One of the lesser known, and largely forgotten kids shows in the Twin Cities was Hi Jerry with Sister M. Cabrini Bongiovanni. Sister Carbrini was a Catholic nun who combined entertainment and performing with her ministry. Patrick Sweeney remembers the program. “Jerry was a ventriloquist’s dummy and the ventriloquist was a nun named Sister Mary […]
Roger Erickson, WCCO’s Bozo the Clown has died.
Roger Erickson was a Minnesota broadcast legend. For almost 40 years, he was teamed with Charlie Boone on WCCO radio. Boone and Erickson were well known for their humor, storytelling, and interviews. Roger Erickson passed away on October 30, 2017 at the age of 89. Roger Erickson’s long career included playing Bozo the Clown […]
Jack McKenna as Sgt. Scotty
Horror Incorporated
Kids grew up watching Casey Jones, Axel, Clancy and Willie, and Grandpa Ken on Minnesota television. Eventually kids become teenagers and their interests change a bit. For me, there were monster movies. The showcase for classic (and not so classic) horror movies was Horror Incorporated, on KSTP, channel 5. The program was […]
Dave Lee’s Puppet Coloring Book
Puppeteer Phil Johnson has died
Phil Johnson passed away at the age of 69 on August 30, 2016. Phil was the puppeteer on The Happy Hour which ran from 1970 to 73 on WTCN, channel 11. Phil performed as “Fred” and the various puppets opposite the host, Henry Novotny. After the cancellation of the show, Phil joined Roger Aswumb as […]
The Dave Lee Show – So Long It’s Been Good To Know You
J.P. Patches Peanut Butter
Chris Wedes played J.P. Patches on Channel 11 until 1958 when he moved to Seattle, WA. J.P. Patches became a hit show throughout the Northwest, running until 1981. Over the years, J.P. Patches promoted many products including Adams Peanut Butter. This rare jar featured J.P. on the label and probably dates to the early 1960’s. […]
Henry Novotny from the Happy Hour has passed away
Dave Lee in Fort Wayne, Indiana
Dave Lee is fondly remembered for Pete the Penguin and his many other puppets from his programs on WTCN and KMSP in the late 50’s and throughout the 60’s. But Dave Lee spent much of his early career in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he was an announcer and broadcast journalist. Here’s a photo of Dave […]