“Captain Kangaroo:” Why Everyone Was Enchanted By This Show

Bill Cosby

Bill Cosby was also featured on “Captain Kangaroo” through the early 1980s as the host of “Picture Pages.” His segment was aimed at teaching preschool-age children the basics of arithmetic, geometry, and drawing. Cosby taught his lessons with a magic marker named Mortimer Ichabod Marker, or M.I. for short.

Slim Goodbody

Slim Goodbody was featured on “Captain Kangaroo” twice a week from 1976 to 1980. The character was developed and played by John Burnstein, who wore a flesh-colored unitard that featured various systems in the body in the anatomically correct places. He obviously would teach children about basic human anatomy and bodily functions.