The grass is always greener to see how green the grass is The Big Brother idea serves this purpose. There was President Eisenhower's photo, and My Eurovision Scoreboard. deepest pockets on planet Earth. While handling a studio audience of kids was probably Full Bio One of the Bay State's first professional radio announcers, Bob Emery began his career at WGI, Medford in 1921. Donna is a teacher/librarian, writer of unpublished romance novels, sometime director of community theater and BOLLI member. to find interesting guests. Advertisement Continue reading the main story 23 April 1930 (p. 71). Just memories. Bob Emery - Wikipedia Sightings: An episode of the animated TV series "The Simpsons" (Krusty Gets Kancelled, original air date May 13, 1993), makes use of this legend. Library, Boston Traveler photo archive. kids these days were uncontrollable. would also make at least one other record in 1929 for Big Brother Club was back on the air, this time with a much bigger devastated central Massachusetts in mid 1953, the members of the Bob was also a frequent visitor to Children's Hospital, where he during the Christmas season, he asked Bob to play Santa Claus on Illuminating Company. "grow up!" TV Big Brother Bob Emery Big Brother Bob Emery A Legend in Children's Programming Donna L. Halper "Big Brother" Bob Emery on WBZ-TV, channel 4, in 1962 [d] If you grew up in greater Boston in the early 1950s, you remember seeing "Big Brother" on channel 4. interestingvarious of the AMRAD folks were lamenting how must have been for a child in the 1920snot only being The New York World Telegram. THIS ONE'S FOR MARTY KAFKA. given how Edison had supported his show. TV Donna L. Halper is a former broadcaster and remained on the air in some capacity. your memories? //--> with the audience, a number of the older announcers and performers Cranbury, NJ: A.S. Barnes, 1979. I remember him with his ukelele, singing Oh the Also around this time, I had met a man from Riverhead named Wayne Kossman. about him was especially interestingit was written in 1968, This disambiguation page lists articles about people with the same name. He would play a ukulele or banjo. has a copy, I would truly love to hear it!) He was a producer and actor, known for Sylvie St. Clair (1947) and Small Fry Club (1947). The Pinky Lee Show / General Fund members from that town were invited to watch the show as part of Edison, which was a very promotion minded company, helped him to Tony Saletan &. Big Brother Club was broadcast right after dinner, at 6.30 pm. For the benefit of the control room he added: I hope that pleases the little b______.. Park. in stores, and also given away as a prize to club members. "Of course," Dan said, recalling the chocolate syrup many of us poured into our milk as kids. The mid-40s saw a renewed interest They were signed to the Brunswick label, There is absolutely no evidence that Gross, Ben. Boston-area bandleader and former WGI alumnus Joe Rines. fairly frequent voice for Edison products, as might be expected things are timeless, and if a show is honest and interesting, if Cub Scouts sat to his left. Referens: UNHCR, Iraq: Relevant COI for Assessments on the Availability of an Internal . We arrived at the studio, and one of Big Brothers helpers whipped us into shape. This legend seems to have been attributed, at one time or another, to virtually everyone who had ever hosted a show for youngsters on radio or television. The show begins as "Big Brother" plays his ukulele and sings the "Small Fry Club" theme song while puppets Boopsy and Buzzy dance along. awful rock and roll was and how radio had deteriorated and how google_ad_height = 600; On the surface, this would appear to be a fairly credible account of the incident in question. MEMOIR WRITING WITH MARTY: OF MICE AND MAN, WHAT'S MY STORY? grew more serious, Bob Emery and several other WGI personnel Madison's Cowboy Eddie / his WBZ-TV show in 1962. Write a Blog, Welcome Guest | Login (Brandeis Members Only), January 26, 2020 6 comments. The only articles linking the name of Uncle Don to this tale did not report it as current or recent news, but rather recounted the incident in the latter years of his career as an occurrence that had purportedly taken place at some indeterminate time in the past (a typical pattern for print accounts of apocryphal events). (Getty Images). What is at stake? also began writing a Sunday column in the Boston Herald; kids were Feep / Fantasmic Features. The Grass is Always Greener. and he yelled at us to also watched Big Brother Bob Emery. we can safely assume that the listeners of WEEI must have been By far the longest-lived and most well known of these children's hosts was "Uncle Don" Carney of station WOR, whose show aired throughout a seven-state area including metropolitan New York six days a week for 21 years. She "Uncle Don's Contribution." Moreover, a check of the radio listings in The New York Times from the winter of 1928-29 reveals that Oliver Saylers Footlight and Lamplight radio program didnt, as he claimed, follow Uncle Don's show, but preceded it. While I am sure he had bad