September 18, 2001

8:37 AM

RIP, Mr. Dressup.For Canadians who were growing up in the 70s and 80s, the loss of this icon is a sad, sad happening. If only there were people to teach today's kids how to have fun with pipecleaners and cardboard instead of whining for $300 in video games. What became of old-fashioned imagination?
posted by Electric Jesus (12 comments total)

This should have gone in this thread.
posted by jpoulos at 8:49 AM on September 18, 2001

Cards can be sent to
Get Set for Life
c/o Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
P.O. Box 500, Station A
Toronto, ON M5W 1E6
posted by nprigoda at 8:49 AM on September 18, 2001

no, jpoulos, it should not have gone into that other thread.

the loss of ernie coombs is a noteworthy event separate from his being ill.

in point of fact, with the bulk of the posts on the main page relating to the awful events of the past week, that post was easy to miss - and i did miss it.

i grew up with mr. dressup. his loss is a sad thing.
posted by bwg at 11:18 AM on September 18, 2001

When I heard he was sick, it made me feel old. Now that I hear he's gone, I feel like a piece of my childhood left with him. I watched his show everyday as a kid, even occasionally watching in my teens, just because there was nothing better to watch on TV at 10 am in the morning (I hated soaps).

I'm at a loss for words. I need a hug right now.
posted by PWA_BadBoy at 11:26 AM on September 18, 2001

i hear you pwa_badboy. i feel exactly like that.

i had to blog his passing on my site. electric jesus is right. he was awesome.
posted by bwg at 11:45 AM on September 18, 2001

It is sad. He was so good for my kids...they were born in the early seventies, and they have remembered him and favourite parts all their lives. Our youngest, now 13, and growing up in a different time, never clicked with Ernie. I feel sometimes that the seventies are falling away from me fast...joining the rest in a blur.
posted by riley370 at 1:54 PM on September 18, 2001

I've never heard of this guy, I fear, but those of you who grew up watching him have my sympathies. I know I will be bereft when Buckskin Bill dies...
posted by rushmc at 5:30 PM on September 18, 2001

For anyone that's interested, on the CBC Radio One program
"Ontario Today" is having a phone in to give everyone an opportunity to share their memories of Mr. Dressup. The phone-in is from 1pm to 2pm today. If you don't live in Ontario, you can listen to it on the web at Radio One Ottawa.
I'm going to post this in both of the threads, because some people are watching one or the other, and I want everyone to have a chance to listen and share.
posted by nprigoda at 7:01 AM on September 19, 2001

PWA_BadBoy - I'm sending you a hug right now. And to everyone else as well.
posted by nprigoda at 7:04 AM on September 19, 2001

[Toronto viewers: What ever happened to Uncle Bobby?]
posted by pracowity at 7:59 AM on September 19, 2001

There will be a public memorial service on Monday, Oct. 15th at 2pm in the Glen Gould Studio. Donations can be made to Save the Children Canada
posted by nprigoda at 10:39 AM on September 19, 2001

http://www.geocities.com/helenasoukup/
posted by pracowity at 3:56 AM on September 30, 2001