Farfel

Farfel

 

 N-E-S-T-L-E-S, Nestlé's makes the very best... _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 

 

If you grew up in the 50’s, there’s a good chance that you know the messing letters

 

Television was still in its diapers. Families would gather around their black-and-white sets. Most broadcasts were live and wide-eyed viewers were anxious to be entertained. The timing was perfect for Jimmy to shine. With his charming ventriloquism and comedy acts, he brought joy and laughter into countless American homes.

Growing up in Chicago’s Rogers Park's mixed ethnic (German, Irish, Swedish and Jewish)  neighborhood allowed Jimmy to develop a rich, multifaceted view of the world, providing the skills and understanding to interact with others and “work” an audience. Jimmy’s entertainment style, his humor and performance manner were shaped too by the broader comedic trends of influential performers of his era, many of whom were Jewish. This influenced not only his humor and performance style but unknowingly helped  Jimmy create one of the most beloved and memorable characters in advertising history.

Farfel

In 1950, Jimmy was performing at a show in Wichita, Kansas, when he realized he had forgotten to bring one of his usual puppets. So, he decided to fashion a new puppet from available materials and the character he chose was a dog. He called him Farfel. During the performance, Jimmy  used Farfel to interact with the audience, and the floppy-eared puppet quickly became a hit. Farfel’s distinct, drawn-out “hoo-hoo-hoo” at the end of his lines resonated with the audience. But it wasn’t until 1955 that Farfel's popularity soared. He became the spokes-puppet  for Nestlé Quik. Jimmy  and Farfel starred in these commercials from 1955 to 1965, with Farfel ending each advertisement with his iconic drawn out. CHOC – LATE and snapping jaw.. This catchy ending helped Nestlé Quik become a household name, and Farfel a place in advertising history. But it was a celebrity’s endorsement that earned Farfel pop culture fame.

After a performance in New York city, this well-known celebrity who loved animals  was so charmed by Farfel, he came backstage to meet the puppet personally  and insisted on getting an autograph. Jimmy happily obliged. The celebrity who came backstage to meet Farfel was none other than actor and comedian Ed Sullivan. Sullivan, known for his television variety show, "The Ed Sullivan Show,"  was a major figure in entertainment during the Golden Age of Television.

 

Now the name "farfel" may be funny, but it does have a meaning. Farfel is a type of small, pellet-shaped pasta or egg noodle used in some Jewish cuisine. Did Jimmy muse this name because his  מאַמע" ( Mother - pronounced "mame") set aside a plate for him at dinner time?

Nope.

Jimmy was Jimmy Nelson, and he wasn’t Jewish. He saw the name on a restaurant menu while dining with friends at a Jewish deli.

 

Meme:

Jimmy Nelson, joined in the United States Army during World War II. He used his talents to entertain troops, performing in countless USO shows to boost the morale of soldiers.

His performances were a valuable contribution to the war effort, providing much-needed entertainment and a sense of normalcy to the troops stationed far from home. While performing with his sidekick-dummy  Danny O'Day  on the island of Saipan on top of a makeshift stage, the area came under enemy fire. Despite the danger, Jimmy continued his act. His dedication to entertaining the troops earned him great respect and admiration, and his wartime performances were long remembered as a shining example of how the power of laughter and entertainment existed even in the darkest times.

Nestlé (often pronounced “Ness-lay”) is the largest food and beverage company in the world.