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CNN Saturday Morning News

Millions Miss Bob Keeshan "Captain Kangaroo"

Aired January 24, 2004 - 07:37   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Before "The Teletubbies," "Barney" and even "Sesame Street," there was "Captain Kangaroo." Bob Keeshan created the character to reach kids and for millions of children, the character and his cohorts became their best friends.
Our Adaora Udoji looks back at the life and times of "Captain Kangaroo."

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM "CAPTAIN KANGAROO")

UNIDENTIFIED SINGERS: Good morning, Captain. Won't you come on out and play?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ADAORA UDOJI, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): "Captain Kangaroo" was a first for millions of children, the first television star they worshipped.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM "CAPTAIN KANGAROO")

BOB KEESHAN, CAPTAIN KANGAROO: Why do they, why do they call me Kangaroo? Well, that's pretty easy to see. Look at this right here. You see? See the very big pockets I've got?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

UDOJI: The Captain, developed by the 28-year-old Bob Keeshan, premiered on CBS in 1955 to instant stardom. The love was for the quirky captain exploring life with his unusual pals.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM "CAPTAIN KANGAROO")

KEESHAN: Wow, you look unhappy Mr. Moose.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I've got a problem.

KEESHAN: May I help?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

UDOJI: Then, there was among so many, Mr. Green Jeans and his take on Mother Earth. Enthralled by the show's homespun mix of education...

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM "CAPTAIN KANGAROO")

KEESHAN: Human beings, you and I, have five senses.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

UDOJI: And entertainment, generations tuned in for over 30 years. For his innovations, Keeshan won dozens of awards, including six Emmies and Television Father of the Year. He was a tireless children's advocate, even going to Congress.

KEESHAN: These children are our children, all our children, and they are our future.

UDOJI: But it was through "Captain Kangaroo"...

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM "CAPTAIN KANGAROO")

KEESHAN: So I need your help in waking him once again. I'll count to three.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

UDOJI: Keeshan introduced the world to young minds, a job he cherished. After a long illness, he died in Vermont at the age of 76.

Adaora Udoji, CNN, New York.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM "CAPTAIN KANGAROO")

KEESHAN: Knock, knock.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Who's there?

KEESHAN: Jessie.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Jessie who?

KEESHAN: Do you see any ping pong balls around here?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com






Aired January 24, 2004 - 07:37   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Before "The Teletubbies," "Barney" and even "Sesame Street," there was "Captain Kangaroo." Bob Keeshan created the character to reach kids and for millions of children, the character and his cohorts became their best friends.
Our Adaora Udoji looks back at the life and times of "Captain Kangaroo."

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM "CAPTAIN KANGAROO")

UNIDENTIFIED SINGERS: Good morning, Captain. Won't you come on out and play?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ADAORA UDOJI, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): "Captain Kangaroo" was a first for millions of children, the first television star they worshipped.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM "CAPTAIN KANGAROO")

BOB KEESHAN, CAPTAIN KANGAROO: Why do they, why do they call me Kangaroo? Well, that's pretty easy to see. Look at this right here. You see? See the very big pockets I've got?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

UDOJI: The Captain, developed by the 28-year-old Bob Keeshan, premiered on CBS in 1955 to instant stardom. The love was for the quirky captain exploring life with his unusual pals.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM "CAPTAIN KANGAROO")

KEESHAN: Wow, you look unhappy Mr. Moose.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I've got a problem.

KEESHAN: May I help?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

UDOJI: Then, there was among so many, Mr. Green Jeans and his take on Mother Earth. Enthralled by the show's homespun mix of education...

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM "CAPTAIN KANGAROO")

KEESHAN: Human beings, you and I, have five senses.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

UDOJI: And entertainment, generations tuned in for over 30 years. For his innovations, Keeshan won dozens of awards, including six Emmies and Television Father of the Year. He was a tireless children's advocate, even going to Congress.

KEESHAN: These children are our children, all our children, and they are our future.

UDOJI: But it was through "Captain Kangaroo"...

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM "CAPTAIN KANGAROO")

KEESHAN: So I need your help in waking him once again. I'll count to three.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

UDOJI: Keeshan introduced the world to young minds, a job he cherished. After a long illness, he died in Vermont at the age of 76.

Adaora Udoji, CNN, New York.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM "CAPTAIN KANGAROO")

KEESHAN: Knock, knock.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Who's there?

KEESHAN: Jessie.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Jessie who?

KEESHAN: Do you see any ping pong balls around here?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com