Songs of the Pogo Podcast
Welcome to the SONGS OF THE POGO PODCAST where we riff on the writings and artwork of animator and cartoonist Walt Kelly, the creator of the Pogo comic strip. Kelly began his animation career in 1936 at Walt Disney Studios, contributing to Pinocchio, Fantasia, and Dumbo. In 1941, at the age of 28, Kelly transferred to work at Dell Comics, where he created Pogo, which eventually became his platform for political and philosophical commentary. Hosts and Pogo-Philes Frank Farrell and Ben Masterton will be joined by the Possum Players Ensemble featuring Danny Crawford, Aisha de Haas, Richard Henzel, Elizabeth Kelly, Jennifer Kim, Zander Kirby, Julia Maish, Ashley Oviedo, Darren Stephens and as Walt Kelly, Norm Boucher. For more about this podcast visit https://thesongsofthepogo.com
info_outline
THAT'S ALL FOR NOW
08/25/2023
THAT'S ALL FOR NOW
Songs of the Pogo Podcast Episode # 8 THAT’S ALL FOR NOW - The Wonderful World of Walt Kelly Welcome to the SONGS OF THE POGO Podcast where Hosts Frank Farrell and Ben Masterton recreate the hysterical and imaginative, Wonderful World of Walt Kelly; his writings, songs and comic strip stories mixed in with his personal memoirs and magazine interviews. This is Episode 8, the final episode of Season 1. Joining Frank and Ben for Episode # 8 – THAT’S ALL FOR NOW - are talented and versatile performers from all over the U. S. of A.; Norm Boucher as Walt Kelly, Darren Stephens as Narrator, Jeanette Schwaba as a Bat, Miss Sis Boom Bah and other roles, Elizabeth Kelly as a Bat, Mrs. Beaver and other roles, Jennifer Kim as a Bat, Julia Maish as Pogo, Richard Henzel as Mouse, Claudia Egli as Miss Ma’m’selle Hepzibah and Zander Kirby as Chicago critic Jack Helbig. Ashley Oviedo sings Only the Lone, Frank Farrell sings Lhude Sing Cuccu and Ben Masterton and Lisa Plasse sing Truly True. These three songs have lyrics by Walt Kelly and music by Norman Monath. Special Guest Reader for Episode # 8 is Mary Gross, star of films and Saturday Night Live. Walt Kelly (August 25, 1913 – October 18, 1973), was an American animator and cartoonist, best known for the comic strip Pogo. He began his animation career in 1936 at Walt Disney Studios, contributing to Pinocchio, Fantasia and Dumbo. In 1941, at the age of 28, Kelly transferred to work at Dell Comics, where he created Pogo, which eventually became his platform for political and philosophical humor. Pogo ran for 26 years in daily newspapers in the 1950s, 60s and 70s. Visit for more about our plans for future episodes and where comments are welcome and/or Email us at . This podcast was recorded under a SAG-AFTRA Collective Bargaining Agreement.
