  Johnlodge Member Username: Johnlodge Post Number: 1718 Registered: 10-2003 |
Years ago, my grandpa was in the hospital (he was a chronically sick man, bad heart, pacemaker...), and shared his room with Bozo the Clown. I'm not sure what Bozo was in for. But my grandpa really stressed to us all what a great guy and great company Bozo was. I'm not sure which Bozo it was he met, I will have to ask my grandma and get back with the info. Here's the Detroit Bozos: Jerry Booth (1959) WWJ-TV Bob McNea (1959-1987) WWJ-TV Art Cervi (1975-1980) WJBK-TV I seem to remember some tale of a Bozo living somewhere on Haggerty Road, but the memory is very fuzzy. Anybody have any Detroit Bozo stories of their own to share? | ||
Bobj Member Username: Bobj Post Number: 2343 Registered: 11-2003 |
I was on the Big Top show with my cub scout troop in 1968 or so. Lots of fun | ||
Johnlodge Member Username: Johnlodge Post Number: 1719 Registered: 10-2003 |
Update, it was Bob McNea. | ||
Sstashmoo Member Username: Sstashmoo Post Number: 250 Registered: 02-2007 |
Wasn't the Bozo show broadcast from Chicago? Or were there two Bozo shows? (getting a lot done today) We had "Milky" the twin pines clown. | ||
Quozl Member Username: Quozl Post Number: 1168 Registered: 07-2005 |
I thought Oopsie the Clown was Bozo the Clown in disguise... | ||
Ed_golick Member Username: Ed_golick Post Number: 764 Registered: 10-2003 |
Johnlodge, You've got your Bozo facts a little mixed up. Bob McNea 1959 to 1967 WWJ Jerry Booth 1967 CKLW (he did just a handful of shows) Art Cervi 1967 to 1975 on CKLW, then 1975 to 1980 at WJBK. In my humble opinion, Art Cervi was the best Bozo. Over the years I've received dozens of emails frm people looking for copies of Bozo shows that they appeared on as kids. Sorry folks, they were destroyed years ago. | ||
Ed_golick Member Username: Ed_golick Post Number: 765 Registered: 10-2003 |
Quozl, Oopsy was Bozo's cousin. | ||
Rjk Member Username: Rjk Post Number: 800 Registered: 11-2003 |
I heard Art Cervi doing his car show on the radio a few years ago and there's no mistaking that voice. It took me back some 30 years. | ||
Kaptansolo Member Username: Kaptansolo Post Number: 113 Registered: 07-2007 |
Sstashmoo I remember the "Twin Pines" clown. I could not remember it's name. As a kid I thought it was a snowman. | ||
Rogerjab Member Username: Rogerjab Post Number: 57 Registered: 06-2005 |
I believe the "Twin Pines" clown was played by Crazy Joe Devola | ||
Courtney Member Username: Courtney Post Number: 155 Registered: 06-2004 |
Sstashmoo, the "original" Bozo was in LA. It was syndicated so outlets all over had their own versions. I had only known the Chicago WGN version when I was young (the original Bozo there was from Flint) and that alone was enough to instill a lifelong fear of clowns. Well, that and reading Stephen Kings' "It" in the 4th grade. | ||
Johnlodge Member Username: Johnlodge Post Number: 1720 Registered: 10-2003 |
Ah, thanks Ed. I got my info from Wikipedia. That should serve to show how accurate Wikipedia is. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B ozo_the_Clown | ||
Sstashmoo Member Username: Sstashmoo Post Number: 252 Registered: 02-2007 |
Thanks Courtney, What is confusing is that Bozo here talked about the State fair grounds and the Shrine circus. Maybe they were spots? So the question is again. Detroit had it's own Bozo taped here in Detroit? Harry Shearer that does the voice for Krusty the Clown which he modeled after Bozo, said he was from Chicago. And when they did a tribute to Bozo (randomly caught it on TV) it was in Chicago. Kaptan, Milky was pretty lame from what I remember. He was really more of a host for a cartoon show. Can't remember anything he did. | ||
Johnlodge Member Username: Johnlodge Post Number: 1725 Registered: 10-2003 |
Sstash, check out the wikipedia link. Although some of the dates may be incorrect, it does show that every major market had their own Bozo. Detroit, Grand Rapids, and Flint all had their own Bozos. Our forum has some of its own Bozos as well. Ha! | ||
Ed_golick Member Username: Ed_golick Post Number: 766 Registered: 10-2003 |
