Laughs and Memories: Missouri’s Classic Kids’ TV Clowns

Growing up in and around Missouri TV as a kid in the 1960’s through the 80’s meant local channels having their own kids shows with clown hosts.

These shows provided local companies an opportunity to get their products in front of young eyeballs who would in turn bother their parents about said product (like bikes, amusement parks, etc.) as only a kid can. It also gave stores that catered to children’s needs (think shoes and clothes, etc.) a chance to plant a seed in parents ears about a sale or particular item. Plus, for independent stations these shows helped the station fulfill a certain number of hours of kids programming that was mandated.

These shows would include cartoon shorts. Skits from local characters (including puppets), games, and most importantly the local kids themselves. From scout troops to school groups, many local kids wound up getting a moment on tv because of these shows.

In St. Louis there was Mr. Patches on KDNL, where Jack Miller would lean into his puppeteering skills and host local kids for an on-air party where we all learned to sing “Cha-Cha-Cha” at the end of “Happy Birthday to You”.

If you grew up in or around Kansas City from the 1950’s through the 80’s you were well acquainted with Whizzo the Clown. Frank Wiziarde capitalized on his upbringing in the circus with his family. Whizzo bounced around the dial in KC from KMBC originally (1954) to KCMO and then ultimately at WIBW in Topeka, Kansas until 1987 when he passed.

Sammy B. Good  entertained the kids in and around Springfield, Missouri weekday afternoons from 19985-1990 on KSPR. Wayne Milnes portrayed the hobo clown played many roles at Silver Dollar City in Branson before applying the face paint for tv cameras.

Special shout out to Cliff St. James who was Corky the Clown on KSD from 1954-80 on Corky’s Colorama. And Captain 11 and Cooky with Harry Fender and Jim Bolen on KPLR during the 1960’s in St. Louis. Also plaudits to Don Spradling who was Ten-Ten the Clown in the 1960’s on KOLR.

The era of TV clowns has come and gone. In the 21st century you'd be hard pressed to re-create the local-ism that these kids shows provided. Sure you could have a clown show on YouTube, but you'd need it to be viewed by kids all over, not just in a specific area. Luckily you can still find old clips of the pioneers......Cha-Cha-Cha!