Retro Saturday Morning: The Yogi Bear Show (1961-1962) | Hanna-Barbera

 Hanna-Barbera's Yogi Bear has proven to be one of the most successful and enduring animated characters ever created. He first appeared as a supporting character on The Huckleberry Hound Show in 1958, but quickly became the star of his own series, The Yogi Bear Show, which premiered in 1961. This series also featured supporting segments with Snagglepuss and Yakky Doodle.

Cleopatra 2525 - From The Land Of Forgotten Television - Retro TV Rewind

 Cleopatra 2525 is an intriguing American science fiction television series that delighted viewers during its run from January 2000 to March 2001, airing in syndication for two adventurous seasons. The show originally kicked off as part of the Back2Back Action Hour, paired with another action-packed series, Jack of All Trades. Interestingly, the initial idea from the producers was for a show titled "Amazon High," featuring a young woman, played by Monica McSwain, who travels back in time. Though this concept only made it to the pilot stage, some of the footage was creatively repurposed for a "Xena: Warrior Princess" episode called "Lifeblood." The producers later reimagined their concept, giving birth to what we know as "Cleopatra 2525."

Retro Saturday Morning: The Batman/Superman Hour (CBS) (1968-69) - Classic Superhero Cartoons | Retro TV Rewind

The Batman/Superman Hour was a Filmation animated series broadcast on CBS from 1968 to 1969. Premiering on September 14, 1968, this 60-minute program featured new adventures of DC Comics superheroes like Batman, Robin, and Batgirl alongside shorts from The New Adventures of Superman and The Adventures of Superboy. This series marked the first animated Saturday morning cartoon for Batman and his classic enemies.

Quark - From The Land Of Forgotten Television | Retro TV Rewind

Quark is a delightful American science fiction sitcom that originally graced the NBC network screens, featuring the talented Richard Benjamin in the lead role. The pilot episode made its debut on May 7, 1977, and the show was later picked up as a mid-season replacement, hitting the airwaves again in February 1978. Sadly, despite its unique charm, the series was canceled in April 1978, having left a distinct mark during its brief run.

One Of The Funniest Moments In TV History - As God As My Witness, I Thought Turkeys Could Fly!

 Written By Ken Hulsey

Just a mere 45 years ago, an iconic moment in television history unfolded that still brings a chuckle today. Picture this: the November 22, 1978 episode of the beloved sitcom *WKRP in Cincinnati*, titled "Turkeys Away." The plot revolved around a rather outrageous publicity stunt where the radio station decided to drop live turkeys from a helicopter. Sounds like a recipe for disaster, right? Well, there's just one little hiccup with this plan—turkeys are not exactly known for their flying abilities.

 

Retro Saturday Morning: The New Fantastic Four (1978)(NBC)

 Written By Ken Hulsey

Growing up, I was always captivated by Marvel's Fantastic Four comic book series. So you can imagine my excitement when NBC announced they were launching a cartoon adaptation featuring my beloved heroes! The series included many of the iconic elements I adored from the comics: Reed Richards, also known as Mister Fantastic, with his incredible ability to stretch his body in almost every way conceivable, the brilliant Sue Storm, famously dubbed The Invisible Girl, and the tough-as-nails Ben Grimm, who transforms into The Thing. The stories also prominently featured the Baxter Building and the Fantasticar, and even included guest appearances from other Marvel favorites like the Inhumans, Spider-Man, and the X-Men.

Remember The Addams Family's Spooky Charm? | Retro Saturday Morning

Written By Ken Hulsey

It's truly exciting to dive into the intricacies of the human mind! Over the past two weeks, I’ve been on a joyful journey researching early 1970s cartoons for my Retro Saturday Morning feature, and it’s been like a treasure hunt as I rediscover a plethora of shows that filled my childhood with laughter and good times. What’s most captivating? The astonishing speed at which our minds can reignite memories and emotions from long ago, simply triggered by a familiar image or tune.

 

Remember The Avengers? It Was Cooler Than You Think | Retro TV Rewind

 Written By Ken Hulsey

The Avengers stands as a fascinating enigma in the realm of fantasy and science fiction television, a true testament to its evolution and lasting impact. Initially launched as a straightforward detective series, it featured the compelling duo of Dr. David Keel (Ian Hendry) and the charmingly quirky secret service agent John Steed (Patrick Macnee). Their mission? To seek justice for Keel’s sister, which cleverly frames the show's title—The Avengers. However, as time went on, this seemingly simple premise morphed into a dazzling spectacle inspired by the thrilling world of James Bond, complete with alternate realities, diabolical villains, and a rich tapestry of intrigue. 

Retro Saturday Morning: Remembering Godzilla's Animated Adventures!

