MADISON, Wis. -- Cowboy Eddie, a beloved Channel 3 personality from television's golden era, will make some very special appearances on June 20-21 at WISC-TV to help celebrate the station's 50th year of broadcasting.

Eddie's return to Madison (he now "lives" in Florida with his new best pal, children's entertainer Jacki Manna) will be a treat for all viewers, but many of Madison's Baby Boomers will be especially delighted to see one of their childhood stars back on the screen.

Starting in the early days of WISC-TV and continuing through the 1970s, Eddie served as the smart-aleck sidekick to Channel 3's immensely popular kids' show, "Circus 3." He shared top billing with the late Howie Olson, the remarkably talented ventriloquist and magician who brought Eddie to life in all his wise-cracking glory. For decades, Circus 3 was a top-rated show and so popular that children waited up to six months for the chance to be part of the show's studio audience.

Howie and Eddie started as a team right from the beginning. Eddie was carved by the Mack Brothers, the same carvers who created Edgar Bergen's famous alter ego, Charlie McCarthy. Howie was born that same year, 1910, and the duo first performed together when Howie was 5-years-old; they were in a vaudeville act billed as Little Leroy the Boy Wonder. Before they came to Channel 3, Eddie and Howie appeared on Broadway and entertained troops in World War II.

After Howie's death, Eddie moved to Florida with Jacki Manna, Howie's protege. He became part of her entertainment business.

Cowboy Eddie will be returning to Madison and WISC-TV during the third week of June. If you'd like Cowboy Eddie to make any special appearances during that time, e-mail us!

Yippie Ki-Yay! Do you remember Cowboy Eddie? Were you one of the kids in the studio audience for "Circus 3?" Record your memories in Channel 3000's TALKBACK section.

Related Link:

• Jacki Manna's Official Web Site