Ramblin' Rod Anders

Last updated • 4 min readFrom Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia
Ramblin' Rod Anders
Roblin Rod portrait.jpg
Anders with his trademark buttons
BornNovember 26, 1932
DiedMay 11, 2002(2002-05-11) (aged 69)
Portland, Oregon, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
OccupationTelevision host on KPTV
Years active1950s - 1997
Known forTelevision personality

Ramblin' Rod Anders (November 26, 1932 – May 11, 2002), born Rodney Carl Andersen, was an American television presenter and the host of The Ramblin' Rod Show, a children's television program broadcast in Portland, Oregon, from August 26, 1964 until his retirement on August 8, 1997. The KPTV channel 12 host was well known locally for his iconic, button-covered sweater which he wore on air.

Contents

Biography

Anders was born at St. Vincent's Hospital near Beaverton, Oregon and grew up in Multnomah County. He began his broadcasting career in the 1950s, singing and playing records on Saturday mornings for radio station KTIL in Tillamook. Anders worked at KTIL until he was drafted into the armed forces, where he served as a radio repairman. After his discharge, he returned to radio, filling on-air positions beginning in 1958 at KFLW in Klamath Falls, Oregon and continuing to Portland radio stations KXL and KPOJ. [1] [2]

In 1964, while working for KPOJ, Anders heard of an opening for a host on a Portland children's TV show called Popeye's Pier 12 on KPTV, channel 12. He replaced host Bob Adkins (better known as "Addie Bobkins"). In the early 1970s, the show was renamed The Ramblin' Rod Show. [2]

By the late 1970s, Anders had begun to wear message buttons on his cardigan, which were given to him by children appearing on the show. Within a few years, his cardigan was almost completely covered. At his retirement in 1997, the host estimated that he had received around 25,000 buttons. [2]

Each year, Anders hosted local KPTV coverage of the Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon and the Easter Seals Telethon . He also served as an in-house KPTV announcer and as a moderator on a Saturday morning public affairs show, 12 in the Morning. Anders also appeared in many commercials for various local businesses including two Portland area automobile dealerships, Beaverton Toyota and Mike Salta Pontiac. [3] [4] Anders retired in August, 1997 after 33 years with KPTV.

In 1994, Anders constructed the Apple Valley Airport on land near his log cabin home in Buxton, Oregon, west of Portland. [5] During his retirement, he enjoyed flying and spending time with his family.

On May 11, 2002, Ander's died suddenly at the age of 69, at a now defunct Volunteers of America Thrift Store located at SE 181st and Division streets in Gresham, where he was making a personal appearance. Anders was entombed in the mausoleum of the IOOF Cemetery in Tillamook, Oregon.

Show

According to an article that appeared in the Eugene Register-Guard , the premise of The Ramblin' Rod Show was that children "love slapstick comedy... and kids love to see themselves on television, which is why Anders insisted on the individual shots of each child." The show was very popular, with a 20-25% share in its time slot and an audience that was often booked a month in advance. [2]

Anders' show was originally called Popeye's Pier 12 and featured Popeye cartoons and had several marine-themed characters which were later phased out after the program was renamed the The Ramblin' Rod Show c. 1971 and began showing Hanna-Barbera and Warner Bros. cartoons. Each show began with Anders arriving on the set in a mobile tug-boat prop. The format of The Ramblin' Rod Show remained simple throughout Anders' tenure. The host introduced each guest, spoke with them, celebrated birthdays, showed cartoons, and hosted smile contests. In the early years, Anders played guitar and had a skunk puppet named Petunia, which was phased out in later years. Beginning in the 1980s, Chuck E. Cheese and his Pizzatime Players would visit and perform a song and dance number with the audience, usually to slightly altered Americana songs such as Dancing in the Street.

In the 1960s, smile contest winners frequently won Roller Derby Street King Shoe Skates. During the 1970s and '80s, contest winners and children celebrating their birthdays were entitled to complimentary Homer Pies (a type of ice cream sandwich), Archway brand cookies, Grandma's Cookies and Pop Shoppe soda pop.

Krusty the Clown inspiration

A decades-old rumor claims that Ramblin' Rod inspired Matt Groening to create the character Krusty the Clown, the bitter host of a fictional children's program on The Simpsons . Groening, who grew up in Portland, was likely aware of Anders' show on KPTV. However, in interviews, Groening has mentioned that it was Ramblin' Rod's predecessor on KPTV, a somewhat melancholy clown named Rusty Nails, who was the creation of Jim Allen and served as a partial inspiration for the character of Krusty. [6]

Trivia

In autumn of 2011, the Fizz Soda and Candy Shop, located in Portland, created a shrine to Ramblin' Rod. [7] [8] KPTV donated his microphone and an original Ramblin' Rod button to the shrine. [9]

