Comments on: Bing Bong Bang, It’s Boomerang!

By: william

william — Sun, 08 Apr 2007 04:58:57 +0000

i remember boomerang! i don’t think i even really realized it was local. i do remember that my parents took us all to some classical music night(at least that’s how it felt as a child) at some theater in seattle and marnie was the performer singing. the only part of the show i really remember is that for an encore(at least i think it was an encore) she introduced some piece and said it was supposed to be a duet, but she’d do it anyway. well, when it came time for the other singer’s part the conductor turned around and started singing.

By: Humuhumu

Humuhumu — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 03:21:20 +0000

Oh, I’m so glad I’m not alone! I imagine this whole post is snoozeville to most of the JYC readers, but I’d hoped it’d mean something to Seattleites.

I wasn’t sure if it was local myself. As I got older, I figured it must have been, since it wasn’t something that ever got referred to in popular culture.

I was also looking for info on Hot Fudge (specifically, the opening theme song), which I thought was local, but I was wrong. It was produced in Detroit. We didn’t like Hot Fudge — it was on super early on Saturday mornings, and if we turned on the TV and it was on, we knew we’d miscalculated, and woken up too early. I don’t remember it very well, but I remember the theme song juuuuust enough for it to bug me, and I hope that hearing it again will let it rest. I remember it being funky and weird. Anyway, I couldn’t find the Hot Fudge theme song.

By: melberoo

melberoo — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 04:15:32 +0000

i LOVED this show!!! i was searching the web, trying to find info, but there is none i came across this site that theme song really brings back memories i’m from vancouver, canada and it was on tv here for the same duration it aired in seattle. the little yellow co-star was NORBERT ! there was a character named MELINDA too (pink girl)

By: Humuhumu

Humuhumu — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 04:32:49 +0000

NORBERT! Oh, thank you. I kept thinking it was Bert, but I thought that couldn’t possibly be, because he looks too much like Bert from Sesame Street to get away with that. Norbert. Ahhh. I don’t remember Melinda, maybe someday a picture will crop up that will jog my memory.

By: craiglaw

craiglaw — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 04:55:55 +0000

Thank you so much for putting the theme song on this site! I don’t think I will get the smile off my face
for a while after hearing that. I loved the show as a kid. It was the best part of the weekend!
Long live NORBERT!

By: Cat KAz

Cat KAz — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 17:37:07 +0000

I, along with a group of other kids, were chosen from the Seattle girls’ choir to sing and tape the Show’s introduction. I’m the one holding the letter “M” on the barn! It was so fun being in the recoring studio with Marni Nixon! I’ve been trying to find a clip of that to show my kids but, alas, have had no luck. Pleae email me if you know how to find stuff like that on the internet! catkaz@comcast.net

By: B

Wed, 18 Apr 2007 07:09:43 +0000

Im happy I came accross your website. I was just searching all over for this song. Im happy I found your clip. Thanks:O) It made me smile and brings back great memories of watching this show when I was young. Now I only wish I could see some old shows maybe someone has a copy and can put it up on YouTube?!! I hope.

By: Humuhumu

Humuhumu — Sat, 21 Apr 2007 00:33:19 +0000

I love that so many other people are looking for Boomerang info, too.

B, I second that, PLEASE let there be someone out there that can put something up on YouTube!

Cat Kaz, that’s too cool! If I ever track down the opening, I’ll be sure to let you know. You might try contacting KOMO, too — since you’re actually in the opening, it might spark their interest in helping you find the old footage.

By: Subacca

Subacca — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 07:41:18 +0000

Wow. I have been searching for a while to find some info on this show. The theme song has been stuck in my head for a week!

By: Scoots

Scoots — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 22:07:03 +0000

Thank you! Like you, I had no idea it was local until a few weeks ago when I made a joke about Norbert and no one had any idea what I was talking about. Despite my explanation (going so far as to sing the theme song) even the older folks in the group had no idea what it was. Thank you for letting me know I’m not crazy!

