Rusty Nails

Jim Allen (b. 1928 or 1929) was the host of various children's television shows 1957–1972 in the Portland, Oregon, U.S. television market. His program on KPTV was the second-longest running children's program in Portland, second only to Ramblin' Rod Anders. He hosted shows on KOIN, KPTV, and KATU as "Rusty Nails" (originally known as Rusty the Clown), and at last report, still makes local appearances. The Simpsons creator Matt Groening has stated... more

Jim Allen (b. 1928 or 1929) was the host of various children's television shows 1957–1972 in the Portland, Oregon, U.S. television market. His program on KPTV was the second-longest running children's program in Portland, second only to Ramblin' Rod Anders. He hosted shows on KOIN, KPTV, and KATU as "Rusty Nails" (originally known as Rusty the Clown), and at last report, still makes local appearances. The Simpsons creator Matt Groening has stated in Simpsons DVD commentaries that his Krusty the Clown character is largely inspired by Rusty Nails, whom Groening watched while growing up in Portland. less