Conversations with Rich Bennett
Join Rich Bennett and his dynamic cohosts as they engage with individuals from diverse backgrounds—authors, entrepreneurs, activists, and everyday heroes—uncovering their unique stories and insights. Each episode offers a deep dive into personal journeys, community initiatives, and transformative experiences, providing listeners with inspiration and practical takeaways.
Tune in to discover stories that uplift, inform, and connect us all. Subscribe now to be part of these compelling conversations.
Interested in being a guest on Conversations with Rich Bennett? Reach out to Rich Bennett through PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/richbennett.
Conversations with Rich Bennett
Mallory Lewis on Shari Lewis’ Legacy & The Magic of Lamb Chop
Sponsored by CleverCat Marketing
In this heartwarming episode of Conversations with Rich Bennett, Mallory Lewis, daughter of the legendary Shari Lewis, joins us with the one and only Lamb Chop to share incredible stories, laughter, and nostalgia. Mallory dives into her mother’s remarkable career, the lasting impact of edu-tainment, and how she continues the legacy of Lamb Chop today.
We also discuss Mallory’s deep commitment to philanthropy, including her work with veterans, LGBTQ+ advocacy, and women’s rights. Plus, you’ll hear some never-before-told stories, an unforgettable Lamb Chop serenade, and a hilarious revelation about Lamb Chop’s military promotion!
Get ready for a fun, nostalgic ride filled with laughter, inspiration, and a few surprises!
Catch Mallory & Lamb Chop LIVE on February 23rd at Harford Community College!
This episode is sponsored by CleverCat Marketing – the team that puts YOU first! If you're looking for SEO, social media, or brand strategy, visit Clever-Cat.com to grow your business the right way.
https://mallorylewisandlambchop.com/
Join us for “One Song,” a benefit concert by the Big Infinite to support the Ed Lally Foundation’s mental health and suicide prevention initiatives. This special evening will feature heartfelt music and person stories, fostering connection and well-being among attendees. Come together to celebrate unity and healing through the power of music.
One Song Benefit Concert for the Ed Lally Foundat
Emily Adolph and Ona Crow are the co-creators of Nourish & Connect, an event designed to foster meaningful connections in a supportive and empowering environment. NOURISH & CONNECT – The Soul Lift
CleverCat MarketingDreams shouldn't cost a fortune, budget should never be a barrier! We focus on YOU & create killer c
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Rich & Wendy 0:00
Hey, everyone is Rich Bennett. Can you believe it? The show is turning ten this year. I am so grateful for each and every one of you who've tuned in, shared an episode, or even joined the conversation over the years. You're the reason that this podcast has grown into what it is today. Together, we shared laughs, tears and moments that truly matter. So I want to thank you for being part of this journey. Let's make the next ten years even better. Coming to you from the Freedom Federal Credit Union Studios. Harford County Living presents conversations with Rich Bennett.
Today, I'm going to get kind.
No, no, no. The truth is.
Rich Bennett 1:00
Welcome to another episode of Conversations with Rich Bennett. I'm your host, Rich Bennett. And today we have a very special treat for you. Not only do I have my amazing sister, Robin co-hosted this episode with me, but we're also joined by entertainment royalty Mallory Lewis and the one and only LAMB Chop. For those who grew up watching Shari Lewis and LAMB Chop, you know just how beloved this character is. And thanks to Mallory, Sherry's daughter. LAMB Chop is still bringing joy to audiences today. Mallory is an Emmy Award winning writer and performer who has dedicated her career to keeping her mother's legacy alive while also making her own mark in entertainment, literature and philanthropy. Today, we'll dive into the rich history of Sherri Lewis and LAMB Chop, talk about the incredible work Mallory and her sister LAMB Chop has done to continue to magic and explore their contributions to charity and children's entertainment. So sit back, relax, and get ready for some nostalgia, laughter, and heartwarming stories. Four over. Four over.
Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop 2:14
We'll introduce we because they say such nice things. And I'm like, Oh, I'm cool. You know, you don't walk around in your normal life. You don't think about the stuff that you have done, you think about the stuff you need to get done. So thank you for that.
