Howdy Doody
Episode 1
TV Flash files “Episode 1” as a desk essential hour — Howdy Doody (1947–1960) on NBC, season 1, episode 1, aired 1947-12-27, 30 min.
From the desk
How this hour is filed
This leaf is S01E01: listed hour 1 of 21 in the Howdy Doody guide, the only listed hour of season 1. It aired 1947-12-27 (30 min). No earlier hour is listed in this guide. Next is “Friendship” (S02E01).
Essential hour: “Episode 1”. 1947 opener: Howdy, Buffalo Bob, and the Peanut Gallery scream that invented the national children's slot.
Viewer FAQ
Where does Episode 1 sit in the Howdy Doody guide?
S01E01 is listed hour 1 of 21 — the only listed hour of season 1, season 1 episode 1.
When did Howdy Doody S01E01 air?
Episode 1 aired 1947-12-27 and is listed at 30 minutes.
Where should I start?
Start with Buffalo Bob, the marionette, and the Peanut Gallery at full shout — the call-and-response is the form. Clarabell (Keeshan then Anderson) is the side door.
In the series
Why this series still plays
Howdy Doody is Peanut Gallery screams, Clarabell's seltzer, and Buffalo Bob asking what time it is. Pioneer children's television that proved kids could own a national slot and a merch empire. In 2026 it is the circus model later hosts rewrote — plus the silent-clown lore of Keeshan then Lew Anderson.
Say kids, what time is it? (I know. Liturgy. I still typed it.) *Howdy Doody* is the original group chat with a scream track: freckled marionette, Peanut Gallery, Clarabell's seltzer, Buffalo Bob Smith hosting NBC from 1947 to 1960. Pioneer children's television that proved kids could own a national time slot and a merch empire. The timeline would have ratio'd the clown. The living room just screamed back.
Filed against
- Bob Smith as Buffalo Bob Smith
Bob Smith’s Buffalo Bob asked Howdy Doody what time it was — Peanut Gallery screams, Clarabell’s seltzer, pioneer children’s television that proved kids could own a national slot and a merch empire. The circus model later hosts rewrote.…
- Howdy Doody as Howdy Doody (marionette)
Howdy Doody was the marionette who proved kids could own a national slot — Peanut Gallery screams, Clarabell's seltzer, Buffalo Bob asking what time it is, a merch empire in a 1950s circus model later hosts rewrote. TV Flash files him as…
- Lew Anderson as Clarabell the Clown
Lew Anderson kept the seltzer coming as Clarabell the Clown on Howdy Doody — silent-clown lore in a Peanut Gallery empire that proved kids could own a national slot and a merch machine. Buffalo Bob asked the time; the horn answered. TV…
- Bob Keeshan as Clarabell (early)
Bob Keeshan’s early Clarabell made Howdy Doody a seltzer religion — 1950s catalog Peanut Gallery screams, then Captain Kangaroo turning the silent clown into Treasure House calm. TV Flash files him as children’s TV’s best glow-up: noise…