'Shari and Lambchop' film explores the cultural phenomenon and screens at Atlanta Jewish Film Festival

February 21st, 2024

Shari Lewis with Lamb Chop and her Emmy. (Todd Tillson Archive/Courtesy of the Shari Lewis Estate)

Only a few women had their own TV shows in the 1950s, and Shari Lewis was among them. “City Lights” host Lois Retizes was a young child in the late ’50s and early ’60s, and weekdays were a countdown to Saturday morning when she would watch Shari and the lovable Lambchop, the puppet who was Lewis’ alter-ego.

A new documentary explores the phenomenon of Lewis the puppeteer, ventriloquist, dancer, singer, educator and artist. “Shari and Lambchop” screens as the special closing night feature of the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival on Feb. 26.

Reitzes be there in person for a live discussion with the documentary’s director Lisa D’Apolito and Mallory Lewis, daughter of Shari Lewis and the puppeteer performing Lambchop appearances today.

In this interview, both D’Apolito and Mallory Lewis join Reitzes to talk more about “Shari and Lambchop.”