J. P. Patches

J. P. Patches
J.P. Patches
JPGertrude.jpg
J.P.Patches (right) and Gertrude in 2008
Format Children's television
Created by Chris Wedes
Starring Chris Wedes
Bob Newman
Country of origin  United States
Production
Running time morning / afternoon
Broadcast
Original channel KIRO-TV
Original run 1958 – 1981

J.P. Patches (full name: Julius Pierpont Patches) is a clown portrayed by Seattle entertainer Chris Wedes (born 1928). The J.P. Patches Show was one of the longer-running locally-produced children's television programs in the United States, having appeared on Seattle TV station KIRO channel 7 from 1958 to 1981.[1][2] The show was live, unrehearsed improv with rarely more than two live actors on screen (Wedes and Bob Newman) but with frequent contributions from the sound-effects man and off-camera crew.[3]

J.P. Patches hosted his show twice a day every weekday for 13 years (plus Saturdays), then for the next 8 years did the morning show only, and finally for the last 2 years appeared on Saturday mornings only—for a total of over 10,000 hours of on-air time. The show premiered on April 5, 1958, as the second program ever broadcast by KIRO-TV, the first being a telecast of the explosion of Ripple Rock in Seymour Narrows, BC. The show was immensely popular in the Puget Sound area and southwestern British Columbia, Canada, with children of course but also their parents who enjoyed J.P.'s frequent use of double entendre and sly subversiveness.[4] Two generations of viewers grew up as "Patches Pals", sharing the joyful zany antics of J.P. with their kids. At the peak of its run, the Emmy-winning program had a viewership of over 100,000 in its local markets.

After the TV show stopped airing, Wedes continued to portray J.P. at many public and private events over the years[5] despite suffering in later years from incurable (but in remission) blood cancer.[6] [7] In 2011, citing poor health, Wedes announced that he expects his final public appearance will be September 17, 2011.[8]

Contents

Premise

J.P. was the "Mayor of the City Dump", where he lived in a shack and welcomed frequent guests: Seattle boy scout and girl scout troops, various local and national celebrities, and his cast of supporting characters: Sturdley the Bookworm, Esmerelda (portrayed by a Raggedy Ann doll), Ketchikan the Animal Man (a sort of Jack Hanna character), Boris S. Wort (the "second meanest man in the world"), LeRoy Frump (a character obviously based on Art Carney's Ed Norton), Tikey Turkey (a rubber chicken), Grandpa Tick Tock (a grandfather clock with an elderly face where the pendulum would be), The Swami of Pastrami, Ggoorrsstt the Friendly Frpl (a one-eyed brown shag carpet), Miss Smith (a motorcycle riding delivery woman who told mostly awful jokes), Superclown (a JP like superhero), J.P.'s evil counterpart P. J. Scratches (per official site I.M. Rags), and J.P.'s girlfriend, Gertrude. Virtually the entire supporting cast, male and female, human or non-human, was played by the versatile Bob Newman.[4]

The city dump where J.P. lived is thought to be the Montlake Landfill, which was a real city dump from 1926 to 1966, but since 1972 has been athletic fields, a parking lot, and the Union Bay Natural Area of the University of Washington in the University District.[9]

ICU2TV

J.P. announced the birthdays of selected Patches Pals by "viewing" them on his "ICU2TV" set (a cardboard prop that created the appearance that J.P. was looking at you from inside your television). He predicted where a gift might be hidden in the child's house with amazing accuracy (perhaps with the never-mentioned assistance of a postcard from a parent).[4] The sound effect used was the same, distinctive ringtone of Cramden's "presidential hotline" telephone in Our Man Flint.

Famous guests on TV show

Origin

Broadcaster Daryl Laub created the J.P. Patches character in Saint Paul, Minnesota, but when he left WTCN (now KARE) in 1955 for KSTP-TV channel 5, Chris Wedes (pronounced WEE-dus)[1] took over the character from that point on. Wedes appeared on several WTCN programs. Besides J.P., his most notable character was Joe the Cook on WTCN's Lunch with Casey.[4] Wedes brought J.P. with him when he moved to Seattle in 1958 to become KIRO News' first floor director.[4] In addition to the long-running TV show, J.P. Patches made frequent fundraising appearances for local charities. He was a common sight at Children's Hospital, visiting sick kids and promoting the work of the hospital.

