Saturday, September 30, 2006

On this last Cartoon Saturday of September, when the new cartoon season is off and running with little to no fanfare, we recall the bygone days when launching the new Saturday morning cartoon season was as big as the launching of the prime time line-up (or bigger, depending on what the prime time offerings were). There were ads in comics and magazines, prime time specials promoting the new and returing shows, and an enthusiasm designed to get you to pick your channel and sit through all their shows, even the duller ones.

To mark this, here's an ad for the CBS line-up of 1982. It's notable for its inclusion of Gilligan's Planet, which we mentioned earlier this week. It also appears the Looney Tunes were getting a big chunk of the CBS air that year. A staple of the Saturday morning diet, they'd travel from one network to the other (not to mention daily appearances on UHF syndication) until they settled on the various channels of their parent company (now KidsWB! and Cartoon Network).

Friday, September 29, 2006

Today is the birthday of Miguel de Cervantes, the author whose chronicles of the life and adventures of famed knight Don Quixote has become one of the most famous novels of all time, and has been translated into almost every language in the world that is serviced by profitable publishing companies.

Thursday, September 28, 2006

940 years ago today, William the Conqueror stopped by England for some tea and decided to stay awhile. Realizing he'd need a place to sit, he decided the throne would do.

Thursday, September 28, 2006

940 years ago today, William the Conqueror stopped by England for some tea and decided to stay awhile. Realizing he'd need a place to sit, he decided the throne would do.

Wednesday, September 27, 2006

Television personality Wilford Brimley celebrates his birthday on this date. Known as the gruff-voiced slightly grumpy older man in many television shows and movies, he's also quite beloved as the gruff-voiced slightly grumpy older man in commercials for Quaker Oats and Liberty Medical. He seems very much to be the type who would resist any fuss for his birthday, in fact, he'd probably actually say "I don't want any fuss for my birthday." So we'll resist on the fuss and instead present a vintage Quaker Oats ad. It's the right thing to do, and the right day to do it.

Tuesday, September 26, 2006

On this day in 1964, seven castaways found themselves stranded on a strange and seemingly deserted island. Their names shall live on forever. Gilligan. The Skipper. The Millionaire and his wife. The Movie Star. The Professor and Mary-Anne. All of them on Gilligan's Island. (Ok, so only two of their actual names shall live on forever). Sherwood Schwartz had a hit on his hands, and it would run until 1967. Two years after the end of Gilligan's Island, lightning struck twice on the same date, as Schwartz launched an even bigger hit franchise on this date in 1969: The Brady Bunch.

Decades later, even a few years after the Gilligan's Planet cartoon, Playskool put out this Gilligan's Island playset. Somehow we remember the island being bigger and without a dock for the handy rowboat and raft. You know, if they'd had a pair of sea worthy vessels handy, the show probably wouldn't have lasted three seasons, even if they did have Gilligan to screw things up...

Monday, September 25, 2006

Today is Christopher Reeve's birthday. He was Superman.

Sunday, September 24, 2006

Though somewhat identified as a separate saint, Our Lady of Guadalupe is a name used by The Virgin Mary as she appeared to a young Mexican lad named Juan Diego. To make a long story short, Mary wanted Juan Diego to get the local bishop to up and build a temple. As usual, nobody believes anybody of cosmic importance talked to a nobody, so they tried to get him to prove it. Mary suggested taking some out-of-season roses, which, when shown to the bishop, had left a pretty impressive glowing, life-size image of Mary on Juan Diego's cloak.

Juan Diego's cloak was not the same exact colors as the Mexican flag. The rendition of Our Lady of Guadalupe depicted was an attempt at cross-promotion for both Church and State.

Saturday, September 23, 2006

With tomorrow being Jim Henson's 70th birthday, Cartoon Saturdays turns it's attention to Muppet Babies. First seen in a flashback sequence in the Muppets Take Manhattan, the adorable toddler versions of the Muppets soon arrived on saturday mornings. With a focus on friendship and imagination, the Muppet Babies had adventures through time and space, but always made it home to be tucked in by "Nanny."

Friday, September 22, 2006

Although established by an Executive Order on March 1, 1961, it was 45 years ago today that Congree passed the law bringing the Peace Corps into permanent existence.

