by G. Jack
Urso
Paul
O’Keefe brought with him to Hot Hero Sandwich an impressive resume. While
usually noted for his role as Ross Lane in The
Patty Duke Show (1963-1966), when cast as Ross, O’Keefe already had an
impressive Broadway background, including roles in the musicals The Music Man (1957-1961), Sail Away (1961-1962), and Oliver! (1963-1964). Prior to Hot Hero, O’Keefe studied music at the
prestigious New England Conservatory of Music, setting him on a long path in
entertainment.
In my
conversations with various Hot Hero
Sandwich cast members, O’Keefe’s experience and professionalism was
invariably noted. He brought great gravity and maturity to the cast of young
people, helping to anchor scenes, whether in broad comedy or more dramatic
moments. Cast as Ted, Hot Hero Café’s owner, he served the café’s teen
clientele as a slightly older almost-peer and reluctant role model.
Perhaps
O’Keefe’s signature role on Hot Hero
Sandwich was Stanley Dipstyck. With a paper bag permanently covering his
head, Stanley’s weird sartorial choice was never mentioned, let alone
explained. The psychological truth of Stanley’s complicated identity came
across in Paul’s subtle and eloquent performance. His Stanley character was
emboldened by his disguise — no longer shy but weirdly confident and resolutely
true to himself — the epitome of awkward adolescent confusions, conflicts, and
contradictions. Some may have assumed that Stanley was Hot Hero’s version of
comic Murray Langston’s creation, The Unknown Comic, a then-popular one-liner
Gong Show comic whose gimmick was wearing a paper bag on his head, but
Stanley’s bag revealed a much more resonant meaning. What teenager hasn’t
wanted to pull a bag over their head and just disappear? Though we never did
get to see what was under that bag, the audience knew that if we ever did get a
peek, we might see a little bit of ourselves.
NBC promotional photo (front and back) for Paul O’Keefe and
Stanley Dipstyck who actually looks a little frightening in this photo! (author's collection)
Tracking
down the Hot Hero alumni has been something of an adventure in and of itself.
Most have no social media presence or interact with it minimally. Yet, when I
do manage to get through, despite Hot
Hero Sandwich being only a very brief stopover in their careers, it is
obvious that they still retain a great love for the show and for the creators
Bruce and Carole Hart. After many months of dead ends, when I had almost given
up on reaching O’Keefe, I got a note from him (one of my attempts did get
through!) and he was only too happy to share his experience with the fans and
with the Hot Hero family.
In this
interview, O’Keefe shares with us how he got involved in Hot Hero Sandwich and the VW van he drives in the opening credits.
We also learn more about Ym and Ur, get some behind-the-scenes notes, and, of
course, learn more about our very own Stanley Dipstyck.
It’s a lot
of territory to cover, but don’t worry Hot Heroes, I got this one, shall we
say, in the bag . . . .
____________________________________________________
Ae13U: At the time of the series, it seems you
were partnered with Neil Kirby, appearing at least once January 28, 1980, at the West Bank Café which, for our readers who don’t know, was (and still is) a
pretty hot place for performers to appear. In fact, it had only been around at
that point for two years. Can you tell me a little bit about this performance?
Were you and Neil a regular act, and if so. what kind of things were you doing
in your performance?
 |
| From the Hot Hero Sandwich archives, an original O’Keefe and Kirby poster from their appearance at the West Bank Café (author’s collection). |
Paul O’Keefe: Neil
Kirby was a drummer and a very good friend. He and I played together in several
bands, and at the time that we played the West Bank Cafe, he and I were a duo,
with me playing keys, guitar and vocals. It just occurred to me that you might
not know I'm a musician! I can provide more detail on that if you wish, but for
now I'll explain that we played the WBC as one of many occasional dates we
played around the NYC area. We played popular rock tunes and some of my
originals. As you said, the club was pretty new back then. I was there to meet
with some friends recently and thought about that date. It was a fun gig,
except for moving our gear up and down the stairs!
Ae13U: How did you get involved with Hot Hero Sandwich? Did they catch your
act like they did with Andy Breckman?
Paul O’Keefe: I
auditioned for the show. There was at least one callback as well.
Ae13U: Why Hot
Hero Sandwich at this point in your career? Were you looking for a series?
Did your agent tell you to give it a shot?
Paul O’Keefe: An agent
submitted me for the project, and I auditioned at the time when casting for the
group was going on. I wasn't looking for a series and was doing theatre and TV
and radio commercials in addition to my music work.
