Where did the Bozo Show take place?
The Bozo Show was a locally produced children's television program that aired on WGN-TV in Chicago and nationally on what is now NewsNation. It was based on a children's record-book series, Bozo the Clown by Capitol Records.
When was bozo's circus on TV?
Bozo's Circus (TV Series 1961–1980) - IMDb Bozo's Circus: With Bob Bell, Roy Brown, Frazier Thomas, Marshall Brodien. An iconic children's show on Chicago's WGN television station. Children would go home from school at noon to have lunch and watch the show!
Why was Bozo the Bozo so popular in Chicago?
The show was so popular locally, that seven hours after the Chicago Blizzard of 1967 began, there were 193 people standing in line, waiting to use their Bozo show tickets; it was one of the few times the live show was canceled and the tape of an older show was run instead. [4] [12]
What channel is Bozo the Clown on?
Jump to navigation Jump to search. The Bozo Show was a locally produced children's television program that aired on WGN-TV in Chicago and nationally on what is now WGN America. It was based on the children's record book series, Bozo the Clown by Capitol Records.
Where was the Bozo show filmed in Chicago?
The series was placed on hiatus in January 1961 to facilitate WGN's move from Tribune Tower in downtown Chicago to 2501 West Bradley Place on the city's northwest side. WGN-TV's "Bozo's Circus" debuted on September 11, 1961.
Where was Bozo the Clown located?
Chicago-based Bozo's Circus, featuring the antics of a clown with startling red hair, was the nation's longest-running children's television program. The Bozo character originated in Los Angeles in 1946, when Alan Livingston created the clown for a series of Capitol Records children's albums.
Why was Bozo the Clown Cancelled?
He cited a dwindling audience and increased competition from cable as the reasons for discontinuing production of "The Bozo Super Sunday Show," the series' present once-a-week incarnation, down from its five-days-a-week schedule as "Bozo's Circus" seven years ago.
How many Bozo the Clown's were there?
According to Larry Harmon Pictures Corp., 183 people played Bozo in cities all over the world.
What does Bozo mean in slang?
a foolish or incompetent person: a foolish or incompetent person.
Is Bozo a curse word?
a rude, obnoxious, or annoying person: Two or three bozos tried to cut in ahead of the rest of us in the supermarket line.
Why did McDonald's get rid of ronald McDonald?
Critics claimed that a clown mascot targeting children for fast food is unethical. A group of 550 doctors and other health professionals took out newspaper ads in 2011, saying that Ronald McDonald should be retired. Ronald McDonald made fewer appearances in 2016 due to the 2016 clown sightings.
Who invented the word Bozo?
The writer Dayton Stoddart credited Sime Silverman, the founder of the entertainment industry magazine, Variety, with popularizing the word Bozo, among other theatrical slang terms that had previously been confined to the limited cirle of show-biz folk; those terms included, for example, upstage (hog a scene), hoofer ( ...
Who was Bozo the Clown's sidekick?
Where in heaven's name is Cookie the Clown? You remember Cookie, Bozo's sidekick on WGN-TV, the prankster clown chef who warmed more than 7,000 mornings and afternoons with his impish smile, banjo eyes and knock-about style.
Who was the best Bozo the Clown?
The most notable performers to have played Bozo, aside from Harmon himself, include Frank Avruch (1966–1970s), Bob Bell (1960–1984) and Joey D'Auria (1984–2001). Bozo TV shows were also produced in other countries including Mexico, Thailand, Australia, Greece and Brazil.
Who invented the idea of clowns?
Joseph GrimaldiJoseph Grimaldi was an English artist who practically invented the modern clown. After him, even today clowns are called “Joey”. Matthew Sully was the first circus clown in the United States.
Is Cookie the Clown still alive?
Roy Thomas Brown (8 July 1932 – 22 January 2001) was an American television personality, puppeteer, clown and artist known for playing "Cooky the Cook" (also Cooky the Clown) on Chicago's Bozo's Circus.