Thursday, September 21, 2006

25 years ago today, Sandra Day O'Connor became the first female Justice of the United States Supreme Court. She remained on the bench until earlier this year. Known, especially toward the end of her tenure, as a "swing vote," whose stance on a ruling often tilted the decision of the court, Justice O'Connor's moderate sensibilities placed her in a very powerful position. Her temperment guaranteed that she would be remembered not only for her historical significance, but also for her formidable record on the bench.

Wednesday, September 20, 2006

On this day in 1984, the biggest hit sitcom of the decade, perhaps ever in terms of it's power and influence, The Cosby Show, began it's run on NBC.

Aside from being a strong family show with Bill Cosby doing his best Bill Cosby, along with great chemistry with Phylicia Rashad and the workhourse talents of the kids of the clan, the show was important for a number of reasons. It revitalized the sitcom, especially the family sitcom, as a viable genre. It created, before they even named it, NBC's "Must See TV." More than any of these, it was one of the last shows that, in the early days of mainstream basic cable, everybody watched. A fact so well known that even President Reagan was known to delay his remarks to the nation until 8:30pm, after The Cosby Show had ended, so as to avoid angering the millions of American's tuning in every week, at least half of whom hoped Cliff Huxtable would finally get to eat the giant sandwich he tried to sneak in the middle of the night.

Tuesday, September 19, 2006

Despite what Commissioner Gordon said, we knew who he was beneath that mask of his. He was Adam West. Television's Batman. Today is his birthday. Though he had many credits both before and after he donned the cape and cowl, the one role defined him. You know the "a" in "Batmania?" It stands for Adam West. (It's up to you to figure out which "a".

Monday, September 18, 2006

51 years ago today, CBS television (on the date of their 28th birthday as a network) changed the name of popular variety show Toast Of The Town to what most people already called it anyway: The Ed Sullivan Show.

Having already been on the air for the better part of a decade, the distinctive (and easy to parody) mannerisms and speaking patterns of Ed Sullivan, not to mention his undeniable (if not overt) charisma, made it impossible to overlook the host in favor of the acts. While it's true that the acts took center stage on The Ed Sullivan Show, it was always clear who's stage it was.

Sunday, September 17, 2006

Saint Francis was a bon vivant turned devout follower of Jesus' life. Unlike most who viewed the life of Jesus as a moral inspiration and source of holy inspiration, Saint Francis looked to Jesus as a role model and attempted to live his life as Christ had led his.

That the statue of him pictured here is missing the same hand as a Christ statue given to the eBay A Day Auction Almaniac's brother is one of the mysteries of the universe.

Saturday, September 16, 2006

Cartoon Saturdays presents Wacky Races. Essentially an animated version of The Great Race, and inspired by other world-wide races both real and cinematic, Wacky Races featured a number of groovy and clever characters driving cars that match their personality. Shockingly it was not a toy tie-in show. Though not remembered as one of the quintessential Hanna-Barbera toons, Wacky Races generated a pair of spin-offs, each featuring one of the most popular of the racers. We'll get to those soon. The gimmick cars put Bond's Aston Martin to shame, and the sight gags abound. It may have been a competition, but Wacky Races was a winner.

Friday, September 15, 2006

Tanks first rolled onto the battlefield during The Battle Of Somme in France, as the British army introduced the armored vehicles to the world of modern warfare ninety years ago today.

Unlike the one pictured here, they were not made of wood.

Thursday, September 14, 2006

Desktop publishing was advanced in a big way 140 years ago today as George Anderson patented the typewriter ribbon. The first of what we consider "the modern typewriter" (using the same key layout as computer keyboards), followed that same year.

Wednesday, September 13, 2006

Today is the birthday of Ray Charles. They didn't call him "The Genius" for nothing.

Tuesday, September 12, 2006

Happy Birthday today to Yma Sumac. Known as The Voice of The Xtabay (Xtabay A Day? Nah...), she possessed an eight octave vocal range, which she used to great effect with her haunting singing stylings. Some people believed her to be a fraud, perhaps someone named Amy Camus from New Jersey. These debunkers were eventually largely discounted, and she is considered to be the real deal, unique vocal range and all. Her several albums on Capitol have developed a vast cult following.

Monday, September 11, 2006

The first televised Miss America pageant was aired on ABC on this day in 1954. An American institution, the crowing of Miss America is the crowning of the female ideal. Apparently that ideal is a woman who comes with an instruction manual.

Sunday, September 10, 2006

On this Holy Sunday we note that over 70% of the world is water. How much of that water is holy?

