The first nationally televised American children's TV program and a prototype for what followed. Buffalo Bob Smith hosts while the puppet, Howdy Doody, stars.
Michael McKean reflects on his first Emmy nomination for "Better Call Saul" as well as his iconic roles over the years.
Related News
-
A Timeline of Stop-Motion Animation History, From ‘A Trip to the Moon’ to ‘Missing Link’ (Photos)
12 April 2019 | The Wrap -
David Lynch: The Conservative Heart of a Radical (Column)
27 June 2018 | Variety -
Pee-Wee’s Playhouse Christmas Special
08 December 2015 | Trailers from Hell
User Lists
Related lists from IMDb users
Share this Rating
Title: The Howdy Doody Show (1947–1960)
Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Use the HTML below.
Learn more
More Like This
Laverne & Shirley
(1976–1983)
Comedy
|
Family
Stars:
Penny Marshall,
Cindy Williams,
David L. Lander
The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet
(1952–1966)
Comedy
|
Family
Stars:
Ozzie Nelson,
Harriet Nelson,
David Nelson
You Bet Your Life
(1950–1961)
Comedy
|
Family
|
Game-Show
Stars:
Groucho Marx,
George Fenneman,
Melinda Marx
Kukla, Fran and Ollie
(1947–1957)
Family
|
Comedy
Stars:
Burr Tillstrom,
Oliver J. Dragon,
Kukla
The New Howdy Doody Show
(1976–1978)
Comedy
|
Family
Stars:
Lew Anderson,
Bob Smith,
Marilyn Arnone
The Electric Company
(1971–1977)
Family
|
Comedy
Stars:
Jim Boyd,
Morgan Freeman,
Judy Graubart
The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis
(1959–1963)
Comedy
|
Family
Stars:
Dwayne Hickman,
Bob Denver,
Frank Faylen
Leave It to Beaver
(1957–1963)
Comedy
|
Family
Stars:
Jerry Mathers,
Hugh Beaumont,
Barbara Billingsley
Howdy Doody
(1954–1959)
Family
Stars:
Bob Smith,
Maxine Miller,
George 'Gabby' Hayes
Romper Room and Friends
(1953–1994)
Family
Stars:
Sally Claster Gelbard,
Bruce Edward Hall,
Molly McCloskey
Edit
Cast
| Series cast summary: | |||
| Bob Smith | ... | Buffalo Bob / ... 110 episodes, 1947-1960 | |
| Robert Keeshan | ... | Clarabell the Clown #1 31 episodes, 1947-1953 | |
Edit
Plot Summary
|
Add Synopsis
Storyline
The first nationally televised American children's TV program and a prototype for what followed. Buffalo Bob Smith hosts while the puppet, Howdy Doody, stars.
Genres:
FamilyCertificate:
TV-GParents Guide:
Add content advisory for parents »
Edit
See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
27 December 1947 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Howdy Doody See more »Filming Locations:
NBC Studios - 30 Rockefeller Plaza, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USACompany Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
(2343 episodes)Sound Mix:
MonoAspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1
Edit
Clarabell the Clown: Goodbye, kids.
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
This was the first nationally televised American children's television show. See more »Quotes
[final episode. Clarabell speaks for the only time in the show's history]Clarabell the Clown: Goodbye, kids.
See more »
Frequently Asked Questions
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.Contribute to This Page
Explore popular action and adventure titles available to stream with Prime Video.
Buffalo Bob : "What time is it, kids?"
Kids in audience: "It's Howdy Doody time!"
This 5-disc set contains 40, b&w episodes in all from The Howdy Doody Show of the 1950's.
Now, I certainly didn't watch all 40 of these episodes - But, of the many I did view - I have to say that, for the life of me, I cannot believe this bargain-basement kiddies' program actually endured for 13 years.
Silly, naively cute and, yes, downright demented at times - Not only did the Howdy Doody puppet (who was a literal mess of strings) totally give me the creeps, big-time - But I sure didn't appreciate Buffalo Bob frequently doing a plug for Rice Krispies cereal and Colgate toothpaste right on the show.
Yes. This children's show did try to be educational and fun - But, in my opinion - The only time that it actually came to life was when Buffalo Bob and his fellow cast members directly interacted with the live audience which consisted of about 30 giggling, restless, wild-eyed youngsters between the ages of 5-12.
And, finally - I ask you - What the heck am I supposed to think about a kid's TV show where one of its main characters was a mute, male clown who had an effeminate name like Clarabell? Eh? Like, what was that all about?