Rich Bennett 2:30
Oh, my pleasure. I mean, I.
When you blew me away, first of all, because I had just posted an article on my website about you come in to Bel Air to perform on the 23rd.
Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop 2:44
Yep.
Rich Bennett 2:45
And I say, Wow, we met Mallory Lewis in the LAMB Chop. I remember watching LAMB Chop with my niece. But I remember your mother from way before that.
Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop 2:57
He thinks people always say, Oh, I remember your mom. She was for my generation. And I laugh because Mom's been on TV from 1957 till 1999. So she's everyone's generation. That's what I.
Rich Bennett 3:11
That's true.
Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop 3:12
This is why I like this show so much, because I do different shows. The legacy show is what this is called. I do half the show. With Lambchop and we sing and there's comedy and hushpuppies there. And then the other
Rich Bennett 3:27
Oh.
Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop 3:28
half the show is me telling stories about mom and curating videos that no one's seen before or haven't seen since they were little. So it's not really a show for children. It's not like a kids puppet show. You know this.
Rich Bennett 3:44
Right.
Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop 3:44
Aimed at. I mean, the kids will have a good time, of course, because Lambchop. But it's really a show for everybody who grew up with mom. And whether you remember mom having a high ponytail and a tight sweater set, I'm looking at you. I see you nodding. Remember mom with the shag or the bob or the tight cap of curls or the tight cap?
Rich Bennett 4:10
Oh, yeah.
Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop 4:11
With the high ponytail. You'll get to see your version of my mom and hear stories about her. And. And you'll get to see Lambchop singing and performing in Hushpuppy. And there's audience participation. It's really fun.
Rich Bennett 4:28
Oh, wait a minute. What about Charlie Horse?
Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop 4:30
Charley Horse does. I do work with Charlie Horse? You can go on to my tick tock at your fave Lambchop or my Instagram. Mallory, Lewis and Lambchop and see Charley Horse. I don't do routines with him on stage for the same reason my mother didn't. He's very hard on the throat. And so if you're doing a lot of shows back to back
he's he's hard on the throat so you don't bring him But he does. He is coming with me, but he's not going to be on stage.
Rich Bennett 5:05
So go ahead.
Robyn Burke 5:07
I just think it's so amazing. You know, I watched Rich and our younger brother Sean glued to the TV with Lambchop. Glued? Yes. Richard, you.
Rich Bennett 5:21
I.
Robyn Burke 5:21
And then my daughter.
Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop 5:23
Was.
Robyn Burke 5:24
My daughter's the same.
Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop 5:27
Yeah.
Robyn Burke 5:27
So it was.
Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop 5:28
Kids. You know, kids haven't changed their their medium of like, of course, kids were not on tablets back in the.
Rich Bennett 5:39
Right.
Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop 5:39
CS But the what made Mom so special was she didn't talk at children. She talked with children.
Rich Bennett 5:47
Yes.
Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop 5:48
She didn't say. You're. You're perfect just the way you are. She said, Come on. Get off the couch. You can be better. You can do this. And she showed them how she believed in them. And she energized them. And she did it in such a fun way that the parents were not bored. Because don't forget, Mom started. There were three channels.
Rich Bennett 6:13
Yeah.
Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop 6:13
And one TV in the house and this was this big. But the box that came in was this big.
Robyn Burke 6:18
We've are the remotes.
Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop 6:21
We were.
Rich Bennett 6:23
Yeah.
Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop 6:24
Over foil paper. US.
Robyn Burke 6:27
And my father would say, Go. Channel 13. I was the remote.
Rich Bennett 6:32
I was the tenant. My father always had me hold the rabbit ear. Say, All right, that's it. Stay right there.
Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop 6:37
They were there. So it mom was always we, we mom and me because I was her producer and head writer. Once we hit the nineties. We always made sure that the parents there were jokes for the parents as well. You know, if you don't get it because you're five, you'll think something else is funny. But the parents will get the side eye or the, you know, and that the music was always really good music. Nothing that was public domain garbage. But mom really was the founder or created the term edu tainment. The combination of education and entertainment. So. So yeah it it's it's it is so nice. I love what I do. I get to go to fun places. Somebody nice picks me up at the airport, then I go to the. Some reasonable hotel, you know, And then. And then I get to go to the performing arts Center where the sound guy makes me sound so much better than I actually am. I've always feel grateful. And then I get to sing and perform with my little sister and tell stories about my mom. And then after the show, people come up to me and hug me and tell me my mother would be proud of me. And then somebody hands me a check. I mean, I have. I have.
