Channel 3 Clubhouse and West Michigan Children’s TV Programming
Posted by Jim at February 24th, 2008
I don’t know how much TV I watched as a little kid. It was enough that I still know the schedule of the programs I actually cared about. On weekdays, Bozo the Clown on WZZM–an ABC affiliate, Captain Kangaroo on WMMT (then WKZO), and Channel 3 Clubhouse following it.
Pretty much everyone’s heard of Bozo and Captain Kangaroo. Outside of West Michigan, Channel 3 Clubhouse is unknown.
It lasted from 1955 to 1985. It included a host (Cynthia Kay when I was watching), puppets (Nigel and Lambert the lion), a crowd of local children, games and possibly (I’m not sure of this) cuts to cartoons.
As it happens, Cynthia Kay has since gone on to run her own media production company. The website includes links naming her as one of the most influential women in West Michigan, her business as a top women-owned business in West Michigan, and also as small business of the year (2005).
Oddly enough, one of the places I work for regularly contracts her to create video presentations. On Friday, I dropped by her business to pick up a stack of DVD’s she’d produced.
Though she’s been at various offices that GRACE has owned, I’d never actually talked to her before and thus never mentioned that I’d watched her on TV.
I did this time.
She put her hand on my shoulder and said (exactly as she might have if I’d been five and on the show), “So, what’s your name? How old are you?”
I laughed, and we moved on to talk about things relevant to the task at hand.
I told my wife about it though.
“I’m jealous,” she said. “I always wanted to be on that show.”
So yeah, no matter what honors and success Cynthia Kay achieves she will still be known (to people who spent the 1970’s watching children’s TV in West Michigan) as the host of Channel 3 Clubhouse. I’ve no idea whether this amuses or disturbs her. Perhaps I should have asked.
P. S. Oh, and should Cynthia Kay google herself and read this entry, I have a question for her. My wife wants to know what happened to the puppets after Channel 3 Clubhouse was canceled. Do you have any idea?
Hi Jim,
I found your blog tonite while doing a search on the channel 3 clubhouse, guess what, I was on that show when I was young, dang I msut of been about 5 because I was there with my brownie troup. I am trying to find out if there is anyone who saved the tapes of the show, do you know where I could start my search? Any help sure would be appreciated. When I get asked if I’ve ever been on TV I say oh yes, on the Channel 3 clubhouse and people look at me like Im nuts or something, sure would be nice to prove it
Dee
I don’t know where you’d find old video of Channel 3 Clubhouse. It doesn’t seem to exist online. My best suggestion is calling Channel 3 in Kalamazoo and asking. Stations often keep that sort of thing.
Jim
Hello
Looking to buy a copy of a Channel three Clubhouse my daughters school did in the 70’s. I’m a Cancer patient ( it is agreesseve but stableised ). I thought it would be a nice gift for my daughter.
Can you help me? I dont have a computer at home, at the moment ( I have use of a computer though, throughout the week at a Clubhouse for those with Mental Disabilitys, I also have a slight Mentaly disabilty.
Sincerly,
Kathleen Kiessling
Kathleen Kieesling
Hey Jim,
I am another member of the Channel 3 Clubhouse Alumni. My television debut was part of my seventh birthday gift from my folks. This would have been during the Fran Harding years - back when cartoons were drawn instead of programed (!). I remember getting red licorice and Necco wafers. I tuned in religiously. There should be a reunion or a website or something.
Thanks for the ride down Memory Lane.
Kevin Bowen
I was also on the show, must have been around 84 or even 85. I have the VHS copy of the episode I was on, but I E-mailed channel 3 once when I thought I had lost it, and they do not have old footage is what I was told.
Robert
does anyone remember if there was a Bean Brown or a balloon Bob on the show?
Thanks
Al
Wow. I have no idea.
Jim