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Soupy Sales (January 8, 1926 – October 22, 2009), originally Milton Supman, was an American comedian, actor, radio and television personality, and jazz fan. He was famous for his kids’ show, Lunch with Soupy Sales (later called The Soupy Sales Show), which ran from 1953 to 1966. The show featured comedy sketches that often ended with Sales receiving a pie in the face, a gag that became his trademark. In my opinion, “The Soupy Sales Show” was an inspiration for “The Pee Wee Herman’s Playhouse” 20-30 years later!
Probably best known for his shows in Detroit, New York, and Los Angeles, central Illinois was in a unique position to be exposed to Soupy Sales through his Metromedia syndicated show in the mid-1960s. WTVP, Channel 17 in Decatur, and WTVH, Channel 19 in Peoria, were both owned by Metromedia from 1960 through February 1966. WTVP was purchased by LIN Broadcasting, while WTVH was purchased by WIRL Radio at the time. The Soupy Sales Show was produced at that time for the New York market by WNEW-TV, Channel 5. The show was on videotape for syndication, and since WTVP was equipped with RCA videotape recorders/players, Channel 17 aired “The Soupy Sales Show” and “Wonderama,” hosted by Sonny Fox, for central Illinois. Weekday afternoons at 4 pm, WTVP would air “The Soupy Sales Show” for at least the central part of the Mid-Illinois market. WTVH, from what I can find, wasn't equipped with VTR equipment and couldn’t air Soupy.
From 1968 to 1975, he was a panelist on the syndicated version of “What’s My Line,” and also appeared on other TV game shows, including “The Match Game.” In the 1980s, he hosted his own radio show on WNBC in New York City.
When I was with WDAN/WDNL in the 1980s, WDNL was an affiliate of “The Source (NBC),” a contemporary radio news network. Between the network newscasts, the network would send WNBC(AM) Radio audio down the line. It exposed me and others, whenever we were in the control room, to Don Imus, Howard Stern, and Soupy Sales, who were all DJ’s with the New York NBC station. It was great to hear Soupy Sales, one of my childhood TV heroes, twenty years after watching him every weekday afternoon.
"Jello Presents Soupy Sales" was originally broadcast live from Detroit, Saturdays at lunchtime.
Clyde Adler voiced White Fang, Black Tooth, Hippie, and the guy at the door. When the show went to NewYork, Adler stayed in Detroit and was replaced by Frank Natasi
Jello Presents Soupy Sales (1959) WXYZ-TV
This is a nearly complete episode of "The Soupy Sales Show" from the mid-1960s. The show was produced at WNEW-TV, Channel 5, New York, the Metromedia "flagship" station.
The episode continues with several sketches with one co-starring Frank Nastasi. The show ends with a customary pie throw. This is part of the WayBackMachine_One Channel available by clicking here.
The Soupy Sales Show (1965)
The Soupy Sales Show (1965)
This entry was from August 11, 1965. It's easy to see how "The Soupy Sales Show" influenced "Pee Wee's Playhouse."
The Soupy Sales Show (1965)
This installment was from December 26, 1965 and includes appearances from Al Kelly, White Fang, Black Tooth, Pookie and Frank Nastasi.
(Click on the Image to watch directly on YouTube.)
Also starring Tab Hunter, Arthur O'Connell, Edward Andrews, Doris Dowling, and Beverly Adams. Cameos with Dean Martin, Flipper and Ray Anthony (as Cary Grant)
Movie: Birds Do It (1966) Soupy Sales
It was reported that Frank Sinatra was a big fan of Soupy Sales. In this sketch called "The Waiter", Soupy plays the waiter, serving Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr., and Trini Lopez. Of course, they participate in one of Soupy's pie fights. Frank Nastasi plays the little boy, and radio DJ William B. Williams played the boy's father, who allegedly came up with Sinatra's title of "Chairman of the Board."
The Soupy Sales Show (1966)
It's sad that the quality isn't better than this, but it's still good enough to enjoy the antics of the Rat Pack members and Soupy Sales. It's also notable that Soupy had a record deal with Frank's record label.
Here are a couple of fun notes from a commentator on the video. He stated that one of Soupy Sales' sons played in the band that backed up David Bowie. Also, his sons, Hunt and Tony, backed up Todd Rundgren, but I can't verify that.
with Brett Somers, Charles Nelson Reilly, Madlyn Rhue, Richard Dawson, Betty White, with host Gene Rayburn, and announcer Johnny Olson.
The Match Game (1976) CBS
This compilation includes segments from the videos above, as well as other rare segments. It also includes color segments from a more recent version from the late 1970s.
The Absolutely Best of Soupy Sales from Rhino (1979)
This is the first episode from "The New Soupy Sales Show" produced at KTLA in Los Angeles.
The New Soupy Sales Show (1979)
This was from the 1979 series and is a segment with Soupy and Frank Nastasi as "White Fang."
Soupy Sales with White Fang (1979) segment
What a lineup at WNBC at the time. You would have heard Soupy along with Don Imus, Wolfman Jack, and Howard Stern. This is Soupy's show from Memorial Day, 1985.
WNBC 660AM (1985) Soupy Sales
After his 3-year stint at WNBC, he did an interview on October 13, 1990, with Mike Fada at WABC, 770AM, New York.
WABC 770AM (1990) Interview Soupy Sales
The explanation of the "pieces of green paper with pictures of men" story and how it's connected with the origin of "The PTL Club" with Jim and Tammy, or was it?
Later With Bob Costas (1990) NBC Guest: Soupy Sales
How to watch Soupy Sales now...
Click on the "Jewish Life TV" logo above. It will take you to the Network page. Then click "LIVE" to see the program schedule. Then click on the "Soupy Sales" channel. Note: You may need to click Full Screen to watch. That's it!!! Laugh and Enjoy!