Saturtainment: The Rule (Ark II, 1976)

It's been a while since we took a look at Filmation's 1976 series, Ark II, for CBS.

In "The Rule", the crew of the Ark encounter a tribe whose societal rules create some conflict. Phillip Abbott (ex-The F. B. I.) guest stars.



Turns out I was wrong about producer Dick Rosenbloom. Thought he was one season & done, since Secrets of Isis was the only one of the live-action class of '75 that he'd helmed to be renewed, but he's also the producer here. Also, Jose Flores (Samuel) moved to cartoon work the next season. He was the voice of Carlos on NBC's Archie-Sabrina Hour, but left Filmation after that series was cancelled. He's done some work since, but has largely dropped out of sight. After Ark II ended, Terry Lester (Jonah) went back to his, ah, "day job" on The Young & The Restless.

No rating. I have no memory of seeing this episode.

Saturday Morning's Forgotten Heroes: The Freedom Force in The Robot (1978)

"The Robot", written by Buzz Dixon, is the series finale of The Freedom Force.

A 27th century time traveler (Michael Bell, also the voices of Merlin, Super Samurai, & Toshi) tricks a tribe into giving him a sacred pearl, but the Freedom Force teaches him a lesson in humility. Listen close, and Bell also voices the tribal leader.



Wikipedia has conflicting reports on the casting of Hercules in this series. The current Freedom Force page credits Bob Denison as Herc, but the page for the late George DiCenzo, who voiced Hercules on Space Sentinels, claims he reprised.

Rating: B.

Toon Legends: Pink Panther in Pinkcome Tax (1968)

It's tax season, and while millions of us are hunkering down to get our tax returns out in the mail over the next three weeks, here's a little something that might lighten you up.

The Pink Panther fancies himself taking the place of Robin Hood in 1968's "Pinkcome Tax".



Robin's been treated better, trust me.

Rating: B.

Looney TV: Drafty, Isn't It? (1957)

Chuck Jones' youthful daydreamer, Ralph Phillips, is all grown up in this 1957 offering, produced in conjunction with the Army.

"Drafty, Isn't It?" is also notable in that the lone actor in the short isn't Mel Blanc, but Daws Butler.



Rating: A.

Tooniversary: Technology, Phooey (The Ant & The Aardvark, 1969)

Yep, The Ant & The Aardvark turn 50 this year.

In "Technology, Phooey", the aardvark (John Byner mimicking Jackie Mason) gets a do-it-yourself computer to try to catch the ant. Byner's computer voice is a mimic of Paul Lynde.



Hysterical.

Rating: A.

Toonfomercial: Bart Simpson shills for Butterfinger (1991)

For most of its run, The Simpsons has been associated with, and sponsored by, Butterfinger candy, now made by Nestle.

At least Bart (Nancy Cartwright) is not ashamed of his sweet tooth. In this spot, Bart is on a psychiatrist's couch. First aired in 1991.



I believe Butterfinger was still the property of Nabisco at that time.

Saturtainment: Scratch a Tiger (Ant & The Aardvark, 1969)

Normally, a Ant & The Aardvark short is a one-man show (John Byner). Not this time.

Byner is joined by Marvin Miller in "Scratch a Tiger". You can see the twist ending coming a mile away.



The laugh track signals this came from an NBC broadcast.

Rating: B.