This is a rare image of Jack McKenna as Sgt. Scotty. McKenna had been a kids show host in Duluth as Captain Q. Sometime around 1962, McKenna joined WTCN, channel 11. I’ve had difficulty finding out any specifics about the show. It may have been a program that ran on Saturday afternoons. […]
Dave Lee produced a coloring book featuring many of his puppets. I’ve been looking for one of these for a while. Thanks to Sandy McManus for sending this along. I’ve done a couple quick photos to share here. I’m not sure when this was produced, but the price on the cover is 39 cents. The […]
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 […]
My memories of the Dave Lee Show are from the last few years the show was on television. I recalled that the show would end with a recording of a song called “So Long, It’s Been Good To Know You,” but I was never able to find more information about it. No one seemed to […]
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 hosted The Happy Hour on WTCN, Channel 11 from 1970 to 1973. Henry passed away on February 15, 2016 at the age of 80. The Happy Hour was WTCN’s follow up to the Dave Lee Show. It was one of the last of the locally produced children’s shows in the Twin Cities, and […]
Here’s a very rare clip from The Dave Lee Show from Christmas 1969. It features Pete the Penguin and Fragrant the Skunk. Special thanks to Heather Lee. And one more clip from the show, featuring Omar the Alligator
Minnesota broadcasting legend Daryl Laub has passed away at the age of 90. Laub was one of the earliest children’s television hosts in the Twin Cities, creating Captain Darl on WTCN in late 1953. Shortly after that, he hosted a second program as J.P. Patches the Carnival Clown. Laub said that with two shows, he […]
“Uncle” Merle Edwards was a popular disc jockey at WMIN in the Twin Cities. He hosted an all night radio show and was known for his humor and warm laughter. Jeanne Anderson posted the following in her own blog about Twin Cities Music: Merle Edwards was at WMIN from 1949-55 and had shows like “Merle […]
Here is a look at the complete Kidsville Coloring Book from 1964.