Nutrition's his mission, good health's his goal
July 6, 2008 1:48 AM Subscribe
Remember John Burstein? Since 1975, he has been educating children (including many of us!) about the human body and the importance of health and nutrition in a rather unique way. Like many superheroes before him, he dons a form-fitting suit and transforms into a shocking alter ego... the living anatomical reference, Slim Goodbody!
From his birth at New York's Floating Hospital, Mr. Goodbody went on to capture the hearts of a generation between his dynamic live shows; the PBS television show, The Inside Story; and his regular appearances on Captain Kangaroo! He even recorded albums like The Inside Story (anyone have the full-color activity poster and lyric sheet?) and Healthy Is Wealthy [back cover], featuring songs from 'The Adventures of Slim Goodbody in Nutri-City' (a little more info about this album here)!
Today, Mr. Goodbody is still performing to packed theaters (and school gymnasiums) with sidekick Bill Strong, Mandroid the Mime, and Slenda and the All Fit Team. John Burstein has even expanded his repertoire to cover other subjects, as in his Math Monsters and Symphonasaurus! shows and his online Daily Almanac. You can also watch his videos on Slim Goodbody TV (aka YouTube)!
Now, give yourself a hug, and say, 'I love my body. I'm the best me in the world!'
From his birth at New York's Floating Hospital, Mr. Goodbody went on to capture the hearts of a generation between his dynamic live shows; the PBS television show, The Inside Story; and his regular appearances on Captain Kangaroo! He even recorded albums like The Inside Story (anyone have the full-color activity poster and lyric sheet?) and Healthy Is Wealthy [back cover], featuring songs from 'The Adventures of Slim Goodbody in Nutri-City' (a little more info about this album here)!
Today, Mr. Goodbody is still performing to packed theaters (and school gymnasiums) with sidekick Bill Strong, Mandroid the Mime, and Slenda and the All Fit Team. John Burstein has even expanded his repertoire to cover other subjects, as in his Math Monsters and Symphonasaurus! shows and his online Daily Almanac. You can also watch his videos on Slim Goodbody TV (aka YouTube)!
Now, give yourself a hug, and say, 'I love my body. I'm the best me in the world!'
I had no idea he was still alive. There was a rumor going around back in the 80s that he'd died. Now one of my justifications for being a chain smoking, sedentary overeater is gone. Curse you, Slim Goodbody!
posted by crataegus at 5:57 AM on July 6, 2008
posted by crataegus at 5:57 AM on July 6, 2008
I remember Slim Goodbody from my days watching Captain Kangaroo. He was a creepy mofo. I was like maybe seven and already imagining I was growing out of Captain Kangaroo. I preferred the bits about the kid with the chalk drawings that came to life. That was cool! And Bill Cosby's Picture Pages! Awesome! But Slim Goodbody? Creepy mofo. That's about all I remember of him.
posted by ZachsMind at 6:12 AM on July 6, 2008
posted by ZachsMind at 6:12 AM on July 6, 2008
transforms into a shocking alter ego... the living anatomical reference
with no gonads.
posted by jonmc at 6:27 AM on July 6, 2008
with no gonads.
posted by jonmc at 6:27 AM on July 6, 2008
the no gonads thing is really weird since when I was in fifth grade, I went to day camp at the local science museum and there was a electronic female anatomy model who's organs would light up and she'd deliver a lecture about her liver or kidneys or whatever. And that included her boobies*. I think Slim copped out, man.
*this excited us to no end, but hey we were ten. skinless plastic luminescent boobs were better than nothing.
posted by jonmc at 6:31 AM on July 6, 2008
*this excited us to no end, but hey we were ten. skinless plastic luminescent boobs were better than nothing.
posted by jonmc at 6:31 AM on July 6, 2008
Too earnest, too nasal, exactly what you expect of a certain type of mediocre folk singer: since adults won't pay to listen to him, he creates a shtick and markets to the captive child-audience. I'm sure he's well-meaning, but he hits all the high-notes of the "well-meaning middle-class social worker who came of age in the 1970s, avoided the draft and listened to too much Peter Paul and Mary" stereotype (and a few other stereotypes as well), doesn't he?
