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Canyon Kid's Corner

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Canyon Kid's Corner was a live television series for children that aired on KCAU-TV in Sioux City, Iowa, United States. It began airing in 1953 and ran until 1985. The show was one of the two pioneers of children's programming in Iowa.

Plot

The host was Jim Henry who worked on the show for 32 years. Henry said that the show's purpose "was to entertain children" and that he wanted the children "to get some sense of how to live right" such as being "kind to your friends" and obeying "your mother and father".[1] Anywhere from 15 to 20 children were live on the show per day. During the show's first month, Henry wore a cowboy hat and a tie. His explanation to the children for having a Brooklyn accent as a cowboy was that it came "from the canyons created by the tall buildings in New York City".[1] Children in Sioux City appeared on Canyon Kid's Corner for their birthday or with others, such as with friends and Scout troops, and they would show their pets on the show each Tuesday. The show held a drawing contest every Wednesday, and children would perform every Thursday.[2]

Production

Henry was from Brooklyn and moved to Sioux City after he was stationed there during World War II. Canyon Kid's Corner began airing on March 29, 1953, when KCAU-TV, then known as KVTV, began broadcasting.[3][a] The producers wanted a host for a children's television series. Henry wanted the show to be similar to a club for children that would normally be in someone's backyard. Henry auditioned for the role in cowboy-like clothing and he came up with the name Canyon Kid. Despite KVTV liking Henry's audition, the producers wanted a better name for the show, although the name was never changed for the entire 32-year run.[1] Henry said,

In television's early years...there was no difference between local television and network television...I mean, you were on television...and it didn't make any difference if you were coming from New York or from Sioux City. Whatever it was, they were impressed.[2]

Originally a daily afternoon show, it was moved to 7:30 a.m. when KCAU-TV sought to increase the audience of its early evening newscasts by airing The Mike Douglas Show. By 1978, it was airing weekly on Sundays at noon.[4] Throughout the show's entire run, around 75,000 children appeared as guests. It was considered a pioneer of children's programming in Iowa alongside The Magic Window.[1] It helped launch the career of musician Tommy Bolin.[2] The show ended in November 1985,[5] when KCAU-TV was sold to Citadel Communications; Canyon Kid's Corner was axed after Henry—who also doubled as the station's promotions manager—was fired as part of a house-cleaning by the new ownership in which 22 staffers lost their positions.[3] Canyon Kid's recognized vest was hung at a Sioux City Applebee's restaurant, while Henry became an insurance agent.[6] [7]

Tribute to host

Henry died in February 2014 at 89 years old; the Orpheum Theatre in Sioux City had a tribute to Henry on their marquee for him due to his role on the show.[8] Don Reese, who had the part of Old Timer on the show, said,

I was back there and he said, 'do you want to wave goodbye Old Timer?' And the Old Timer's arms were just stuffed they didn't do anything, they just kind of laid there and I was so nervous I said, 'I can't Canyon, my arms don't work.' He said, 'well let me wave.' And I'll never forget the minute the show was over he leaved over, 'My arms don't work?' I said, 'I'm sorry! I panicked!' I didn't know what to say![8]

Note

  1. ^ KVTV began broadcasting on March 29, not March 28 as stated in the article.

References

  1. ^ a b c d Stein, Jeff (2004). Making Waves: The People and Places of Iowa Broadcasting. WDG Publishing. p. 45. ISBN 0-9718323-1-5.
  2. ^ a b c Hawbaker, Becky Wilson (1994). "Early Television for Iowa's Children". The Palimpsest. p. 75. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
  3. ^ a b Burkhard, Betsy (November 19, 1985). "No more 'Canyon Kid': KCAU ousts 22 in purge". Sioux City Journal. Sioux City, Iowa. p. A1, A12. Retrieved May 27, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ Casterline, Gail (April 16, 1978). "Sioux City's Canyon Kid: Cowboy with New York accent". The Des Moines Register. Des Moines, Iowa. p. 7P. Retrieved May 27, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ Hollis, Tim (2010). Hi There, Boys and Girls!: America's Local Children's TV Programs. University Press of Mississippi. p. 122. ISBN 978-1-60473-819-3.
  6. ^ Zahren, Bill (May 22, 1994). "Canyon Kid still reigns as Siouxlanders' favorite". Sioux City Journal. Sioux City, Iowa. p. Living 5. Retrieved May 27, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ Gallagher, Tim (February 1, 2014). "Jim Henry cherished role as Canyon Kid—Funeral services for Siouxland TV icon planned in Sioux City". Sioux City Journal. Sioux City, Iowa. p. A1, A7. Retrieved May 27, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ a b Leigh, Heather (February 6, 2014). "A Final Goodbye to the Canyon Kid". KMEG. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
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