Podcast
Norm Nathan's Vault of Silliness with Tony Nesbitt
Hosted by Tony Nesbitt · EN
Norm Nathan’s Vault of Silliness will air the personal collection of the Norm Nathan Show for which I produced on WBZ-AM from 1989 until his sudden passing on October 29th, 1996.
Norm spent 50+ years in Boston Broadcasting working at WCOP, WESX, WMEX, WHDH, WEEI, WRKO, WMRE and WBZ. Whether news, talk or music…he did it, sometimes combining them all.
Many of the recordings you will hear were sent to me by a fan and friend, Joan McCool. Others are from my personal collection.
They will air as recorded, with the warmth an old, analog tape recording provides. Some with good, ol’fashioned home editing of the play/pause button. And ALL with the ever-comforting voice of Uncle Norm.
Thank you just so darn much for tuning in!
31episodes
Episodes
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Norm Nathan’s Vault of Silliness w/Tony Nesbitt - Ep 287 - Scrumptious Radio Treats
1w ago00:47:02Tap to summarizeWelcome back to another thrilling episode of Norm Nathan’s Vault of Silliness. On the docket today is a NNS from May 13th, 1996, which shall be titled: Scrumptious Radio Treats Steve Adams was producing. It begins with Norm asking the age-old question: Is it good news or bad that he would be there all thru the night? Norm was filling in for Bob Raleigh and had just come on after WBZ aired a baseball game. It was a weird time when BZ was making bipolar broadcasting decisions by airing random games no one cared about. It was most likely laying some groundwork to the eventual creation of The Sports Hub…maybe…as it only took another 10 years or so for that to materialize. We are joined by our guest: Perry “Perry A” Arledge, author of “People Are Just Desserts.” Are you what you eat? A reflection of choices in your lives? Are you sweet, wrinkled and dried up? Then you’re a prune. Get it? Well, you will. And it gets wildly interesting and philosophical. Another entertaining guest booked by yours truly and brought to life by the great interviewing skills of Norm. She takes some calls: Glenn in Brighton but it’s cut off Then someone I believe Norm referred to as Dayla? Bruce from Gardner An Unknown Caller Shirley in Dorchester Robert in Marlborough And another unknown Caller Post interview we move on with: Rick Alan who works for WPSX TV Ch 3 a PBS station in PA A Caller Another Caller And a snippet of a call with Robert from Everett! Ep 287, Scrumptious Radio Treats, melts its way to your ears…now.
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Norm Nathan’s Vault of Silliness w/Tony Nesbitt - Ep 286 - A Purrfect Broadcast
2w ago01:14:20Tap to summarizeLet’s see here listeners of the Vault of Silliness…we have a DBG/NNS from May 8th and 9th, 1994. Our title shall be: A Purrfect Broadcast Players: Dorothy from NJ The purring Jeanie in Hyde Park Barry from Worcester Stephanie at Brandeis, then Louis, then Rob, then Mike Man about Town Adam Wolf playing in Studio Emilio Marotta producing and playing in Studio Rob Floyd in Traffic Bdays for 5/8Don Rickles Toni Tennille Peter Benchley Alex Van Halen 5/9 James L. Brooks Albert Finney Back to 5/8 for some Dates in History: In what year did Alfred E. Newman appear for the first time on the cover of Mad Magazine? Coca Cola was introduced by pharmacist, John Pemberton in what year? Now I do believe this was from May 9th, if not, well I’m declaring it is now… We get an interview already in progress with…Pete Seeger! His book was “Where Have All the Flowers Gone?” And we hear two calls for him: An Unknown Caller And Charlene Other cool calls: Bob Bachelder Unknown caller Manny An Unknown caller with an issue And Glenn from Brighton Some nice Commercials fill our airwaves too: Riopan Plus Tony Randall & Jack Klugman in The Odd Couple live on stage at the Colonial Theater! Dave Dinger Ford and their amazing Red-Carpet Lease Johnson Drug and Office Supply in Waltham Norm read for the Vermont Teddy Bear Company and the Birthday Bear-gram Ep 286, A Purrfect Broadcast, rumbles its way to your ears in 3, 2 & 1.
