Captain Kangaroo

"Countin' flowers on the wall

That don't bother me at all

Playin' solitaire till dawn with a deck of fifty-one

Smokin' cigarettes and watchin' Captain Kangaroo

Now don't tell me I've nothin' to do"

- The Statler Brothers, "Flowers on the Wall"

Bob Keeshan was the creator and host of this children's series, which ran weekday mornings on CBS from 1954 to 1984. The name "Captain Kangaroo" came from the large pockets in Keeshan's signature red jacket. After the show left CBS, it ran until 1990 on PBS.

Keeshan's supporting cast included Dennis the painter, played by Cosmo Allegretti, and Mr. Green Jeans, a farmer played by Hugh "Lumpy" Brannum. Allegretti also operated the puppets Mr. Moose and Bunny Rabbit. Other recurring characters included the Town Clown, the Dancing Bear and Fred from Channel One. The show also had animated segments, including Tom Terrific and Lariat Sam from Terry Toons, Crystal Tipps and Alistair from The BBC, and CB Bears from Hanna-Barbera.

A syndicated revival of Captain Kangaroo was attempted in 1997, with bearded actor John McDonough in a blue jacket.

This series provides examples of:
 * Animated Credits Opening (with the "Good Morning, Captain" theme song, 1974-84)
 * Crossover - The Captain appeared on Mister Rogers Neighborhood, and Mr. Rogers appeared on the Captain's show.
 * The Danza: Deborah Weems as Debbie.
 * Long Runners
 * The Other Darrin (McDonough in the 1997 revival)
 * Portal Picture (Simon in the Land of Chalk Drawings, a series of British animated shorts featured on the show in the '70s)
 * Revival
 * Running Gag (Mr. Moose and the ping pong balls; Bunny Rabbit getting the carrots)
 * The Smurfette Principle (Weems again)
 * The Speechless (Bunny Rabbit, Dancing Bear)