Lafayette TV Nostalgia: Miss Penny, the Great Boudini and More

LAFAYETTE, La. (KPEL News) - Long before the days of the internet, social media, ratings, clicks, and likes, our local TV and radio stations were our windows and ears to the rest of the world. When the faces and voices that appear on those stations change, we tend to get a little emotional.

Here in Acadiana, we develop a special affinity for our local news folks. I can remember growing up, watching Maria Placer and Jim Baronet at 5 p.m. on TV-10 every evening. They became part of our daily routines and our lives.

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One group of local TV stars that I remember fondly will always be the members of the KADN Fox Kids Club in the late 80s and early 90s. I especially remember Miss Penny, the Great Boudini, and his pet alligator Coco.

The Lafayette FOX and NBC affiliate KADN has seen sweeping changes over the last decade. The station went from having no local news to, at one point, having more local news broadcasts than the other stations combined.

KADN-TV began broadcasting on March 1, 1980 as an independent station before becoming a charter Fox affiliate in 1986. The station offered a variety of programming, including movies, sitcoms, children's shows, and local sports. Over the years, KADN-TV has undergone ownership changes and expanded its affiliations to include MyNetworkTV and NBC on its subchannels.

The Fox Kids Club was a significant part of many children's television experiences during its run, offering an escape from reality every weekday afternoon. FOX-15's afternoon run of programming was pretty awesome when I look back. I remember running off the bus in time to catch Duck Tales and the French Word of the Day.

If you remember the Fox Kids Club, then you will certainly enjoy the YouTube clips posted by user Philippe Billeaudeaux from 1992.