New Yorkers Watching NY1 For Decades: “Whipple’s World” Must-See Film Now Streaming Featuring George Whipple, Celebrity Red Carpet Journalist, Inspirational Film

Back in the early days of New York 1, before it was Spectrum News and monopolies ran rampant, it was a new 24 hour news station with big dreams.  One day, George Whipple III (whose actual name is George Carroll Whipple III)  saw the station and had the brilliant idea to approach them about doing a celebrity red carpet show.

It would be short, to the point, in between the rest of their programming.  And as someone who experienced this time, it’s Whipple’s World, that brief little segment between, that put New York 1 on the map for this city in a serious way and even the whole nation. 

In this film you’ll learn a lot about George Whipple, or Mr. Eyebrows as he’s affectionately known.  Including that he is directly descended from Susan B. Anthony.  Yes, that Susan B. Anthony (the fighter for women’s right to vote). The direct descendant of three signers of the Declaration of Independence (you know, that thing we’re celebrating its 250 years anniversary this year). Many abolitionists and revolutionaries are in his family line. 

You’ll learn he’s a lawyer- a very successful one- in the city.  And he’s a third generation farmer in Upstate New York. It’s not clear if he farms any crops, but he raises chickens and a rare breed of cows that’s a threatened species, among a number of other threatened and endangered species who live in his farm in peace.  It appears the farming is for fun rather than profit, but they probably grow some crops, as it’s referred to on Preserve Putnam’s website as a working farm.  He was a founding member of the Preserve Putnam organization as well and undertook various town preservation projects. And he never stops moving.  Like ever. And his enthusiasm is contagious. 

And this farm is where this film connects with another recently reviewed film where we spoke with the filmmakers: Groundswell and Kiss the Ground.  If Mr. Whipple converted his farm into regenerative agriculture, he could contribute to reversing global warming, restoring local and widespread ecosystems, bringing back bugs and bees, and much more.  Including also making money by selling the vegetables and fruits he’d be growing. He already has the land and the cows and the chickens.  All he needs is a roller crimper and some people to operate it. He could grow a food crop forest in a couple of years time.  And keep the haunted house at his castle in the fall.  

Wait, haunted house? Castle? Yes, he has those too.  In Putnam County he is well known.  His daughter was named the Princess of Putnam County, and he was appreciated by the Town as well.  That castle I mentioned? It was rotting and falling apart. He restored it to better than its former glory.  And it wasn’t for the rewards or the accolades or the glory. He wanted to give back to that community, and wasn’t expecting thanks from them. 

So the show.  Whipple’s World.  One of the best known segments on TV. Talking to celebrities on the Red Carpet.  All the glitz and glam and fun…and fifty five takes of. The same line until they got it right. Editing and splicing together. 

Oh and did I mention the intros and outros were done by none other than world renowned artist Peter Max? Yes, that’s true too. So if you ever wondered why they were so captivating…they pulled out all the stops on this show. 

But what’s it like to live in Putnam Country and work in Manhattan?  He sees more of the inside of a car than anything else. Ten hours a day he spends easily in the car.  But he clearly enjoys everything he does.  Including being a collector, which he says is just a somewhat wealthy hoarder.  

And to close out this review, something he said at the end, his closing line was great: “I stood in one spot for 29 years, and that’s a documentary history of the city of New York.  Anybody could have done it, but I did it.”

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I would give this film five stars and highly recommend it as a must see movie.  

Film Synopsis:

For over 30 years, George Whipple has been the iconic eyebrows behind New York’s red carpet scene, interviewing the world’s biggest celebrities. Beyond the iconic TV moments lies the whirlwind of life inside ‘Whipple’s World’. Step past the velvet rope, and Whipple is not just a reporter. He is a high-powered lawyer, a farmer, and a family man who calls a castle home. Through decades of star-studded archival moments and intimate access to his law office, family life, and daily routines, ‘Whipple’s World’ reveals a man whose own story rivals the spectacle he has spent a lifetime covering. With his daughter, his loyal crew, and a life that never slows down, George Whipple emerges as the most unexpected character of all.

Directed by: Adam Paul Verity

Written by: Cody Williams

Featuring: George Carroll Whipple III, Robin Sanders, Sharon F Johnson

Produced by: Adam Paul Verity, Cody Williams

Step behind the red carpet and beyond the eyebrows with reporter George Whipple, revealing the high-powered lawyer, farmer, and castle-dwelling life no TV viewer has ever seen.

RT: 78 Min

Several public screenings were held in the month of June, and the film is now available on streaming providers. 

Banner Image: George Whipple. Image Credit – Falco Ink