The Pinky Lee Show was one of those seminal programs that influenced the movers and shakers of contemporary children's television when they were themselves little tykes.

The exuberant and outrageous Pinky Lee started out as the host of a primetime variety and burlesque show but then moved on to more kid-friendly programming in 1954. The Pinky Lee Show aired in the afternoon right before Howdy Doody Show, another childhood mainstay. When the kiddies heard Pinky Lee's trademark theme song, "Yoo Hoo, It's Me!" they came running.

The show took place in the Happy Town Circus, featuring Pinky in a very loud checkered suit and huge bowtie. The performer tumbled, jumped and pratfell his way through energetic antics that were topped off with Lee's trademark lisp. One segment of the show was "Game Time" which included bizarre and wacky contests that paved the way for later children's game shows like Double Dare.

The most memorable and notorious moment of The Pinky Lee Show came in 1955 when Lee suddenly gasped "Somebody help me!" before falling unconscious to the floor. The rumor mill worked overtime after that performance, churning out stories of Lee's heart attack, insanity and/or demise (all untrue, the man was just under the weather).

The Pinky Lee Show was canceled soon after that incident though Lee kept working on television and in musical theater. Perhaps the best illustration of the show's  lasting influence is Pee-wee's Playhouse, another kids' show with a childlike, zany host.