Larry Smith and Puppets - The WXIX-TV Years

"Larry Smith and Puppets"
The WXIX-TV Years

     In 1968, Larry's talent and skill with marionettes and hand puppets was already well known. His list of credits included: "The Tic Toc Toy Shop", "Puppet Time", "The Rudy and Teaser Show", "The Uncle Al Show", "The Comedy Hour", " The Contemporaries", and "The Magic Forest". He worked at WLW, WCPO, WKRC, and WCET-TV - every major Cincinnati television station.
      On August 1, 1968, Larry officially signed on the air, and in doing so, signed on Cincinnati's first independent television station, WXIX-TV channel 19. Larry originally signed on for one year, but by January of 1969 the show became the number one rated show in it's time period and Larry signed a new four year contract.
      Larry spent six years at WXIX, from 1968 to 1974. A generation of fans followed the exploits of Hattie, Pixie, Teaser, Rudy, Snarfie, Nasty, Big Red, Mean Old Cat, and others. Larry's popularity with Cincinnati kids rivaled that of any other local or national kid's entertainer. His time at WXIX helped cement his position as one of Cincinnati's all time favorite kids entertainers.
     Over twenty years after Larry signed on at WXIX, Larry is still asked about the show, and requested to give performances with Hattie and the gang. The generation that grew up watching Uncle Al, The Contemporaries, and Larry Smith Puppets waits for the next opportunity to introduce their kids to Hattie and the gang and relive the shows for themselves.