Fizz Soda and Candy Shop was later renamed Cosmic, and closed in 2014., [10] with no mention of what became of the Ramblin' Rod shrine.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matt Groening</span> American cartoonist (born 1954)

Matthew Abram Groening is an American cartoonist, writer, producer, and animator. He is best known as the creator of the television series The Simpsons (1989–present), Futurama, and Disenchantment (2018–2023), and the comic strip Life in Hell (1977–2012). The Simpsons is the longest-running American primetime television series in history and the longest-running American animated series and sitcom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Krusty the Clown</span> Fictional character from The Simpsons franchise

Herschel Shmoikel Pinchas Yerucham Krustofsky, better known by his stage name Krusty the Clown, is a recurring character on the animated television series The Simpsons. He is voiced by Dan Castellaneta. He is the long-time clown host of Bart and Lisa Simpson's favorite TV show, a variety show consisting of various kid-friendly sketches and often highly violent cartoons, most notably The Itchy & Scratchy Show. Despite his cheery onscreen persona, Krusty is actually a cynical, burnt-out, addiction-riddled smoker who is made miserable by show business but continues on anyway. He has become one of the most frequently occurring characters outside the main Simpson family and has been the focus of many episodes, some of which also feature Sideshow Bob.

Springfield (<i>The Simpsons</i>) Fictional city in animated TV sitcom The Simpsons

Springfield is the primary fictional setting of the American animated sitcom The Simpsons and related media. It is an average-sized, fictional city within an unknown state in the United States. The fictional city's geography, surroundings, and layout are flexible, often changing to accommodate the plot of any given episode.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tillamook, Oregon</span> City in Oregon, United States

The city of Tillamook serves as the county seat of Tillamook County, Oregon, United States. The city is located on the southeast end of Tillamook Bay on the Pacific Ocean. The population was 5,231 at the 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pinto Colvig</span> American voice actor

Vance DeBar Colvig Sr., known professionally as Pinto Colvig, was an American voice actor, cartoonist, and circus and vaudeville performer whose schtick was playing the clarinet off-key while mugging. Colvig was the original performer of the Disney characters Goofy and Pluto, as well as Bozo the Clown and Bluto in Popeye. In 1993, he was posthumously made a Disney Legend for his contributions to Walt Disney Films, including Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Fun and Fancy Free.

KATU is a television station in Portland, Oregon, United States, affiliated with ABC. It is owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group alongside La Grande–licensed independent station KUNP. The two stations share studios on Northeast Sandy Boulevard in Portland; KATU's transmitter is located in the Sylvan-Highlands section of the city.

"Kamp Krusty" is the fourth season premiere of the American animated television series The Simpsons, and the 60th episode overall. It originally aired on Fox in the United States on September 24, 1992. In the episode, the children of Springfield attend Kamp Krusty, a summer camp named after Krusty the Clown. The camp is extremely unpleasant, leading to the campers rebelling against the camp director. Meanwhile, with the kids away, Homer and Marge enjoy more time together, and Homer becomes physically and emotionally healthier.

<i>The Itchy & Scratchy Show</i> Fictional animated series on The Simpsons

The Itchy & Scratchy Show is a fictional animated series featured on The Simpsons. The cartoon depicts a sadistic mouse named Itchy who repeatedly maims or murders a black cat named Scratchy. It is typically presented as 15- to 60-second sketches that are a part of The Krusty the Clown Show. Itchy & Scratchy is filled with graphic violence, unsuitable for children, that almost invariably prompts laughter from The Simpsons characters, especially Bart and Lisa.

"Krusty Gets Busted" is the twelfth and penultimate episode of the first season of the American animated television series The Simpsons. It originally aired on Fox in the United States on April 29, 1990. The episode was written by Jay Kogen and Wallace Wolodarsky and directed by Brad Bird. In the episode, Krusty the Clown is convicted of armed robbery of the Kwik-E-Mart. Believing that Krusty has been framed for it, Bart and Lisa investigate the crime and learn that Krusty's sidekick, Sideshow Bob, is the culprit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reser's Fine Foods</span> Corporation in Beaverton, Oregon, US

Reser's Fine Foods, Inc., an American corporation based in Beaverton, Oregon, manufactures and distributes fresh and refrigerated prepared foods. Over 1,000 products are available in the 50 U.S. states, Canada, Guam, Mexico, and areas of the Far East. Its prepared foods are sold in national grocery chains, independent outlets, and convenience stores. Oregon State University's football stadium, Reser Stadium, is named after the company, which is one of its sponsors. The company recalled 19 salad products distributed in 29 states in 2016 for possible listeria contamination. Reser's consistently ranks in the top ten privately held Oregon companies by annual revenue.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lars Larson</span> American conservative talk radio show host (born 1959)

