Howdy Doody: 40 Episodes

The Howdy Doody Show was a phenomenally popular kiddy show that debuted in 1947 and became a national sensation. The first network show to air five days a week, it played a significant role in making NBC a major player in the fledgling television industry. The Howdy Doody Show's other historic achievements include being the first series to air in color and the first to reach 1,000 continuous episodes. Yet, for all of its accomplishments, today the show comes across as so primitive that it's nearly impossible to enjoy, even when viewed with suspended disbelief through the rosy glow of nostalgia. Hosted by the likable if seemingly over-caffeinated “Buffalo Bob” Smith, the series boasts a dizzying array of dopey characters, including Clarabell the Clown, Phineas T. Bluster, and Princess Summerfall Winterspring. Howdy himself, a red-haired, freckle-faced puppet, is nearly insufferable, while the parade of puerile gags wouldn't begin to impress contemporary media-savvy four-year-olds. This boxed set collects 40 half-hour episodes (including commercials) broadcast between 1949-54, but aside from early baby boomers who remember Howdy from back in the day (now senior citizens with better ways to spend their time), this artifact from the medium's earliest years will not be of much interest. DVD extras include three bonus episodes, interviews with Smith and others, photo galleries, and a historic timeline. Recommended for extensive TV history collections, this is optional elsewhere. (E. Hulse)