I know they were simpler times and everything, but has anyone else ever contemplated the number of children's television programs built around mature single men who live alone and are regularly visited by male friends in similar circumstances?

Captain Kangaroo, Mr. Rogers, Mr. Dress-up in Canada - they entertained the postman, the handy man, even guys names like Mr. Green Jeans, Slim Goodbody and Mr. McFeely.

Interestingly the entire genre was brought to an abrupt end by Pee Wee Hermann.

The captain will always have a place in my heart. I would not miss that show as a small child. And, many years after, I still recall most of it in detail. From the jingling of the keys to the treasure house that qued the theme song to grandfather clock, Magic Drawing Board, dancing bear, Mr. Moose and Bunny Rabbit. I loved all the segments - story telling, crafts, and the various cartoons such as Tom Terrifc and his dog Manfred. It was a great show - light hearted, fun and educational - though not to the point that you felt as though you were cramming for the LSAT's.

No, he was not what I would call "groovy" (if I had ever actually used that word) - but - though his show lasted until that time and beyond - I wouldn't call him part of the 70's either.

The guy was neither a captain, nor a kangaroo, and he certainly wasn't groovy.

Captain Kangaroo was a long-running show (lasted from 1955 to 1984), so I was the last of the generation to watch and enjoy the later episodes during my early childhood. I used to like the ping pong ball routines and Picture Pages.