Who remembers 'Romper Room'? It's coming back!
By mentalward
@mentalward (14690)
United States
June 1, 2010 9:42am CST
I was responding to another discussion and we got on the subject of the old TV series called 'Romper Room'. Here's the link to the article I read: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romper_Room
Do you remember it? Apparently, it stopped airing completely in 1994. I had NO idea it was on that long!
It was a show for preschoolers and was very "interactive" with kids on the other side of the TV screen. They had "Mr. Do Bee" and the "Magic Mirror" and one part of the show required us wee ones to place a clear green plastic film over the TV screen so we could draw along with the hostess with our crayons. (The plastic could be taken off the screen and washed for the next time.)
I was absolutely, totally mesmerized by the show and watched it every day until I was forced, against my will, to go to kindergarten. 
I also had no idea that the show, although syndicated, originated in my birthplace of Baltimore, Maryland, USA. It aired in several countries around the world.
Well, it's coming back, according to what I read. I believe it was better than Sesame Street because Romper Room had us rug rats believing that they actually SAW us at home. If you were around then and watched this show, did you answer back out loud to the questions they would ask us? I did. 
So, are you old enough to remember this show? Did you watch it? If you did, were you as mesmerized as I was? I'm glad to hear they're bringing it back. I just hope it's not too different than the original show.
I also had no idea that the show, although syndicated, originated in my birthplace of Baltimore, Maryland, USA. It aired in several countries around the world.
Well, it's coming back, according to what I read. I believe it was better than Sesame Street because Romper Room had us rug rats believing that they actually SAW us at home. If you were around then and watched this show, did you answer back out loud to the questions they would ask us? I did.
So, are you old enough to remember this show? Did you watch it? If you did, were you as mesmerized as I was? I'm glad to hear they're bringing it back. I just hope it's not too different than the original show.2 people like this
11 responses
@commanderxo (1494)
• Canada
2 Jun 10
I do remember this show. It was picked up from one of the US stations, and was broadcast from Hamilton on channel 11; a city not too far from Toronto Canada.
Me? Watch it? Sorry. I for some reason couldn't really quite get into it.
Like Mr. Rogers, I guess I found it to be a little bit too juvenile. Who knows? Could've been that the reception tuned in better? We only had 6 black and white channels to choose from back then, and only 2 of them were Canadian. Reception from the U.S. was ten times better.
Romper Room? No.
MY favorite preschool half-hour TV show which aired at 7:00AM, was; "Rocket Ship 7", starring Dave Thomas (Buffalo's weatherman at the time), with his trusty partner, Promo the Robot.
I'd be glued to the set, waiting with baited breath for the onset of Roger Ramjet, Rocky & Bullwinkle, and Harveytoons' Baby Huey cartoons. Later, I'd watch Disney's Mickey Mouse Club. That, ho-hum, pretty well filled my day, until being called for dinner. Next day? Same routine.
Cheers;
cdrxo
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
2 Jun 10
Too juvenile for a 4-year-old????? 
Wow! You must have matured VERY young! 
Mr. Rogers wasn't heard of yet when I was so intrigued by Romper Room. We only had 3 channels to choose from back then, all black and white, of course. So, when Romper Room was on and Miss Nancy could actually SEE me, it made me feel so important!
I loved Rocky & Bullwinkle, too but my favorite cartoons (Looney Toons?) had Yosemite Sam, Foghorn Leghorn or Pepe le Pew.
Wow! You must have matured VERY young!
Mr. Rogers wasn't heard of yet when I was so intrigued by Romper Room. We only had 3 channels to choose from back then, all black and white, of course. So, when Romper Room was on and Miss Nancy could actually SEE me, it made me feel so important!
