Spin Magazine - September 1993

Joe Franklin's Last Show

On August 7, 1993, Joe Franklin aired his final television show. Miss New York City 1968 made her grand entrance in a hot pick dress and matching hat. Escorting her was the ragtime pianist, Mark Birnbaum, with fiery freckles and shiny alligator shoes.

"This is so sad." Says the carrot-topped pianist, almost dropping a tear off his red lashes. "I've been on Joe's show 500 times. The other day I walked into a record store, and the man behind the counter pointed at me and screamed, 'Hey, it's Joe Franklin!' He didn't know my name, but he recognized me from the show. I hate sad days."