Toon Legends: The Kitten Sitter (1975)

 Tom & Jerry are sharing house space with Spike (Don Messick), who ends up as "The Kitten Sitter", when one orange kitten shows up at the door, and there's more where that came from.

We always knew Spike was a softie at heart.

Rating: A-.

Toon Rock: YYZ (1981-2022)

 Canada's Rush released the epic album, "Moving Pictures", in 1981. The instrumental track, "YYZ", earned a Grammy nomination, and, one would assume, was considered for a Juno in Canada.

41 years later, an anniversary reissue of the album led to the following animated video:

Looney TV: Catty Cornered (1953)

 All Sylvester wants to do is capture and consume Tweety. However, when he sees that Tweety is being held prisoner for ransom by Rocky, the gangster, enter a reluctant hero in "Catty Cornered":

Rating: B.

You Know The Voices: Michael Bell & Julie Kavner (1975)

 This was posted over at The Land of Whatever earlier this week, but merits inclusion here, too.

Well before being cast as Marge on The Simpsons, and, before that, The Tracey Ullman Show, Julie Kavner was best known for her role as Brenda on Rhoda. During a break between seasons 1 & 2 of that series, Julie decided to try some drama, playing a blind woman accused of murder on Petrocelli. Listen close, and there's a wee hint of her future role as Marge.

Michael Bell appeared in 4 episodes of season 2 of Petrocelli as prosecuting attorney Frank Kaiser, who was also a friend of the title defense lawyer (Barry Newman). One wonders if Michael had auditioned for The New Perry Mason two years earlier, a role that went to Monte Markham, because he seems so natural playing a lawyer.

Check it.

Getting Schooled: Learn to Read (1987)

 As the original Electric Company taught kids to read in the 70's, PBS decided to revisit lessons in reading, but for older kids and adults, in the late 80's.

Learn to Read was produced at a PBS affiliate in Kentucky in 1987, with some of the talent based in Michigan. Wally "Famous" Amos, a former talent agent turned cookie mogul, served as host.

What is uncertain is how long Learn to Read remained in production. What we do know is the series ended in 2009 after 22 years.

Following is a short sample clip:

In memory of Wally Amos, who passed away in Hawaii Tuesday at 88. No rating out of respect.

From Out of The Recycling Bin: The Merrie Melodies Show (1972)

 By 1972, classic Warner Bros. shorts were plentiful in syndication. Here in the 518, WTEN held the rights, rotating the Looney Tunes & Merrie Melodies with Popeye and Mr. Magoo.

Meanwhile, WB decided to try a syndicated package of their own, showcasing Daffy Duck, Speedy Gonzales, & Sylvester in The Merrie Melodies Show. This package, however, was created for international markets.

This series didn't air in the 518 for that reason, so there's no rating. Here, though, is the intro, and our announcer is Casey Kasem (American Top 40, The New Scooby-Doo Movies, etc.).

Saturday Morning's Greatest Hits: Roll With The Changes (1978)

 REO Speedwagon started gaining mainstream attention well before 1980's "Hi Infidelity" took them to the next level.

For example, the group appeared on The Midnight Special in September 1978 to perform "Roll With The Changes", which is still an FM radio anthem nearly 50 years later.

2 years later, Kevin Cronin and friends performed "Roll" again, presumably at the request of fans and producer Burt Sugarman, on the show.