 Written By Ken Hulsey

As many of you know, I’m a huge Godzilla enthusiast, so I thought it was about time to highlight a classic that’s been long overdue on Retro Saturday Morning. We're talking about an American cartoon that features Japan's most iconic monster, Godzilla! Back in 1978, Hanna-Barbera—famous for beloved shows like The Flintstones and The Jetsons—decided to create its own animated series featuring this legendary creature. This project, dubbed **Godzilla Power Hour**, not only spotlighted Godzilla but also featured the adventure series Jana of the Jungle. It made its debut on NBC on September 9, 1978, and ran in various formats until 1981. 

Rediscovering Land of the Lost: Your Guide to the 1970s Classic | Retro TV Rewind

 Written By Ken Hulsey

During what began as an ordinary rafting adventure, the Marshall family—Rick and his spirited children, Will and Holly—suddenly find themselves catapulted through a mysterious time portal into a fantastical realm teeming with prehistoric creatures and bizarre beings. As they navigate this extraordinary world, the Marshalls must adapt quickly to survive, leaning on surprising allies and drawing strength from each other in this tumultuous landscape. Facing daily challenges, whether it's outrunning ferocious dinosaurs or outsmarting the menacing Sleestack, a species of lizard-like humanoids, their bond as a family deepens.

Rediscovering the Magic of Wonder Woman | Retro TV Rewind

 Written By Ken Hulsey

Lynda Carter holds a special place in television history, forever cherished for her iconic portrayal of Wonder Woman during her four-year run in American prime time. This Amazonian goddess, celebrated for her strength and beauty, became the quintessential defender of freedom and captivated audiences worldwide. Lynda, a talented actress with Native American and Hispanic heritage, was a natural choice for the role that originated in DC Comics back in the 1940s. Considering her recognition as Miss World-USA in 1973, it was no surprise that her involvement would sparkle like television gold.

Remembering The Pebbles and Bamm Bamm Show: A Retro Saturday Morning Favorite

The Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm Show marked the very first spin-off from the iconic The Flintstones franchise, emerging on our screens in 1971, a fun follow-up to the theatrical film The Man Called Flintstone released five years earlier. This lively series brought together a talented team of writers, including Joel Kane, Woody Kling, Howard Morganstern, Joe Ruby, and Ken Spears, all contributing to the show's unique charm and humor. 

Rediscovering the Fun of Retro Saturday Mornings with Captain Caveman

 "Captain Caveman and the Teen Angels" is a beloved animated series that first made its debut on ABC in 1977, thanks to the creative talents at Hanna-Barbera. Originally part of the diverse lineup in "Scooby's All-Star Laff-a-Lympics," the show quickly gained popularity, leading it to be spun off into its own distinct series. It followed a familiar format reminiscent of the classic Scooby-Doo comedy-mystery setup, which fans of the era had come to love.

Remembering the Excitement of Emergency +4 on NBC | Retro Saturday Morning

This week on Retro Saturday Morning, we're diving into a classic from 1973! One of the standout shows of the time was *Emergency*, which focused on the exciting lives of two firemen/paramedics, Johnny Gage and Roy DeSoto, played by the talented Randolph Mantooth and Kevin Tighe. The show not only captured viewers' hearts but also inspired an animated series featuring Johnny and Roy, along with four enthusiastic youths—Carol, Matt, Jason, and Randy—and their adorable pets: Flash the dog, Charlemayne the myna bird, and Bananas the monkey. Seriously, what was it about the '70s and having a monkey in every show? 

Remembering the Fun of Retro Saturday Mornings with Speed Buggy | Retro TV Rewind

Speed Buggy is a delightful Saturday morning cartoon that aired on CBS from September 8, 1973, to August 30, 1975, and was created by the talented folks at Hanna-Barbera Productions. Much like the beloved Scooby-Doo Where Are You!, Speed Buggy takes viewers on exciting adventures with its lively cast including an adorable anthropomorphic fiberglass dune buggy named Speed Buggy (voiced by the legendary Mel Blanc), his enthusiastic driver Tinker (voiced by Phil Luther Jr. and inspired by Jim Nabors' character Gomer Pyle), and their friends Mark (voiced by Michael Bell) and Debbie (voiced by Arlene Golonka). 

