Andy grew up with Howdy Doody, and I, being born about a decade later and living in the Los Angeles area, grew up with the local shows "The Winchell/Mahoney Show," with Paul Winchell and his puppet, Jerry Mahoney; and "Sheriff John's Lunch Brigade." I believe that, had Andy been an L.A. native, he would have held the same fondness for these shows as for Mr. Doody's.

I've mentioned Jerry Mahoney before, but as today is the birthday, I'd like to share something from Sheriff John Rovick.


Sheriff John

"The highlight of the program were the birthday announcements when Sheriff John dedicated birthday wishes to kids born on that day. He often read a hundred names a day. To celebrate the Big Day he sang the Birthday Cake song (below). The birthday cake in question was decorated with thick frosting, candy and lollipops. While Sheriff John sang the song, the carousel cake spun in a circle while displaying the words "Happy Birthday Brigadiers" on the side of the cake.

As a special treat Sheriff John would mention the location (under the bed, in the closet, etc.) of where kids could find gifts in their own house. This information was surreptitiously provided by the kid's parents a few weeks earlier."

If you would like to hear the following song, go here: Birthday Cake Polka -- and the link to this can also be found on April Winchell's website (yes, Paul Winchell's daughter) in her media section: April Winchell

The Birthday Cake Polka

Put another candle on my birthday cake
We're gonna bake a birthday cake
Put another candle on my birthday cake
I'm another year old today

I'm gonna have a party with my birthday cake
Come on and take some birthday cake
Put another candle on my birthday cake
I'm another year old today

We'll have some pie and sandwiches
and chocolate ice cream too
We'll sing and play the day away
and one more thing I'm going to do
I'll blow out the candles on my birthday cake
and when I do, a wish I'll make
Put another candle on my birthday cake
I'm another year old today
........

Put another candle on my birthday cake
We're gonna bake a birthday cake
Put another candle on my birthday cake
I'm another year old today

I'm gonna have a party with my birthday cake
Come on and take some birthday cake
Put another candle on my birthday cake
I'm another year old today

We'll have some pie and sandwiches
and chocolate ice cream, too
We'll sing and play the day away
and one more thing I'm going to do

I'll blow out the candles on my birthday cake
and when I do, a wish I'll make
Put another candle on my birthday cake
I'm another year old today
Happy birthday to you
I'm another year old today.

Hey, Rob!

I have a great interest in old local television programming -- horror hosted movies & kid show programs in particular. I'm going to be putting up some webpages up on my own local favorites, Captain Jinks & Salty Sam! :)

You've probably seen the website called L.A. TV Legends. This page will interest you if you haven't already been there.

As an aside, there's a cool new addition to the andylives site, an article written by a friend and fan, right here.

Hey John,

Very cool... yes, I have come across the other site with the Sheriff John info on it before, but it was nice to see it again!

I also came across the site www.kinevideo.net, on which this fellow has many old videos of odd stuff, including some clips of these old kiddie shows. You might enjoy taking a look at that. I don't outright remember the names Captain Jinks and Salty Sam, but they sound partway familiar anyway!

Also used to watch the Hobo Kelly show, and Wonderama with Bob McAllister. I think Wonderama was national though.

Hope you got to look at April Winchell's site. Her MP3 media file library is rather large, and she has many really offbeat and unusual things there. Aside from the kiddie show stuff, if you have a chance, check out the singer "Wing"... almost not to be believed. This woman has about nine different cover albums out, and someone out there is actually buying them! If Andy was around and had a show, he would likely have had her as a guest.

that wax or not article !

OK good topic. I would like to submit that Pee Wee's Playhouse was the greatest "Kid" show ever. I think those shows hold up just as well today as they did back then whether for a kid or an adult. He was at the same time paying tribute to some of the great kid shows of the past and providing a parody.

Do you ever wish you could go back a edit what you've written? I do all the time.

What's to edit? My wife and I loved Pee Wee's Playhouse and still do. I have many friends that loved the show too.

Remember in Zmuda's book he claims that Paul Rubens asked permission from Andy to do this show? Something like that.

I was just ****** about the sentance structure. I totally meant what I said about PW's Playhouse.

Cool. Don't worry about little stuff like that. You're among friends here.

Yea, I think I am.