Ghoulardi: Inside Cleveland TV's Wildest Ride

by Tom Feran, R.D. Heldenfels

The definitive story of the outrageous Ghoulardi TV show and its pioneering creator —on screen and behind the scenes, with rare photos, interviews, original scripts, and trivia. Ernie Anderson shocked and delighted Northeast Ohio in the mid-1960s, when his Ghoulardi show was not to be missed on Friday nights. More than 30 years later, the Ghoulardi legend is still firmly rooted in the minds of the people who watched and in the pop culture of an entire city. In early 1963, months before the Beatles arrived in America and years before Howard Stern hit the radio airwaves, Cleveland TV actor Ernie Anderson pioneered the modern counter-culture media celebrity. His offbeat late-night movie show was so popular locally that it got ratings higher than the Tonight Show, and the Cleveland police department reported a significant decrease in crime during its broadcast. Ghoulardi captured the hearts and minds of Cleveland’s first TV generation and inspired other creative talents, including Tim Conway and Drew Carey. A great piece of TV history writing. “Captures a hint of the mania that made Ghoulardi a Cleveland idol in a sleepy era before long hair, drugs, assassinations, war and protests.” — Columbus Dispatch

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography

174 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1997

Reviews

[John Carey · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was more for nostalgia of Ghoulardi than learning about Ghoulardi but chill read nonetheless.

[Marley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great entry in Cleveland/media history. Ernie Anderson had a huge impact on my life. I saw the debut of Ghoulardi and have remained a huge fan since. When I was a senior in high school many of us left the prom early to go home and watch the show. I'm serious. Ghoulardi owned Cleveland and environs. I was in the environs.

Besides a lively and well-written account of Ghoulardi and Ernie beyond, authors Tim Feran and RD Heldenfels place Ghoulardi in the context of the early 1960s and ethnic and working class upward mobility. I well remember the fuss over Parma Place. This was going on when I was in college, and I remember sitting in the lobby of the "main building" of my school (it had no name) and looking in horror at some salesman sitting there in suit and white socks. I still feel that way. And don't get me started on Parma!

The authors also offer a good discussion on the demise of local television--suffocated by national networks and local corporatism. As someone who grew up with Ernie, Tim Conway, Tom Haley, Lawson Deming Dorothy Fuldheim, Gene Carroll, Paul Wilcox, Tom Field, Tom Manning, Bob Dale, Earl Keyes, Linn Sheldon, and so many more, the current non-quality of local TV and the lack of local productions outside of news (which only exists to sell ads and make money) is indeed sad.

Thousands of people were deeply influenced by Ghoulardi . I'm sure Ernie would be surprised.

[Rhuff · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw him from his first episode and followed him to the last. The rise and fall of "Ghoulardi" is sadly known to only the favored few who grew up within the analog signal zone of WJW-Channel 8 in the 1960s. But it is a true American legend: to us of the time and place only Elvis and The Beatles were - perhaps - bigger and cooler. I still treasure my Ghoulardi sweatshirt (light blue "Hey Group!") though it's several sizes too small for anything but a closet curio. The authors also explore the general domain of live Cleveland kid shows, from Barnaby to Captain Penny, in all their innocence before fears of child predators destroyed this genre forever. Here's to Ernie Anderson, a true unsung rebel of his age worthy of more nostalgia than many cheap poseurs committed to film and mass memory.

[Lance Lumley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This easy to read book about Cleveland, Ohio's Horror host is filled with great stories, photographs, and lists associated with the show. The book covers how host Ernie Anderson became the famous Ghoulardi, along with the backstage antics behind the scenes, and even while on air. This is a short book and a must for fans of Cleveland Ohio history, along with horror hosts fans.
An in depth review can be found at : https://lancewrites.wordpress.com/201...

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hey groups! Stay sick and turn blue! Don't be a purple knif, read this book! If you grew up with Ghoulardi or like me, grew up hearing about him and seeing the insanity continue with Big Chuck and Lil'John, then this book is for you. If you have read Big Chucks book, this is an excellent companion to explain the insanity that went on in early television in Cleveland in the 1960's. I am sorry I missed it.

[Chris Leib · Rating 5 out of 5]

Growing up in Akron (part of the Clevelnad TV market) with Houlihan and Big Chuck, Ghoulardi's descendants, it's great to see how it all started and the fuss it all kicked up. Long Live Ghoulardi!

[Larry Willoughby · Rating 4 out of 5]

For those who grew up watching the early years of TV the stories in this book will bring back a lot of memories. Although we didn't get Cleveland TV we did get Buffalo who had similar local unique programming. The book provided a number of great stories and also learned a lot about Tom (Tim) Conway along with Ghoulardi. Anyone looking for some nostalgia and funny light reading would definitely recommend the book

[Calvin]

Funny, you grow up in NE Ohio you think you know all about Ghoulardi, but ya dont. A quick fun read about a moment in NE Ohio culture.