Howdy Doody: Can You Believe His Name was DOOdy?

On the Lighter Side

Ok, we've been really serious here on vaboomer for a looooooooooooong time. It's that winter doldrums thing. Do you remember Howdy Doody? Were you a fan? I tried. I wanted to be. I pretended to be. I was not.

In fact I could not stand that stupid freckle faced (48 freckles --one for each state) cowboy wanna be.

Maybe it was that we didn't have a TV in our home until my early teens and so I did not get hooked early. Maybe I was too serious, But maybe it was just that I couldn't get behind a marionette whose name was doody! Made me giggle, point and want to make scatological jokes. Or maybe there was the cowboy indian thing that turned me off. I was always proud of my little bit of indian heritage and never related to the cowboys getting the best of the indians.

I did like Princess Summerfall Winterspring--not too surprising, gave me and other girls in America someone to relate to More info:  And gave us an indian princess to admire. She became a real life character and was played by Judy Tyler.

Watch final Howdy Doody program:

It is fascinating that there were two "minority" characters on the show, albeit it was clear that the cowboys had won the west at the expense of the indians.

Tons of boomers loved this show which laid down the pattern for kids shows to come--just think Sesame Street with its combo of puppets and live people interacting. So, just call me a spoil sport when it comes to HD.

Instead  give me Shari Lewis and Lambchop

Shari Lewis or Mr Rodgers. I am still a HUGe fan of Mr Rogers. Lewis was able to make a big star out of an old white sock and have all of us believe that Lambchop was a fiesty, mischeivous little girl. And can we say enough about Fred Rogers? Who wouldn't love a daddy like that? Mr. Rogers Kind, gentle, loving and so smart and respectful to kids. By the time I started watching Mr R, I was in HS! but I loved his direct way of talking to us kids in the TV land audience.

What were your faves?

Comments

[Vimax]

Lewis was able to accomplish a big brilliant out of an old white beat and accept all of us accept that Lambchop was a fiesty

[Mary]

I loved Mr. Rogers and Shari Lewis. My handicapped sister still watches him daily.

Mary, Say hello to your sister for me and tell her, I would watch him and Shari, too if they were still being aired when I could see them. I love their gentleness, hopefullness, creativity and simplicity--no crashes or harshness. We can all use more of that --especially in these times. And come back to visit soon. Virginia