Sheldon was originally slated to train for a career in textiles, but a scholarship at the
American Academy of Dramatic Arts and some work in the theater sidetracked his plans. He worked in some
Broadway shows in small character parts. Eventually, he left the stage for a career as a
radio broadcaster. Sheldon made his radio debut on
WINS Radio as the host and interviewer and as a performer of a daily talk/variety show in 1941. The show became a hit with NYC's listeners and from there he went on to a long and successful career
mc'ing several programs, including one with interviewer Maggie McNellis (
Sheldon And McNellis At The Latin Quarter). Sheldon made his TV debut on
WNBT-TV in
New York City in 1946, with the first of several children's TV shows
Kids Today on WNBT. From 1946 to 1956, he hosted such kids shows as
Saturdays With Herb Sheldon,
Sheldon At Six,
Kids Today, and
One Is For Sheldon Sheldon's tenure at WRCA was short-lived: he violated his contract with WNBT by also working for other stations in the city. After contract was terminated he joined
WABD TV Channel 5 as the host of their kids TV shows. He succeeded
Sandy Becker as the second host of their successful Sunday comedy/variety kids TV show
Wonderama He also hosted a teens
rock and roll dance and music program
Studio Party and a late night old movie show
Rickey Tickey Playhouse. He again had problems with management for working for other stations, and for working as an MC for nightclub acts. Sheldon was ousted by WABD TV's management on August 8, 1958. He briefly served as the host of two TV shows for
WNTA TV Channel 13 in Newark, N.J. "Hold That Camera" (a late night TV game show for adults) and "Funderama" (a Saturday morning clone of Wonderama) in 1958 and 1959. On Monday September 14, 1959, Herb Sheldon succeeded
Paul Tripp as the third host of
WOR-TV Channel 9 NYC's
Looney Tunes Show. Sheldon wore a straw skimmer, bow tie and striped blazer, and set the show against the backdrop of an enchanted cottage in the woods; he would entertain his viewers between the reruns of the cartoons. The show was so popular that the program's title was soon changed to
The Herb Sheldon Show. He also hosted
The Mischief Makers (the
syndicated title for the silent
Little Rascals films) weekday evenings on WOR from Monday September 19, 1960 to Friday June 9, 1961. == Retirement ==