/episode/index/show/b9ec7374-46ad-4290-b0a9-c8f9fae6717b/id/27846489
info_outline
THE SOUNDS OF WALT KELLY
07/05/2023
THE SOUNDS OF WALT KELLY
Songs of the Pogo Podcast Episode # 7 THE SOUNDS OF WALT KELLY - The Wonderful World of Walt Kelly Welcome to the SONGS OF THE POGO Podcast where Hosts Frank Farrell and Ben Masterton recreate the hysterical and imaginative, Wonderful World of Walt Kelly; his writings, songs and comic strip stories mixed in with his personal memoirs and magazine interviews. “The Pogo comic strip was a mostly silent affair so it is interesting to think about the sounds of his work,” says co-host Farrell. “We are bringing sound to the world of Walt Kelly and all of it of course suggested by his particular genius,” Farrell continued. “Walt Kelly was a great poet and the sounds of the words he chooses are playful and fun to speak and hear,” Farrell’s co-host Ben Masterton chimed in.” Joining Frank and Ben for Episode 7 – THE SOUNDS OF WALT KELLY - are talented and versatile performers from all over the U. S. of A.; Norm Boucher as Walt Kelly, Darren Stephens as Narrator and Porkypine, Danny Crawford as Albert the Alligator, Jeanette Schwaba as a Bat and Mistress Flurry, Elizabeth Kelly as a Town Gossip, Julia Maish as Pogo and Kevin Blair as Wiley Catt. Ashley Oviedo sings Whither the Starling and Aisha de Haas sings A Song Not For Now. Both songs have lyrics by Walt Kelly and music by Norman Monath. Walt Kelly (August 25, 1913 – October 18, 1973), was an American animator and cartoonist, best known for the comic strip Pogo. He began his animation career in 1936 at Walt Disney Studios, contributing to Pinocchio, Fantasia and Dumbo. In 1941, at the age of 28, Kelly transferred to work at Dell Comics, where he created Pogo, which eventually became his platform for political and philosophical humor. Pogo ran for 26 years in daily newspapers in the 1950s, 60s and 70s. Visit for more about our plans for future episodes and where comments are welcome and/or Email us at . This podcast was recorded under a SAG-AFTRA Collective Bargaining Agreement.
/episode/index/show/b9ec7374-46ad-4290-b0a9-c8f9fae6717b/id/27369582
info_outline
HIS IMAGINATION - The Wonderful World of Walt Kelly
05/11/2023
HIS IMAGINATION - The Wonderful World of Walt Kelly
Songs of the Pogo Podcast Episode # 6 HIS IMAGINATION - The Wonderful World of Walt Kelly Welcome to the SONGS OF THE POGO Podcast where Hosts Frank Farrell and Ben Masterton recreate the hysterical and imaginative Wonderful World of Walt Kelly; his writings, songs and comic strip stories mixed in with his personal memoirs and magazine interviews. Joining Frank and Ben for Episode 6 – HIS IMGINATION - are talented and versatile performers Norm Boucher as Walt Kelly, Darren Stephens as Narrator and Porkypine, Jeanette Schwaba, Elizabeth Kelly and Jennifer Kim as the Three Bats, Richard Henzel as Gil Kane, Julia Maish as Pogo, Karen Eterovich as Milady Bruharrow and Zander Kirby as Narrator. Walt Kelly (August 25, 1913 – October 18, 1973), was an American animator and cartoonist, best known for the comic strip Pogo. He began his animation career in 1936 at Walt Disney Studios, contributing to Pinocchio, Fantasia and Dumbo. In 1941, at the age of 28, Kelly transferred to work at Dell Comics, where he created Pogo, which eventually became his platform for political and philosophical humor. Pogo ran for 26 years in daily newspapers in the 1950s, 60s and 70s. Visit for more about our plans for future episodes and where comments are welcome and/or Email us at . This podcast was recorded under a SAG-AFTRA Collective Bargaining Agreement.
