Rocketship 7

Rocketship 7 was a children's television series that aired weekday mornings on WKBW-TV in Buffalo, New York from 1962 to 1978 and from 1992 to 1993.

The host of the show was Dave Thomas, who had joined WKBW in 1961. After leaving Buffalo he would become better known as Dave Roberts, a weatherman in Philadelphia. Promo the Robot was the show's other main on-air character. Rocketship 7 featured segments with Thomas and Promo along with cartoons and other short programs such as Davey and Goliath, and Gumby.

When "The Commander Tom Show" was cancelled in 1991, WKBW decided to continue the "Commander Tom" character of Tom Jolls by reviving "Rocketship 7" as a weekly Saturday morning series. Airing at 7 AM, Commander Mike Randall assumed hosting duties for this version of the show with his sidekick, Yeoman Bob (Stilson), with Commander Tom Jolls, Promo the Robot, and Captain Comic (Tim Warchocki) making guest appearances. Bob would always open the show with "Yo!" Cartoons aired included Super Chicken and George of the Jungle. (To keep with the "Rocketship" theme, the station used the term "Planet Earth" as part of the station's mailing address for feedback and contests.)

Rocketship 7 (and with it, the Commander Tom character) were cancelled for good in 1993, as infomercials, public affairs, and educational/informational programming began to dominate the Saturday morning lineup.

Former WKBW-TV Graphic Designer and 3D animator Tim Warchocki (who played Captain Comic), is responsible for Promo the Robot's updated bright paint job. Prior to the 1992 version of "Rocketship 7" Tim was asked to update the robot's look for a modern audience. The original body was gray and red.

External links

* [http://www.rocketship7.com/ Rocketship 7 fan website]