When Playboy Found The Spirit Of Christmas | The Way I Heard It with Mike Rowe

[@PatSabins]

In 1982 or so, I was partner teaching second grade with a young man who also had a second grade class. Both of us had very young children and neither of us had ever heard of or seen A Christmas Story. A student brought the video tape in for the two classes to watch at Christmas time. He told us that there were some "bad words" and he would tell us when to turn off the sound. He did. We both laughed so hard at this movie, along with the 60 kids. As my own kids grew, we watched it on television every year. Now those grown kids and my grandchildren watch it every year. The story is timeless.

[@motonut007]

7 minutes in and I'm thinking about Paul Harvey and his lunch time pearls of wisdom. But this is Paul.

[@Able-Man]

I used to listen to Paul Harvey FREQUENTLY, while anchored up, north of Ft. Jefferson (Dry Tortugas), West of Key West, many, MANY mornings, maybe a half hour to an hour after sunrise, back in the early 1980's! We'd been dragging for shrimp all night, and just done eating "breakfast"; before catching several hours of Z's, to get ready for another night of work!!! ... "Good Day!" (...or was it: "And NOW, you know, the REST of the story."...?)

[@trwindianaoutdoors7996]

Paul Harvey is a legend and Mike Rowe should do a show on Paul Harvey and his life…

[@allenschmitz9644]

I'm thinking more in the line of Will Rogers. Humore.😢

[@DingusKhan54]

I do so love this channel. It’s the way media used to be.

[@brantleyhester6641]

When?

[@dannatartaglia2834]

I love this movie…and now I love it even more! Thank you for this, one of my favorites of your episodes.

[@joybranch-londesborough6617]

How wonderful! I've never heard this before. One of my favourites. I loved the way Jean Shepherd sounded, much as I love the way Mike Rowe does. ❤

[@josephbritton6010]

50:20 when he started talking about the nostalgia behind Shepherds voice, and how his ability to make me remember a time i never lived......its so true. My whole life, ive always wanted to do a 50s style Christmas. The decorations, the food, cabin in the woods where we take our tree down ourselves and decorate amd have a fireplace on Christmas day. Ive always wanted this, and it's because of this exact thing hes talking about. Nailed it.

[@helencantimagine]

And now I know why my late husband LOVED this movie. We watch it every year and have the DVD. This has been an interesting conversation, as always.

[@Jaysonmarky]

Yes Helen it's amazing

[@wallytjr256]

Mike, I just began this podcast listening on my phone while walking with a 35 pound (rucksack). Yes, I am following your example. I need to listen to rest later but I too LOVE Jean Shepherd’s stories. I have several of his books and have been a HUGE fan of THE GREATEST MOVIE OF ALL TIME since my family, sort of like yours, accidentally discovered the film on VHS in 1985. Anyway, I am looking forward to this one. Keep doing all you do Mike!

[@jerrybobteasdale]

Why listening to this episode, I was reminded again and again of Paul Harvey, ... and the Rest of the Story.

[@DROP_BEARZ]

This is magnificent. I don't know any other way to describe it. You are a treasure and a credit to humanity Mike Rowe.

[@bronsonwhite611]

How can Mike Rowe continue to top each episode? Bravo!

[@Critter145]

I simply cannot get tired of this podcast.

[@MichaelLakota-vc4tk]

Aaaah , Fragile’ … Must be Italian!!!😂😂😂😂❤

[@stephentucker4435]

WABI AM radio in Bangor, Maine picked up Jean Shepherd live. In the days before headphones or ear buds, I kept the volume down low on an old Crosley Bakelite radio with a broken speaker grill and lost sleep on many a school night. Fond memories! 😊

[@goober9983]

Missed that era of radio here. wish I could go to it. 😮

[@insydmyhedphotography7412]

Man, thanks Mike. I'm a contractor and listen to your show on the jobsite often. Today I finished hand texturing drywall with a huge smile on my face and a few outloud chuckles. Great story about great story telling! This episode made my day!

[@thims1961]

While Darren McGavin rose to wide spread fame with this movie I knew & loved his Horror Show Kolchak: The Night Stalker televised a decade earlier!