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Wed, 25 Apr 2007 22:29:44 +0000

[…] joke about a kids show from way back when I was about three or four years old. The show was called Boomerang, and it was like a third-rate Sesame Street. Hell, it probably wasn’t even that good. But the […]

By: Re: The Boomer Boomerang | boomerang

Re: The Boomer Boomerang | boomerang — Wed, 30 May 2007 18:05:15 +0000

[…] I m still having trouble reconciling the host of Boomerang with this Hollywood figure, but it comes together a bit when I hear the Boomerang theme song again the song s not exactly a winner, but it sure brings back memories, … …Sportzia More […]

By: Travis Moegling

Travis Moegling — Sat, 02 Jun 2007 17:02:37 +0000

So glad that I found this site. I was beginning to think maybe the whole show was made
up inside my head! I loved the beginning of the show, when they spelled Boomerang with big
letters on the side of that old barn. It was a great show with a lot of personality! Would
be neat to see it back on tv somewhere or youtube!

By: Bing Bong Bang, It s Boomerang! | boomerang

Bing Bong Bang, It s Boomerang! | boomerang — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 17:27:54 +0000

[…] with this Hollywood figure, but it comes together a bit when I hear the Boomerang theme song again the song s not exactly a winner, but it sure brings back memories, … …Sportzia More […]

By: greg

greg — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 01:22:34 +0000

oh wow - i totally remember Boomerang - even though i grew up and lived in Northern BC - we used to get all the Seattle networks - Komo, Kiro, King - back than there were only 3 networks… i used to get up early and watch it every sunday, she always reminded me of julie andrews and norbert - haha - thanks for the memory and glad to see i am not the only one who remembers watching it

By: Billy

Billy — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 19:50:08 +0000

“Norbert” purchased at a local garage sale for $2.00!

I found this in the Seattle Times archive today.

Another fact I learned was that the show was filmed in Carnation, WA on a local farm their.
________________________________

September 11, 2002

Jean Godden / Times staff columnist

A TV star fallen on hard times

West Seattle resident Gina Terrana could scarcely believe her eyes at the West Seattle garage sale last week. Could it be? Oh, surely not. But then she paid the price — $2 — and took home the bright yellow puppet with the shock of red fur hair.

What a bargain.

Turns out the puppet is Norbert, star of “Boomerang,” a KOMO-TV kids’ series that aired in the ’70s and ’80s. Norbert — although stripped of his trademark rugby shirt — looks like a second cousin to Ernie of “Sesame Street” fame.

During its heyday, “Boomerang” won some dozen Emmys for Norbert and his buddies, among them puppeteers Lee Olson and Kathy Tolan; writer Nancy Schwedop; performer Marni Nixon; director Ken Schwedop, and producer Barbara Groce.

Terrana says, “Norbert is staying at my house right now. But if the Museum of History & Industry wants him, let me know. He deserves a secure retirement.”

By: Humuhumu

Humuhumu — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 20:02:33 +0000

Jean Godden, the stalwart bearer of fluffy tidings. $2! That’s unbelievable. Poor Norbert. Thanks for the heads-up!

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By: Joe Sidlauskas

Joe Sidlauskas — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 14:30:20 +0000

This is amazing! I’m 38 years old and for the last few mornings i’ve been waking with the
“Boomerang” song riddled in my head! I had a crush on Marni because of her voice.I knew
as a child it MUST have been local because of that farm! I also remember someone falling in
the haypile and getting hay thrown in the face playfully and another child making airplane
wings with his arms,loved the beginning of the show! I’ve been around the world in the
military & as a civilian and always had that song with me-and I’m a rocker! Boomerang and
of course JP Patches were part of what made growing up in the “Great Pacific Northwest” so
beautiful!
Joe-Glendale,AZ

By: christy marlowe

christy marlowe — Sat, 30 Jun 2007 04:38:50 +0000

I am SO GLAD I found this site. Just by chance I decided to look up Boomerang
and found nothing until now. Thank you for that opening song! It brought back memories.
I had no idea it was a local show. I, too, loved the opening and wish I could
see it once again. I also watched Dusty’s Treehouse, Banana Splits, and Star Blazers,
among some others. I saw J.P. Patches live at some Elks Club event my Grandpa took me to.
I was picked to go on stage and he made me kiss some boy!! I thought that was so “yucky”
being so young. Anyway, what neat information I have learned tonight and I think I’ll
listen to that song once again…..
Christy- Orting, WA

By: Jill Remensnyder

Jill Remensnyder — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 03:12:24 +0000

Ah! Sunday mornings and Boomerang! Good times! No one I know- other than my brother- ever knows what I’m talking about when I start belting out the lyrics to the song! I always thought Melinda was Peppermint Patty’s long last relative in a parallel universe of some sort…

Maybe it’s time to bring the show back with a hip twist? Is a letter writing campaign in order? Who’s in?

