Say Kids! What Time is It? Notes From the Peanut Gallery

by Stephen Davis

hardcover 1st edition; like new dust jacket (s12)

234 pages, Hardcover

First published October 30, 1987

About the author

Stephen Davis is is a rock journalist and biographer, having written numerous bestsellers on rock bands, including the smash hit Hammer of the Gods. He lives in Boston.

Librarians note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Geoffrey McPhail · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn’t expect this to be such a fascinating account of one of television’s pioneer programs when I found it hidden behind a row of books on my grandfather’s shelves next to one of many stacks of old “National Geographic” issues and a couple of old books about “the dangers of communism.”

[Gerald Matzke]

This was an enjoyable book to read and it brought back many memories of watching the Howdy Doody show as a youngster. The author's father was a writer and a director of the show so many of his insights were first hand. He delved into the seedier side of the people involved that tarnished the wholesome image of a favorite kid's show. It was interesting to read about the way in which the Mickey Mouse Club contributed to the demise of Howdy Doody. I have to admit that I was one of those who abandoned Howdy for Annette and her fellow Mouseketeers. If it weren't for the graphic descriptions of the off-camera antics of some of the cast members, I would recommend this book to my fellow baby boomers.

[David Solove · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful, in-depth, warts-and-all look at the origins, phenomenon, demise, and nostalgia of The Howdy Doody Show, as well as the history of the earliest days of television.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A word of warning: this book may only appeal to those of us who were pre-schoolers hooked on the "Howdy Doody" show during the early days of television. Full of wholesome memories from those seemingly innocent days, the book also contains many startling, and often decidedly less wholesome, behind the scenes stories.

[Don · Rating 4 out of 5]

Be careful reading about your heroes.
While this was an amazing behind-the-scenes book, the truth about how the people are in real live is utterly disappointing.
This book has two parts interwoven. The story of TV, it's beginnings and innovation and the part Howdy played in that.
And the other part was the show, the actors and behind the scenes.
Fascinating story but damned disappointing.

[Len Knighton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have faint memories of The Howdy Doody Show. The book traced my viewing habits as a child, from HOWDY DOODY to CAPTAIN KANGAROO and THE MICKEY MOUSE CLUB. My heart still stirs when I hear Buffalo Bob ask that famous question. Good memories rekindled for Baby Boomers.

[Terri · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lots of interesting bits about early children's programming. i foun it somewhat boring and hard to follow.