•
More mourning of kids’ shows
It’s been great fun to read about your memories of . Some of them I haven’t heard of before, but others strike happy little memories in my head. As our first comment below notes, the recent column was quite 1970s-show centric, but that’s because it came out of my earlier piece about the release of “The Best of The Electric Company” on DVD – as well as the fact that I grew up in the 1970s and that’s when I was watching most of my kids’ TV.
Here are some more of your comments.
GENERATION GAP“Your post about “Kids Shows We Miss” sure made me feel old. I clicked on the title, thinking I would read reminisces about my old childhood favorites...Captain Kangaroo, Romper Room, Howdy Doody, My Friend Flicka. Imagine my dismay when I realized all the shows mentioned were ones my kids watched! Thanks a lot...I’m feeling very lonely on this side of the generation gap.” --GalenGael says: Older memories are always welcome here! I loved “Captain Kangaroo” and “Romper Room” myself, though. The older show that sticks in my head though I never saw it is Miss Frances’ “Ding Dong School,” because of a wonderful priest and professor I had in college who used to urge us to get serious about our studies by scowling “You know, this ain’t ‘Ding Dong School’.”
THOSE CRAZY KROFFTS“Okay, I know I’m showing my age with this one.... H.R. Puffinstuff and the Banana Splits. Anything by Sid & Marty Krofft! (pssst.... does anyone know where I can find H.R. Pufinstuff paraphenalia?)” --DeeGael says: You heard the sad news that Jack Wild, Jimmy on ‘Pufnstuf,’ died recently, right? And as a huge Krofft fan, I know that there are various collections of their shows out on DVD and VHS. One, “Saturday Morning with Sid and Marty Krofft,” includes the pilot episodes of “Pufnstuf,” “Lidsville,” “Land of the Lost,” “Lost Saucer,” “Far-Out Space Nuts,” “Sigmund and the Sea Monster,” and my favorite, “The Bugaloos.”
PUPPET FUN“Also most sadly missed....’Kukla, Fran and Ollie’.” --PattyGael says: Also Shari Lewis and Lamb Chop!
EARTH DAY“I vaguely remember a program called “The Big Blue Marble”. It was a show about kids all over the planet and the idea that although we’re from different parts of the world. We’re all very much alike. I remember its theme song was very comforting. Its lyrics went something like this: “It’s all a big blue marble when you see it from out there. We sing pretty much alike. We laugh pretty much alike’.” --Carlos
MR. WIZARD “The mention of Bill Nye has me wondering what ever happened to the original? C’mon y’all know what I mean...’Mr. Wizard’s World’ on Nickelodeon! It had the same kids (most times) as ‘You Can’t Do That on Television’ (yet another great show)!” --Doug
GIGGLESNORT TAPES“In response to Antonio’s question regardng copies of “The Gigglesnort Hotel”, I believe Bill Jackson actually has a website where you can order copies of the series on DVD or VHS. Check out www.dirtydragon.com. I grew up in the Chicago area and loved that show!” --Sheila
MORE ON ‘FRIENDLY GIANT’“Thought I might add to William’s post regarding The Friendly Giant. I remember the program in the early ‘60s when I was a pre-schooler. The 15-minute program was produced by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Bob Homme (pronounced HUMM-y) starred as Friendly, along with Jerome the Giraffe and Rusty the Rooster, from the show’s inception in 1958 until 1984, when the CBC decided to give it the Big Boot. Mr. Homme passed away in 2002.” --Jim
FREE TO BE “One GREAT kids’ show was aired just once, to my knowledge—probably because it was too politically incorrect for, um, men. It was Marlo Thomas’ “Free to Be You and Me,” shown some time in the ‘70s I believe. I was able to buy the recording of the songs used in it, which surprised me, since the show was not shown again. (I could be wrong, but if it has been aired, it must be very recently since I stopped watching TV.) The songs are great, and the message to girls is terrific. Does anyone else remember this? I didn’t check before writing this—think I’ll look now to see if it’s on DVD.” --DianaGael says: I had the record and the book. Loved it. Back from when we thought equality was really just around the corner. “William wants a doll!”
