Marvin Zindler on Letterman, October 14, 1982

By request: the consumer advocate from Houston sits down with Dave.

[@jerrirking]

I grew up watching Marvin. He really was a local celebrity. His Friday night restaurant reports were the best. We knew every restaurant in Houston that had SLIME IN THE ICE MACHINE. Great memories. Thanks for posting.

[@nickeybordelon4474]

Same..grew up watching him and his restaurant reports are legendary.. I had no idea The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas was based on Marvin Zindler shutting them down !!

[@dickfitswell3437]

"and there was sLiMe In ThE IcE MaChInE" That's a memory from growing up in Friendswood. Halfway between Hou/Galveston. Couldn't tell ya anything else about the news growing up but everyone remembers the legend, Marvin Zindler eye witness news. He was a good man and a great reporter

[@Jess1234]

I remember him

[@malcolmpalmer569]

Feels like ABC 13 KTRK-TV Houston went completely downhill when Zindler died.

[@bernardkellytenor]

A Houston Legend!!! I remember as a kid watching and waiting every Friday night for him to say "SLIME IN THE ICE MACHINE!!"

[@veronicabell6652]

Right?! ❤

[@RP-oq6hl]

Times like this gotta love the internet. Sitting here watching this in 2022. A true Houston Icon.

[@th5036]

Thanks for posting this - I interned at 13 back in '94. Marvin told me "If you want to be in television you want to be on THIS side of the camera not THAT side of the camera" at which point Shara Fryer (co-anchor) looked over and said "That's Bull$h1t! Don't tell him that! You do whatever you want to do". 25yrs later I still remember that conversation like it was yesterday. Marvin was a character and Shara Fryer was awesome.

[@dhansel4835]

I remember back in the 70's I made a service call at channel 13. The equipment was in the lunch room at channel 13. Marvin came by me and went into where the cook was working and it wasn't 2 seconds he exploded on what the cook was doing. Come to find out the cook was making chicken salad sandwiches in the sink. The cook did not have a bowl big enough so he just put a stopper in the sink and dumped everything in it and started working. Marvin passed me yelling and screaming. About a second later Ed Brandon the weatherman came around the corner and ask me what was going on. I told him what Marvin saw. Ed told me Oh my gosh I'm out of here. I finished up my work and left. That was quite an experience.

[@MyCatInABox]

That's hilarious 😂👍

[@CIAoperative-e9i]

I'm so very blessed enough to have grown up watching this man on my television set. He was so charismatic and full of life that you couldn't help but fall in love with him.

[@tuz0wils0n]

Hadn't seen this before and now I have "Marvin Zindler, EYEwitness News!" stuck in my head.

[@revinhatol]

SLIME IN THE ICE MACHINE

[@phil5301]

Htown LEGEND!!! When the news was REALITY TV for real!! 🔥🔥👍🏽

[@snotloutisagod2956]

I loved Marvin. At first when I moved to Houston in 1990, I didn't care for him but then as the years progressed, I came to accept him and always looked forward to seeing his weekly restaurant reports and him saying those magical words -- SLIME IN THE ICE MACHINE. He represented Houston very, very well, and he was a true legend in the city. I miss him so much. And it was truly an honor to see him being represented when he was on Letterman.

[@adamjosephelkhadem873]

Thanks again Don for uploading this. I'm from Houston, and actually had the chance to meet Mr. Zindler before he passed. This brings back some great memories.

[@netsurferx1]

@sboudreaux27 Probably disgruntled restaurant owners, if I had to guess.

[@kelliewaring9158]

I grew up listening to him. Good memories!!

[@mikehatem9570]

I really respected Marvin a lot. Instead of getting into his family's clothing business, he became a Harris County Sheriff's deputy, eventually starting the Consumer Fraud Division before he left the sheriff's department to join Channel 13. Marvin cared about the underdog, people that were cheated and pushed around-and I really respect his sense of morals and intolerance for public corruption that caused him to have the La Grange and Sealy houses of prostitution closed down. Rest In Peace, Marvin

[@brookebarber8509]

Here on October 6, 2023! I grew up watching this man, cracks me up to seeing this now. He was such an icon in Houston.

[@Mrgarlandharrell1]

Marvin Zindler was a BAD MAN!! Truly a classic.. Thank You

[@ricardocoleman6067]

I swear he looked like a pro wrestling manager.

[@blastbeatindustries3191]

He basically was. #OldSchoolHouston

[@JohnSmith-kz8yo]

He got his hair from the same place that Burt Reynolds and William Shatner did..lol

[@MovieMakingMan]

“SLIME IN THE ICE MACHINE!” I loved Marvin exposing businesses for not being clean. He did a great service for the Houston area. I saw him once while driving on Westheimer Blvd in Houston. He was driving a black Cadillac with very dark windows all around but I could see his profile and his distinctive silver hair.

