Beyond Vaudeville

Beyond Vaudeville was a New York City public-access television talk and variety program that aired from 1986 to 1996. Set in a cramped Manhattan public-access station, the show mixed amateur performers with celebrities who evoked nostalgia. It drew inspiration from *The Uncle Floyd Show*, *The Joe Franklin Show*, and Andy Kaufman. The host, Frank Hope (played by Rich Brown), was perpetually fidgety and nerdy. His co-host, David Greene, was a very tall man who always appeared angry, often seeming unwilling to be on the show, disliking Hope, and frequently looking away in disgust. Greene spoke in early episodes but grew increasingly silent later on, a pattern that continued when the show moved to MTV as *Oddville, MTV*.

Each episode typically began with an awkward live reading of the opening credits, after which Hope would display nostalgic or geek-culture items he had bought at stores or garage sales. This sometimes provoked Greene into violent reactions toward Hope. Guests included a mix of yesteryear celebrities and fringe figures, such as Tiny Tim, Bobby "Boris" Pickett (of "Monster Mash" fame), and Grandpa Al Lewis. The humor stemmed partly from Hope's earnest but clumsy interviewing style, contrasted with Greene's total disinterest and perpetual annoyance. The show also featured amateur singers, dancers, comedians, and local eccentrics, with the interactions between guests adding to the comedy. Various puppets would appear behind the guests during interviews, sometimes trying to annoy Greene.

Toward the end of many episodes, Joey the Dancing Monkey (played by John Walsh) would perform a skit or dance. Joey wore a chimpanzee mask, a long red robe, and oversized gloves, and his antics would inevitably annoy Greene, leading to a fight while guests looked on in horror or confusion. In 1997, MTV adapted the show as *Oddville, MTV*, keeping the same format but adding announcer Melissa Gabriel and a segment featuring a popular musical act played straight. To preserve the original show's oddness, guests and Joey the Monkey danced along to the music.

The program is considered a strong example of anti-humor, deriving laughs from its sheer weirdness and awkward moments. It is also credited with discovering Suzanne Muldowney, known as "The Underdog Lady," who later became a popular guest on *The Howard Stern Show*. The cast included Rich Brown as Frank Hope, David Greene as himself, and John Walsh as Joey the Dancing Monkey. Recurring guests included Lady Betty Aberlin (from *Mr. Rogers*), singer Izzy Fertel, professional nose-whistler Jim Grosso, Marilyn Monroe conspiracy expert M. Vinson Hayes, sci-fi expert Ronald Held, sci-fi collector Leslie Holcomb, interpretive dancer Suzanne Muldowney, female Elvis impersonator Dee Nack, singers Red Lightning, Stryker, Arthur Tracy, and Austin Velez, poet Chairman Steve, musician Tiny Tim, performer Trayman, and comic Neil Connie Wallace.