NathanKeeshan Was A Military Man
There was news that Bob Keeshan with Lee Marvin, actually fought in the military during the world war. Marvin allegedly revealed this to Johnny Carson on “The Tonight Show” about fighting in Iwo Jima. Captain Kangaroo did serve in the military but for enlisting too late, never made it to Japan.
Keeshan Was A Page
Way before the “Howdy Doody” producers gave a role to Bob Keeshan as Clarabell the Clown, he was a studio page. They promoted him after seeing him run around and do many weird jobs in the studio. His earnings were so petty that Buffalo Bob Smith gave Bob $5 after each episode.
Keeshan’s Commercial Rules
Bob Keeshan held high standards for the show and maintained them as well. He made sure to be one of the first to have “bumpers” on a television program differentiating themselves from other ordinary shows. He did now allow any of the cast to star in any aired commercial as well.
Colored TV Happened
“Captain Kangaroo,” aired on CBS during weekdays during the time when colors on tv were made possible leaving behind black and white pictures. After 1960 majority of television shows were colored, leaving“Captain Kangaroo” to turn into color after 1967.
Keeshan’s Heart Attack
When Bob Keeshan suffered a heart attack in the year 1981, many of his loyal fans showed an outpour of support and well wishes. Keeshan had triple bypass surgery getting over 5,000 get well cards during the time he was healing from his legion of fans.
Going Off Air
The director Peter Birch died a heart attack in 1980 after 25 years of directing the Captain Kangaroo tv show. A new director Jim Hirschfield had to take over and ran the show for the next few years till 1993. CBS then moved Keeshan and the show into a 6:30 AM time slot competing with ABC’s “Good Morning America” and NBC’s “Today Show.” Keeshan did his best but decided to throw in the towel by 1993.