Almost 40! For 15 years, the humor of ‘Almost Live!’ embraced and defined our region as it gave Seattle the Needle
OH, NO! Is the Space Needle really falling again? In this composite photo taken July 12, “Almost Live!” cast and crew try to keep it standing: (from left) Scott Schaefer, Mike Boydstun, Joe Guppy, Bob Nelson, Steve Wilson, Bill Stainton, Tracey Conway, Ross Shafer, John Keister, Nancy Guppy, Pat Cashman, Darrell Suto, Ralph Bevins, Jim Sharp and Hans-Eric Gosch. (Jean Sherrard, cover design by Boo Billstein)
For all things ‘Almost Live!’
you’ve come to the right place
By Clay Eals
We are delighted that The Seattle Times granted Jean and me the opportunity to prepare a PacificNW magazine cover story and related stories, and to prepare a “Where are they now?” feature for The Mix section — all about the near-40th anniversary of Seattle’s local TV comedy show “Almost Live!” The print date for the entire package is Sunday, Aug. 25, 2024.
Bolstering it all is the rollout of the Museum of History & Industry’s “Almost Live! (Almost an Exhibit),” which opens Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, at MOHAI’s South Lake Union headquarters, curated by the enthusiastic and knowledgeable Clara Berg.
Deep appreciation goes to everyone who helped with this package by participating in extensive interviews, loaning materials and conveying their enduring enthusiasm for “Almost Live!” and its impact on Seattle and the Northwest, both now and then! Enjoy!
The cover of a 1992 Comedy Central promotional folder for “Almost Live!” cracked wise about the show’s stars: (front) Darrell Suto and John Keister, (middle) Pat Cashman and Tracey Conway, and (back) Keister again, twice! (Courtesy Tracey Conway)
Clara Berg, collections curator for the Museum of History & Industry, holds the on-air sign from the “Almost Live!” set, with several props that will be on display at “Almost Live! (Almost an Exhibit).” (Clay Eals)
In lederhosen and with a purple feather in his cap, John Keister, playing a Leavenworth cop, jaws with Joel McHale while preparing to get touch on tourist “crime” in August 1997. (Courtesy Steve Wilson)
An inside page of a 1992 Comedy Central promotional folder for “Almost Live!” showcased John Keister with a rubber duck balanced on his pate. (Courtesy Tracey Conway)
