Animated World of DC Comics: The Super Friends pursue The Ultra Beam (1973)

 Super Friends turns 50 this month. No complete episodes of the original 16 episode season are available, so all we have are excerpts.

In "The Ultra Beam", it's a typical case of misguided scientists seeking to destroy all the gold in the world because they believe it's the root of all evil. Hate to break it to these guys, but it isn't. I'll bet they never cracked open a Bible.

The Bible tells us that love of money is the root of all evil, not gold. Making money by selling gold is one thing, but gold itself is not the root cause of evil, other than greed.

Rating: B.

ABC All-Star Saturday, 45 years ago (1978)

 Next week marks the 45th anniversary for ABC's All-Star Saturday block, marking the premieres of Challenge of The Super Friends and Fangface. Scooby's All-Star Laff-a-Lympics was rechristened Scooby's All-Stars for its 2nd & final season. The Krofft Supershow was gone after 2 seasons, but the show's hosts, Kaptain Kool & The Kongs, spent some time on NBC's ill-fated Krofft Superstar Hour, though half the band (Michael Lembeck & Debra Clinger) were pulling double duty in primetime (One Day at a Time & The American Girls, respectively, for CBS). The Pink Panther, after 9 seasons on NBC, moved to ABC, but for some reason, the ABC launch was delayed three weeks.

Following is an ad for the Central time zone.

Yes, they were short on original programming again, hence Scooby-Doo Where Are You? reruns on the schedule. Not included is the ABC Weekend Special, which was also in its 2nd season. After a few weeks, the reruns were tossed aside, and Challenge was expanded to 90 minutes to include repeats from the previous season's All-New Super Friends Hour.

You Know The Voice: Robert Ridgely (1972)

What do you get when you cross John Wayne with Uncle Sam?

Robert Ridgely.

Before he made his Saturday morning debut on Uncle Croc's Block, Ridgely, a veteran character actor, appeared in this Ford ad, decked out like Uncle Sam, and imitating the Duke himself.

Toon Rock: Brandy (You're a Fine Girl) (1972-2020)

 Here's a classic oldie getting the animated video treatment.

Looking Glass hit the top of the charts in 1972 with "Brandy (You're a Fine Girl)", a classic ballad that continues to gain major airplay on oldies channels today. Nearly 50 years later, an animated video was produced for the song:

Getting Schooled: My Mom's Having a Baby (ABC Afterschool Special, 1977)

 From the ABC Afterschool Special:

ABC called upon DePatie-Freleng once again for another part-animated, part-live action entry, "My Mom's Having a Baby". Shane Sinutko plays a 10 year old whose mom (Candace Farrell) asks him to babysit his infant brother. Dr. Lendon Smith (ex-The Children's Doctor) appears as himself to give the kids a crash course in childbirth. Jarrod Johnson (ex-The Lost Saucer) co-stars.

Rating: A-.

Toonfomercial: Remember Sani-Flush? (1979)

 Sani-Flush was a brand of toilet bowl cleaner introduced more than 100 years ago. The product passed through numerous corporate hands, including Boyle-Midway and Reckitt-Bensicker before being retired in the US 10 years ago. Environmental activists had a lot to do with the product being discontinued.

From 1979, they tried to create a mascot for the product.

Sunday Funnies: America's Funniest People (1990)

 Vin DiBona had a winner on his hands with America's Funniest Home Videos, still going strong 35 years after its launch. In 1990, he added America's Funniest People, which like Home Videos, started with a pilot special, and went from there. The difference? It lasted just four seasons (1990-4).

As with Home Videos, DiBona turned to the cast of Full House to find his lead host in Canadian cut-up Dave Coulier (The Real Ghostbusters), partnered with Arleen Sorkin (Days of Our Lives). However, there were some issues between Sorkin & DiBona, leading to the actress being cut after 2 seasons. She cried foul amid rumors DiBona wanted an African-American or other minority co-hostess, but DiBona blinked and brought in actress Tawny Kitaen to replace Sorkin.

Arleen made out okay, though. She landed the role of her career as the voice of Harley Quinn on Batman: The Animated Series.

Let's check this item from 1992:

People shifted from LA to Orlando in season 3, then back to LA for the final season.

In memory of Arleen Sorkin, 67, who passed away Saturday. No rating.