Sstashmoo, Both Milkys, Clare Cummings and Karrell Fox, were master magicians. Remember the magic word, "Twin Pines?" Bob McNea, Detroit's first Bozo, was a clown in the Shrine Circus years before he was Bozo. There were dozens of local Bozos thruout the country, all controlled by Larry Harmon. | ||
Ray1936 Member Username: Ray1936 Post Number: 1794 Registered: 01-2005 |
I'm amazed that no one has yet mentioned the City Council.  | ||
Detroitplanner Member Username: Detroitplanner Post Number: 1352 Registered: 04-2006 |
I always thought that Bozo was from CKLW. It hd to be there for more than just a few sows. They did however sell a lot of ad space to Buschemis and Stroh's Ice Cream. I could never understand why my parents never got that pizza, since then I realized it was only on the east side. | ||
Ed_golick Member Username: Ed_golick Post Number: 767 Registered: 10-2003 |
Detroitplanner, Jerry Booth only did a few Bozo shows at CKLW, but Art Cervi was there from 67 to 75. | ||
Oldestuff Member Username: Oldestuff Post Number: 35 Registered: 01-2007 |
Art Cervi was the best Bozo. When the Syndicate pulled the franchise, he became Oopsy. Couldn't show those cartoon anymore with Big Shorty and Short Biggy. | ||
Ed_golick Member Username: Ed_golick Post Number: 768 Registered: 10-2003 |
Oldestuff, Bob McNea was Oopsy, not Art Cervi. Not quite sure what syndicate you are referring to, but Channel 4 decided to go with their own character rather than pay Larry Harmon a franchise fee for the Bozo character. | ||
Revaldullton Member Username: Revaldullton Post Number: 648 Registered: 07-2007 |
Man, I remember watching Bozo before I even started kindergarten. Then my mom and I would watch the galloping gourmet . lol then of course all the famous ones like the flying nun, f troop, get smart , hillbillies etc etc etc. Thanx for the memories the good rev | ||
Ccbatson Member Username: Ccbatson Post Number: 2078 Registered: 11-2006 |
Art Cervi is alive and well in Novi. | ||
Sstashmoo Member Username: Sstashmoo Post Number: 253 Registered: 02-2007 |
I remember watching Bozo every afternoon after school. Before that we watched "Poopdeck Paul". Galloping gourmet? Every watch the "Galloping ghoulet"? Lots of cheese whiz. | ||
Jazzstage Member Username: Jazzstage Post Number: 51 Registered: 08-2007 |
Ed, Are you a Shriner by any chance? If so, what temple did you belong to? Did you know Doodles the clown? | ||
Ravine Member Username: Ravine Post Number: 1176 Registered: 01-2006 |
Since I am quite convinced that I can trust Ed G. on the timeline, the Bozo I watched was Bob McNea. This may make me sound as though I am too easily amused, but I thought it was really cool, the way he could put some kid's initials on a board (to salute kids' birthdays, I think) and then use them as a starting point for a picture he would draw. I guess the imaginative/creative aspect of it pleased me. | ||
Kaptansolo Member Username: Kaptansolo Post Number: 115 Registered: 07-2007 |
Well I feel really out of touch here. I only remember "Milky" on the cartons of Twin Pines milk and like I said...I thought it was a Snowman. Not only did I not know it was a clown until I was a little older...I am learning here that this was an actual character played by someone. The Kaptan is uncultured. | ||
Sstashmoo Member Username: Sstashmoo Post Number: 255 Registered: 02-2007 |
I had forgot about the milky cartoons. So it goes both ways. Yes, Milky was a real character here on Detroit TV. I remember wanting to watch him, but cant remember much about it. I do remember the Twin Pines magic words. I think it was the set. He was dressed in white and it seemed like a white background and black and white TV. Not much contrast. Seems like all that sorta stood out was his face. Kinda weird. | ||
Sharms Member Username: Sharms Post Number: 17 Registered: 07-2007 |
I went to high school with Milky's daughter out in Birmingham. Her last name was Cummings and I think her dad's name was Claire (sp?). (Message edited by sharms on August 14, 2007) | ||
Ed_golick Member Username: Ed_golick Post Number: 769 Registered: 10-2003 |
Jazzstage, Not a shriner. Sstashmoo and Kaptansolo, Here's some Milky info. http://www.detroitkidshow.com/ Clare_Cummings.htm | ||