Retro Saturday Morning: The Bugs Bunny / Road Runner Hour (1960-2000) | ABC/CBS | Retro TV Rewind

 The Bugs Bunny/Road Runner Hour was a beloved Saturday morning cartoon staple that entertained generations of kids from 1960 until 2000. Hosted by the wisecracking Bugs Bunny himself, the show featured a delightful collection of classic Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies animated shorts from the Warner Bros. vault. While the earliest black and white cartoons couldn't be included due to copyright issues, there was still a treasure trove of hilarious, colorful adventures with iconic characters like Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Elmer Fudd, Tweety Bird, Sylvester, Yosemite Sam, Foghorn Leghorn, Marvin the Martian, Pepé Le Pew, Speedy Gonzales, the Tasmanian Devil, Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner. These legendary cartoons were bridged together with fun new animated linking sequences to create an hour-long block of nonstop laughter and entertainment. The Bugs Bunny / Road Runner Hour underwent many timeslot and title changes over its impressive 40 year run, hopping from prime time to Saturday mornings and from network to network, including stints on ABC, CBS, and in syndication. No matter what channel or time it aired, it remained appointment viewing for kids eager to spend their Saturday mornings giggling along with Bugs and all his loony pals. The Bugs Bunny / Road Runner Hour finally ended its epic run in 2000, when the classic Looney Tunes library moved to its new TV home on Cartoon Network. But for the millions who grew up watching, this timeless cartoon cavalcade will always have a special place in our hearts and memories.

Intergalactic Refugees Flee Cylon Empire | Battlestar Galactica (TV 1978-1979) | Retro TV Rewind

Written By Ken Hulsey

Battlestar Galactica (TV 1978-1979)

Directed By: Richard A. Colla & Alan J. Levi
Written By: Glen A. Larson
Cast: Richard Hatch as Captain Apollo, Dirk Benedict as Lt. Starbuck, Lorne Greene as Commander Adama, Herb Jefferson Jr. as Lt. Boomer, Maren Jensen as Athena, Tony Swartz as Sgt. Jolly, Noah Hathaway as Boxey, Terry Carter as Col. Tigh, Lew Ayres as President Adar, Wilfred Hyde-White as Sire Anton, John Colicos as Count Baltar, Laurette Spang as Cassiopeia, John Fink as Dr. Paye, Jane Seymour as Serina, Ray Milland as Sire Uri, Anne Lockhart as Sheba, Ed Begly Jr. as Ens. Greenbean, Patrick Macnee as Imperious Leader (Voice), Jonathan Harris as Lucifer (Voice), Janet Julian as Lt. Brie, Sarah Rush as Flight Cpl. Rigel.

No TV series that lasted only one season can boast a bigger fan base than Battlestar Galactica. The series that Newsweek Magazine dubbed "Son of Star Wars" still, decades later, hosts hordes of loyal, die-hard fans. What is the appeal of the series so many years after it left the airwaves in 1979? It was a popular series revived by the Sci Fi Channel as a new reinvisioned series. This fleet-on-the-run story, based loosely on Mormonism, may be more popular today than it was then. As a fan of the show from its original airing, I can tell you that the series left a lasting impression. I can still remember being that eleven-year-old boy who tuned in every Sunday night with joy for a new episode of Galactica. Star Wars had come to TV, or at least the next best thing. Remember, there were no DVDs or VCRs in the late 1970s.

The Jetsons (1962-64): Retro Saturday Morning | Profound Impact on American Futurism | Retro TV Rewind

The Jetsons: America's Beloved Space Age Family

"The Jetsons," an American animated sitcom produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions, originally aired in prime time from September 23, 1962, to March 17, 1963, before moving to syndication. New episodes were later produced from 1985 to 1987 as part of The Funtastic World of Hanna-Barbera block. The show served as Hanna-Barbera's Space Age counterpart to "The Flintstones." While the Flintstones lived in a comical version of the Stone Age with machines powered by birds and dinosaurs, the Jetsons inhabited a whimsical future filled with elaborate robotic contraptions, aliens, holograms, and fantastic inventions.

Retro Saturday Morning: Star Trek: The Animated Series (1973-1975) | Retro TV Rewind

Star Trek: The Animated Series, originally titled Star Trek and The Animated Adventures of Gene Roddenberry's Star Trek, continued the voyages of the USS Enterprise following the original live-action show. NBC's interest in reviving Star Trek came after they discovered, through their updated Nielsen rating system, that the original series had actually been one of their most successful shows, particularly with their coveted male 18-45 demographic. This realization came too late, as Paramount had already cleared out most production assets, making a live-action revival cost-prohibitive at approximately $750,000. Instead, NBC commissioned an animated version.

Valley of the Dinosaurs (1974) - Classic Saturday Morning Cartoons | Retro TV Rewind

 Deep in the heart of the Amazon, the Butler family was exploring an uncharted river canyon. Suddenly, caught up in a violent whirlpool, they were propelled through a cavern and flung into a hostile world of giant prehistoric creatures...a world that time forgot. Now, befriended by a family of cave dwellers, each day is an adventure in survival for the Butlers in...the Valley of the Dinosaurs!

Valley of the Dinosaurs was a 30-minute Saturday morning animated series that aired on CBS from September 7 to December 21, 1974, and later in syndication from 1977 to 1983. The show was produced by the Australian studios of Hanna-Barbera Productions.