Captain Kangaroo Was One of The Nicest People I Ever Met

One of the most influential programs in the history of television made its debut 65 years ago last Saturday. "Captain Kangaroo" made its debut on CBS television. America could use the good Captain today!!

Captain Kangaroo was a children’s television series which aired weekday mornings on the American television for nearly 30 years on CBS from October 3, 1955 until December 8, 1984, making it the longest-running nationally broadcast children's television program of its day.

The show was conceived and the title character played by Bob Keeshan who based the show on the warm relationship between grandparents and children. Captain Kangaroo was built around life in the "Treasure House" where the Captain would tell stories, meet guests, and indulge in silly stunts with regular characters, both humans and puppets.  By the way, the name Kangaroo came from the big pockets on the coat the Captain would wear.

I had the pleasure of interviewing Bob Keeshan a few years ago when he came to Quincy as a speaker at the Quincy Teacher's Conference.  I interviewed him for about 45 minutes on WTAD Radio. I was awestruck just to be in his presence especially after growing up watching him as a kid on TV for years. He was no different in person as he was on TV. And that itself would explain his success.

Boy we sure could use him around today!

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