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Barney Bean Show – Youngstown Ohio 1960′s
Posted by LOTGK on August 17, 2011
Barney Bean - Channel 33 - Youngstown Ohio
Some years ago in the 1960′s Barney Bean (David William Harris) was a local Youngstown, Ohio television personality. He hosted a “Live” children’s program where he played cartoons, interviewed children on set, had guest clowns, and did short fun sketches. Beans big draw was to use the initials of a child’s name and draw a picture using them. He was quite the artist.
During one particular broadcast, Barney Bean and Co-host Ronald McDonald (Yes, the clown from McDonalds restaurant) were interviewing the group of children invited on the program that day. The children were sitting on bleacher risers and both Barney and Ronald would interact with the children asking them questions on camera so parents and friends could see them on television. The questions were simple ones to not make the children nervous. The questions were, What is your name, What sports do you like, Where do you live, and Do you have any funny jokes to tell. Most of the children did well and answered the questions correctly.
As Ronald got around to the middle of the second row, he asked one young man who looked about 8-9 years old if he knew any funny jokes. The boy looked up and said, “I sure do!” “Why are girls and frying pans alike?” Ronald looked into the camera and said, “Well, I don’t know. Why?” The boy replied, “Cause you have to get em both hot before you put the meat in!”
Ronald was stunned, and for a moment, stood silently looking into the camera. He then regained his composure and said to the boy, “Now that wasn’t a very nice joke.” Seconds later, the little boy, not missing a beat looked up at Ronald and said in a raised voice,
“EAT IT CLOWN!”
True story.
LURKING ON THE GRASSY KNOLL
LOTGK said
Gumby 6 days ago
Eat it clown. Best line ever. lmfao
LOTGK 6 days ago in reply to Gumby
Yes, classic line, and on “Live” TV to boot.
Y-Town Marysue 6 days ago
I remember Barney Bean. He was the station manager at channel 33. He was a great talent. Him and the other BB, Boots Bell, great Youngstown legends. May they both rest in peace.
LOTGK 6 days ago in reply to Y-Town Marysue
Agreed. Boots and Barney were icons, before icons were icons.
Evil-Lep 6 days ago
Ronald was a moron, didn’t he realize the kind of joke the kid was telling. You would think the cameraman would have cut away or gone to commercial.
LOTGK 5 days ago in reply to Evil-Lep
You have to keep in mind it was the 1960′s, on a children’s program, Ronald was not prepared for that kind of joke, nor was the cameraman. In essence, it was perfect timing.
Susan T 6 days ago
Didn’t Barney Bean commit suicide?
LOTGK 5 days ago in reply to Susan T
No, he didn’t. I do believe his wife did. Jumped off the South avenue bridge I believe.
Red Force 5 days ago
I know Bean is dead, died in 2008, but I don’t think it was suidide. Natural causes.
LOTGK 5 days ago in reply to Red Force
Agreed Red.
Anonymous said
First off, my grandmother did not commit suicide! Second my grandpa died in a hospital from old age, among other things including alzheimers.
LOTGK said
And all this means exactly what?
Sassy Cassie said
I remember when at the beginning of the show Barney Bean would select a child from the audience to roar like the lion to start the show. Some kids did it right, some were camera shy and frooze up, but one child, instead of roaring, barked like a dog. Woof, woof, woof, woof, woof. Wish I had tape of that.
LOTGK said
I know who that boy was. Seriously, it was my cousin.
Anonymous said
I remember that joke like it was yesterday..Thanks for the reminder….