[@jesspryce5025]

As for always, Mike you have given us all a good story as we heard it. Merry Christmas. God bless always

[@MackMoore-q2n]

We had a old oil furnace in our hand dug basement that was always screwing up and to this day I can still hear my Dad yelling and cursing that furnace and his voice was booming through the air vents like a megaphone. Every time I watch the movie I can hear my dad and it just makes my day.

[@sweetbean9218]

Wonderful story about an even greater storyteller.

[@marcialavine1272]

I'm fairly certain that my grandfather knew Jean- he was also a ham radio operator. He even had a 30 or 40 foot tall tower antenna he made and put up in the side yard where the wires entered the house into his attic radio room. I remember being around 8 or 9 years old, quietly climbing the stairs, hoping he'd have the Radio Shack door open, inviting me to enter his sanctuary. I'd squeeze into the small space in the middle of mountains of equipment and I'd be given the honor of being allowed to sit with him up in that room late in the evening as he began calling out through the microphone, turning lighted dials with numbers and hash marks that remain meaningless to me to this day. The amplifier would come to life as it delivered squeels and whistles until he settled the wild thing down when he finally zoomed in on what he was looking for- one of the mysterious, ghostly voices I knew he would respond to, now coming through the wires from places like Chicago, San Francisco, Paris France, Edmonton Canada, northern Australia, Phoenix Arizona, Big Sur California, and many other exotic places around the globe which I will never be able to visit in life. The bumper-sticker sized strips of paper with letters and numbers on them tacked all over the walls and ceiling of his Radio Shack were the call signs of most of the other operators he'd made contact with over the years- so many I don't think even he was sure how many there were by the time he could no longer make it up those stairs to his sanctuary, and the room he then spent most of his time in was the sun room. It's where he would watch the Weather Channel on the television while napping before dinner. It's where he died, the day after Thanksgiving in 1991, sometime between 3 and 5 pm during his before dinner nap. I regret not having the patience or confidence to have allowed him to teach me to be an operator when I was young, but the memories of the magic my grandfather George Thole Sr. could manifest up in that tiny attic room filled with electronics that were new in the 1930s and 40s are still some of the best I can recall, even as I approach my 59th birthday next month. Merry Christmas, everyone.

[@QuentinSchultze]

Jean was a legendary ham operator. I recently posted a video about it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/naGokHihgst7oMU

[@Jaysonmarky]

Merry Christmas dear❤❤

[@sarahsummers9586]

Absolutely love the movie. Thank you adding to the story. So great

[@gsbguitarsgsb679]

That’s what has been missing in our lives, Paul Harvey and Jean Shepherd, the stories we grew up with that correlate with the stories of our own lives. This has been a fantastic episode as they always seem to be better than the previous one. TY…

[@andreadonovan3641]

Very interesting. Can't wait until it comes on. I watch 24 hours of a Christmas story. I do things around house, ever time I sit down to watch, it's always at a good spot.

[@joelbates6499]

1:36:34 Oh Mike! And Quentin!! What great things shared, what a great insight! Saving that one to the book of life how-to guide. Great conversation, great stories all around! Thanks guys!

[@josephbritton6010]

I had no clue where this story was going, and this just made my day. This is my all time favorite Christmas movie, and I cannot wait to tell my family about this next week. My son is now 10, and this is the first year where he's really payed attention and watching movies with intention, and watching all the classics has been a blast, but I didn't realize that, even though it's been on every year of his life, 1)he's only ever seen it on Christmas day, in the background. It's my tradition to watch it on Christmas eve, but hes always in bed for Santa 2) he has no clue what TBS, OR 24HR marathon was, it's always been streaming since he's been born. So, even though he's had 9 whole days of his life where it was on, he's never actually say down and watched. I've been waiting to watch it with him tonight. I had it planned, because I want him to see it and watch it without the distraction of Christmas day, but I have a hard time breaking tradition. I've gone 35 years of only watching this movie on Christmas. I watched it once in AMC when they did a Xmas in July thing when I was young, and it only depressed me, lol. So to have this episode come on my algorithm today, is almost too perfect. Sorry, this just really excites me lol. As a father and lover of all things Christmas and A Christmas Story, I just tend to ramble 😂 Edit: one of the biggest questions my son will ask after a movie is "is there ANOTHER ONE?" and now, I get to show him the movie I had to wait my whole life for. I don't care what anyone says, the newest film was good and I feel they did it justice.