Who played Bozo in Chicago?
CHICAGO — A familiar name is now the owner of one of WGN-TV and Chicago's most beloved characters. For the first time in 64 years, the ownership rights to the Bozo character have been sold to actor David Arquette.
When did Bozo stop?
The final taping, a 90-minute primetime special titled Bozo: 40 Years of Fun!, was taped on 12 June 2001 and aired 14 July 2001. By this time, it was the only Bozo show that remained on television.
Who was the best Bozo the Clown?
The most notable performers to have played Bozo, aside from Harmon himself, include Frank Avruch (1966–1970s), Bob Bell (1960–1984) and Joey D'Auria (1984–2001). Bozo TV shows were also produced in other countries including Mexico, Thailand, Australia, Greece and Brazil.
Who was Bozo the Clown's sidekick?
Where in heaven's name is Cookie the Clown? You remember Cookie, Bozo's sidekick on WGN-TV, the prankster clown chef who warmed more than 7,000 mornings and afternoons with his impish smile, banjo eyes and knock-about style.
What TV station did Bozo play on?
Unlike WWJ-TV, CKLW-TV included a live audience, but they also did things that were not sanctioned by Harmon. CKLW-TV quickly phased out the cartoons, increasing the entertainment on Bozo's Big Top. After a taped opening in which Bozo runs through the streets of Detroit calling kids to his Big Top, and on set singing and dancing to the "Bozo is Back" theme song, with the illuminated, flashing Bozo sign superimposed over in a slightly psychedelic way, Cervi would preside over an hour long variety show that included local dance troupes, singers, musicians, live animals, and national celebrities. In between, kids would play games to win prizes (one of the most plentiful being a six-pack of Orange Crush ), Mr. Whoodini would pick kids to assist him in magic tricks, and of course Bozo would provide comedy. Cervi was also a very good singer, and one of the highlights were two or three times per show, Bozo would sit next to Mr. Calliope at his piano and sing a song, most of the time in Cervi's own voice rather than his Bozo voice, with all the kids in the audience clapping in time to the music. The shows would usually end with Bozo and Mr. Whoodini going into the audience and letting kids tell jokes and riddles. At one point Bozo's Big Top became so popular, that it aired twice a day.
Who played Bozo in the original series?
The character first appeared on US television in 1949 portrayed by Colvig. After the creative rights to Bozo were purchased by Larry Harmon in 1956, the character became a common franchise across the United States, with local television stations producing their own Bozo shows featuring the character.
What is Chicago Bozo?
The Chicago Bozo franchise was the most popular and successful locally produced children's program in the history of television. It also became the most widely known Bozo show as WGN-TV became a national cable television Superstation. WGN-TV Chicago's "Bozo" show debuted on June 20, 1960 starring Bob Bell on a live half-hour program weekdays at noon, performing comedy sketches and introducing cartoons. The series was placed on hiatus in January 1961 to facilitate WGN's move from Tribune Tower in downtown Chicago to 2501 West Bradley Place on the city's northwest side. WGN-TV's "Bozo's Circus" debuted on September 11, 1961.
When did the Bozo Super Sunday show become educational?
In 1994, it moved to Sunday mornings as "The Bozo Super Sunday Show" and became "education and information" in 1997 following a Federal Communications Commission mandate requiring broadcast television stations to air a minimum three hours per week of "educational and informational" children's programs.
When did Bozo come to Detroit?
Bozo first came to Detroit in 1958 on WWJ-TV channel 4. Bob McNea, who worked as a clown in various circuses, including the Shrine Circus, was hired to play Bozo. McNea's Bozo became very popular, expanding to two shows a day, and becoming the first children's program in Detroit to switch to color.
Where is Bozo the clown from?
Bozo the Clown. An iteration of Bozo the Clown at WFGA-TV in Jacksonville, Florida in 1961. This is his most well-known design. Bozo the Clown, sometimes billed as "Bozo, The World's Most Famous Clown", is a clown character created for children's entertainment, widely popular in the second half of the 20th century.