By: Scott

Scott — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 18:45:36 +0000

THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

I loved this show growing up! It is sooooo cool finding info on the web. Sometimes I feel like I’m the “Last Northwesterner” in the Almost Live sketch. I remember my mother telling be something about the intro being filmed at a barn in Carnation, but am overjoyed to see it here.

Bing, Bong, Bang…

By: Cynthia

Cynthia — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 06:10:16 +0000

Thank you so much for this. I loved this show as a kid, and was beginning to think I dreamed it too. There was also a goody goody little girl puppet named Libby on the show who often acted as a conscience to Norbert and Melinda.

You should email KOMO and see if they have some archives they would put on You-Tube.

It’s a funny looking thing, something like an airplane wing and when you throw it….

By: Mischka

Mischka — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 06:31:43 +0000

Wow……I think a tear actually came to my eye. I have been searching for that song for so long. I’m a washington native, grew up in Gig Harbor and watched the show religiously. I still remembered the words, word for word. Thank you so much for creating this page.
How can I get a copy of the song?

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By: mandee

mandee — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 07:56:02 +0000

OMG!! Everyone in my family and friends thought I was making this up when I talked about Boomerang!! I would even sing the theme but no one believed me Glad to know I’m not insane and others loved this show as much as me! If anyone has footage I’d love to see it. I’ve been looking for tapes for years!

By: mandee

mandee — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 08:09:37 +0000

Could I get you to email me the song?

By: nicole

nicole — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 00:13:06 +0000

If you want information on Boomerang, why not contact Komo itself? tips@komo4news.com 206-404-4000

By: deanna

deanna — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 07:22:55 +0000

I always tried to explain this show to everyone as well!no one remembers it at all.they say im making it up!Ill have to show them this site, yous are my proof!What i remember the most is when they are spelling out boomerang with the letters, and a girl jumping of a ladder into a pile of hay. I would love to see footage of this as well!

By: mandee

mandee — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 07:18:02 +0000

I did contact them and they said the can’t release anything due to licensing

By: Debbie

Debbie — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 03:26:17 +0000

This was my daughter’s favorite show when she was 2 & 3 years old. I would love to get a copy of an episode or even the theme song for her. If anyone has made any progress in obtaining it, please post.

By: Dawn

Dawn — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 05:36:25 +0000

I had no idea Boomerang was Seattle only - no wonder. Now I just have to figure out that other show from my childhood that is currently driving me crazy. The only thing I remember is that when they sang the alphabet, they ended with Zed instead of Z.

By: Dawn

Dawn — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 05:44:30 +0000

Ooooh, it just came back to me - the Polka Dot Door. Phew.

By: Kevin Linn

Kevin Linn — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 10:15:07 +0000

Hello, I been really looking for this show. I use to watch it when i was younger. I remember watching it at my parents house in Longview Washington. I didn’t know it was local i think i watched it on PBS station.

By: Janine

Janine — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 21:55:33 +0000

I would love to get copies of this show for my kids. I watched it all the time. Norbert had a friend with a blue face, named Crusher, I Tjhink. The video clip of the opening is now on YouTube. “You throw a ball against the wall, . . .” I can’t get it out of my head.

By: Mike

Mike — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 08:52:17 +0000

This is SOOOO great!!! I thought I had made it up in my head also, but finally… someone else knows about it!! The song was like a trip down memory lane… I miss this show!

