Bob Ross

On Jeopardy a while ago, the contestants were rather startled that Alex Trebek had no idea who Bob Ross was.

Just discovered him tonight. What a treasure ! Phenomenally talented guy.

I watch Bob when I'm stressed out and/or can't sleep. He's like a dose of valium and makes me think everything is OK in the world.

He is divine. Many years ago, MTV ran a little spot of him painting their logo with “happy little clouds.” That was the first instance of his mainstreaming outside of PBS that I can remember. He’s now become a bit of a touchstone. His paintings have a “starving artist sale” quality, but I still love them.

Does anyone else remember starving artist sales? Are those still a thing?

Love him and I’ve done 3 of his paintings and loved the experience. So relaxing and almost meditative because you really do forget the outside world and get lost in the world of your painting.

Was he this iconic during his lifetime? Not an American here. I’d love to have the Bob Ross Chia pet.

He was a niche cult while he was alive. He has become an icon.

I feel that the thing that makes Bob Ross' paintings so awesome is that he doesn't strive for perfection. He does what makes him happy, and if that is perfect then great - and if not, just as great. And he has such a soothing voice, I totally get R3 's valium comment. I have the visual taste and discretion of a magpie on LSD (my arty talents run to music rather than painting), but I also think that if I followed along with Bob one day, whatever I was painting would indeed turn out just fine.

What the world needs today is more Bob Ross.

Even before he died, the HBO skit show "Hardcore TV" had a recurring segment parodying him and his TV show.

He was such a sweetheart. I forgot the details but didn’t he have a sort of nutty life? Like, he was a Navy commando or something dramatic and exciting like that. I’ll find his bio. I’m probably wrong.

Oof.

Military career In 1961, 18-year-old Ross enlisted in the United States Air Force and was put into service as a medical records technician.[7]:15

Has anyone ever tried to do one of his paintings?

He makes it seem so effortless

Gen Z loves Bob Ross. I was shocked they even knew who he was.

He was quite the babe in his youth.

Loved to watch him on PBS as a kid in the 80s. My whole family would be mesmerized. He was just so calm and soothing and he made it all look so effortless. His paintings always reminded me of the mass produced art you would see at the kiosks at the mall but it was still miles better than anything I could ever paint.

We all need more Bob Ross in our lives.

I’ll put him on without sound and play my own music over it. I love to watch the paintings come together, but don’t need to hear his voice.

He’s a cult figure here. And r13 is right. Mine has a Bob Ross coffee mug and watches him to relax.

She likes his “epic painting tutorials“ because he’s “non-judgmental” and “just vibin’, you know?” Whatever appears is okay with him.

Joe Pera on Adult Swim has the same calming voice and effect. I love listening to Joe.

His show ran from the time I was five years old until shortly after I finished college. At each stage of my childhood development, my low opinion of Bob Ross was consistent. He is totally creepy. His hair was an affront to God and his paintings are right behind the hair in terms of quality and taste. How PBS ever funded this shit for 20 years is a mystery.

Run from Bob Ross. Run.

He is/was on in Germany, too. I had a phase in the early 2000s of switching over to him when I was tired and stressed out. It was so calming. Now I have streaming and YouTube.

R19 has no friends and prides herself on her Cy Twombly print

I thought he was kinda sexy, especially his voice.

damn he was fine r14!

His show is popular with stoners.

I suggest a cultural exchange. The Americans have apparently given Britain Bob Ross. I’d love to see Fanny Cradock become a US cultural touchstone. She’s the opposite of mellow Bob, but they’re both perfect for watching stoned.

[quote]I’d love to see Fanny Cradock become a US cultural touchstone. She’s the opposite of mellow Bob, but they’re both perfect for watching stoned.

Fanny? Sure, if you wanna have a paranoid freakout!

Fanny Cradock is well loved in the US by those in the know.

She is infinitely more interesting than fuckin' Bob Ross.

We already have our own Fanny Craddock here in the US, at least in terms of appearance and personal style, and her name is Tammy Brown.

I have a Bob Ross Funko on my desk at work, along with a Thai statue of Buddha, to remind me to stay calm and focused. It doesn’t work, but I love them anyway.

[quote]Fanny Cradock is well loved in the US by those in the know.

You're preaching to the choir, gurl

There was someone just like Bob Ross on American TV many, many years ago.

His name was something like Jon Nagy. He didn't have Ross' ultra-smooth speaking voice, but it was the same idea, where you painted along with the artist.

They marketed a Jon Nagy kit for kids to learn painting on their own time.

When I was very young there was a show on Saturday or Sunday mornings called Captain Bob. It was geared towards children. Every week he would draw something and he would talk you through it at the same time so you could draw along at home. At the end of the show, he would feature some of the viewer artwork that had been mailed in.

I was already ready with crayons and paper but never mailed anything in.

This guy.

Winky Dink!

Also soothing is the mellow Canadian “How It’s Made”. Sometimes I watch it to fall asleep. The narrator usually has a bland and reassuring intonation, and the writers’ attempts at humor are corny and dad-like. It’s so benign, like Mr. Rogers.

R4. I proudly display my "Starving Artist Sale" painting. I was bored one Sunday 20+ years ago and attended one. The trick is what they charged for frames. Fond memories.

Yep I paint along with Bob every now and then and I love it. I’m happy with my paintings but mostly I just love the process.

There's something Zen about Bob.

I agree r19. I thought he was creepy and uninteresting when I was growing up. I don't get his newfound popularity.

We had Rolf Harris in Australia. And we all know how that turned out.

We do, R39? Who the hell is Rolf Harris?

He inspired Barbra's ASiB look.

Why not just stick a hot hatpin straight into your ear. Reheat the hatpin, and repeat.

You'll get used to the smell of burning brain in no time.