Last week I met a man I’ve known for many years. He’s someone whose voice and laugh I could r
ecognize
even in a loud crowded room because I heard it just about every day for well over
a decade while commuting to and from Hofstra University, St. John’s Law School
and my first couple of jobs after graduation.
He’s also the guy who I think was the catalyst or inspiration behind the
creation of the acronym “LOL” because day after day after day as I listened to him
and his cohorts on the radio, I found myself literally laughing out loud at the
off color and sometimes filthy but hysterical jokes, bits and stories. But I didn’t feel like I was just listening
to a radio show, for that hour or so while I was driving in my Datsun 280ZX, I was
right there in the studio with them. I knew
these people…I knew their talents, their flaws, their vulnerabilities and the
things about them that everyone else made fun of. Their personal lives were completely exposed
and nothing was sacred. We all knew
where they grew up, what their families were like, what they did over the
weekend, and of course we learned about everyone’s eating and bathroom habits
and their sexual experiences. It was reality radio, the precursor to reality
television.
ecognize
even in a loud crowded room because I heard it just about every day for well over
a decade while commuting to and from Hofstra University, St. John’s Law School
and my first couple of jobs after graduation.
He’s also the guy who I think was the catalyst or inspiration behind the
creation of the acronym “LOL” because day after day after day as I listened to him
and his cohorts on the radio, I found myself literally laughing out loud at the
off color and sometimes filthy but hysterical jokes, bits and stories. But I didn’t feel like I was just listening
to a radio show, for that hour or so while I was driving in my Datsun 280ZX, I was
right there in the studio with them. I knew
these people…I knew their talents, their flaws, their vulnerabilities and the
things about them that everyone else made fun of. Their personal lives were completely exposed
and nothing was sacred. We all knew
where they grew up, what their families were like, what they did over the
weekend, and of course we learned about everyone’s eating and bathroom habits
and their sexual experiences. It was reality radio, the precursor to reality
television.
So
when I met Jackie “The Joke Man” Martling (head writer for the Howard Stern Show
for as long as I can remember) at The Space in Westbury, NY the other day, I felt
compelled to walk over to him, put my arm around his neck and say “Jackie…I
want to thank you…I want to thank you for making all those long and tedious years
of driving on the Long Island Expressway and Northern State Parkway not just tolerable
but incredibly enjoyable and memorable.”
“I also want to thank you for sharing your extraordinary gift of humor, laughter
and amusement with me and millions of other people.” “You gave us the
opportunity to escape from reality while we were held hostage in our cars.”
Jackie turned to me with a slight grin on his face and said quietly
“That was so sweet…Thank you for telling me that…It means a lot to me.” We shared a beautiful moment.
Jackie and I became instant friends and we’re now in the
process of developing a Long Island television show that will be filmed in
front of a live audience. We’re slotted
to be co-hosts of the show. It’s magic in
the making so stay tuned!
And BTW, “F” Jackie!
@JackieMartling
“Jackie’s Joke Hunt” on
SiriusXM Howard 101
Sat. October 19th,
Jackie “The Joke Man” Martling appearing
at the Great Neck Arts Center.
Limited Seating. https://www.facebook.com/events/276350565823415/
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https://www.facebook.com/EverythingLidiaInc@EverythingLidia
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