LA kids' TV show host 'Sheriff' John Rovick dies
LOS ANGELES -- The host of a cartoon show known as "Sheriff John" to children in Los Angeles throughout the 1950s and 60s has died.
John Rovick died Saturday in Boise, Idaho after a brief illness, his former station, KTTV-TV, told The Associated Press. He was 93.
For nearly two decades, Rovick hosted a cartoon show that earned him an Emmy award for outstanding children's program. It was such a hit with youngsters that KTTV says (http://bit.ly/UtnnSL) it added another show to its midday schedule, "Sheriff John's Lunch Brigade," that stayed on the air until 1970.
Staples of the show included Rovick singing "The Birthday Cake Polka" and leading viewers on a prayer before having lunch along with them.
Rovick created the sheriff persona because of his interest in law enforcement.
He was survived by his wife and two daughters.
Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/10/06/4888716/la-kids-tv-show-host-sheriff-john.html#storylink=cpy
I definitely remember him growing up in So Cal in the 60's. This was back when kids automatically respected LEOs, they were the good guys.
RIP Sheriff John!
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In the 50's, the SFV was farms, ranches, small homes built after WWII, and drive-in movie theatres. I remember chasing the Good Humor ice cream truck down the street. I can hear the "beep" from the Helms (bakery) truck in my neighbor hood, and the clink of the milk bottles being left on the porch by the milkman. As a five year old, walked several miles to school by myself. You could do those things in those days. KFWB rock and roll radio station, the top 40, the Kiddie Matinee on Saturday. Monster movies on channel on KTLA, channel 5.
Now they're all gone....the ranches, farms, bakery trucks, drive-in movies. Replaced by strip malls, terrible traffic and big box stores.
RIP, Sheriff John....parts of the songs from "The Lunch Brigade" still goes through my head.
We'll have some pie and sandwiches and chocolate ice cream too,
We'll sing and laugh the day away and one more thing I'm goona do.
I'll blow out the candles on my birthday cake, my birthday cake, a wish i'll make.
Put another candle on my birthday cake, I'm another year old today.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! I'm another year old today!
Another song....
Laugh and be happy and the world will laugh with you,
When people see you smiling, they can't help smiing too.
(can't remember the rest)
Flipping back and forth between KFWB and KRLA was a popular teenage pastime.
I was at a dental office in Granada Hills one Saturday when Dr. F. asked me if I'd like to meet his next patient--Bob Eubanks, who was then a top jock at KRLA. 