For the first time in 65 years, the ownership rights to the Bozo character have been sold to actor David Arquette. He’s been a life-long fan of the character and purchased the rights from Larry Harmon Pictures, who bought it from Capitol Records that created Bozo back in 1946.

"Bozo the Clown rights sold to David Arquette" (article) (https://wgntv.com/news/deans-list/bozo-the-clown-rights-sold-to-david-arquette/)

"David Arquette talks to WGN Morning News about acquiring the rights to Bozo" (article) (https://wgntv.com/news/deans-list/david-arquette-talks-to-wgn-morning-show-about-acquiring-the-rights-to-bozo/)

(note regarding "Quote": both articles were being quoted)

"Actor David Arquette: 25th anniversary of ‘Scream’, new owner of all things ‘Bozo’ " (article and audio) (https://wgnradio.com/dave-plier/actor-david-arquette-25th-anniversary-of-scream-new-owner-of-all-things-bozo/)

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"WGN-TV becomes ‘Chicago’s Merry Own’ with holiday favorites including NEW Bozo and New Year’s Eve Special!" (article with a video) (https://wgntv.com/community/news-releases/wgn-tv-becomes-chicagos-merry-own-with-holiday-favorites-including-new-bozo-and-new-years-eve-special/)

"Midday Fix: Dean Richards takes a closer look at the digital restoration of 'Bozo's Circus: The 1970s' " (article with a video) (https://wgntv.com/midday-news/midday-fix-dean-richards-takes-a-closer-look-at-the-digital-restoration-of-bozos-circus-the-1970s/)

" 'Bozo’s Circus: The 1970's' premieres Sunday, December 19th" (article with a video) (https://wgntv.com/daytime-chicago/bozos-circus-the-1970s-premieres-sunday-december-19th/)

For the first time in 65 years, the ownership rights to the Bozo character have been sold to actor David Arquette.

So 65 years ago the rights were also sold to David Arquette?

David Arquette has purchased the rights to the Bozo character, I don't know how that is going to work out but I'm interested in these Bozo retrospect specials that WGN TV is having and I will try to watch them on the website.

I saw those specials and to me they were nostalgic. Even though I never lived in the Chicago area I remember Bozo's Circus from when my family first got cable in 1975 in Bloomington, MN and we picked up WGN from Chicago. The show was so phenomenal and I didn't know until sometime in the 1980s that it even more popular than The Today Show and Good Morning America in a 7 AM time period.

I also remember Ned Locke as Mr. Ned, the ringmaster. He was best known for his deep, booming voice. When Locke retired, Frazier Thomas from Garfield Goose took over and the show didn't miss a beat. A 40 year run for a kids show that was also popular with adults was absolutely amazing.

Maybe he only bought the name so he can repackage himself on that lucrative Indy Wrestling circuit.

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I saw those specials and to me they were nostalgic. Even though I never lived in the Chicago area I remember Bozo's Circus from when my family first got cable in 1975 in Bloomington, MN and we picked up WGN from Chicago. The show was so phenomenal and I didn't know until sometime in the 1980s that it even more popular than The Today Show and Good Morning America in a 7 AM time period.

I also remember Ned Locke as Mr. Ned, the ringmaster. He was best known for his deep, booming voice. When Locke retired, Frazier Thomas from Garfield Goose took over and the show didn't miss a beat. A 40 year run for a kids show that was also popular with adults was absolutely amazing.

For me, Bozo's Circus in Chicago started losing it's charm after ringmaster Ned Locke retired from the show. Frazier Thomas did an OK job as the new ringmaster, but it just wasn't the same anymore without good ol' Mr. Ned.

I completely stopped watching Bozo after Bob Bell retired from the show. I did not like the new Bozo that was hired to replace Bob Bell.

I'm doing this from memory, but I seem to recall a string of Bozo shows where Bob Bell was absent, I think it was because of medical reasons. At the beginning of these shows during Bell's absence, a big box/crate was wheeled on to the stage, Mr. Ned would then take a peek inside the box, he was looking for Bozo but the box was always empty and the show went on. Then one day on one of the shows, the box was wheeled out, Mr. Ned looked inside and frowned, he said still no Bozo, the box started being wheeled away but then suddenly the box was kicked open from the inside and there was Bob Bell in his Bozo costume, he was back and everyone in the audience was surprised, they cheered and went crazy. :lol: I remember this but I don't recall what year it was, probably late 1960's or early 1970's.

I'm also doing this from memory, but after Frazier Thomas passed away in 1985, as far as I recall, his role as circus ringmaster was not officially replaced and the show continued on without an official ringmaster. I'm not positive about this but this is what my memory tells me.

"Actor David Arquette in studio: Acquiring the rights to iconic Bozo the Clown, film franchise ‘Scream’ to continue" (article and audio) (https://wgnradio.com/dave-plier/actor-david-arquette-in-studio-acquiring-the-rights-to-iconic-bozo-the-clown-film-franchise-scream-to-continue/)