Shep spoke before a group of students to discuss writing and the arts. The lecture began at 8pm and was recorded by KCFR radio. A copy of this recording on a 10" reel of tape surfaced in 2022 at a local thrift store in Denver. Other than being located in Colorado and taking place at a University, there is no other identifying info.
Emcee says Shep has agreed to do a full performance next Tuesday in this same hall
Shep opens by setting the rules - "Keep your damn mouth shut while I'm working"
Referring to the University -"This is the greatest country club I've seen"
"How many have heard of me?" - silence
"How many are from New Jersey?" - silence
Shep describes how he works in many forms of medium, books, TV, stage
He talks about the Great TV commercials, Folk Songs being functional art
[15:00] In America, if you laugh at something you're not serious about it.
[16:00] Have an attitude toward yourself
[22:30] Storytellers are also artists, they draw well. He refers to William Steig and Gahan Wilson.
[24:10] I choose to express my stories as I see life
[30:00] A reference to the days of Og and Charlie
[44:50] Story of the commercial "Blue Water" in the john
[50:56] The real test of insight
[51:15] "out here in Colorado"
[52:54] Live on 10th st in West Village near Bleeker
[59:29] Life is a cosmic joke
[1:00] Wrap up - switch to Q & A
[1:07] Intos Leigh Brown and talks about wrapping up 2 year project for PBS which premiers this Dec 23. (Phantom of the Open Hearth)
[1:14] Says his shows are not live - he records up to 6 in a day.
[1:16] Mort Saul - had the depth of a butterfly
[1:17] Bill Cosby - Best performer, not the best material
[1:18] Lenny Bruce
[1:25] Gene Deitch - Shep says he hid drawings and storyboards for Deitch