Now You See It, Now You Don't!
TellzAll's subject for October is the Captain Kangaroo Television Show
Have you ever wondered what television shows children in the past watched? Well one of the shows that your grandparents and parents probably enjoyed was "Captain Kangaroo." The program was on television from 1955 to 1993, making it one of the longest-running children's programs in the history of television.
"Captain Kangaroo" starred Bob Keeshan, who played the role of the title character. . The Captain usually wore a bright red coat that had gigantic pockets, resembling both a sailor's uniform and a kangaroo's pouch. Keeshan hoped that the Captain would remind children of their grandparents. Before becoming Captain Kangaroo, Keeshan had starred on the "Howdy Doody Show" as Clarabelle the Clown.
"Captain Kangaroo" aired on CBS Television stations from 1955 to 1984. The program originally aired live until 1959, and it was broadcast in black and white until 1966. Originally, "Captain Kangaroo" was one hour long, but in 1983, the network reduced the program to one-half of an hour to make room for the "CBS Morning News." At this time, the show was also renamed as "Wake Up with the Captain."
In 1984, CBS cancelled "Wake Up with the Captain," but in 1986, Public Television began to broadcast the show. From 1986 to 1993, "Captain Kangaroo" consisted primarily of reruns from the earlier programs, with a few new segments also incorporated. In 1997 and 1998, a new program, "All New Captain Kangaroo" aired, but Bob Keeshan refused to participate in the project.
During "Captain Kangaroo"'s broadcast run, children across the United States fell in love with the Captain and many of the show's other characters, including Mr. Green Jeans, Mr. Baxter, and The Bannana Man.
Most children knew the show's theme song from heart. Written in 1974, the second song's lyrics were:
Good morning, Captain, let's come on out and play!
Good morning, Captain, it's going to be a perfect day!
Get your crayons and your paper and your pencil, too
And come on out and play with Captain Kangaroo!
By 1980, "Captain Kangaroo" adopted a new theme song. The song's lyrics were:
Colorful, magical, wonderful, WOW!
The Captain is coming- just look at him now!
Super, sensational, special and new,
The Captain is coming with something for you...
Here comes Captain Kangaroo!
Take a look... gonna love it...
Havin' fun... so much of it...
Captain Kangaroo is new--
He'll make this day so great for you!
Colorful, magical, wonderful, WOW!
The Captain is coming- just look at him now!
Super, sensational, special and new,
The Captain is coming, and you're gonna love it...
CAP-TAIN KANG-A-ROO!
"Captain Kangaroo" won Emmy Awards for outstanding children's programming in 1979, 1983, and 1984.