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Norm Nathan’s Vault of Silliness w/Tony Nesbitt - Ep 285 - The Situation Normedy (SitNorm)
3w ago00:54:32Tap to summarizeXin Chào to Vietnam! Thanks for being here and adding to our audience in the Teen Canteen. Not only is this a throwback because it’s a DBG from April 23rd, 1995, but the birthday’s featured are as well. And with that knowledge let’s title this: The Situation Normedy (or ‘SitNorm’) Players: Jacque Jim in Pepperell Larry from Orleans The whispery Hope Schauer producing and playing in studio The whispery Keith Shields producing and playing in studio The romantically voiced Ken Newman in traffic Bday: Janet Blair Shirley Temple Black Sandra Dee Joyce DeWitt Valerie Bertinelli Lee Majors Warren Spahn Tony Esposito Jan Hooks Other silliness: Norm reads an AccuWx forecast Teases guest: Linda Rosencrantz co-author of The Last Word on First Names: The Definitive A-Z Guide to the Best & Worst Baby Names A post-game call: Jean on a car phone in VA Suddenly we will hear what sounds like a transistor radio being recorded on another device. Norm is in slo-mo at the start as we pick up his story of “‘playing’ for the Red Sox.” Lastly, we enjoy some brief Jack & Norm repartee and a hilarious commercial read for the traffic sponsor. And we gots some great Commercials: Silver City Ford, Hyundai, Coachman & Silver City Dodge Toyota A Bob McMahon voiced spot for a sleep study at Brigham & Women’s Hospital Bromo Seltzer with Richard Marinucci from Marlton, NJ Joseph Nailback of Susquehanna, PA for GB medicated Anti-itch CREAM Dave Maynard’s ready to cruise on the Big Red Boat with Premier Cruise Lines and Caitlyn Travel And the Great Sun Golf Cruise And now, ladies and gents, I give you…Peepers 2026! Ep 285, The Situation Normedy (SitNorm), travels its way to your ears, now.
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Norm Nathan’s Vault of Silliness w/Tony Nesbitt - Ep 284 - Hopping Down the PUNNY Trail
4w ago00:52:45Tap to summarizeEven though Easter was a couple of weeks ago, this is an eggselent episode. So good in fact that I have titled it: Hopping Down the PUNNY Trail It’s a DBG from April 18th, 1992 that starts with a silly drop in and then the world-famous DBG Theme by Linda’s League. Players: Louie from Medford John from Strausburg, PA Joe in Lynn Paula from Dracut Tony Nesbitt Producing and playing on the phone from MC Jack Harte in Traffic Bdays w/ALL the SFX: Barbara Hale Haley Mills James Woods 4/20 Jessica Lange Ryan O’Neal Dates in History: In what year was the Real San Franciso Earthquake (not the that one from 1986)? The first game played in Yankee Stadium was in what year? 4/21 Tony Danza Commercials: Therapeutic Triple Action Gold Bond with a triple hit of dry, itchy folks: William Santa of S. Bend, IN, Sharon Doherty of Reading PA and Sandra Harrod of Albin, TX The Club! And listen to all the now defunct stores. Frugal Fannies! WBZ Boston Marathon Contest Promo Post Game Call: Norma from the North End who comes to my defense! Ep 284, Hopping Down the PUNNY Trail, lops its way to your ears in 3, 2 & 1.
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Peepers 2026!
Apr 1700:00:32Tap to summarizeAhhhh, the oh so sweet sounds of the Spring Peepers. Looking for love in all the right bogs.
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Norm Nathan’s Vault of Silliness w/Tony Nesbitt - Ep 283 - The Insult-an of Sling
Apr 1500:51:15Tap to summarizeThanks for being here for this week’s slice of silly. We have a DBG from April 16th, 1994 which I have titled: The Insult-an of Sling Because of the insults that are slung Norm’s way…get it? It’s a play on the Sultans of Swing by Dire Straits? Thank you very much. Players: Virginia in Somerville Mary from Quincy Jack Harte Tony Nesbitt playing in studio Emilio Marotta – producing and playing in studio Bdays: Ellen Barkin Bobby Vinton Edie Adams Sir Peter Ustinov Dusty Springfield Jimmy Osmond Henry Mancini Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Ep 283, The Insult-an of Sling, mocks its way to your ears, now.
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Norm Nathan’s Vault of Silliness w/Tony Nesbitt - Ep 282 - The Unknown Peeper
Apr 800:51:49Tap to summarizeI am looking forward to venturing out to capture the sounds of the spring peepers 2026. For now, this episode will have to do with the vintage calls of Peepers featured throughout this NNS from April 8th & 9th, 1994. And speaking of calls, we take a bunch and many fall under the “unknown caller” designation, hence out title: The Unknown Peeper We dive right in with callers: Sally doing her impression of Barbara Streisand singing “Secondhand Rose.” A Caller asking about some of the game guests we have on. Eleanor from the DC area on why no 800 number? NO KIDDING!! Also asks her own TriBond question and you have to hear that one! Julie in MI And Dan from Abbington Moving on to 4/9: We have Lovell Dyett and Norm talking Peepers! And more calls: Unknown Caller Unknown Caller Monica from Nahant! And you guessed it, an Unknown Caller We are also treated to a couple of Musical Interludes, Norm telling us about upcoming guests such as: Jeff Pinsker with 20 Questions! Some dude who collects sparkplugs and another who will discuss clock making along with an Author Jamie Barnard with her book “First Films.” I should mention that we DO get to hear a little from both the Sparky and Ed Stone, the clock guy! Commercials are here too: Gold Bond with Eleanor Wallace of Xenia, Ohio And if regular GB wasn’t enough, we will hear from Peggy Pergola of Kannapolis, NC about Extra Strength Gold Bond Lastly, the eternal question is asked, “How Does Dinger Do It?” with Dave Dinger Ford in Braintree Ep 282, The Unknown Peeper, beckons its way to your ears in 3, 2 & 1.
