Adventure Time (1959 TV series) facts for kids

Adventure Time was a popular children's TV show in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It aired on WTAE-TV Channel 4 from 1959 to 1975. The show was hosted by Paul Shannon. He was joined by guitarist Joe Negri and puppeteer Jim Martin. Jim Martin later became a puppeteer for the famous show Sesame Street.

Discovering Adventure Time's Fun

Paul Shannon made the show exciting for kids. He would introduce cartoon segments with a "magic sword." He'd lower the sword and say, "Down goes the curtain, and back up again for . . ." then announce the next cartoon.

Classic Cartoons and Silly Stooges

The show featured many classic cartoons. These included old Three Stooges shorts. Other popular cartoons were Kimba the White Lion, "Dodo- The Kid From Outer Space", Coco The Clown, Beanie and Cecil, Space Angel, Dick Tracy, Krazy Kat, Snuffy Smith, Popeye, Beetle Bailey, and Rocky and Bullwinkle.

Paul Shannon had a fun way to pick Three Stooges episodes. He used "The Stooge-O-Scope." This was a spinning wheel with pictures of the actors. After he spun it, the camera would zoom in. Then, it would fade out to the day's episode. Moe Howard from the Three Stooges said Paul Shannon helped make them popular again in the 1960s.

Meet Nosmo King and Baby Jeffy

Paul Shannon also had a secret identity called Nosmo King. He was a quiet, bearded man in dark sunglasses. He wore a slouch hat and a tan raincoat. Nosmo King would walk around the studio. Sometimes, he would "drive his car" around Pittsburgh. He even played a one-man-band to songs like The Beatles' "I Saw Her Standing There." The name Nosmo King came from a "No Smoking" sign.

The show also had other fun characters. These included Happy Howard, a friendly spider. There was also Randy Rocket and The Great Mysto the Magician.

Jim Martin's main puppet character was Baby Jeffy. Once, the puppet got lost during production. Joe Negri said Jim Martin reacted as if "Jeffy was kidnapped."

Audience Fun and Special Events

The studio audience was made up of children's groups. These included Cub Scout packs, Brownie troops, and Girl Scout troops.

Paul Shannon often showed a "Picture Gallery." He would pretend to play a player piano. Photos sent in by young viewers would scroll by. Sometimes, songs like The Toys' "A Lover's Concerto" played during the photo display.

The show also held viewer contests. In 1966, kids could win a chance to meet the Three Stooges. This happened at the local Kennywood Park. In 1969, another contest was held to name a new roller coaster at the park. A viewer chose "The Thunderbolt." This ride is still popular at Kennywood Park today.

A very special part of the show was during Christmas. Paul Shannon would load children's letters to Santa Claus into a rocket. He would then launch it to the North Pole! Later, Santa would open the letters and read them on the air.

The Show's Legacy

Moe Howard of the Three Stooges wrote in his book that Paul Shannon helped renew interest in the Stooges. Shannon even appeared in one of their movies, The Outlaws Is Coming. He played Wild Bill Hickok.

Joe Negri took over hosting the show after Paul Shannon retired in 1975. Joe Negri was the music director for WTAE from 1960 to 1982. He also hosted other children's shows in Pittsburgh. He played Mr. Music on "Rickie and Copper." He hosted "Popeye with Joe and Sandy" and "High School Talent Scene." At the same time, he was also playing Handyman Negri on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood.