(Request) The Howdy Doody Show (1947-1960)

One of the first nationally broadcasted children’s TV series was The Howdy Doody Show which ran for 13 years. The show was about a puppet named Howdy Doody and a guy named Buffalo Bob in a town called Doodyville. It had 2,543 episodes. There were also Mexican, Cuban and Canadian versions of it. The show was produced in color during its final years, however the only color episode that has emerged was the final episode. That episode was about everyone in Doodyville trying to find out what Clarabell’s (the mute clown) secret is. At the end of the episode, it is revealed that Clarabell can talk and the final words of the show were “Goodbye, kids.”

In the 70s, there was a brief Howdy Doody revival era. Buffalo Bob and Clarabell started to tour college campuses and there might have been a lost reunion variety special in 1972 (depending on sources). Howdy Doody appeared on Happy Days and in 1976, a new syndicated Howdy Doody show was produced. Even though it was short lived, the show produced 130 episodes.

In the 80s, Buffalo Bob, Clarabell and Howdy still made public appearances. There was another Howdy Doody reunion special made in 1987. Unfortunately in 1998, Buffalo Bob Smith died on cancer at the age of 80.

I’m not sure if The Howdy Doody Show is partially lost or partially found, but it might be the latter. I will also find articles about Howdy Doody.