Uncle Bobby

Published by Toronto Mike on April 4, 2008 @ 16:17 in Memories

rewind One of the first children's shows in my memory bank is Uncle Bobby. It aired on CFTO, our Toronto CTV affiliate, but it went off the air when I was five.

One of the staples of Uncle Bobby was "Bimbo: The Birthday Clown". Wikipedia describes Bimbo as "a stationary cardboard cut-out who would come out of his closet to the tune of Jim Reeves's Bimbo and a booming laugh as Uncle Bobby announced that day's birthday greetings. Accompanying Bimbo were three puppets on a string, Wilson, Keppel and Betty, named after British music hall performers, who would "dance" to Bimbo's theme."

A friend just sent me to the video below as an example of why many kids grow up afraid of clowns. Personally, I blame Poltergeist, but Scott makes a good point. Bimbo was one frightening mofo. Happy birthday, kids!

Bobby Ash, the imported Uncle Bobby, passed away last year. Here he is, ensuring a generation of Toronto-raised kids grow up afraid of clowns.... and birthdays.

Entry Permalink

4 comments

4 Responses to "Uncle Bobby"

James Edgar
April 4, 2008 / 18:13

I watched him too. Years before you no doubt :( .I met him once and got an autograph. I think it was at a circus but I'm not sure.

Alison
April 4, 2008 / 23:04

He was right up there in my TV roster with Mr Dressup and the Friendly Giant...

Stephanie Wilkinson
April 5, 2008 / 17:20

Uncle Bobby lived in the same building as my grandmother in Guildwood Village. My cousins, being Scarborough kids, were on the show twice and I always wished I had been too. He was a different guy in the elevator than he was on the show.... But I always thing of Bimbo the birthday clown. In fact, I'm singing the song in my head right now.

FLOWER TRAVELLIN' BAND is Rockin' Treasure.
April 10, 2008 / 01:53

How do you do?

Do you know
FLOWER TRAVELLIN' BAND?

I look for their picture and document of Canada and US.

If there is it what it is, please teach it!