I have this friend named Stu Shostak. That's him above in a photo with Stan Freberg. Stu does many things. He does warm-ups for TV shows. He's a TV historian and archivist and he produces special features about old TV for DVD extras. He also has his own radio station — Shokus Internet Radio — which I plug often on this site. I have been known to trek out to his little studio in Chatsworth, California and guest on Stu's Show, which is the signature program for the station. Each week on Stu's Show, Stu interviews someone who has made great contributions to the teevee medium. Often, they're folks like Freberg, Shelley Berman, Chuck McCann, Pat Harrington, Bonnie Franklin, June Foray or Tom Kennedy. And then when he can't snag a biggie, he has me.
He's now done more than 170 of these two-hour broadcasts. In the past, you had to tune in to his station at specified times to hear them. That is no longer the case. He's just set up a website that will allow you to download mp3 files of many episodes. If you're going to pick one to sample, I would particularly recommend the Shelley Berman one which aired on 9/3/08…but scan the listings and see what grabs you, then grab it. If you're interested in cartoon voices — either the history of the art or how to get into the field — there are some superb episodes about that. There are also discussions about sitcoms, game shows, animation, etc.
At the moment, downloads are free but you're far too decent to take something that valuable and not leave something in return. So if you download a show or two, use Stu's donation link and upload him some cash. It's the right and proper thing to do.
And don't forget! You can still listen to Stu's Show live at its appointed hour on Wednesday afternoons. This Wednesday, his in-studio guest will by Wally Wingert, a talented gent whose voice is heard on dozens of cartoon shows, including The Garfield Show, where he speaks for the cat's owner Jon and gets directed by Yours Truly. Directing Wally Wingert: Easiest job I ever had. The only tough part is that I have to finish the sessions in time for him to run out to his other job, which is announcing for The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. You can hear Wally talk about all this and more, this Wednesday on Stu's Show. I'll be listening if only to make sure he doesn't say anything which will cause me to fire him.