Hit By Over 20,000 Pies

Television made its debut in San Francisco in 1927, designed by Philo Taylor Farnsworth. In 1946, about 8,000 homes had TV sets, with nearly 46 million by 1960.

It’s safe to say that TV shows influenced my life, entertained me and educated me, and besieged me with commercials for every product that sponsored a program.

Over the years, many of my favorite shows changed—Superman, Popeye, Flintstones, Bewitched, Star Trek, Doctor Who—but one program stands out as my all-time favorite, from elementary school days onward.

Soupy Sales.

Back in the olden days, kindergarten was a half-day, and I hurried home to have “Lunch with Soupy Sales.” Mom often matched his menu—peanut butter-jelly sandwich and Jello, but I wasn’t lucky enough to have Soupy’s sound effects whenever I swallowed.

I was introduced to the Soupy Shuffle, White Fang and Black Tooth, Pookie the Lion, the arm at the door, and the Words of Wisdom.

When a man writes a song in his automobile, it’s called a cartoon.

Milton Supman, “Soup Bone” or “Soupy” was born January 8, 1926 in North Carolina, and died October 22, 2009 at the age of 83, beloved by many.

He earned a master’s degree in journalism at Marshall College (now University), and performed in nightclubs as a comedian, singer, and dancer.

When I watched him, he wasn’t a one-man show.

There was Black Tooth, “the biggest, sweetest dog in the USA,” who’d grab Soupy for a slobbery kiss off-camera, with him protesting, “Don’t kiss.”

White Fang, “the biggest, meanest dog in the USA.” White Fang was part of Soupy’s radio DJ program in Cincinnati, and whenever Soupy introduced his dog in those days, he’d play a recording of the Hound of the Baskervilles howling.

Pookie, who called Soupy “Boobie” and scrunched his face to spit off Soupy’s kiss. Who sang, danced, and did skits on “The Pookie Theatre Presents.” In the early Detroit shows, he didn’t speak, but whistled to communicate. His mimes were priceless, and his plays included Hippy the Hippo, who I thought was a mute lion with no mane.

The camera crew laughed at the puns, jokes, and skits, and in later years, when Soupy read the days’ Words of Wisdom and turned to us to say, “What do we mean by that?” the crew would all shout, “Yeah, what do you mean by that?”

I wanted to be on set and watch Soupy’s antics.

There was another hero on Soupy’s shows, Clyde Adler, who was responsible for the voices and puppets, including the “man at the door.” “You gotta help me…it’s my wife…”

Clyde Adler was not a comedian, but a film editor at the Detroit TV station where Soupy’s show was hosted, and assigned to assist Soupy. They made an incredible team.

For the Detroit TV shows, all sound effects were recorded. The “moo” when Soupy ate a hamburger, the gunshot when he was hit with a pie.

On one episode, the sound man couldn’t find the record for White Fang, so Clyde Adler jumped to a microphone and did his now-famous “Reh-o-reh-o.” Soupy and the crew burst out laughing, and Mr. Adler stayed as part of the show.

Pookie the Lion was a puppet from the prop box. No wonder I couldn’t find one for myself.

“Being funny is a very serious business,” Soupy said. “A lot of people grew up watching me.”

I did.

Oh, and Soupy’s first pie in the face happened in Cleveland in 1951 during a skit, and was unexpected. “That’s not what I had in mind,” he said, as he wiped off dripping cream.

Detroit. Los Angeles. New York City. Guest stars like Frank Sinatra, Tony Curtis, Jerry Lewis, Judy Garland, Sammy Davis Jr., B.B. King…so many more.

And yes, on a 1965 New Year’s Day show, Soupy agreed to ad lib the show's closing. He told his young viewers to tiptoe into their parents’ bedrooms and send him the “funny green pieces of paper.” He meant it as a joke, but received thousands of dollars, Monopoly money and real. The latter was donated to charity and Soupy was suspended for two weeks.

He had loyal fans of all ages.

I search for episodes and skits on YouTube to relive the magic of Soupy Sales and his memorable sidekicks.

I suspect he and Clyde are still entertaining in the Blessed Realm.

Maybe without the pies this time.