Winky Dink & You - TeeVee Games: Episode 27

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Often described as the very first interactive television program, Winky Dink & You invited children of all ages to watch and play along by drawing on the screen to help out.

[@davebooshty299]

3:55 Where there many many kids who just wrote and drew on the TV screen without the kits and semi ruined the TV sets going on ? I remember seeing a Carson video with Gabe Kaplan joking about if that happened at all during this shows run.

[@TeeVeeGames]

It's come up anecdotally in descriptions of the program. And I'm sure it happened at least once. But I couldn't say if it was a widespread problem or grossly exaggerated.

[@jerrybucknoff749]

Yep. I watched it in the 1950s. My Mom bought me the kit with the magic screen and grease-based crayons. Moms who didn’t buy the 50-cent kits for their kids ended up spending 45 mins. trying to wipe the Crayola crayon pictures off of the glass picture screen. Even with that new product, Windex, it took a long time getting the crayon off the TV screen, so the kit was an easy sell. ($5.25 in 2022 dollars)

[@peggyfillmore1971]

Just randomly ran into your vid ..loved it , very informative ❤️❤️

[@ChristopherSobieniak]

This was my mom's favorite show in her youth.

[@ChristopherSobieniak]

8:15 Now that's me! That was just perfect!

[@joycefreeman5628]

Is that a Devo flowerpot hat on your CRT TV?

[@TeeVeeGames]

Yes it is, good eye!

[@GTV-Japan]

Pretty cool!

[@ChristopherSobieniak]

Should be. My mom wanted to play this back then but her family's TV set wasn't compatible to use the kit on.

[@GTV-Japan]

Christopher Sobieniak Chris!! How you been? Funny to see you here! It’s too bad her tv didn’t work but I love hearing about all these interesting concepts

[@arqivist2077]

Too bad you didn't get the DVD -- it's got 2 episodes from the 50s series as bonus features, and one of them has Mr. Bungle. Also in the episode was the semi-animated Dusty Dan, another regular on the original Winky Dink. Another bonus feature included is an interview with Ed Wykoff.

[@joycefreeman5628]

So funny that Geritol (an elderly person’s magic tonic) advertised on Juvenile Jury.

[@edreid7872]

Saran wrap and crayons are all you needed.....

[@JaxHahn]

I could see this concept becoming a somewhat successful iPhone app.

[@TeeVeeGames]

It actually would - that 60's version of Winky Dink was kind of fun.

[@ChristopherSobieniak]

@@TeeVeeGames True, especially if made to be more interactive in what is drawn and how Winky responds to said drawing that could change based on play.

[@JohnnyCrayfish]

Great video!

[@TeeVeeGames]

+Johnny Crayfish Thanks!

[@geraldmartin7703]

The drawings were very basic-- just an outline-- and the novelty wore off quickly. I had a "screen" during the program's original run.