Mister Mayor

1 9 6 4 – 1 9 6 5 (USA)
55 minute episodes

CBS conceived this series as a replacement for the Saturday morning edition of Captain Kangaroo starring Bob Keeshan, which was airing six days a week at the time.

The show was developed by Keeshan himself – according to the instructions of network executives – who felt he needed a more versatile character in a similar format,

Mister Mayor was a diplomatic community leader who had a talent for communicating with all types of people.

He was a keen observer of life and could offer a shoulder to cry on or soothe ruffled feathers in the event of a dispute.

Among those he helped were Aunt Maud (pictured), who enjoyed baseball and played the drums, school custodian Dudley Dudley (who also posed as various statues around the town, school music teacher Miss Melissa, and Rollo the Hippopotamus (one of the town’s finest dancers).

In a wagon at the edge of town lived the Town Clown (also played by Bob Keeshan).

While the Mayor was warm, courteous and intelligent, he wasn’t the most efficient person in the world and frequently took the most circuitous route possible to get things done.

As in Captain Kangaroo, several of Keeshan’s supporting players were puppets, including Russell (a duck constantly trying to avoid water), some folk singing frogs, and a none-too-wise owl.

Mister Mayor replaced Captain Kangaroo for nearly a year before being cancelled in 1965 to allow for the Captain’s welcome return.

Mister Mayor
Robert Keeshan
Dudley B Dudley
Bill McCutcheon
Aunt Maud/Miss Melissa
Jane Connell
Rollo the Hippopotamus
Cosmo Allegretti