J. P. Patches

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J.P. Patches

J.P. Patches action figure
Format Children's television
Created by Chris Wedes
Starring Chris Wedes
Bob Newman
Country of origin Flag of the United States 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 entertainer Chris Wedes (born 1928). The J.P. Patches show was the longest-running locally-produced children's television program in the U.S., appearing on Seattle TV station KIRO channel 7 for twenty-three years, from 1958 to 1981[1] (twice a day for 13 years (plus Saturdays), 8 years mornings only, 2 years Saturday morning only; which resulted in over 10,000 hours of on-air time) The show was immensely popular in the Puget Sound area and southwestern British Columbia, Canada, not only with children but also their parents, who enjoyed J.P.'s frequent use of double entendre and sly subversiveness.[2] 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. The show was live, unrehearsed improv with an intense barrage of contributions from the off-camera crew.[3]

Contents

[edit] Premise

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 (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, 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.[2] The city dump was (conceptually if not in reality) the Montlake Landfill (which was a real city dump 1926-1966, 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).[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).[2]

[edit] Origin

Broadcaster Daryl Laub created the J.P. Patches character in Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA, but then left WTCN in 1955 for KSTP-TV channel 5 and Chris Wedes (pronounced WEE-dus)[7] took over the character from that point on. He brought J.P. with him when he moved to Seattle in 1958 to become KIRO News' first floor director.[2] In addition to the long-running TV show, J.P. made frequent fundraising appearances for local charities. He was also a common sight at Children's Hospital, visiting sick kids and promoting the work of the hospital.

Wedes continues to portray J.P. at public and private events, such as at the PNE in Vancouver in August 2007 and Roslyn Coal Miner Days in 2006, despite suffering from incurable (but in remission) blood cancer.[8] [9]

Before moving to Seattle, Wedes appeared on several WTCN programs. Besides J.P., his most notable character was Joe the Cook on WTCN's Lunch with Casey.[2]

[edit] Statue

An effort is underway to place a lifesize bronze statue of J.P. and Gertrude at the corner of Fremont Avenue North and North 34th Street in Fremont, Seattle, Washington.[10] Fundraising is well underway, with completion of the project hoped for August 17th 2008, the 50th anniversary of the J.P. Patches show.[11] The statue will be called "Late for the Interurban" by sculptor Kevin Pettelle [12] and will be approximately 250 feet west of "Waiting for the Interurban".

[edit] Famous guests

[edit] Merchandise

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

The book J.P. Patches, Northwest Icon, by Byran 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.

[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] Notes and references

  1. ^ HistoryLink Essay: Patches, Julius Pierpont
  2. ^ a b c d e Stein
  3. ^ (1) "OlyBlog, Evergroove Trivia pt. 37". OlyBlog.net (2005-11-13). Retrieved on 2006-04-21.
    (2) Wedes & Johnston; Hobson (ed.)
  4. ^ (1) Phelps, pp. 207–208.
    (2) Center for Urban Horticulture
  5. ^ Paynter
  6. ^ The Krusty Origin Debate
  7. ^ HistoryLink Essay: Patches, Julius Pierpont
  8. ^ “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> 
  9. ^ J.P. Patches.com.Co.Inc.Ltd.International (1647 [sic]). "J.P.'s Appeareances" [sic]. JPPatches. Retrieved on 2006-04-21. and licenses J.P. Patches merchandise. JPPatches (2005). "J.P. Patches". Home > Pacific Northwest Shop > J.P. Patches. Channel 9 Corporation. Retrieved on 2006-04-21.
    J.P. Patches.com.Co.Inc.Ltd.International (1647 [sic]). "Patches Pal News". 2006 appearances, inclusive.. JPPatches. Retrieved on 2006-04-21.
  10. ^ Latest statue news
  11. ^ Statue fundraising news
  12. ^ [1]

[edit] 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.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links