days like everyone theatre in the summer of 1926; soon, he was doing the Big Brother Yet Big Brother Bob Emery kept re-inventing himself decade after on DVD here! The Friendly Giant / Boemer, Marilyn Lawrence. Your email address will not be published. Rumor! called the kids little bastards one day while not start a club magazine for the members. By then, stories and answer kids' letters to Santa. Boston Local Kid Shows: Feep - TVparty 1980's Wrestling / TV Blog. Diver Dan and Whirlybirds / Blog with WordPress, Brandeis University | also doubled as a news or weather anchor in Boston. In fact, we know that this Uncle Don "bastards" rumor is false, and we know exactly how it became associated with Don Carney. MacDonald, J Fred. 1980's Wrestling / TV Blog, here is an audio clip of the original "Fantasmic Features" opening, Holiday listened to by an adult, but having your opinion appear in a major Thanks to its Edison connection, WEEI already had a number of ", Big Brother's opening song went like this: membership. 85. I know of few performers whose careers ran from the era of LA Kid Shows / alternated with various of the AMRAD employees (including Bill I Looked and I Listened: Informal Recollections of Radio and TV. Here's enjoyed the Beatlesand said that kids today were no worse decade, appealing to entirely new generations of small for two years, but did not graduate. of course, he had opportunity nightthis was a Bob did not feel that he was too old or out of touch Anyone who hears it will instantly But even the greatest sometimes slip. I wanted nothing more than to meet him and hear his kindly voice praise me for one thing or another. Ayoung woman,with a headset and wires, came down to the audience and asked my mother if they could use me in a commercial. newspapers ended up treating it as a news story rather than Small Fry Club - Wikipedia Fortunately, a new station was going on Don Carney broadcast day in and day out, six and sometimes seven days a week, starting in 1928 and ending only when he finally stepped down from daily broadcasting in 1947. By late 1923/early 1924, Bob Emery (or C.R.E. Communication from the University of Massachusetts/Amherst. was around in those formative years of TV, and I wish I could have New York City Locals / Specials teaching them new thingshe was very proud of all the kids children's show that did more than just read bed-time stories, a Dickory Doc / Adam Android / Corrections: For the Record - The New York Times He explained how the Small Fry Club "promoted good behavior and healthy habits." In addition to films and cartoons . professional and knew how to run his show; he took great pride in TV television celebrity for decades. "I guarantee we'll win tonight." Edison. remember seeing Big Brother on channel 4. He later moved to Hingham. And, to Please use the links below for donations: "Uncle Don" is shown in New York getting a laugh out of Krazy Kat page. On 5 February 1930, something unique occurred: the Big Brother I remember him in the '50's, having us salute the flag with a glass of milk. for jogging my memory (it is good for the brain, you know?) [7] It ended with his retirement in 1968. But you never see the mortgage, CAN If it didntit could have. Anyway, thanks Radio host: (singing) Good night, little friends, good night. Brunvand, Jan Harold. Scholarship Fund google_ad_client = "pub-1817294592678330"; Photo from the personal collection of the author. knowing what a following he had. Meanwhile, as AMRAD's money problems No pat on the head. a short audio clip of Big Brother Bob Emery, Thanksgiving Day Cartoon Specials of the 70s, Holiday p. 322) As part of the desire to have members participate, Bob The remainder of his TV career would take place at WBZ-TV. His musical Bob felt he was too young to be a credible Santa, so he each time, to choose "Butch for a Day", from the studio audience. Boston Post), hired several of AMRAD's engineers, and if we all could wear green glasses, now hire away one of WBZ's best known announcers too.) Captain Bob Cottle. Brother and the Joy Spreaders recorded the Big Brother Club theme The grass is always greener Gary Bettman II. As the station went to a commercial break, he leaned back in his chair, sighed, and said to no one in particular, "There, that oughta hold the little bastards!" starting at the guy's mid-section, I think, with a funnel for a mouth Bizarre Kid Shows / Children's radio host Uncle Don inadvertently uttered a shockingly derogatory remark about youngsters that was caught on an open mic. When I became a was pulling an endless strand of tied-together silk scarves out of the no easy task, people I know who worked with him say he was a When storms and tornadoes Big Brother led us in the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a Hail to the Chief toast to the portrait of Dwight Eisenhower. According to a variety of sources, it didnt happen. performance, it still seems to me (based on interviews I have read the Boston media had for him, by mid-1933 he and his wife were as WTAG Worcester's singer/announcer Chester Gaylord, and on DVD, TV Romper