Toons After Dark: A Chucklewood Easter (1986)

 It's been a while since we checked in on the Chucklewood Critters, featuring Buttons & Rusty. From 1986, here's "A Chucklewood Easter":

No rating. Didn't see this when it first aired.

From Primetime to Daytime: Steve Urkel on trial (Family Matters,1994)

 From season 5 of Family Matters:

Steve Urkel (Jaleel White, Sonic The Hedgehog) is put on trial in the school cafeteria when he is accused of blowing up the school lab by a jealous rival. Laura (Kellie Shangyne-Williams) acts as Urkel's lawyer, while the accuser, Dexter Thornhill (Robert Laughlin), is also the prosecutor, which proves to be his first mistake.

His last one? Laura shows us.

Missing from the picture: Guest star Tom Poston (ex-Newhart, Mork & Mindy, etc.) as the custodian. Thornhill did himself in by being a wee bit overconfident. And, yeah, Waldo had a classic moment of stupidity dressing as a Boy Scout when he's the bailiff. Bay-leaf, my butt.

Saturday Morning's Greatest Hits: Diamond Girl (1973)

 Seals & Crofts performed "Diamond Girl" on The Midnight Special in 1973. There's more from this same show that we'll play down the road.

In memory of Dash Crofts, who passed away the other day. Rest in peace.

That time Donna Summer guest-co-hosted American Bandstand (1978)

 In May 1978, ABC decided to try a sweeps stunt with American Bandstand, just to show that the ratings sweeps periods didn't leave out Saturday daytime.

Donna Summer is the guest co-host, joining Dick Clark for an all-disco show, including some of Donna's own songs.

Tooniversary: Dude Duck (1951)

 Donald Duck alone on a dude ranch. You'd think this vacation would go smoothly, but when the horse assigned to him doesn't want him to ride, well, chaos ensues.

Clarence Nash not only voices Donald, but does the vocal effects for the horses and....well, that would be telling. June Foray performs the women's voices.

Some college kids are wrapping up spring break today, so this will give you some idea of what spring break might've been like back in the 50's.

Rating: B.

You Know The Voice: Henry Corden (1961)

 Character actor Henry Corden didn't move into cartoon work, I think, until after he'd appeared in this 1961 episode of The Lawless Years. 

Henry's toon credits include The Flintstones, The Hillbilly Bears, Thundarr The Barbarian, and a collection of guest roles. I think he used the voice from this episode, "The Victor Gorido Story", in one of those cartoon gigs.

Saturday Morning's Forgotten Heroes: Web Woman in Eye of The Fly (1978)

We had this next item before, but it was taken down, and has been reloaded to YouTube.

Web Woman meets Tsetse, a man turned into a man-fly.

Rating: B.

From Comics to Toons: Dick Tracy on Archie's TV Funnies (1971)

 Archie Comics, it appears, now has its own YouTube channel, or at least a fan-operated one. This one has no full episodes of 1971's Archie's TV Funnies, but a compilation of Dick Tracy shorts from the series (some standalone videos are incomplete). In this collection, Dick (John Erwin) is after:

88 Keys, recently rebooted in the current comic book from Mad Cave as an Irish musician-turned-would-be-vigilante (Either Erwin or Dallas McKennon).

The Mole (Howard Morris, since the voice is similar to Morris' characterization of Dilton Doiley).

Pruneface (McKennon).

Flattop (McKennon), in a short we've previously screened.

Mumbles (McKennon) & Stooge Viller (McKennon or Erwin or Morris), also in a previously screened short. Filmation, for some reason, gave Viller a new name.

Wikipedia's entry on the series is also incomplete, which is why I have to guess on a couple of the villains.

Archie & the gang are seen in short bits queuing up the shorts. There's a standalone short with Sketch Paree and Liver Lips, misidentified as Groovy Grove (who was actually a cop introduced in the comic strip around the same time), but that one is incomplete. Erwin voiced Liver Lips, and it was likely McKennon as Paree.

Remembering Ted Nichols (1928-2026)

 Let your mind travel back to the days of Hanna-Barbera's line of "super adventure" series in the mid-60's. Space Ghost. Frankenstein, Jr. & The Impossibles. Birdman. Shazzan. The Fantastic Four. The Herculoids. The Adventures of Gulliver. Moby Dick & Mightor. Sinbad, Jr..

Ted Nichols had taken over as H-B's musical director while Hoyt Curtin left to pursue other opportunities. The above named adventure series, plus comedies like Space Kidettes and Wacky Races, all bore Nichols' signature sound.

Only now are we just learning that Nichols, 97, passed away in January after a lengthy bout with Alzheimer's disease. Nichols left Hanna-Barbera in 1972 to become the musical director for Campus Crusade for Christ. Nichols, like Curtin, had served in the military, and joined the Air Force ROTC during the Korean War in the 50's.

Rest in peace.

Toon Rock: The Rose (2008)

From Family Guy: 

The Griffin family heads out on a road trip, but, rather than do some typical sing-a-long's, Peter (Seth MacFarlane) breaks into a cover of Bette Midler's "The Rose", from the movie of the same name. Soon, Lois, Meg, & Chris (Alex Borstein, Mila Kunis, & Seth Green) join in.

