| Term Paper Title | A Zipper For Pee-Wee |
| # of Words | 1142 |
| # of Pages (250 words per page double spaced) | 4.57 |
A Zipper for Pee-Wee
Ethel O' Grady
History of Television
December 3, 1996
A Zipper for Pee-Wee Herman:
Leaders in childrens television are and always have been concerned about what
programs actually make it on the air. Most early programming for children of school age
in the 1950's was the western program. Another type was the science-fiction thriller which
tended to be based on hero's from the radio, comics, and films. However, a favorite of the
youngest audience was the children's equivalent of the variety show. This usually
contained circus, puppet, and/or animal segments. "Super Circus", which aired in 1949,
consisted of music, circus acts, animals, and of course, clowns.
In 1952, yet another type of program came about which reached a very similiar
audience as the circus variety shows. It was called "The Ding Dong School". The Ding
Dong School offered the conversation, low-key instruction, commercials, and
entertainment of Miss. Frances, a professional teacher.
With the help of these types of shows, a new genre was born. Children's television
which was a mixture of songs, education, fun, and a whole lot more. In 1969, the first
airing of "Sesame Street" took place. Sesame Street had programs which were sponsored
by different letters of the alphabet or numbers each day, and relied on very short,
animated cartoons with live and puppet segments which kept the interest of preschool
children. The show was an instant outstanding success, and still broadcasts today.
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In 1970, "Mr. Roger's Neighborhood" was born. Mr. Fred Roger's used puppets
and music to teach patience and cooperation, while providing guidance to help children
cope with feelings and frustrations. Mr. Roger's land of makebelieve's handpuppet
characters interacted with humans in the mythical kingdom of King Friday XIII. There, the
puppets and humans would deal with their feelings and emotions as they solve typical,
everyday problems.
This new genre of programming was a sensation. The children loved it, and the
parents approved of it. During the following years, many new shows came about which
still fit this genre. In the year 1986, yet another show was born into childrens television.
"Pee-Wee's Playhouse". This series, starring host Pee-Wee Herman (Paul Reubens) used
animation, puppets, and vintage cartoons to entertain and educate its audience. Between
Pee-Wee Herman and his extraordinary playhouse, children were given the opportunity to
let their imaginations go crazy.
The "playhouse" had no permanent residents, that is, besides the furnishings. Not
ordinary furnishings, you see, Pee-Wee's furnishings could move, talk, dance, and sing.
These "characters" could be seen at the playhouse on a regular basis. Some of the
favorites were: Globey, a talking globe who would show Pee-Wee the countries that his
pen-pal's letters came from; Magic Screen, a toy of Pee-Wee's that enabled him to actually
get "inside the screen" and play a life-size game of connect the dots; Konkie, a talking
robot which revealed the secret word of the day; and of course Genie, who granted Pee-
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Wee one wish a day.
The playhouse also welcomed a series of visitors during each episode, which
could
also be seen on a regular basis. Some of these favorites included: Rina the mail-lady,
who
came to deliver Pee-Wee's pen-pal letters everyday; Miss Yvonne, who Pee-Wee referred
to the most beautiful woman in Puppetland; and of course the King of Cartoons who
brought ...Read entire document
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