[@scottlovesbarda]

So good! Houston Icon👍🏾

[@shineministries7]

When TV was great! RIP Marvin

[@michaelastorga3187]

Houston Legend. RIP 🙏

[@Plasmawarrior]

No one, NO ONE who saw Marvin Zindler laughed at him. When he showed up, everyone AT LEAST respected him. He either was the best friend you ever had or "We screwed up and we'd better fix it." I admit I never saw the movie or the musical. But I did see an interview between Zindler and Dom DeLuise years after the movie was released. It's one of the most fun moments you could ever have on T.V. It's worth watching. Rest in peace, Marvin and Dom.

[@JimVincent]

I've met plenty of Houston royalty, including Marvin Zindler, Mattress Mack, and Nolan Ryan back when he was with the 'Stros.

[@shineministries7]

AJ Foyt

[@humbleservant8624]

Long live all the Htown Royalty. Houston Texas! City of Champion's! Each and every person in Houston is A local legend ,Hero, King and Queen. God Bless Texas Back bone of the United States of America thank you for posting warrior cheers 🍻

[@bret9276]

Watching videos of him brings back memories. I definitely miss the older days.

[@iansg75]

5:01 - 5:02 Note to self: make new ringtone. :D Thanks for another quality upload Don!

[@MovieMakingMan]

Good idea! How can I make a ringtone for my iPhone?

[@MovieMakingMan]

What a treat! I didn’t know Marvin could twirl. He had such a great history. I wish they still made people like him.

[@GraveMistake1]

I miss Marvin

[@Bacopa68]

Sadly the old-style southern Jewish retail community culture of Houston shut down around the time Marvin Zindler died. I think the last Zindler's store shut down around 2001. Weiner's also sold off their locations in 2001, when I thought they were already out of business. Turns out Weiner's still had locations in underserved locations in the Houston area and many locations in small towns in East Texas and Louisiana. I was shocked backed when I lived on the edge of 3rd ward in Houston and a neighbor asked for a ride to Weiner's. What? And it it turned out there was a Weiner's there. Only good place to buy basic quality clothing in 3rd. But you really know if you understand Houston Old School of you remember Globe. And also if you remember the Blue Laws. Globe was closed Saturday and open Sunday. The stores were shabby but the merchandise was the same as elsewhere.

[@lindalowe8341]

I like that guy. I use to "twirl" too and haven't thought about it in years. I'm glad that he was not embarrassed because I think that is what Dave wanted.

[@robpshow2234]

Good old days rip Marvin 🙏 🙏🙏

[@lindakickliter9934]

Marvin is a character, but also a great help to Houston area people❤❤❤

[@mikeybikey5501]

It strikes me that he was embarrased to say the word whorehouse. Evidence of an honorable man of high moral character.

[@humbleservant8624]

In Deed Sir. Indeed cheers 🍻

[@DrLuke49]

Marvin was the rare sort of reputable gentleman who would have declined to go inside while all the other male freelance correspondents went wilding around inside.

[@strfltcmnd.9925]

ICE IN THE SLIME MACHINE

[@emailslopcr77mex]

"It was strictly a Burt Reynolds movie"....razor sharp commentary 👌 🤣

[@realSamAndrew]

Have a good weekend folks. Good golf, good tennis, or whatever makes you happy. MAAAARVIN ZINDLER, EYYYYYY WITNESS NEWS!!!

[@mvp9578]

Legendary

[@markstribling8711]

I ran around airline dr.when I was a kid.so I remember marv. Very well

[@madcarrots75]

omfg the baton!

[@vagabondroller]

Yup, broke two of his ribs and ripped his toupee off of his head like he scalped him.

[@jayvelasquez4695]

Legend 🤘🏽

[@Jess1234]

I was born that exact same day 40 yrs ago

[@jprz13]

Thanks Dave Ward🤪🤨😋

[@jprz13]

He gave Marvin the chance to audition,thanks Dave Ward

[@becbusman7721]

I sure miss Him ,

[@bigA-cy3he]

Straight outta Houston 🤘🏿

[@metro_via_transit]

R.I.P. to both legends

[@humbleservant8624]

Thank you

[@moncorp1]

Slime in the ice machine!!!

[@lesliemiros6743]

Marvin Zindler was one of my favorite news personality , along with Tom Skulking of WGN TV 9 News Chicago , the late Alec Gifford WDSU TV 6 New Orleans, Willard Scott from the Today show on NBC, various stations from LOS ANGELES , Dallas, Nashville, and even the late Ted Koppel .

[@MrRcethridge]

Inspiration

[@strfltcmnd.9925]

and this was before the t.s.a.

[@walkeredrick15]

I Love Marvin Zindler

[@Gblue162]

One of the last true journalists in Houston. Journalism is all but dead in Houston now.

[@aananimity]

Slime in the ice maker is the worst! Never go back.