Well, MacFarlane did a better job with this than "Surfin' Bird".......!

Saturtainment: Capital One's All-Stars at the NCAA's (2026)

 March Madness means a new set of Capital One commercials with Samuel L. Jackson joined by Charles Barkley (Inside The NBA), and, in this spot, Jennifer Garner (ex-Alias), and another NBA & NCAA legend in Earvin "Magic" Johnson, who replaces Spike Lee in the troupe. I think Spike is directing.

Well, it could've been worse. We could've gotten Stephen A. Smith trying to sing. Barkley's definitely a golden throat........

I hope the rest of the Inside crew roasts Barkley on the next episode.........! I wonder if Jennifer brought anything from Once Upon a Farm, the business she helped launch thanks to her commercials for Capital One.

Saturday Morning Ringside: Remembering Dennis Condrey (1952-2026)

 As a founding member of the heel tag team Midnight Express, Dennis Condrey was a decorated wrestler in the 80's, winning the NWA tag titles with Bobby Eaton under the leadership of motormouth manager Jim Cornette.

Condrey left the team in the mid-80's when he left the NWA, then returned with Randy Rose as the Original Midnight Express, first in the AWA, then back in the NWA, with Paul E. Dangerously (Paul Heyman), a Cornette clone at the time, except that his weapon of choice was a cordless phone as opposed to Cornette's tennis racquet.

We are sad to report that Condrey, 74, who last appeared at an AEW event a couple of years ago as a guest of FTR, has passed away. Following is an angle from Mid-South Wrestling, circa 1984, involving Magnum TA and Mr. Wrestling II:

There will almost certainly be tributes on AEW television, if not WWE or TNA, too, in the coming days.

Rest in peace, Dennis.

Celebrity Toons: Abbott & Costello in Luna-Tricks (1967)

 Abbott & Costello are bound for the moon to stop Super Terror (Don Messick). Here's "Luna Tricks". The open & close are edited off, and the title card is not the original. I think.

Stan Erwin plays Costello as more heroic than normal this time, an eager space cadet, if ya will.

Rating: B-. 5 minutes just isn't enough time.

Toon Legends: Popeye Meets Ali Baba & His 40 Thieves (1937)

 A year after Popeye was matched vs. Sindbad, the sailor met "Ali Baba & His 40 Thieves", except that in the context of the story, Ali Baba's name has been changed to Abu Hassan (Gus Wickie). I've lost track of how many times I'd seen this in syndication in the 70's & 80's.

An excerpt from this was used to open WPIX's 1970's Popeye broadcasts for a time. If you're from my generation, you'll recognize it right away.

Rating: A-.

Toons You Might've Missed: Leprechauns' Gold (1949)

 Begorra! 'Tis back to Ireland we go as St. Patrick's Day draws to a close, as we learn about "Leprechauns' Gold":

I'm sure there are better ways to attend to the gold.....

No rating. Just a public service.

Toons You Might've Missed: Cobs & Robbers (1953)

 Barney Bear just didn't get enough love from MGM.

In effect, he was the antithesis of other stars of his era. He was always made to look like a fool, even as a protagonist, such as in 1953's "Cobs & Robbers", a remake of Dick Lundy's 1945 Andy Panda entry, "Crow Crazy".

Luckily, when Spire Christian Comics obtained a license to use Barney in the 70's & 80's in a series of 1-shots, he finally was a winner.

Here's "Cobs & Robbers":

This has aired recently on Me-TV, but I can't recall when it's aired on Cartoon Network/Boomerang.

Rating: B.

Toon Legends: The Wacky Wabbit (1942)

 Bugs Bunny & Elmer Fudd are out west in 1942's "The Wacky Wabbit". Elmer (Arthur Q. Bryan) is looking for gold out in the desert. Bugs? Welllllll......

Rating: A-.

Coming Attractions: A Family Guy spinoff of evil proportions

 Deadline is reporting that Fox has greenlit a spinoff from Family Guy that will feature the youngest of the Griffins' three children.

Stewie has already received a two season order from Fox, adding to series creator Seth MacFarlane's already sizeable workload.

As fans of Family Guy know, Stewie is always plotting against his mother, Lois (Alex Borstein), for whatever reason. I'd guess that MacFarlane saw Stewie as his answer to WB's Pinky & The Brain, the latter of whom was always looking to achieve world domination.

Time will tell if this will be another hit, or if the Family Guy franchise has jumped the shark.

Stay tooned.

Literary Toons: The Bear That Wasn't (1967)

 Filmmaker Frank Tashlin released a picture book in 1946, The Bear That Wasn't. If you're like me, and you'd never heard of this tale before today, I don't blame you.

In 1967, Chuck Jones adapted Tashlin's story into an animated short for MGM, with Paul Frees doing all the voices.

No rating. Just a public service.

From Primetime to Daytime: Look who meets the Lone Ranger! (1950)

5 years before he became an icon as Marshal Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke, James Arness guest stars in this season 1 episode of The Lone Ranger, appearing as Deputy Bud Titus, who gives up his badge to go bounty hunting for a couple of outlaws, who are also being tracked by the Ranger (Clayton Moore).......

Rating: A.

