Being Bozo

By Kenneth Pastushyn

Remembering Bozo’s Big Top is one of the 500 Ways to Know You’re From Windsor.

Bozo’s Big Top was on every weekday at 8 a.m. from 1967 to 1975 on CKLW TV9 before you went to school, and every afternoon at 4 p.m. when you came home.

“We loved Bozo growing up,” said Chris Edwards, 60, of Walkerville Publishing and the author of 500 Ways. “We used to wake up to Bozo every morning.”

The Windsor/Detroit version of Bozo, the “World’s Most Famous Clown” was played by Art Cervi, now 82, who made an appearance at RetroRama, a classic collectibles convention at the Caboto Club which took place in October.

Cervi was on hand to pose for photos, sign autographs and sell copies of his biography, I Did What? The proceeds of book sales and autographs of glossy photos went to his favourite charity, the St. Jude Children’s Hospital for Cancer Research in Memphis.

Cervi flipped through a copy of 500 Ways at his booth where his original Bozo costume and a pair of his 84-inch clown shoes were on display. Cervi confirmed the Bozo photo in the book is him. He still has the poster of himself which is also in the book. Edwards never made it to the set of Bozo’s Big Top, but his sister was on the show many times and he remembers seeing some of his friends in the audience while watching television as a youth.

“It would have been a fantasy, but I was too young,” said Edwards. For Edwards, winning Bozo’s treasure chest of toys would have been a fantasy within a fantasy. The treasure chest would just zoom in on the set and the siren would go off.

“There were lots of toys,” said Cervi. “If you won the jackpot and did what you were supposed to do in the game you played, you went away with a nice haul.”
Another chance to win a nice haul of toys was on the game called Bozo’s Bug, which was the show’s version of tic-tac-toe. The kids could keep playing for more prizes as long as they avoided the bug.

The second Northern Star award was presented to Cervi at RetroRama for his charitable works and for being loved.
“Bozo is a nice and funny clown,” said Paul Soles, last year’s inaugural recipient of the award at RetroRama. “Clowns have been getting a bad name lately, but not Bozo.”
As Cervi accepted the award, he said it is very rare in one’s life in doing something you love and getting recognized for it. “As Bozo would say at the end of every show: ‘Just keep laughin’ ha-ha-ha.’”

At the beginning of each show, Cervi as Bozo would sing and dance. “Any chance I could to play a joke as Bozo, I would,” said Cervi. He would also give the audience a great big kiss. “If it came up and fit, I’d do it,” said Cervi. “It wasn’t a standard occasion. If it was a super day, I’d give them a great big m-w-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a!”

Bozo also taught the kids life lessons like being a good sport, respecting one another and saying please and thank you.

Cervi took part in a panel discussion at RetroRama about children’s programming. The other panelists all agreed that Bozo was popular before clowns were scary. “I think scary clowns are sick,” said Cervi. “Years ago, clowns were fun-loving and entertaining children. I think the sincerest part is believing in the character,” said Cervi, who was honoured to be Bozo.

Another person impacted by Bozo is John Hilt, 50. Cervi and Robert McNea, also known as Oopsy the Clown, were his inspirations. Hilt has been Gongo the Clown since he was 19 and wouldn’t have it any other way. “I became a professional clown because of this man,” said Hilt. “He’s the only reason why I’m here.”