January 18, 2009
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Soupy Sunday
SOUPY SALES on the "Green Pieces of Paper" fiasco
On New Year's Day 1965, miffed at having to work on the holiday, Sales ended his live broadcast by encouraging his young viewers to tiptoe into their still-sleeping parents' bedrooms and remove those "funny green pieces of paper with pictures of U.S. Presidents" from their pants and pocketbooks. "Put them in an envelope and mail them to me," Soupy instructed the children. "And I'll send you a postcard from Puerto Rico!" He was then hit with a pie.
Several days later, a chagrined Soupy announced that money was unexpectedly being received in the mail. He explained that he had been joking and announced that unreturnable contributions would be donated to charity. As parents' complaints increased, WNEW's management felt compelled to suspend Sales for two weeks. Young viewers picketed Channel 5. The uproar surrounding Sales' suspension increased his popularity.
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Comments (20)
((sigh)) THOSSE were the days! thanks.
Sandra
@adventofreason - I would have, too. But I would have kept the money! LOL
I don't remember this specific joke but it was a time of rebellion... but not for me - I always colored inside the lines in second grade. Perhaps this is why Soupy wasn't embraced by my politically liberal and socially conservative father.
OMG, I remember hearing about this . . . probably from my parents. What a riot. Funny thing is, I would have done it. Hahahaha
oki
That's funny! I never knew that before. I got back from Canada yesterday. I hate Canada.....I just do. I never look forward to going.
Never herd this befor but it sure is funny. How much does a minute of air time cost?
@saintvi - Being a "little" older than most people here, I remember it well. I thought it was funny, too! Thanks for the rec!
@SamsPeeps - Prolly happened before you were born!
@jillcarmel - For a little while.
Ah, the golden age of television! I vaguely remember the fiasco. My dad thought it was funny.
hahahaha!
LMAO I was unaware of this!!!!!
so he was in hot water
@buddly47 - yeah me too ...
@menskeet - Always felt better after watching Soupy yukk it up!
@jacksoncroons - He got it. And donated it to charities.
Wait, did he really get that money or was it a hoax?
@Ed_Kaz - I didn't realize Soupy is 83 now, til I watched this vid. Wow!
this is great ... i loved soupy sales!
Is it Soup yet?