What is Bozo's headpiece made of?
The company designed and manufactured toupees and wigs for the entertainment industry. Bozo's headpiece was made from yak hair, which was adhered to a canvas base with a starched burlap interior foundation. The hair was styled and formed, then sprayed with a heavy coat of lacquer to keep its form.
Storyline
From 1970 to 1974, WSMW-TV, an independent station in Worcester, Massachusetts, west of Boston, produced Bozo's Big Top, their local version of the Bozo the Clown franchise. Tom Matzell played Bozo, alongside Gene Sanocki as Bozo's sidekick Professor Tweetyfoofer.
Did you know
A hosted children's circus show with Tom Matzell as "Bozo" and Gene Sanocki as "Professor Tweetyfoofer" on WSMW-TV, Channel 27, in Worcester, Massachusetts between 1970-1974.
Who played Bozo on the show?
But in its glory years, Bozo--as played for 23 years by the late Bob Bell and by Joey D'Auria from 1984 to today--signified childhood for the millions of adults, especially those in Chicago, who grew up watching the show.
What year did Bob Bell play Bozo?
Bozo and his clown cohorts were a staple on WGN-TV for more than 40 years. 1959: Bozo cartoons make their Chicago TV debut on WGN's "Bugs Bunny and Friends.". 1960: WGN's "Bozo the Clown" premieres on June 20, starring Bob Bell as Bozo. The live 30-minute show, which airs weekdays at noon, features comedy skits and Bozo cartoons.
When was the Bozo Super Sunday Show cancelled?
The show stays in its 8 a.m. Sunday slot but is trimmed to a one-hour format. 2001: "The Bozo Super Sunday Show" is canceled.
When did the wait list practice end on Bozo?
The wait-list practice ended in 1990, and Ch. 9 went to a contest-driven ticket giveaway. Bob Kazel, 37, was one of those who grew up on Bozo. He started watching when he was 3 years old and continued until he was in the 8th grade, when he would run home during lunch to watch an episode.
Overview
Bozo the Clown series by locality
The Bozo franchise appeared on two separate Boston-area stations from 1959 to 1974.
The local WHDH-TV Boston production of Bozo's Circus, with Frank Avruch playing Bozo, aired daily from 1959 until 1970. In 1965, Larry Harmon became the sole owner of the Bozo licensing rights after buying out his business partn…
Creation and history
The character was created by Alan W. Livingston and portrayed by Pinto Colvig for a children's storytelling record album and illustrated read-along book set in 1946. He became popular and served as the mascot for Capitol Records.
The character first appeared on US television in 1949 portrayed by Colvig. After the creative rights to Bozo were purchased by Larry Harmon in 1957, the character became a common franchise ac…
Animation feature
Bozo appeared in a 1958–1962 animated series, Bozo: The World's Most Famous Clown. The voice cast included Larry Harmon starring as Bozo, with Paul Frees as the narrator.
Franchises and licensing
Bozo was created as a character by Livingston, who produced a children's storytelling record-album and illustrative read-along book set, the first of its kind, titled Bozo at the Circus for Capitol Records and released in October 1946. Colvig portrayed the character on this and subsequent Bozo read-along records. The albums were very popular and the character became a mascot for the record c…
Actors
The following is a partial list of Bozo television portrayers since the original (Pinto Colvig):
• Frank Avruch (1959–1970)
(Produced at WHDH-TV Boston 1965–1967 and syndicated to U.S. TV markets that were not producing their own local versions at the time, including New Yor…
See also
• Bozo bit
• Bozo, Gar & Ray: WGN TV Classics
• Bozo: The World's Most Famous Clown
• List of local children's television series (United States)
External links
• ABC News Investigates Bozo's Origin (2001)
• ABC News: Bozo Finally Unmasked (2004)
• "Cram it, Clown!" at Snopes.com
• NPR Program about 40 years of Bozo