Norm Nathan's Vault of Silliness with Tony Nesbitt

Welcome to this special episode of NNVoS.

Today’s treat is from sometime in June 1996.

The title? Traffic & Tabloids

It begins with two traffic reports. One from Jack Harte on WBZ and the other from Paul Drake on WBNW. Both are sponsored by…does anyone remember…The Wiz?! Nobody Beats the Wiz!

And now, Ladies and Gents its’s what you’ve all been waiting for…

Tabloid News Around the World and Beyond with Jack Harte on the Valiant Broadcast Network!

SO MANY STORIES fill the airwaves for nearly 3...

Welcome back to Norm Nathan’s Vault of Silliness. Today we have a DBG from May 30th, 1992 which shall be titled: Wolfie’s Waistline

Players:

Florence from NC

Wolfie!

Pete in Lawrence

Al from Framingham

Jack Harte in Traffic

Tony producing and playing in studio

Bdays:

Michael J. Pollard

Clint Walker

Winnona Judd

5/31

Clint Eastwood

Sharon Gless

Joe Namath

Brooke Shields

Norman Vincent Peale

T...

Is it warming up where you are? The month of May here in MA continues the NE Bipolar Spring we’ve been enduring.

One thing that has remained steady is the output on this here channel. That continues today with a DBG from May 26th, 1996 which I have titled: The Flirting Frenzy 

Players:

Peter James in Traffic!

Tom Howie producing and playing in studio

Frank Jammes! – No relation

Laura in Boston

Jim from Martinsburg, PA but calling from Boston

Evelyn in Quincy

Bd...

Welcome 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...

Let’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 5/8
Don Rickles

Toni T...

Xin 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...

Even 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

Bd...

Ahhhh, the oh so sweet sounds of the Spring Peepers.

Looking for love in all the right bogs.

Thanks 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 V...

I 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...

Today 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...

Good 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...

Welcome 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

L...

Thank you once more for all the support in our attempt to achieve the Listener’s Choice Award in the inaugural Podcast Tonight Awards.

Sadly, we did not win, but, as they say…and I do mean it, it was an honor to be nominated and make it to the finals. I’m looking forward to it increasing our reach, listens, subscribers and supporters. Again, always take that brief second to click on the Thumbs Up button while listening, subscribe everywhere and I’d love to hear from more of you in the comments. As always, your support...

Welcome to the maybe Award Winning NNVoS w/TN. It’s maybe because, as of this recording, I have not heard if we were a win/place/show or just a total loser in the Podcast Tonight Awards. I’ll let you know the good or bad news as soon as I do.

Let’s say helo to Malaysia, marhaba to Qatar & cómo te va? to Chile! What a nice surprise when checking the analytics after getting the Norch Studios and FuzzyWuzzyProductions up and running again after a weird computer issue. Lucky that I produced enough episode...

There’s still time to keep voting for NNVoS to win the Listener’s Choice Award at the Inaugural Podcast Tonight Awards! The Llnk to do so is below and in the bio. Voting closes on Feb 28th.

I do thank ya.

We gots ourselves a jumping DBG from February 29th, 1992 which shall be titled: Over Talking Over-talkers

Players:

Peter from BU

Paul in Stoughton

Jim from Springfield

Debbie in Wellesley

Tony producing and playing on the phone from MC

J...

All right Nathanites, here we are again for another exciting episode of NNVoS. Today features a DBG from February 17th, 1996.

It always seemed when Norm got very comfortable with a producer, they would leave and the whole process would start again. It was a tough situation because we lost some good ones. Sooooooo, because producer Ed LeClair was leaving for FL to possibly work at GulfWorld, I will title this, “The Incredible Mr. LeClair.” Norm and Ed discuss all that and the players are introduced. And there’s a whole lot of fun before they finally start the gam...

I hope you’re ready for this madness. Lots of laugh out loud moments throughout. Whatever am I talking about? It’s a DBG from February 7th, 1993, that’s what!

The title for this gem will be: The Rowdy Babe Radio Revue

We begin with a Show Open, Norm reads the Lottery Numbers and the DBG Theme.

Players:

Kristina in Hamilton, Ontario

Mandy also from Hamilton, Ontario

Chris from just outside of Reading, PA

Jodie in Hudson, NH

Tony producing and playin...

As promised, whether good or bad news, I’m here to update you on the Podcast Tonight Awards.

So, the shortlist was to be announced back on January 26th .

I received an email yesterday regarding that.

Here’s the latest: NNVoS w/TN was shortlisted to move on to the finals!

Winners should be revealed February 28th.

We are nominated in the Listener’s Choice Category.

What does this mean? It means our work is far from done.

The more you and I share, the greate...

This early February date brings us a DBG from early February 1994. The 5th to be exact.

