Astounding that nobody else got it. I put that up on the site on the 34th anniversary of Mr. Shannon's last show.
For the benefit of the younger readers here: nobody -- nobody -- on local television or radio today is as well known as Paul Shannon was. Only Bob Prince and Bill Burns might have been better known in the late 60s (and we won't even talk about Rege Cordic earlier than that).
In 1959, when the few people had even heard of the Three Stooges, much less were fans of theirs, and the Stooges were out of work and completely washed up, Paul Shannon's kid's show (called "Six O'Clock Adventure" then -- later "Adventuretime") became the first in America to run their old shorts. They did a tryout at the Holiday House and ended up getting extended for weeks. All of a sudden, the Three Stooges were huge stars -- for the first time in their lives. Moe Howard credits Shannon's show as being the one who brought them back in the limelight.
One of the letters Moe wrote to Shannon (and that Shannon gave to me) says: "Paul, you are our favorite person and host."
Burger Jon, this goes to show how fleeting fame is -- unlike movies, local TV and radio stars fade from memory after a few years because there's little or no record of their work.
Back in the 60s and into the early-70s, every city had an afternoon kids' show host who showed cartoons -- and the Three Stooges. In fact, in the Stooges last feature film, "The Outlaws is Coming," they gave all those hosts a cameo as bad guys/gals. Shannon played Wild Bill Hickock.
But Paul wasn't in the same class as Fred Rogers, who was more of an educator/nurturer. Paul was pure entertainment -- and, believe it or not, a lot of mothers especially didn't like their kids watching the Stooges because of the violence. In addition, Paul told me that the NAACP objected to his showing the Little Rascals, because of its portrayal of a black child (some of those old films are downright creepy now in how they portrayed blacks).
In short, you were probably better off with Fred Rogers. I was a little too old to watch him when he first came on.
When I was about five, I convinced my parents to engage in what could best be termed a stalking campaign on Ricki Wertz. I never walked across that damned bridge, but- muuahhhh- I bet she spent more than a few nights wondering why the short chubby kid in the Davy Crockett hat showed up at *every* public appearance and did nothing but stand motionless 20 feet away and stare at her...
This site is a home, a sanctuary, a fair haven from the fair maidens, for all the male bloggers of the Burghosphere. No membership dues. No secret handshakes. No unnecessary guilt. Just our own little Y-chromosome corner of the web.
10 comments:
paul shannon
and a few more grey hairs have popped out since i wrote the last comment. ; )
Astounding that nobody else got it. I put that up on the site on the 34th anniversary of Mr. Shannon's last show.
For the benefit of the younger readers here: nobody -- nobody -- on local television or radio today is as well known as Paul Shannon was. Only Bob Prince and Bill Burns might have been better known in the late 60s (and we won't even talk about Rege Cordic earlier than that).
In 1959, when the few people had even heard of the Three Stooges, much less were fans of theirs, and the Stooges were out of work and completely washed up, Paul Shannon's kid's show (called "Six O'Clock Adventure" then -- later "Adventuretime") became the first in America to run their old shorts. They did a tryout at the Holiday House and ended up getting extended for weeks. All of a sudden, the Three Stooges were huge stars -- for the first time in their lives. Moe Howard credits Shannon's show as being the one who brought them back in the limelight.
One of the letters Moe wrote to Shannon (and that Shannon gave to me) says: "Paul, you are our favorite person and host."
And Shannon was a very nice man.
i also watched captain jim's popeye club. my grandfather would tease me when my hair was long that i looked like kinish. : )
That's quite a tribute to Paul Shannon (of whom I had never heard before this post, I'm one of those whipper snappers to which you refer).
Of Course, those of us growing up in the 80s had quality local TV too in the form of Mr. Roger's Neighborhood.
Burger Jon, this goes to show how fleeting fame is -- unlike movies, local TV and radio stars fade from memory after a few years because there's little or no record of their work.
Back in the 60s and into the early-70s, every city had an afternoon kids' show host who showed cartoons -- and the Three Stooges. In fact, in the Stooges last feature film, "The Outlaws is Coming," they gave all those hosts a cameo as bad guys/gals. Shannon played Wild Bill Hickock.
But Paul wasn't in the same class as Fred Rogers, who was more of an educator/nurturer. Paul was pure entertainment -- and, believe it or not, a lot of mothers especially didn't like their kids watching the Stooges because of the violence. In addition, Paul told me that the NAACP objected to his showing the Little Rascals, because of its portrayal of a black child (some of those old films are downright creepy now in how they portrayed blacks).
In short, you were probably better off with Fred Rogers. I was a little too old to watch him when he first came on.
Before there was the song that sang, "I want my MTV." -- there was a tune that had the words,
"I want my "Romper Room!""
=:o
"romper stomper bomper boo, tell me tell me tell me do... i see "
That's when I dove behind a chair or would hide under something so as to not be seen.
Guess I was pro privacy back then too.
When I was about five, I convinced my parents to engage in what could best be termed a stalking campaign on Ricki Wertz. I never walked across that damned bridge, but- muuahhhh- I bet she spent more than a few nights wondering why the short chubby kid in the Davy Crockett hat showed up at *every* public appearance and did nothing but stand motionless 20 feet away and stare at her...
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