Television producer Burt Dubrow, who worked as Buffalo Bob Smith's road manager, recalled a falling out between Bob Keeshan and Bob Smith, who would later play Captain Kangaroo on Howdy Doody. Dubrow revealed that the two didn't see eye to eye in how Smith handled the firing of several people at the same time, referred to the "Christmas Massacre." Despite this disagreement, Keshan remained loyal to Smith, whom he felt was an instrumental mentor for him. The two reunited years later in a Disney tribute to children's television.