Public television is usually loaded up with Public access programming and educational shows...you know, boring stuff that usually gets maybe 1,000 viewers per taping, and prank call video posts on Youtube 10 years later. The kind of stuff you'd watch on Sunday afternoon.
Enter Bob Ross, a former member of the U.S. Army stationed in Alaska who began a TV series where he would paint a picture for one half hour while educating his viewers on how to do paintings like him. At first glance, one would think that a show like that couldn't last a season. 31 seasons aired over the course of 11 years. Why? It's all the little things that made Ross's program so entertaining.
First of all, just look at the guy. He's enjoying himself the whole time. There is not one moment on his show where he's just wanting the show to end so he can go home. He really enjoyed what he did.
Second, there's his image. While he hated his afro, the only reason he had it was to save money on cutting his hair. But the afro became part of his iconic image, particularly on the painting materials he sold with his name on them.
Third, the guy's voice. It's as calm as a majority of the pictures he painted. Many of Ross's Viewers claimed his voice could quite often put them to sleep, and not in a bad way.
Fourth, All the fun things Ross would say. He coined a lot of phrases that his viewers love to quote. For example, 'We don't make mistakes, we just have happy accidents.' and 'Beat the devil out of it!' and a few other things that were just so entertaining.
Finally, watching a blank canvas become a masterpiece in one half-hour. There's something truly magical about it.
Sadly, Ross could not continue his show after 1994, as he had contracted illness from exposure to chemicals in paint thinner. the next year, Ross passed away because of it. But he left behind a great legacy, and to this day, people still enjoy the joy of painting on youtube.
God bless, and happy painting!
