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Clem Kadiddlehopper, Red Skelton's country bumpkin character

Clem Kadiddlehopper, Red Skelton’s country bumpkin

Clem Kadiddlehopper – Red Skelton’s country bumpkin character

Clem Kadiddlehopper was one of Red Skelton’s most popular characters, portrayed on radio and television for decades. He was a country bumpkin, slow-witted and big-hearted. Although never intentionally hurtful, he would often cause clownish harm.  Often to his long-suffering father. (“When the stork brought you, Clem, I should’ve shot it on sight!” )

Clem Kadiddlehopper, Red Skelton’s country bumpkin
Red Skelton and Mark Anthony with the Cole Brothers circus

Red Skelton’s poem, The Circus

Red Skelton’s The Circus – a poem in honor of Red’s father, by Red Skelton

Red Skelton, one of America’s great clowns, talks about an American tradition – the home of the men of mirth.  The Circus is an ode he wrote, and recited on his television show. Actually, the poem, The Circus, is  a tribute to Red’s father,  a  clown, whom Skelton never knew, since his father died two months before Red was born. But the love of clowning, the love of mime and of the Big Top with all its magic for everyone, is an innate thing with Skelton

Red Skelton’s poem, The Circus
Red Skelton as as old man - Red Skelton's farewell

Red Skelton’s Farewell

The time has come to say good night,
My how time does fly.
We €™ve had a laugh, perhaps a tear,
and now we hear good-bye.

I really hate to say good night,
for times like these are few.
I wish Red Skelton’s Farewell