Nostalgia
Jul 25, 2014, 12:00 PM | Updated: 1:30 pm
This is about kids shows on TV, but have no concern that I’m going to continue to eulogize, my friend — your friend, our friend — “Wallace” in perpetuity.
He created one of the most popular local kids shows anywhere. PBS even selected the “Wallace and Ladmo Show” as one of the greatest of all time.
But this isn’t about him or that show, as much as it’s about the question, “Where did all those shows go?”
It wasn’t that long ago when every town with a TV station had one. Cities had at least one on every channel, and now those local kids shows and their hosts are gone. And if my email is an honest indication, they are really missed.
Wherever you grew up, wasn’t there a cowboy introducing the cartoons or a sea captain or a space guy? Sure, most of them were sappy, but there were gems scattered around: Detroit had Soupy Sales; Chicago had Garfield Goose and Bozo; and wherever Jim Henson had a Muppet, life was good. They’re all gone now.
Too expensive!
Well, at least you can get an idea of what all the conversation has been about this week, when AZTV plays the “Wallace and Ladmo” 50th anniversary show Saturday night at 8 p.m. Then you’ll understand why this whole state will miss Wallace for years to come.
I’m Pat McMahon.
