
Author Archives: Jack Shalom
Vanishing and Reappearing Coke
A lovely routine performed by magician David Schwartz on Penn & Teller Fool Us. He puts some great effects together and presents what for me was a very fooling set of magic.
More at DavidSchwartzMagic
Most Hated Expressions: Gary Gulman
Another very funny and odd comedy routine from Gary Gulman
More at Gary Gulman – Topic
Baby It’s You: The Shirelles
The Shirelles, one of the greatest girl groups of the 60s, had a hit with this song, co-written by, oddly enough, Burt Bacharach. The Beatles thought enough of the song to do a very good cover of it on their first album.
Thanks to YouTuber Nipstersongs1
A Creature Wanting Form: Luke O’Neil

A few weeks ago, I was happy to read a short story on the air titled “Thy Kingdom Come” by Luke O’Neil from his new collection of short fictions called A Creature Wanting Form. If you heard the reading, then you know that Luke O’ Neil is a powerful writer who takes journalistic impulses and turns them into sharp accounts of the present and near future world. I was happy to have Luke on the show as our guest.
Click the triangle or mp3 link above to listen to the interview with Luke O’Neil, as broadcast today on the Arts Express radio program, heard on WBAI FM NYC and Pacifica affiliates across the nation.
Word Perfect
It’s Been A Long Time Leavin’ You: Josh Turner and Allison Young
Josh is back from his vacation and teaming up with Allison Young again for this fun Roger MIller song
More at Josh Turner Guitar
House Party
Gary Gulman Talks Cookies
If you grew up in America eating scads of cookies, then I think you’ll really enjoy comedian Gary Gulman’s dissertation on the Oreo Cookie.
More at Gary Gulman – Topic
Don’t Look Back But It’s Our 9th Anniversary!

Great Balls of Fire and other exultations of exclamatory joy! Hoo-roo and hoo-rah! We made it by the skin of our teeth through one more year of daily posts. I hope they’ve provided some sort of diversion and interest for you. As is my custom, on anniversary day, I post what I feel were my favorite audio pieces of the year. I’ll try to keep the list short this time, a baker’s dozen, so that you can get a chance to sample the ones you missed or re-visit posts that you enjoyed.
Hey Guys, Watch This: Nellie McKay
Virginia Woolf’s To The Lighthouse
John Sayles’s New Novel: Jamie MacGillivray
“Shakespeare Without Tears”: Hamlet and the All-Seeing Surveillance State
Julian Assange In His Own Words
From Approximately Coast To Coast…
The Theater of Three Card Monte
Take Five: Guitar and Vocalese
Father and son Machado and Ulf Wakenius with a unique version of “Take Five” that turns out to be quite fun.
More at Filó Machado
The Actor’s Life: Mary Murphy

The SAG-AFTRA actors strike has now been going since July 14th, more than 3 months without a contract. We’ve heard a lot in the press from both sides about the seemingly intractable negotiations–when there are negotiations–but I thought it could be brought closer to home by talking with someone who our regular listeners know, having done so many wonderful readings and performances on Arts Express, the wonderful actress Mary Murphy.
Click on the triangle or the mp3 link above in order to hear my interview with Mary Murphy as as broadcast on the Arts Express radio program today on WBAI FM NYC and Pacifica affiliates across the country.
You Think You Got Problems?
Runnin’ On Empty: Jackson Browne
Monday Morning, Jackson Browne worries about a fuel shortage.
Looking out at the road rushing under my wheels
Looking back at the years gone by like so many summer fields
In ’65, I was 17 and running up 101
I don’t know where I’m running now, I’m just running on…
Thanks to YouTuber upfront27
Because What Good Is Exercise Without A Ruminant On Top Of You?
With A Smile And A Song: Barbara Cook
Thanks to David Kenney, who played this song on his radio show Everything Old is New Again today–I had never heard it before. Though the lyric is very Disney, the gorgeous voice of Barbara Cook makes the song something special.
Thanks to YouTuber BlondieJohnson
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Liam Walsh in the New Yorker
Grapes vs Grapefruits: Gary Gulman
The very original comedian, Gary Gulman, talks fruit.
More at Gary Gulman – Topic
Mary Tyler Moore Tells A Joke
MTM tells a joke, which really needs MTM to tell it…
Thanks to YouTuber Letterman
Pumpkin Preparation
You Don’t Count The Dead When God’s On Your Side
Monday morning, Joan Baez singing Bob Dylan’s “With God On Our Side.”
Thanks to YouTuber TimeToCastAwayStones
And Make It Snappy
Zach King Art illusions
More fun than a barrel of Bob Rosses
More at Zach King
Gary Gulman: The Life Changing $20 Bill
Funny stand up from Gary Gulman
More at Gary Gulman