Reno Gazette-Journal from Reno, Nevada • Page 21

tteno Udzelle-Juui nai New York man seeks to keep torch lit for comedians Bob and Ray Spot-Welder and Wally Ballon. Mary Backstayge and I auicnce 1 echtenberger, Interstellar Jllieer Candidate. Who arc Bob and Rav During the 1 940s. ''50s and Bob and Ray the slight. ()(N, collectors for copies of old Bob and Ray shows, some of them taped by-people in their homes holding a microphone to a radio 30 or 40 years before.

Now, Josephson offers 1 6 different Bob and Ray titles (as well as a video produced by the makers of "Saturday Night Live" and a Bob and Ray T-shirt). Josephson's mailing list is Ray died in 1990. Bob, now 73, continues to work: For a time, he was a regular on Garrison Keillor's "Prairie Home Companion" and on son Chris Elliott's TV show, "Get a Life." Franken has cast him in his new situation comedv on NBC next fall. A catalog of Bob and Ray material is available by calling (800) producing a new series of radio shows hich would air on public radio stations? Bob and Ray liked the idea and back they went into the studio. They created 56 new half-hour Bob and Ray shows and once again found themselves on the air all over the country.

The warm reception to the shows led to two sold-out Carnegie Hall performances in 1 984. There was talk of a national tour, but by then, Ray's long fight with cancer had commenced. He wouldn't be able to handle the travel. But the success ofthe shows convinced Josephson that the appetite for Bob and Ray's material was not sated. They had no record contract.

With their permission. Josephson began marketing cassette recordings of the public radio shows. Then he began selling a recording ofthe Carnegie I lall performances. Finally, he began soliciting responsibilities was to organize a conference of public radio executives, which meant booking top-Might entertainment. Bob and Ray.

he figured, would be a natural lor ihiiCiowd. IU then, Bob and Ray were both in their late 50s and six years lemoved from their last regular 1 adio show (in New York's WOR. I he were still frequent guestson tele tsion, popping up regularly on late-night talk shows and "Saturday Night Live." But it was no lunger possible to hear them on the radio I hey readily accepted Josephson's in nation. Naturally, they were a smash, and as Josephson wakhed the radio cu'eutiu's laughing, something bee. line orn 1011s; I hese guys should si 1 be on the radio." I hen ait.

he saw was not dated in the least, Josephson called Bob and Ray nli a proposal. I low about Their material would be funny enough on paper, but they were masterful performers as well, each a dead-on mimic and also capable ofcreatingan amaing number of distinct voices. I hey are a seminal inlluence in my woik." says comedy writer A I ianken, ho modeled his Night I ie" I rankeii and Davis shtick on Bub and K.i I he ay they lelt stull unsaid 'I he timing between them. I he tradeoff ol being straight man am) funny guy. Ihe were hiilli.in! and loopy and really sni.ut without being intellectual.

I hey are heroes ol mine." And ol Josephson's. ion. Josephson stalled listening them 111 the 'dlKat a tune when lie was hinisell'achie my a measine ol lame on the radio in New mk its as host of a morning show on New York's VS I. a lell-lcaning, nonprofit outpost on the dial In I lVK I Josephson was still on the air. but he was also doing consulting work lor the Corporation for I'ubhe Broadcasting.

One ol his main CflJUHCREOLE DINNERS "BAILCyjT 4124 Kwllk Ion RnO'l-MIO friirrafl (Wtfm i $4.25 WKDAY SHOWS SATSUNHOLIDAY rw.wm i i w- rrvi mi f.il WlVtiCLUB MlGHlV DUCKS HIGH SCHOOL HIGH '( ar FLY JACK 'Mj-t3) 7Tfi.l?!ft THINNER ROMEO JULIET DKMSMlUSMn iPG-13) OMr, 44; FIRST KID PGi I TN GHOST THE DARKNESS SIN ill Sim Sum Si SLEEPERS (Rl 1W S4 S4: AWAY HOME 1PG1 EMEU DUO: The comedy team ol (above) and Ray, seen in this 1 988 has become the obsession of New personality Larry Josephson. wsra WHS x7h ivm, STARTING BEFORE SHOWS BEFORE www CtNTURY SHOWTIMES FOR TODAY ONIV THE EVENING STAR (PC 13) BEAVIS BUTT-HEAD OO AMERICA (PG13) 60 -11 .35 MY FELLOW AMERICANS (PG13) 12:30 2:50 45 9 ONE FINE DAY (PG) 7:30 10 10 THE PREACHER'S WIFE (PG) 11-45-2 25-4 05 DAYLIGHT (PG13) 7:15 9:40 THE ENGLISH PATIENT (R) 12:00 00 10 00 SPACE JAM (PG) 1:30 UJ PG-13 SEE THEATRE DIRECTORY FOR SHOWTIMES "Dkn.it VlHTKi IIoisto Liiiirr I Tin: MllKNIM. AMI W( A I HVvi Tnvr l'i; MoiiKKN Ku; I)kk To V.iiU,,w,. I IIIIIA1 clenzvl WASHINGTON SEE THEATRE DIRECTORY FOR SHOWTIMES NO PASSES COUPONS OR GROUP DISCOUNTS By Michael Ollove Tin: Hi iimoki: Sun NEWVORK First on Larry Josephson's agenda is an introduction to his toys. They spill from shelves and coffee tables' and box tops onto the floor just inside the front door of his Radio Foundation offices.