Robyn Burke 7:58
That.
Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop 7:59
I have the best job in the whole world.
Rich Bennett 8:03
Any plans of doing TV?
Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop 8:07
Yeah. You know, we've got some stuff in the works. What it is, it's really not the medium on which to meet the audience anymore.
Rich Bennett 8:19
Well, that's true.
Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop 8:20
So I prefer just to hang out on TikTok and hang out on Instagram. And I have a very engaged audience which is really fun.
And and do stuff like this. But that the idea of being I my mom died when she was two years older than I am now. And that's partly why my husband and I are moving out of the country. Only partly. But we we want to enjoy life.
Rich Bennett 8:51
Yeah.
Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop 8:52
And I don't want to be trapped in a studio. Then for Mom, that was her greatest joy. That was her happiest place was in the studio. I love doing live performances. I love playing with an audience. My show is never the same twice. I mean,
Rich Bennett 9:09
I love
Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop 9:10
mostly
Rich Bennett 9:10
that.
Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop 9:10
because I can never you know, I don't stick to my own script. But but it's always fun. And I like the interaction with human beings.
Rich Bennett 9:20
How long did it actually take you to learn how to? Well,
Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop 9:24
Now.
Rich Bennett 9:25
it is an art.
Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop 9:25
Nothing.
Rich Bennett 9:26
Huh?
Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop 9:26
Nothing.
Rich Bennett 9:28
Really?
Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop 9:29
I don't know why I can't explain it. I have to learn things like turn your microphone on before you go on stage. Yes,
Rich Bennett 9:36
Right.
Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop 9:36
I did have make that mistake. Find the opening to the curtain before they call your name. Yes, I did make that mistake.
Take your cell phone out of your pocket before.
Rich Bennett 9:48
Oh.
Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop 9:49
Or at least put it on silent. So those were things I had to learn. But Lambchop always just spoke for herself.
And yeah, I was another toggle and I never had any.
Robyn Burke 10:03
Is.
Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop 10:04
I and I have to teach Mallory some tricks and stuff, but other than that, it's been seamless. Just seamless.
Rich Bennett 10:14
LAMB chop. I have to admit, you do not age at all.
Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop 10:18
Now I have a really good scene.
Just like all the ladies in Hollywood.
Rich Bennett 10:29
Oh, my God. That is.
Robyn Burke 10:32
You, Lambchop.
Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop 10:34
And I hope everybody comes to see me on February 23rd at 3 p.m. at the Arnold Center, otherwise known as the Hart Community College.
Robyn Burke 10:46
We will be there. Can you give a shout out to my daughter, Amanda, who loves you? She's going to be 40 on Valentine's Day.
Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop 10:54
Happy early Thursday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday, dear. Amanda, I'm sorry you're sick.
Rich Bennett 11:07
Oh.
Robyn Burke 11:07
I love that. Thank you, Lambchop. So I have a question for you.
Rich Bennett 11:14
For LAMB Chop or Mallory.
Robyn Burke 11:16
They were both in the house.
Rich Bennett 11:17
Okay.
Robyn Burke 11:18
What was it like living with Cherie?
Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop 11:22
It was great. I mean, my mom was actually a human being. She wasn't just a
Robyn Burke 11:26
Trouble.
Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop 11:26
nice.
Robyn Burke 11:27
Were you ever disciplined?
Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop 11:30
Oh, constantly. I was a terror. I was bad, but I could tell Lambchop anything and she would never rat me out to my parents. I'm serious.
Rich Bennett 11:40
Wow.
Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop 11:41
I know that's weird, but it's true.
I you know, mom was a fully actuated human being. People think of her as a nice little lady who played with puppets. Well, she did that as her job. She was a mother, a wife, a businesswoman. She ran a production company in the fifties alongside Lucille Ball. This is back before she could get her own credit card because women couldn't get credit cards.