Included here will be the debut of Emilio Marotta who, at the time, was in training. We also hear a traffic report from Jack BUT not for WBZ.

Let’s title this one: Exhausting Analytics

Players:

John in W. Roxbury

Helen

Libby from VA

Chris in MI

Tony producing and playing in studio

Emilio Marotta in training and first time playing

Ja...

Welcome back to NNVoS. We have a DBG from January 23rd, 1993 cued up and ready to go. Due to the age range of the players let’s title this one: Awesome Demographics

Players:

Glenn in Brighton

Michael from Chelmsford

Kerry from Fort Wayne, IN

Kristin in E. Bridgewater

Aaron Sawyer in traffic WITH Lisa Reichwein (1st time on the show)!

Sid Whittaker producing and playing in studio

Tony on the phone

Bdays:

Anita Pointer

Princess Ca...

“Salom” to Uzbekistan, “Howzit” to Zimbabwe and “Senga!” to Ethiopia. The International Fund for Silliness continues to expand its reach! Thanks for being here.

What’s on the docket today? Why it’s a NNS from January 21st, 1996, which shall be titled: Nathanized

We begin our adventure with Norm teasing the weekend’s upcoming guests and a shout out to yours truly.

Next, it’s a WBZ StormCenter Promo and then on to our guest, author Marybeth Bond…orrrrrr maybe not

Suddenly we are listening to some classic radio chatter between Norm and Lovell Dyett...

Let’s start off right away with the title for this here Ep number 270.

The ADHD Radio Free-for-All

I had to trim this up quite a bit as it’s really scattered, hence the name. We are all over the place but it certainly keeps things interesting and it’s nice to hear all the WBZ voices of the past.

By the scrawled dates on the cassette this is a NNS from January 16th and maybe February 25th, 1995.

It begins with guest Richard Smith (who sounds a lot like Fred from NJ) ta...

To kick of 2026, we will feature a DBG from January 2nd, 1994 which I have titled: The Deli

And there are a couple of reasons for that. Italian influences and some ahem, “sharp” commentary later.

Players:

Denise

Ed in Boston

Marie from Revere

George in Everett

John Kelly producing and playing in studio

Tony on the phone

Aaron Sawyer in Traffic

Bdays:

Jim Bakker

Julius LaRosa

Daniel Rostenkowski

Mond...

As we close out 2025, I want to thank our listeners, subscribers and supporters. I’m so very appreciative of all your support. And if you’re wondering, “How can I support this wildly entertaining rebroadcast podcast?”

You can join Patreon where I post exclusive content and episode previews and other silliness. Buy Me a Coffee is a great way to do so as well. It’s kind of like a tip jar but I’ve added monthly support categories where, if you choose, you’ll receive a special certificate when you choose an option. I’m tellin’ ya, this is heady...

This here broadcast is filled with stories. Whether from our guest or all the callers. It’s a good one to entertain you as do some last-minute shopping.

By the date on the cassette, it’s all from December 23rd, 1995, but there’s some peepers talk later in the show so we may have a splash of Spring,  1996?

Even if that’s the case the title shall be: A Merry Ol’ Broadcast

The Guest that night was Theresa Rice Engels author of “Just Before Christmas: Children’s Stories to Read Aloud.” Norm couldn’t find the copy of...

This is it. The final countdown. 

In just 3 days, on December 25th, the voting in the inaugural Podcast Tonight Awards will close. This is your absolute last chance to try and help Norm Nathan’s Vault of Silliness with Tony Nesbitt be part of podcasting history (well, that may be a little grandiose but hey, I’ll take it)! 

·       Final Registration Deadline: December 25, 2025 

·       Shortlist Announcement: January 26, 2026

·       Winners Revealed: February 28, 2026

I humbly ask for your vote and with your help we can expand the universe of Silliness to even more people.

The link to vote i...

Apologies for the double episodes but I was informed our little gremlin has returned where parts of the end credits are cut off. I have a work around and hopefully that will solve it again. Thanks for all the listens and views!

Now…

In honor of what would have been Norm’s 99th Bday (December 20th), I present to you a DBG from December 21st, 1991, which shall be titled: Duck…Under the Covers.

Players:

May or MAY-be not

Mike

Steve in Boston

Wolfie

https://tinyurl.com/2s3w5ye5

**RE-upload as the first was cut off before it ended.**

The Vault has given us another longer form episode so you can listen whilst you do your Christmas shopping, baking and/or wrapping!

It’s very possible that some of this may have aired in a previous episode. That occasionally occurs. Sometimes I can catch it and make changes. There are many tapes and some may be copies where dates were transposed incorrectly. Other times they are too good not to hear again. And if this is the case here…what a treat!

Befo...

Vote early and often!