(Sunday) School: The Gospel Bill Show (1981)

 For 12 years, Willie George brought viewers a Western with a twist with The Gospel Bill Show, which has aired on CBN & TBN during the course of its history. The series originally aired from 1981-93. Substituting the Bible for common frontier justice, Gospel Bill (George) was the chief lawman in the fictional town of Dry Gulch, with Nicodemus (Ken Blount) as his sidekick, Festus to Bill's Matt Dillon, if you will.

Anyway, evangelist Kenneth Copeland guest stars in this offering as reformed outlaw Wichita Slim.

There was a time when CBN was on local cable systems, and loaded their weekend fare with classic Westerns. Gospel Bill, then, fit right in.

No rating. Just a public service.

Toons You Might've Missed: Barnacle Bill (1930)

 From the Fleischers' Talkartoon series comes "Barnacle Bill", with Bimbo in the title role. During this period, Betty Boop (Margie Hines) has more of a canine appearance, before her evolution into the icon we would know.

Anyway, Bimbo gives himself a shore leave so he can see "Nancy Lee" (Betty).

Five years later, Fleischer & Paramount referenced Barnacle Bill again, this time with Bluto in the role as a villain (as per normal) in a Popeye short. The character of Barnacle Bill was introduced in a song recorded by Hoagy Carmichael in 1928.

Rating: B-. There's a reason Bimbo was reduced to a supporting player when Betty was given her own series.......

Saturtainment: Bad Cat (1984)

 From the ABC Weekend Special:

Ruby-Spears' "Bad Cat" was the season finale for the 1983-4 season. Bart Braverman (ex-Vega$) leads an all-star cast that also includes Alan Young (ex-Mister Ed, Battle of The Planets), Hal Smith, Judy Strangis, Jon Bauman (one of his first toon jobs), Steve Spears (ex-Space Stars), and Marvin Kaplan (Alice, ex-Top Cat). Not sure if Steve was Ken Spears' son.

Rating: B.

Saturday Morning's Greatest Hits: Get Down Tonight (1975)

 KC & The Sunshine Band heralded the launch of the disco era in the mid-70's, and "Get Down Tonight" landed them on The Midnight Special.

Toon Rock: Meet the Chipettes (Alvin & The Chipmunks, 1983)

 From season 1 of Alvin & The Chipmunks:

It was the 80's, after all. The MTV generation gave rise to a new group of female artists, including groups like the Go-Go's and the Bangles, and solo stars like Kim Wilde. 

Ross Bagdasarian, Jr. & his wife, Janice Karman, decided that Alvin & the Chipmunks would have female counterparts in response. Enter The Chipettes.

In the season 1 premiere, following a team-up with Mr. T, whose animated series would later in the morning, Alvin, Simon, & Theodore met Brittany, Jeannette, & Eleanor (all voiced by Karman). A chance meeting after the girls, billed as the Chipmunks, are booked at a hotel, which gets David Seville (Bagdasarian) all confused.

Over the course of the series, we'd meet the girls' adoptive parent, Beatrice Miller (Dody Goodman, "Grease", ex-Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman), who would also care for the guys when Dave was away.

The title card for this episode was edited off.

Rating: A.

Saturday Morning's Greatest Hits: Boys & Girls (1968)

 From The Archie Show:

Jughead gets a dance named after him, which he & Hot Dog demonstrate. Next, the band performs "Boys & Girls":

Not to be confused with the later R & B song of the same name by the Intruders......

Toons You Might've Missed: The Wee Men (1947)

 Begorra! St. Patrick's Day is 2 weeks away, and, so, we'll set the ball a'rollin' with Paramount's 1947 tale, "The Wee Men". Jackson Beck voices all the characters.

These leprechauns would return in 2 more shorts.

Rating: B.

Toon Sports: Laff-a-Lympics hits Transylvania & South America (1978)

 From season 2 of Laff-a-Lympics (the core series was renamed Scooby's All-Stars):

Our all-star teams are in Brazil, Argentina, & Transylvania. Don Messick is our announcer, with Snagglepuss (Daws Butler) & Mildew Wolf (John Stephenson) on commentary. 

Unlike in pro wrestling, Snagglepuss could expose the fraud the Rottens were perpetuating. Then again, in the course of two seasons, the Rottens did have a better winning percentage than Dick Dastardly, and.......!

Rating: B.

Toon Legends: Donald Duck & Chip 'n' Dale in Working For Peanuts (1953)

 Chip 'n' Dale have set up shop in a tree next door to the zoo. A stray peanut flies into their hands while collecting acorns, prompting the two to head to the zoo to see what they can do, which doesn't sit well with either Donald Duck or the elephant he's caring for.......! Part of the open was edited off for copyright reasons.

Rating: B.

Saturday Morning's Greatest Hits (Revisited): Happy Birthday, Sweet Sixteen (1961-4)

 Neil Sedaka took "Happy Birthday, Sweet Sixteen" to #6 on the Hot 100 in 1961. 3 years later, he brought the song back on American Bandstand. The clip opens with Charlie O'Donnell bringing us back from commercial.

In memory of Sedaka, 86, who passed away today. Rest in peace.

