It doesn't surprise me that perhaps he is a very US-centric TV personality. Basically, he had a show on public television in the late 60s onward, aimed at small children. His show was revolutionary because it was really the first/only show aimed at talking to kids about real-life issues in a way they could process. Not talking down to them, and not dismissing things that kids are scared of/worried about, etc. So he would tell kids that they are worthwhile just the way they are. He would talk about how sometimes things make you angry or sad and that's ok. He talked about what divorce is. He soaked his feet in a tub with a black man (which was huge at the time). He featured black visitors and actors at a time when that wasn't done. He used make-believe as a way for helping kids to understand things like war (Vietnam, the first season). He had a soothing, gentle tone. He truly was like nothing else.
I watched his show when I was little and I loved it. As an adult, I find him very soothing and reassuring. You can still watch his show on Amazon Prime.
He was also a person who was the same in his real life as he was on TV. There are numerous stories of him taking extra time to talk with people who would approach him. Here's one such story that was very touching: https://twitter.com/breznican/status/866862355040292864?lang=en
He is a big deal culturally here because so many of us grew up with him. I still look to him as a positive influence even as an adult. :-)
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branchandroot
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Date: 31 Jul 2019 18:31 (UTC)I watched his show when I was little and I loved it. As an adult, I find him very soothing and reassuring. You can still watch his show on Amazon Prime.
He was also a person who was the same in his real life as he was on TV. There are numerous stories of him taking extra time to talk with people who would approach him. Here's one such story that was very touching:
https://twitter.com/breznican/status/866862355040292864?lang=en
He is a big deal culturally here because so many of us grew up with him. I still look to him as a positive influence even as an adult. :-)