Every Baby Boomer born between 1947 and 1960 could answer Howdy Doody Show host Buffalo Bob's question: "Say kids, what time is it?" with an enthusiastic "It's Howdy Doody Time!" By January 1950, television was in 3 million American homes and comic-inspired characters were at the forefront. All the puppet shows-The Howdy Doody Show, Foodini The Great and Kukla, Fran & Ollie-were at heart comic characters brought to life on the small screen, and Howdy Doody was the undisputed king of the puppets. Robert "Buffalo Bob" Smith created the character and hosted the show. Millions of kids joined the in-studio Peanut Gallery to enjoy the antics of Doodyville residents that included Clarabell the Clown, Indian Princess Summerfall Winterspring and Howdy's marionette friends Mr. Bluster, Dilly Dally, and Flub-A-Dub.

The early Puppet Playhouse shows-the series' original title-were largely commercial free, but that was about to change. Writer Eddie Kean, inspired by the 1948 presidential election, decided Howdy should run for President of the kids. Howdy asked all of his young viewers to write him with ideas for his campaign platform and thousands of letters arrived. Producer Robert Muir received permission to offer 10,000 campaign buttons reading "I'm For Howdy Doody" as mail-in premiums. The free button announcement was first made March 23, 1948. Only five stations were airing the show and the offer was made seven times. NBC executives were astonished when 60,000 requests rolled into the mailroom. That giveaway button became the first television premium for kids and the overwhelming response demonstrated the immense appeal of the show. Colgate, Continental Baking, Ovaltine and Mars Candy quickly signed on as sponsors.

Howdy's success led to a daily comic strip, Dell comic books and a radio version of the show. When the show ended its run in 1960, the mute Clarabell turned to the camera in the series' final moments and offered a heartfelt "Goodbye, kids."

Buffalo Bob and Howdy returned for a revival series in the '70s, but it never recaptured the same magic. Howdy not only proved the appeal of comic characters on television but the influence of children's programming on parents' purchasing choices. Geppi's Entertainment Museum lets you visit the Peanut Gallery yourself in our "America Tunes In" gallery.