Bumpity was created in 1971 when the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) asked local station affiliates around the country to air children's educational programming. The ABC affiliate in Portland, Oregon answered them by producing Bumpity, a talking bump in the lawn. It all started when an employee of the station, Bob Griggs, came up with an idea to design a puppet, which he made with less than three dollars. The concept was a hit, and the Bumpity TV show soon gained popularity with kids, and with their parents, who approved of the shows easy gentle nature. The Sunday morning program stayed on the air for about 14 years. The station, KATU Channel 2, met their FCC requirements. The creator and behind the scenes puppeteer Bob Griggs, who still lives and works in Portland, considered it great fun and steady work to pay the bills. Toni Secanti, the shows long term producer, considered doing the show "a great experience". Children in Oregon and Southwest Washington could always count on it to be there. But, since it went off the air in 1985, only memories of the show have remained in our collective consciousness.

     People who remember watching the show mainly recall the puppets. There were the two main characters, Bumpity, and his side-kick Fred Worm, who didn't actually talk but squeak in his own "High Worm." There were also regulars Scotty McThistle and Digger Mole. There were smaller parts, like the flower that would speak on rare occasion, the inchworm and the hillarious Dancing Carrots. They lived in a park made up of huge colorful mushrooms and toadstools, and a floating cloud and sun overhead. None of the puppets had hands, only Fred could hold things with his mouth. It was low tech and simple but lots of fun for kids.

     Bumpity was a "Public-Affairs program," which means it was educational and benefited the community in some way. Regular guests were the children's librarians from the Multnomah County Library. Other times Bumpity welcomed policemen, dentists, clog dancers, magicians, and even Portland's own Imago Theater to perform their now classic Frogs performance in his home in "Bumpity Park."

     Occasionally the puppets themselves would tell stories, acting out parts in Bumpity Christmas specials. Those of course were but once a year. On the regular show, Bumpity and Fred would come back from the commercial break only stop whatever was going on and talk amongst each other. Fred would carry something in his mouth over to Bumpity, or bring him some new piece of exciting news. Bumpity would interpret Fred's squeaks for the kids out in TV land. "Fred always has something going on here," he would tell us. Bumpity tried to offer his worm friend advice or to get him to "shape up."

     It wasn't the policy of the station to keep copies of the weekly show past air date, and far fewer people had VCR's during the 70's and early 80's, so there are not that many programs saved. We mostly have our memories.

     If you have particular Bumpity memories you would like to share, sign the Bumpity Memories guest book! Or check out what others have retained through the years. If you have any pictures, videotapes or artifacts of the show, contact us!