Uncle Johnny Coons

Television came into being during the late 1940s. It didn’t take long to get children’s programming involved. Children’s programs, depending on the station, ran for most of the morning and into the afternoon. The prime spot was during midday when kids would be having their lunch. Having the best programming during this time enabled companies to hock their wares to the kiddos and their families. Over the years, children’s shows haven’t changed all that much. They have generally retained their silliness and whimsy while trying to teach kids valuable life lessons. Also, just like today, early children’s performers were celebrities amongst their young viewers. One of those performers was Johnny Coons. During the peak of his popularity, Uncle Johnny stopped here in McHenry.

Known as Uncle Johnny Coons to his fans, he burst onto the scene in 1952. Before that, he had a career in voice acting in radio soap operas, and early television for over fifteen years. Coons’ show, Noontime Comics, quickly took over a coveted midday slot. He appeared with his friend Blackie the Dog, who was invisible. Uncle Johnny was beloved by his fan base. Coons always felt that it was largely in part because he didn’t talk down to the kids. He felt that young people were brighter than they were given credit for and saw through insincere behavior. Their parents loved him too, for his clean, wholesome fun. They also loved the way he got them to eat their vegetables. One parent even commented that Uncle Johnny could get her child to eat the innertube of a bicycle tire. One of the characters he portrayed was even called the Pied Piper of TV.

Around the time Uncle Johnny started his show, the idea of public television was starting to take root. People wanted television that was educational as well as entertaining. The funding for the endeavor would come from government funding and public donations. Some people here in McHenry have started to come up with ideas to raise funds for the project. A local group headed by Mrs. Charles Liebman decided to have a fundraiser to get what would become WTTW rolling. They had an event that featured a children’s parade on September 19, 1953, and invited Uncle Johnny to lead the festivities. Kids were encouraged to wear costumes from their favorite characters. Superintendent Chauncey Duker and the schools helped promote the event. Helen Stevens, a high school teacher, held an essay contest about the benefits of public television, with the winner getting a war bond.

The fundraiser didn’t do that well in terms of raising money, as it only pulled in about $118. Most of that total was brought by the kids. However, it definitely raised awareness about public television. The parade was held at the same time that the high school had its football game, which was always a popular event. Yet over 800 people attended the parade, with Uncle Johnny leading the pack. What the parade and other similar events did was show people the power of children’s programming. By January 1955, WTTW was up and running with a little help from McHenry and Uncle Johnny Coons.

Sources

  • “Children’s Parade, Rally Arranged To Benefit Channel 11.” The McHenry Plaindealer. (McHenry, IL) 10 Sep 1953, 1. Newspapers.com. Web. 4 May 2024.
  • “The Kids’ Uncle Johnny Coons, Television’s Built In Babysitter.” Chicago Daily Tribune. (Chicago, IL) 7 Apr 1956, D7. ProQuest Historical Newspapers. Web. 4 May 2024.
  • “Rivals Santa In Popularity.” Chicago Daily Tribune. (Chicago, IL) 4 Jan 1953, S6. ProQuest Historical Newspapers. Web. 4 May 2024.
  • “Children’s Rally Features TV Star.” The McHenry Plaindealer. (McHenry, IL) 17 Sep 1953, 1. Newspapers.com. Web. 4 May 2024.
  • “If The Success of Channel 11…” The McHenry Plaindealer. (McHenry, IL) 24 Sep 1953, 1. Newspapers.com. Web. 4 May 2024.
  • “Home Becomes Video Shrine.” Chicago Daily Tribune. (Chicago, IL) 4 Sep 1954, B1. Newspapers.com. Web. 4 May 2024.
  • “WTTW – Window To The World – New Call Letters For Channel 11.” The McHenry Plaindealer. (McHenry, IL) 18 Feb 1954, 14. Newspapers.com. Web. 4 May 2024.