/episode/index/show/b9ec7374-46ad-4290-b0a9-c8f9fae6717b/id/26812530
info_outline
MAN’S BEST FRIEND: A POGO RADIO PROGRAM - The Wonderful World of Walt Kelly
04/04/2023
MAN’S BEST FRIEND: A POGO RADIO PROGRAM - The Wonderful World of Walt Kelly
Songs of the Pogo Podcast Episode # 5 MAN’S BEST FRIEND: A POGO RADIO PROGRAM - The Wonderful World of Walt Kelly Welcome to the SONGS OF THE POGO Podcast where Hosts Frank Farrell and Ben Masterton recreate the hysterical and imaginative Wonderful World of Walt Kelly; his writings, songs and comic strip stories mixed in with his personal memoirs and magazine interviews. Joining Frank and Ben for Episode 5 – MAN’S BEST FRIEND: A POGO RADIO PROGRAM - are talented and versatile performers Danny Crawford as Albert Alligator, Richard Henzel as Worm and Frog, Elizabeth Kelly as Bitty Bug and a Robin, Zander Kirby as Beauregard the Houn’dog, Julia Maish as Pogo the Possum, Jeanette Schwaba as a Catfish, a Ladybug and Curtis the Duck and Darren Stephens as Porkypine. Ben Masteron has created some wonderful new music and elaborate sound effects for this episode. And an unusual episode it is. Written by John Horn in collaboration with Walt Kelly, the radio script for a Pogo Possum show was never sold and never heard till now! It was published for the first time in the Spring 1979 issue of The Okefenokee Star. Walt Kelly (August 25, 1913 – October 18, 1973), was an American animator and cartoonist, best known for the comic strip Pogo. He began his animation career in 1936 at Walt Disney Studios, contributing to Pinocchio, Fantasia and Dumbo. In 1941, at the age of 28, Kelly transferred to work at Dell Comics, where he created Pogo, which eventually became his platform for political and philosophical humor. Pogo ran for 26 years in daily newspapers in the 1950s, 60s and 70s. Visit for more about our plans for future episodes and where comments are welcome and/or Email us at . This podcast was recorded under a SAG-AFTRA Collective Bargaining Agreement.
/episode/index/show/b9ec7374-46ad-4290-b0a9-c8f9fae6717b/id/26441148
info_outline
THE MUSIC OF MONATH - The Wonderful World of Walt Kelly
03/01/2023
THE MUSIC OF MONATH - The Wonderful World of Walt Kelly
Songs of the Pogo Podcast Episode # 4 THE MUSIC OF MONATH - The Wonderful World of Walt Kelly Welcome to the SONGS OF THE POGO Podcast where Hosts Frank Farrell and Ben Masterton recreate the hysterical and imaginative Wonderful World of Walt Kelly; his writings, songs and comic strip stories mixed in with his personal memoirs and magazine interviews. Joining Frank and Ben for Episode 4 – THE MUSIC OF MONATH - are talented and versatile performers Norm Boucher as Walt Kelly, Danny Crawford as Albert Alligator, Richard Henzel as Gil Kane and Seminole Sam, Julia Maish as Pogo the Possum, Darren Stephens as Porkypine and Elizabeth Kelly as a lovelorn maiden. Ben sings Mistily Meandering and Zander Kirby sings Twirl, Twirl. This episode’s theme focuses on Walt Kelly’s partner in music Norman Monath. Who was this man named Monath? Walt Kelly (August 25, 1913 – October 18, 1973), was an American animator and cartoonist, best known for the comic strip Pogo. He began his animation career in 1936 at Walt Disney Studios, contributing to Pinocchio, Fantasia and Dumbo. In 1941, at the age of 28, Kelly transferred to work at Dell Comics, where he created Pogo, which eventually became his platform for political and philosophical humor. Pogo ran for 26 years in daily newspapers in the 1950s, 60s and 70s. Visit for more about our plans for future episodes and where comments are welcome and/or Email us at . This podcast was recorded under a SAG-AFTRA Collective Bargaining Agreement.
