No, this isn't a picture of me dancing on Captain Kangaroo...
this is just a photo of me giving you jealous cats
*The BIRD*
Yep, when I was a Brownie (well, I'm pretty sure it was Brownies and not the Girl Scouts) our troop got to go on the Captain Kangaroo Show. I got to meet Captain Kangaroo, and Mr Green Jeans and the whole cast and crew!
I don't remember much about it, other than the very end of the show - and that part will forever be burned into my psyche...
See, I was a mouse of a kid and my biggest goal in life was to hide behind my friends and Troop mates, so that I wouldn't draw any attention to myself. So the Troop leader, in her infinite wisdom, decided that I should be chosen to dance with about 5 other girls at the end of the show.
ME? Dance? I dunno HOW to dance, unless I'm dancin' on my daddy's shoes!
Nooooooooooooooooo! Please... not me! Pick Lacey Latimer! She's a show off!
I vaguely remember coming up with some lame-arse excuse along the lines of
"My mom said I couldn't dance at the end of the show, because I have a compound fracture of my leg, and I wasn't supposed to tell you that, because then I couldn't have come on the bus!!!"
(Okay, I was shy... but I was also precocious as hell!)
But... there was no way out. What do I do? I don't know HOW to dance!
I know! I'll just do the dances that my Sissy and cousin Judy did last summer! I'll do the Freddie or the Mashed Potato!
I'll be cool! I'll be famous! I'll look so boss!
Wiki says:
To do The Freddie, simply stand in place; then, in rhythm with the music first extend the left leg and left arm; then the right leg and right arm. Repeat until the song's conclusion.The dance never achieved great popularity.
THIS is how you do The Freddie !
Needless to say, I bombed. NO one, but NO ONE did the Freddie anymore, and I was left looking like a total geek. I was so stressed and nervous, that I ended up peeing my pants, right there on the stage.
God Bless Mr Green Jeans, who stepped in, took me in his arms like we were going to slow dance, and then "danced" me right off the stage. Where someone took me off to clean me up.
The bus ride home was miserable, with everyone laughing at me and making fun, but you know what?
I just think they were jealous that Mr Green Jeans picked ME to dance with!
26 comments:
You poor thing. How traumatic that must have been for you. Isn't it sad how those things always stay in our memories?
Wow! Captain Kangaroo? That must have been really neat at first. The other part must have been awful!
What a funny story. I am jealous that you met Mr. Green Jeans. I watched that show every morning before school. Captain Kangaroo was my favorite!!!
Now, now...Lady Tatie Katie...
WHY oh Why must you "give us the Bird"??
I loved Cpt Kangagroo!! And Bozo and Shari Lewis and Lamb Chops...Stan Borsen & his accordian, but Mr Green Jeans?? He was my 'dream' man!
I'd have broke you leg on the bus ride home just because you used that excuse to dance with Mr GJ!! ..wink..
(I was one of those hide under the chair type too! Tried my dangest to melt into the concrete or carpet)
I spent many hours watching this show, but I have never known anyone who appeared on it.
Oh, Tatersmama, I identify with you! Not the peeing in my pants part, but the being ultra-shy and not knowing how to dance part!
But, don't worry, Katie-Tatie. We still luv ya! :-)
It's a good thing that you didn't have any Crisco with you. You and Mr. Green Jeans might have done more than just dancing!
FYI - Bob Keeshan's kids didn't know that their dad was Captain Kangaroo. He told a story in an interview once, about how his wife brought the kids to the studio...they were so excited to meet Captain Kangaroo. They still didn't recognize him "in person"!
Who the devil is Captain Kangaroo? ... and I've always been a bit leery of green jeans.
Great Story! I can identify, with at least one part of this story. I never have been shy (can ya tell?) Anyway, I remember when I was in second grade Mrs. Solomon (my teacher) was reading a story I would raise my hand and ask her if I could go to the bathroom, and she kept telling me NO! Well, guess what? Yep after that day I never asked to go to the bathroom again. I just got up and went anyway. Boy did she hate me. That's ok though, I didn't much like that clog wearing hunched backed teacher anyway :) And you know what? None of the kids made fun of me because they knew it wasn't my fault.
Love it... and you and I are so alike. I, too, was so shy. I loved to do things and learn new things, but please don't single me out. It makes me panic... and then pee my pants.
Thank you for being the person you are and not being afraid to share your stories.
Helen
What a bitter-sweet memory! Betcha never danced the Freddie again!
Kathy, Well, I guess I lived through it - and I have great memories of Mr. Green Jeans!
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Nancy, It was pretty cool, and all in all, it's a pretty good memory!
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Treehouse Chef, It was one of my favorite shows, along with Uncle Art somebody or other who was on KRON in San Francisco. ;-)
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Barb,... Just because I could! ;-)
I remember asking for Lambchop for my birthday and when I got it, I was soooo disappointed that he didn't actually talk! Sadly, Bozo scared the bejeebers out of me!
{{{shudders}}} I think that's the first man that you and I haven't agreed on! You take Bozo, I'll take SAM!
