"Night People" who come on strong during the dark hours from 11:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m., already know about late night radio. Members of the "Day people's" society, however, as most of us are, may be missing a fascinating opportunity to explore the world of late hour listening.
The best example of this type of radio is found on station WOR. Beginning at 11:15 p.m. the King of the Night People, Jean Shepherd arrives amidst blaring trumpets. For the next 45 minutes, Shepherd reminisces about his Indiana childhood during the Depression, his career as an Army private and his early days in radio broadcasting.
Shepherd's stories about his high school years are especially interesting. One evening he told of how, as a freshman, he joined the football squad and after weeks of tough workouts for the "big game" he felt he was ready. He had become hard as nails. He was now a red-blooded he-man. Yet, amazingly his team lost its first game by a score of 70-0.
Apart from nostalgia, "Old Shep" holds forth on the burning issues of the day which include spotting phonies, and the evils of being a status-seeker. Shepherd is indescribable. One must hear him to believe him.
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