Thanks back. This was a totally fun shoot in an amazing location! (The last of those old mechanical phone switchbanks in Toronto, as I recall. Everything was rapidly going digital at the time.) Although I wrote and directed several of these episodes (and played Boney in all of them) we never got copies and I don't think the show was ever released on home video. I posted this PVR grab as a tribute to my Uncle Ben, who played the phone guy. I'll see if I have more kicking around. Stay tuned...
Wow. I haven't seen this in YEARS. I look so young!!!! I still remember filming this at the Bell Canada store in the Eaton Centre, and the Bell switching facility at Yonge and Bloor. Good times.
I only saw a few of these episodes as a kid but Boneaparte always stuck with me. Here over 15 years later I'm still thinking about him! 💀 thank you for such a memorable skeleton, no bones about it
Hi back, Despite having created and portrayed the character (and written and directed several of the Boney segments) I don't actually own the copyright, and only put this one up because my uncle Ben (he's the phone store employee) died earlier this summer, and I thought his family might like to see the segment. (Frankly I'm surprised nobody's taken it down yet.) That said, your request made me smile, so let me see what I can do. I'm very sorry if Bonaparte scared you. We didn't mean to.
Thank you so VERY much for uploading this! When I was very small (born in '91) I had a plastic Halloween skeleton that had light up eyes (& could make that "Halloween decoration OOooOOOOoooOOO" noise) & I treated it like an imaginary friend. For years, I have been trying to think just what I could have gotten the idea from. Now I know - it *had* to be Boney! To this day, horror & spooky things are what I enjoy. Boney certainly had a part in that. Thank you!
I used to watch this when it was re-run on American cable tv and I loved Boneaparte. I was obsessed with Jim Henson’s muppets and really any type of puppeteered special FX so it’s great to read the comments and see the actual creator that helped bring this skeleton to life!
Wow, loved Owl Tv and especially Bonapart as a kid. I have to admit though, it was a little unsettling how he would randomly appear and you had to look into his glowing eyes for info. If I'm remembering it correctly.
And what a film Duddy made. He would have been a lively documentarian. Docs are what I'm mainly doing these days, mostly for PBS, Discovery and the like, and mostly history and science stuff about the Space Race, the nuclear arms race and other fun stuff. (You can find clips from those series on the YT sciencehighway channel, or google Foolish Earthling Productions.) Haven't ventured back into kid's TV since Owl wrapped in the early 90s, though it was certainly fun at the time. How 'bout you?
Indeed I have, but no offense taken. We certainly didn't invent skeletons - not even the chatty ones. Also Craig's is funnier. (Cooler tech too. It took me and two other guys to work Boney.)
Thanks for posting this. :) I remember this episode. I loved the chase scene. That was cool. Do you have any other Bonapart episodes? I'd love to see 'em.
I wish I could help but I was just the creator/performer and occasional writer/director of the Bonaparte segments, and had no other involvement with the production or distribution of the series. That said, best of luck with your Quixotic quest (the very best kind.) I hope you find a collector with an archived treasure trove somewhere. If you do please let me know; There are a few episodes I wouldn't mind seeing again myself.
Yep, its me (Daniel, not Uncle Ben). It scares me that I barely recognize that kid, but on the plus side it is like having professional home movies... reminds me a little of the scene in the Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz where Howard Jerome hires Richard Dreyfus to make a film of his son's Bar Mitzvah. Anyway, what are you doing these days?
Hi there! I was hoping you could help me find an Episode of Owl/Tv that took place in Costa Rica. Would you know how I could get a hold of it? Thanks in advance!
Good lord Daniel, is that you? (Cause it sure can't be my Uncle Ben.) How the heck are you? I've got news for you kiddo, you were that young. We all were. love, Boney (aka Michael)
Thanks back. This was a totally fun shoot in an amazing location! (The last of those old mechanical phone switchbanks in Toronto, as I recall. Everything was rapidly going digital at the time.)
Although I wrote and directed several of these episodes (and played Boney in all of them) we never got copies and I don't think the show was ever released on home video. I posted this PVR grab as a tribute to my Uncle Ben, who played the phone guy. I'll see if I have more kicking around. Stay tuned...
Wow. I haven't seen this in YEARS. I look so young!!!! I still remember filming this at the Bell Canada store in the Eaton Centre, and the Bell switching facility at Yonge and Bloor. Good times.
I only saw a few of these episodes as a kid but Boneaparte always stuck with me. Here over 15 years later I'm still thinking about him! 💀 thank you for such a memorable skeleton, no bones about it
Born in the late 70s, Ontarioian here. I loved Owl TV growing up. Thanks for your work Michael!!
