The Red Buttons Show

My Mom use to entertain her family of six that included her Mom and Dad, who simply adored her and her three teenage brother's 17, 16, 15 and one 13 year old sister when she was just a toddler singing to, "HO HO!" while patting her head as she imitated Red Buttons. Then she would suddenly stop to turn to her family raising her hands and wiggling her fingers above her head and say, "Strange things are happening!" Mom always spoke fondly of her favorite Red Buttons, recalling his wonderfully portrayed movies like, "The Longest Day" and "Hatari" and on and on. Red was one year older than Grandma, her Mom, and although she passed away in '89, he's just like losing another family member. Now June Allyson and Jan Murray passed away all within a week of each other as well, I see my Mom looking rather melancholy as she sees her childhood favorites all fading away.

Red Buttons is a man of many talents. He started as a stand-up comic. "The Red Buttons Show" was in a thirty-minute time slot just before the popular "Life Of Riley" on Friday nights on NBC, the only network we could get in the early 50's, because we only received one channel. Red is a funny man, but this show when aired at 7:00 pm Central Time, was directed more at the youngsters, though billed as family entertainment. Red would hop around on stage with folded hands, distorting his facial features, and chanting his "Ho-Ho Song." From time to time he would stop and blurt out, "Strange Things Are Happening," leading into a funny story or joke. I've read that Red's show was on another network before coming to NBC for its final year. I vaguely remember that the show changed to my dislike around mid-season to become more of a situation comedy. Red's show spotlighted other newcomers like himself, such as Paul Lynde and Pat Carroll.

If its true,that favorite people pass away in threes, then it can stop any time it wants too.this week alone, we have lost three and more beloved favorites of the TV/movies.........with the passing of June, i recall some of my favorite movies also costarring James Stewart and others. I remember enjoying the Red Buttons shows on TV, along with the Honeymooners, especially Jackie Gleason,and Audrey Meadows,etc.How many of us remember the Ed Sullivan Show, with the little mouse,Topo Gigo,and the appearance of Elvis Presley and they wouldn't show him swiveling his hips as he sang one of his songs.I think as time passes, we will still remember fondly the shows of yesteryear, when you could enjoy an evening of quality television without being concerned about hearing offensive language or one murder/crime after another.ah those were the days my friend this is Sharon signing off from oHIo