For those who grew up in the 1950s, The Howdy Doody Show (1947–60) is one of the most fondly remembered children's programs from the early years of television (see entry under 1940s—TV and Radio in volume 3). To formulate the show, which aired on NBC, singer Robert E. Smith (1917–1998) adapted the basic format of a radio (see entry under 1920s—TV and Radio in volume 2) show he had hosted for youngsters. Episodes of the series first were broadcast weekly for an hour, but the show's popularity with young people led NBC to give it a daily, Monday-through-Friday half-hour slot.

The show's story took place in a made-up circus town called Doodyville. The show featured puppets and fantastic characters who were residents of the imagined village. In Doodyville, Smith became a personable character named Buffalo Bob. The star character was a wooden puppet suspended...