Thanks for making my childhood that much more awesome!
Hi back,
Despite having created and portrayed the character (and written and directed several of the Boney segments) I don't actually own the copyright, and only put this one up because my uncle Ben (he's the phone store employee) died earlier this summer, and I thought his family might like to see the segment. (Frankly I'm surprised nobody's taken it down yet.)
That said, your request made me smile, so let me see what I can do.
I'm very sorry if Bonaparte scared you. We didn't mean to.
Michael Lennick, this has so made my day. I really loved watching OWL/TV as a kid. Thank you for your great contribution to children's television!
"You like to take risks, don't you?"
"Heyyy, made me what I am, today. Come on, let's go see what's in the back!"
Gold...absolute gold. 😂
Thank you so VERY much for uploading this! When I was very small (born in '91) I had a plastic Halloween skeleton that had light up eyes (& could make that "Halloween decoration OOooOOOOoooOOO" noise) & I treated it like an imaginary friend. For years, I have been trying to think just what I could have gotten the idea from. Now I know - it *had* to be Boney! To this day, horror & spooky things are what I enjoy. Boney certainly had a part in that. Thank you!
I used to watch this when it was re-run on American cable tv and I loved Boneaparte. I was obsessed with Jim Henson’s muppets and really any type of puppeteered special FX so it’s great to read the comments and see the actual creator that helped bring this skeleton to life!
Memory unlocked... oh wow... lol 😲🤯❤
Bonaparte was my favorite part of this show!
Speaking on his behalf (as I was proud to do for so many years), Boney and I thank you!
Aw, I actually ADORED Boneapart. He was difficult to explain to people who never saw Owl TV.
Tv show like this helps kids learn. Tvo is a fun inactive learning platform. Tvo needs money. To support our children in continuing their education
I remember watching this. It was a good kids show.
One of my favourite TV shows as a kid and I got a real kick out of Boneapart!
Many of those phones have design cues that remind me of Nortel Meridian
Designed by the same lab, in Ottawa. The Meridian design was done in 1984. "Business meets on the Meridian".
From this rapidly-aging Bonaparte to the grown-up LizzaRose and the little girl within, you're totally welcome. And thank you.
I might as well ask...have you ever watched The Late Late Show?
Any chance they might release this show to DVD? I loved watching OWL TV back in the day. Great job by the way!
Wow, loved Owl Tv and especially Bonapart as a kid. I have to admit though, it was a little unsettling how he would randomly appear and you had to look into his glowing eyes for info. If I'm remembering it correctly.
Haha that's awesome, memories
Skeleton war begins
And what a film Duddy made. He would have been a lively documentarian. Docs are what I'm mainly doing these days, mostly for PBS, Discovery and the like, and mostly history and science stuff about the Space Race, the nuclear arms race and other fun stuff. (You can find clips from those series on the YT sciencehighway channel, or google Foolish Earthling Productions.) Haven't ventured back into kid's TV since Owl wrapped in the early 90s, though it was certainly fun at the time. How 'bout you?
Indeed I have, but no offense taken. We certainly didn't invent skeletons - not even the chatty ones. Also Craig's is funnier. (Cooler tech too. It took me and two other guys to work Boney.)
Creepy Talking Skeleton. Lol!
At your service....
Thanks for posting this. :) I remember this episode. I loved the chase scene. That was cool.
Do you have any other Bonapart episodes? I'd love to see 'em.
I wish I could help but I was just the creator/performer and occasional writer/director of the Bonaparte segments, and had no other involvement with the production or distribution of the series.
That said, best of luck with your Quixotic quest (the very best kind.) I hope you find a collector with an archived treasure trove somewhere. If you do please let me know; There are a few episodes I wouldn't mind seeing again myself.
Yep, its me (Daniel, not Uncle Ben).
It scares me that I barely recognize that kid, but on the plus side it is like having professional home movies... reminds me a little of the scene in the Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz where Howard Jerome hires Richard Dreyfus to make a film of his son's Bar Mitzvah.
Anyway, what are you doing these days?
Hi there! I was hoping you could help me find an Episode of Owl/Tv that took place in Costa Rica. Would you know how I could get a hold of it?
Thanks in advance!
Good lord Daniel, is that you? (Cause it sure can't be my Uncle Ben.) How the heck are you? I've got news for you kiddo, you were that young. We all were.
love, Boney (aka Michael)
It’s Boneherpart the skinniest fucker on da planet
Hi yourself - a little passive aggressive me thinks. If I were that kid I'd take my custom elsewhere.
4:19 "How about a nice BEIGE"!? This was a realistic scenario until that line.