I will never forget the first time my grandma introduced me to Lamb Chop’s Play Along. I suppose I was at a vital time in my childhood, somewhere between a Barney and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles obsession. Perhaps she only threw a random channel on the television hoping it would entertain me and my little sister for long enough to cook us lunch. Whatever the reason, the two of us were completely mesmerized by the de facto puppet show, a decidedly different way to learn lessons of morality and kindness. Shari & Lamb Chop, a charming documentary cataloguing the life story of a wonderful woman with a bright worldview, brought me back to those times as a child, glued to the screen as Hush Puppy, Charlie Horse, and (our favorite) Lamb Chop would get up to all sorts of entertaining shenanigans. As much as I held an admiration for Lamp Chop’s Play Along, my minimal knowledge of Shari Lewis as a persona and influential television pioneer made this a fascinating documentary to watch. Whether popping in for a flood of nostalgia or just a glimpse of one of the sweetest women ever on TV, Shari & Lamb Chop contains a multitude of wonderful messages and vintage footage for any fan or newcomer alike.
Back in the 50s, women were not allowed the vocal freedoms on television that we see today. Their opinions on politics were not welcome, let alone commentary on gender norms and the like. Shari Lewis found a way into these difficult topics through the art of ventriloquism. Brilliantly told mostly through her own words in interviews over the years, Shari & Lamp Chop traces Shari’s journey deep back, all the way to the origins of her pursuit of comedy. Her father, once a musician for the city of New York, loved all things “nonsense,” and nourished Shari’s pursuit of her own passions. He did not use Shari as a simple assistant; rather, he took Shari under his wing, and taught her many tricks of the trade. Shari would open for him to longer and longer sets—and uproarious applause.
An eventual five-time Emmy winner, Shari built herself up into what she became. At the same time, she was always reinforced by her parents, who happily helped come up with project opportunities and ideas. The exploration of Shari’s life features some of the talking heads that most documentaries are wont to possess, including magician David Copperfield, Shari’s daughter Mallory, Shari’s personal assistant, and various figures influenced or inspired by her magnetism. Director Lisa D’Apolito also opts to explore the origins of ventriloquism, and the immense influence that Shari had over the television landscape. When she began, there was nothing for children to watch on TV whatsoever. When one of Shari’s many shows was cancelled, the network was ironically favoring cartoons over variety entertainment for kids—leaps and bounds from the place programing was at pre-Shari. By the time the iconic Lamb Chop’s Play Along came about, Shari had waited nearly three decades to get the show she deserved to have all along.
My personal favorite part about this documentary was not revisiting Lamb Chop’s Play Along, nor was it learning the intriguing backstory about the accidental way that adorable lamb puppet was snatched up in the first place. Rather, getting an open window into the persona that was Shari Lewis almost reawakens her beauty. Her impact on television may be the stuff of legend, but it was her kindness and singular viewpoint that made her an icon. Even amongst her personal struggles and rocky marriage, what Shari brought to the screen was herself laid bare. Sure, she was a perfectionist, but what Shari Lewis delivered in every iteration of shows was an openness and honesty that commingled with the life lessons. She faced ageism and a beast cancer diagnosis, and all manner of hardships. Yet, Shari Lewis just wanted to make people smile.
All good things must eventually end, and much is the same for Shari’s wonderfully varied career. The crowning moment of this documentary is seeing footage of Shari’s final performance. Performing a song titled “Hello Goodbye,” she quite literally says goodbye to her captive audience of millions. My grandma eventually gifted me with my own little Lamb Chop puppet, one which I loved and cherished for many years before sadly losing it during a Long Island hurricane. I had to say goodbye to Lamb Chop and to my grandmother, and Shari & Lamp Chop sent all those feelings flooding back in full color. I may not have my own Lamb Chop anymore, but I will always have the memories. That little puppet taught me so many things about myself. In the words of Shari’s daughter, we all have many characters inside us—Shari just gave them names and talked to them.
Shari & Lamp Chop screened at 2024’s Santa Barbara International Film Festival.
My favorite I always did love sherri n lamb chop they were so cute together n great entertaining