Ae13U: This is an obscure question, but I have
to ask about the Hot Hero Van. How was it that you got picked to drive it?
Paul O’Keefe: I don't
know why I was chosen to drive the van. I was one of the older members of the
group, so maybe they thought that I wouldn't crash! I did have a full-size van
in real life, but I don't know if the casting folks knew that!
[Note: Series writer Sherry Coben believes
O’Keefe was selected to drive the van because he was cast as Ted, the Hot Hero
Cafe owner — and indeed, the café is where the gang ends up at the end of the
credits. Ted was envisioned as someone a couple of years older than the rest of
the Hot Hero Café crew, the guy who didn't go away to college after high school
and stayed in their hometown.]
Ae13U: I love the old Volkswagens, but that
van looked like it had seen much better days.
Do you recall what it was like to drive it?
Paul O’Keefe: It was
fun to drive. I think it had a stick, so I enjoyed that. My own van was a GMC,
which was bigger, but I think the choice of the VW bus was perfect for the
show.
[Note: For
background information on the opening credit sequence, please read Hot Hero Sandwich — Short Take on John
Nicolella, Consultant/Location Producer.]
Ae13U: Stanley Dipstyck is without doubt my
favorite character. There’s not a single teenager who hasn’t wanted to just
pull a bag over their head and disappear. How was it that you came to be
Stanley Dipstyck? It strikes me as the sort of role an actor might not want to
do because your face is covered – and I have to admit, I recall at the time it
took me a couple episodes before I realized you were the man in the paper
bag.
Paul O’Keefe: I'm
flattered that you liked Stanley! We had meetings at which cast members could
occasionally volunteer to play a character in a sketch. No one volunteered for
Stanley, so I was assigned to play him. I don't remember if he was intended to
be a running character, but the writers came up with some funny situations and
we made it work. As you mentioned, it had an appeal for teens and even those
who were no longer teens. I was a bit concerned about having the bag on my
head, but it didn't turn out to be an issue.
Ae13U: I was reading the script for Episode 1
where Stanley Dipstyck’s original name was Stanley Bunghole. This was one of
the writer’s scripts so I don’t know if the actors ever saw it, but were you
aware of Stanley’s original name?
Paul O’Keefe: I
remember that his original name was Stanley Bunghole, but I think it was
changed because it would have freaked out the censor department!
 |
| From the Hot Hero Sandwich Archives, the shooting schedule for Aug. 9, 1979. As intriguing as it sounds like, "The Dipstyck Love Story," didn't make the final cut. |
Hot Hero Sandwich Episode
8: The One about the Whale.
In this scene from episode 8, Stanley Dipstyck
tries to check out a book with a suggestive title by the librarian who
immediately confiscates Herman Melville’s classic work of whale hunting! This
is a good example of using the audience knowledge of something to make a joke
without actually saying the punch line. The topic of censoring school library books was unfortunately prophetic.
[Note: Series writer Sherry Coben wrote this
sketch which, ironically, given the subject matter, Bruce Hart fought an epic
battle with network censor Jane Crowley to keep the sketch in the show.]
____________________________________________________
The Eternal Dipstyck
No matter
what time period or bizarre scene the Hot Heroes find themselves in, Stanley
Dipstyck never tries to be anything other than what he is — awkwardly earnest. No
matter the situation he may find himself in, Stanley is always Stanley,
emphasizing his outsider status, as in these sketches from episode 9.
Hot
Hero Sandwich Episode 9: Stone Age Nightmare High
Stone Age Nightmare High [Scene: Pre-history,
when everyone’s name was Ugh.]
Teacher:
Please answer when your name is called. Ugh?
Ugh 1:
Here.
Teacher:
Ugh?
Ugh 2:
Here.
Teacher:
Ugh?
Ugh 3:
Here.
Teacher:
Stanley Dipstyck?
Stanley
Dipstyck: Here.
Hot Hero Sandwich Episode 9: Space Age Nightmare High
Space Age Nightmare High [Scene: The future, where everyone has a number for a name.]
Teacher:
Please answer as I call the roll. 6515?
6515:
Here.
Teacher:
6241?
6241:
Here.
Teacher:
7347?
7347:
Here.
Teacher:
Stanley Dipstyck?
Stanley Dipstyck: Here.
____________________________________________________
Ae13U: Regarding Ym and UR, do you recall how
you got assigned to play Ym?