Drawing from my personal archives of this beloved WBZ-AM talk show, Norm Nathan’s Vault of Silliness resurrects the warm and comforting voice of the Boston broadcasting legend, Uncle Norm himself. This podcast, which is curated by me, his former producer, Tony Nesbitt features a treasure trove of recordings from his time at WBZ. They are presented in their original, unvarnished glory. Listeners are treated to the authentic, analog charm of the broadcasts, complete with the distinctive hiss of tape and the occasional home-edited pause, all serving as a perfect backdrop for Norm's un...

Let me take a moment to inform all subscribers and listeners that I have entered NNVoS in a niche comedy category for a Podcast Tonight Award! You will see some official badging in places as well as hear an announcement. Hey, why don’t I play that now?!

The link is below to cast your vote!

I would be a just so darn appreciative if you would.

It is getting slightly more difficult to match dates and even some months with the current calendar. That doesn’t mean we are short on episodes, far...

Welcome back dear friends of the Silly. Today brings us a DBG from November 25th, 1994

Everyone is in fine form here so it’s a good one to listen to while you’re prepping your Thanksgiving dinner.

This will be provocatively titled: Two Virgins and A Doctor

Players:

Angela in Holbrook

Hank from Baltimore, MD

Anne in Portland, ME

Keith Shields producing and playing in Studio

Jack Harte in Traffic

Mike Epstein newsroom producing

Bdays:

A DBG from November 24th, 1994 graces the airwaves again with the title: Trending the Buck(ley…Jr)

And speaking of birthdays…A very happy one to my sister from another mister, Norm’s first born, Sonja Nathan Bradstreet!

Now back to our regularly scheduled program already in progress.

Players:

Jenny in Plymouth

Joe from Revere

Addie in Everett

Judy from PA

Mike Epstein in studio

Keith Shields producing and playing in studio

Jack Harte in Traffic

Welcome back all you lovers of the Silly. The next three eeks will feature DBG from the same date in consecutive years. Hang on…maybe the last week is off by a day, but I get high marks for trying.

Today is from November 24th, 1993, and will be titled: Bad Reception and Bad Jokes 

The upcoming week’s will be November 24th, 1994 and November 25th, 1994. Well, at least that’s what the dates on the cassette read. It can change once my copious-note-taking-while-listening reveals a different date and/or year.

Players:

E...

Welcome to Norm Nathan’s Vault of Silliness as we begin our SIXTH year! It truly is hard to believe. It’s a slow burn but we are spreading the good times all over the world. Here’s to another year of making people smile and laugh.

Speaking of the world:

The Ukraine and Iraq have successfully sought out some silly and have joined the list of listeners here in the Vault of Silliness.

Vitayu and dyakuyu, Ukaraine! And ‘ahlan ‘āmel ‘eīh to Iraq!

And I would be remiss if I didn’t thank...

This episode of Norm Nathan’s Vault of Silliness debuts on October 29th, 2025, which is the 29th anniversary of Norm’s passing which was on October 29th, 1996.

In keeping with that theme how about a DBG from October 29th, 1994? I don’t plan these things. Sometimes the universe works in mysterious ways. Keep sending those signs, Big Guy. I’ve got three recent examples to share on Patreon soon. One, was a wild one that you cannot explain as coincidence. So, if you’re interested in reading about them and other posts I’ve made, let your fingers do t...

Salamatsynarby: How do you do? To Kyrgyzstan! The Silliness is spreading and that’s a good thing.

AND a very Happy Birthday to the Queen of Cassettes, The Titaness of Tape, The Recording Ranger herself, Joan from Tewksbury! She is the provider of at least 90% of these episodes you’ve listened too. So, let’s all take a moment to thank her for her loving dedication to the silly and Uncle Norm. Love you, Joan.

This classic is from October 27th, 1991, which I’ve titled: Over-MAY-dulated

Players:

Maryellen in Braintree

May fr...

There are A LOT of languages in Nigeria, our latest country added to the analytics, but I’ll go with the following: Ẹ ǹlẹ́!, Bawo ni, Ndewo and How far? Just to name a few greetings.

Today we have a DBG from October 17th, 1993 which is titled: I’m a Fun Guy

This was a bittersweet time for Norm and me as there were shift changes and I was offered to be the full-time, in-studio producer for David Brudnoy. David and I had worked together quite a bit but it was on a fill-in basis. T...

Here’s a show from the very next night based on last week’s episode! We have ourselves a NNS/DBG/NNS from October 13th, 1996, which I’ve titled: Hollywood Confusion and believe me, you’ll see why as you listen.

First, I’ll give you all the callers throughout the NNS parts and some other details:

Note: There will be Makeup and costume time before the DBG begins

Joe

Deena from Ontario

A Caller with the most random question ever

Foxy Lady from Hyde Park - She...