GARY GNU SAYS“I am a child of the 80’s and remember quite a few really good kids shows. One that really stands out was called the Great Space Coaster. It was around in the first half of the 80’s. It had characters like M.T. Promises, Gary Gnu, and who could forget speed reader. It combined music with some real funny sketches (at least for 10 year old at the time). This I would love to get for my own kids.” --Jason
MAKE A WISH“My favorite show was “Make A Wish” with Tom Chapin - Harry’s brother. All that free associating resonated with my young mind.” --George
WONDERAMA“Don’t forget about Bill McAllisters “Wonderama”!” --Chris
BILL NYE ON DVD – SCHOOLS ONLY?“Bill Nye DVD’s are available from , unfortunately, they are priced for the classroom, not the living room. Also unfortunate, as popular as they are, is that neither Netflix nor Blockbuster carry them. As a homeschooler, I would love to be able to rent this excellent science series for my children.” --Tresa
•
‘South Park’ and the scorpion
The most interesting entertainment-news story yesterday involved where he voiced the soulful ladies' man Chef, because he has now decided that the show disrespects religious beliefs and practices, contrasting with his personal history as a civil-rights activist.
This wasn't one of those stories where anyone had to wonder about what was behind the words. Hayes is a Scientologist and "South Park" lampooned Scientology in a recent episode. (That episode is rerunning tomorrow, if you want to catch it. Be sure to note the end credits, where the cast and crew names have all been replaced with "Jane Smith" or "John Smith.")
Show creator Matt Stone immediately heated the story up to boil. He responded by saying, essentially, that Hayes was wrong to hide behind the idea that it was the show in general, not strictly Scientology-mocking, that made him quit. Stone was quoted as saying that Hayes "has no problem — and he’s cashed plenty of checks — with our show making fun of Christians.” (According to , Stone and partner Trey Parker will appear on David Letterman's show tomorrow. That should be a lively discussion.)
Hayes' announcement is also interesting because, in an , he was asked specifically about the Scientology episode, and kind of brushed it off, saying "I understand what they're doing."
This story is so entertaining because for one thing, it's "South Park." Religious mockery? On this show, Jesus has a talk show and Satan is the gay lover of Saddam Hussein. What about the , a superhero team that includes Buddha, Mohammed, Krishna, Lao Tzu, and an Aquaman knock-off named Sea Man? And if anyone has a gripe against "South Park" for a religiously focused episode, wouldn't it be the Mormons? In an episode focusing on them, a song is sung over and over with the chorus "Joseph Smith was a Mormon prophet, dum dum dum dum dum." Emphasis on the "dums."
This is America. Isaac Hayes has the right to quit whatever job he likes, for whatever reason he likes, and to practice his own religion in his own way. But one thing's for sure: There's no way he can say "South Park's" tone and attitudes came as a surprise to him. There's an old story about a scorpion who convinces a frog to give it a ride across a river. Halfway across, the scorpion stings the frog and they both sink and begin to drown. When the frog protests, the scorpion is incredulous, saying "You knew what I was when you picked me up."
•
Multi-link Monday: Fun with your birthdate
Here we are, at last, with our first Multi-link Monday. In a way, I think this will be better than Five-link Friday — I always felt a little strange leaving that “Friday” headline up all weekend, anyway.
• “The Simpsons” opening sequence . This link’s been buzzing around the Web, but if you haven’t seen it, check it out. (Link opens video automatically.) Wondering where such a professional video came from? It was made by , with “Simpsons” creator Matt Groening’s approval, to promote the show’s airing in England—which is why Marge and Maggie are on opposite sides of the car than they are in the U.S. sequence.
• So did you tune in to the return of "The Sopranos" on HBO last night? It's been a loooong year and a half between seasons. If you're having trouble telling the Family members and the family members apart, spend some time exploring an absolutely amazing fan site. Wondering how Christopher and Carmela are related? If Tony's tattoo is real? Start scrolling through , then hit the rest of the site.
• "Sopranos" fans can also try where characters from the show replace the numbers in the popular puzzle. Hmm, Christopher, you just doesn't seem to fit in anywhere...
• . Upload a picture or yourself or someone else, and the site scans the photo and compares it to a database of celeb photos to determine who you resemble. Warning: Some of the results are totally whacked, I’m pretty sure the site is combing for some oddball feature comparisons. The specific photo makes a huge difference, and it doesn’t differentiate by gender, though you can look at only single-sex results if you choose. I entered a photo of me convinced I’d be compared to the only celebrity I’m ever told I look like — — but instead got a whole new one — (among others). But I also got Viggo Mortensen, so Alyson, I'll take. (Thanks to co-worker Mark for the link!)
• Reader-submitted link: I love this . Select your birthdate from the pull-down menus and you'll get a number of fun statistics about yourself, including your birth tree (for me, fig) what year you were born in according to Chinese astrology (the goat) and how many seconds old you are (1,206,818,435 -- you do the math). Thanks to Lisa for the link! And use the mailbag below to send in your own suggested links for future Mondays.