OBIT: Bob Homme : The Friendly Giant

Subject: Bob Homme : The Friendly Giant
From: black walnut
Date: 03 May 00 - 03:28 PM

Today I was extremely saddened by the news that The Friendly Giant, Bob Homme, had died.

Homme's contribution to music and books in the lives of children was enormous. I loved that show of his, with the castle and the rooster and the giraffe and the comfy chairs and the cow jumping over the moon. Few of us can hear 'Early One Morning without seeing the drawbridge move. I don't think there has ever been better children's programming than this little gentle, creative, intelligent 12 minute show (which was broadcast for over 25 years!). Is it possible that The Friendly Giant impressed me so much as a child that I grew up to teach both Music and English, to sing, and to play many musical instruments including harp and recorder?!

Good-bye, Friendly!

~black walnut ..................................................

This is from the CBC website:

Friendly Giant dies after lengthy illness WebPosted Wed May 3 08:19:04 2000 GRAFTON, ONTARIO - Bob Homme has died. For years he was a familiar and welcome face on CBC TV as the Friendly Giant on the popular children's show.

A scene from 'The Friendly Giant' TV show Homme died on Tuesday. He had prostate cancer. He was 81.

The Friendly Giant debuted on radio in 1953 in Madison, Wisconsin. Homme, Rusty the Rooster and Jerome the Giraffe, characters on the program, moved to Canada in 1958. The show became a staple of CBC programming for more than 25 years.

It introduced generations of children to books and music. Homme was the creator, writer and star of the show.

The show started the same way every day, with Friendly opening the drawbridge and reaching down with a gigantic hand to arrange, "One little chair for one of you, and a bigger chair for two more to curl up in, and for someone who likes to rock, a rocking chair in the middle."

Then, he invited viewers to, "Look up. . . look waayyy up." There he stood, joined by his friends Rusty and Jerome, and they would set about singing chatting and reading stories to young viewers during the 15 minute show.

Homme was awarded the Order of Canada in 1998. He was too ill to travel to Ottawa to receive the award, so Romeo LeBlanc, then governor-general, made a special visit to his home in Grafton, Ontario, to present the medal.

Homme is survived by his wife Esther and four children.

Subject: RE: Bob Homme : The Friendly Giant
From: Peter T.
Date: 03 May 00 - 03:32 PM

well, we know where he has gone -- "Look up, look wayyyy uppp!" Bye Friendly.
yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: Bob Homme : The Friendly Giant
From: GUEST,Steve Latimer
Date: 03 May 00 - 04:14 PM

I remember him well. It was a nice show.

Rest in Peace.

Subject: RE: Bob Homme : The Friendly Giant
From: Mister Dressup
Date: 03 May 00 - 04:36 PM

I am writing from Kitchener, Ontario in Canada.

I must admit that I've become so disgusted with the political blundering in our country, that I've stopped watching the news. So the mudcat is the first place that I was informed of Bob Homme's passing. I too remember very fondly watching the Friendly Giant show absolutedly EVERY morning when I was a young child. I loved his show, and to this day I remember the outside and inside of his enchanted castle as if I'd seen the show yesterday.

God bless you, Bob.

Incidentally, I really like Peter T's comment about where our Friendly Giant is now residing, very fitting.

Subject: RE: Bob Homme : The Friendly Giant
From: Peter T.
Date: 03 May 00 - 05:01 PM

Let us also never forget that, like Don Messer and the Islanders, this show was cancelled by the sophisticated idiots at the CBC. They have always despised simple things.
yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: Bob Homme : The Friendly Giant
From: black walnut
Date: 03 May 00 - 06:56 PM

i grew up on the friendly giant and don messer. my kids had the good blessing of spending time with the friendly giant, but alas, not the don messer show.
good memories, both.

~black walnut

Subject: RE: Bob Homme : The Friendly Giant
From: Joe Offer
Date: 03 May 00 - 07:02 PM

Transferred from duplicate thread.
-Joe Offer-

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Subject: RE: Bob Homme : The Friendly Giant
Jacob B

Date: 03-May-00 - 06:04 PM

Thank you for posting that, Black Walnut. I was just telling my wife about the Friendly Giant last night. It was only shown in Boston for a short time, but I loved it.

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Subject: RE: Bob Homme : The Friendly Giant
black walnut
Date: 03-May-00 - 06:53 PM

Jacob, I didn't know it was shown in the States. I'm glad it was, so you will have known some of that gentleness and warmth and integrity that flowed from that man. For some of us, we AND our children grew up on The Friendly Giant. Many of us are reminiscing today.

Subject: RE: Bob Homme : The Friendly Giant
From: sophocleese
Date: 03 May 00 - 11:22 PM

Yes I cried briefly today at the hearing of his death. I only saw the show for a short time as Mom decided to remove television from our lives, but his voice is still in my head and will be there till I go.

Subject: RE: Bob Homme : The Friendly Giant
From: Mooh
Date: 04 May 00 - 10:35 AM

The premier TV show of my childhood. A gentle and intelligent presence amid the fluff and violence of TV programming. Look up...I know where he is now.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Bob Homme : The Friendly Giant
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 04 May 00 - 01:35 PM

Does anyone have a link to the CBC web page? I've been searching and would love to see the spot on Homme. I only lived for a short time in an area that got the Friendly Giant but have never forgotten the gentleness, nor the effect the opening tune had on my musical development- still one of my favorite melodies! Thanks, Bob Homme.

Subject: RE: Bob Homme : The Friendly Giant
From: black walnut
Date: 04 May 00 - 02:28 PM

I had the CBC site yesterday, but I seem to have lost it. If I find it again, I'll let you know.

~black walnut

Subject: RE: Bob Homme : The Friendly Giant
From: Joe Offer
Date: 04 May 00 - 02:41 PM

http://cbc.ca/ (click) is the URL for CBC. Click here for their piece on Bob Homme.
-Joe Offer-