Sheriff John
Sheriff John was a long-running children's television character who appeared on KTTV in Los Angeles from 1952 to 1970 on two separate series, Sheriff John's Lunch Brigade and Sheriff John's Cartoon Time. He was played by John Rovick.
Sheriff John started each program entering his jailhouse office, singing, "Laugh and be happy, and the world will laugh with you." He then said the Pledge of Allegiance and read a safety bulletin. Rovick showed cartoons, including Crusader Rabbit and Porky Pig, and was visited by farm animals. An artist, "Sketchbook Suzie", would draw pictures requested by viewers.
The highlight of the show was the birthday celebration. Sheriff John would read as many as a hundred names, and then bring out a cake and sing the Birthday Party Polka.
Sheriff John gave lessons about safety and good health habits, before his show was cancelled in 1970. Rovick won an Emmy in 1952 and appeared on the Emmy broadcast in 1998, introduced by longtime fan Michael Richards.
John Rovick retired from KTTV in 1981. He now lives in Boise, Idaho.