Sunday Funnies: Shot in The Frontier (1954)

 Jules White's 1954 Three Stooges Western, "Shot in The Frontier", is a send-up of the classic Gary Cooper oater, "High Noon", which helped put director Stanley Kramer on the map in Hollywood.

Anyway, the boys recently got married, but soon discover a trio of outlaws have taken a liking to their brides. Emil Sitka didn't get credit as a justice of the peace this time (He played the same role in "Brideless Groom" a few years earlier), and Shemp stand-in Joe Palma is one of the outlaws.

Rating: B.

Literary Toons: Yeh Shen: A Cinderella Story From China (1985)

 From season 1 of CBS Storybreak comes a much different version of Cinderella, one that, according to host Bob Keeshan, takes place 1000 years before the Brothers Grimm's legendary, oft-adapted tale.

Yeh Shen: A Cinderella Story From China, features the talents of George Takei, Brian Tochi, & Michael Bell, among others.

I believe George was in between "Star Trek" movies when he took this gig.

No rating. Just a public service.

Looney TV: Pigs in a Polka (1943)

 Friz Freleng's take on the Three Little Pigs gets mashed up with a Brahams composition in 1943's "Pigs in a Polka", which has a Big Bad Wolf (Mel Blanc) with a Brooklyn accent. Seems he failed the same elocution course that Bugs Bunny passed. And, danged if one of the triplets doesn't resemble Porky Pig (who should've been the star of this one). And, yeah, the open recalls "A Corny Concerto" from a couple of years earlier.

Following is a Blue Ribbon reissue.

Rating: B.

From Primetime to Daytime: A primer on what to do at an auction (The Dick Van Dyke Show, 1963)

 From season 3:

Alan Reed (The Flintstones) plays an auctioneer at an art auction that Rob (Dick Van Dyke), Laura (Mary Tyler Moore), Sally (Rose Marie), and Buddy (Morey Amsterdam) attend. Howard Morris and Ray Kellogg, the latter would soon be on Hazel, also appear in "The Masterpiece":

Saturday School: The series premiere of Lizzie McGuire (2001)

 Lizzie McGuire (Hilary Duff) decides to try out for cheerleading in the series opener.

Yes, Lizzie's animated self was done in Squigglevision.

In memory of Robert Carradine, 71, who passed away earlier this week. No rating.

Saturday Morning's Forgotten Heroes: Hoppity Hooper in Oil's Well at Oasis Gardens (1965)

 "Oil's Well at Oasis Gardens" was the 2nd season finale of Hoppity Hooper, and illustrates how Uncle Waldo (Hans Conreid) can be just as gullible as the marks he's trying to work. Paul Frees narrates, and also is heard as Boris Badenov, making his 2nd & final appearance in the series.

No rating. Just a public service.

From Primetime to Daytime: Sibling jealousy leads to trouble (I Dream of Jeannie, 1967)

 From season 3 of I Dream of Jeannie:

Jeannie (Barbara Eden) is deceived by her twin sister (Eden in a black wig), who tells her she's a jinx, and needs to leave Major Nelson (Larry Hagman) for 14 years. It's all a ruse, since Jeannie II covets Nelson for herself.

Shannon Farnon, in one of her first face acting roles, appears as a prospective "alternative" for Nelson.

Getting Schooled: Mighty Moose & The Quarterback Kid (ABC Afterschool Special, 1976)

 Yeah, the Super Bowl was 2 weeks ago, and the UFL will start play next month. Still, I thought it'd be a cool idea to scope this Afterschool Special entry, "Mighty Moose & The Quarterback Kid". Alex Karras ("Blazing Saddles") not only gets a guest star credit, but doubles as executive producer, co-starring with Brandon Cruz (ex-The Courtship of Eddie's Father) and Dave Madden (ex-The Partridge Family, Camp Runamuck). Joseph Mascolo would later enjoy a lengthy run on Days of Our Lives.

No rating. Just a public service.

From Comics to Toons: The Archies & Sabrina meet Merlin! (1977)

 From what is known online as The Archie & Sabrina Surprise Package:

The gang visits a medieval fair, and Carlos (Jose Flores, fresh from Ark II) is Sabrina's date, if you will, since Harvey is in absentia. Carlos is also an artist, and drew King Arthur and members of his court as embodied by Jughead, Archie, Sabrina, & Moose. But, he doesn't think Merlin actually existed, and that brings Merlin to 1977 (Howard Morris recycled his Mummy/Mayor McCheese voice).....

Carlos did appear in the comics, albeit briefly, but the design was not the same as it was on TV. No wonder he didn't last.

No rating. Just a public service.

An emotional rollercoaster in real time (Kim Possible, 2004)

 A scientist, wise & bold, developed a device to, ah, regulate emotions. However, an accident results in control discs being attached to Kim Possible (Christy Carlson Romano, Even Stevens) and Shego (Nicole Sullivan, MadTV), resulting in both Ron (Will Friedle) and Dr. Drakken (John DiMaggio, Futurama) being left confused.....

Here's "Emotion Sickness":

Yes, this would be the start of a side arc leading to Ron & Kim becoming a couple.......

