KJZZ is a service of Rio Salado College,
and Maricopa Community Colleges

Copyright © 2024 KJZZ/Rio Salado College/MCCCD
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

'Wallace & Ladmo’ is back on TV in Phoenix. Here’s where to watch

If you missed your shot at a Ladmo Bag as a kid, now’s your chance.

AZTV Channel 7 began airing old episodes of the “The Wallace & Ladmo Show,” a beloved Arizona kids’ show, on Jan. 1.

The daily variety show, which started on KPHO in 1954, starred Bill Thompson as Wallace and Ladimir Kwiatkowski as Ladmo. It ended in December 1989 after more than 10,000 episodes.

AZTV is airing edited versions of the shows on Sundays at 4 p.m. through April.

Rick Soltesz, general manager of AZTV, told KJZZ News the idea to air 18 episodes was proposed by Michael Gallagher, a station administrator. Soltesz said the feedback so far has been very positive. 

“Yes, it is amazing, the response. I think people just want to take a breath and enjoy,” said Soltesz.

The Show also featured Pat McMahon, who has been a fixture on Phoenix-area television and radio for six decades. McMahon, who is now 90, played the characters Gerald, Aunt Maud and Capt. Super, among others.

“The real story is Pat and how he transcends all ages and who is still on AZTV 7 for 21 years now,” said Soltesz. 

Viewers can enter for a chance to win a Ladmo Bag, a brown paper sack filled with prizes that was given away to a lucky few kids in the live studio audience during the show’s run. There have been more than 3,000 entries to the contest in the first three weeks.

As for the contents of the coveted bags, those are a bit of mystery.

“I am sorry, but I’m not sure I’m allowed to say what is in the Ladmo Bag,” Soltesz said. “You would have to ask Pat himself.”

More stories from KJZZ

Senior digital editor Sky Schaudt joined KJZZ in 2015. Prior to working at KJZZ, Schaudt was a digital news editor at azcentral.com for nearly a decade.