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Norm Nathan’s Vault of Silliness w/Tony Nesbitt - Ep 281 - The Cliffhanger!
Apr 100:59:26Tap to summarizeToday we have a show that was marked as April 2nd, 1995, but April Fool’s on me as it was a NNS from May 14th, 1995. Hang on because this one is titled: The Cliffhanger! It begins with a local feature that was hosted by Dave Maynard called ‘The Other Side.’ What, pray tell was the subject you ask? How about some R-rated housekeepers? Yessiree. Sneak-a-Peak Topless Cleaning Service, located in S. Wayne, WI and owned by Vicki Henerdeson. You’re welcome. Now it’s Norm time with Emilio Marotta producing Callers: Julie answers a question and wins a Peeper Keychain! Michael talks about his DBG prizes and defended himself for a poor performance on Raleigh’s Quick Recall where Bob (and other callers) put him down Generosa! Gloria from Duxbury Jim in Hull Fred from NJ with another wild, true story! Paul Elwell! A local comedian who was possibly appearing at Sully’s in Gardner but is definitely doing 9 shows at the Comedy Stop at the Trop at Trop World in Atlantic City, NJ! An unknown caller Ruth Clennott with her entertainment report talking Harborlights, the amazing shows and the ticket costs and a cool Tony Bennett story And another Unknown Caller: Also included is this great highlight: Norm reads the AccuWeather Forecast and some news including The Boston Brewers Festival, Sting & Nancy Wilson receiving honorary degrees from the Berklee College of Music, U.S. Coast Guard Band giving a free concert down in Eastham, Bradford and Becker Colleges having commencements. Norm wishing to get a call from a small school to give the commencement address and receive an honorary degree. Maybe N.E. Barber School or a Pet Grooming School, N.E. Bartending School. And please stay tuned for Storytime with Uncle Tony after the show. Ep 281, The Cliffhanger, dangles its way to your ears in 3, 2 & 1.
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Norm Nathan’s Vault of Silliness w/Tony Nesbitt - Ep 280 - A Quick Hit from Some Nit Wits
Mar 2500:33:17Tap to summarizeGood gosh almighty, Episode 280 is broadcasting from the recently reorganized, plush but not overly ostentatious Norch Studios! This will be a quick hit of a NNS from March 19th, 1994, with the ever so clever title: A Quick Hit from Some Nit Wits It features quick chatter and choppy edits. A Jack Harte snowy traffic report with US AIR Shuttle as sponsor Moving on to the Norm Show Open and some guest info that we never hear from. Then Jack and Norm catching a train amongst more snowy traffic Callers: Caller: Poem about growing old Caller: with radio on in background Marie talking about her chihuahua, Peppe. Monica from Nahant! Asking the burning question: Was Sunflower a ‘used horse?’ Norm explains that is not the correct term. She also asks to write a note to Bob Raleigh to put a birthday in HIS birthday book. So why did she need Norm to do this favor? You’ll have to stay tuned to find out and it’s pretty funny and ridiculous. Wolfie aka Loco Lobo on a payphone And a quick call from Generosa and her cuckoo clock Other highlights: I join in studio with someone else who I believe to be Rod the security guard. We learn about the latest temperature monitoring technology. Norm mentions trying to remain on the air long enough to reach May 24th which would be his 50th Anniversary in radio! A barn burner rendition of ‘Hello Bluebird’ accompanied by some wacky band members Ever wonder what would be my epitaph? Well, you’re going to find out. I participate in a brief Academy Award quiz with that led to some talk about winners in different categories And Norm reads a sweet story of a 5th grade class from Oceanside, CA. Lastly, we hear some more teasers for guests we never hear from here, at least. John J. Moran creator of ‘Daring Passages – The Board game in a Bottle’ promo for following night Author Michael Rosen ‘The Kids Best Dog Book and Field Guide to Neighborhood Dogs’ Ep 280, A Quick Hit from Some Nit Wits, jabs its way to your ears, now.
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Norm Nathan’s Vault of Silliness w/Tony Nesbitt - Ep 279 - A Pot-o-Radio Gold
Mar 1800:53:51Tap to summarizeWelcome back and thank you again for joining us here at NNVoS. Today’s episode, a DBG, was originally broadcast on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17th, 1996. Why don’t we call this one…A Pot-o-Radio Gold. Players: Jimmy from Winthrop Marie in Quincy Jeanie from Hyde Park Bob in Peabody Tom Howie producing and playing in studio Ken Newman in traffic Bdays: Kurt Russel Mercedes McCambridge Patrick Duffy Danny Ainge Lesley-Anne Down Rob Lowe John Sebastian Events in History: What year did Eleanor marry Franklin Roosevelt? The Campfire Girls Organization was formed on this day in what year? In what year did the MA Legislature authorized the creation of the Wellesley Female Seminary (which became Wellsley College)? Ep 279, A Pot-o-Radio Gold, shines its way to your ears, now.
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