Commander Tom Show facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Commander Tom Show |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language(s) | English |
| Release | |
| Original network | WKBW-TV |
| Original release | December 20, 1965 – 1993 |
The Commander Tom Show was a popular children's television series that aired on Channel 7 WKBW-TV in Buffalo, New York. It started on December 20, 1965. This fun show was a big part of many kids' afternoons for years!
Contents
About the Commander Tom Show
The Commander Tom Show was a special TV program made just for kids. It was shown on weekday afternoons. The show was hosted by Tom Jolls, who was also a weatherman for WKBW. He started working at the TV station in 1965, the same year the show began.
Meet Commander Tom and Friends
When the show first started, Commander Tom would introduce parts of the Adventures of Superman TV series. He would appear between the cartoon segments. In 1967, a new friend joined the show: Dustmop the puppet. Dustmop was a cute dog puppet.
Later, more puppet friends arrived! These included Matty the Mod, an alligator puppet. Then came Cecily Fripple, the first female puppet. She was inspired by the American comedian Phyllis Diller. Cecily also had an evil sister puppet named Cecile.
What Shows Did Commander Tom Play?
In the early 1970s, the Superman show moved to other networks. So, Commander Tom started showing other family and children's programs. These included classic re-runs like The Three Stooges, The Flintstones, and Batman. Kids could also watch Little Rascals, The Munsters, and The Addams Family.
Classic Cartoons and More
Many short animated cartoons were also a big part of the show. Merrie Melodies and Looney Tunes from Warner Bros. were shown for many years. This included some of the very first Porky Pig and Bugs Bunny shorts from the 1930s.
Later, Hanna-Barbera cartoons like Touché Turtle and Peter Potamus replaced Bugs and his friends. Some MGM cartoons from the 1930s were also featured. Near the end of its run, the show was renamed Commander Tom's World. It was then shown on weekends instead of weekdays. In its final years, it played shows like Davey and Goliath, Rainbow Brite, and The Getalong Gang.
Commander Tom's Legacy
The Commander Tom Show ended in 1991. However, the "Commander Tom" character didn't disappear right away! He joined another show called Rocketship 7 in 1992. That show also ended in 1993, and that's when the "Commander Tom" character was retired for good.
Tom Jolls, the host, often visited schools to speak with young children. He was a regular guest at the "Let's Give America a Chance" career day in the Holland Central School district. He helped inspire many students.
