The Best Show is the talk radio show; inimitably hosted by the wondrous Tom Scharpling (the self-proclaimed ‘King of Free Entertainment’), it consists of three hours of ‘mirth music and mayhem.’ A law unto itself, this is talk radio carved in stone by the fingers of giants. Each episode takes a part of Scharpling’s heart with it, his simmering personality coursing the veins of every moment. This is his show, and to hell with anyone who doesn’t like it.
Tom Scharpling and Philly Boy Roy getting along
Of all formats, talk-radio is the one most reliant on an exceptional band leader. Requiring someone with a strength of personality, character and self that allows them to take charge and lead from the front, and luckily for The Best Show, Tom Scharpling is a master of this. Simultaneously casting himself as herald, pariah and unknown trendsetter, his ability and utter commitment to his show could never be overstated. A man who knows his mind as the only certainty in the world, his deliberate, patient, mannered delivery frames his every word and sentence with a sense of spectacle. He isn’t using space to conceal a lack of content, instead carving space into stories, deliberately emphasising the purity of his vision. As you hear him pause to click on his mouse, keyboard or pen, one can almost feel his thoughts being rearrange to best deliver his thoroughly personal vision of the world. Ally this with a sharpness of mind that give his comments, compliments and criticisms come with a wanton, elegant sheerness. Scharpling’s ability to praise his idols, assault the undeserving and deliver everything in such an incisive manner lends him a certain arrogance, but one totally opposed to his actually rather humble and simply meritocratic view of life. And yet, much as Tom is the show’s anchor, director and father, the delightful callers, guests and drop-ins only serve to elevate the show even higher.
Tom, Wally Wackiman and the Zach Woliner he operates
An eclectic parade of personalities lay in wait for the weekly Best Show, mixing their own eccentric brands with the work of Tom, building the show into the truest definition of the word. First: the regulars, frequent callers of the show, who often ring in not with a specific tale or anecdote, but simply the will and ability to engage Tom over more than twenty seconds. Principal amongst these is Scharpling’s long time comedy stablemate Jon Wurster, who phones most every week as a recurring character or a new, ridiculous invention. Most frequent among these is the unbelievable Philly Boy Roy, a notably incompetent, foolhardy and self-destructive Mayor of Newbridge, (a fictional version of New Jersey).
Uh-oh, AP Mike in the house!
For those looking for straighter comedy, these interactions are the closest to jokes that the show gets, employing a very certain strain of silliness and growing sense of ludicrous idiocy that builds to an often baffling and hilarious conclusion. Many of the other regulars creep in fortnightly or so, with semi-mysoginist Spike, creep-slinger Larry D. Pervison and lovely Jason from Alabama all bringing a slice of unique repartee with Scharpling, bringing up their perspectives on life, for better or worse. Less regular again are the ‘famous’ guests, who call in, or contribute in person. More than just adding a hint of stardust, these luminaries bring another layer to the show, their presence in studio shifting Tom’s energy into a more giddy comedy than when alone. And finally, there is A.P. Mike, an alternately creepy, beset upon fall guy and conductor of behind scenes ceremony, bringing the show yet more magic.
It’s Vance!
The final group of players are easily the most bizarre, ludicrous and mind-boggling. Across many shows, the appearances of the wobbly, neurotic, decisively purple puppet Wally Wackiman (played by Zach Woliner) have been stand-out moments. His perfect voice, general uncertainty and delightful performance long making him a highlight of the show. Following this, puppet-path suitably paved, come Vance and Gary. Vance is a rather odd green creature who, when not endorsing Bose, or elucidating on all matters prog-rock sits in the corner of the show judiciously ignoring the enterprise. His fabric roommate is Gary, a hyper-active, ridiculous, joke-slinging and song-writing squirrel. Their utter madness, anti-Scharpling energy and preposterous voicing only made the show even more essential listening.
A rare sighting of Gary Tha Squirrel!
The best thing about them though? They’re never overplayed. Any other show would have them from minute one, their rare weeks off coinciding with huge fall-offs in listenership, but not the Best Show. Tom has no qualms understanding the ridiculous power of these ridiculous puppets, often saving them for the tail-end of the show, or using them for only a minute here or there. This implicit understanding of how to make a show a ‘show;’ the knowledge that elements so pleasingly ludicrous and silly can be but fleeting, is so well played that the whole show garners even more credit for Tom’s exemplary restraint and belief in engaging humour.
An invigorating mix of heart, hilarity and passion, Tom Scharpling throws his body and soul this show, turning it into something verging on the extraordinary. Never underthought, never lazy, never hyper-active, the show exists only to be the best it can be, coming pretty close to being The Best Show in more than name.
You can find The Best Show live on WFMU.org every Tuesday 9 ’til 12. Or on iTunes, or on WFMU.org as a podcast on Thursdays. Tom is over on twitter @scharpling as well as @APMike and all of the puppets are over there too. So go crazy, or stay sane, but certainly go listen to The Best Show.