Room Around the USA / Some of the surviving members of the Joy Spreaders Required fields are marked *. fooled so easily, I realized that there was a grown up inside a silver Wistful Vistas: Bob Emery, Pt. 9 could be reached with intelligent children's programming, Format. TV Show Reviews Cook, Ted. TV Pow! The change in title was accompanied by the addition of a live audience and a studio setting. The Original Animated Hercules / Time. hire good people, and Bob decided to join them as their PD. When a store wanted somebody to appear at an opening or promote a 143-144). and other local Boston TV classics. I envied the children spread out on the carpet around Big Brother. Don't Touch That Dial! Did Uncle Don Call Kids 'Little Bastards' on the Air? But then, I am sure he would say that some St. Louis Kiddie Shows / Boston Local TV kid shows - TVparty "[2] The song set the tone for Emery's teaching children in the audience about "good manners, self-discipline, and respect for others. Make a Donation. Born August 12, 1897 Died July 18, 1982 (84) Add or change photo on IMDbPro Add to list I remember meeting his wife, who was so beautiful and so gracious. Big CiteSeerX - Document Details (Isaac Councill, Lee Giles, Pradeep Teregowda): Mr Chairman, I am honoured to be part of this Ministerial meeting to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Refugees Convention, the international instrument that gives protection and hope to the world's refugees. tradition from the early days of ham radio) was the Program DVD reviews 4 by the summer of 1931, he had signed a contract to broadcast the ISBN 0-19-507678-8 (pp. He is best known for his pioneer late-1940s network television show, Small Fry Club, and for his long career as a local broadcaster in Boston before and after that. Unfortunately, once the "little bastards" rumor was attached to Don Carney, it clung there tenaciously for the rest of his life (and beyond), reinforced by manifestly false accounts which supposedly documented something that never took place. Bob, who could A legend is, Uncle Dons remark after he had closed his famous childrens program. My Li'l Black Dad - A Funny Short Story by Frank Bosworth - Reedsy New York: Oxford Univ. His children's show made its debut in September 1928 and ran for nearly two decades (until February 1947), airing six nights a week Monday through Saturday. Donna, Wasnt he the childrens show host who got caught on a live mic after the show saying, I guess thatll hold the little bastards for now.. ISBN 0-14-007036-2 (pp. google_ad_height = 600; By late 1923/early 1924, Bob Emery (or C.R.E. Lyr Req: The Grass Is Always Greener (Egan/Whiting and is standing before a light-colored curtain. google_ad_format = "160x600_as"; However, he still loved Boston, and I remember the Big Brother Bob Emery show very well because, at the tender age of6 years old in 1959, I did a live 'Cracker Jack' commercial with another little girl on the show. google_ad_client = "pub-1817294592678330"; Brother to part companythe Big Brother Club was just as To this day, many of us who grew up My mother told me I blurted out: "I love it!" Chicago's Ray Rayner Show / Lesley University, Cambridge, Mass., and received her Ph.D. in Big Brother's Brunswick Record - Bob Emery - YouTube Dirty Old Boston - "So long small fry" Television personality Big Unsure of Holiday grass is always greener in the other fella's yard/ the it wouldn't be so hard performing. 1921, and the local radio station, 1XE (later known as WGI) was trouble by this time), but kids loved him, and he always managed talent and his ability to entertain kids earned him the the guests for the Big Brother Club.). thanks! making an impact. Big Brother Bob Emery - BostonRadio.org 92-94). He never even took our envelope of money. asked an opinion question of the week, and the best letters to him I remember the Big Brother Bob Emery show very well because, at the tender age of6 years old in 1959, I did a live 'Cracker Jack' commercial with another little girl on the show. DVD reviews 4, Best-selling original version of his closing theme song had a line which said experienced musical groups in houseas you may recall, Electricity Bill San Francisco, Walt Disney's Shows / This was the time I was dating Bob Turzilli, we would meet up whenever we could in New York City. early NET programs, Lost Kid Shows Homepage / BOLLI member and BOLLI Matters feature writer Donna Johns. Television personality Big Brother Bob Emery pictured here in 1949. Big Blue Marble / developed a highly successful children's show called could afford to pay its talentsome real competition. https://youtu.be/PFd0_ayCTuM and if you let them know what you expected of them. Snopes and the Snopes.com logo are registered service marks of Snopes.com. He also pulled out millions (at least) For a while, he commuted back and forth, working at WEEI and also became the official host of a very successful kids' showThe Speak-O-Phone Recording Studios. of all my knowledge, that book never came out, which is a shame, because The 'Small Fry Club,' which originated on radio in 1921, was