Now you can actually say there's television for all ages

BabyFirst TV has been on the air for a few years, but mostly through satellite providers. This week, Time Warner Cable in my home district added the channel to its roster, which comes as a pleasant surprise to parents, especially considering that until now, there weren't any networks on cable devoted to programming for kids 2 and under.

BabyFirst provides a great teaching tool for parents in so many different ways. Back in the day, our mothers watched us learn to draw, color, write, etc., but now, there are programs on the air that do those jobs for them. There's even karaoke for babies.

Like, scope out "Itsy Bitsy Spider":



Somehow, that spider reminds me of Schaper's old Cootie mascot, but maybe that's just me.

Next thing ya know, programming will be sponsored by either Procter & Gamble (Pampers) or Kimberly Clark (Huggies).

Toons You Might've Missed: The Adventures of Pow Wow (1949)

Time to go back in time, when Native American characters were not always politically incorrect.

The Adventures of Pow Wow turns 65 this month, but most folks associate the series with its airings on CBS' Captain Kangaroo, beginning in 1956. However, after Screen Gems (then a TV arm of Columbia) pulled the cartoons from syndication, it was never seen again.

It was off the air as I was growing up, so I cannot rate it. Therefore, for your perusal, here's "The Magic Spigot":



Producer Sam Singer is better known for hits from the 60's, like Courageous Cat and the initial run of Sinbad, Jr..

Daytime Heroes: Bozo, The World's Most Famous Clown (1958)

Larry Harmon didn't create Bozo the Clown, but he has become most associated with the character after acquiring the rights several years ago.

Harmon, taking his cue from Romper Room's creator, Bert Claster, franchised Bozo to stations around the country who could hire their own actors to play the "World's Most Famous Clown", whose longest stint in any one city is Chicago. Did my home district get a Bozo? Nope. However, the show was briefly revived in syndication and aired on WPIX in the 80's, complete with the original aniimated shorts from the 1958-62 series. For the cartoons, Harmon did the voice himself, and also produced the cartoons.

Harmon was one of several animators to also work on Popeye during the 60's, and his staff included future Filmation founders Lou Scheimer & Hal Sutherland.

For now, here's a sample intro. Narration by the inestimable Paul Frees:



For some reason, Bozo didn't really translate well in animated form. Considering that he started in a series of Book & Record sets from Capitol Records, and voiced by Pinto Colvig (Goofy), it is a little strange.

Rating: B.

You Know the Voice: Mae Questel (1978)

To toon fans of all generations, she was the voice behind Betty Boop and Olive Oyl, and even subbed as Popeye for a time. If you grew up in the 70's, Mae Questel stepped in front of the cameras to do a series of ads for Scott Towels as Aunt Bluebelle, and we finally had a face to match the voice.

In 1978, Mae appeared on the Mike Douglas Show. In addition to an interview, Mae performs "Button Up Your Overcoat". Scope it!



Unfortunately, when Hanna-Barbera acquired the rights to Popeye that year, they chose another actress to play Olive and Sea Hag, leaving Mae unable to work with Jack Mercer. While Popeye remained a CBS staple for a few years, it just wasn't the same.

Tooniversary: Tom & Jerry: Stunt Doubles (Two Stars Are Born, 1975)

Tom & Jerry literally see double. Double trouble, that is, when an agent (Daws Butler) hires them as stunt doubles for a set of lookalike actors (John Stephenson & Don Messick) for an action movie in 'Two Stars Are Born".



Stephenson doubles as the studio executive, among others. Never saw this one, so there's no rating.

Toonfomercial: Mr. Magoo for Stag Beer (Really) (1958)

We all know that Mr. Magoo for a number of years was used in commercials for General Electric, and later, after the passing of his original portrayer, Jim Backus, for Blue Shield. But, did you know that Backus was asked to record a series of commercials starring Magoo for.........beer?

'Tis true. While The Flintstones were sponsored for a time by RJ Reynolds Tobacco (Winston cigarettes), a little known brewer out of St. Louis that was a rival to the Busch family (Budweiser) commissioned UPA to do this series to promote Stag Beer.



There is just no way this would air in the daytime, would it now? Oh, Magoo, you've done it again!

Getting Schooled: Little Einsteins (2005)

Disney's Little Einsteins has been out of production since 2009, but continues airing 7 days a week on either Disney Junior or Disney Channel. Two seasons were produced over a span of 4 years (2005-9). Don't ask me why, 'cause I don't know.

Curious Pictures, the folks that brought you Codename: Kids Next Door for Cartoon Network, moved down the scholastic ladder with this show, aimed at preschoolers, but still imbued with plenty of adventure as well as learning.

Here's a sample episode:



There are DVD compilations to be had, if you want to keep your preschoolers entertained any time of the day.

Rating: A.