Norm Nathan's Vault of Silliness with Tony Nesbitt

I’m so happy you’ve clicked on us again for another thrilling episode from Norm Nathan’s Vault of Silliness.

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This is a smorgasbord of Norm, or should I say, "The SmorgasNorm?" It’s a little different as we have two DBG’s that bracket a ‘regular’ Norm Show.

The first part is from July 8th, 1995. We get some great pre-game laughs and play just a little before the tape switches to July 15th, 1995 and Steve Leveille, who, at the time, was filling in for David Brudnoy. He talks about his heroes and then we skip to he and Norm continuing that discussion on Norm’s Show. We then move to Norm interviewing a guest and then close with different pre-DBG chatter that’s so good the tape ran out before the game even started!

SO here are some additional details for those of you keeping score at home:

DBG #1 The players:

Tony on the phone

Jack in traffic

Hope Schauer producing and playing

Bob in Brighton

Cutter from Newton

Mark in Gardner

Howard from Boston

Dead Bdays: (only mentioned, not played)

Marty Feldman

Billy Eckstein

Louie Jordan

Fae Emerson

Nelson Eldrich Rockefeller

Bdays:

Steve Lawrence – who started as a cantor at his synagogue. Same way Norm started!

We are blessed with the High Mass version of the EAS test with

Fr. Jack, Bro. Tony and Rabbi Normala.

Angelica Huston

Kevin Bacon

We never find out how old he is because the game is interrupted by an interview* for more than 10 minutes. It was already in progress and it gets cut off so I do not include that here as we do return to the gang and continue with:

Craig Stevens

Phil Graham

George Romney

There’s some talk about Norm’s hay filled car, which, I might add, have personal experience with.

We learn about some peculiar zoning regulations in Middleton, MA

Steve’s recent, terrible wiffleball outing, where he gave up 6 runs in the first inning, leads to the discussion of a guest appearing later (though we don’t have that interview here). It had to do with the WWF: World Wiffleball Federation tournament being held in Hopkinton, MA.

Then Norm introduces his first guest, Penny DeYoung. She and her husband, Buddy, have an 80-acre dairy farm located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan that they have turned into a zoo.

The interview does get cut off but what we do hear is super-entertaining.

We then return to new pre-DBG game chatter: two women, Deborah and Jenny. Norm tries to play matchmaker, but Jack politely declines and gives his reason.

At times, the audio quality is not the best but that only makes you listen more closely!

To inquire about/purchase a copy of ‘Bows on Bears and Ties on Tigers,’ please email me at [email protected]

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Norm Nathan’s Vault of Silliness: Where the comedy never stops has quite the show in store for you today.

July 5th, 1994 is the date that gives us, what I will call, “50 Minutes of Madness.”

It’s a Puntastic Dumb Birthday Game that includes plenty of attempts at humor that initially fall flat on their face YET rise like a deranged phoenix from the comedy ashes to be as ridiculous as you could imagine. And if you can imagine, then let me thank you for being here. You’re my kinda people. 

Please like, subscribe and share so we can bring such legendary broadcasting to the masses. Let’s remind folks how it was done and should be done again!

The cast of characters playing the game are as follows:

Ken from PA – first time caller and player

Barbara in Framingham or not?

Patrick in Quincy…maybe not because he was not properly vetted, vaccinated or approved through official channels

Roger from Southbridge – who owns an indie record label, Apostrophe Records.

I’m on the phone

Emilio Marotta playing and producing and leaving for San Diego.

Jack Harte in Traffic who’s soaring on the wings on love!

And Rod, the WBZ security guard, calling in from the front desk where he’s protecting us from ne’er-do-wells.

Bdays for the 5th:

Julie Nixon Eisenhower

Huey Lewis

Rich ‘Goose’ Gossage

Robbie Robertson

And then we move to Jul 6th Bdays:

Nancy Reagan

Pat Paulson

Burt Ward

You’ll be scratching your head at the amount of knowledge dispensed in this one.

Did you ever wonder:

How ‘Goose’ Gossage got his nick-name?

You’ll hear about the few places where there’s a 5-day waiting period to buy a ski mask.