Toons You Might've Missed: Cupid Gets His Man (1936)

 Ah, yas. Valentine's Day was just four days ago, but we couldn't resist this entry from the Van Beuren studio back in '36. "Cupid Gets His Man" casts the cherub and associates as Mounties. Oh, the absurdity of it all. Ulysses Cupid, the head cherub, takes it upon himself to coax neighbors into falling in love, ending what seems like an eternity of bickering.

Seems so odd that the gentleman bears a resemblance to one of the most often parodied Hollywood stars of the day, W. C. Fields.

As today's kids say, weak sauce.

Rating: C-.

Getting Schooled: Assertiveness training for kids (Sesame Street, 1971)

 From season 3 of Sesame Street:

Rev. Jesse Jackson made a guest appearance on the show, and taught some kids the verse of his poem, I Am Somebody. At the time, Jackson & the Children's Television Workshop were working together on projects.

In memory of Jackson, 84, who passed away on Tuesday.

Saturday Morning's Greatest Hits: I Can't Wait (1986)

 Nu Shooz peaked at #3 on the Hot 100 in 1986 with "I Can't Wait", which merited an appearance on American Bandstand. Dick Clark interviews the band after the song.

Getting Schooled: Mulligan Stew (1972)

 Mulligan Stew was a 6 part miniseries produced by & for the USDA and its youth outreach arm, 4-H. The series was developed in 1971, and went to air a year later with just the 6 episodes, which would remain on PBS until 1981.

Not to be confused with a primetime series of the same name that came out five years later, Mulligan Stew, which takes its name from a meal of the same name, was built around a youth group that went by that same name.

Following is a sample open:

I'd imagine this was originally produced for schools, then offered to PBS.

No rating.

On The Air: Weather Hunters (2025)

 Well, here it is. 

Weather Hunters, PBS' ambitious flash animated series built around weather, premiered in the fall, but production has ended after 40 episodes were produced. Not all 40 have aired as yet, but expect PBS to make this available to elementary schools around the country, if that hasn't happened already.

Al Roker (The Today Show) is Al Hunter, TV meteorologist and father of three, who takes his children on field trips to learn about weather patterns, and the how's & why's of meteorological trends. Holly Robinson Peete (ex-Hangin' With Mr. Cooper) plays his wife. Actress-singer Yvette Nicole Brown performs the opening theme. Celebrity guest stars have included Sheryl Lee Ralph (Abbott Elementary), Frank Welker, and, in "The Windy Day", LeVar Burton (Trivial Pursuit) as a sentient pair of eyeglasses that Lily finds............

Burton has also been heard as Great-grandfather Wallace Hunter in this series.

Check your local PBS listings for times.

Rating: A.

Valentoons: Peculiar Penguins (1934)

 Here's a winter-centric Silly Symphony from Disney. "Peculiar Penguins" gives us a budding couple, with the romance endangered by a shark......

Not sure if this had aired on The Mickey Mouse Club in any of its iterations, or in the early years of the Disney Channel.

No rating. Happy Valentine's Day.

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.

Looney TV: Injun Trouble (1938)

 Return with us now to a time when Native Americans were treated as stereotypes, such as the villainous Superchief, also known as Injun Joe. Porky Pig is a scout leading a wagon train, and runs afoul of Joe until the lone survivor of Joe's last raid shows up........

Originally known as Goofus when he appeared here, the bearded survivor was rechristened as Sloppy Moe in the remake, "Wagon Heels", several years later.

Rating: B.

Saturday Morning's Greatest Hits: Right Time of The Night (1977)

 Jennifer Warnes went all the way to the top of the Easy Listening (now Adult Contemporary) chart in 1977, and hit #6 on the top 40, with "Right Time of The Night", which crossed over to the country chart, peaking at #11. This landed Jennifer on The Midnight Special:

From Primetime to Daytime: Ralph Malph, boxer? (Happy Days, 1977)

 Poor Ralph (Donny Most). He's caught the attention of a cheerleader, but her jealous boyfriend (guest star Reb Brown) is so not digging, leading to a boxing match between the two men....

This compilation covers the basic plotline.

Around this same time, Brown was also making the first of two "Captain America" TV-movies for CBS & Universal, then largely disappeared from the radar after the 2nd film.

Literary Toons: Weep No More, My Lady (Weekend Special, 1979-83)

 James Street's Goodbye, My Lady was adapted into the feature film, "Weep No More, My Lady", with Brandon DeWilde, several years ago. In 1979, Ruby-Spears took their turn for the ABC Weekend Special. The print we have comes from a 1983 repeat hosted by Willie Tyler & Lester. Ernie Anderson & Dick Tufeld are our announcers.

I'd think if they re-do this, they'd use the original title, to avoid confusion with Mary Higgins Clark's Weep No More, My Lady, a more adult novel.

Rating: B.

Toons After Dark: A Connecticut Rabbit in King Arthur's Court (aka Bugs Bunny in King Arthur's Court)(1978)

 We had this one before, but then it was removed by YouTube. Now, it's back, even though it's not the original CBS print.

Bugs Bunny burrows through a time warp into Camelot, becoming "A Connecticut Rabbit in King Arthur's Court". Subsequent reruns rechristened the special as "Bugs Bunny in King Arthur's Court", likely due to issues with the estate of Mark Twain, even though Chuck Jones had made it clear what he was doing, taking creative license with the story......