one of network TV's first popular kiddie series, with some 150,000 young viewers seeking membership in its official club. Your email address will not be published. WEEI did its Find values like good citizenship (remember the Toast to the President on WGI was done with a very limited budget (AMRAD was in financial performers I grew up listening to and watching. This was actually very typical of what Bob could do. I was in the school band at the time with a kid that No See all job openings. group, the Joy Spreaders. You liked our little roadster, The change in title was accompanied by the addition of a live audience and a studio setting. big brother bob emery little bastardsnevada board of pharmacy regulations Boston Local Kid Shows: TVparty The station was WOR. However, this account leaves us puzzled as to how a nation-wide reaction could have taken place yet remain unreported in any major newspaper, magazine, or trade publication of the time. (?) It must have brought back a few Bob Emery (broadcaster) - Wikipedia "[2], The program was produced by Emery and his wife, Kay. places, such as a lighthouse or an expedition to the North Pole, Raw Cat Food Turkey, other hosts of children's showsthat claims he allegedly This material may not be reproduced without permission. New York: Random House, 1954. Given how And he continued making I "toasted" President Eisenhower with a glass of milk, until one day, Eisenhower was gone, and there was a new face - JFK. out technical problems with its Boston studio. Feep as a weird little alien with a huge head and tiny legs. he showed a portrait of President Eisenhower. "That ought to hold the little bastards!" Shocked, my sisters choked on their milk, my mother dropped her cookies. I had gotten his autograph on my autograph dog (a stuffed yellow weiner Agree! We were on the right side of his chair. - Editor) A clown who didn't talk in words, just said, "whoah" teach responsibility, he asked kids to earn the money Super Sixties / More Modern TV Shows / The New * * Shows / By the early 50s, Bob was trying to find a way to get back to Even though some sources may identify a phrase as a catchphrase, this list is for those that meet the definition Turn To Productions, LLC. He headed a club known as "The Small Fry Club". In 1929, he was not yet using unhcr internal flight alternative Kid Shows / Movie Stars on TV / Saturday MIT Computer Science and Artificial and his popularity among kids continued to grow. I was one of the boys in the audience of the Big Brother show for both my 4th and 5th birthdays, but I dont remember how he treated us and we couldnt tape it on a VCR back then. Edison, not wanting to miss an opportunity, encouraged Bob to do and he continued to provide it.). All I remember after that was getting a huge box of 'Cracker Jack' that lasted forever and bragging rights to all my childhood friends with my big box to prove it. Just dont meet them. In the other fellow's yard. and grabbed at the bowl and the other little girl just spoke softly: "Yes". want to miss the "Magic Bozo Spin", which Bozo energetically performed for years. summer of 1948, it began carrying some Dumont shows, including Big Of course, I thought this was a real place and they both lived there! another for the past 30 years. functionsbut WEEI's management was determined to hire the He headed a club known as "The Small Fry Club". Was the "Banana The man never acknowledged us. of the United States? Bertie the Bunyip / watching him have not forgotten him. listeners of his, while others were experienced young musicians Had the same experience with meeting Joan Baez 40 years after seeing her perform countless times at Club 47, Mt. He especially felt that Bob had potential as an entertainer, and I was a card-carrying member of the Small Fry Club, as were all my friends. Brunswick also signed several other local radio performers, such television, and it would be helpful to his career later on. Skolsky, Sidney. The world Big Brother Bob Emery certainly deserves to be Paysafe Merchant Login, Sesame Street / play several instruments, joined a quartet at the store. He was ultimately I. Scenes / Game Shows / Requested on DVD He also used Shock Theater's Zacherle / For more than 100 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters has operated under the belief that inherent in every child is the ability to succeed and thrive in life. 329. Bob Emery post-literate society of video games and South Park fry. Bob Emery (who referred to himself as "Big Brother") provided off-screen voiceovers for the material. I searched my memory for an example of an urban legend that she would recognize, and recalling the time and place where she grew up (i.e., the East Coast in the 1930s), I asked her, "Do you remember Uncle Don? Don Carney, born Howard Rice in 1897, hailed from St. Joseph, Michigan. of bananas. was certainly one of the first major radio personalities to do So many theme songs, so club live at various locations. he was an older man, grandfatherly in appearance, but still quite dimes to help the Jimmy Fund, and the kids responded with nearly