To Dads- and the Sven Anniversary!
I’d like to wish all the dads out there a happy Father’s Day- in this day and age, I think it’s important to know what it takes to be a father- it’s much more than just being able to create a child- being a father means being there FOR the child. It’s a responsibility- but one of the very best responsibilities in the world. Best regards to the dads who know what I mean- and live it.
So, yes, yesterday was the 33rd anniversary of my hitting the airwaves for the first time as a Svengoolie-appropriately, with Father’s Day in mind, as the “Son of Svengoolie”. It was on Saturday, June 16, 1979 that I appeared on WFLD in Chicago, hosting “In the Year 2889”. The fact that 33 years have gone past since then certainly makes my head spin.
How did it happen? Well, it started with my “dad”-the original Svengoolie- Jerry G. Bishop. Along the way of our working together in radio, he had been approached about doing Svengoolie again, as just a short run summer thing on a local station. Jerry didn’t think he wanted to put on the suit again- at the time, he actually thought he might like to run for a public office someday, and thought having an opponent trot out a picture of him as Sven as a campaign tactic might not be for the best- but he felt that I could be “Son of Svengoolie”- and he and I would write and produce the show. This was incredibly flattering to me- that he had the confidence in me that he would turn over the keys to the character to me! Needless to say- we had some false starts- and it didn’t happen.
Then came the day when Jerry was heading to the west coast for a new job. He asked me what I thought I’d do – and, having had everybody I worked with go to the left coast for work, I was unsure. I said I thought maybe I’d try to pitch a local station on a show- at which point, he said, if I wanted to try to do the “Son of Svengoolie” thing- I had his blessing. Again, that massive vote of confidence.
Well, since I’ve told this story before, let me fast-forward to the moment when they finally, after some mis-steps and tribulations- WFLD decided that I would indeed be their horror show host. Now, in my audition- I had looked exactly like Jerry’s Svengoolie- and they felt that look was a little too hippy-ish. I made a few changes, still maintaining most of the look, but changing the hair color from green to brown- and they felt that, at that point, I looked like some guy who would be sleeping in a cardboard box on lower Wacker Drive (no, not YOU, Walter Jacobson). So, I took a double –breasted tuxedo jacket I’d bought at a formal wear store sale for ten bucks- a top hat I had used making a silent movie with some friends- and a few other odds and ends, and came up with my “Son of Svengoolie” look.
I stood before the program director. “What do you think?” I asked. This dim bulb of a guy, when confronted with a problem or question, invariably would have an expression on his face of wide–open eyes, mouth hanging open- that made him look like a beached halibut. As he stared and seemed unsure of his answer, I came up with an answer for him- “well, I’ve done enough –this is going to be it.” Old Carp-face didn’t object- and that was the look I hit the air with 33 years ago.
…and I’ve been a Svengoolie ever since- even when I didn’t have a regularly running show, I was Sven for appearances, radio shows, TV guest shots, etc. The reason- as I’ve stated before- is you guys out there , who have supported me and WANTED Sven to be a part of your TV viewing- and, of your lives. I can never tell you what that means to me. Thanks- and let’s continue on to the next anniversary!
22 Responses to To Dads- and the Sven Anniversary!
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congratulations, sven. happy fathers day. you are right, everything you said about being a father today. i see it where i work, just about everyday. to have someone have the confidence to pass his character’s persona onto you is something you don’t see that often anymore. jerry sounds like he was a great guy! i think you’re doing a great job, i hand a good time watching the mummy’s hand. keep up the great work!!
congratulations, sven. happy fathers day. you are right, everything you said about being a father today. i see it where i work, just about everyday. to have someone have the confidence to pass his character’s persona onto you is something you don’t see that often anymore. jerry sounds like he was a great guy! i think you’re doing a great job, i had a good time watching the mummy’s hand. keep up the great work!!
Sven/Rich, Happy Father’s Day to ALL of the Dads everywhere! I’m the proud father of two (2) grown daughters and you are totally right, a Dad needs to show alot of love and responsibility toward their offspring!
Sven/RIch, wishing you, and all the dads, a most enjoyable Father’s Day.
Seeing so often I forgot how different your Svengoolie look is from Jerry’s. I think that if people had only seen your incarnation of the character and then saw Jerry as the original, they’d be surprised.
Big congratulations, Rich. Here’s hoping that we get to enjoy you and the show for another 33 years!
Just adding my congratulations and appreciation too!
Rich, first congratulations on your anniversary!! The longevity is a tribute to your energy, hard work, talents, respect for others, and that sharp wit/humor. Great blog, thanks for sharing how it all got started. Very interesting. All the best to the father’s out there! Enjoy!
Happy Father’s Day to the fellas and Congrats to you, Sven!
I enjoyed the Mummy’s Hand last night and now can’t stop singing “Sand in the place where I live…”. REM would be proud.
Oh dear, I just read my own comment and realized it could be misconstrued as something naughty.
Please allow me to clarify that I enjoyed WATCHING “The Mummy’s Hand” and look forward to the Dracula film next weekend!
Thanks for giving us all the opportunity to see these great old movies.
Sven/Rich: I’d like to also wish a happy father’s day to all the dads out there. I’d also like to congratulate you on your thirty-three years as Svengoolie. I’ve been watching your Me-TV show since I first ran across it about nine months ago, and now I can’t imagine my Saturday nights without your program to brighten my weekends. Here’s to another thirty-three successful years!
Yes, Happy dads day to all. And also to the step-dads like myself, who never had children untell married with rugrats included. As far as L.C. playing the big D. next week. Hes better off as the WOLFMAN, no body could succeed Big L. in this role, it was born for him. I”ll still watch and enjoy the show, popcorn & all (that”s candy, what else.). AS the mummy said, “Talk to the Hand.”
Sorry I missed last nights show. 33 Years, WOW. Nice job and happy anniversary Sven!
Thank you, Sven, for bringing us along on your magical journey! Oh yes indeed, please lead on.
It’s so amazing. Not many people can say they have been doing the same thing for 33 years, Let alone something so many people enjoy and love. I myself have been watching since the ‘Son of Svengoolie’ days. So here’s to 33 years. Who knows, Maybe in another 33 years you can retire. But don’t keep your hopes up. I’m sure we all would still love you every week as we do now.
How have your kids adapted to having Svengoolie as a father?
Congratz Sven and Happy Father Day to all the Dads
Wasn’t it a Sveniversary ?
Okay… I HAVE to ask…
If Svengoolie is your father, is Zelda your mother ?
For those of you confused… the original Sven’s co-host was a talking skull named Zelda.
Which means Tombstone is your brother !!??
Oooooo… somebody STOP me !!!….
Happy Father’s Day Sven. Thanks for all the entertaining nights. I just discovered your show this year, love it and hope you continue for many years. Speaking of fathers one of my favorite thinds about your shows is that you never have to worry about explaining to a child what some off color remark means, like with most shows now.
A big congrats to you Sven. 33 years is a lot of laughs. I hope I last as long as you. And I hope there will be many more years of Svengoolie.
Congratulations on 33yrs..hoping for 33 more!