Walking into the studio for the first time in 1977, during the production of many “Uncle Floyd Show” episodes on UHF Channel 68, was truly eye-opening.
Who knew I’d be involved in at least 1,000 30-minute UF television programs, primarily as a director, throughout the years? Floyd Vivino’s nightly series was quite popular, and I was privileged to be a part of it.
It first aired on UA Columbia Cablevision in 1974, followed by WWHT-TV, Channel 68, and NJN-Public Television (now NJ-PBS). Today, 47 years later, I paid a visit to New Jersey entertainment icon and long-time friend Uncle Floyd Vivino for a meaningful talk and wonderful memories.
Unlike previous visits, I just had a little agenda on this day. “Let’s do an interview piece so folks know what’s going on in your world,” I said.
Floyd liked it right away. “Great idea, let’s do it right now.”
As many people know, Uncle Floyd is still recovering after a terrible stroke in 2023. Importantly, Floyd wants his fans and followers to understand how essential they are to him. And how much he still respects and supports his cast and TV crew now.
“We produced the shows without a script and never a rehearsal,” he told me. “Only the best performers and technicians in the business can do that.”
We continued our wide-ranging talk on a frosty morning.
Q: I know you are doing an Uncle Floyd podcast with eight episodes already in the can. What’s up with that? Why are you doing it?
A: For two reasons. It’s something unusual, and people requested it. The audience has been growing. To listen to entire episodes for free, visit… Jeff, tell them.
Q: So you have the weekly podcast, joining your other project, “This WAS The Uncle Floyd Show,” hosted weekly on Stage It by your former TV show cast member Scott Gordon. How is that going?
A: We play all of the old comedy parts and popular musical acts from 1979 to 1998. Fans and supporters are still eager to meet them today and join us every week. We have a date every Tuesday at 8 p.m.
Q: What are you missing the most during your recovery?
A: Live performance. I want my audience to understand how much I miss doing my live show because of my medical setback.
Q: Performing. You come from a theatrical family, right?
A: Yes. My grandfather, my mother’s father, worked in the Italian theater during the 1920s and 1930s. He performed in Italian-language plays. My mother wanted me to be a dramatic actor.
Q: A dramatic actor? What happened along the way that somehow turned you into Uncle Floyd?
A: I was a renegade, always determined to go my own way. And I am a comedy student. That is how much I love it.
As a child, I wanted to be a circus clown. “Take me to the circus,” I told my parents when I was very small. My brothers Jimmy and Jerry (who were in Conan O’Brien’s talk-show band and have worked on numerous other musical projects) were more disciplined musicians. I never learned to read music like they do. But if I hear a song once, I can perform it on the piano.
Q: If you had not become Uncle Floyd, have you thought about another career you would have liked?
A: Sure. History instructor. I’ve been fascinated by history my entire life. I read extensively, including the Bible.
Q: What are you thinking down the road, as you continue to recover?
A: This is not my final bow. But I have a long path ahead of me. This is real.
Looking back, working with Floyd over the years provided a wealth of interest, experience, and enjoyment to my life. Did I mention fun? Of course, it was all business as we shot five 30-minute comedy episodes every week in an eight-hour studio day. Right on Broad Street in Newark.
Floyd concluded: “Show Business is exactly that: a business. It should be handled that way.”