[@Kathleen1212]

Thank you Mike Rowe, Merry Christmas

[@Jaysonmarky]

Merry Christmas

[@fearthehoneybadger]

Two terrible traumas happened to me in my youth. First, I found out that there was no Santa Claus, and second, I found out that professional wrestling was fake.

[@coolman6233]

Lmfao

[@mitch326m]

Wait!!! There is no Santa Clause 😢

[@nicknomad7698]

3rd you voted for obama

[@squiggyg.8415]

Wait till you find out the earth isn’t flat 😎

[@lincolnmorris528]

WHAT! WHAT ARE YOU SAYING, THERE'S NO SANTA? YOU HAVE ABSOLUTELY RUINED MY LIFE!!!

[@shereezoeller468]

There is a sheriff who lives in my complex, he is married, they have a leg lamp in their upstairs bedroom window. It comes out this time of year!😅

[@stevecasaus2398]

I think this is the best show yet!

[@arlysdavis3694]

I’ll never look at this movie the same way again, thanks

[@miriamquagliato1149]

Mike, this has been the most interesting, enjoyable, interview you have done! Thank you!

[@Able-Man]

Watched the ENTIRE dealio!!! (Thanks, Men!)

[@colson2110]

This was a great story! Thank you for sharing!!

[@HawkeyeMeyer]

Fantastic. One of my favorite movies.

[@unwokehillbilly4827]

Absolutely wonderful episode.

[@dpbrucks1]

my favorite episode so far!

[@Jaysonmarky]

Wow me too Very exciting

[@EVMacD]

Outside of Toronto is Niagaraon the lake and St Catharines Ontario. I was a teenager driving past the school where the famous tongue on the pole shot happened. Many people playing extras squeezing into the street…

[@ruthannfahrlander6194]

I saw the movie in 1983 when I was in HS. I didn't appreciate it at the time. My older siblings, who grew up in the 1950s, loved it. My family is from Cleveland and was delighted that the house debuted in the movie. My husband, who is from Chicago, also loves this movie. I look at it through a different lens now as I grow older. It is nostalgic, and reminds me of my parents and siblings who grew up in a completely different Era.

[@Jaysonmarky]

Yes right

[@swolodkin]

I really related to that movie and thoroughly enjoyed it. It also made me very glad that I secretly procured my BB rifle, hid it under my bed and did not mention it to my parents!

[@awger90210]

that was magnificient ... thank you

[@PapagouBoy]

I loved listening to Jean Shepherd. So much of what he did was weaving observational skills, wonderful writing and narrating, and even a dash of nostalgia!

[@afj3rd]

What an enjoyable time I had watching this video! thank you!

[@zekrk504]

Such a great stream!! Thanks Mike! 🌲

[@TimeSkipChapters]

⏱️ Timestamps by TimeSkip ⏱️ 00:00:00 - Introduction to the Show 00:02:04 - Duel in the Snow Overview 00:04:02 - DJ's Late Night Shift 00:08:36 - The Story of His Life 00:11:23 - Jean Shepard's Influence 00:16:42 - Teaching Storytelling 00:19:07 - A Christmas Story's Impact 00:21:53 - Jean Shepard's Storytelling Style 00:24:31 - Jean's Collaboration with Shel Silverstein 00:30:33 - The Philosophy Behind the Leg Lamp 00:33:48 - Male Obsession with Objects 00:37:51 - Jean's Unique Storytelling Approach 00:40:06 - Jean's Unique Studio Approach 00:43:10 - Understanding Bullying Dynamics 00:57:31 - Jean's Subversive Storytelling 01:00:08 - Jean Shepard's Advertising Struggles 01:02:24 - Seinfeld's Tribute to Jean Shepard 01:04:51 - Ralphie's Journey in A Christmas Story 01:07:04 - Jean's Life Lessons Through Film 01:09:50 - Randy's Role in Family Dynamics 01:13:09 - Symbolism in A Christmas Story 01:18:36 - Ralphie's Language and Consequences 01:21:34 - Ego and Self-Esteem in Artists 01:24:41 - Jean's Evolving Career Perspective 01:29:31 - The Significance of the Leg Lamp 01:36:47 - Life Lessons from Jean Shepard

[@immortaltyger1569]

Thanks!

[@bryanking2295]

We just watched A Christmas Story… watch it every year in December! I really enjoyed the newer A Christmas Story Christmas as well!

