KOVR "McClatchy Bee" Sign-Off

[TheBullhauler13]

I was born & raised in Sacramento. (1962). When I was little that damn scared the crap out of me! Not sure why.

[murielsartre]

That is adorable.

[wannawatchu66]

This isn't Scoopy...he was the Bee that appeared in the newspapers. This Bee's name was "TB."

[nanlisa]

Do you have that sign-on the sign-on that Funtimes is talking about? It just matches the sign-off perfectly.

I can't clearly stress that this is a cute little sign-off.

[nanlisa]

Very cute little sign-off. So simple.

[Hoskins1942]

Don't You Forget That One Especially With Last Time Our Very End Analog Local Broadcast Gonna They're From KOVR Just Kind Will After Cartoon Bee Classic Only Next Friday 'Til June 12th!

[TJL31SJ]

Huh?

[halfpuppy]

devulboy1, Scoopy was actually designed by Walt Disney for Eleanor McClatchy in 1943. As far as I know, he's the only corporate mascot or character Walt ever designed for a company other than his own.

[vividwatch47]

@halfpuppy, the one used as the Sacramento Bee's mascot.

[devulboy1]

The newspaper bee heard on radio and seen on TV, McClatchy must been a genius and I knew it had a Disney-sque look. I heard this was used for channel 4 in Utah, to symbolized the state's official animal and the hive on the state flag. Was their a connection with his news media company with that of Utah? I do know McClatchy owes newspapers, websites and radio/TV outlets in North Carolina and Virginia. What a cute cartoony signoff though and does appeal to children if any stayed up that late :-)

[Art7220]

This was also used as the sign-off for KMJ 24 Fresno (now KSEE) as it was also a McClatchy station. I watched it when I was younger.

[pazvato]

KLXT77--you made my evening! My cousin and I used to stay up late (in the summers) to watch TeeVee the KOVR Bee sign off in the late 60's.

A couple of years later I was actually a Sacramento Bee newspaper boy. I STILL have the "tanker" bike I used to deliver the papers with.

Wish I still had the bags and t-shirt with Scoopy on them.

I'm a cartoonist these days, been living in the bay area for almost 30 years and if I can find a clean version of scoopy I'm making some shirts!

[markojameow]

What a cute sign-off! It looks like it was produced around the 1960s - and sign-offs from before 1980 are so hard to find. Thanks for sharing this.

[gsnman]

I like this "bee".

[the60sKid]

Oh god. My brain cells just did a time warp. This is awsome!!!

[TServo2049]

I know that the Walt Disney Studio designed the character...but did they animate this bit?

[gladfan1989]

This REALLY brings back memories. I loved seeing Scoopy all over again. Does this recording also include the sign-off annoucement as well? If so, would love for you to post it.

[KLXT77]

I wish I had more, but this is it. I thought they just went to snow once those curtains closed.

[gladfan1989]

They usually, when I saw the sign-off, did the announcement first, then played the animation. And yes, they cut the carrier afterwards.

[gladfan1989]

@KLXT77 From what I saw, they did got to snow.

[heine71]

Hope you upload the KOVR sign-on with the McClatchy Bee next!

[KLXT77]

I didn't even know there *was* a sign-on with "Scoopy." I guess I was never awake early enough to see it!

[funtimes95070]

I remember the morning one was like this:

The curtains raise, Scooby wakes up, takes off his cap, and says, "Good Morning" and sets up the "KOVR" letters.

[henrytvwhiz]

The bees name is Scoopy, & was designed by Walt Disney. He was used in short sign-on & sign-off, as well as other short cartoons on KOVR & former sister station KSEE-TV (then known as KMJ-TV). By the way, does anyone know who did the voice of Scoopy when he said good night?

[modestobee]

Actually, this Bee's name is 'Teevee.' When originally created, the Disney Studios created three Bee's for McClatchy's use, including 'Scoopy' for the papers and 'Gabby' for radio.

Interesting to note, this is the only commercial mascot illustrated by the Disney Studios, in return for a donation to the war effort.

[kresblain]

Excellent bit of trivia there. Thanks.

[tkaye2]

It's not quite the only Disney cartoon used by a television station. Disney also designed "King Mike" for KING-TV in Seattle and "Pioneer Mike" for KGW-TV, KING's sister station in Portland.

[eyeh8cbs]

Did this ever air when VCRs were out? I've got a couple really boring mid-80s sign-offs from KOVR I'll put up one of these days.

[KLXT77]

I don't think so. For years, all I had was an off-air audio recording I made around 1974.