5 Facts About “Howdy Doody”
on Mar 14, 2023
Remember Howdy Doody? Whether you were a parent or a kid when the show aired, you likely remember how beloved it was across the United States.
Howdy Doody premiered on December 27, 1947, and aired for thirteen years until it ended on September 24, 1960. It pioneered children’s television programming and paved the way for similar children’s shows.
Check out these facts about the popular show’s 13-year run.
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1) First Regularly Scheduled Show
Howdy Doody was the first show on NBC that ran almost every day of the week. At one point, the show ran every day of the week except Sunday.
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2) First Nationally Televised Children’s Show
It was the first nationally televised children’s show, and it was also one of the first shows of any genre to be produced at NYC’s Rockefeller Center.
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3) The Show Increased Sales Of Color Televisions
Howdy Doody helped RCA to sell their color television sets. Halfway through the show’s 13 years on the air, it switched over to color. RCA was owned by NBC, and the switch encouraged parents to invest in a color set.
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4) The Original Howdy Doody Marionettes Are Displayed In Museums
You can visit one of the original Howdy Doody marionettes at Detroit Institute of Arts in Michigan. If you’re on the East Coast, you can visit one of the stand-in dolls at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.
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5) One Of The First Live Studio Audiences
Howdy Doody was one of the first shows that invited the live studio audience to participate. At the start of each show, Buffalo Bob would ask the children in the audience what time it was, and they’d excitedly respond, “It’s Howdy Doody Time!”