How do you hold a bat?

Why does George Westinghouse allow this insanity to air every week?

And an age-old question is answered: Just what is the main criterion used in selecting players for the DBG? 

And just you hang on for the revelation as to what tonight’s prize package includes!

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For Episode 43 here on Norm Nathan’s Vault of Silliness the label on the cassette reads June 22nd, 1996. Tom Howie is producing.

We had just moved into new studios at WBZ and let’s just say they were not ready for primetime but that’s what the overnight show is for, right? Pretty much a live, On-Air test study.

Let’s call this one the “Shhhh-ping Show!”

Stay tuned for the riveting explanation of that term and a deluge of technical silliness.

Norm was on the previous night filling in for Bob Raleigh and played a ‘rehearsal’ Dumb Birthday Game, but this night…well, it’s the first DBG in the new studios, on his OWN show!

We were all decked out in our uniforms to keep everything pristine and dust free. And the chapeau accoutrement is magnifique! Oui!

Westinghouse and CBS had just become the largest broadcast company in the world with a newly inked $3.9B deal.

Players:

Richard in Seaford, Delaware

Dorothy in Pleasantville, NY

Steve from Newton

Ethel in Portsmouth, NH 

Bdays: 

Meryl Streep

Ralph Waite

Ed Bradley – who’s earring leads to a painful revelation from Norm

Billy Wilder

Kris Kristofferson

Bill Blass

Lindsey Wagner

If you’re looking for wisdom from Norm’s Hungarian Gypsy Princess Grandmother…look no further!

Ever wonder what it would be like to have a talk show where you couldn’t put a caller on the air? Norm gives us a fine example.

Now let’s start this with a Question of the Day:

When did the box spring become a ‘foundation?’

For Episode 42, Norm Nathan’s Vault of Silliness brings you a mish-mash of cuts. Many featuring Jack Harte’s traffic reports. They are entertaining, but it’s his commercial reads that provide the highlights.

The date on the tape is June 17th, 1995. But there are definitely different dates sprinkled throughout.

As I said waaaaaay back in Episode 1 and what is listed here in the show’s description, “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 that’s exactly what we have here!

There is some pre DBG banter (but no game) where Norm talks about the DBG and WBZ Halls of Fame. And don’t forget to visit the gift shop!

We hear a rebroadcast of the ‘Toilet Dedication”

A Johnny Cash Folgers Commercial!

And then there’s an interview with lounge singer Bud E. Love.

Bud E. Love had a very funny book out back then titled:

“You Ought to be Me: How to be a Lounge Singer and Live like One.”

At the time there were all these rules about playing music. The station no longer had a contract with ASCAP/BMI or some-such and we couldn’t play more than 30 seconds without being charged. Parodies and background music were probably exempt but management was afraid to even tread close to that groove.

Though there’s some choppy editing we do hear a few tunes and some great back and forth between Norm and the band.

We close with a something a little different.

Included on this tape were some recordings of a station in Worcester MA: WSRS. Matt Phipps, who also did traffic reports for WBZ among many other accomplishments in his career, was a part of their morning show. It was Christmas time and they had been talking about their favorite songs. Matt mentions the Drifters’ doo-wop version of White Christmas. The request is made for a doo-wop traffic report.

That request is granted, and you will find it here!

30 years-ago to the day!

Please pardon the stuffy nose. Over a year and a half without a sniffle. Throughout the whole CoCoRona and all. And wham! The whole house has head colds. 

Hello…

Today’s withdrawal from Norm Nathan’s Vault of Silliness is from June 11th, 1991.

There’s an echo/reverb/delay because of feedback from a set of headphones turned up too loud? 30-year-old cassette tape bleed through? Or are we announcing the Red Sox starting line-up at Fenway?

It either goes away or my ears got used to it.

Anyway, welcome to “The Dumb Bachelor Party Episode”

The game just has that kind of feel to it.

Norm was filling in for the vacationing Bob Raleigh and mentions that he is having so much fun that he bolted the front doors so that Bob Raleigh can never come back.

Players are an All-male review!

