Marshall Shapiro
Marshall (Marsh) Shapiro (1938-2012) is a Madison broadcasting icon whose engaging personality took him from a beloved kids show host to a well-respected sports authority.
Apart from three years of service in the Navy, Marshall lived his entire life in Madison. In 1964 he started hosting the WKOW-TV afternoon kids’ show “Cartoon Corral” as Marshall the Marshall. The show was also carried by WAOW-TV in Wausau. Thousands of children and guests appeared on the show during its run until 1968. He got into the community, attending company picnics, fairs, birthday parties, parades, and other special events.
Marshall turned his career toward sports, joining the WKOW sports department and serving as sports director. He got a reputation for cultivating deep sources on the sports beat.
From 1975 to the mid-80s he anchored WKOW-TV statewide telecasts of the WIAA basketball, swimming, and wrestling tournaments. He also did play-by-play for Badger football, basketball, and wrestling.
Marshall emceed WKOW’s local segments of the Muscular Dystrophy telethons and hosted the events Special Olympics in Stevens Point from 1983 to 1991.
Marshall served on numerous community boards and from 1968 to 2010 and also owned and operated the Nitty Gritty Restaurant and Bar.
Former employer Terry Shockley said Marshall was, “Dedicated to his profession of broadcasting while very tenacious in all respects.”
My sister and I were guest on the Marshall to Marshall show, each one of us twins sat on each side of Marshall the Marshall , you know I didn’t realize when I was a little kid that, his gun was so heavy, it was actually real , when I pulled it out of his holster and pointed it at the TV, HA HA , I would like to see that again, if YOU can look up the footage I’ll pay for it