Rating: A-.

From Primetime to Daytime: Goodbye, Mr. Hip (Room 222, 1970)

 From season 1 of Room 222:

Ever-busy Bernie Kopell (That Girl, Get Smart, The Doris Day Show) guests as a teacher who tries to connect with his students by adopting a hipster persona, which seems to have won over Alice (Karen Valentine).

Directed by Terry Becker (ex-Voyage to The Bottom of The Sea):

Saturday Morning's Forgotten Heroes: A complete episode of Lancelot Link (1/2 hour format)(1970-1)

 It's been quite a while since we checked in on Lancelot Link, Secret Chimp, so let's go on a CHUMP hunt.

First up, it's "The Dreaded Hong Kong Sneeze", which makes the common cold and flu viruses seem tame by comparison in 1970 standards.

After a performance by the Evolution Revolution and some Chimpies, we've got "The Great Bank Robbery". Both episodes narrated by Malachi Throne (ex-It Takes a Thief).

Rating: B.

Toonfomercial: Remember Wally Bird for Western Airlines? (1974)

 Western Airlines' mascot, Wally Bird, debuted in the 50's, with Jim Backus voicing the character. We'll try to locate one of those spots another day, but Western gave Wally another chance 20 years later, this time with Shepard Menken as Wally.

Only cartoon physics can explain how you can be comfortable listening to music while sitting on top of the plane.....

From Comics to Toons: The Capture of Captain America (Spider-Man, 1982)

 From Spider-Man's 1981-2 solo series:

Captain America (George DiCenzo) is captured by his ancient nemesis, the Red Skull (Peter Cullen), who decides to do a mind swap. Spider-Man must rescue Cap and ruin the Skull's plot.

Bill Woodson is heard as both Jonah Jameson and a scientist, as well as the narrator of a Captain America documentary.......

No rating. Just a public service.

Getting Schooled: The Fourth Man (CBS Schoolbreak Special, 1990)

 CBS' Schoolbreak Special offers up a cautionary tale about the dangers of steroids in "The Fourth Man". Peter Billingsley (ex-Real People), taking on a more mature role as he puts Hershey's chocolate syrup pitchman Messy Marvin in his rear view mirror, stars, along with Tim Rossovich, Adrienne Barbeau (ex-Maude), Nicole Eggert (later of Baywatch), Lyle Alzado (ex-Learning The Ropes, former NFL star), and, in his TV debut, Vince Vaughn.

Music by John Tesh (Entertainment Tonight):

Cast member Al Sapienza (who used a stage name in this film) posted this to his YouTube channel.

Saturtainment: Columbus Circle (ABC Weekend Special, 1985-7)

 It had gotten to the point where ABC was no longer asking for a lot of 1st run animated entries for the Weekend Special, like its sister series, the Afterschool Special. Live-action had become the way to go, and, not only that, but by the mid-80's, fewer episodes were produced each year.

Neil Ross, who'd been voicing Capt. OG Readmore in animated interstitals and some episodes, now voiced the puppet version of Readmore, acting as series host. Joan Lunden (Good Morning, America) joins Readmore for this 1987 repeat of a 1985 entry, "Columbus Circle", headlined by veterans Peggy Cass (ex-To Tell The Truth, The Hathaways), & Nancy Walker (ex-Rhoda, McMillan & Wife, etc.).

No rating. Just a public service.

Rare Treats: Muppets After Dark, before the Muppet Show (Out to Lunch, 1974)

 Jim Henson had been shopping a primetime project for his Muppets for years, after Jimmy Dean's ABC variety show had ended. In 1974, ABC took a chance with a primetime special that brought together the gang from Sesame Street with the cast of The Electric Company, plus guests Elliott Gould, Barbara Eden (ex-I Dream of Jeannie), & Carol Burnett, plus a cameo by ABC newsman Bill Beutel.

Out to Lunch aired two weeks before Christmas. Unfortunately, no video footage is available, just some audio clips. Basically, the Muppets (i.e. Bert & Ernie, Cookie Monster, Oscar, Big Bird) take over ABC to do some movie, TV, & commercial parodies.

Promo ad illustrated by Jack Davis.

While the network takeover gimmick didn't fly with network suits, Henson tweaked the idea, and, with help from Lord Lew Grade at ITC, launched The Muppet Show, with Kermit now joined by a new troupe of Muppets. The series ran for 5 years.

The emergence of the audio clips and accompanying promo advertising is a case of perfect timing, since a new Muppet series is set to launch next week on ABC and Disney+, looking to recapture the spirit of The Muppet Show as it marks its 50th anniversary.

Now, if only someone would find the videos.......

Coming Attractions: The Looney Tunes are coming to TCM

 After getting bounced from HBO Max last year, Bugs Bunny and the rest of the Looney Tunes crew will return to the Warner Bros Discovery umbrella, with shorts airing on TCM (Turner Classic Movies) starting next Monday, February 2, with Bugs designated as the channel's "Star of The Month".

According to the Hollywood Reporter, it's a 6 year licensing deal, and it kicks off with 1940's "A Wild Hare", at 11 pm (ET).

