Celebrity Toons: The series premiere of Emergency! Plus 4 (1973)

 NBC thought that the success of Jack Webb's Emergency! would translate into an animated spin-off in the daytime. Nice idea, but Emergency! Plus 4 was entrusted to Fred Calvert, whose shoestring budget resulted in two seasons of stiffer than normal animation.

In the opener, a couple of teens in a dune buggy cause some issues.

In memory of Randolph Mantooth (Gage), who passed away earlier this week. Rest in peace.

Where was Major Bowes when you really needed him? Our Gang in Mike Fright (1934)

 Before he was cast as Butch, the bully, Tommy Bond was actually on the other side with Our Gang. In 1934's "Mike Fright", Tommy's conducting the gang's makeshift band, nearly 40 years before Bill Cosby brought Fat Albert and his junkyard band to television.

Musical director Marvin Hatley makes a rare on-camera appearance.

Looney TV: Porky's Pastry Pirates (1942)

 These things we know are true. Flying insects are a problem around food, indoors or outdoors. If you don't believe me, ask a vendor at the local farmers' markets, for example. Flies & bees are all over the joint.

We also know that flies can see in all directions, and, presumably, that applies to bees, too. However, for comic effect, the insects in "Porky's Pastry Pirates" have humanoid eyes, which takes away their advantage.

Amazingly, this is the first time I've seen this short. Hmmmmmm.

Game Time: Championship Bowling 2.0? (1968)

 After Championship Bowling ended its first run in 1966, the producers decided to remount the show in a half hour format, based on an idea from future Hall of Famer Don Carter, two years later.

The best ball format utilized in this pilot would later come into play, with some modifications, when Celebrity Bowling launched three years later. Carter & Dave Soutar team vs. Harry Johnson & Bill Lillard. Bud Palmer, who'd put time in as a fill-in on ABC's Pro Bowlers Tour, and had also been at CBS, is at the microphone here.

Getting Schooled: And The Band Played Off (Shining Time Station, 1989)

 From season 1 of Shining Time Station:

Stacy (Didi Conn, ex-Benson, Fonz & The Happy Days Gang) makes a mistake, leading to a passenger missing his train. Mr. Conductor (Ringo Starr) and the kids offer some assistance. Soap star Mart Hulswit (Guiding Light) guest stars in "And The Band Played Off":

Yesterday was Ringo's birthday, so I thought we'd do this instead of putting up one of his videos.

Tooniversary: Cool McCool in space (The Moon Goon, 1966)

 Cool McCool turns 60 this year. In what would be the final episode of the series, Cool (Bob McFadden) faces off with "The Moon Goon":

McFadden & series creator Bob Kane envisioned Cool as if James Bond were played by Jack Benny (whom McFadden impersonated). I honestly think Benny would've done this better.

Saturday Morning's Forgotten Heroes: Calamity Jane in Without a Vengeance (1997)

 "Without a Vengeance" was the series finale of The Legend of Calamity Jane. As we discussed when first looking at this series, WB only aired 3 episodes before pulling the plug, while the rest of the series aired everywhere else.