Statue

Late for the Interurban sculpture

On August 17, 2008 a bronze statue of J.P. and Gertrude was unveiled at the corner of Fremont Avenue North and North 34th Street in the Fremont section of Seattle.[10] The unveiling date was to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the J.P. Patches show.[11] The statue is called "Late for the Interurban" by sculptor Kevin Pettelle [12] and is approximately 250 feet east of "Waiting for the Interurban". The unveiling was attended by hundreds of Patches' Pals, including Washington Governor Christine Gregoire, Congressman Jim McDermott, King County Executive Ron Sims, and several members of the county and city councils; both Chris Wedes (J. P. Patches) and Bob Newman (Gertrude) were present. The event was emceed by Pat Cashman, and the keynote address was given by Wedes' 16-year-old granddaughter, Christine Frost.[13]

Merchandise and Videos

The J.P. Patches action figure is distributed by Seattle novelty dealer Archie McPhee.

The book J.P. Patches, Northwest Icon, by Bryan Johnston and Julius Pierpont Patches (Chris Wedes), (ISBN 0897167996) was released in 2002 by Peanut Butter Publishing.

In addition to the book and action figure, DVDs and tee shirts are available at the Channel 9 store.

  • Towey, Joe, director; in association with KIRO Television (1993). J.P. Patches. [Vol. 4, J.P's magic house] (VHS). Seattle: City Dump Productions. Performers: Chris Wedes, Bob Newman. B&W with color sequences, remaster of rescued original recordings c. 1960s - early 1970s.
  • Towey, Joe and Jones, Rich; directors; in association with KIRO Television (1992). The J.P. Patches Show. [Vol. 1, Gertrude reveals Superklown] (VHS). Seattle: City Dump Productions. Performer(s): Chris Wedes, Bob Newman & cast of thousands. Remaster of rescued original recordings c. 1970s.

Notes and references

  1. ^ a b HistoryLink Essay: Patches, Julius Pierpont
  2. ^ Longer running children's shows include The Bozo Show on WGN (1960-2000) and The Magic Window (1951-1994) on WOI.
  3. ^ (1) "OlyBlog, Evergroove Trivia pt. 37". OlyBlog.net. 2005-11-13. http://www.olyblog.net/evergroove37. Retrieved 2006-04-21. [dead link]
    (2) Wedes & Johnston; Hobson (ed.)
  4. ^ a b c d e Stein
  5. ^ such as at the PNE in Vancouver in August 2007 and Roslyn Coal Miner Days in 2006
  6. ^ "An ill J.P. Patches will appear at waterfront Halloween party". The Seattle Times. October 24, 2007. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/living/2003970131_patches24.html 
  7. ^ J.P. Patches.com.Co.Inc.Ltd.International (1647 [sic]). ""J.P.'s Appeareances" [sic"]. JPPatches. http://www.jppatches.com/shows.htm. Retrieved 2006-04-21.  and licenses J.P. Patches merchandise. JPPatches (2005). "J.P. Patches". Home > Pacific Northwest Shop > J.P. Patches. Channel 9 Corporation. http://www.jppatches.com/store.htm. Retrieved 2006-04-21. 
    J.P. Patches.com.Co.Inc.Ltd.International (1647 [sic]). "Patches Pal News". 2006 appearances, inclusive.. JPPatches. http://www.jppatches.com/jpnews.htm. Retrieved 2006-04-21. 
  8. ^ "J.P. Patches' last public appearance is Saturday". The Seattle Times. September 15, 2011. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2016210142_patches15m.html?prmid=head_main. 
  9. ^ (1) Phelps, pp. 207–208.
    (2) Center for Urban Horticulture
  10. ^ Latest statue news
  11. ^ Statue fundraising news
  12. ^ Kevin Pettelle | | Soul In Bronze Studio, Sultan Washington
  13. ^ McNerthney, Casey (August 18, 2008). "J.P. Patches, Gertrude honored with new statue". The Seattle Post-Intelligencer. http://www.seattlepi.com/local/375396_patches18.html 

Bibliography

Stein referenced Jack Broom, "The J.P. Generation", Pacific Magazine, The Seattle Times, 4 April 1993, pp. 6-11,14-17;
Bill Cartmel, "Hi Ya, Patches Pals", Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 11 April 1971, pp. 6-7;
Erik Lacitis, "Patches Understands – and Survivies", The Seattle Times, 23 February 1978, p. A15;
[no title], The East Side Journal, 31 May 1962, p. 3; Ibid. 14 May 1969, p. 19.

See also

External links


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