The program opened with Sheriff John entering his office (a jail house like Andy Taylor's in Mayberry) while lip-sinking to the record lyrics "Laugh and be happy and the world will laugh with you when people see you smiling, they can't help smiling, too..." Then Sheriff John went to the check list, the bulletin board for pictures about safety, and then to the US flag for the Pledge of Allegiance.

During the show, Sheriff John showed cartoons like Crusader Rabbit and Porky the Pig. Occasionally, real farm animals visited the set or an artist named Sketchbook Suzie arrived and drew pictures requested by the kids at home.

The highlight of the program were the birthday announcements when Sheriff John dedicated birthday wishes to kids born on that day. He often read a hundred names a day. To celebrate the Big Day he sang the song:

"Put another candle on my birthday cake, were gonna bake a birthday cake. Put another candle on my birthday cake. I'm another year old today."

The birthday cake in question was decorated with thick frosting, candy and lollipops. While Sheriff John sang the song, the carousel cake spun in a circle while displaying the words "Happy Birthday Brigadiers" on the side of the cake.

As a special treat Sheriff John would mention the location (under the bed, in the closet, etc.) of where kids could find gifts in their own house. This information was surreptitiously provided by the kid's parents a few weeks earlier.

Beside birthdays, Sheriff John taught lessons about life and appropriate behavior to his viewers. To teach the lessons, the Sheriff used songs like "The Advice Song" (If you like to scatter your toys, don't do it, don't do it...); the "Eat your food, wash your hand and face, brush your teeth and take a nap" song that promoted good heath habits ("this is the way we wash our hands...Merrily, we brush our teeth"); and "The Safety Song" that cautioned kids of the "Fun Brigade" not to play with matches, run with sharp objects ("I could fall down and spoil my fun")', get into cars with strangers, ("Never accept gifts or candy from strangers, remember this and there'll be no danger") and most of all "Safety, safety all the while, safety, safety with a smile; safety on the way to school, safety first our Golden Rule."

When the Sheriff John left the air in 1970 after 18 years, he bid farewell to all his faithful viewers with these words:

"We've come to the end of the program and the end of an era as they say in our Mahogany Row And, it is the end of an era. Believe me, we've been with you many, many times, many years in your home and thank you for all of your attendance and for joining with us....and so like the words we had in this morning: Aloha, Adios, Adieu, and God be with you 'til we meet again. Bye for now."

In 1998, John Rovick appeared during the Emmy Awards ceremony as lifetime fan and admirer Michael Richards (Kramer of SEINFELD fame) honored the Sheriff with a touching segment that waxed nostalgic about his childhood hero. Sheriff John had previously won an Emmy in 1952 for Best Children's Program.

The Birthday Cake Polka

Put another candle on my birthday cake
We're gonna bake a birthday cake
Put another candle on my birthday cake
I'm another year old today

I'm gonna have a party with my birthday cake
Come on and take some birthday cake
Put another candle on my birthday cake
I'm another year old today

We'll have some pie and sandwiches
and chocolate ice cream too
We'll sing and play the day away
and one more thing I'm going to do
I'll blow out the candles on my birthday cake
and when I do, a wish I'll make
Put another candle on my birthday cake
I'm another year old today
........

Put another candle on my birthday cake
We're gonna bake a birthday cake
Put another candle on my birthday cake
I'm another year old today

I'm gonna have a party with my birthday cake
Come on and take some birthday cake
Put another candle on my birthday cake
I'm another year old today

We'll have some pie and sandwiches
and chocolate ice cream, too
We'll sing and play the day away
and one more thing I'm going to do

I'll blow out the candles on my birthday cake
and when I do, a wish I'll make
Put another candle on my birthday cake
I'm another year old today
Happy birthday to you
I'm another year old today.

The 'Good Advice' Song

(Sheriff John speaks) "Hi there boys and girls. This is Sheriff John speaking. Here's a song I'm pretty sure you'll like. It's called 'Good Advice'"

(Sheriff John Sings)

Now if you like to scatter your clothes and your toys
Don't do it. Don't do it. Don't do it.

Or If you talk to loudly or make too much noise
Be quiet. Be quiet. Be quiet.

Always be a good sport, in whatever you do
If you're honest and fair you'll have friends tried & true
But if you are not fair, they'll stop playing with you
Be honest, Be honest, Be honest

You'll be taking a chance when you play in the street
Don't do it. Don't do it. Don't do it.

And don't get in his car, if stranger you meet
Don't do it Don't do it Don't do it

Don't eat more pie or cake than your tummy can hold
Take good care of your self when your catching a cold
If you like to take chances, you'll never grow old
Be careful. Be careful. Be careful.

If want your dessert before spinach and meat
Don't have it. Don't have it. Don't have it.

If you'd like to grow strong you should watch what you eat
Be healthy. Be healthy. Be healthy.

If you're early to bed and then early to rise
It will help you grow healthy and wealthy and wise
But if you're only fooling when you close you eyes
Don't do it. Don't do it. Don't do it.

Now if you feel an urge to play tricks that are mean
Don't do it. Don't do it. Don't do it.

For it just isn't right, even on Halloween
Don't do it. Don't do it. Don't do it.

Why not make people like you by wearing a smile
Have a kind word for everyone all of the while
When you frown or look cross they'll avoid you a mile
Be happy, Be happy, Be happy

Copyright "Sheriff" John Rovick, Imperial Records,
L. Penny and Commodore Music Corp.

External Links

• Sheriff John (LA Local Legends)
• Sheriff John (TV Party)

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