Uncle Paul

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“Time for Uncle Paul” was the most enduring and beloved children’s program in WRAL-TV history.

The show aired weekday mornings from 1961-1981 and featured the legendary Paul Montgomery as “Uncle Paul” — a jovial studio ringmaster who delighted pre-school children and adults alike with a simple formula of fun and games.

Each day Montgomery donned a top hat, bow-tie and tattered tails to entertain youngsters and adults alike. His repertoire included stunts, puppets, cartoons and appearances from a variety of off-beat characters.

The highlight of every show came when Uncle Paul would declare “Time to March!” and the kids would parade around the studio, often accompanied by Montgomery playing piano or organ. Thousands of North Carolina grownups recall how they “marched with Uncle Paul” and most consider it one of their fondest childhood memories.

“Time For Uncle Paul” was recorded live before a studio audience and aired the next day so the children could see themselves on television. Uncle Paul was the star, but he was ably assisted by the lovable “Aunt Millie,” who off-camera was Mildred Bradley, the secretary of WRAL’s film department.

Uncle Paul interacted with a cast of strange characters, including “Crawford the Lion,” a puppet manipulated by WRAL Art Director Art Anderson. Later, voice-actor and puppeteer Rowell Gormon joined the program and created zany characters such as Stripes the Skunk; a “hepcat” named Zoot; Malcolm the Frog; and Woody the Wood Gremlin.

“Time for Uncle Paul” was a program created out of necessity; WRAL-TV had broadcast the “Bozo the Clown” cartoon show during the 1960-’61 season, but decided not to renew the expensive licensing contract when it ran out. Station managers still wanted a children’s program in the time period, however, so they turned to the multi-talented Montgomery, and the result was North Carolina television history.

Uncle Paul’s twenty-year run on WRAL-TV came to an end in 1981. The Federal Communications Commission was beginning to pressure television stations to include educational elements in children’s programming. When WRAL managers asked Montgomery to give the show a more informational tone, he balked, saying children needed to have fun as well as learn. Rather than change his beloved program, Montgomery decided to voluntarily end the show and retire.

Following his television days, Paul Montgomery continued a stellar career as a renowned jazz musician and composer. He died on Christmas Eve 2002 at the age of 78.

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Highlights for Uncle Paul

Throwback Thursday: Menconi Delves into the Music Behind WRAL Legend Uncle Paul

David Menconi recently penned a piece about Triangle legend Paul Montgomery, known familiarly as Uncle Paul, for Walter Magazine. Montgomery hosted the beloved WRAL-TV children’s program “Time for Uncle Paul” from 1961 to 1981. Menconi has a Capitol Broadcasting tie
Sally Blackwell

WRAL-TV personality Sally Blackwell entertaining kids on the Uncle Paul Show in 1965.
Sally Blackwell from Uncle Paul Show

Blackwell assisted Paul Montgomery with childrens program. This photo from February 1966.
WRAL Christmas parade float

Paul Montgomery and Margaret Brickell ride the TV5 float in the 1959 Raleigh Christmas parade.
Rowell Gormon the voice of Zoot

Rowell Gormon is the multi-talented, creative genius who produced award winning commercials for WRAL-FM and served as the Production Manager for many years. Rowell might be best known for creating a puppet named “Zoot” who became a side-kick for FBI – Famous Bob Inskeep, during the morning radio show that aired in the late 70s and 80s. Rowell also provided various puppet characters for The Uncle Paul Show. He acted in an episode of “Sparks” that aired in July 1988.

Rowell continues to act and provides voices for top name brand companies and is a brilliant copy writer.

Rowell is interviewed by John Harris, Corporate Director of Special Projects.

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Uncle Paul

Highlights for Uncle Paul

Throwback Thursday: Menconi Delves into the Music Behind WRAL Legend Uncle Paul

Sally Blackwell

Sally Blackwell from Uncle Paul Show

WRAL Christmas parade float

Rowell Gormon the voice of Zoot