About this season
In these humorous and affectionate television poems, humorist Jean Shepherd celebrates America in all its richness and diversity -- from cars to candy, baseball to beer, motels to money. Each week a different aspect of our national psyche is explored as Shepherd travels to the Okefenokee Swamp, Death Valley, Milwaukee, the Old South, and other far-flung locations -- using the PCP-90 portable camera.
Episodes (10)
1. Mosquitoes and Moon Pies
Aired 16 April 1985 • 28 min
Shep assumes the role of Swamp Man, searching for his roots -- and a pickerel "so big you don't dare look it in the eye" -- as he visits the Okefenokee Swamp.
2. Filthy Rich at Last
Aired 30 April 1985 • 28 min
Shep enjoys a leisurely cruise on a yacht -- or as the old man would say, "a boat that doesn't do anything."
3. Bourbon and Major Wilkes' Rocking Chair
Aired 7 May 1985 • 28 min
Spanish moss...stately mansions...a mint julep, fine cigar and the rocking chair on the veranda...the best of the Old South comes to life when Shep pays a visit.
4. The Great American Tourist Trap
Aired 21 May 1985 • 28 min
Shep poses as an American tourist in order to learn more about the more popular vacation spots.
5. Cha-Cha Lessons on C Deck at 9am
Aired 28 May 1985 • 28 min
Shep boards the S.S. Emerald Sea in Miami in search of true romance.
6. Down in Death Valley
Aired 4 June 1985 • 28 min
Shep and his trusty burro, Flower, wander among mirages and cacti as they follow the trail of the 49ers.
7. The Devil on the Bayou
Aired 11 June 1985 • 28 min
Shep -- as the devil -- spends a weekend in New Orleans. You can see him playing chess...slurping oysters...or accompanying the Olympia Brass Marching Band on kazoo.
8. I Love Cars, So There, Ralph Nader!
Aired 25 June 1985 • 28 min
Shep supervises the assembly of his own Ford Mustang, then takes a lap around Indianapolis Speedway in a 1924 Dusenberg against racing great "Duke" Nalon.
9. Chicago, Chicago, That Toddlin' Town
Aired 2 July 1985 • 28 min
What's Chicago? It's the White Sox; Dave Garroway; the White Sox; Kukla, Fran and Ollie -- and of course, the White Sox. Chicagoan Studs Terkel joins Shep in a celebration of The Windy City.
10. Here Today, Guam Tomorrow
Aired 9 July 1985 • 28 min
Shep examines the life of a remittance man living off government stipend on the island of Guam, the island's local legends, its most scenic places, and the importance of family life to its residents.