All hope is lost

[Kali]

I heard today that Ladmo is dead.

:(

[GetTheRightVote]

1. I sound stupid I am sure, who is Ladmo ???

:kick:

[jo35042]

2. What he said.....

[signmike]

3. Nietsche said "God is dead." But

God says "Nietsche is dead." Oooopsy Daisy

[Kali]

4. guess news travels slow

he died in '94! (or 95?)

from http://www.wallaceandladmo.com/

The Wallace and Ladmo Show, for those who were not fortunate to live in Arizona from 1954 to 1989, was a children's show on KPHO-TV5 in Phoenix. This was no regular kids show however, I get so sad when I see the way Barney, or Bozo, interact with kids. Wallace and Ladmo spoke to us kids with respect, they spoke to us as equals. Wallboy (Bill Thompson) was the serious one, and Ladmo (Ladimir Kwiatkowski) was the one that spoiled us kids. And let us not forget Gerald (Pat McMahon), :), us public school brats from Arizona know what I am talking about! Unfortunately, Ladmo died of cancer in 1994, but we will all remember him with great fondness

--------------------------------

and from http://www.kpho.com/Global/story.asp?S=627906&nav=23L471Es :

Who were those guys?

Sometimes referred to as "Wallboy", Wallace, whose real name was Bill Thompson, hailed from New York prior to working in KPHO's art department. The station acquired a new cartoon package and was looking for a host. Bill got the job. He did all the writing and performing himself, including commercials.

Ladimir Kwiatkowski, a.k.a. "Ladmo" came to Phoenix from Cleveland to play baseball for Arizona State University. He was operating a studio camera for KPHO when Bill realized he needed a partner to complement his brand of humor. Lad fit the bill and became Ladmo, showering the show's audience of children with treats in his "Ladmo Bag"s. Sadly, Ladimir was diagnosed with cancer and passed away in 1995.

Soon after the show's inaugural episodes, Pat mcMahon, a product of a vaudeville family who had recently been released from the Army, was in Phoenix for some R&R before heading to New York. Pat caught the show - he loved it and the seed was planted.

Pat's proclivity for performing and humor had set the stage. The rest was destiny. He settled in Phoenix as a weatherman and announcer for KPHO-TV5 and soon joined "Wallace and Ladmo" as a regular... in one form or another.

The Ladmo Bag

To those who never saw the show it appears to be just a sack of treats, but no child in Arizona saw it that way. This was the prize of all prizes. Because the show had a live audience of children (always full!) along with that days' select few winners was a chance for someone in the audience to win a "Ladmo Bag": a sack of treats. After interviewing each winning child on stage for their name and age, Ladmo would join the audience while Wallace called out a row and seat number for him to find in order to present one last Ladmo bag to the lucky youngster.

The rest is... not just KPHO's, but Arizona history

Over the years, Bill, Lad and Pat created numerous characters: Gerald, Captain Super, Aunt Maud, the Wizard, Boffo the Clown, Marshall Good and more, who became household companions to the loyal viewers of all ages.

The Wallace and Ladmo show became a way of life in Arizona and the "Ladmo Bag" a much coveted item. Although, the final episode aired in 1989, the institution that was built for over three decades, will stay in Arizonans hearts for decades to come.

[specedteacher]

5. I saw and talked with Wallace at the Fiesta Bowl Parade

The float was in front of our house. Wallace came over and we talked about his show in the 70's and his visits to my school. He was as friendly as could be. Pat was there too.

[IkneadU]

6. Very well said Kali :o)

I'm one of the fortunate ones who grew up with Wallace and Ladmo and the gang and my oldest enjoyed a few good years with them too. My youngest missed out and the kid's shows she watched didn't compare. I don't think there will ever be anyone who could relate to kids the way that Wallace and Ladmo did :o(

I was lucky enough to see Wallboy at the State Fair last year and finally got to tell him how much he and the others meant to me. I only wish that I could have told Ladmo the same because he was my favorite.... but I'm sure that he heard it many times before he died.