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Mildred, Does this mean I'm famous? LOL!
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Homestay Mama, We're like 2 peas in a pod, I think! And I luv ya too!
xoxox
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Libby, You're joking! That's so funny! I think there's a book out, and I would love to read it!!
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Rubies, I went looking for old episodes and could find nuthin'. I'll send you some links tonight if I can find some old ones (gotta be black and white!)
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Sherri, I don't much like that clog wearing hunched backed teacher either! Was this at Michelson or am I thinking about another clog wearing hunched backed teacher? ;-)
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Reddirt Woman, Are you sure we aren't sisters? I used to wet myself all the time when I was a little kid (shhhhh) and now that I'm post-menopausal, I feel just like a kid AGAIN! PMSL!
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LadyFi, I tried dancing the Freddie along with the video today - and I STILL can't do it without looking like a complete and utter dork!
I stayed dry tho... ;-)
Aren't those childhood shows memerable? My brownie troop went to Beeper the clown, a local show, and my DH went to Bozo in boy scouts, this brings back good memories. And yes, I do remember Captain Kangaroo!
I used to be in love with Mr Green Jeans, I would kiss the TV screen. That was one funny story, sorry it was at your expense though! You don't seem to marred by it! I remember the song 'The Freddie' but don't know that I ever saw that dance! Very Dorky for even back then! What about The Monkey??
Yes the one and the same clog wearing hunch back teacher. But I had her when the school was in what is now a field at the bottom of the hill from the Scout Hut. Oh ya did I mention that my Mom named me after Shari Lewis? obviously she spelled my first name different, and instead of Lewis I am Louise. Thanks Mom :|
I am so glad you included the video of "The Freddie" because everything old is now "vintage" and I can't wait to show my friends how to do "The Freddie."
You poor thing! That whole experience must have been hard, but you came through it like a champ and Mr. Green Jeans saved the day! He must have been a very nice man to have saved you like that.
I remember all those shows. In fact,every morning when they had Oreos and Kool-Aid on Romper Room, I ate and drank with them. I believe that is why I was a fat kid, but what a way to start your day! Nutritious? But delicious!
I am so jealous! Captain Kangaroo!!! I remember his hair, didn't he have a really weird hairstyle?
ps.. I was a pee'er too when I was little and got nervous!!
Is it any wonder we're all screwed up now, as adults? :o)
Sorry...I can't stop laughing...
oh you poor precious thing!!! i just wanna cry!!!
There are certain men in this world that I would absolutely pee my pants to dance with. Mr. Green Jeans has to be at the top of the list. Look at it as a triumph - remember, the rest of the kids didn't get to dance with him! Just you!
Wow what a memory. I remember my name got called on Romper Room...do you guys from the US remember that show or was that a northern show? Anyway never forget it.
Marilyn,, I've been searching all day for clips of the shows, but I'm not having much luck.
:-( It's kind of a pity that we didn't have video cameras back in the old days, eh?
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SassyDog, You TOO? I thought I was the only one who was weird that way! And I did the same thing with Micky Dolenz from the Monkees... but shhhh !
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Sherri, So can I call you Shari now? And Miguel can be your little Lamb Chop!
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Wild Boomba, LOL... Everything old is now new again! Actually I did enjoy myself on the show... and Mr. Green Jeans was the greatest!
I don't remember the Kool-aid and Oreo,s but I sure remember Romper Room! They never ONCE called my name on my birthday, so I figure that darn mirror was rigged!
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Angelena, The hair WAS freaky, but he really was the nicest man!
My mom used to cut my bangs exactly like Captain Kangaroo, and man... I hated it!
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Caroline, Who's screwed up? Are you saying I'm screwy... and it's all because of Captain Kangaroo??? LOL! Now I know who to blame, anyway ! ;-)
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Queenie, I remember my poor little 7 year old heart going all pitter-patter over Mr Green Jeans, and I was on cloud nine for weeks afterwards!
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Paula, YES! I sure do remember Romper Room! I found this :
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-873495770229754023
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-873495770229754023
Ok, I couldn't resist, the Romper Room song: Punch, punch , punch a ball, punching so much fun, use your hand or wrist or fist but keep it off the floor!
OMWWWOOOOOORRRRRRRRRRRRDDDDDDDDDDD!
I am doing that COVETING thing again! I can't believe you got to meet Mr. Green Jeans (who ALWAYS seemed so sweet) and Mr. Rabbit, Mr. Moose, and Capt. Kangaroo. You really ARE royalty!
So sorry you lost bladder control there but sometimes a girl's just gotta do a little something extra to get noticed by the right guy. And what story do THEY, those mean girs, get to tell today? Huh? "Oh we went on Capt. Kangaroo when we were kids and made fun of some poor little girl all the way home." But the poor little girl got to dance with the best guy on the show and live to tell about it!
So to them, wherever they are today - "Na Na Na Na Na!" Maturity is a gift. Don't try this at home.
You be a SHININ' Star!
Oh, you poor thing! But still your sort of a celebrity to me.
What year was that? Because I was also on there as a Brownie Scout as well. This would have been in the late 70s....
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