Fred

Joe the Baker (aka Joe the Exterminator)

Mike in Marshfield

Steve from Melrose – 1st time player

I’m on the phone

Jack “The Traffic Guy” Harte

Mike Epstein producing and in studio

Norm, ever the collector, has some French postcards with 25 risqué poses of Pierre Mitterrand. But I digress…

Bdays:

Gene Wilder

Joe Montana

Jacques Cousteau

Chad Everett

Adrienne Barbeau – Hubba hubba!

For some reason Martha Quinn, whom I also love, is mentioned.

And when she arrives to this party she’ll be stepping out of a honey-dip cake!

Joey D of Peppermint Twist fame

Jackie Stewart

Frank Beard from ZZTop

Christina Crawford – daughter of Joan Crawford – Which we never find out her age due to some 30-year-old glitch which you get to hear in all its glory and its cause will forever remain a mystery.

BUT we do eventually hear who won the game!

Because we are having just so darn much fun we delay the bottom hour news and traffic to finish the game.

There’s a plethora of commercial entertainment too:

NHD Hardware - Sam needs some nails and is overwhelmed by the plunger selection

Resolve Stop Smoking w/Steve Allen

Peter Meade Promo!

Traffic spot: Money Magazine

Hitchcock Traditional Home Furnishings

The Club! Anti-theft device

And a brief whiff of Gold Bond.

We are graced with TWO Norm commercial reads:

Both are Father’s Day gift ideas.

How about a Homemade Cookie Bouquet from The Running Gourmet in Nashua, NH?

Bonus? Norm gives the phone number in French and Italian!

Norm will tell you all about Unique Baskets as well.

Post-game we hear from Irene in CT, calling on the World’s Worst Phone! That, by the way, has been verified and authenticated by a blue-ribbon panel.

It’s also her birthday! Born 1915 she turned 76 years-old.

That’s the Spirit!

For those of you keeping track at home…

Unlike last week’s episode where the overnight temp was 46, it is mentioned here that it was 67 and then going to be a hot and steamy 95!

Now let me close this out with a question:

What’s up with all the ‘elephants?’

Good to have you here again, this time for Episode 40, Norm Nathan’s Vault of Silliness brings us a Dumb Birthday Game from a chilly night on June 5th, 1995.

I think I’ll call this one “The let’s be mean to Norm Show.”

Birthdays featured are from 6/5 & 6/7.

Players:

Bill from Chelsea

Katherine in South Boston

Dan from Maryland

Hilda from Fall River!

I'm producing and in studio and making noise.

And the lovely Jack Harte.

Bdays:

Bill Moyers

Marky Mark

June 7th

Tom Jones

Prince

Ken Osmond

Joan Rivers

Barbara Bush

And Bill Hayes

You’ll hear a Banjo player joke that leads to an avalanche of silliness and Hilda ignites fire in Norm’s loins. 

Sponsors:

Kwai Garlic

Call for Action has a new phone number!

Robert Hannis and his cranky baby from Wilton, IA for Baby Gold Bond

We close with a caller:

Tanya from Somerville

Now get ready as we go where other stations wouldn’t dare!

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Norm Nathan’s Vault of Silliness is proud to bring you a Dumb Birthday Game from May 28th, 1995. Memorial Day Weekend.

Could this be the last DBG as we know it? What is this crazy talk?

The possible future of the game lies in the balance with this one!

Players:

Laurie

Ted from Reading

Jean in Banwert, Ohio

Barbara from Quebec City, Canada

Hope Schauer producing and playing

Ken Newman in Traffic 

Birthdays:

Carol Baker

Gladys Night

Sondra Locke

Jerry West

Kirk Gibson

Events:

The year Warner Bros released the first all-color talking film.

The Dionne quintuplets were born in what year?

And what year did the NL gave its approval for the Brooklyn Dodgers and the NY Giants to move to LA and San Francisco?

Norm also does a great impersonation of a radio DJ.

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So nice to have you back here for another show. We venture ahead in the calendar a whole day from the previous episode for a DBG from May 24th, 1992.

We also learn that it’s the anniversary of Norm’s first professional, PAID broadcasting assignment!

