What's the obsession with Bob Ross and The Joy Of Painting?

[Hawkee]

I have never figured out why Bob Ross and reruns of The Joy Of Painting have become so popular even though Bob Ross has been dead since the 90's. Is it because he was a huge pop culture icon and he had a mega popular fanbase or is it to honor the anniversary of The Joy Of Painting? Because I have seen a lot of merchandise of Bob Ross from coffee mugs t-shirts handbags wallets and Halloween costumes of Bob Ross and even Funko figurines and plushies of Bob Ross have been found in Hot Topic. And what's shocking about this is that Bob Ross even has his own channel on Pluto TV and so it tells me that this is made to introduce The Joy Of Painting and Bob Ross to a new generation of people
Bestie

[RetroGuy2000]

Bob Ross is simply a legend. Not only could he take some alizarin crimson and phthalo blue and somehow turn those colors into a work of art in 30 minutes or less, he had that easy-going, gentle lilt to his voice, and the philosophy that anyone could create a work of art. He never stopped believing we could create our own happy little environments, even as our paint blobbed everywhere and our canvasses looked nothing like what was shown on his screen.

He definitely inspired me. I teach media arts classes, and I often wax on poetically to the students about them creating their own happy little digital trees, and happy little digital clouds.

[Hawkee]

My mom used to watch The Joy Of Painting because she thought some of Bob Ross's paintings were terrific and she thought he was really talented. It is a shame that Bob Ross passed away in the 90's but I think why there's so much merchandise of Bob Ross is because probably a lot of Bob Ross fans are buying it for Christmas gifts this year. When I go to Hot Topic I always get a kick out of seeing Bob Ross shirts with his signature catchphrase "Happy little trees"
Bestie

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by LaBestia

My mom used to watch The Joy Of Painting because she thought some of Bob Ross's paintings were terrific and she thought he was really talented.

She was right!

It is a shame that Bob Ross passed away in the 90's but I think why there's so much merchandise of Bob Ross is because probably a lot of Bob Ross fans are buying it for Christmas gifts this year. When I go to Hot Topic I always get a kick out of seeing Bob Ross shirts with his signature catchphrase "Happy little trees"
Bestie

Yeah, I wouldn't mind a "happy little tree" shirt.

[dee2364]

He's meme-able. That's why. The afro, laid back voice and constant "happy little trees" is just too good to pass up.

[PhoenixAcres]

Originally Posted by dee2364

He's meme-able. That's why. The afro, laid back voice and constant "happy little trees" is just too good to pass up.

IIRC his estate streamed his entire catalogue of episodes on Twitch several years ago, launching him into mainstream internet culture.

[rusty spike]

I find his show and Pluto TV channel to be very relaxing. A most pleasant 30 minutes.

[Corkys-Place]

Originally Posted by LaBestia

I have seen a lot of merchandise of Bob Ross from coffee mugs t-shirts handbags wallets and Halloween costumes of Bob Ross and even Funko figurines and plushies of Bob Ross

He even has his own Garbage Pail Kid Card for goodness sake!

[RetroGuy2000]

Eww!