I loved Rocky & Bullwinkle, too but my favorite cartoons (Looney Toons?) had Yosemite Sam, Foghorn Leghorn or Pepe le Pew.1 person likes this
@commanderxo (1494)
• Canada
2 Jun 10
Well when I took one look into that Magic Mirror, I felt older than all the rest of the kids on the block. (-a little secret- I made my own Magic Mirror 'cause I had a crush on Miss Nancy - figured it would take me into the studio with her. Kids.)
Secondly...if I were to rate cartoons as a whole?
Looney Toons wins, hands down!
My absolute, ultimate, favorites of all time.
Here's one for you.
Do you remember ventriloquist, Sheri Lewis?
To me, she had THE BEST kids' puppet show going, what with characters like Lambchop and Puppydog. Talk about laugh! And if that ain't too cool enough for ya, there was always Captain Kangaroo to back it up, with Bunny-rabit, Mr. Moose, & Mr. Greenjeans.
Gee it sure was fun bein' a kid.
@commanderxo (1494)
• Canada
3 Jun 10
K. I. S. S. I. N. G.......
"Magic mirror tell me so.
Who's that goofball commanderxo?"
Hahahahaha.
Yes, it's a shame that those wonderful childhood icons have gone to that great rainbow in the sky, and I guess we can throw Jim Henson into the mix as well.
To me, kids' television today doesn't seem to hold that same sense of awe.
If you've ever watched Max Trax Treehouse, you'll know what I'm talking about.
Oh, and my apologies to Sheri, but I made an error which I'd like to correct; it's HUSHPUPPY, not Puppydog.
One question that always made me wonder:
What was it with Bob Keeshan's key ring? Every time he hung up those keys, the show's theme music would automatically stop. When the show began it's end, Bob would pick up that giant key ring of his (with keys on it that he never used to open anything, by the way) and the theme music would start up again.
That key ring always had me baffled as to how it could do that. ???
I could never figure it out.
You wouldn't believe how many times I bugged my parents to buy me a set.
cdrxo
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
2 Jun 10
We had Romper Room here in Australia and I loved it too! I felt as if I was there with the other children on the show. I recall that the kids would have milk at one stage and I used to get myself a cup too. I joined in all the activities...It was a really long time ago as you can imagine but I remember it so well, it was my favourite show along with Sesame Street. We haven’t had it on our screens for many years.
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
2 Jun 10
I know exactly how you feel, paula. I remember it vividly myself. I don't think I was as excited about any show on TV as much as Romper Room until the old "Dark Shadows" came out and ran every day after school when I was a young teen. It was such a different kind of soap opera and, even though the acting was horrendous, I loved it. I don't know if you had Dark Shadows where you were but it was a show about vampires and I swear I think they hired the worst actors they could find to be on that show. 
I don't know if you had Dark Shadows where you were but it was a show about vampires and I swear I think they hired the worst actors they could find to be on that show. 1 person likes this
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
3 Jun 10
Ah, yes, Barnabus. I met him once. There was some kind of big show going on at the Civic Center in Baltimore, where I lived, and he was there giving autographs. I got his!!!
It wasn't quite the same, though, seeing him at the show because he didn't have any makeup on and wasn't in costume. He was just a regular guy who happened to star in the coolest ever soap opera.
I suppose that makes me a dork, too, huh? Then I'm a dork and proud of it! 
How about you?1 person likes this
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
2 Jun 10
Excuse me! I loved Barnabus Collins!lol I had such a mad crush on that Vampire
when I was in high school! I know the acting sucked, but I was always into
that Vampire stuff and he had such a "cool accent"! Damn, what a dork I was!
I guess if I was "young" today I'd definitely be into the "Twilight" stuff!
1 person likes this
@enola1692 (3323)
• United States
2 Jun 10
oh wow i remember when she had the mirror an would say i see Michelle I use to get happy an say she sees me she sees me an my brother would do the same if she said his name but she hardly ever said Alan so he didnt get to jump an shout
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
2 Jun 10
I remember only once hearing my name but I was in Heaven when she did! She saw ME!!! I adored 'Miss Nancy'.
