Goodbye, Captain…

Captain Kangaroo, aka Bob Keeshan, 1927-2004

As the easy-going Captain with his big pockets and his bushy mustache, Keeshan lured children into close engagement with literature, science, and especially music, adopting an approach which mixed pleasure and pedagogy. Children learned most easily, he argued, when information and knowledge became a source of delight. Keeshan’s approach represented a rejection of pressures towards the increased commercialization of children’s programming as well as a toning-down of the high volume, slapstick style associated with earlier kid show hosts, such as Pinky Lee, Soupy Sales and Howdy Doody’s Buffalo Bob.

Ironically, Keeshan originated the character of Clarabell the Clown on the Howdy Doody show.

Here’s more on Bob Keeshan, including a great shot as himself