Saturday, September 9, 2006

Today's Cartoon Saturday picks up where yesterday's eBay A Day left off, noting the 40th anniversary of Star Trek. In the opening narration to the Star Trek series, it describes a "five year mission," but the original series lasted but three, ending in 1969. In 1973, as reruns bolstered the series' already rabid fanbase and added to their ranks, Filmation began an animated series that followed the continuing exploits of the crew of the Enterprise. Though the animation was a bit crude, and there were some Saturday morning touches added on, the show retained several of the writers from the original series, as well as the voices of most of the original cast (at least for some of the episodes).The series lasted two years, ending in 1975, fulfilling the promise of the "five year mission."

Friday, September 8, 2006

40 years ago today, Star Trek first beamed into living rooms across America. Though it only ran for three seasons (kept alive that long, in part, with the help of it's loyal fans), the original series became a cultural icon and a beloved television classic through years of reruns. While it was followed by an animated series, a series of feature films and several later spin-off programs (not to mention a non-stop series of novels, comics, toys, collectibles and an unprecedented fandom empire), the original Star Trek series and its characters like Captain Kirk, Mr. Spock, Dr. McCoy and Chief Engineer Scotty remains the most internationally recognizable and fondly thought of part of the Star Trek franchise.

Thursday, September 7, 2006

110 years ago, C.H. Whiting won the first U.S. auto race held on a racetrack. The race, which took place in Cranston, RI, was held on a 1-mile track normally used for harness racing. Whiting's electric car reached speeds of about 24 mph, allowing him to beat the other 7 entrants.

Wednesday, September 6, 2006

The Pilgrims set sail for the new world aboard the Mayflower on this day in 1620.

339 years later, Mattel sold the first Barbie doll.

It's unlikely the people responsible for Pilgrim Barbie knew about this coincidence.

Tuesday, September 5, 2006

Today is Bob Newhart's birthday. Known best as a TV legend owing largely to his runs on both "The Bob Newhart Show" (which ran for almost the entire 1970s) and "Newhart" (which ran for almost the entire 1980s), Newhart started out as a comedian on the radio and soon after on record. These records were top sellers, even outselling Elvis, and many of the routines on them became classics.

His ability to incorporate his classic routines into the episodes of his television programs earned him legions of fans and served as a model for later comedians attempting to move from stand-up into television (though their mileage varies). One of his seldom followed lessons was to put his own ego aside and surround himself with a supporting cast that allowed him to be put into situations where his subtle humor worked at its best.

So Happy Birthday Bob Newhart.

Monday, September 4, 2006

225 years ago, Spanish settlers founded El Pueblo de Nuestra Senora La Reina de Los Angeles de Porciuncula. People got tired of writing all of that when they had to fill out forms asking for city of residence, so they dropped the part about the Queen of the Little Portion and settled for the Angels part.

As Los Angeles celebrates its bi-and-a-quarter-centennial, we note that as home and destination of famous, infamous, common and uncommon people alike, The City Of Angels has seen it all. Probably things much stranger than a top hat and tuxedo wearing elephant.

Sunday, September 3, 2006

With Labor Day tomorrow, and kids everywhere heading back to school, on this Holy Sunday, we pay homage to Sunday School. Despite adding a sixth day of school to the week, Sunday Schools have been around since the late 18th century and continue to be popular today.

Storybooks reflecting the biblical lessons being taught are often used, some are directly taken or adaptated from the Bible, others are original stories written with a particular moral lesson in mind.

Note that the star of this story appears to shop at the same store as Alice (of Wonderland).

Saturday, September 2, 2006

Today's cartoon Saturday is starring the indisputable leader of the gang, Top Cat.

Despite living in a trash can, Top Cat was the Don Corleone of the feline set. His cat pack was really swinging and though the concept may not have been as ambitious as the far-flung future of the Jetsons or the prehistoric past of The Flintstones, their crazy capers were a fun ride, no doubt even for Officer Dibbles (although an upstanding lawman like himself would never admit to such a thing). TC had some real charm, some real class (and some really talented performers behind the show).

Friday, September 1, 2006

Emma M. Nutt became the first woman telephone operator hired in the U.S. on this date in 1878. Ms. Nutt, along with her sister, were given jobs at the Telephone Dispatch Company in Boston, Massachusetts. Men had proven to be prone to unruly behavior, and so the tradition of women operators was born.

Some years later, on this very same day, comedienne Lily Tomlin was born. One of her most famous characters is Ernestine the telephone operator.