If you grew up in Cleveland and were a fan of late-night TV, you’re no stranger to the antics of Big Chuck & Little John. Their iconic show on WJW TV8 was a beloved staple for decades, packed with humor, chaos, and unforgettable moments. It’s been years since the show aired, but as fans of the show and O-scale modelers we’ve embarked on a journey to recreate some of that magic—in miniature form.
Inspiration Strikes
The idea to create a tribute module to the Big Chuck & Little John Show came to life after re-watching a few clips of the show on YouTube. As we laughed through the familiar opening sequence, it hit us: the stop-motion animation models from the show closely resembled the O-scale figures we use in our model railroad projects. Even more exciting was the realization that we could easily recreate the Fox 8 Studio building from foam board giving us plenty of time to focus on modeling the show’s iconic characters and details.
The Fox 8 Studio
We kicked off the project by creating a cardboard mock-up of the Fox 8 Studio to get a feel for its size. Once we had the proportions nailed down, we got to work using Styrofoam and door trim material from Lowes to create the building. The process was surprisingly straightforward, and we were able to achieve reasonable result. The studio was only part of the fun, though—what came next was all about the tiny details that would bring the scene to life.
Iconic Characters
The real magic of the module lies in the characters. To recreate the stars of the show, we crafted and repainted a variety of miniature figures, giving them fresh new looks. The standout project? The Six Dollar Man, which we created by cutting, building and assembling parts from different figures to capture that “rickety” appearance that made the The Six Dollar Man such a classic skit.
But it wasn’t just about painting and posing characters. We knew the iconic moments from the opening sequence had to be brought to life. And what better way to do that than with King Kong? After an extensive search, we found a poseable replica of the original 1933 King Kong, and it turned out to be the perfect fit. The figure’s molded hands allowed us to replicate the chaotic moment where King Kong, holding both Big Chuck and Little John, clocks the hosts together—just like the opening scene!
Bringing the Scene to Life
The props and charachters were important, but the sound and lighting were key to creating the full experience. We incorporated an Arduino to control special lighting inside the telephone booth, where Ed Tarboosh (mild mannered TV producer) transforms into Soul Man. The LED lights help to simulate the smoke effect seen in the television skits. We also added realistic warning lights to the broadcast antenna, giving it that extra touch of realism. The result? A scene that fans of the show could instantly recognize, with lighting that makes the module feel alive.
Audio clips, recorded from the show, are played from a wireless speaker inside the studio model.
A Bittersweet Unveiling
Our first big unveiling of the module came at the January 2025 TCA show in Berea, Ohio, just outside of Cleveland. The response was incredible—there were smiles, laughter, and plenty of reminiscing from visitors who fondly remembered the show. The timing was bittersweet, though, as we unveiled the module just days after the passing of Big Chuck. The joy of seeing people reconnect with the show’s magic was tinged with a sense of loss, but we felt proud to honor him and Little John in this way.
The Future of the Module
Though the module is already a hit, we’re far from done. There’s still a lot to add and upgrade, and we’re excited about what’s next. We plan to incorporate more characters from the show’s classic skits, like the Kielbasa Kid, Cuyahoga Jones, and the Certain Ethnic Snowblower. We’re also working on further lighting upgrades and extending the audio recording that plays from inside the building. Our goal is to create a scene that visitors will want to come back to again and again, discovering new details each time.
Continuing the Legacy
We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve built, but we’re equally excited to continue evolving the module. The Big Chuck & Little John Show was more than just a TV program—it was a piece of Cleveland history that brought joy to so many. We hope our module helps to keep that spirit alive.
Our Spot on WJW Television – FOX8
