City of Legends

Legendary comic actor and comedian Soupy Sales passed away yesterday.  He was hip, ironic, silly, bold, articulate, intelligent and made me laugh when I was a kid.  Hell, he could still make me laugh.

I was honored to be included in a book with him, the AEI’s "Art & Soul".  Of the 49 other persons besides myself, living and dead, who were honored in that volume saluting outstanding creative artists from the State of West Virginia, he was one of a handful I really got a kick out of being included alongside.

His antics were sometimes the stuff of urban legends (yes, he did do the "green pieces of paper" stunt on television).  He hung with some of the hippest, smartest and trendiest of his time, people like Frank Sinatra guesting on his show, knowing that it would mean at least a pie in the face.  He played with the kids like a kid, and you can see elements of his pioneering work in the works of Pee Wee Herman and others who followed.

His earnest and engaging wit and style has been missed from television as he had been pressed off the airwaves by time, tastes and the clowns who don’t realize they are clowns.  Guys with last names like Beck, Limbaugh and Stern.

Gnight Soupy, we love ya and give ya a big kiss.