Wonderama

Thank goodness somebody other than myself remembers this incredible children's show.

Wonderama - with Bob McAllister (1967 - 1977) was a revolutionary children's variety show for its time. It combined music, exercise, learning, dancing, contests and all out fun. Bob McAllister was the host in those ten years that I watched it and his ability to interact and connect with children on an equal level was amazing. He was never condescending. You could tell he was actually having as much fun as the kids. Whether he was running the dance contest, choosing a child for the snake can game, leading the entire audience in exercise or performing as Professor Fingleheimer, his energy and excitement never waned. To this day, there has been nobody to match his ability to entertain and enlighten a child.

I can remember being on the edge of my seat to see if the first child picked would pull that bouquet of paper flowers out of the can and get all the toys, or get a snake and only get to pick one toy.

I jumped out of my seat for the exercise portion and even to this day know the words to the "Fingleheimer" song. "Has Anybody Here Got An Aardvark" still goes through my mind as I'm singing away in the shower and watching those kids on the "disco" segment dancing to music of the "1910 Fruitgum Company" and the "Archies" still makes me long for my youth. Why is it the best dancer never won that contest?

I remember seeing Tata Vega for the first time in my life on Wonderama.

Unfortunately, it was only when I looked up this listing that I found out Bob McAllister had passed away. If he only knew what an incredible portion of my childhood he played a part in. I was raised in Southern California, but through Bob, I learned about kids from all walks of life and realized that with different skin colors, different accents and different locations, we were all just kids that wanted to have fun and win toys!!

Bob, I miss you.

I remember watching Wonderama on Sunday mornings growing up in the New York area as well as Minnesota and it was a classic kids show thanks to the men who hosted such as Sandy Becker and Sonny Fox and the host I remember the most, Bob McAllister. Bob presided over a potpourri of music, comedy sketches, celebrity guests and games that included "Snake Cans" and "Guess Your Best." And when it ended he would sing the closing theme "Kids are People Too (wackadoo wackadoo wackadoo).

What made the show a big success was that Bob truly loved kids and treated everyone with respect. He almost got a big break as a game show host when Monty Hall hired him to host a pilot called "Carnival", which didn't sell. It's a shame he's gone, since I thought he would have a great candidate to replace Bob Barker on "The Price is Right." But we'll always remember him for the way he guided a successful kids show in "Wonderama." Wackadoo wackadoo.

I am suprised that no one has commented on this great show. Bob was a key person in my youth and I loved this show. Our generation needs to band together and pull for good programming like this for our kids. Hell, i thought the cosby kids were racy when they came out. Lets stop leaving decisions to the big wheel generation (I was too big by the time they came out) and let these kids know what good tv was and is. I met Bob in an airport when I was a kid and it is one of the few standout memories I have from my childhood. I am sorry to see there are no other posts here. Hopefully the future will hold more. Crup

WOW!! i had forgotten about this show!!! Yes, Sunday mornings, 7am, channel 5 and they got the baagel necklace with their name on it from Lenders bagels, which I see in the store till this day and think about wonderama. Anyway, my father worked at IBM in White Plains, and we went to an IBM Xmas party somewhere in White Plains, and who was the guest host or whatever of the party? Bob McAllister !!! I was like 8, and had my first heart attack!! I was soo amazed he was the nicest man, it truly was one of the best things I had seen and experienced as a child.

Thanks bob!!!

PS- Wait!!!!! Remember they had a lion or tiger cub from the Bronx Zoo, and they named it Rama??? Please someone remember that!!!

Truly, one of my fondest childhood TV memories. I remember getting up and doing the "Exercise" song, and especially the dance contests. I remember Bob would ask the winner "whats your favorite dance", and the kids would always say "the four corners" with their eastern accents ( I was from Los Angeles)....anyway, what a great show. I teach dancing to adults, and whenever I am with a group around my age, I will always ask if they used to watch Wonderama, And then the stories begin. Its so funny to hear what each individual remembers. We all loved the show, thats for sure.

Sorry to hear about the passing of Bob McAllister. Thanks for the memories. Todd Van Dorn Long Beach Ca.