Chickenman Roosting in Sherman Oaks

Anyone who grew up in Chicago in the mid-to late 1960s and rocked to legendary radio station WCFL will recall the ubiquitous chant, "He's everywhere, he's everywhere!"

That shrill cry was in reference to "Chickenman," the giant crime-fighting fowl created by Dick Orkin, living and working here in Sherman Oaks and still in syndication with hundreds of wacky radio episodes.

The droll and inventive Orkin, who was also the voice of the hilarious crime fighter in the chicken suit, went on to become one of radio's most celebrated and honored advertising gurus.

These days, he and his busy commercial production company, the Famous Radio Ranch, are nestled in the heart of town on Ventura Boulevard.

Orkin spoke to Sherman Oaks Patch about the phenomenal success he's made of bringing silly fun and wry humor to the nation's airwaves.

"After Chickenman's great success, I kicked off my own advertising company back in Chicago in 1973," he said. "I love radio, I love making commercials, and I love silly humor, so I used my Yale drama background to blend all of those facets. And it just took off."

But three years ago, he and all his zany cohorts came home to roost in new, custom-designed facilities at 13440 Ventura Blvd.

"We needed more room. Now we have three studios, not just one, with our whole facility equipped with the latest technology. I tried to retire when we moved to Sherman Oaks, but it just didn't work," said Orkin, 78.

"Along the way, I've always done workshops and speaking engagements," he said. "I also did an NBC noontime humor show with fellow comedy guy Bert Burdis, and was a featured player on the Tim Conway show for two seasons as well. But in the end, it took me away too much from my real love and my real business—the Radio Ranch.

"Today, with digital media engulfing listeners, radio is not what it used to be. So we've moved into other areas, including a video puppet feature called Larry & Lydia With the News—she's an Archie Bunker type, and he's the opposite, always trying to change her, to no avail."