PIONEERS OF TELEVISION: Local Kids’ TV
Tuesday, February 8 at 8 p.m.
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Local kids’ programs shaped the childhoods of millions of American children in the early years of television. Performers such as Willard Scott honed their skills performing on live TV with small budgets and little support. With the flimsiest of second-hand store costumes and their own imaginations, they learned how to make their audience laugh, smile, and think. One early talent, Stan Freberg, got off the bus in the middle of Hollywood, became a cartoon voice talent and created "Time for Beany" — a show that captured seven out of 10 viewers, including Albert Einstein, during its run in Los Angeles. Freberg’s story is told along with the stories of legendary Muppets creator Jim Henson (who started on local television as a teenager), actor Chuck McCann (originator of New York’s "Puppet Hotel"), Larry Harmon (who popularized Bozo the Clown), and Nancy Claster (who developed the Baltimore kids’ series "Romper Room" — the first franchised show in television history).
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