Robyn Burke 12:07
Act.
Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop 12:08
You know.
Yeah, she she was. She was fun.
Robyn Burke 12:14
She was actually a pioneer leading women.
Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop 12:17
Indeed.
Robyn Burke 12:17
Yes.
Rich Bennett 12:19
You're listening in on the conversations with Rich Bennett. We'll be right back.
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Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop 13:47
I was so excited I couldn't wait to play with the baby and talk to the baby and teach the baby stuff.
Rich Bennett 13:57
You're still teaching her things, aren't you?
Right.
Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop 14:02
And congratulations to you. That is one of the first original questions that I have heard. I mean, I've been doing this 26 years, so people ask me the understand about predictable questions that nobody has ever asked Lambchop what she thought about gaining a sibling. So you get whatever bonus.
Rich Bennett 14:23
Well, I just hope that Lambchop didn't do to you what my sister tried to do to our younger brother. Am I?
Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop 14:30
Try this northern.
Robyn Burke 14:32
Maybe.
Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop 14:34
No laptop. Laptop has I laptop was in my crib when I was a baby and in my son's crib when he was a baby.
Rich Bennett 14:43
Lambchop. Did you ever think that you would get so popular to where now you're in like almost every kid's crib. And even with dogs and everything?
Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop 14:54
Yes, it's the number one selling dog toy in the world.
Rich Bennett 14:57
Yeah.
Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop 14:57
That's because I'm so damn cool.
Robyn Burke 14:59
That is.
Rich Bennett 15:00
You are.
Robyn Burke 15:01
Drop you are.
Rich Bennett 15:03
One of the things I definitely want to talk about is all the charity work that both of you do.
Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop 15:10
We've known that we are very lucky and we are. We were raised in loving families with enough means to send us to college. And I every day am greeted with the love that my mother engendered. I mean, you, you know, that's an incredible blessing. And I had my sister who plays with me. And so we really we we believe that as long as anyone is oppressed, no one is free.
Rich Bennett 15:42
Mm hmm.
Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop 15:44
And so we really try to use the platform that we have to raise money, as we did in Jump for the Cause, which is a skydiving world record event that raised $2 million for breast cancer, but more recently to support the causes that we believe in supporting the LGBTQ AAPI community,
Rich Bennett 16:04
Right.
Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop 16:04
the women's reproductive rights community.
Basically all all anyone who does not have the platform, the power to fight for themselves. We will do what we can to support.
Rich Bennett 16:20
Back to the jump. Back to the jump for the cause. Did you say you jumped out of the airplane?
Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop 16:26
I did. I actually was asked to the. the. It is. Okay. So you got about 13 to 30 airplanes, depending on which of the records, because there were four records we built between
113 and 100 and, I don't know, 40 women. I don't remember the numbers. This happened a long, long time ago. And they have to fly into designated places in in the formation. And so I made some mistakes on the first attempts and my partners asked me to please sit down and just run the event from the ground because I was messing up and that I learned the lesson then and done. So what I would do is auctioned off Lambchop to ride in the women's jumpsuits. Each of the records took about 14 skydives to actually build it. And so, you know, to have Lambchop ride with you in the first jump was maybe 50 bucks. And and it went up to about a thousand by the end.
Rich Bennett 17:28
Wow.
Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop 17:29
Obviously going to charity.
Robyn Burke 17:30
Way to go, lamb chop.
Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop 17:33
That's all linens and lamps world your accord sky guns.
Rich Bennett 17:40
Wow. That is. But, Mallory, I was actually asking LAMB Chop that question. Jerry.
Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop 17:48
Know, I don't have as many jumps, says Mallory.
Robyn Burke 17:52
Was it scary Lambchop.
Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop 17:54
No, no. You were always tucked into that nice lady's booties.
Rich Bennett 17:59
Takes us.
Robyn Burke 18:01
Well, nice and cozy in there, right?
Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop 18:04
Policy.
Rich Bennett 18:11
Oh. Oh, is that.
Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop 18:14
I was doing a skydive to save the boobies.