You’ll have to wait to find out what year it was!

From those humble beginnings to hosting weekend, overnight radio. Playing dumb games and calling phone booths around the world where nobody answers. It truly was the apex of Norm’s radio career.

Make sure you play along at home too. Trying to guess the ages people were then, 29 years ago, adds another level of complexity. One day I may just have to do a live stream of a game, invite some guests and guess all over again. Let me work on that. And let me know what you think in the comment section.

Our players are:

Jimmy from Winthrop

Don from Melrose – 1st time player

Donna from Norwood – 1st time player & it’s her bday.

Marian in Chatham – 1st time player and it’s her bday too!

I’m producing, and on the phone

LOU AMBROSINO in traffic

Birthdays with SFX!

Bob Dylan

Gary Burghoff

Pricilla Presley

Roseanne Cash

Patti LaBelle

Events in History

First Major League Baseball game played at night?

What year did the Brooklyn Bridge open?

Samuel F.B. Morse (never trust a man with TWO middle initials)

Transmitted the first telegraph message Do you know what it was?

Stay tuned for that too!

Post Game:

Norm’s alone now…peepers from the bogs playing. Is that a dead body?

A muddy hand rises from the bog…a face that…

Accuwx guitar accompaniment by Gladys Potklubdnik

A couple of calls:

Marilyn and Ruth

We close with a quick sports update.

Happy Radio Anniversary Norm!

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Thanks for returning to Norm Nathan’s Vault of Silliness as we deposit another audio gem into your ears. May 23rd, 1992 is the date for this comedy dollar.

This show is significant for two reasons, one historic and one not so much.

Historic: Johnny Carson signed off the Tonight Show for the last time earlier that night!

Not so much: It is a DBG that showcased the absolute worst jokes, puns and related music offerings to kick off Memorial Day Weekend 1992. And I’m just so darn proud.

A fascinating panel joins us:

Ann from Everett

Mike in Marshfield

Nikolai from Roslindale

Debbie and her mom Rose from Wellesley

Karen Meslener playing the game for the first time!

I’m producing and on the phone from the control room

And Jack Harte in traffic

Bdays!

Rosemary Clooney

Joan Collins

Artie Shaw

‘Marvelous’ Marvin Hagler

Robert Moog

Commercial promo:

‘Journey Beyond the Dinosaurs’ at the World Trade Center

Postgame:

Mike from the game is back as a caller.

Norma from the N.End!

To inquire about/purchase a copy of ‘Bows on Bears and Ties on Tigers,’ please email me at [email protected]

Email the show

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Before we get started here, Norm Nathan’s Vault of Silliness would like to remind you to like, share, subscribe and click on the notification bell so you will be the first to know when more Silliness has emerged from the Vault.

We turn the radio dial back to 1994 again this week. May 14th, 1994. 

A Dumb Birthday Game, which, as the game goes, may have reached a new low. I’m pretty sure each time we played we reached new lows while we strived for comedic highs.

Norm puts out a call to anyone thinking of having children to really try to have a famous one on May 14th as there were only three birthdays to celebrate.

We use an event and then delve into May 18th to round out the game.

Today’s cast is as follows: 

John in Somerville

Michelle and her husband Jerry from Tyngsboro

WBZ Producer Adam Wolf!

Emilio “Muscles” Marotta

I’m on the phone and raging with jealousy

And Jack Harte in traffic

Birthdays for the 14th:

Patrice Munsel

George Lucas

Tony Perez 

Event:

The first Olympic Games in the U.S. were held in St. Louis, MO in what year?

Birthdays from May 18th:

Perry Como

Now this may very well be the longest time we’ve ever spent on one person. There’s a litany of age-related jokes. Talk of an old show on WHDH (and Norm sings us a song). My dental work. And plenty of Italian is spoken closing with a beautiful sentiment from Emilio. We were all so very ‘moved’ by his words. You will be too.

And lots of maniacal laughter.

When we finally continue with the game, we wrap it up with

Bill Macy and Robert Morse

To inquire about/purchase a copy of ‘Bows on Bears and Ties on Tigers,’ please email me at [email protected]

Email the show

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