/episode/index/show/b9ec7374-46ad-4290-b0a9-c8f9fae6717b/id/26087313
info_outline
HIS INFLUENCES - the Wonderful World of Walt Kelly
02/15/2023
HIS INFLUENCES - the Wonderful World of Walt Kelly
Songs of the Pogo Podcast Episode # 3 HIS INFLUENCES HIS INFLUENCES, the Wonderful World of Walt Kelly Welcome to the SONGS OF THE POGO Podcast where Hosts Frank Farrell and Ben Masterton recreate the hysterical and imaginative Wonderful World of Walt Kelly; his writings, songs and comic strip stories mixed in with his personal memoirs and magazine interviews. Joining Frank and Ben for Episode 3 – HIS INFLUENCES - are talented and versatile performers Norm Boucher as Walt Kelly, Danny Crawford as Albert Alligator, Julia Maish as Pogo the Possum, Darren Stephens as Porkypine and Narrator, Richard Henzel as Gil Kane and Jeanette Schwaba Vigne, Elizabeth Kelly and Jennifer Kim as The Three Bats. This episode’s theme is Walt Kelly’s influences. What things in his life shaped the artist he would become? Walt Kelly (August 25, 1913 – October 18, 1973), was an American animator and cartoonist, best known for the comic strip Pogo. He began his animation career in 1936 at Walt Disney Studios, contributing to Pinocchio, Fantasia and Dumbo. In 1941, at the age of 28, Kelly transferred to work at Dell Comics, where he created Pogo, which eventually became his platform for political and philosophical humor. Pogo ran for 26 years in daily newspapers in the 1950s, 60s and 70s. Visit for more about our plans for future episodes and where comments are welcome and/or Email us at . This podcast was recorded under a SAG-AFTRA Collective Bargaining Agreement.
/episode/index/show/b9ec7374-46ad-4290-b0a9-c8f9fae6717b/id/25935285
info_outline
HIS STORY - the Wonderful World of Walt Kelly
01/16/2023
HIS STORY - the Wonderful World of Walt Kelly
Welcome to the SONGS OF THE POGO Podcast - Episode # 2 where Hosts Frank Farrell and Ben Masterton recreate the hysterical and imaginative Wonderful World of Walt Kelly; his writings, songs and comic strip stories mixed in with his personal memoirs and magazine interviews. Joining Frank and Ben for Episode 2 – HIS STORY - are talented and versatile performers Norm Boucher as Walt Kelly, Danny Crawford as Albert Alligator, Aisha de Haas as Pricilla Hotchkiss singing the song Don’t Sugar Me, Zander Kirby as Beauregard the Houn’dog, Julia Maish as Pogo the Possum, Ashley Oviedo sings Many Harry Returns and Darren Stephens appears as Porkypine and Narrator. This episode’s theme is History from Walt’s history and back to the days of the founding fathers of the U. S. of A.. Walt Kelly (August 25, 1913 – October 18, 1973), was an American animator and cartoonist, best known for the comic strip Pogo. He began his animation career in 1936 at Walt Disney Studios, contributing to Pinocchio, Fantasia and Dumbo. In 1941, at the age of 28, Kelly transferred to work at Dell Comics, where he created Pogo, which eventually became his platform for political and philosophical humor. Pogo ran for 26 years in daily newspapers in the 1950s, 60s and 70s. Visit for more about our plans for future episodes and where comments are welcome and/or Email us at .
/episode/index/show/b9ec7374-46ad-4290-b0a9-c8f9fae6717b/id/25621344
info_outline
An Introduction to the Wonderful World of Walt Kelly
12/20/2022
An Introduction to the Wonderful World of Walt Kelly
Welcome to SONGS OF THE POGO, the podcast where Hosts Frank Farrell and Ben Masterton recreate the hysterical and imaginative Wonderful World of Walt Kelly; his writings, songs and comic strip stories mixed in with his personal memoirs and magazine interviews. Joining Frank and Ben for Episode # 1 are talented and versatile performers Norm Boucher, Danny Crawford, Elizabeth Kelly, Zander Kirby, Julia Maish and Darren Stephens, playing the colorful Walt Kelly characters. Listen to the songs GoGo Pogo and Deck Us All with Boston Charlie and stories of their surprising origins. Visit for more about our plans for future episodes and where comments are welcome and/or Email us at . Walt Kelly (August 25, 1913 – October 18, 1973), was an American animator and cartoonist, best known for the comic strip Pogo. He began his animation career in 1936 at Walt Disney Studios, contributing to Pinocchio, Fantasia and Dumbo. In 1941, at the age of 28, Kelly transferred to work at Dell Comics, where he created Pogo, which eventually became his platform for political and philosophical humor.
/episode/index/show/b9ec7374-46ad-4290-b0a9-c8f9fae6717b/id/25384206