I guess he's done some good and I should cut him some slack rather than cynically eviscerating him. He's certainly not evil, nor morally reprehensible like those who write jingles to sell sugared cereal to kids. But Christ, he's creepy and irritating in that way that only a do-gooder from Long Island can be.
posted by orthogonality at 6:37 AM on July 6, 2008 [6 favorites]
I guess he's done some good and I should cut him some slack rather than cynically eviscerating him. He's certainly not evil, nor morally reprehensible like those who write jingles to sell sugared cereal to kids. But Christ, he's creepy and irritating in that way that only a do-gooder from Long Island can be.
posted by orthogonality at 6:37 AM on July 6, 2008 [6 favorites]
cynically eviscerating him
well, he's already provided you with a handy map. I'm just saying.
posted by jonmc at 6:38 AM on July 6, 2008 [2 favorites]
well, he's already provided you with a handy map. I'm just saying.
posted by jonmc at 6:38 AM on July 6, 2008 [2 favorites]
Nice use of -more inside-.
posted by rikschell at 6:38 AM on July 6, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by rikschell at 6:38 AM on July 6, 2008 [1 favorite]
This guy! I remember him from PBS way back in the day. This guy was even before Square One Television.
posted by parmanparman at 6:39 AM on July 6, 2008
posted by parmanparman at 6:39 AM on July 6, 2008
Him and I could do a double act. Slim Goodbody and Fat Shitbody.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 6:42 AM on July 6, 2008 [3 favorites]
posted by PeterMcDermott at 6:42 AM on July 6, 2008 [3 favorites]
Is this someone you'd have to be younger than 40 to know about? This was our maniacal cohort.
posted by netbros at 7:09 AM on July 6, 2008
posted by netbros at 7:09 AM on July 6, 2008
When I was a kid, I was sure that Slim Goodbody and Richard Simmons were the same person -- same hair, same build -- and that Slim Goodbody was Simmons' act to get kids into fitness. Unfortunately it didn't work on me, for all the reasons that orthogonality cites.
It really is great that he's so personally dedicated to health that he teaches it with his own body. Still, I can't help but notice that his website features a young red-haired cartoon version of Slim Goodbody, as opposed to the genuine article, who does the actual touring.
One fellow that visited our grade school assemblies to teach us health, specifically dental health, was Bippo the Hippo. I dreaded Bippo the Hippo's visit, because he would come out to "be silly with the children," which would paralyze me with fear.
posted by Countess Elena at 7:14 AM on July 6, 2008
It really is great that he's so personally dedicated to health that he teaches it with his own body. Still, I can't help but notice that his website features a young red-haired cartoon version of Slim Goodbody, as opposed to the genuine article, who does the actual touring.
One fellow that visited our grade school assemblies to teach us health, specifically dental health, was Bippo the Hippo. I dreaded Bippo the Hippo's visit, because he would come out to "be silly with the children," which would paralyze me with fear.
posted by Countess Elena at 7:14 AM on July 6, 2008
When I was a kid, I was sure that Slim Goodbody and Richard Simmons were the same person -- same hair, same build -- and that Slim Goodbody was Simmons' act to get kids into fitness.
You too, huh?
posted by Faint of Butt at 8:09 AM on July 6, 2008
You too, huh?
posted by Faint of Butt at 8:09 AM on July 6, 2008
Haha, I just thought of a good job for Zombie Boy. He can tour with Slim Goodbody as "Slim BadBody," the chain-smoking zombie who shows you what NOT to do with your body!
posted by TechnoLustLuddite at 8:21 AM on July 6, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by TechnoLustLuddite at 8:21 AM on July 6, 2008 [1 favorite]
I think he's great. I've also learned to never underestimate the power of what adults may see as cheesy, maudlin, and perhaps all-around suspect cultural products to have amazing impacts on young kids.
posted by LoneWolfMcQuade at 9:50 AM on July 6, 2008
posted by LoneWolfMcQuade at 9:50 AM on July 6, 2008
I loved Slim Goodbody, and I'm so happy he's still kickin' it and opening other kids minds to the importance of good nutrition, exercise, and learning for your entire life.
...I kinda wish I'd kept his lessons a bit more in mind over the years, though :(
posted by batmonkey at 10:33 AM on July 6, 2008
...I kinda wish I'd kept his lessons a bit more in mind over the years, though :(
posted by batmonkey at 10:33 AM on July 6, 2008
I loved Slim Goodbody. In a related note, several years ago - maybe 10 - I saw David Byrne don a similar suit and go crawling up the light riggings of the stage.
posted by sadiehawkinstein at 10:53 AM on July 6, 2008
posted by sadiehawkinstein at 10:53 AM on July 6, 2008
I kinda find myself wishing he was now an obese old guy, wheezing from years of chainsmoking but still wearing the suit and talking about health to kids. In a Long Island, Joey Buttufuoco accent.
That would just SO totally rock.
And sadiehawkinstein, I totally remember David Byrne doing that. I don't know from where though.
posted by miss lynnster at 11:04 AM on July 6, 2008
That would just SO totally rock.
And sadiehawkinstein, I totally remember David Byrne doing that. I don't know from where though.
posted by miss lynnster at 11:04 AM on July 6, 2008
This was our maniacal cohort.
He means nothing to me, but I recollect his son very well.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 11:09 AM on July 6, 2008 [1 favorite]
He means nothing to me, but I recollect his son very well.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 11:09 AM on July 6, 2008 [1 favorite]
netbros: Is this someone you'd have to be younger than 40 to know about?