Jrvass Member Username: Jrvass Post Number: 173 Registered: 01-2007 |
The overnight news from Vietnam and farm report with Kurt Knight ended the TV test pattern of the overnight hours. Then it was something (cartoons?), Captain Kangaroo, The Friendly Giant (on CBC). I briefly remember Milky the Clown... I remember the Twin Pines milkman we had better. Oopsy was on the weekends. The good, classic, cartoons were on Saturday morning. Oopsy and the lame claymation Davey & Goliath on Sundays. The Flintstones were just before dinner during the week. Later if I was home sick from school, I remember I Love Lucy and Beverly Hillbilly reruns in the am, Rita Bell Prize Movie, and Bill Kennedy at the Movies in the afternoon. It would be interesting to see a TV listing from that early era of TV. | ||
Johnlodge Member Username: Johnlodge Post Number: 1775 Registered: 10-2003 |
"The Friendly Giant" Ahhh, nobody EVER knows what I'm talking about when I mention the Friendly Giant. Glad somebody confirms I'm not crazy. We'd wait out front, and the Friendly Giant would go 'round back and lower the drawbridge to let us in. | ||
D2dyeah Member Username: D2dyeah Post Number: 66 Registered: 09-2005 |
Johnlodge/ The Friendly Giant show started with his hand offering a rocking chair, "for somebody who likes to rock", a small chair,"for someone who likes to curl up in front of the fire", and then he would say "Look up......Waaay up"... and there he was. The show was a little odd but it was fun watching. | ||
Johnlodge Member Username: Johnlodge Post Number: 1779 Registered: 10-2003 |
Hahaha yes D2! Wow, amazing. It was very odd. His buddy was a chicken in a sack hanging from the wall. | ||
Vetalalumni Member Username: Vetalalumni Post Number: 523 Registered: 05-2007 |
Friendly Giant was a big hit for me as well. Wiki has a write-up about Bob Homme with some links and even a video clip at the bottom. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T he_Friendly_Giant | ||
Revaldullton Member Username: Revaldullton Post Number: 651 Registered: 07-2007 |
http://youtube.com/watch?v=RkE UNX45-V0 http://youtube.com/watch?v=_WO Ed4p2rR0 could'nt find an original, but here ya go for some memories the good rev | ||
D2dyeah Member Username: D2dyeah Post Number: 69 Registered: 09-2005 |
Vetalalumni/ Johnlodge ........ Thank you very much. I hadn't thought about that show for decades, until now. I forgot about the castle. They had a terrific model builder for that show. | ||
Jrvass Member Username: Jrvass Post Number: 176 Registered: 01-2007 |
http://www.cbc.ca/lifeandtimes /growingupcanadian.html James | ||
Johnlodge Member Username: Johnlodge Post Number: 1782 Registered: 10-2003 |
Oh wow, I forgot all about Fred Penner. This might be the best thread ever. | ||
Sstashmoo Member Username: Sstashmoo Post Number: 258 Registered: 02-2007 |
Quote "Ahhh, nobody EVER knows what I'm talking about when I mention the Friendly Giant." (Deep voice) "Loook uup, wayyyy up" | ||
Lefty2 Member Username: Lefty2 Post Number: 15 Registered: 07-2007 |
Does anyone ever know if Geraldo Rivera was on the Bozo show as a kid and swore at him, or is this so called urban legend | ||
Ed_golick Member Username: Ed_golick Post Number: 772 Registered: 10-2003 |
Urban Legend. | ||
Johnlodge Member Username: Johnlodge Post Number: 1785 Registered: 10-2003 |
http://www.youtube.com/results ?search_query=mr.+rogers+senat e&search=Search Check out this very moving speech by Mr. Rogers in front of a Senate committee in 1969. This is one of my favorite YouTube clips. It is definitely worth the six minute investment of time to see. | ||
Sstashmoo Member Username: Sstashmoo Post Number: 261 Registered: 02-2007 |
""Bozo show as a kid and swore at him, or is this so called urban legend"" There was a kid that did. Or it was a widely circulated story with supposed witnesses. Never heard it was Geraldo. Supposedly the kid gave Bozo the finger. LOL Still funny after all these years. | ||
Mtm Member Username: Mtm Post Number: 238 Registered: 06-2006 |