One by one, he picks them up to demonstrate: a radio in the form of chattering lips, slippers that make dinosaur noises and a pig that dances to "La Bamba." Best'ofall is "The Whipping Boy," a stricken-looking man with his head between Iiis hands. When Josephson Hicks the dial in the back, the Whipping Boy wails, "It was all my fault." Neurosis is funny, but then Josephson. once an iconoclastic radio personality in these parts, is himself proof of that. Within moments of meeting him, he volunteers that he is considering writing an article built around the notion that he wouldn't leave these Upper West Side offices, which double as his apartment, for a year. "In New York," he says, "you can get anything from Chinese food to a woman delivered." Josephson is bowline ball-shaped ith a nearly white beard, and he roams these rooms in a blue pin-striped shirt, tomato-red suspenders and slippers.

Clutter is all around him, and most ofthe clutter is hundreds of tape recordings and compact discs of old-time radio humorists Bob and Ray. Josephson is the world-wide marketing arm of Bob and Ray. Because of him, their sketches can still be heard 50 years after their radio debut. 20 years after their last commercial radio show and six years after Ray's death. Thanks to josephson, theircomedy is available on cassettes and CDs, and their vast array of loopy characters can still be heard weekly on 30 public radio slat ions across the country, witli at least a score of others getting ready to join the fun.

So, it is fair to say that Josephson is keeping alive Matt Neffer, Boy Closet From page I drawing is built using standard construction techniques. If you're not familiar with them, a quick look at a home improvement book should clear up any mysteries. The studs the vertical pieces arc cut from 2-by-4s and reach from the sole plate to the top plate, also 2-by-4s. Measure from floor to ceiling, then subtract 3 inches (each "2-by-4" is really 1-12 by 3-12 inches). The end studs should be fastened to the studs inside the wall, and the sole plate should be nailed to the floor.

"Toenail" nail at an angle to fasten the studs to the plates. The drawing doesn't give dimensions because you'll adjust them to fit your needs. If you do, don't space the studs too far apart. Sixteen inches is standard, and you could probably get away with 24 inches in a closet. Don't go beyond that; reduce the spacing and add studs if necessary.

In any case, don't neglect the header over the doorway. It's made of doubled 2-by-4s or 2-by-6s supported by trimmer studs and braced to the top plate by the cripples. It will carry the load of the door, and should be built as shown. When the framing is done, you can finish the closet with drywall or cover the frame with paneling and corner molding. Closet rods and supports arc available at hardware and home improvement stores.

You can cut shelves from plywood or particle board. Plastic or mesh drawers and supporting hardware also are widely sold, and much quicker and easier than making your own. 14.00 WEEKDAYS MATINEES BEFORE 5 P.M. (EXCL. MICHAEL On 2 screens: 12:40, 3:05, 5:30,7:55, 10:15, 1:05,5:55,8:20 Itg! 0 DYNAMIC Bob photo, York I ny.tiiiiiiiiiiRiin i The Preachers Wife (I'dl-jS.

Iintrilmtolln ttl I MUM, I'll Kl DIMKIIU llu M'tl HMUM I'll 11 till MMIH i.U I lU i Htl'vM www.movies.com Ud.TllllVVll'lJ'll'iaN 11 826-1737 1 Wmil'lil' I I I 2985 South Virginia! G9 0 0 G9 0 0 RANSOM is featured at SEE THEATRE SEE THEATRE DIRECTORY FOR SHOWTIMES adenoidal Bob Elliott and the deep-' voiced, bulky Ray Goulding were radio staples in just about every metropolis, village, backwater and truck slop from, as Bob and Ray would say "approximately coast to coast." Their most famous sketches parodied victims that are now long-forgotten, particularly radio soaps, serials and personalities from the '30s or '40s. But their humor was more generalized than that, Their real target was most often the media itself bumbling reporters who don't listen, interview subjects who don't merit the attention, commercial plugs for inane products the greatest name in flypaper" was a favorite), game shows that are contrived, fixed or just plain idiotic, and dramas in which nothing happens to anybody. Merc arc typical lengths for common garments. If you're not average size, check your own clothing. A men's extra large-tall parka, for instance, may be 10 inches longer than a medium.

WOMEN'S CLOTHING Long dresses 69 inches. Dresses 45 inches. Robes, coats 52 inches. Skirts 35 inches. Blouses 28 inches.

Suits 29 inehes. MEN'S CLOTHING Topcoats 50 inches. Suits 38 inches. Parkas 38 inches. Jackets 32 inches.

Pants (hung by cuffs) 44 inches. Pants (double-hung) 20 inches. Shirts 28 inches. ACCESSORIES Tics (doubled) 27 inches. Garment bags 57 inches.

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