[@edwardjnarrojr3135]

Ole Marvin ❤️

[@DanKirchner5150]

now i like him

[@dimitrikorsakov2570]

It's remarkable how much Dave's personality changed over the years. There was a very dramatic change at some point. Early on in his career he was very shy and at some point he became very confident, freer and looser and even intimidating. Just compare him here to him in the interview below, not even 2 years later and you can see a difference already kzbin.info/www/bejne/gne8h6aCnpeFrbc I remember reading a piece in (I believe it was) Rolling Stone where someone from the show commented on it and said that a change happened one night during a Don King interview. Does anyone know what the title of the piece might have been or whether Dave or anyone else has commented on this anywhere, because it's really an interesting change.

[@dongiller]

Very interesting; There were two Don King guest appearances between this Zindler clip (10/14/82) and the Viewer Mail clip (from 1/16/84): July 6, 1983, and November 28, 1983. I'll check out both shows.

[@dongiller]

I can't help wondering if the writing staff upheaval was a factor. Many writers left in the Fall of 1983, some for Lorne Michaels' "New Show" that debuted in January 1984. Replacing them were Sandy Frank, Matt Wickline (come up the Late Night ranks as an intern) Joe Toplyn, and Jeff Martin. And replacing Jim Downey as head writer (who also left for "The New Show") was Steve O'Donnell, who, for me, orchestrated Late Night's golden years.

[@dimitrikorsakov2570]

Hmm... maybe so. Incidentally, I remember a Don Rickles appearance in which Don kind of referenced this change in Dave. During the interview Dave kind of pokes fun at Don with a funny line and Don says: "When I met him he was a monk! Now he's getting off rippers!" For the life of me I can't seem to find that article. I think it was in Rolling Stone, but I'm not sure. Maybe someone else knows.

[@dimitrikorsakov2570]

Found it! It's in the third paragraph books.google.com/books?id=6O5EDQAAQBAJ&pg=PT205&lpg=PT205&dq=letterman+%22don+king%22+breakthrough&source=bl&ots=bZGVSJkwYL&sig=l2yhV34exSKnuCl_iBheV2mR2rw&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjo0vXu2JnbAhWILMAKHbzBCz8Q6AEIODAG#v=onepage&q=letterman%20%22don%20king%22%20breakthrough&f=false It's not clear, though whether it's addressing specifically what I'm talking about, the remarkable change in degree of confidence and assertiveness. I'd still be curious to hear of any instances where Dave or someone else addressed it, if anyone knows of any, because I find it so peculiar. I think normally people don't change and certainly not that drastically. Shy people stay shy, assertive and confident people stay such, in my observations.

[@dongiller]

Ah -- the hair line -- that was Don King's first appearance, from April 6, 1982. Blows that theory up.

[@bigroy38]

When Dave was underground cool.

[@strfltcmnd.9925]

Marvin would carry throw down cockroaches

[@robp3475]

I went to clear lake high school in the '80s who could forget this guy

[@emailslopcr77mex]

Is the sheriff LBJ?

[@ReignRoyale80]

Koolbeans

[@veronicabell6652]

He wears those blue glasses to hide the scars for getting the shyte kicked out him for exposing the chicken house. True story. The fact he hides why he needed cosmetic surgery when he had his face bashed in is interesting.

[@rudyiraheta80]

marvin zindler 11 eyewitness news

[@emopaws4271]

Channel 13

[@lesliemiros6743]

11 is KHOU

[@rudyiraheta80]

@@emopaws4271 has letterman been on abc

[@warnistt]

This turds team kicked our door in when I was a child ,and he was still a detective .Someone thought my dad matched the old Wanted by the FBI on tv at night and took his license plate down . They knocked on the door and when my baby sister answered they burst in knocking her down. Marvin was the last in the door after all was clear but still had his pistole in hand like he was some sort of badass .A punk ,to the bone .

[@somethingelse2814]

They gave you this great story! That's a gift. Use it. Don't be so sour.

[@warnistt]

@@somethingelse2814 Sour ? Naw ,just an accurate account of an egomanic showing his baboon butt after the fact and a personal opinion from this and other actions . Like the one that got him punched in La Grange It could have been a terrible story had my father reacted quicker to strangers kicking the door in and knocking my sister down and been shot . The fact that Marvin felt the need to come in with his pistol drawn after the fact was enough even for a child to see what a poser he was . You're right though bout the good story .but a 10 minuet investigation would have stopped the story entirely .

[@warnistt]

@@somethingelse2814 Just an honest comment on an ego maniac .

[@MovieMakingMan]

Marvin was a sheriff before being a TV personality. His background served him well when he was going after the bad guys in the restaurant business.

[@james5906]

I miss Marvin, Bob Allen, Ed Brandon we still have Dave Ward with us. That was probably the greatest local broadcast team anywhere in this country channel 13 Houston.

[@CaptainSpalding72]

Always wanted to be a broadcaster. I was born twenty years too late. Should have started in the 50s.