Throwback Facts About Captain Kangaroo

Posted by Lorie Orum on Friday, May 17, 2024

"Captain Kangaroo" was a children's program that epitomized pure, gentle entertainment for children, hosted by a gentle, grandfatherly man. And the man who portrayed the Captain, Bob Keeshan, was a staunch opponent of violence in children's programs and a lifetime advocate for children, per The Washington Post.

But behind the scenes, it could be a different story. According to the show's one-time stage manager, Daniel Morgan, in his memoirs "Last Stage Manager Standing," Keeshan could be temperamental and difficult to work with. He would also indulge in some adult pranks that were absolutely inappropriate for a beloved children's program. Morgan writes that while Keeshan stood behind a door, waiting for costar Hugh Brannum (who played Mr. Green Jeans) to finish his introduction at the beginning of the show, he would sometimes pull out his, er, "weenie" and wave it at Brannum. Then, later, when Keeshan was doing his final voiceover, Brannum would get revenge by urinating on his leg.

Morgan admits that Keeshan wasn't all bad — in fact, he could be extremely generous, often giving everyone on the "Captain Kangaroo" staff lavish holiday gifts. And, of course, none of the kids were aware of the adult pranks going on behind the scenes.

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7qL7Up56eZpOkunB9kGtncmljZMGpvs6wmZqbm2Kzoq%2FTrGSamp%2BqwW6vwKmrmqGeYriiusaaqainXw%3D%3D