So, you're probably asking, what happens to the shorts airing on Me-TV? That remains to be seen. They'll still stream on Tubi, which acquired the lot a few months back, until such time as WBD decides to bring them back to HBO Max. Whether that means getting rid of kid-unfriendly David Zaslav remains to be seen as well.

According to the article, plans call for the legendary "What's Opera, Doc?" and "Rabbit of Seville" to air as opening acts, if you will, for the Marx Brothers' "A Night at The Opera". Like, I don't know if that ever really happened at the theatres (doubtful), but fans of both Bugs and the Marxes will be in hog heaven.

Somewhere, Daffy Duck is in a jealous fit. Again.

Toon Rock: Livin' on a Chair (2025)

 I can't think of a better way for someone to mark the 40th anniversary of Bon Jovi's "Slippery When Wet", but some enterprising folks did.

Last month, "Bon Meovi" released "Livin' on a Chair", a parody of "Livin' on a Prayer".

"Slippery" reaches its 40th anniversary in August. "Bon Meovi" simply got a head start.

Saturday Morning Ringside: 518 represent in World Class Championship Wrestling (1985)

 While "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan was tearing it up in Mid-South Wrestling, Glens Falls' other gift to wrestling made her TV debut with World Class Championship Wrestling.

Misty Blue leads off this card from September 1985. I don't think Misty ever followed Duggan to the WWE.....

Saturday School: When Brandon Tartikoff visited Bayside High (Saved by The Bell, 1991)

 The following is the closing tag from a 1991 episode of Saved by The Bell. NBC programming chairman Brandon Tartikoff made a special appearance as part of an anti-drug episode of the series.....

A message that should still resonate today.

Game Time: Skedaddle (1988)

 In 1988, Hanna-Barbera decided to tweak their Funtastic World block with a game show. No, they weren't going to try the originally conceived format for Wacky Races, but, rather, they decided on something of a cross between Hot Potato & Nickelodeon's Double Dare.

Skedaddle, however, lasted just 6 weeks, a total dud, as viewers figured out very quickly that this was more of a knock-off of Dare. Ron Pearson served as host. Unfortunately, no footage exists, just some screen captures like this:

Jay Wolpert co-produced the show, returning a favor H-B did for him some time earlier. You see, H-B produced the animation for Wolpert's 1979 series, Whew!, for CBS. That lasted about a year before it was cancelled. I guess they went with dinosaur characters because the Skatebirds didn't want to come out of retirement. Ditto for the Banana Splits.

No rating, as I never saw the show.

Getting Schooled: The Skating Rink (ABC Afterschool Special, 1975)

 Here's a seasonally appropriate Afterschool Special.

"The Skating Rink" stars Rance Howard (Ron & Clint's dad), Stewart Peterson, radio & cartoon personality Jerry Dexter (ex-Gomer Pyle, USMC, Josie & The Pussycats), and, in one of his earliest roles, Sparky Marcus (later the voice of Richie Rich).

Producer Martin Tahse became a go-to for ABC in the mid-to-late 70's, producing films for the Afterschool Special and, later, Weekend Special.

No rating. Just a public service.

Getting Schooled: Our Friend, Martin (1999)

 "Martin", of course, is Martin Luther King, Jr., and this 1999 animated DTV, which has aired on cable in the intervening years, traces his life, with the contrivance of time travel.

LeVar Burton, Whoopi Goldberg, Jaleel White, Ed Asner, and Angela Bassett lead an all-star cast in this Emmy nominated film. The movie also features King's son, Dexter, as the adult King, and Frank Welker & John Travolta in supporting roles.

No rating. Strictly for educational purposes, as we honor Dr. King's memory today.

Saturday Morning's Greatest Hits: Party is a Groovy Thing (1975)

 Now, here's a band I'd never heard of until today.

From 1975, here's The People's Choice with their disco hit, "Party is a Groovy Thing":

Game Time: Bet ya didn't know Shari Lewis knew something about magic, too! (To Tell The Truth, 1977)

 I think you could tell To Tell The Truth was nearing the end of its 1st syndicated run in 1977 when they started doing stunt casting like they did a decade earlier near the end of the CBS run.

In game 1, ventriloquist Shari Lewis introduces viewers to her magician father, Abraham Hurwitz. Lamb Chop introduces moderator Joe Garagiola, and after the game, a little magic trick with father & daughter.

I guess this explains why Shari was cast as Honey Halfwitch in a series of shorts in the 60's, starting her cartoon career.

Saturtainment: The Shoes of Shoe-Cago (Here Comes The Grump, 1969)

 Sentient shoes? In the world of Here Comes The Grump, definitely.

Making it all the more obvious the series was both inspired by, and DePatie-Freleng's audition for, Dr. Seuss' madcap stories, which DFE would begin adapting two years later.

Terry (Jay North, Arabian Knights, ex-Maya, Dennis The Menace) and Princess Dawn end up in the city of Shoe-Cago. Marvin Miller paints the word picture to start.

No rating. Just a public service.

Saturtainment: Doctor Snuggles (1979)

 Time to go across the pond for our next entry.

