Looney TV: The Isle of Pingo Pongo (1938-44)

 For nearly 60 years, Tex Avery's "The Isle of Pingo Pongo" has been barred from airing on television due to the use of outdated stereotypes. The prototype for Elmer Fudd, originally billed as Egghead, pops up here, waiting for his turn until narrator Robert Bruce gives him the go sign......

No voice actors were credited, per Wikipedia, but Bruce did narrate a few more shorts where he was belatedly given credit, and we have to assume he did this one, too. As you can see, this was a Blue Ribbon reissue, released in 1944.

Rating: B.

On The Air: Hare, There, & Everywhere (2026)

 While it was previously reported that Bugs Bunny was TCM's Star of the Month, the Oscar winning icon got all of the attention a week ago.

The reason? TCM begins 31 Days of Oscar tomorrow, and to spread out their plans for Bugs over the month would've conflicted with the annual promotion. Unless, of course, the shorts that won those Oscars for Bugs & WB are part of the 31 day event.

Comics Dana Gould, Patton Oswalt (ex-Happy!, Marvel's Agents of SHIELD, The King of Queens), & Bill Hader (ex-Saturday Night Live) discuss Bugs' eternal appeal.

Rating: A+.

Tooniversary: Fat Albert in Food For Thought (1981-4)

 You won't find this Fat Albert episode in the series' syndication package, assuming anyone's actually daring to play it these days, in light of the scandal that torpedoed series creator-star-co-executive producer Bill Cosby's career a few years ago.

No, "Food For Thought", about healthy eating, was produced for elementary schools in 1981. At the end of the clip is a promo for the series' shift to syndication in the fall of 1984.

Rating: A.

Sunday Funnies: Pardon My Backfire (1953)

 "Pardon My Backfire" was the 2nd & last Three Stooges short produced in 3D, though the effects were replaced for television.

Moe, Larry, & Shemp are mechanics looking to raise money to marry their girlfriends, who are a little shy about commitment. Some escaped convicts enter their shop, and the fun really begins.

Rating: A-. I've never seen the 3D version.

From Primetime to Daytime: Joanie Cunningham, teacher (Happy Days, 1984)

 From the final season of Happy Days:

Joanie (Erin Moran) has landed her first teaching job. On just her 2nd day, a punk decides he wants to hit on her, not realizing she's already spoken for, and when she's not ready. Of course, Joanie's got some backup......

What is forgotten after the 3rd Cunningham sibling, Chuck, was written off early in the series, Fonzie (Henry Winkler) became more of a surrogate big brother/guardian angel to Richie & Joanie. It just happens here that Fonzie had a job at the same school, making for a timely save.

Saturtainment: Zack & The Magic Factory (Weekend Special, 1981)

 Two teens decide to open a magic shop, with the help of their aunt (Jane Withers), but it's also a building being earmarked for demolition. Yoiks! "Zack & The Magic Factory" was a 2-part Weekend Special from the winter of 1981, hosted by Michael Young (Kids Are People, Too):

Former child star Withers had resurrected her career with a lengthy gig as Josephine, shilling for Comet cleanser during the 60's & 70's, back when Comet was part of the Procter & Gamble family. Real life magician Mark Wilson served as a technical adviser.

No rating. Just a public service.

Getting Schooled: The Schoolmaster (The Rifleman, 1960)

 From season 3 of The Rifleman:

A very strict new teacher (Arnold Moss) causes problems for Mark (Johnny Crawford), but must work with Lucas (Chuck Connors) to rescue Mark and a friend from a mine after the boys run away from school.

Worth noting: Connors' real life son, Jimmy Fields, and niece, Pamela Cole, are among the guest stars.

Didn't see this one the first time to my reckoning. No rating.