You folks have GOT to get "TV Land - Detroit" by Gordon Castelnero (Amazon has it for $17)! It covers everything about Bozo, Milky, Bill Kenedy, Rita Bell, etc. Great Book! Sister Solania took our fourth grade class to see Bozo in Windsor about 1968. I got picked to play some game and didn't win but was very nervous about being on live TV. | ||
Ed_golick Member Username: Ed_golick Post Number: 773 Registered: 10-2003 |
And if you order Gordon's book thru this link http://www.detroitkidshow.com/ tv_land_detroit.htm it helps to support my Detroit TV website. | ||
Ed_golick Member Username: Ed_golick Post Number: 774 Registered: 10-2003 |
Evertbody knows someone who claims he saw a kid give Bozo the finger. I repeat, it never happened! http://www.snopes.com/radiotv/ tv/bozo.asp | ||
Mtm Member Username: Mtm Post Number: 240 Registered: 06-2006 |
Oh, thats's right, Ed! I forgot that you're quoted several times in "TV Land"! Much better to support the local than amazon. Thanks. | ||
Kslice Member Username: Kslice Post Number: 140 Registered: 04-2007 |
"Forget Bozo, Bozo's out. He's finished. It's over for Bozo." I would watch that show when i was a real little kid but never really liked it. In case you dont know the quote at the start of my post is from seinfeld, "the Fire" episode, now theres a great show! | ||
Gannon Member Username: Gannon Post Number: 9850 Registered: 12-2003 |
I have vague memories of seeing Bozo in a studio in Windsor...and being very disappointed that it was in such a small room. Pretty funny, I had no idea what to expect. I'm pretty sure my sister went up for something, but I didn't...she won a huge tootsie roll tube filled with bite-sized candies and when empty doubled as a coin bank. As with all candy products in our home, I immediately ate it all so she could have a functioning bank. Always trying to be the useful brother. | ||
Lefty2 Member Username: Lefty2 Post Number: 39 Registered: 07-2007 |
How dare anyone say anything bad about bozo. That is just wrong. | ||
Ed_golick Member Username: Ed_golick Post Number: 787 Registered: 10-2003 |
Kslice, I got my eye on you.  | ||
Catman_dude Member Username: Catman_dude Post Number: 200 Registered: 03-2006 |
I still remember the melody played on The Friendly Giant. The melody is from the song "Early One Morning". Me and my mother often hummed the melody during her last days before her passing. | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 5191 Registered: 08-2004 |
The Friendly Giant opening line was like this: "Look up... waaay up.... higher....". Milky the Clown had some sort of competitions with the kids on his shows (can't remember a single one). But the winners got to grab 2 handfuls of pennies out of a fishbowl. The losers got to grab a single handful of pennies. Back then before inflation took its' toll on the mighty cent... a handful of pennies got you a lot of great candy at the store! | ||
Ed_golick Member Username: Ed_golick Post Number: 788 Registered: 10-2003 |
Milky's famed fishbowl was designed with a small opening so that a kid would scrape his knuckles on it, causing him to drop most of his fistful of pennies. True story. | ||
Jimaz Member Username: Jimaz Post Number: 3051 Registered: 12-2005 |
Ha! It's like a monkey trap! | ||
Lefty2 Member Username: Lefty2 Post Number: 42 Registered: 07-2007 |
Theme song From BoZo http://kidshow.dcmemories.com/ bozodance.mp3 Friendly Giant http://www.kididdles.com/lyric s/f021.html Mr Dressup http://www.staffannouncer.com/ mrdressup/dressuptheme.WMA | ||
Applesauce Member Username: Applesauce Post Number: 74 Registered: 06-2007 |
I worked with Art Cervi's brother for the last 14 years or so. If Art is anything like his brother, both would be extremely nice as well as dedicated to their craft. | ||
Jrvass Member Username: Jrvass Post Number: 185 Registered: 01-2007 |
http://youtube.com/watch?v=bO_ bhcAVQZo&mode=related&search= OK. I found it on a related search to the Friendly Giant. Don Cherry in a tirade on "Hockey Night in Canada!" Woo hoo! James | ||
Jimaz Member Username: Jimaz Post Number: 3062 Registered: 12-2005 |
Lefty2, I have to thank you for those audio files. I had forgotten them but recognized them the moment I heard them. Thanks! |