Paul O’Keefe: I think
that Denny and I were tapped to play those parts. As you noted, there was a lot
of sly commentary that I enjoyed very much. I should point out that the writing
for the show was very well done. It gave us a lot to work with. Since they were
aliens, we had some latitude in creating bits for the skits. You may be
surprised to hear that physically the roles were very demanding. The spacesuits
had no ventilation, so they were very hot under the lights. The makeup was very
extensive, and needed to be worked on because we would be sweating it off. I
wish I could remember the name of our makeup lady, but she and her father (also
a makeup man) developed a special color and type of makeup for the aliens, and
she would work on us between takes. The bald cap also needed attention, but she
did a great job keeping us looking like we came from outer space!
 |
| NBC Promotional photo for Denny Dillon (left)
and Paul O’Keefe (right) as Ur and Ym (author's collection). |
[Note: According to Denny Dillon in her
interview with the project, the make-up was devised and applied by Barbara
Kelly, the daughter of Bob Kelly who founded Bob Kelly Cosmetics, a theatrical
supply company. Barbara Kelly would later go on to do the make-up for such
films as Fame (the movie), Three Men and a Baby, Birdy, Desperately Seeking
Susan, Big, Tootsie, The Purple Rose of Cairo, Star Dust Memories, and Ragtime.
All Ym and Ur sketches were written by Richard Camp.]
____________________________________________________
Ym and Ur Segments
- Episode 2: Cults, Countries, Football, War, Peace.
- Episode 3: Parades, Religion and Staying Young.
- Episode 4: Politics and Beauty Contests.
- Episode 8: Race, Slang, and Communicating.
- Episode 11: Parting comments. Going home with special guest stars producer Howard Malley as the alien dad and writer Andy Breckman (creator of the TV show Monk) as the Puberty Fairy!
____________________________________________________
Ae13U: I’d like to see if you recall anything
about the following clip, “Dealing with Death,” with Denny where
your character deals with his grandfather’s death. The key to the scene here
is that your character couldn’t visit his grandfather in the hospital because
it was just too much for him and he didn’t want to see his grandfather ill.
[Note: The scene of Ted (O'Keefe) dealing
with the death of his grandfather was written by Sherry Coben.]
Hot Hero Sandwich Episode 7: Dealing with
Death
The reason I recall this is because my
grandfather died the previous December 1978 and, like your character, I didn’t
have courage to visit him in the hospital and see him like that, so the this really connected with me. Do you recall anything about this scene? How, as an
actor, do you approach protraying such intense emotions?
Paul O’Keefe: I didn't
know that HHS was on YouTube, but since everything else is there, I should have
guessed. Thanks for the links, but I remember the skit you talked about very
well. We didn't do a lot of serious stuff, and I thought this was a good topic
for the show. I tried not to overplay it, but I hope that the feelings that
happen to us when we experience the passing of a loved one came across. I
thought Denny was particularly good in that segment. Sometimes actors can
intellectually think about the audience out there in TV land and hope that they
are moved, but we don't always get to hear from someone like you who was
directly affected. I hope it helped you cope with your loss.
 |
| From the Hot Hero Sandwich Archives, the shooting schedule for Aug. 7, 1979, when the “Ted’s Grandfather” sketch was filmed. |
Ae13U: Another small point to cover while I
have you, some of the cast remember whose Saturday Night Live’s cast member’s
dressing room they were assigned to during filming. Do you recall whose
dressing room you had?
Paul O’Keefe: I don't
remember whose dressing room I used.
[Note: Nan-Lynn Nelson had Laraine Newman's
dressing room, L. Michael Craig had Dan Aykroyd’s dressing room, and Vicky
Dawson had John Belushi’s dressing room.]
Ae13U: Regarding learning about the show
getting cancelled. There has been a mix of different responses. Some cast
members figured there would not be a second season, some hoped there might be,
and in one case, Vicky Dawson, reported Fred Silverman’s office told her there
would be a second season and her character was killed off on Another World
because of it.
You were a bit more of an industry veteran at
that point, so I wonder if you recall what your thoughts were at the time. Did
you have any contact with anyone at the network about a possible second season
or could you tell by the way things were going the likelihood of a second
season was small?
Paul O’Keefe: I don't
remember getting the word that we were cancelled. I had done enough TV by then
to know that sudden and unexpected death was always a possibility. The show had
a good time slot, but it was very expensive to produce compared to the ad
revenue that the network could charge for that time of day, so that may have
been a factor. I was very proud of the show and was pleased with my work in it,
but economics plays a large role, particularly in TV.