I'm so glad to hear they're planning on bringing the show back and hope it's as good as the original. I'm sure they'll "modernize" it but hope the kids who watch it are as thrilled as I was at that age.
@bigal3 (1231)
• Thailand
8 Jun 10
Not being a "Romper Room" fan I can't get behind its return. My suggestion to you is to be very careful and watch it closely. With the technology of today how do you know it is safe for your children to watch it? Have you ever heard of "Subliminal" transmissions?
In today's electronic enviornment I would be suspect of a show that deals with children and has been off the air for years and returns. Think about it.
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
4 Jun 10
Now see what you did? Now I am going to be humming the Do Bee song all night! Yep, I remember it. Very vaguely...
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
4 Jun 10
Hehehehe Sorry! I've had that happen to me before. Once, it was Do Wah Ditty I heard and couldn't get that darned song out of my head for a month!
"There she goes just a-walkin down the street, singing do wah ditty ditty dum ditty do...."
1 person likes this
@crazydaisy (3896)
• Canada
3 Jun 10
I rember the Romper Room but it dosen't match up to Sesame Street that was a great show I always like the Mickey mouse club when plus Captain Kangaroo,
cd
@bigal3 (1231)
• Thailand
8 Jun 10
Howdy "CD" I am the new kid on the block. I really agree with you about "Romper Room". When I became a papa myself my children really liked "Sesame Street, Capt. Kangroo and some of the others we previously mentioned . They never seemed to be interested in "Romper Room". For awhile I tried to watch it with them. I could see why they didn't like it. It seemed to me and them to be rather boring. Whereas, "Capt.K" and some of the others mentioned did so nicely.
Very sad when the Captain passed away. Maybe I'll get to see him in the "after life". He was a good man with a big heart. Don't you think?
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
2 Jun 10
Hey MW!
That really brought back fond memories!
And they never "saw" me through the "magic mirror"! I was
always waiting to hear my name! And yes, me and my brother
watched it faithfully every day! I think we ate lunch in
front of the tv while we watch Romper Room and Soupy Sales!
Oh, how I did love Romper Room! That was "the show" of our
time! Of course, it was black & white in "our day"!lol I
didn't have that "green paper thingy"! And of course, don't
forget "The Mickey Mouse Club"! Now that was another popular
tv show of our era! I knew all the words to the opening and
closing songs! What fond and sweet memories! I used to sit
in my "little blue rocking chair" and my brother (RIP Ricky)
would sit next to me sucking his thumb (he was 3 years younger
than me)! Thanks for the fond memories! Hugs, Leslie
That really brought back fond memories!
And they never "saw" me through the "magic mirror"! I was
always waiting to hear my name! And yes, me and my brother
watched it faithfully every day! I think we ate lunch in
front of the tv while we watch Romper Room and Soupy Sales!
Oh, how I did love Romper Room! That was "the show" of our
time! Of course, it was black & white in "our day"!lol I
didn't have that "green paper thingy"! And of course, don't
forget "The Mickey Mouse Club"! Now that was another popular
tv show of our era! I knew all the words to the opening and
closing songs! What fond and sweet memories! I used to sit
in my "little blue rocking chair" and my brother (RIP Ricky)
would sit next to me sucking his thumb (he was 3 years younger
than me)! Thanks for the fond memories! Hugs, Leslie@mentalward (14690)
• United States
2 Jun 10
Aww, I'm sorry she never "saw" you through the magic mirror. I only remember one time that she called my name but it didn't matter that she only saw me once... that was enough to put me over the moon.
Now, YOU'VE brought back fond memories for me! Soupy Sales! I LOVED his show!!! He was one crazy guy, for sure. You know who I think looks like him? Mel Gibson. I used to have a side-by-side photo of the two of them and the resemblance is uncanny.
I had a little red rocking chair! Wow! I haven't thought of that in decades!!! I'd sit in it beside my father in his rocking chair and we'd watch TV together.
Ahhh, memories!
