One of the popular kid shows beginning in the 60's was Bozo The Clown (BTC). It was a franchise on TV around the country. The biggest show was on WGN TV in Chicago. It was shown at noon since Chicago schools let kids go home for lunch.
Since it was live with kids, disasters were always a moment away. There's the story about the kid throwing the ping pong ball during the throwing game of skill and muffed it . He uttered a nasty word. BTC lectured him on the use of bad words. The kid tells BTC to "cram it!".
I heard this story on an NPR American History show, so I assume it's true.
It's noon and BTC to taking the kids through the game pitching the balls into the buckets.
Out of the blue, the WGN TV switchboard is deluged with profanity laced tirades threatening to kill....BTC.
You would be correct if you thought most of the viewers were youngsters sitting at home eating lunches lovingly prepared by their mothers.
You would be overlooking an important demographic: Barflies...foot on the rail...leaning on polished oak...hand wrapped around a Miller or Pabst...a shot of OLD GRAND DAD nearby in the taverns and rathskellers around town.
Let's consider the scene:
It's lunchtime for the adults too. It's smokey and dark in the watering holes. The bartender is leaning against the bar back. Customers are parked along the bar. Heads are turned to the black and white TV with the rabbit ears, tin foil additions, and barely working vertical hold up on the shelf at the end of the bar. There might be some wagering going on.
On the TV a dopey kid bobbles a throw. BTC, who today would be known as a child advocate, abruptly gives the #@&% another shot do-over!
Time Stops!
Do you get an extra spin of the roulette wheel down at the casino?
Does this happen down at the race track when the betting favorite finishes out of the money?
Instantly, there's a race for the pay phone on the wall down past the restroom!
