It seems so long ago when every medium to major market had it's own local kids show. Here in the Twin Cities we have several from Clancy the Cop, Axel, Captain 11 and good old Casey Jones.
These shows were innocent and fun, the kind of thing that not only kids looked forward to watching but their parents. At lunch time kids would run home for their meals and a chance to watch Casey Jones and Roundhouse Rodney.
The bits were cheesy and silly, and although innocent could offend the knee-jerk set that wants to find ill in everything.
And that's just what happened. A group of mothers with nothing better to do forced many of these shows off the air because they DARED have adds aimed at their little angels. One by one they fell and these local shows went away. The last of these was the Bozo Show in Chicago that lasted into the 90's. But alas that is now gone.
But these local show hosts were GIANTS. When I met Casey (aka Roger Awsumb) as a teen at a local train show I was dumb struck. I could hardly say a word with my hero there.
Sadly they are now gone in other ways. Casey died in 2002. Clancy the Cop not too long ago. Roundhouse passed on while the show was on the air.
I feel for this generation that never had a chance to enjoy these local giants that gave the gift of true entertainment for so many years. And shame of those moms that helped bring an end to it and usher the garbage we have to offer the children of today.
As Axel once said: 'Oh look, they are carrying out the Jule Log. Nope, it's just Melly Jazz'.
Eirik Farwanderer
20 December, 2009 Anno Domini.
These shows were innocent and fun, the kind of thing that not only kids looked forward to watching but their parents. At lunch time kids would run home for their meals and a chance to watch Casey Jones and Roundhouse Rodney.
The bits were cheesy and silly, and although innocent could offend the knee-jerk set that wants to find ill in everything.
And that's just what happened. A group of mothers with nothing better to do forced many of these shows off the air because they DARED have adds aimed at their little angels. One by one they fell and these local shows went away. The last of these was the Bozo Show in Chicago that lasted into the 90's. But alas that is now gone.
But these local show hosts were GIANTS. When I met Casey (aka Roger Awsumb) as a teen at a local train show I was dumb struck. I could hardly say a word with my hero there.
Sadly they are now gone in other ways. Casey died in 2002. Clancy the Cop not too long ago. Roundhouse passed on while the show was on the air.
I feel for this generation that never had a chance to enjoy these local giants that gave the gift of true entertainment for so many years. And shame of those moms that helped bring an end to it and usher the garbage we have to offer the children of today.
As Axel once said: 'Oh look, they are carrying out the Jule Log. Nope, it's just Melly Jazz'.
Eirik Farwanderer
20 December, 2009 Anno Domini.
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