Sheriff John
Encyclopedia
Sheriff John was a long-running children's television character who appeared on KTTV
in Los Angeles
from July 18, 1952 to July 10, 1970 on two separate series, Sheriff John's Lunch Brigade and Sheriff John's Cartoon Time. He was played by John Rovick (born October 2, 1919), who had served as a radio operator-gunner in the United States Army Air Corps
in World War II
, surviving 50 combat missions in the European Theater of Operations
. Following the war, he became a radio announcer, moving to television in its early days. Rovick developed the program's concept himself.
As Sheriff John, he began each program entering his office, singing "Laugh and be happy, and the world will laugh with you." He then said the Pledge of Allegiance
and read a safety bulletin. Rovick showed cartoons, including Crusader Rabbit
and Porky Pig
, and was visited by farm animals. An artist, "Sketchbook Suzie", would draw pictures requested by viewers. Sheriff John would give lessons about safety and good health habits.
The highlight of the show was the birthday celebration. Sheriff John would read as many as a hundred names, and then bring out a cake and sing the Birthday Party Polka.
In 1979, John Rovick reprised his role as Sheriff John on KTTV, briefly hosting a Sunday morning version of the TV series, TV POWWW
.
Mr. Rovick won an Emmy in 1952 and appeared on the Emmy broadcast in 1998, introduced by longtime fan Michael Richards
.
John Rovick retired from KTTV in 1981. Now in his 90s, he lives in Boise, Idaho
.
KTTV
KTTV, channel 11, is an owned-and-operated television station of the News Corporation-owned Fox Broadcasting Company, located in Los Angeles, California. Serving the vast Los Angeles metropolitan area, KTTV is a sister station to KCOP , Los Angeles' MyNetworkTV station...
in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
from July 18, 1952 to July 10, 1970 on two separate series, Sheriff John's Lunch Brigade and Sheriff John's Cartoon Time. He was played by John Rovick (born October 2, 1919), who had served as a radio operator-gunner in the United States Army Air Corps
United States Army Air Corps
The United States Army Air Corps was a forerunner of the United States Air Force. Renamed from the Air Service on 2 July 1926, it was part of the United States Army and the predecessor of the United States Army Air Forces , established in 1941...
in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, surviving 50 combat missions in the European Theater of Operations
European Theater of Operations
The European Theater of Operations, United States Army was a United States Army formation which directed U.S. Army operations in parts of Europe from 1942 to 1945. It referred to Army Ground Forces, United States Army Air Forces, and Army Service Forces operations north of Italy and the...
. Following the war, he became a radio announcer, moving to television in its early days. Rovick developed the program's concept himself.
As Sheriff John, he began each program entering his office, singing "Laugh and be happy, and the world will laugh with you." He then said the Pledge of Allegiance
Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance of the United States is an expression of loyalty to the federal flag and the republic of the United States of America, originally composed by Christian Socialist Francis Bellamy in 1892 and formally adopted by Congress as the pledge in 1942...
and read a safety bulletin. Rovick showed cartoons, including Crusader Rabbit
Crusader Rabbit
Crusader Rabbit is the first animated series produced specifically for television. The concept was test marketed in 1948, while the initial episode - Crusader vs. the State of Texas - aired on KNBH in Los Angeles, California on August 1, 1950....
and Porky Pig
Porky Pig
Porky Pig is an animated cartoon character in the Warner Bros. Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies series of cartoons. He was the first character created by the studio to draw audiences based on his star power, and the animators created many critically acclaimed shorts using the fat little pig...
, and was visited by farm animals. An artist, "Sketchbook Suzie", would draw pictures requested by viewers. Sheriff John would give lessons about safety and good health habits.
The highlight of the show was the birthday celebration. Sheriff John would read as many as a hundred names, and then bring out a cake and sing the Birthday Party Polka.
In 1979, John Rovick reprised his role as Sheriff John on KTTV, briefly hosting a Sunday morning version of the TV series, TV POWWW
TV POWWW
TV POWWW was a franchised television game show format, in which home viewers controlled a video game via telephone in hopes of winning prizes.-History:...
.
Mr. Rovick won an Emmy in 1952 and appeared on the Emmy broadcast in 1998, introduced by longtime fan Michael Richards
Michael Richards
Michael Anthony Richards is an American actor, comedian, writer and television producer, best known for his portrayal of the eccentric Cosmo Kramer on the television sitcom Seinfeld....
.
John Rovick retired from KTTV in 1981. Now in his 90s, he lives in Boise, Idaho
Boise, Idaho
Boise is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Idaho, as well as the county seat of Ada County. Located on the Boise River, it anchors the Boise City-Nampa metropolitan area and is the largest city between Salt Lake City, Utah and Portland, Oregon.As of the 2010 Census Bureau,...
.