[@kllefty64]

Dr.Q was one of the best profs I had at Calvin...He's the real deal and an amazing guy!

[@70love71]

Thanks for another great episode

[@zammyb4535]

Absolutely loved this (as always). A Christmas Story was my dad’s favorite and we bought him a leg lamp ornament for the tree. NTM the interesting tie-ins with Shel Silverstein who was an author I loved in my youth. SO much here as always! TY!!

[@Mrs.T.Rusch25]

I love the leg lamp, collar pin

[@QuentinSchultze]

I have ball wearing it to "events." It's like introducing yourself as part of a fraternity. I got it at The House from a Christmas Story, which has an online store but also has great tours of the house where the lamp scenes were shot. I spoke there recently. Here's a video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/joOsmHehmbxpopY

[@stevewoodard527]

I read the first article Jean Shepard wrote for Playboy when it first came out (I'm pretty old), and enjoyed it enough to pass it around the dorm for others to read. Later, one of the people I'd given the article to sent me three compilations of Shepard's work, which I still have. The people who first heard of Jean when the movie came out were very late to the party. Either way, an interesting interview -- thanks.

[@John_Carder]

Jean Shepherd wrote for Car & Driver when David E. Davis was editor. When the magazine arrived, I always started with his column, then Jean Lindamood/Jennings, David E. Davis and finally Patrick Bedard. Davis appreciated good writing.

[@fredpickhardt6256]

I grew up my teen years listening to Shepherd on WOR

[@lynnsmith3112]

Very interesting show. Fascinating

[@KillerSpud]

Amazing stories. thanks.

[@richardmourdock2719]

I first discovered Jean Shepherd when he wrote articles in Field and Stream during the 1960's. Always he caused me to smile. As these recollections did today. And the reference to George Ade should please all Hoosiers, especially those in Newton County.

[@QuentinSchultze]

Yes, great stuff. And he wrote the Car and Driver column for quite a while. Q

[@PatsPurposefulPutzing]

The mention of George Ade certainly pleases Boilermakers who have a football stadium named after him

[@margaretdiprima3905]

Please never stop doing these!!

[@Jaysonmarky]

It's an amazing episode right 😂

[@josephbritton6010]

For anyone who may care, theres a whole Jean Shepherd channel on KZbin. They have hundreds of hours of different recordings from his WOR days, including this exact story theyre talking about. They have him reading the full story, and the shortened Christmas eve version that went more with what became the movie. Hes got such a great radio presence and I feel the original podcaster lol

[@donnaanderson5479]

This podcast is fantastic. I love the movie “A Christmas Story”, have watched it for years, and this was very entertaining. Thank you Mike 😊👍🏼

[@IdahoCat]

This was so interesting. I watch this movie every Christmas!

[@nicknomad7698]

Perfect

[@therrdon1841]

Great show (as always), and so informative. I really enjoyed the deconstruction of "A Christmas Story." Mr Schultze was a very engaging guest.

[@buffysheffield1328]

Love the lamp, Merry Christmas! Don’t go trying to lick any frozen metal stuff or shoot your eye out! 😂😂 Beware the drones! 😂😂😂😂

[@deafleopard6428]

Great episode

[@johnduffy6546]

Mike Rowe is a broadcasting genius

[@QuentinSchultze]

Amen. Q

[@kenyongray2615]

I have to admit that I have never watched the complete A Christmas Story movie. Maybe this year will be the year. Mike is great.

[@debidooize]

Awesome interview and topic! On not using real cuss words, I find it makes it SO much more entertaining! Fuuu...dge! It reminds me of my dear mother-in-law and father-in-law who were Texas transplants from Indiana and found it so relatable (they're no longer with us). We all watched it together every year at Christmastime since the mid 80s. A Christmas classic! Nice getting all the insight from the author!

[@Jaysonmarky]

Yes I love it too

[@Jims_Camera_at_dawn]

So much information and all of it fun.👍👍 ☕️☕️🎶🎵🎶

[@robviousobviously5757]

bravo...

[@joelwiemken3046]

This made me think of the great Englishman P G Wodehouse.and his writing.

[@tenriques4444]

I so enjoyed that

[@Able-Man]

¡¡¡FRA-JEELAY!!!

[@brianlong163]

Great episode!

