James Patrick Healy (September 14, 1923 – July 22, 1994)[1] was a longtime Los Angeles, California, sports commentator (KLAC, 1961–1965; KFWB, 1969; KABC-TV, 1969–1984; KLAC, 1973–1982; KMPC, 1984–1994), whose daily solo radio show featured a number of sound effects[2] and audio clips ("drops") of famous sports personalities, which he played repeatedly to affect an acerbically humorous tone.
[4] Healy's shows (from the late 1970s onward) took the form of him reading headlines, with the clicking sound effect of a teleprinter in the background.
[citation needed] In response to his own headlines or comments, Healy would then play one of his many favorite audio clips, such as "That's a bunch of bull," "That's just plain poppycock" (President Richard Nixon), or "Jim Healy, you've got a weak show" (by a Howard Cosell mimic), followed by the genuine Cosell drop "Who Goofed I've got to know."
Healy would stay on the air as the top of the hour approached, then warn his listeners about the impending "dreaded six o'clock tone", and continue his program.
[citation needed] During his late career, one of Healy's favorite clips came from then-University of Miami defensive end Jerome Brown, captured on tape when Brown led his fellow Hurricanes out of a pre-1987 Fiesta Bowl dinner with opponent Penn State, saying: Did the Japanese go and sit down and have dinner with Pearl Harbor before they bombed 'em?