliness/dp/B08JJSR5MF/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=vault+of+silliness&qid=1604440081&sr=8-1
https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9ub3JtLW5hdGhhbnMtdmF1bHQtb2Ytc2lsbGluZXNzLmNhc3Rvcy5jb20vZmVlZA?sa=X&ved=0CAYQrrcFahcKEwiY4PGsu-_sAhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQAQ