Toronto Mike

Uncle Bobby

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.

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