J. P. Patches

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J.P. Patches
J.P. Patches

J.P. Patches (full name Julius Pierpont Patches) is a clown who appeared on the Seattle television station KIRO channel 7 from 1958 to 1981, after appearing for a few years on Minneapolis station WTCN channel 11 starting in 1953. He was hugely popular among viewers in the Puget Sound area and southwestern British Columbia, not only with children, but with their parents, too, who enjoyed J.P.'s frequent use of double entendre.[1] At a peak of its 22-year run, the Emmy-winning program had a viewership of over 100,000 in its local markets. When it ended in 1981, the show was the longest running, locally produced children's program in the U.S.[2] The show was live, unrehearsed, masterful improv with an intense barrage of contributions from the off-camera crew.[3] J.P. is still making appearances as of 2007.

Contents

[edit] Origin

J.P. Patches and Gertrude
J.P. Patches and Gertrude

The basic idea of the program was that J.P. was the "Mayor of the City Dump", where he lived in a shack, surrounded by his cast of characters: Sturdley the Bookworm, Esmerelda (portrayed by a Raggedy Ann doll), Ketchikan the Animal Man, Boris S. Wort (the "second meanest man in the world"), Ggoorrsstt the Friendly Frpl, J.P.'s evil counterpart P. J. Scratches, 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.[1] The city dump was (conceptually if not in reality) the Montlake Landfill (since 1972 athletic fields, car park, and the Union Bay Natural Area of the University of Washington in the University District).[4]

[edit] Patches Pals

J.P.'s fans were called "Patches Pals". Among their number were:

J.P. celebrated 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).[1]

[edit] Chris Wedes

Daryl Laub created the character but then left WTCN in 1955 for KSTP-TV channel 5 in St. Paul. Chris Wedes (pronounced WEE-dus) played the character from that point on, bringing him along when he moved to Seattle to he become KIRO News' floor director.[1] He continues to portray J.P. at public and private events,[6] and licenses J.P. Patches merchandise.[7]

Before moving to Seattle, Wedes appeared on several WTCN programs. After J.P., his most notable character was Joe the Cook on WTCN's Lunch with Casey.[1]

[edit] Videos

  • Towey, Joe, director; in association with KIRO Television. (1993). J.P. Patches. [Vol. 4, J.P's magic house] [VHS]. Seattle: City Dump Productions. Retrieved on 2006-04-21.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. Retrieved on 2006-04-21.Performer(s): Chris Wedes, Bob Newman & cast of thousands. Remaster of rescued original recordings c. 1970s.

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d e Stein
  2. ^ Beck
  3. ^ (1) "OlyBlog, Evergroove Trivia pt. 37". OlyBlog.net (2005-11-13). Retrieved on April 21, 2006.
    Verifiable attribution is needed.
    (2) Wedes & Johnston; Hobson (ed.)
  4. ^ (1) Phelps, pp. 207–208.
    (2) Center for Urban Horticulture
  5. ^ Paynter
  6. ^ For example, second half 2005: Bellevue Strawberry Festival June 25, 2005; Yakima Fruit Market October 15, 2005; Seattle Aquarium October 29, 2005; [and private engagements]. J.P. Patches.com.Co.Inc.Ltd.International (1647 [sic]). "J.P.'s Appeareances" [sic]. JPPatches. Retrieved on April 21, 2006.
  7. ^ JPPatches (2005). "J.P. Patches". Home > Pacific Northwest Shop > J.P. Patches. Channel 9 Corporation. Retrieved on April 21, 2006.
    J.P. Patches.com.Co.Inc.Ltd.International (1647 [sic]). "Patches Pal News". 2006 appearances, inclusive.. JPPatches. Retrieved on April 21, 2006.

[edit] Bibliography

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