Airing from 1955 to 1984 on the American television network CBS, Captain Kangaroo is well-known as the longest children’s TV show ever made. Children in the mid-50s and 60s certainly had unforgettable childhood memories where their days were filled with laughter through the appearance of unique, entertaining icons.
Regardless of its popularity with educational content, the show Captain Kangaroo and its cast have a controversy that has not been resolved to this day, even though the captain has died. Of course, some really believed in the scandal, while others dismissed it as just rumors.
If you are now the captain for your children and grandchildren and have never forgotten Captain Kangaroo, you may not understand why this scandal occurred, and it sounds implausible, right?
Okay, let’s uncover the summary of the Captain Kangaroo scandal and rumor!
What Happened Behind the Captain Kangaroo Show?
The circulating scandal actually hit the main cast of Captain Kangaroo, i.e., Bob Keeshan, an icon of the children’s entertainment industry, considering that he has appeared in many children’s TV shows, such as Howdy Doody, Time for Fun, and Tinker’s Workshop.
Keeshan’s humorous character and unique demeanor make him even more loved by fans, especially on the Captain Kangaroo show. However, his work seemed meaningless—even covering up the positive aspects he had done for three decades—when a scandal surrounding the show emerged in the late 1980s.
According to some sources, there are several rumors regarding violations that Bob Keeshan committed, such as:
- Keeshan allegedly shows his co-star on the show, i.e., Hugh Brannum, who plays Mr. Green Jeans, what was in his trousers before taking to the stage.
- Hugh Brannum allegedly urinated on Keeshan’s legs as an act of revenge during a long day of shooting.
- Keeshan engaged in flashing someone without their consent. Although it doesn’t seem serious, many have raised questions about her suitability as a children’s TV host and changing acceptance standards.
- Keeshan was allegedly in a secret relationship with Hugh Brannum. This rumor is based on the book by Darwin Porter and Danforth Prince, entitled Hollywood Babylon Strikes Again!, which focuses on discussing celebrity scandals.
- The same book also claimed that Keeshan has a bad temper and a drug problem. And he also reportedly abused staff and their families.
However, the book also cited anonymous sources and witnesses to support its claims without providing any concrete evidence or documentation regarding the scandals and violations accused of Bob Keeshan.
There’s no doubt that these allegations against Bob Keeshan created a media frenzy that tarnished the show’s reputation. Worse than that, the scandal automatically buried positive efforts of Keeshan in career and life, such as his contributions to children’s entertainment shows, his philanthropic activities, and also his advocacy for peace and education.
Was Keeshan’s Scandal Really a Fact?
Of course, many of Captain Kangaroo’s fans were shocked and saddened by the accusations against Bob Keeshan. And not everyone believed what the book said, with some critics questioning the author’s credibility and motives. Many stated that they exploited Keeshan’s fame and popularity for profit and sensationalism.
In response to the scandal, Keeshan denied the allegation and sued the authors and the publisher for defamation. Unfortunately, the lawsuit was dismissed by a judge who ruled that the book was protected by the First Amendment. It didn’t stop there; Keeshan then appealed the decision.
Of course, it really hit his family and fans, since the scandals toward him seemed to never end because Keeshan died in 2004 before the case was resolved. It’s a sad and very unfortunate chapter in the history of a beloved show that has entertained and educated millions of children for decades.
What Makes the Captain Kangaroo TV Show Popular?
With the show’s activities centered around Captain Kangaroo in a treasure house, the Captain Kangaroo show has an unusual format. And this unstrict format also made this show able to face competition from other children’s shows at that time.
Captain Kangaroo actually combined some aspects to make a unique and creative show, such as live-action, animation, puppetry, music, and storytelling. It also featured various characters, both human and animal, that would intensively interact with the Captain and the viewers in the Treasure House, a.k.a. the Captain’s Place.
The interesting story about Captain Kangaroo couldn’t be separated from the figure of a captain who is friendly and caring and always treats his audience, especially children and youth, with respect and affection. The captain didn’t hesitate to invite the audience to participate in the activities on the show.
This show had a warm and gentle tone, which conveyed a sense of fun, curiosity, and wonder. Without reducing the antics, it also conveyed the social and moral messages that promote peace, tolerance, and kindness.
It’s no wonder if the Captain Kangaroo show often demonstrated some issues such as bullying, environmentalism, and racism and encouraged children to be responsible and compassionate.
In addition, the show introduced children to classic and contemporary books—such as Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, and Make Way for Ducklings—in an effort to foster their literacy, creativity, and critical thinking through education and cultural value.
Thanks to the hard work of the entire Captain Kangaroo’s team, this show could also be part of various charities, such as the Peace Corps, UNICEF, and the American Library Association.
Last but not least, the show also showcased various genres of music, art, and science, as well as guest appearances from celebrities and experts. That’s why the Captain Kangaroo show had a loyal fan base that grew up with the show and passed it on to their children and grandchildren.
A Brief Biography of Bob Keeshan
Robert James Keeshan, or Bob Keeshan, was a notable American television personality who has appeared in many children’s shows. He was born on June 27, 1927, to Irish parents in Lynbrook, New York.
After graduating from Forest Hills High School in Queens, New York, in 1945, Keeshan then enrolled in the United States Marine Corps Reserve but didn’t participate in World War II. In 1951, he received a bachelor’s degree in education after completing his studies at Fordham University on the GI Bill.
Keeshan then tried his hand at entertainment by starting his television career as a page at NBC in New York City and becoming an assistant to Bob Smith, who created The Howdy Doody Show.
Since then, he has started playing in various children’s TV shows. From 1948 to 1952, Keeshan appeared on The Howdy Doody Show, playing the first Clarabell the Clown. However, he left the show once he had a conflict with Smith.
After that, Keeshan moved to ABC, appeared on Time for Fun from 1953 to 1955, and played Corny the Clown. On Tinker’s Workshop, he played Tinker from 1945 to 1955. In the same year, he joined CBS and created a children’s show called Captain Kangaroo. And he also played the main role on the show.
For the Captain Kangaroo show, Keeshan played an elderly character to portray a positive bond between grandparents and grandchildren. To make the character funny, he also wore a gray wig until his own hair turned gray.
Unfortunately, he suffered a severe heart attack, which caused him to undergo triple-bypass surgery. Following his unstable condition, Keeshan left the Captain Kangaroo show in December 1984, after his contract with the CBS network ended.
As a popular icon in the children’s entertainment industry, Keeshan finally won three Peabody Awards, six Emmy Awards, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his work as Captain Kangaroo.
Keeshan died on January 23, 2004, in Windsor, Vermont, after a long illness. Whether still alive or dead, he was widely respected by his peers and his fans, leaving a lasting impression on millions of children and adults.
A bookworm and researcher especially related to law and citizenship education. I spend time every day in front of the internet and the campus library.
