'Mr. Chicago,' (longtime columnist) Irv Kupcinet, dead at 91

Chicago Sun-Times ^ | 11.10.03 | NEIL STEINBERG

[mhking]

Kup in his office at the Sun-Times in 1994.

Kup and his wife Essee.

[mhking]

This is one of those ones that lets you know you're getting older. I have plenty of memories of watching Kup on television in Chicago as well as reading his work.

He was a Chicago legend...

Just damn.

If you want on the new list, FReepmail me. This IS a high-volume PING list...

[Charles Henrickson]

Kup was always such a part of the scene all the years I lived in Chicago (1953-84). Kup's Column, Kup's Show, broadcasting the Bears' games with Jack Brickhouse, his segments on Channel 2 News--he was all over the place in the Chicago media.

[Lovergirl]

This is such a shock to me. R.I.P Irv.

A sad day for sure. :[.

a former Chicagoan

[BlueElephant]

My first post. I grew up near Chicago (Niles)and used to love Irv. He will be missed.

[mhking]

I unabashedly stole one Kup's television catch phrases during my radio journeys: "The lively art of conversation."

That's how he described his television program, and the phrase has always stuck with me.

He was one of the good guys, cut from the same cloth as Len O'Connor, Studs Turkel, Herb Caen, and Mike Royko.

They don't make 'em like that any more, and I wish they still did.

[Charles Henrickson]

If I had to pick three people who defined "Chicago" for me during my growing-up years (the '50s, '60s, and '70s), they would be:

1) Mayor Daley
2) Jack Brickhouse
3) Kup

[PoisedWoman]

I grew up on Kup, a great and interesting man. Like you, I feel far away from my childhood reading his obit. May you fly with the angels, Kup. He's probably interviewing them now.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Welcome to Free Republic
I grew up near Diversey and Harlem
Left Chicago in 1971 but still remember Irv

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Your list would match mine!

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

PING

[mhking]

He's probably interviewing them now.

Indeed. Probably already has a new version of the Pump Room's Table One for him to operate from...

[mhking]

Your list would match mine!

And mine as well (with probably someone like Ray Rayner a distant fourth)...

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

"I have plenty of memories of watching Kup on television in Chicago as well as reading his work."

Me too!

[mhking]

My first post. I grew up near Chicago (Niles)and used to love Irv. He will be missed.

I was born and raised in Gary; and my brother and his wife are living on the South Side now.

If it's in your blood, it's in your blood.

Welcome to FR.

[Charles Henrickson]

The fourth guy on my list would be Frazier Thomas. But that whole WGN stable of announcers/performers (Carl Greyson, Jack Taylor, Cliff Golden, Bob Bell) was such a part of my childhood.

[PoisedWoman]

If you're an old chicagoan (I grew up in Hinsdale), perhaps you remember who said the following line at the end of his show.

"The world stands out on either side...
No wider than the heart is wide...."

There's more, but I forget it. Garroway? Lescoulie? Or? That little verse has been ringing in my ears for decades.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

"But that whole WGN stable of announcers/performers (Carl Greyson, Jack Taylor, Cliff Golden, Bob Bell) was such a part of my childhood."

We must be around the same age.
I'm 55

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

PING

[Lovergirl]

53 here.