Lars Kristopher Larson is an American conservative talk radio show host based in Portland, Oregon. Larson worked in television and radio news from the 1970s to 1990s and has hosted The Lars Larson Show from flagship station KXL in Portland since 1997. Two versions of the show exist: the Northwest show airs from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. (Pacific) and discussing Pacific Northwest issues. The Northwest show is syndicated on the Radio Northwest Network which is owned and operated by Alpha Media. The nationally syndicated program airs from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. (Pacific) and discusses national issues. The national show is syndicated by Compass Media Networks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Love Lisa</span> 15th episode of the 4th season of The Simpsons

"I Love Lisa" is the fifteenth episode of the fourth season of the American animated television series The Simpsons. It originally aired on Fox in the United States on February 11, 1993. In the episode, Lisa gives Ralph Wiggum a Valentine's Day card when she sees that he has not received any. Ralph misinterprets Lisa's gesture and, much to Lisa's dismay, relentlessly pursues her with affection. Lisa snaps at Ralph on live television and angrily tells him they are not together and that she never liked him. Heartbroken, Ralph channels his feelings into his performance as George Washington in the school's President's Day pageant. After a thunderous applause from the audience, he is able to accept Lisa as just a friend.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Homie the Clown</span> 15th episode of the 6th season of The Simpsons

"Homie the Clown" is the fifteenth episode of the sixth season of the American animated television series The Simpsons. It originally aired on Fox in the United States on February 12, 1995. In the episode, Homer becomes a Krusty the Clown impersonator, but is mistaken for the real Krusty by the Springfield Mafia. Joe Mantegna returned as Fat Tony, while Dick Cavett and Johnny Unitas guest starred as themselves.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KPTV</span> TV station in Portland, Oregon

KPTV is a television station in Portland, Oregon, United States, affiliated with the Fox network. It is owned by Gray Television alongside Vancouver, Washington–licensed MyNetworkTV affiliate KPDX. The two stations share studios on NW Greenbrier Parkway in Beaverton; KPTV's transmitter is located in the Sylvan-Highlands section of Portland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bart Gets Famous</span> 12th episode of the 5th season of The Simpsons

"Bart Gets Famous" is the twelfth episode of the fifth season of the American animated television series The Simpsons. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on February 3, 1994. In the episode, Bart gets a job as Krusty the Clown's production assistant. He replaces Sideshow Mel in one of Krusty's skits and accidentally destroys the stage props. When Bart says "I didn't do it," he instantly becomes famous for his catchphrase.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James H. Allen</span> American clown (1928–2015)

James H. Allen was an American actor who portrayed the clown character Rusty Nails and was the host of various children's television shows in the Portland, Oregon television market from 1957–1972. His program on KPTV was the second-longest running children's program in Portland, second only to Ramblin' Rod Anders.

The PoP Shoppe is a soft drink retailer originating in 1969 at London, Ontario, by Gary Shaw in Canada. The PoP Shoppe avoided using traditional retail channels, selling its pop through franchised outlets and its own stores in refillable bottles in 24-cartons.

KTIL is a radio station licensed to serve Netarts, Oregon, United States. The station, which began broadcasting in 1947, is currently owned by Alexandra Communications, Inc.

References

  1. ↑ "Ultimate Ramblin' Rod Page". Platypus Comix. 2011. Retrieved 4 November 2011.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Still Ramblin' After All These Years". Eugene Register-Guard . 19 February 1989. p. F1. Retrieved 11 January 2012.
  3. ↑ Beck, Bob (15 February 1984). "Ramblin' Rod Puts in 20 Years as Kids' Show Host". Midweek Magazine.
  4. ↑ Libby, Brian (22 May 2002). "Requim for Ramblin' Rod". Willamette Week. Retrieved 4 November 2011.
  5. ↑ Colby, Richard (April 1, 2005). "Airstrip plans have residents in an uproar". The Oregonian .
  6. ↑ "Krusty Was a Christian Clown Called Rusty Nails". WENN via IMDB. 24 October 2000. Retrieved 4 November 2011.
  7. ↑ Jones, Allison (25 October 2011). "Five Questions". Portland Monthly. Retrieved 4 November 2011.
  8. ↑ "WATCH: RAMBLIN' ROD SHRINE! - Portland, OR" (video). youtube.com. LovingOnPortland. 8 April 2012. Retrieved 29 Jan 2024.
  9. ↑ Web Staff. (2012, Feb 23). Portland sweets shop pays tribute to ramblin’ rod. KPTV Online, Retrieved from http://www.kptv.com/story/17006699/portland-sweets-shop-pays-tribute-to-ramblin-rod, Retrieved 12/2/2012
  10. ↑ Centoni, Danielle (6 October 2014). "Sunnyside's Cosmic Soda Pop & Candy is Closing" . Retrieved 29 January 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.