Howdy Doody Writer Edward Kean Passes

Edward Kean, the chief writer for the classic children’s series Howdy Doody, died from complications related to emphysema on August 13, 2010, in West Bloomfield, Michigan. He was 85.

According to news reports, Kean conceived nearly every major character and story line to the iconic program, which aired from 1947 to 1960 — including its infectious theme song, the names of several of its most memorable characters and catch phrases such as “kowabunga,” originally spoken by Howdy Doody character Chief Thunderthud, which endures today as one of Bart Simpson’s frequent refrains (spelled with a “c” rather than a “k”) on The Simpsons.

Kean, who was born in New York City on October 28, 1924, left Howdy Doody in 1955. He went on to work for several public relations firms, and later as a lounge pianist at hotels and clubs in Miami and Detroit.

He is survived by his wife, a son, a stepson, a stepdaughter and seven grandchildren.

On November 3, 2005, Kean had the distinction of being interviewed by the Television Academy Foundation’s Archive of American Television. During the interview, conducted in West Bloomfield, Michigan, by Karen Herman, director of the Archive of American Television, Kean talked about his background growing up in a musical household. He discussed his early years as a songwriter that led to his meeting Bob Smith and working as a writer on Smith’s radio show. He described in great detail his subsequent work as the sole writer for Howdy Doody, which starred Smith as “Buffalo Bob.”

Kean, who worked on Howdy Doody for over seven years, talked about the launching of the show in 1947 as Puppet Playhouse and how it grew from a weekly to a daily program. He talked about some of the series’ memorable characters (and the performers who played them) including: “Clarabell,” “Mr. Bluster,” “Chief Thunderthud,” “Princess Summerfall Winterspring,” “Flubadub,” and “Howdy Doody” himself. He described the series as a “soap opera” for kids and discussed such memorable storylines as the “Howdy Doody for President” campaigns and the “Mystery of the Four Ls.”

In addition, he talked about the music he wrote for the show, including the memorable theme song and such instructional songs as “You Don’t Cross the Road with Your Feet.” He described how he used to gauge the reaction that the show was getting by reading fan letters and also by anonymously sitting in the screening room in which the children’s parents sat during show time. He also discussed the licensing for the show, the talented cast and crew and the series’ impact.

He then spoke in detail about the legacy of a single word he created for Chief Thunderthud— “Kowabunga”— which has since outlived the show as a catchphrase in various forms (usually spelled “Cowabunga”), notably by Bart Simpson on The Simpsons. He talked about leaving the show that he felt was running him down (a daily grind of “type-puff-phone-coffee”) and running the cast down as well. Kean also talked about writing for The Gabby Hayes Show during his years on Howdy Doody, and such subsequent series as Going Places.

Kean also talked about his later pursuits, including entertaining as a piano player. Additional video included photos from his Howdy Doody years and some Howdy Doody merchandise, as well as some other personal photographs.

The complete interview is available online here.