1950 The Uncle Al Show makes its debut on June, 12.
At that time Al Lewis, the show's host, was the star of another WCPO television program called Al's Drugstore. Viewers would call the station requesting Al to play songs on the accordion. Children from the neighborhood began to wander into the studio during Al's program and because of his love for children, Al invited them to join him. The children would return every morning bringing more friends, and they soon started singing and dancing with Al.
The children dubbed Al Lewis "Uncle Al" and it wasn't long before Mothers began to call to get tickets to "The Uncle Al Show."
1956 Wanda Lewis, Al's wife, joins the show as Captain Windy, drawing pictures for the children and handling many of the educational aspects of the program.
1957 The Uncle Al Show incorporates a magic farm and circus set. It features drawings by Captain Windy, cartoons, and a new member of the staff Larry Smith, a puppeteer and character actor.
1958 The Uncle Al Show goes network on ABC.
1959 Tom York replaces Larry Smith as the character actor and puppeteer. He plays interesting characters such as the Scarecrow, Cowboy, and Clown.
1972 Jack Williams joins the Uncle Al Show and plays 16 different characters on the program.
1973 The set is changed to Uncle Al's House in the Magic Forest and a new character, Mr. Patches (Tom McGreevey), is added to the show's staff.
1974 The show is given a more educational format. Over the years many local people and sites were on the show such as the Cincinnati Zoo, the Police and Fire Departments, the community's park system, the Natural History Museum, nutrition specialists, and educators. With all of these enrichment programs the Uncle Al Show never lost the fantasy, fun, and music that children loved.
1985 The Uncle Al Show goes off the air.
