i will never forget that day in the 70s
my brother was going to windsor
to sit in the studio audience
of the bozo the clown show
watching it filmed live
the whole neighborhood
had a vested interest in his visit
besides it being so cool to see him on tv
we assumed and expected that
he would be chosen from the audience
for a chance to toss the beanbags into the buckets
and win the bozo grand prize game
this was going to be the best day ever
we knew he was going to win the jungle gym
and our backyard would be
the new official headquarters of endless fun
we ran home from the bus after school
and gathered around the tv
in our family room
to watch it all play out
we could hardly contain ourselves
it began just as we planned
he was chosen for the big game
then
he lost on the final toss
that never made it into the bucket
bozo gave a quick chuckle
a wink, a pat on the back
he had won the second prize
a 6-pack of orange crush
the family room went silent for a minute
as we realized that
our yard would not be undergoing any major change
and we’d have to find a way to share the pop.
(post below found on a bozo fan club site):
Posted on Monday, November 20, 2006 – 8:32 pm:
‘I went to see Bozo around 1972-73 also. One of the things that stands out was taking the tunnel to Canada. I also recall getting there late and having to be separated from my two cousins in the seating area. I was wedged in near the top and had to deal with some Girl Scouts kicking me in the back throughout the show. To this day when a Girl Scout asks me if I want to buy some cookies I tell them to go to hell. I don’t forget easy.’
—
“i’m in competition with myself and i’m losing. “
-roger waters
—
credits: cklw-tv, womc radio-motor city moments,
mayo playground – archives, pre-1920s, pinterest
Lol. “We’d have to find a way to share the pop.” Effing clowns.
>
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clowns are always up to no good.
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did YOU tell the girl scouts to go to hell…..I have another group for you to address immediately….they cannot even hear me when I make absolute sense….they just blink or look down at the floor…and I am becoming homicidal down deep inside…mercy me!
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not always the best combo – clowns ‘n scouts
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thanks, paulina and kat!
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brutal ! 😀
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yes!
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sorry – brutal was me – dunno why that didn’t come up as me ! I think you need to go and see “it” given your loving for clowns !!!! 😀
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there is no way i would go to see ‘it’ unless i was kidnapped.
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Seriously the jungle gym looks like the proverbial death trap – I’m sure the fizzy juice had a less damaging impact on your lives 😎
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the one in the picture is how we imagined it to be, a wonderland of excitement and danger, though i’m guessing the actual jungle gym would be a lot smaller. )
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Such a big childhood disappointment!
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yes, i clearly still have vivid memories of it and i’m sure my brother does even more so –
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☹️
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))
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At least you were not on the audience kicking some other kid with a long memory, Beth!
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such a good point, mark –
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seriously, I really am laughing out loud! too funny 🙂
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i’m so glad )
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Orange Crush and clowns what a combination
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yes, never a good mix )
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Awew
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An early lesson for life. Beanbag games are rigged. Always have been. Always will be.
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absolutely –
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Lol…that’s a great story!!
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thanks, george )
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I remember watching Bozo on WGN every morning as a kid! I’ll bet they would frown on giving out soda to kids these days…
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yes, for sure. and the jungle gym may not happen either….
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Love I orange crush!
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me too, dk!
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Bozo was a huge deal in Chicago when I was a kid. I think Chicago’s Bozo started the Grand Prize Game, in fact. In ours, the kids tossed ping-pong balls. The prize in Bucket #6 was a Schwinn bicycle, plus they would put a silver dollar in the bucket each day, and whichever kid won got the money. In the unlikely event both kids won, they both got the money and bike.
I got a kick out of the Girl Scout story….
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i think you’re right on all of that, john – good memory
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The first plush toy I remember having was a Bozo with a cloth body and painted rubber head. I loved him and carried him everywhere. One day I accidentally left him out in the front yard. The next morning I found him torn to pieces. A dog must have found him. I was heart-broken for a long time.
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how sad (
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I remember Bozo the Clown! I never was on it but was on a similar type of show with a rogue pirate called Salty Sam
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i absolutely loved the local tv shows )
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I liked Bozo the Clown, not sure if we’re syndicated but I believe he was the same one your brother tried to win a jungle gym.
We loved Captain Kangaroo and Mr. Greenjeans. I can picture the first one’s gray, bowl haircut and the latter’s green overalls. 😀
Sorry about the loss of the neighborhood playground you envisioned but I do like Orange Crush! xo
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it was upsetting to the whole crowd, so i can only imagine how my brother felt. we recovered and drank the crush. ))
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This is great, Beth–what a fun read. My little brother was about 4 when he glommed onto Bozo and carried his Bozo doll everywhere. I wasn;t a fan of Bozo but do remember the craze. Thanks for the story!
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thanks, ermine. if anyone knows about clowns, it’s you -)
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What a memory!
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yes, i remember the ups and downs )
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I love this and remember Bozo well. I hope the pop-sharing worked out. 🙂
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It did $
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Loved this! Too funny!
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)))
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now it is, but i really wanted my jungle gym! )
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Interesting find! I am one of the few remaining Americans alive who actually remembers watching Bozo the Clown.
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you and i, both )
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