Now, YOU'VE brought back fond memories for me! Soupy Sales! I LOVED his show!!! He was one crazy guy, for sure. You know who I think looks like him? Mel Gibson. I used to have a side-by-side photo of the two of them and the resemblance is uncanny.
I had a little red rocking chair! Wow! I haven't thought of that in decades!!! I'd sit in it beside my father in his rocking chair and we'd watch TV together.
Ahhh, memories! @Opal26 (17679)
• United States
3 Jun 10
Hi CarrotTawp!I don't know what your "real name"
is, but I love your "screen name"! And just because
of that and your comment I have sent you a friend's request!
I think you have a great sense of humor and will be fun to
have on mylot! And by the way, Welcome to MyLot! Hugs, Opal
I don't know what your "real name"
is, but I love your "screen name"! And just because
of that and your comment I have sent you a friend's request!
I think you have a great sense of humor and will be fun to
have on mylot! And by the way, Welcome to MyLot! Hugs, Opal
@AmbiePam (92714)
• United States
1 Jun 10
I don't believe I ever saw it. I have heard it mentioned in sitcoms. That's how I heard of Howdy Doody. Did I spell that right? I never knew what either of those were until I looked them up. As far as bringing Romper Room back, I really hope they don't ruin it by "modernizing" it. True, I never saw it back when it was originally on. But it doesn't take much for people to ruin a classic.
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
2 Jun 10
Ah, Howdy Doody! Yep, you spelled it right. I was once told that I looked like him. 
He had red hair, freckles and a space between his front teeth and I had the same but I never saw any resemblance other than that. Hmmph!
I wish all kids around the world would have an opportunity to see this show. It taught us good manners and how to interact with our peers.
I agree that even small changes can make some shows totally unrecognizable from the originals. I really hope it's a lot like the original when they do bring it back. It made us kids feel so important!
Yep, you spelled it right. I was once told that I looked like him. He had red hair, freckles and a space between his front teeth and I had the same but I never saw any resemblance other than that. Hmmph!
I wish all kids around the world would have an opportunity to see this show. It taught us good manners and how to interact with our peers.
I agree that even small changes can make some shows totally unrecognizable from the originals. I really hope it's a lot like the original when they do bring it back. It made us kids feel so important! @bigal3 (1231)
• Thailand
8 Jun 10
I disagree with you about TV being the influencing factor for young children. I feel it is "Totally" up to parents to teach values and behavior to their young. I feel too many times parents leave that to the "TV".
In my house when I was a child my mother placed limits on what we watched and how often. Programs like "Romper Room", "Sesame Street", etc. were not restricted. My mother would watch them with us sometime and if any questions came up she would explain the pro and cons of it. I think she did a great job in teaching us how inspite of what we saw on TV to "THINK" for ourselves. She would say she wasn't always going to be around and that we need to learn that skill.
@sender621 (14894)
• United States
1 Jun 10
One of my favorite shows as a child was Romper Room. My own children were never to enjoy this show since it was not on for them. It's great to see that romper room is making a comeback. It will be good for a whole new generation to have romper room in their lives.
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
2 Jun 10
I agree! The show helped us feel important as it taught us good manners. Plus, there was so much we could do along with the show besides just sitting there watching it. It got us up off our bottoms! Well, it got me off mine.
@loniu7 (149)
• United States
8 Jun 10
No Way! I watched that every morning when i was little. I always wished i would get my name called in the mirror! Never did! :( Wow! i didn;t even know it was on that long!
Funny my older sons kindergarten teacher dressed like the lady from romper room. She always made me think of the show!
mY OLDER SON IS 8, BUT MY YOUNGER SON IS TWO, AND WELL I GUESS WE WILL BE TUNING IT! GREAT INFO! tHANKS!:)
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
9 Jun 10
Hi Ioniu. Glad I could help. 
I hope the new Romper Room is as good as the old one!
I hope the new Romper Room is as good as the old one! 