The first remembrance I have of Doctor Snuggles was that it'd been imported to the US by one of the pay-cable channels in the early 80's. The series had launched in 1979 as a co-production between Dutch & British animation houses until a strike, either in the UK or the Netherlands, forced outsourcing of the animation to Korea and the US (DePatie-Freleng handled the final 6 episodes).

Peter Ustinov voiced the title character, and also served as narrator. Ustinov was no stranger to cartoons having narrated the Babar cartoons.

Following is a sample episode.

No rating. Just a public service.

Saturday Morning Ringside: WWWF All Star Wrestling (1971)

 Vincent J. (Jess) McMahon was never satisfied with 1 syndicated program. He needed to have 2.

In addition to Championship Wrestling, there was also All Star Wrestling, a title used by other promotions in other parts of the country, including the AWA. You'd get the occasional competitive feature match, but most of the hour was loaded with jobber matches, the likes of which you don't see anymore.

From 1978, you'll see 2 former champions, Ivan Koloff and Stan Stasiak, in separate bouts, the latter in the opener vs. Larry Zbyszko. Also on the card is Jerry "Crusher" Blackwell, who would later become a babyface (good guy) in the AWA in the 80's after turning on Sheik Adnan El-Kaissie. Once Blackwell lost a title match vs. then-champ Bob Backlund, he left the 3WF.

Vincent K. McMahon solos on commentary.

Rating: A-. We'll look at the AWA version another day.

Game Time: The Game of Life (2011)

 Hasbro decided to adapt the long running Game of Life into a TV show, which lasted 1 season on the ill-fated, Hasbro-co-run The Hub (now Discovery Family). Unfortunately, 15 years later, it appears as though Hasbro went old school, and wiped most of the episodes, save for this one.

I used to play the board game, which was lots of fun, but some of it got lost in the transition to television, sealing the series' fate.

Rating: B.

Saturday Morning's Forgotten Heroes: The World's Fair Affair (Fantastic Voyage, 1968)

 The CMDF are assigned to the World's Fair to intercept foreign saboteurs in this episode of Fantastic Voyage.

Standard fare.

Rating: A-.

Getting Schooled: Buyer Be Wise (1982)

 Here's another Disney entry produced for schools.

"Buyer Be Wise" is all about how we're consumers, and what goes into the money we spend. Hal Smith voices Goofy, while Gary Owens is the narrator.

Aimed, I think, at elementary schools.

Rating: A.

Looney TV: The Muh-muh-muh-murder (The Looney Tunes Show, 2012)

 One of the biggest complaints about The Looney Tunes Show was how it dumbed down Daffy Duck (Jeff Bergman) to the point where he was little more than an imbecile.

In this case, a case of mistaken identity has him thinking Porky Pig (Bob Bergen) is a killer. Meanwhile, Bugs (Bergman) rushes to the aid of Lola (Kristen Wiig) after she breaks her ankle. Legendary producer Garry Marshall, who hadn't done much acting since the 60's, is heard as Dr. Weisberg, a recurring role.

Small wonder fans cheered when subsequent series brought Daffy back to his zanier roots.

Rating: B-.

Toonfomercial: Spider-Man & friends shill for Hardee's (1983)

 Produced in between seasons 2 & 3 of Spider-Man & His Amazing Friends, the web-spinner (Dan Gilveazan), Firestar, Iceman, Captain America, Spider-Woman, & Hulk greet a family at Hardee's to shill the chain's answer to McDonald's Happy Meal.......

Tonfomercial: Remember the Carnation Rabbits? (1960's)

 Meet Pete & Harry, the Carnation Rabbits, who shilled for Carnation cottage cheese, milk, yogurt, dips, & ice cream.

Today, Carnation is a unit of Nestle, continuing the long running company's evaporated milk and Breakfast Essentials (formerly Carnation Instant Breakfast), but the wider range of products didn't survive too far past the 60's.

A quick Google search reveals that Mel Blanc (who else?) gave life to Pete & Harry, though YouTubers were convinced Paul Winchell and/or Pat Harrington, Jr. did the voices.

Following is a 4 minute montage of commercials.

Sunday Funnies: Junior & The Dictator (Problem Child, 1993)

 From season 1 of Problem Child:

Junior (Ben Diskin) takes umbrage when his grandfather (Jonathan Harris) welcomes a visiting general.

Considering that the president of our country fancies himself a dictator, but has the comportment of an immature child, well.........!

It's safe to say Junior was being reposited as an anti-hero in this series, since his gramps was often in collusion with Principal Peabody (Gilbert Gottfried), and always foiled.

No rating. Just a public service.

Not your average fairy tale: Three Little Piggs (1961)

 Here's a Fractured Fairy Tale from 1961.

The Three Little Piggs are a trio of sisters (all voiced by June Foray), instead of brothers in the traditional story, who get their own individual homes thanks to an inheritance from a recently deceased relative. Daws Butler is the wolf.

The gender flipping and the twist ending aside, this plays out like the traditional story. We think.

Rating: B.

Saturday Morning's Greatest Hits: Respect Yourself (1971)

 The Staple Singers scored a crossover hit in 1971 with "Respect Yourself", which brought them to Soul Train.

Some 15 years later, actor-singer Bruce Willis (Moonlighting) did a solo cover of "Respect" for his first top 40 hit. Nothing tops the original, though.