[@mikem4672]

This might even be better than Mike talking with his Mom 🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗

[@friendlyone2706]

My entire life until watching this: Full of beans = You're as jumpy as a Mexican jumping bean. Not once did I equate with explosive flatulence. This episode is so educational.

[@Jaysonmarky]

Yes I liked it too

[@bungalowlogic7676]

What's the German term Mike uses at 50:26 nostalgia for a time you never knew? I love it, want to make it my new motto

[@Pittie21]

OUTSTANDING! 🥳BTW: Sweetheart Soap

[@Schitzafriendly]

I've got a leg lamp by my front door. It goes in the front window every Christmas Eve since my old man first brought it home as far back as I can remember.

[@JohnCamerota-jg6wt]

What a great interview.

[@sarahvanregenmorter6949]

I know Quentin...rather Professor Schultze...from back in the early 2000s Calvin College (now University)! Great teacher, great writer!

[@Jaysonmarky]

Yeah amazing right

[@cindikidd8830]

So Interesting!

[@cammieg4381]

I *never* knew Jean Shepherd was a male! 🤣 Fantastic interview Mike! 👍

[@stephentrudnak8440]

There is a Jean Shepard - female singer. His name is Jean Shepherd. 😊

[@cammieg4381]

@@stephentrudnak8440 Thank you! Correction made.

[@FredPriest-ud6cu]

If you lived near the period & put yourself into Ralphy's mind set you may enjoy it better...

[@wojohowitz5432]

wow, each of these episodes is so much better than most University classes.

[@rockchicavids]

The best interview ever 👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@BoBierman1]

Great episode as always 👍💗

[@karenbrunette6314]

Great interview/podcast

[@maxjames8764]

I was 13 when this movie was released… Watched it in the theater 41 years ago.

[@Croak1]

Ironically, I've never seen the movie. Was deployed overseas when it first released. I've seen some clips, that's about it.

[@rainsilversplash4376]

Wanna do overnight in media? Try overnight board op for a network, meeting every local break to the second, and THEN have to do a one hour live show to intro the morning crew!

[@adelarsen9776]

Jean Shepherd on Amateur Radio. Brilliant story.

[@nomusicrc]

I will never see this movie the same again

[@elizabethmckay812]

Could listen to your fantastic voice read anything and/or everything including the instructions to ANY IKEA furniture build, vehicle instruction manual OR adverse medication reaction warnings!!!

[@rdf256]

1:06:04 This concept of a pre-pubescent child coming to grips with the real world in a semi-fantasy way reminds me of a staple of my childhood: Patrick F McManus.

[@gmccrarygm]

OUTSTANDING!!! MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY!

[@bmarshall80]

You can take the professor out of the classroom, but you can't take the classroom out of the professor. This is fascinating

[@FromthehamshackwithNJ4Z]

I know Quentin... from his Ham Radio exploits. I have been on the HAM channel a few times... great guy!

[@rammuchewicz8045]

Tenth grade book report, I selected "Skut Farkas and the Evil Mariah" from my new copy of playboy. Although I had read other things from better sources, I just could not clear my mind of this installment. My newly minted male English teacher immediately recognized the story, from the magazine on his coffee table. He induced me to bring the magazine to school, when I did, I had to give a class reading of the original story, followed by my report. This young teacher then interviewed me, and actually quelled my embarrassment, making a point that if one is willing to look, one can find great literature in even uncommon and unexpected places.

[@friendlyone2706]

At 54: (about) the guest talks about how Hollywood elites never watch their own stuff. Immediately I'm reminded of Galaxy Quest where the main stairs watch the cute little aliens and are ready to approach the "obviously" loving little creatures. In a nick of time, the New Guy stops them with the warning something bad was about to happen, and protested "Don't you ever watch your own show?" (or something close to that. Shultze is right about memory!)

[@QuentinSchultze]

Thanks for sharing! Q

[@friendlyone2706]

@@QuentinSchultze Thank you for letting me see one of my favorite Christmas movies is a way so enlightening I can feel intellectually snobbish while giggling at the "trophy wife" that the commoners around me will see only as an ugly lamp.😁 (Or, since he is married, the trophy mistress? If so, he's lucky it lasted one night.)

[@Scout4x]

I have a leg lamp and a leg lamp Christmas tree ornament.

[@aca948]

The vocab on Mike!