The popularity of local kids TV hosts was enhanced by their personal appearances around the Twin Cities and throughout Minnesota. This clipping from December 1970 promotes appearances by Clancy, Willie, and Carman from WCCO, Grandpa Ken and Romper Room’s Miss Karen from KMSP, and Casey and Roundhouse from WTCN. Thanks to Jack Kennelly for his […]
updated Feb 15, 2025 Romper Room was developed by Bert and Nancy Claster in Baltimore in 1953 and distributed nationally as a franchise. Each broadcast market around the country had it’s own locally produced version of the show. The program endured into the mid-90’s. Each local TV show shared several common elements. Children were encouraged […]
Crossroads Center in St. Cloud opened in April 1966. It was a big event for Minnesota and the grand opening featured appearances by all the popular Minnesota kids TV shows hosts. Casey and Roundhouse, Miss Betty from Romper Room, Clancy and Carmen, and Dave Lee with Pete the Penguin. Here are a few news articles […]
Shoppers’ City opened a new store in Columbia Heights in November of 1968. To celebrate, the store featured personal appearances by several local kids televison show hosts. Casey Jones was scheduled for November 19, followed by Wilie Ketch on the 20th. On November 21, Clancy the Cop appeared, and the week ended with Miss Betty […]
In August of 1962, Romper Room moved from WTCN, Channel 11, to KMSP, Channel 9. The host of the show, Miss Betty Douglass, also transitioned to the station. Romper Room followed Breakfast with Cap’n Ken starring Ken Wagner, which aired at 8:00 AM. Sources: TV Guide collection at the Pavek Museum of Broadcasting
The Pavek Museum of Broadcasting has shared this feature on Miss Betty Douglass from TV’s Romper Room. MARY “MISS BETTY” DOUGLASS & ROMPER ROOM from Pavek Museum on Vimeo.
Barbara Olson appeared on Romper Room with Betty Douglass, who passed away last week. She shared this photo of herself driving the milk truck on the show. Miss Betty can be seen in the background. Barbara shared these memories: Miss Betty was my teacher when I was on Romper Room; I think it was 1966 […]
Mary Betty Douglass passed away on November 3, 2013, at the age of 87. She was known to Minnesota children as Miss Betty on television’s Romper Room on WTCN, channel 11, and later KMSP, channel 9. Throughout the 1960’s, she taught kids to “do be a Do-Bee and don’t be a Don’t-Bee.” She […]