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Wonderama, itself, began in 1955 and had four previous hosts before Bob arrived. The show was broadcast in seven markets across the country: New York, Boston, Cincinnati, Minneapolis, Kansas City, Washington DC, and Los Angeles.
Bob took over as the fifth and final host of Wonderama on August 13, 1967, which originated from WNEW-TV in New York. The show aired Sunday mornings from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (at first it was 3 ½ hours), as Bob would engage his audience in the studio and at home with magic tricks, puppet and comedy skits, songs, stories, games, informational segments, and interviews with celebrity guests.
Bob's version of Wonderama stood out not only for its unique songs, skits and games, but because it was a hip "Tonight Show For Kids", where the biggest stars in the entertainment world would come on the show, including Jerry Lewis, Dick Clark, Muhammad Ali, Evel Knievel, ABBA, Billy Preston, Doug Henning, and Jim Henson, to name just a few. Bob's experience hosting kidshows for over 20 years, along with his easy going demeanor with children, made him everyone's favorite uncle.
Throughout the years, not only did Bob host Wonderama but he was also a professional magician. He even went on the road with his "live" Wonderama show, appearing at school auditoriums. He would also make appearances at local department stores to sign one of his many record albums. Bob was very generous when it came to donating his time to children.
Wonderama, itself, began in 1955 and had four previous hosts before Bob arrived. The show was broadcast in seven markets across the country: New York, Boston, Cincinnati, Minneapolis, Kansas City, Washington DC, and Los Angeles.
Bob took over as the fifth and final host of Wonderama on August 13, 1967, which originated from WNEW-TV in New York. The show aired Sunday mornings from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (at first it was 3 ½ hours), as Bob would engage his audience in the studio and at home with magic tricks, puppet and comedy skits, songs, stories, games, informational segments, and interviews with celebrity guests.
Bob's version of Wonderama stood out not only for its unique songs, skits and games, but because it was a hip "Tonight Show For Kids", where the biggest stars in the entertainment world would come on the show, including Jerry Lewis, Dick Clark, Muhammad Ali, Evel Knievel, ABBA, Billy Preston, Doug Henning, and Jim Henson, to name just a few. Bob's experience hosting kidshows for over 20 years, along with his easy going demeanor with children, made him everyone's favorite uncle.
Throughout the years, not only did Bob host Wonderama but he was also a professional magician. He even went on the road with his "live" Wonderama show, appearing at school auditoriums. He would also make appearances at local department stores to sign one of his many record albums. Bob was very generous when it came to donating his time to children.