Bob Elnicky joins the cast of Oopsy Daisy

Bob Elnicky joined the Oopsy Daisy show in 1968, co-designing Squiggly Wiggly Worm, Kernal Popcorn, Miser Mouse, & Henrietta Peck.This incredibly talented puppeteer moved on to to another local tv show called "Hot Fudge".

The Man Behind The Greasepaint

Oopsy's creator Robert (Bob) J. McNea was born in St. Thomas, Ontario Canada on June 12th, 1929. By the time he was six The Great Depression had been sweeping through the country. Times were difficult and happiness seemed illusive, even for a small child. While paging through a magazine he came upon a clown photo of Felix Adler. From that moment on Bob knew he wanted to be in show biz.

Bob McNea's first t elevision appearanc e was in the summ er of 1950 while promoting the Michigan State Fair GrandStand Show on WXYZ-TV in Detroit Michigan.

By 1954, he had his own summer “replacement” show called "Moppets” produced at CKLW-TV in Windsor, Ontario.

At the same time he was a regular character actor on several local court shows including "Night Court", "Up for Appeal", and "Juvenile Court".

Early television was broadcast LIVE in black & white including commercial breaks. Bob became the Wonder Bread spokes-character for the “Mickey Mouse Club” (WXYZ) in 1959.

Then fate stepped in.......

Bob won an audition at WWJ-TV to portray the televised character "Bozo the Clown". It became Detroit's favourite kids show televised in a 1/2 hour live-to- air format six days/week in front of a studio audience for the
next eight years.

When WWJ executives decided not to renew the licensing for Bozo in 1967, Bob was given the opportunity to fill the time slot with his own clown character which he called

"Oopsy Daisy"

Every morning Oopsy's creator Bob McNea painted his face with white and red greasepaint, snapped on a big red nose, changed into the lime green jumpsuit, floppy checkered boots and glittering green top hat embellished with daisies to become the biggest kid's icon of early tv.
The American "Oopsy Daisy" show continued for another 12 years



....until Bob negotiated a deal which relocated production to the Canadian CTV affiliate, CKCO-TV in Kitchener, Ontario.



Through his production company Sumfun, Bob, his wife Frances Kay, son Michael and daughter Kathy McNea wrote, produced, acted and developed puppet characters on the
"Oopsy the Clown" show for another 12 years.

During the same time, they produced “Big Top Talent”, a television program showcasing amateur talent of kids from cities, towns and rural areas surrounding the K/W area. Oopsy was the on-camera host for 16 years.



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Creator Robert (Bob) J. McNea