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Soupy Sez!: My Zany Life and Times
In the 1960's Soupy Sales was a national phenomenon with his whimsical, live TV show and the hottest record in America.
- GenresAutobiography
240 pages, Paperback
First published October 9, 2001
About the author
Soupy Sales
7 books1 followerSoupy Sales (born Milton Supman) was an American comedian, actor, and radio-TV personality and host. He was best known for his local and network children's television show, Lunch with Soupy Sales; a series of comedy sketches frequently ending with Sales receiving a pie in the face, which became his trademark.
From 1968 to 1975, he was a regular panelist on the syndicated revival of What's My Line? and appeared on several other TV game shows. During the 1980s Sales hosted his own show on WNBC-AM in New York City.
From 1968 to 1975, he was a regular panelist on the syndicated revival of What's My Line? and appeared on several other TV game shows. During the 1980s Sales hosted his own show on WNBC-AM in New York City.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 10, 2015
This was one of the better entertainment memoirs that I've read in the past few years. It doesn't hurt that it was written by a true American original like Soupy Sales. I suppose it's hard for kids today to understand Soupy's appeal, as it been nearly two generations since he was active on TV, but he was inventively funny...he did with improvisational humor what Frank Zappa and the Ramones did with music. And, most importantly, Soupy didn't talk down to.his audience. Kids and adults got the same amazing wit.
This autobiography covers all the stages of Soupy's long and successful career, from his early days in radio, his wonderful TV shows, his work on What's My Line, and his return to radio (between Howard Stern and Don Imus of all people).
A rare tale of a rare individual and that unique combination of talent and courtesy. There's also a pretty good listing of Soupy's TV and movie appearances in the back, for the OCD in all of us.
This autobiography covers all the stages of Soupy's long and successful career, from his early days in radio, his wonderful TV shows, his work on What's My Line, and his return to radio (between Howard Stern and Don Imus of all people).
A rare tale of a rare individual and that unique combination of talent and courtesy. There's also a pretty good listing of Soupy's TV and movie appearances in the back, for the OCD in all of us.
November 7, 2009
Funny stuff for myself and my age-mates (are there any of us left?). A nice recap of the Soupy we knew and loved. Some behind-the-scenes stuff. Also, the disabusing of long held rumors. For most of you, Soupy was the father of musicians Hunt and Tony Sales. For me, he was the guy you laughed along with, and a fond memory.
August 7, 2019
Soupy Sales loves to brag about himself--and this book is two-thirds him telling you how great he is, mixed with one-third of other people writing about him. Ironic that a book called Soupy Sez really has so much written by others and very little of him saying much about anything.
What's most surprising is how little he did nationally in terms of career. It's almost all local radio/TV or syndication. He overstates most of his successes and manages to claim he set records in just about everything he did, comparing himself to the Beatles at one point. It gets ridiculous hearing him try to claim he was the #1 show but then gets cancelled after 12 weeks for no reason. It just doesn't add up.
There are a few fun facts but he avoid his private life, thinks he did a good job as a dad even though his kids write that they didn't know him due to his emphasis on his career, and the long sections on local radio are dull for anyone who didn't live in that city. Skip it.
What's most surprising is how little he did nationally in terms of career. It's almost all local radio/TV or syndication. He overstates most of his successes and manages to claim he set records in just about everything he did, comparing himself to the Beatles at one point. It gets ridiculous hearing him try to claim he was the #1 show but then gets cancelled after 12 weeks for no reason. It just doesn't add up.
There are a few fun facts but he avoid his private life, thinks he did a good job as a dad even though his kids write that they didn't know him due to his emphasis on his career, and the long sections on local radio are dull for anyone who didn't live in that city. Skip it.
February 8, 2010
I love biographies and autobiographies from the early days of TV and movies and this one was just perfect. Soupy Sales' own story, interspersed with remembrances from friends and colleagues, gives a great slice of TV and radio history and will keep you laughing all the way. As I read, I kept looking up videos on You Tube--there are some gems, but sadly not a lot remains because in the early days of television, tapes were re-used and thousands of hours of footage have been lost, including Frank Sinatra's first appearance on Soupy's show. The tone of the book is conversational and light, with little information about Soupy's family life. (Honestly, as an adult there wasn't much--he admits that today he'd be called a "workaholic.") Highly recommend.
(In the interest of full disclosure, this is a book my company published, but it's an older title I did not work on.)
(In the interest of full disclosure, this is a book my company published, but it's an older title I did not work on.)
October 21, 2008
This book brought back lots of memories of Soupy's TV show.
June 24, 2021
As a childhood fan of Soupy and previous owner of his record album (sold it in a garage sale years ago, I know, what a dummy), I anticipated a fun book, it is short and a very fast read. However, it contained many passages by others, and did not share any personal thoughts. The most personal item was how he got his name, which I really enjoyed. That was about it. It was all about his career, and like many celebrities he does have a very healthy ego. It was still interesting, and I doubt there will be any other books written about him. At the end of the book a complete detailed list of everything he every did is included. I do have to find him in one of the movies mentioned.
While reading this book, two coincidences came up in one day…first of all, Soupy Sales is probably only familiar to a particular age group, his name rarely if ever comes up. Well, one of my Facebook friends mentioned him as an answer to one of those questions asking what kids today never heard of. The other was while watching a movie on a cable channel I usually never watch, a commercial for the channel mentions that The Soupy Sales show airs at 3 in the afternoon! I have yet to catch it.
While reading this book, two coincidences came up in one day…first of all, Soupy Sales is probably only familiar to a particular age group, his name rarely if ever comes up. Well, one of my Facebook friends mentioned him as an answer to one of those questions asking what kids today never heard of. The other was while watching a movie on a cable channel I usually never watch, a commercial for the channel mentions that The Soupy Sales show airs at 3 in the afternoon! I have yet to catch it.
March 31, 2021
Hilarious and candid? Yes. Also, a fine autobio of a performer and comedian who kept re-inventing himself. Suspect this was ultimately interviewer/ghostwritten - but Soupy poured a LOT of himself into this book, and I'm glad to have this entry on my bookshelf, permanently.
Still funny. Still great. The best mentor.
Still funny. Still great. The best mentor.
August 20, 2021
Fond memories
The life and times of Soupy Sales brings back all the good memories of my childhood. Soupy was a very important part of my growing up during the early days of television. I still enjoy watching the reruns 60 years later. Thank you Soupy for the wonderful entertainment all these years.
The life and times of Soupy Sales brings back all the good memories of my childhood. Soupy was a very important part of my growing up during the early days of television. I still enjoy watching the reruns 60 years later. Thank you Soupy for the wonderful entertainment all these years.
March 14, 2021
Not much about his personal life but a good run down of his shows and a telling of his rise to fame and popularity.
January 18, 2013
Brought back happy memories.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews