Richard Sher, creator, executive producer and host of the National Public Radio game show Says You!, died Monday at Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston with his family at his bedside. He was 66 and had been a longtime summer resident of the Vineyard.
The weekly radio series he created has aired coast to coast for nearly two decades. A modern version of a parlor game, with comedic wit and wordplay, the show is played live and taped in front of audiences all around the country, including on the Vineyard last August at the Old Whaling Church in Edgartown.
“It’s not a free-for-all, but it’s a free-for-all,” Mr. Sher told the Gazette in an interview before the show was staged. “No mosh pits or stage rushing,” he said.
Born July 18, 1948 in Easton, Pa., he was the son of the late Albert and Jeanne Sher. His parents were founders and owners of Sherwoods for Kids, a children’s furniture and toy store in Easton. Richard graduated from Dickinson College in 1970, and received his graduate degree in communications from Boston University. He also became a certified optician working at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear during his graduate studies.
Prior to his success with Says You! he worked as a freelance producer and writer for Boston television WBZ’s Evening Magazine and WCVB’s Chronicle. His media company, Pipit & Finch, produced video for commercial purposes and documentaries on issues he was passionate about, such as autism. He was a resident of Weston.
“Richard had the uncanny ability to see something unique in each of us,” said panelist Paula Lyons, who lives in Vineyard Haven with her husband Arnie Reisman, also a panelist on the show. “And when stirred and blended his recipe satisfied all appetites for hilarity and intelligent fun. We have had a fabulous run because of this warm and funny man whom we will miss more than we can now imagine.”
Mr. Reisman said: “Richard and I shared a view of the planet — cynical but zany. We bonded and became brothers, broken up by humor and joined by disagreements. He was an entrepreneur of a style of programming where it feels like a big party and everyone is welcome. We all loved him and he will be sorely missed. I will never forget him — he’s never given me a reason to. And I can hear him now comically chastising me for ending that last sentence with a preposition.”
Other regulars on the show are Carolyn Faye Fox, Tony Kahn, Francine Achbar and Barry Nolan. The supporting cast includes two seasonal Islanders, Flash Wiley and Julie Jaffe.
In the Gazette interview last summer, Mr. Sher described the difference between seeing the show live and hearing it on the radio. “You don’t get to see the reactions,” he said of the radio show. “The disbelief, the scorn and the disrespect born of 20 years of love.”
He is survived by his wife, Laura Price Sher and his son, Benjamin Payne Sher of Weston. Laura is program producer for Says You! working for Richard’s media company, Pipit & Finch. An exceptionally devoted father, Richard assisted coaching staffs in Little League baseball and Tri-Town basketball over the last decade. He was an active participant in the stewardship of the town of Weston over the past 18 years, a frequent contributor to the Weston Town Crier and vivacious voice at the podium during town meetings.
Says You! will continue its broadcasts for the time being.
This article appears in February 13, 2015.
I am so sorry to hear this. He brought many hours of laughter to me over the years. I admired his calm ability to hold the show together when the others took off on a humorous tangent. This is a loss for all of us. My condolences to those closest to him.
Oh My…. When I followed the thread of this story it lead me, quite unexpectedly to a comment made by my own daughter. I introduced that show to her. I don’t know how many years before that I had listened to Richard and his incomparable literary aficionados. Richard… I will miss you. I was always HAPPY to have ” a little fun at Websters expense”. My condolences as well to his family and friends. I will always be grateful to have been “tuned in”.
I’m saddened to hear of Richard’s passing, but so grateful that my family got to see his show several times here. He’s been a part of my KUOW Saturday evenings for years and years.
Rest in peace, Richard.
I had the pleasure of seeing several live broadcasts of “Says You”. What a delight! My condolences to Richard’s family. Many thanks for sharing his wit and sense of humor.
As someone who personally knew Richard, this came as a shock and I want to send all my love to his family. I hope that no one will forget his wonderful show and his wonderful personality as well. I was so glad he was a part of my life as well as everybody’s. He brought laughter to the world which I will truly miss.
We were thrilled to have tickets to tonights Says You! in Dorset, VT, first timers. We were stricken to hear of Richard Sher’s death. He certainly has left a legacy of intellegent fun! He will be missed and remembered by many. February 14, 2015
Why do I find two different “ages” for Richard Sher in news reports about his death? Both 66 and 74 have been reported and 1941 and 1948 have been reported as his birth year, Which, if either, is correct?
I work for WILL, pubic radio and TV for east central Illinois. My husband and I have been fans of the program for years. Last year it was a huge treat to have Says You here in Urbana. I had the priviledge to take the cast to their next stop in Indiana. It was truly my pleasure to have met Richard and his gang. They are all delightful and Sunday mornings won’t be the same without his voice and humor and mathematical calculations.
So very sorry to hear this. I have so enjoyed his show. My condolences to his family and friends.
My thought and prayers are with his family and colleagues. “Says You!” always provides a mental challenge and a good hearty belly laugh, both of which are needed for good health. Just what the doctor ordered.
This is so hard! So sorry to hear this… such a genuine person. He came to our town to do a couple of shows one year. A real highlight. Especially sorry for the family’s loss.
My condolences to his family, the NPR family, and all listeners near and far. Such gentle humor, such intelligence, and such a clever show.
I will miss him. He was a great host! Condolences to his family.
This is a shock! I love his show a lot! I’ve found nothing funnier on TV or radio. I was a regular listener until a couple months ago. I hope the show can continue with another host. I’d hate to see the whole thing go away after his death.
Such sad news. Our Friday nights won’t be the same. He brought us many laughs and surprises and happy moments. Our condolences to his family and all those on the show.
This is incredibly sad news. A great loss for his family and for public radio. Richard will be sorely missed.
A sad moment for radio; Saturday evenings will not sound the same again. My condolences to the family and others dear to him.
Very shocked and sad to hear of Richard’s passing. He was a bright, sharp and energetic person, and a true original. I’ll miss his smarts and his wit on Says You! and in real life, too.
I’m so sad to hear of the death of Richard Sher. My gosh, he was almost family in my household! I’m going to lift a glass a wine to Richard’s memory. He gave my family years of pleasure and will be missed by many, many total strangers.
Clearly based on the comments in the thread those of us in Seattle loved Richard and the show and I will continue to. I send our families love and thoughts to his family and the rest of the show family.
I just heard this sad news moments ago and can hardly believe it. I wish I did not have to, but my future Saturday evenings will always remind me. I am deeply saddened by this great loss to so many of us here. Thank you Richard you done good.
Thanks for the memories.
Condolences to family and friends.
I am so saddened to hear this news. My heart goes out to his family and his Says You! cohorts. I discovered “Says You!” on a road trip with my son to Indiana Dunes not long after is started and have been hooked ever since. I had the honor of seeing them live in Bloomington this past May with my son in what I considered one of their best shows. I have enjoyed playing along, Richard, thank you.
From the other coast, the other side of the country, I want to say we all mourning too. The Seattle shows this fall were pure delight. Richard bought great joy to an uncountable number of people. I will miss him greatly.
Richard was an incredibly generous friend to our little community out here. Our thoughts and love go to his wife and son, and to his “Says You” family.
I’m so sorry to hear this news. We have loved listening to the bluff and bluster, words and whimsy of Says You! for years including the several shows we saw live at Seattle Town Hall, most recently just a few months ago. My thoughts go out to Richard’s family and friends in their time of loss.
This is so sad, I love his humor and wit. Seeing the show performed live (twice, in Seattle, my hometown) was a highlight for me. My deepest sympathies to his family and those closest to him.
Our condolences to the family and to the extended Says You family as well. Our family has enjoyed this show for many years, and were able to attend the Seattle live shows every year for many years. This was such a sad surprise to hear on NPR this evening….warm thoughts and remembered chuckles being sent to you all.
Wow. This is a crushing loss. Looking at all the comments, you can see how far-reaching his impact was – particularly in western Washington State – within the radio range of KUOW 94.9. Says You actually came to my area on the Olympic Peninsula not once, but twice. I missed those live shows, but heard the broadcasts, and rarely missed any of the rest of them regardless of their cross-country locales. Personally, I am grateful for Richard and Says You for saving my sanity immediately after 9/11. Living alone, I leaned hard on public radio to make sense of what happened. And I soon needed some relief from the depths of the news had plunged me. This show helped me, and probably thousands of other people, to laugh again. I have even thought that if I’d gotten a chance to meet Richard I would tell him that. While I never got that chance, I’ll send it up now into the ether.
What a huge loss. Loved his show for years! Sincere condolences to his family and friends.
What a great loss, what a great mind. He will be missed.
Richard was very funny and made the show great with the way he interacted with the panelists as well as with the audience. I didn’t have the chance to know him outside of the show but I have little doubt he was as personable as I heard. My personal condolences to his family and friends(I have little doubt he had many)
Richard Sher and his gang have been such a bright spot for me on Saturday evenings. I will miss them terribly.
I am shocked and saddened to hear this news. I’ve been enjoying listening and attending shows for many years. What a loss. My deepest sympathy to his family and friends.
What a loss of a truly good guy. My heartfelt condolences to the Sher family, and to his radio show family.
Oh Richard, I never had the chance to say good-bye. Our friend Debbie L. shared the sad news. Richard was my T.A. in grad school in Boston. He was a friend, career counselor, and bright light in the dark. In the early days of “Says You,” he’d invite friends to fill the audience. But soon there were crowds galore. Richard was a lovable jokester and an incredibly talented producer. He once told me in jest that his tombstone should read, “Now this I didn’t plan for” (the heck with grammar). My thoughts and prayers are with his loving family: Laura, Ben, and Oscar.
So sorry for his family. Hard to express how Richard affected my life. Once in a while I got something right, Saturdays will not be the same. Thank you for making my life so much richer.
I will forever recall with a smile the frabjous joy he brought to me and so very, very many of us both in person and via NPR and our radios.
My heart goes out to Richard’s dear loved ones.
May you all find comfort in this very difficult time.
I was so shocked to hear this, and saddened for his friends, family and the whole extended radio family, including me, who enjoyed Richard’s good humor every week. And now a smile to think of the frabjous times I had listening to the program, and the fun learning new words. I’m so grateful he dreamed up this radio show, and gathered the clever panel, and got KUOW to air it.
So sorry to hear of the loss of Says You creator, producer and host Richard Sher. Says You is a weekend mainstay which has brought me many chuckles and thoughtful insight through the years. Thank you! Sending prayer and major MoJo to all those who loved him. He touched many of us.
So sorry to hear this; he will be missed by so many.
Sad and shocked. RIP, Richard. I have so enjoyed the show, especially the times I saw it being taped live in Seattle
I will miss you. It was ritual of the best parts of my life to listen while I made supper Saturday nights. Thanks for all the great shows.
Richard’s wonderful voice and wit and humor will be greatly missed. You were a great gift to this world, Richard. Thank you!
Condolences to Richard’s family, and to his colleagues of “Says You.” So enjoyed the humor and obvious comradery among everyone on the show. Thank you for asking for countless definitions that made me smile.
I am deeply wounded by this loss. I feel very honored to have spoken with Richard many times over the years. He has often said that the idea for “Says You” was hatched in Seattle, while he was in the audience for a live broadcast of “Potluck” featuring an appearance by his fiddler friend Frank Ferrel, in the early ’90s. As I produced that show, he told me he considered me a “godfather” to “Says You.” He truly loved how Seattle embraced his dream (it even frightened him a little to appear before a huge, enthusiastic Seattle audience the first time they traveled so far from their home base) – Richard, I hope you knew how much Seattle (and the rest of the nation) loved you. We now send that love to his family, and to the panelists and his radio team. Our broadcast day is permanently a little dimmer. Aloha `oe.
On the third anniversary of Richard’s passing, my joy at having joined the program as host is tempered by the sadness at the circumstances leading to that opportunity. My fond wish is to do honor to his show, his vision, and his memory in that role. To receive the affection of his families (both his home and radio ones) has been an cherished gift.
“Shocked and sorry” seems to be the unifying thread in the comments here and I have to say that I am both. Condolences to all who knew this wonderful man; I’ll miss his “could be, could be . . . or, it could be something else.”
Shocked and saddened. Condolences to Richard’s family and friends.
As with my fellow PNWesterners, Richard will be sorely missed. The collaboration he made with his panelists (keeping it short, but we love you all), was so natural; it’s as though they were all siblings and we were extended family. It’s not just that you expanded our minds, but filled our hearts with pure, beverages-through-nostril-laughter. Ever indebted for the joy, knowledge and laughter that Richard and the cast of “Says You” gave us.
I’m so sorry. I always listen to “Says You” with pleasure. Richard Sher was a bright light. May he rest in peace. My condolences to his family and friends.
Each week you asked us to, “See if you can discover the rose among thorns.” Sure, Richard, we all did that. You are that rose. Shakespeare was right when he said a rose by any other name would smell as sweet. You were a rose without thorns. Thank you for having been here with us and brightening our lives.
We”re so sorry to hear this sad news. Prayers for comfort for the Shers and Richard’s radio family.
Among other things, he had wisdom.
One of the few right decisions I have made was taking my mom to a “Says You!” taping at the Charles Hotel in Harvard Square, many years ago. Until she passed, in 2013, we would always listen to the show together, whenever we could, and remember joyfully the experience of having seen it performed. And when we were apart, we would compare notes on the show after listening separately…she at her kitchen table, with her evening cup of tea and a home-baked dessert; me, behind the wheel of a cab in Boston.
It was always like balm for the distance…and now I see that it is something that even unites Seahawks and Patriots.
No one went away from the radio feeling cheated, or less than edified and grateful and happy to have put everything else on the back burner for an hour.
What a tremendous achievement to have come up with and have orchestrated so smoothly and well and for so long (…much too short a time, if you ask me…).
Thanks for stopping in.
BTW
Now I know who’s been giving me the skinny all these years…!
Going to the tapings was something I looked forward to every time they came to Seattle. From his core, Richard exuded friendliness, wit, class and good humor, and he played the straight man to his witty colleagues with subtle grace. It’s hard to imagine Saturday evening without him. Harder for his family and friends to have life without him. My condolences to them.
Hard to believe. The ONLY thing that was ever allowed to interrupt our dinner…listening to Says You! on Saturday evening. So glad we saw the show live. He will be missed for a long while. I wish the family peace as they cope with his passing.
It is with deep sadness that we heard of Richard’s death. He was such a gentle soul and a great producer. He will be missed.
I hope that his radio family will continue Says You! in his honor.
Rest in Peace Richard, one of the funniest guys I ever met.
I can hear his voice….
We are so sad to hear this news. We often listened on the way to an arts event, and we’d rather hear the show than a pre=performance lecture. Truly a loss for the public radio community, and our hearts are with all those who knew this gifted man. Benjamin, it was such a lift to hear the pride in his voice when he announced your presence as a score-keeper.
Richard brought so much joy to my life. The Saturday evening program was a highlight. My condolences to his family. He will be missed.
This is a huge loss. Says You! has been a highlight of our week for many, many years. We would arrange our Saturday evening schedule around Says You!, rarely missing a show. And never missing a Seattle taping. Richard and his crew brought joy to countless listeners and will be greatly missed. I hope WGBH and the Says You! crew continue producing the show as a tribute to Richard.
It is with great sadness that I learn of the passing of Mr. Sher!!! His family, friends, and radio family are in my thoughts and prayers!!! The delightful radio program has been a weekend highlight for me!!!
I have loved the intellectual banter. I have learned much – – – and have been encouraged to think and reason. Thanks!!! I hope the radio program continues in Mr. Sher’s memory!!!
Richard brought so much joy to my life. The Saturday evening program was a highlight. My condolences to his family. He will be missed.
Very, very sad news. I had the privilege of meeting Richard on the Little League Field while coaching Ben. I didn’t know for quite a while that he was the host of one of my favorite programs. Having also competed With him in basketball coaching I got to greatly enjoy his prospective and opinions! Richard never held back!
He will be greatly missed. Our condolences to Laura and Ben
I was so shocked and saddened to hear of the loss of Richard Sher. The show and Richard were such a bright spot on Saturday evening. It will be a tough spot to fill. Condolences to the Sher family and all the frieds of Says You>
My wife and I listened to Says You! most every Saturday night while having dinner. Richard and the panelists have become out welcome guests, and I hoped to attend one of the shows when they were in town. As a mariner, I often come across obscure terminology, and I often thought… I should send that in to Says You! We will miss you, Richard. Our condolences to his family. How blessed they are to have lived with his humorous, gentle nature.
This chain of comments is such an amazing outpouring of affection and grief. And so much of it from the Seattle area, where we performed last October. Richard’s family is very grateful for this love at this time. And so are we, the cast Of Says You. We will be meeting in a week to discuss the show’s future. For the time being, since part of Richard’s genius saw to it that each show was edited to be an “evergreen,” that he removed all signs of topical references, we have nearly 500 shows that can be recycled and rebroadcast. So stay tuned. Meanwhile, thank you, all. We are still in shock.
Arnie, thank you for giving us an update. All of us at KUOW send our condolences, not only to Richard’s biological family but also to you and his radio family. Please know our hearts are with all of you at this time.
I love this show. I saw it live each time it was in Seattle. My Saturday evening will not be the same. May his spirit live on. My sympathy to his family.
Oh my what a loss!to his family and friends whom he so brilliantly involved in his work, and to his listeners for whom he provided such loving wit. Although he is likely irreplaceable, I do hope that Pipit & Finch will figure out a way to continue Says You! Deep condolences to his family, friends, co-conspiritors and listeners.
Lovers of words will miss him…he’s one of those folks who taught my grandkids that it’s cool to be smart. Upward, Richard!!
My condolences to his family and friends.
From the first time that “Says You” came on the air on KUOW ( our local NPR affiliate) Richard has been a regular part of my parents and my Saturdays. His humor and erudition (provide the definition and derivation ;-)) will be much missed.
My condolences to his family and friends.
From the first time that “Says You” came on the air on KUOW ( our local NPR affiliate) Richard has been a regular part of my parents and my Saturdays. His humor and erudition (provide the definition and derivation ;-)) will be much missed.
Stunned… Says You and Richard Sher’s wit and joy has been a staple for myself, friends and family for over a decade. Its no exaggeration to say that for many years my weekends have been scheduled around being in front of a radio every saturday at six! The loose, anarchy that broke apart the game show form has always been a thing of beauty. We will sorely miss what is surely the most arbitrary, good natured scoring of any game show in the universe!!
Many condolences to his family and friends and hope and thanks to you Mr. Sher.
“Definition of the word” – Sad, S A D Sad
Just heard of Richard’s passing at the close of today’s broadcast of Say’s You on WPR… have been a weekly listener for years. I welcome the continued broadcast of the show, but, will dearly miss Richard’s presence.
I want to add my condolences to his friends and family for your loss. Richard Sher will be remembered and missed. He made my life more interesting and fun, for many years.
To turn on the radio and hear Richard’s voice always made me smile, because I knew I was sure to be challenged in a very engaging way, just like the panelists and the live audience. Says You! is one of my favorite NPR shows and I hope we can all carry on the wordplay and the love of life in Richard’s absence as I know he wants us to.
I’ve just now learned of Richard’s passing and am both stunned and saddened. I’ve been an enthusiastic fan of “Says You” for years, not merely for its substance, but also for the joy and good humor the participants bring to every show. Listening to “Says You” is like joining a group of bright and quick-witted friends for an evening of fun, and I’m grateful to Richard for making it happen. He will be missed.
Sorry to lose a good man. I had to cry while listening to his last show. Adios ,Steve
I’m better for having discovered “Says You”. Thanks to Richard and all the others who made it possible.
I am so very sad to hear this. I was shocked when they announced today’s show was a tribute to Richard. My husband and I were lucky enough to go to very early tapings in Lincoln, Mass., when it was a small, intimate crowd. The world needs more Richard Shers. We miss you already, dear friend. Our hearts go out to his wife and son. Richard, we hope you are keeping the angels on their toes with your brilliance and wit.
Everyone will miss his presence on the show and in life in general. Richard created a “brand” that should not disappear.
I could say alot of stuff here…but it breaks down to this: I am sad.
So sorry to hear of the loss and my sincere sympathy to his family. He was like the acquaintance/colleague “friend” you never met but always looked forward to hearing from. When I read the tribute by public radio, what I wanted to say was already said which was that Richard was not only brilliant but kind. In contrast to the usual crassness and sarcasm in much of the entertainment media, Richard Sher reminded me to appreciate what is good.