Robyn Burke 18:18
Where else would Lambchop be? Rich.
Rich Bennett 18:22
That makes that makes it. I got to admit, this is the first time that a lamb has ever made me turn right.
Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop 18:28
And a bit of a spin take there as well.
Rich Bennett 18:32
Oh, wow. It's. Oh, okay. What?
Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop 18:41
Why Clinton's.
Rich Bennett 18:44
Oh, all right. I got I got to switch I got to switch directories because otherwise I'm not going to be able to talk. Why? What is it? Because you do a lot for veterans, too. And with me being a veteran, that's one of the thing I wouldn't say.
Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop 18:59
Which. Which branch were you in?
Rich Bennett 19:01
Marine Corps.
Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop 19:02
Rob.
Rich Bennett 19:04
There you go. I love it when somebody isn't.
Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop 19:07
A three star Marine general after a show on what was the base daily in San Diego, Miramar after a show. The three star general, Thomas Conant, took the stars off of his uniform and pinned them on her uniform, which I believe.
Rich Bennett 19:27
Wow.
Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop 19:28
Is a field promotion, so.
Rich Bennett 19:30
Yes. Wow.
Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop 19:32
I'm officially a general. But you don't have to salute me. Yeah. Okay.
Rich Bennett 19:39
I'll still salute you.
Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop 19:41
So and I loved performing for the military. It was actually at a perfect time. It was overlapped a bit with my prior marriage, but then there I was for about six years, single traveling around military bases.
Robyn Burke 19:57
How fun was that?
Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop 19:59
How fun was that? I remember standing at the Miramar Officer's Club and it was Airshow Weekend, and I stepped out of the bar area onto a patio, which was more like a landing. And then down below there was a literal sea of pilots wearing their flight suits. And I just was like, Oh, boy.
Rich Bennett 20:29
It's something I've taken my family for years nieces, nephews, sister to the Marine Corps barracks and eighth July in Washington, D.C., to see the silent drill platoon.
Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop 20:41
Right.
Rich Bennett 20:42
These women go crazy when they see these guys in their dress, But.
Robyn Burke 20:45
Even.
Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop 20:46
Oh, yeah. Well, my
Robyn Burke 20:47
Your age
Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop 20:47
husband.
Robyn Burke 20:47
difference.
Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop 20:49
My husband is the retired fire chief for the city of Los Angeles.
Robyn Burke 20:53
Oh.
Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop 20:53
So.
Rich Bennett 20:55
Or tell him I said thank
Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop 20:56
I
Rich Bennett 20:56
you.
Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop 20:56
will. I go a little crazy when I see him in his dress blues and his turnouts. Woo! I particularly like the shirtless turn out look used to control yourself. Sorry. All right, guys. So I don't know if you want to sing along with me, but are you ready?
Robyn Burke 21:13
We are. But first one. That's quite.
Rich Bennett 21:16
I'm going to try.
Robyn Burke 21:17
Song ever. And.
Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop 21:20
It does, but you got to come to my show to hear the
Robyn Burke 21:22
Okay,
Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop 21:22
end.
Robyn Burke 21:23
we'll do it.
Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop 21:24
A song that doesn't end. And yes, it goes on and on like some people start.
Robyn Burke 21:34
And that.
Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop 21:36
What do?
Robyn Burke 21:39
Robert. Just be.
Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop 21:40
All right.
Rich Bennett 21:43
Wow.
Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop 21:44
Packing. It is a pleasure talking to you guys and I really hope I get to see you both at the show at the Hartford Community College, February 23rd, at 3 p.m..
Robyn Burke 21:55
Thank you So.
Rich Bennett 21:56
Will you, LAMB? Thank you. Take care.
Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop 22:00
Bye, guys.
Rich Bennett 22:02
Thank you for listening to the conversations with Rich Bennett. I hope you enjoy today's episode and learn something from it as I did. If you'd like to hear more conversations like this, be sure to subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode. And if you have a moment, I'd love if you could leave a review. It helps us reach more listeners and share more incredible stories. Don't forget to connect with us on social media or visit our website at conversations with Rich Bennett. Com for updates, giveaways and more. Until next time, take care. Be kind and keep the conversations going.