Ae13U: Did you have much contact with the
Harts during or after the series?
Paul O’Keefe: Both
Bruce and Carole were on the set nearly all the time, and they usually
participated in the meetings that we had with the writers. They lived in my
neighborhood, so I used to see them every now and then after the show was off
the air. In particular, Bruce would want to know how I was doing. I think he
felt like we were his kids, and I know he was proud of the show.
 |
| From the Hot Hero Sandwich Archives, the shooting schedule for Oct. 25, 1979, includes the Hot Hero Band taping the song "Ted's Grandfather," which was cut from the show. |
Ae13U: Finally, now that we’ve had a chance to
speak for a while, are there any stories about your time on the show that come
to mind you can share?
Paul O’Keefe: I haven't
thought a lot about this project for quite a while. I could wax on with
memories, but I'll try to summarize a couple of things that came to me as I
answered your questions. You might not know that in addition to being the home
of SNL, 8-H was originally the radio studio for the NBC orchestra. It had very
good acoustics for a TV studio, and I really enjoyed our music days. When Sister
Sledge played, the band prerecorded the music. They sounded awesome! It was a
terrific moment to listen to them do their thing. The ladies (real sisters)
were very nice and unaffected, and they sang beautifully.
HHS was my first experience doing improv,
and I learned a lot. Some skits were fully written, and we would rehearse them
with the writers present. Other times it would just be an idea or a draft of a
situation, and we would improvise on it with the writers and develop it in
rehearsal. I don't know that I was ever as good as some of the folks in the
room, but it was fun to help develop the piece, and the more I did, the better
I became at trying ideas and lines out as we worked. I have used those skills
many times since.
Ae13U: Thank you for your time Paul. You’ve
really helped put together another piece of the Hot Hero Sandwich puzzle!
____________________________________________________
Concluding
Thoughts
Paul
O’Keefe brought with him to Hot Hero
Sandwich a deep resume going back over two decades before the series to the
initial Broadway runs of The Music Man
and Oliver! (the same production with
the Monkees’ Davy Jones as the Artful Dodger). He treaded the boards with the
indomitable Elaine Stritch in Noel Coward’s last musical, Sail Away, and was a regular on a classic sitcom, The Patty Duke Show. Yet, O’Keefe didn’t
stop evolving as an actor. Prior to HHS, O’Keefe returned to Broadway in
dramatic roles in A Texas Trilogy:
Knights of the White Magnolia and A
Texas Trilogy: The Oldest Living Graduate (both in 1976), then expanded his
tool kit to include sketch comedy with Hot
Hero Sandwich, all the while working as a gigging musician.
To this
day, O’Keefe has continued to parlay his stage and musical experience having
recently served as the assistant musical director for the 20th anniversary tour
of Rent, as well as assistant conductor and playing the keyboards and guitar
for performances. Theater and the stage is more than just a vocation for Paul
O’Keefe. It’s more than just a calling.
In fact,
you might just say — with all due deference to Stanley Dipstyck — it’s his
bag.
 |
| The many faces of Stanley Dipstyck. |
____________________________________________________
How
Stanley Dipstick Taught Me to Be Proud of My Name
The abbreviation
“G” in my name represents my first name, Giocchino. Among Italians, at least in
America, this is an exceedingly rare name and growing up in the 1960s and 1970s
the name stood out like Stanley Dipstyck at a plastic bag manufacturers’
convention, so I never used it and went by my middle name, “Jack.” In fact, all
my school records omitted the name and none of my friends even knew about it. I
never knew or heard of or read about anyone with my name, until that is this
one Nightmare High scene with our very own beloved Stanley Dipstyck:
Hot
Hero Sandwich Episode 7: Nightmare High Excuse of the Week with Stanley
Dipstyck.
I can
still remember my excitement at hearing my name on TV for the first time. My
bizarre “Oh-my-God-Mom-please-don’t-tell-anyone” name, and that it belonged to
a famous composer, Gioachino Rossini! Then I found out my version of the name,
“Giocchino,” was misspelled by a well-meaning, but otherwise flummoxed hospital
clerk. It may be an unusual name, but a famous composer had the same name and I
heard it on my favorite TV show. So, maybe I wasn’t as much of an outsider as I
thought.
That’s how
I learned early on that representation matters. Everyone deserves a place at
the table — even Dipstycks.
● ● ●
