Checkers and Pogo — the main characters of the phenomenally popular “Checkers and Pogo Show” that entertained Hawaii’s children (and lots of adults) between 1967 and 1982 on Honolulu’s KGMB TV — also performed on Kauai several times during the
Checkers and Pogo — the main characters of the phenomenally popular “Checkers and Pogo Show” that entertained Hawaii’s children (and lots of adults) between 1967 and 1982 on Honolulu’s KGMB TV — also performed on Kauai several times during the show’s tenure.
Some Kauai folks may still recall that the boisterous Checkers and his sidekick, Pogo, along with the Banana Splits and Professor Fun, delighted Kauai kids with games, entertainment and refreshments during the morning of Aug. 14, 1971, at the Lihue Convention Center.
The zany duo also amused children and the young at heart at the Lihue Shopping Center on Nov. 27 of the following year.
A year later, on Dec. 1, 1973, Checkers and Pogo partnered with Santa Claus to personally greet each of the approximately 500 children that showed up with their parents to see them during a pouring rainstorm at the Eleele Shopping Center.
And, at the Lihue Shopping Center on Aug. 10, 1974, the twosome handed out candy and pictures of themselves to kids during a one-hour show featuring skits, gags, games and prizes.
Just about every kid growing up in Hawaii during the “Checkers and Pogo Show” era watched the TV program, which aired every weekday after school.
Checkers, who wore checkered glasses, checkered shirts, and checkered bands on his top hat, and Pogo, together with their regular guests — Professor Fun, Super Spy McPig, Dr. Fruitcake, Mr. Mac, Red the Friendly Pharmacist, Freddie Morris, Moku Kahana, Sneed the Monster, Jake the Janitor, and The Three Clowns From Davenport —brought smiles and laughter to kids with games, cartoons, comedy sketches and field trips.
Checkers was first played by Jim Hawthorne (1918-2007) for three months. Hawthorne was followed by Honolulu newspaper columnist Dave Donnelly (1938-2004) for a year, and lastly, by Jim Demarest (1926-2007), who acted as Checkers from 1968 to 1979.
Morgan White (1924-2010) performed as Pogo for the show’s entirety.