I'm 25, and I have never seen or heard of this person before. Maybe, you'd have to be older than 30? I don't remember any TV shows from when I was little, because I just didn't watch that much TV growing up. So, maybe other people in my generation have heard of this guy.
posted by philomathoholic at 12:05 PM on July 6, 2008
I'm 25, and I have never seen or heard of this person before. Maybe, you'd have to be older than 30? I don't remember any TV shows from when I was little, because I just didn't watch that much TV growing up. So, maybe other people in my generation have heard of this guy.
posted by philomathoholic at 12:05 PM on July 6, 2008
I was always very disturbed by the lack of a penis on Slim Goodbody. I would see him on TV, look inside my short pants and say I AM A FREAK and then break the nearest vase to begin hacking at my genitalia while crying. Ok not really but that's too good a story. And it really did disturb me that he didn't have a penis.
posted by waraw at 12:28 PM on July 6, 2008
posted by waraw at 12:28 PM on July 6, 2008
I loved Slim Goodbody. In a related note, several years ago - maybe 10 - I saw David Byrne don a similar suit and go crawling up the light riggings of the stage.
You mean this suit?
posted by MissNefertiti at 1:25 PM on July 6, 2008
You mean this suit?
posted by MissNefertiti at 1:25 PM on July 6, 2008
That would be the suit! Aaaaand... it looks like David Byrne doesn't have genitalia either.
posted by miss lynnster at 2:10 PM on July 6, 2008
posted by miss lynnster at 2:10 PM on July 6, 2008
well, we always kind of figured that.
This not my beautiful cock, these are not my beautiful balls, my god, how did they get here...
posted by jonmc at 2:37 PM on July 6, 2008 [1 favorite]
This not my beautiful cock, these are not my beautiful balls, my god, how did they get here...
posted by jonmc at 2:37 PM on July 6, 2008 [1 favorite]
Nope, no gonads to be seen, and his education style might be a little heavy-handed, but you have admire the way he puts himself out there, so to speak. I do have a fascination for all things cheesy and nostalgic, and just the opening montage of the YouTube videos gave me chills! Picture Pages were pretty great, too!
Countess Elena: Bippo the Hippo definitely looks like he tries too hard. Who's he trying to fool with those hightops?! Though I do like the visual of a Superman-obsessed hippo learning how to floss!
netbros: I do suppose that the first generation of his target audience would probably be in their early 30s, but, as you can see, he's delighted and edutained people of all ages! ...And, I like to think the first post is the scariest (for me, not for the readers!).
FYI, Slim's greatest influence seems to have been to fashion. More people want to get their hands on that suit than you'd think possible. I'm not sure if that's like a coulrophobe wearing a clown suit?
posted by Mael Oui at 9:02 PM on July 6, 2008
Countess Elena: Bippo the Hippo definitely looks like he tries too hard. Who's he trying to fool with those hightops?! Though I do like the visual of a Superman-obsessed hippo learning how to floss!
netbros: I do suppose that the first generation of his target audience would probably be in their early 30s, but, as you can see, he's delighted and edutained people of all ages! ...And, I like to think the first post is the scariest (for me, not for the readers!).
FYI, Slim's greatest influence seems to have been to fashion. More people want to get their hands on that suit than you'd think possible. I'm not sure if that's like a coulrophobe wearing a clown suit?
posted by Mael Oui at 9:02 PM on July 6, 2008
HOL-EE CRAP. I have but the faintest memory of this guy on PBS. When I was about four or five, I tried to draw all over myself with colored markers in order to recreate his suit. I remember having to take a bath afterward. Mom wasn't terribly amused. But I've tried for years to remember what that show was and BAM here it is...
posted by Heminator at 10:11 PM on July 6, 2008
posted by Heminator at 10:11 PM on July 6, 2008
I made my own Slim Badbody suit for Halloween a few years ago. The best part was phoning places asking "Do you have a flesh colored unitard, men's size medium?". At least 1% of the crowd got it.
The parody "Slim Organbody" used to be on Conan O'Brien from 1995-1996, but doesn't seem to have been Youtubed yet.
posted by benzenedream at 12:57 AM on July 7, 2008
The parody "Slim Organbody" used to be on Conan O'Brien from 1995-1996, but doesn't seem to have been Youtubed yet.
posted by benzenedream at 12:57 AM on July 7, 2008
You mean this suit ?
Yes, yes, yes! Thank you!
posted by sadiehawkinstein at 4:46 PM on July 11, 2008
Yes, yes, yes! Thank you!
posted by sadiehawkinstein at 4:46 PM on July 11, 2008
« Older Johnny Temple | The Economic Organisation of a P.O.W. Camp Newer »
This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments
posted by pracowity at 5:18 AM on July 6, 2008 [2 favorites]