shari lewis – ALLIANCE OF WOMEN FILM JOURNALISTS

MOVIE OF THE WEEK July 18, 2024: SHARI AND LAMB CHOP

July 13, 2025 Jennifer Merin documentary, lamb chop, lisa dapolito, Phyllis Naomi Hurwitz, Shari and Lamb Chop', shari lewis

With her perfect ponytail, sweet smile, and cuddly sock puppets, Shari Lewis might have looked like an innocent girl next door, but behind that carefully curated persona was a performer with a relentless work ethic, a hunger for the spotlight, and a fierce belief in women’s ability and equality. All of that comes to light in Lisa D’Apolito’s documentary Shari and Lamb Chop, which tells the fascinating story — and underlines the impact — of Lewis and her most iconic creation.

News

WEEK IN WOMEN: Theatrical Premier for Lisa D’Apolito’s SHARI & LAMB CHOP

July 11, 2025July 13, 2025 Brandy McDonnell biodoc, children's television, documentaries, female film director, lisa dapolito, Shari and Lamb Chop', shari lewis

Best known for Love, Gilda, the very insightful and moving tribute profile of Gilda Radner, documentary filmmaker Lisa D’Apolito has focused her lens on another beloved female performer in her most recent film. Shari and Lamb Chop is an in depth and insightful chronicle of the life and career of ventriloquist Shari Lewis, and of her best loved and most famous sock puppet companion, Lamb Chop. Their charming and inspirational banter was the very essence of children’s television programming long before the introduction of Mr. Roberts or the Muppets. Lewis and her ensemble of dummies (most of whom were actually quite smart) were beloved by children of all ages, but as is shown in the documentary, she was often given typical short shrift by the male dominated television industry because she was female.

Reviews

SHARI AND LAMB CHOP – Review by Loren King

July 7, 2025July 13, 2025 Loren King documentary, lamb chop, lisa dapolito, Phyllis Naomi Hurwitz, shari and lambchop, shari lewis

Baby boomers may come to Lisa D’Apolito’s delightful and illuminating documentary Shari and Lamb Chop for the nostalgia. They’ll stay for the inspiring portrait of an entertaining television pioneer. Lewis died too young, in 1998 at 65, and one wishes for her voice in the film beyond the abundance of archival interviews and appearances. But her presence is felt in each frame of the film, allowing us to remember her unique talents and to celebrate her ongoing legacy as a role model of artistry, resiliency and integrity.

Reviews

SHARI AND LAMB CHOP – Review by Leslie Combemale

July 7, 2025July 13, 2025 Leslie Combemale documentary, lamb chop, lisa dapolito, Phyllis Naomi Hurwitz, shari and lambchop, shari lewis

It’s such a bizarre part of living in this world that there are people in history who had huge contributions or were very famous who are now lost in obscurity. Every day we could learn about another celebrated person about whom few are now aware, although their names were on everyone’s lips during the heyday of their success. Ventriloquist, puppeteer, dancer, singer, magician, and author Shari Lewis, the subject of Lisa D’Apolito’s new documentary Shari and Lamb Chop, is one of those once-upon-a-time celebrities. Lamb Chop, who was Shari’s beloved sock puppet is, however, still known and in homes all over the world.

Reviews

SHARI AND LAMB CHOP – Review by Liz Whittemore

July 7, 2025July 13, 2025 Liz Whittemore documentary, lamb chop, lisa dapolito, Phyllis Naomi Hurwitz, Shari and Lamb Chop', shari lewis

Before Miss Rachel, Blippi, Pee Wee Herman, or Mr. Rogers, there was Shari Lewis. She was raised by a magician father and a music teacher mother who exposed their daughter to every artistic lesson they could think of, and gave her lessons to add to her skills. Lewis’s work ethic and educational values are an extraordinary example of the impact of fostering the arts, which became something she advocated for throughout her career.