Retro TV Friday! The Polka Dot Door
9:27 AM Posted by CalgaryDaddy
Another Friday, another Retro TV Themed post! Does anyone remember The Polka Dot Door? I can still sing the theme song word for word and I have not seen this show in over 25 years! ( Advertisers know that jingles work people!) This was another Canadian classic from the 1970's & 80's and I am not sure if it was shown in the USA?
The fact that the puppets never spoke is kind of freaky to me now that you think about it. How do you know if the hosts were interpreting their thoughts accurately? What if we had it wrong all these years? Maybe its just me?...
The creepiest character ( and the most famous) was Polkaroo! He never said anything except "Polkaroo...Polkaroo..!!" while dancing around. He was also the hardest to see as he only appeared to the female host and was never seen by the male! Imagine the fun times watching as a kid when the male host asked the camera ( and you at home) " Do you see Polkaroo?"... when he is right behind him. He was as elusive as the Sasquatch or the Ogopogo! The man host then turned around to find Polkaroo gone into thin air! He would always say... " Ahhhh, I must have missed him again!" (This was repeated each and every show) . Hilarity Ensued!
This was another good educational show that I wish was back on re-runs.
Any memories of this classic?
Shane
PS: Be sure to enter my Label Daddy Disney Customized Zipper Tag Contest! It ends 4/18/10. The link is here: http://www.calgarydaddy.com/2010/04/check-out-kyrons-one-of-kind-label.html
April 9, 2010 9:36 AM
The reason no man ever laid eyes on polkaroo? hormones. Yep... the female host's excess estrogen caused her to see things. it's obvious. Great post! I was a Polka Dot Door junkie!
April 9, 2010 10:14 AM
Oh, the memories!! Was it Polka-Dot door, where they would look through the looking glass and 'see' the children? I see, Erin and Michael, Steve and Max...or was that a different show? Anyway, they never said Shannon, ever (that I saw), but I remember waiting and listening intently, just in case.
April 9, 2010 11:23 AM
In the states we had Mr Rogers, 3-2-1 Contact, Captain Kangaroo and a few others that escape my memory. Oh but man, those were the shows!
April 9, 2010 1:05 PM
That's funny because I have a good feeling I wasn't even conceived when that aired. But you're right about the jingles, my toddler started dancing in circles trying to sing it...catchy.
A "classic" cartoon from my generation would be Fraggle Rock. I would have said Scooby Doo except I recently learned all the Scooby cartoons I watched as a kid were actually reruns.
April 9, 2010 1:21 PM
Shannon: I read a post somewhere recently where they talked about Romper Room with the looking glass that they could see children. Ah here's the link if you want to have a look: Life Laugh Latte
Calgary Daddy: I can't believe I can remember those words. I had completely wiped The Polka Dot Door from my mind, until now. I remember: Mr Dressup, The Friendly Giant and Romper Room, but had forgotten this one!
What is funny is that we watch a show called Playschool here in Australia with the kids and it is the exact same thing--it has been around for 30 something years. Jemima, Humpty and Meeka are the names of the stuffed toys though. Have a look at the intro to this one: Australian Play School
Polka-roo not being visible to anyone but one person reminds me a little bit of the Jup Jup in Hi-5.
I watch way too much children's television.
Thanks for the trip down memory lane.
Shelly
April 9, 2010 2:26 PM
Yes, I totally remember that show! And I see Jason, and Ryan, and Sherry...What about Jennifer? You don't see me? WTF?
April 11, 2010 10:14 PM
Nope. Never saw that here in the States. Never even heard of it! The one I remember is "Romper Room." Did you get that one? "I see David, and Susan, and Erin...."
Hope all is well friend! A bit swamped lately, but trying to get back to basics and blog hop more!
Tamara