Smith, Robert E.

▪ 1999

      American television personality (b. Nov. 27, 1917, Buffalo, N.Y.—d. July 30, 1998, Hendersonville, N.C.), was the creator and host of "The Howdy Doody Show" (1947-60), the theme song of which became an anthem for baby boomers who tuned in to Buffalo Bob and his wooden sidekick Howdy Doody for over 2,500 live broadcasts. Born Robert Schmidt, he learned to play piano and organ at an early age and at 15 sang regularly on a local radio station. In 1947, as Robert Smith, he worked for the National Broadcasting Co. as a disc jockey on WEAF radio in New York City and as host for a children's radio quiz show, "The Triple B Ranch," on which Howdy was first introduced as the country bumpkin Elmer, whose catchphrase was "howdy doody." When the act moved to TV later that year, the simple wooden puppet was transformed into a grinning, freckled, red-haired, 69-cm (27-in)-tall marionette that sported blue jeans, a checked shirt, and a bandana around his neck. What began as a weekly program was soon expanded to a Monday-Friday format. Buffalo Bob opened every show with the question he posed to the studio audience he called the Peanut Gallery, "Say, kids, what time is it?"—and was met with a resounding "It's Howdy Doody time!" Buffalo Bob, in his fringed cowboy outfit, starred with Howdy and other residents of Doodyville, Texas, including Clarabell the Clown and Flubadub. When the show ended in 1960, Smith bought several businesses in Florida. He and Howdy made a comeback in 1970, however, when nostalgic students at the University of Pennsylvania invited him to reprise the program's 10th anniversary show. Following that appearance, Smith took his show on the road for another six years.

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