My Real Memoir
Life With a Capital L: My first introduction to Life beyond my neighborhood came from a tiny black-and-white TV. And by “Life,” I mean storytelling–which virtually defines who I am–some subtly-inserted human values, and humor; if storytelling is my Lone Ranger, humor is my Tonto.
When I was around age six, two classic kid’s shows, The Mickey Mouse Club and Captain Kangaroo, made my world a little bigger. And funnier.
“Who’s the Leader of the Club…
…that’s made for you and me? M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E. Mickey Mouse!” (Donald: “Donald Duck!”) From Mickey I learned kindness and humility (alright, I’m still working on those). And from Donald I got my first taste of funny. I’d shout, “Donald Duck!” in Quacklish and bust myself up. It was a while before I learned to bust anyone else up.
The Mouseketeers introduced me to:
- Romance – My first crush, along with every other kid in America, was an Italian-American girl named Annette Funicello, who, by the 60s, would look even hotter (but still virtuous) on a surfboard. I also had a thing for Betty Boop.
- Entertainment – Those kids had talent! (Did I?) Host Jimmy Dodd introduced me to the guitar, which would later become my instrument, and the Mouseketeers taught me to sing and dance! Years later, I would do my first post-high school musical under the direction of one of the original Mouseketeers, Dennis Day!
Captain Kangaroo Was…
…a lovable guy with a Beatles haircut before The Beatles had them, who taught me to accept everyone for who they were. I mean, the guy’s best friends were a Dancing Bear and a yokel named Mr. Greenjeans. But most of all, he taught me to be wonderfully, gloriously silly.
My First Effort…
…at public silliness, however, was problematic. I’d decided nonsense words were the funniest thing ever. So, on one of my earliest visits to a screen much, much larger than our TV (and in color!), I delivered my first official punchline!
The old Paramount Theater in Los Angeles was spectacular. Along with its classic movie palace architecture, it was landmarked by a giant neon “P.” Which stood for Paramount, of course, but I didn’t care about that. All I knew was that, amid a thick crowd of people, I’d just thought of a funny-sounding word. “What’s that stand for,” I shouted, so everyone could enjoy the quip, “Penis?”
After dragging me away, Mommandad quietly explained that the word I’d just “made-up” actually meant (quick glance downward) that.
“Oh!” I said. But honestly? I thought it was even funnier after that. So I giggled all the way through the movie. I was learning about life with a capital L and a capital P. But I still had a lot to learn about capital A — appropriateness. Come to think of it…
I still do.
To read My Real Memoir from the start, click here. To read the next episode, click here.
This made me giggle. It’s the sort of thing I did when I was a kid 😁
;>)
I loved the Mickey Mouse club. And Mr. Greenjeans. And Mr. Rogers. And Sesame Street.
I miss those days.
Yep. ;>)
That is funny!!! I had similar one, less dramatic, non-public, thinking I made up the word “fart.” “Mom, I thought of a new naughty word.” She glared at me as I spelled it correctly, very slowly, gauging her “don’t you dare” look and feeling smug. Right after the letter “t,” I was immediately spanked!
Not fair!
I always say that growing up is optional 👶
Absolutely, Cilla.
Man, you dug deeply into the dark recesses of my mind and brought out some wonderful memories… though Darlene was the one in whom I had a crush… 😎
Thanks for the memories, as you know whom would say…
Glenn
I recently saw a video about Darlene,, it was sad. . It said she was treated badly by Walt Disney, in a purposely poorly paid contract of long hours with no OT pay, and they tossed her aside for Annette after promising her starring roles.
Thanks for the smiles, Mitch.
My pleasure, Terry.
Mitch I also had a serious crush on the slightly older Annette! She passed away way too soon. I do enjoy your Memoir stories. Brad
Thank you, Brad. Yes, her passing saddened a whole generation of Disney kids and Beach Party fans.
lol those were the days, friend lol I love Mighty Mouse and Popeye. I ate lots of spinach and dreamed of growing bigger and stronger but my dad made sure I could throw a punch before I started school because I was so small, so…I was in trouble for punching the boys and making them cry 😭
“Don’t mess with Pam, guys. She eats a can of spinach every day!”
🤣🤣🤪
Yes, Mitch, Annette was most people’s favorite, but I always thought Darlene (Gillespie) was special too although I see that before she died in 2008, she had a very rocky personal life and multiple arrests!
How sad. I hadn’t heard about that, Dirt.
Hi Mitch! I nominated you for the Sunshine Blogger Award. Details are in my latest post. http://coffeewithandi.com/2026/04/14/sunshine-blogger-award-nomination/
Andi, I’m truly honored. However, I don’t do blogger awards anymore. I prefer to support those who do and are still building their following. But again, thank you so much for the honor!
I enjoy your writing very much. I never heard of this before so I am not familiar with anything about it. Thank you for letting me know. 😊
I remember watching Captain Kangaroo, and was aware of Mickey Mouse but don’t thinkI saw much of that. I remember Clarabelle the clown. Those were the days.
🧡
Giggle 😃 😀
Perfect!
Thanks, Gerry!
That must’ve been really embarrrasing.
For my parents, yes. ;>)
Captain Kangaroo and Mr. Green Jeans greeted me every morning. But their buddy, Mr. Moose, was the funniest. They helped many of your readers get off to the right start. Amusing “Paramount memory!” 🙂
;>)
Yes, Annette was my first love, but I was the only one truly in love with her.😂
Okay, so maybe there were 3,000,000 other guys.
Each of whom was “the only one truly in love with her.” ;>)
Enjoyed this! I was a Captain Kangaroo fan.
🧡
J’aime beaucoup (en espérant que la traduction était bonne)
“Mais surtout, il m’a appris à être merveilleusement, glorieusement idiot.”
Un apprentissage incontournable pour celui qui préfère les courbes aux lignes droites.
(La ligne droite étant le chemin le plus triste pour aller d’un endroit à un autre)
“La ligne droite étant le chemin le plus triste pour aller d’un endroit à un autre.” Vrai.
Exciting stuff. In England I just had Andy Pandy, Larry the Lamb and the Flowerpot men,,…. oh….. and Noddy,,,,,, whatever did he really get up to with that old man Big-Ears?
;>) Silly is the operative mode for kids’ shows.
Wow! Mickey Mouse club!
Ah, you bring back fond memories, Mitch. 💕
My favorite mouseketeer was Annette.
Thanks for sharing. Now I know where your humor comes from. Was that the cosmic pairing with A. Funicello. And did you search for Betty Boop? Oh Mitch, I have to hand it to you, your life was filled with fun. Take care.
;>) Thanks, Bernadette. You too.
Oh my–your parents must have been mortified–all the more so given the era. They’d be so proud to see what you’ve done with your life (in spite of your self-proclaimed lapses of appropriateness now and then)!
;>)
I love your life stories!
Delighted to hear that, Sheryl!
Ahhh, my old homegirl Annette Funicello! (She is probably the most famous native of my hometown.)
Cool, James!
I was a Mouseketeer!
Really? On TV, Jennie?
Yes!
I love these memories
So happy to hear that, Pete.
I remember Captain Kangaroo had a puppet named Bunny Rabbit. I saw a picture of Bunny Rabbit a while ago and was very disappointed that what he actually looked like was much less impressive than what I remembered.
Sigh. Kid eyes vs. adult eyes.
The Mickey Mouse Club, Captain Kangaroo were two of my favs growing up. Let’s not forget Art Linkletter.
Ah, yes, Kids Say the Darndest Things.