What is clarabell the clown?

Clarabell the Clown was a character on the popular children's television program "The Howdy Doody Show." The character was portrayed by actor Bob Keeshan, who would later go on to create and star in another iconic children's show, "Captain Kangaroo."

Clarabell the Clown was a mischievous and lovable character who communicated through honking a horn and using a horn on his belt that contained various messages he would use to interact with the other characters on the show. Despite his lack of traditional spoken dialogue, Clarabell became a beloved character among viewers of the show.

However, Clarabell is perhaps best remembered for his final appearance on "The Howdy Doody Show" on the last episode of the original series in 1960. In a rare moment of breaking character, Clarabell spoke his first and only words on the show, saying, "Goodbye, kids." This emotional moment left an indelible mark on viewers and solidified Clarabell the Clown's place in television history.