German newsreader stands on desk in tribute to Robin Williams
A German newsreader paid tribute to Robin Williams during a segment on his death by standing on her desk in a reenactment of one of his most famous scenes.
Caren Miosga, presenter on ARD channel's daily news magazine show 'Tagesthemen', made the gesture towards the end of last night's broadcast.
Comedian and actor Williams was found dead at his California home on Monday. He was 63.
"Perhaps some of you are wondering why I'm standing on the desk tonight instead of behind it," Miosga said.
"Sometimes," she explained, "you have to see things from another perspective.
"With this gesture we honour one of the greatest actors - 'O Captain! My Captain! - the great Robin Williams."
Miosga's gesture was followed by a montage of Williams' most notable roles and career achievements, concluding that he was one of the "greatest actors of his generation".
The 'standing on desk' thing of course referred to his role as English teacher John Keating in the 1989 drama 'Dead Poet's Society', in which Keating frequently stood atop his desk in order to encourage his students to look at the world in another way.
In particular, it echoes the emotionally-charged final scene, in which Keating leaves his classroom for the last time, and his students pay their own tribute with the words "O Captain! My Captain!", in reference to a Walt Whitman poem.
Here's that iconic, unforgettable scene:
Thank you, Robin.