By: Busybee

Busybee — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 03:09:22 +0000

hello,
where did you find the opening clip on Youtube, Janine? anyone know?

thanks

By: Lifetime Boomerang fan

Lifetime Boomerang fan — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 20:00:54 +0000

I can’t find anything on YouTube either, and I’ve searched as many different ways as I can think of. Perhaps it’s been removed? If anyone can provide a link or specific keywords, I’m sure I’m not the only one who’d appreciate it.

Norbert was NOT sold at a yard sale. This has become something of an urban legend but the Seattle Times printed a correction just days after the original story. Of course, it’s more fun to spread crazy story like this rather than one of mistaken identity.

The original story:
http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/texis.cgi/web/vortex/display?slug=godden11m&date=20020911&query=norbert+puppet

The corrected story:
http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/texis.cgi/web/vortex/display?slug=goddden18m&date=20020918

You can also download the Boomerang theme (and other NW audio) at the MOHAI website:
http://www.seattlehistory.org/col_av.cfm

Thanks, Humuhumu, for spreading the word on Boomerang and Marni. Peace.

By: Robert Chatel

Robert Chatel — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 05:43:36 +0000

This show was my all-time fav growing up in everett,washinton.
that and JC patches ((I guy to see him more than a few times)).
I like to get that theme-song but the link-does not work.
Thanks for have this little corner of my childhood on this site.

By: LOM

LOM — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 02:47:49 +0000

This was a pleasant find today. I was reading a book with my child that talked about a boomerang which instantly made me recall one of my favorite shows as a kid. I was prompted to do an internet search and found this site. I’ve had the same experience as some folks here with my husband who thought I was making this stuff up. The infectious song brings me right back to childhood. I’m totally bummed that I can’t find a clip of it on youtube.com or elsewhere. At least I got to listen to the song again!

By: Richard

Richard — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 01:16:04 +0000

Wow, hearing that theme song brings back memories. I grew up in British Columbia and watched Boomerang regularly. Now living in Quebec, nobody here has ever heard of the antics of Norbert or Melinda, nor do they know what ‘bing, bong, bang’ means. It is so refreshing to read the entries of others who grew up with Norbert, Marni and company. If anyone ever finds a clip from the show, please please please post it…I’d love to see the gang in action. This show and ol’ JP were very fond memories from my young childhood….thanks for setting up the site.

By: nathan

nathan — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 22:53:34 +0000

Oh man, it’s so awesome to hear that song! That made my weekend! I grew up in Seattle and used to get up super early every Sunday to watch Boomerang. I’ve never forgotten the intro with the kids holding up the letters against the barn. It would be great to see a clip from the show, or just the opening again. Thank you!

By: tim

tim — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 21:07:49 +0000

Funny thing, I didn’t know there was any connection between Julie Andrews and Marni Nixon, as I’d never heard of Marni Nixon until just now, but when I was younger, I got the two mixed up. I remember an episode, though, where Melinda was being a brat to Norbert and sang the song from Sound of Music, “Anything You Can Do I Can Do Better”. Wonder if there was any intention in making that connection between the two singers?

By: tim

tim — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 21:12:47 +0000

Funny thing, I didn’t know there was any connection between Julie Andrews and Marni Nixon, as I’d never heard of Marni Nixon until just now, but when I was little, I thought they were the same person. I remember an episode, though, where Melinda was being a brat to Norbert and sang the song from Sound of Music, “Anything You Can Do I Can Do Better”. Wonder if there was any intention in making that connection between the two singers?

By: Hanna

Hanna — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 06:08:20 +0000

I am going to do a small film project with my daughters, nieces, and sisters and wanted to “copy” the opening of the show. Someone posted that the barn was in Carnation. Does anyone know where it is, or if it’s still around? I’m so excited!!

By: Christina

Christina — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 04:00:47 +0000

I too have looked and looked on the internet and came up with nothing. It was a pleasure to listen to the song. I haven’t heard that song since I was a little little girl. Thank you so much for posting this.

Christina

By: Shi

Shi — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 14:32:57 +0000

Oh man, what memories, I loved that show.

By: Aaron

Aaron — Thu, 15 May 2008 16:24:26 +0000

I loved Norbert as a kid. I have tried to explain him to non-Seattle Natives, and they just stare like I’m developmentally delayed. Thanks for that! I love Boomerang.