TV Guidance

Jaime Weinman writes about all kinds of television and other kinds of popular culture. He does not write Gossip Girl episode reviews. Follow Jaime on Twitter: @weinmanj

Categories: TV Guidance

This Cartoon Actually Existed, Cont.

by Jaime Weinman on Monday, August 17, 2009 5:18pm - 14 Comments

Another cartoon I remember watching as a kid, though I can’t remember why: the Hanna-Barbera “Pac-Man” cartoon. It was arguably, though not necessarily, better than “Rubik, the Amazing Cube.”

Seeing that intro again makes me wonder: if Saturday morning cartoons still existed, what current-day fads would be turned into cartoons? Obviously, there would have been a Jonas Brothers cartoon where they solve mysteries while traveling around in a conveyance of some sort. (When the Jonas Brothers stopped being popular, it would have been re-tooled as the “Jonas Brothers Miley Cyrus Demi-Wizards Ipod Hour.”) But what else? I’m thinking there should definitely be a Lost cartoon on Saturday mornings by now, where instead of an island everybody is on a magical planet where Grogar, head of the goats, is trying to stop them from finding the mystical papaya tree before he does.

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Charles

I also vaguely remember watching this, but don't think I felt particularly attached to it. I'm not sure if the fact that this lasted a couple of seasons says more about the lack of competition in the children's television market in the eighties or the total lack of taste among the child demographic.
http://notquiteunhinged.blogspot.com Catelli

You lost me. What do you mean IF Saturday morning cartoons still existed?

http://intensedebate.com/people/jaimeweinman Jaime Weinman

I meant broadcast-network Saturday morning cartoons, back when you could turn on the TV at 8 on Saturday and have your pick of "Kissyfur," "Shirt Tales," "Pandamonium," "Fonz and the Happy Days Gang" and various cartoons with too much narration in the opening titles. There are still some cartoons on Saturday morning, but the term "Saturday morning cartoons" sort of refers to a particular broadcasting model that flourished from the '60s through the '90s.

John D

That doesn't exist any more? Truly sad.
http://notquiteunhinged.blogspot.com Catelli

I see what you mean. I think its shifted to the specialty channels, IE YTV and Teletoon.

There might be less selection now. But growing up I was an antennae kid, could only get 5 channels, and only 1 would show cartoons on Saturday. So now as an adult (watching with my sons) its more and better selection for me. This is my golden age for cartoons because I can actually get them now.

Kevin

I'm pretty sure your Jonas Bros. cartoon idea has already been sent around to the networks. I, for one, would like to see the Big Bang Theory gang have a cartoon, where they travel through time in the time machine they bought. and have wacky adventures. they just need to add a snickering cartoon dog and it would be gold. Gold I tell you!
http://phantomobserver.com PhantomObserver

Well, if Bob & Doug can be a toon, then The Red Green Show would be an optimum candidate (particularly Adventures With Bill segments). Rachael Ray might also be a candidate for a toon teaching kids about food and cooking; DDR might run as an exercise show for kids if done right.

http://intensedebate.com/people/avr avr

If Cornball Cancon is a viable segment of the kids' market, I want Wayne & Schuster: The Animated Series first, I think.
http://www.intensedebate.com/people/avr avr

If Cornball Cancon really is that viable a segment of the kids' market, I want Wayne & Shuster: The Animated Series first, I think.

http://intensedebate.com/people/madeyoulook madeyoulook

Wondering who's got the rights sewn up for animated versions of The Littlest Hobo, King of Kensington and Snow Job…

Scott M.

How about "My Secret Identity" the cartoon?

http://www.manzercorp.com manzercorp

"The Littlest Hobo" was proposed as an animated series about 5 years ago at a place where I worked. The guy who owns the rights wanted too much money.
Anyone remember the first version of this show when he was accused of a crime he didn't commit, and was shot at by a man with a rifle, which forced him to move on to the next town? That's some motivation right there. In the 80's version he just seemed fickle, and walked out for no reason.

Alan

Well, given that there used to be a World Wrestling Federation cartoon, I'm going to have to go with a UFC based cartoon as a modern suggestion.
http://www.cnn.com Lance

staying at home adn doing mushrooms on a monday was a lot better when shows like this were around