June 25,
2004
Today is the day to give notes.
Today's guest was a figure in my childhood, and possibly yours. He appeared on televisions screens in my grade school, alongside "Davey and Goliath," as he taught me about anatomy wearing an illustrated body suit. Yeah you might be laughing but how famous are you?
The John Burstein, aka Slim Goodbody Interview
Have you always played Slim Goodbody, or, like Lassie and
Batman, has he been played by different people through the years?
I have always played Slim on TV. However, I hire actors to go to schools across
the country. They wear a suit like mine. I think of them as “Slimstitutes.”
How did you come to create Slim?
I had a summer job on board a ship called the Floating Hospital. It’s
run by a charity. It used to take disadvantaged families for a day’s
outing around Manhattan. My job was to play music on board. As the ship was
involved in health education, I started writing songs about the body and then
developed the concept of Slim Goodbody.
What did you do pre-Slim?
I did some acting in NY – way off- Broadway. I studied dance in Belgium,
and dramatic literature at University.
Has the bodysuit evolved over the years?
Yes, I’ve had about a dozen or so. The painting gets better. I’ve
added things like the diaphragm and changed the background colors a bit.
What do you do to stay slim for the bodysuit?
Swim, do aerobics, ride a bike, lift weights and eat right. I try to work
out regularly.
Of the various things you've taught kids, which one has the biggest impact?
It’s hard to say. My fundamental message is – “Your body is
full of wonders. That makes you wonderful. Respect and love yourself. You
are a miracle.” My chief desire is to help children build self-confidence
and develop self-respect.
Do you write the songs?
About 80%. I also work with an enormously talented friend – Chris Staudt
who does the arranging and other compositions.
Is being Slim Goodbody your full time career or do you have other projects?
Creating educational programming for children is my full time career.
I have created two animated math series – one for kids called Math Monsters,
one for teen-agers called X-Power (on algebra). I tour with Symphony orchestras
in a young people’s concert I created called Symphonasaurus. I also write
kids books.
Have you tailored what you do in the wake of the reports of childhood
obesity?
This has been a growing problem – pardon the pun – for years. I
am working on two new shows – “Lighten UP” a series for PBS
and a stage show by that same title. I am also working on a series of classroom
exercises called “Deskercises.”
On that topic, how do you address such a subject with sensitivity?
You can’t point a finger. You just have to explain key concepts –
like calorie in/calorie out, media literacy, 5 a day, etc. and hope the children
will put it together.
How did you come to develop Symphonasaurus?
I’ve always loved classical music. Before this concert I used to do another
show with orchestras called A Celebration of Your Self.
Also, what about Math Monsters?
It seems like you have a fairly eclectic educational range.
Absolutely. Otherwise boredom would set in. I have learned to enlist the talents
of experts to help with the curriculum decisions. My talent is in content
delivery.
Are you developing any upcoming projects?
Lighten Up, Deskercises, a new live show called Bodyology and a series of
Health books with My Weekly
Reader.
You’ve been Slim Goodbody since 1975. Do you ever hear feedback from
now grownup students? You’re definitely a nostalgic figure to some.
All the time. As I tour the country (about 8 weeks a year) many teachers who
were raised with me now bring their kids. I feel honored – not old.
How does it feel to be the 98th person interviewed for Zulkey.com?
Appreciative.