NEWS

Bozo's back! And, kids, he's not one of the mean clowns

Detroit Free Press staff

With nasty clown capers popping up around Detroit and across the nation since summer, it's high time for a friendly clown in our town.

Why not bring back every Baby Boomer's TV pal, Bozo the Clown? That's exactly the plan of the Windsor impresarios of Retro Rama, a collectibles convention coming to Detroit's sister city across the river on Oct. 30.

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Although scores of cities had versions of Bozo on television from the 1960s through '90s, Detroit area viewers enjoyed one of the most lovable – Art Cervi – who bounced and chuckled his way through the role on CKLW (Channel 9) from 1966-'75, and on WJBK (Channel 2) from 1975-80.

Cervi, who is 86 years young, is coming out of retirement for an appearance at RetroRama Classic Collectibles Con, for what promoters call "his first-ever convention appearance!" First, he'll hold court for the media on Thursday at 12:30 p.m. at Hockeytown Cafe in downtown Detroit.

"In addition, his iconic costume and other props from the show will also be on hand at the Hockeytown Cafe for amazing photo and video opportunities," reads the come-on sent this week to the Free Press.

At the end of Bozo’s television run, there was a five-year waiting list to get on his show and a staff of 17 people who opened mail and handled his personal appearances, the release said. At RetroRama, Cervi is to receive the Northern Star Award “for his historic achievements to the medium (of television) and positive effect on the lives of untold generations of children,” the release goes on to say.

At his RetroRama appearance, "he will meet-and-greet fans of all ages, who – particularly amid today's troubled world – need this lovable clown's smile more than ever," says the news release. Take that, you threatening clown imposters arrested in Hazel Park this week.

We should all keep in mind the words Bozo used to say at end of his shows: "Just keep laughin!"