Jump to content

What are you doing right now?


Recommended Posts

  • Replies 5.2k
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Top Posters In This Topic

Posted Images

FME710404-PO.jpg

 

howdy.jpg

 

Perusing this . . .

What's the origin of the expression

"peanut gallery"?

 

APRIL 19, 1999

Dear Straight Dope:

In a recent conversation with a friend of mine we were joking around and a saying came up that almost everyone knows and uses. That saying being "No comment from the peanut gallery." I was wondering where exactly did that saying come from? And what was the purpose of using it?

— JGGnJS

 

The '"no comment" shtick is relatively recent, coming from standup comics' attempts to put down hecklers. The "peanut gallery" has been used for some time to imply "the cheap seats." Today, balcony and mezzanine seats often go for more than main floor seats at the rear of the auditorium, because of their superior view. However, before microphones and opera glasses were common, balcony seats were the worst in the theater. The audiences in the cheap seats, typically lower class than the orchestra section, were the rowdiest in the theater, and in late 19th century vaudeville, disapproving audiences did more than just heckle the performers. In addition to the clearest view of the stage, patrons in the upper levels also had the clearest shot, and a bad performer would often find himself showered from the upper deck with the most common theater snack of the time, peanuts sold by the concessionaires. Players soon learned to play to the peanut gallery at the top of the theater, lest they learn firsthand where the name came from. Later on, the name was popularized by Buffalo Bob Smith, who chose to call his Howdy Doody audience the Peanut Gallery*, presumably to emphasize the audience's cuteness, rather than their propensity to throw stuff at him. When I go to comedy clubs nowadays, I prefer to sit in the Guacamole Gallery. Standup comics, be warned.

— Ian

--------

*

web_Howdy_Doody_and_Buffalo_Bob.jpg

--------

 

OCTOBER 2, 2007

Howdy!

Howdy Doody was a freckle-faced boy marionette and a children's television program, aired on NBC from 1947 through 1960. Considered a pioneer in children's programming, NBC reportedly used the show to sell color television sets in the 1950s. The show's host, "Buffalo Bob" Smith suffered a heart attack in 1954, but NBC managed to keep the show going with guest hosts like Gabby Hayes and Ted Brown. Some sponsors insisted on having Buffalo Bob sell their products, however, and NBC set up a special studio at Smith's home.

 

Clarabell the Clown communicated by honking horns and squirting seltzer. Chief Thunderthud originated the cry "Kowabonga!". Princess Summerfall Winterspring, originally a puppet, was later played by the actress Judy Tyler. The characters inhabit the fictional town of "Doodyville".

 

The Famous Author loved this show, and he wasn't the only one. Originally an hour on Saturdays, the show moved to Monday through Friday, 5:30-6:00 pm EST in 1948. Beginning in 1954, the NBC test pattern featured a picture of Howdy.

. . .

Test_Pattern.gif

. . . .

 

 

The peanut gallery was 40 kids in on-stage bleachers. Each show began with Buffalo Bob asking, "Say kids, what time is it?" and the kids yelling, "It's Howdy Doody Time!".

 

Thanks to Howdy, Buffalo Bob, and Wikipedia.

_____________

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUsLJEWg-cI&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&border=1

 

warholhowdydoody.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Privacy Policy