The Flashback
Ever wonder what happened to Beaver and Wally after "Leave It to Beaver"? (They became a singing duo in the70's?) , it's that kind of question that makes TV shows. That's what "The New Leave It to Beaver" answered. The title sounds like if it was done now , those people that don't have new ideas decided to make a "reboot" of "Leave It to Beaver". (Reboot means , "hey there's an old show that was good ,so let's make it worse and it won't last more than 7 episodes) Instead it was 20 years after the original series ended (1963) to see how Wally and the Beaver were doing now (1983).
Original in 1983, there was a movie called "Still the Beaver" a 2-hour movie showing us how the Cleavers were doing now. We were brought back to seeing Mrs. Cleaver ((Barbara Billingsley reprises her role) she was now a widow ( Hugh Beaumont, who played Ward died in 1982) Theodore/ The Beaver Cleaver (Jerry Mathers reprises his role ) and Wally Cleaver ( Tony Dow) were adults now. Beaver was divorced (what mean writers) he and his 2 sons Kip and Oliver lived with his Mother. Meanwhile next door Wally is married (happily I guess) to Mary Ellen and they have a 1 daughter , later on a son. (Lived next door saves money on sets or something ) Eddie Haskell (Ken Osmond ) had 2 sons (played by his real sons). "Lumpy" had 1 daughter.
The Movie must have done well in 1983, because a TV series of the same name , "Still the Beaver" was launched and started in 1984 on The Disney Channel (back when it was a premium channel ) and ran 27 episodes on the network. In 1985 it was announced to be moving over to Ted Tuner's TBS (before it was very funny) and continued 3 more seasons there under the new name "The New Leave it to Beaver". (Creative aren't they)
Tomorrow at 11:30 Eastern 10:30 am Central // Youtube
The series theme song was the original theme song but was eightiesized (why that's not a word is a travesty) .
The 80's makes cool sax cool // Youtube
The sequel series followed the parent show (you think that was a pun don't you?) in being focused from the kids on the series point of the view not the adult view. With the classic kids getting into trouble and the lesson learning in the program. It shows how Beaver and Wally are as fathers which was a great intrest for those who grew up with "Leave it To Beaver". It's also interesting to see Eddie Haskell as a father.
That's the (short) Lookback ... tune in next time when we find out how Wally and Beaver's kids are as parents in the year 2003. ( Wait that didn't happen)
Thursday, August 07, 2014
Thursday, July 31, 2014
Looking Back: Children's TV blocks: TNBC and UPN Kids
The Flashback Children's TV UPN NBC
Some blocks were not long lived enough to warrant it's own post others because the block was around for a long time but didn't do much. These are the cases for the blocks we are taking a look back at Today. First, TNBC (Teen NBC in English). But to talk about this block we have to talk about "Saved By The Bell" (Yeah sounds confusing doesn't it? Hang with us) 2 Things : 1) This is the show that changed Saturday Morning TV for NBC , 2) We have to talk about Disney Channel.
"Saved by the bell" Began in 1989 on NBC , but let's go back further (time machine). "Good Morning ,Miss" is where this show comes from... it began on Disney Channel created by NBC for Disney Channel (Now that's something) . It stared actress Hayely Mills ("The Parent Trap" ) , she played the teacher for Zach Morris, Lisa Turtle ,and Screech. They were in 8th Grade. After 13 Episodes it was canceled. (The End ?)
Good Morning , Miss Bliss /Youtube
So NBC not wanting to give up ( persevering is good| E/I) so they picked up the show and decided to create a spin-off , of sorts. It was changed to be in LA instead of Indy (awwww) , and they would be in High School , and no Miss Bliss. They kept Zach, Screech, and Lisa and added some new characters (A.C Slater) . The new show aried on NBC and it became very popular and high rated.
In 1992 ,NBC was very happy that "Saved by the Bell" was doing so well they decided that they were going to convert their entire Saturday Morning line up.
First , they threw out the cartoons and other kids programs (not literally , maybe literally) kind of ironic twist that after FOX started kids programming , NBC bows out. Second, they gave something to adults (oooh my ) and maybe news loving kids , A Saturday edition of the "Today Show". (Yay?) Third, they started a new block for teenagers (old kids). The centerpiece was "Saved By The Bell" , it was so important to them it aired twice a Saturday. 2 new programs included : "Name Your Adventure" a teen reality series where Mario Lopez, Jordan Brady , and Tatyana Ali help teens' dreams come true. The other series was "California Dreams" (same executive producer as "Saved by The Bell", this block was made for him you'll see what I mean) The Show was a sitcom that focused on teenagers (take that Disney Channel) and it showed their issues about growing up.
Funny thing about a block that was built because of success of "Saved By The Bell" , the program that helped birth it ended in 1993. So what did they do ? They created a spin-off (like you do , remember "Joey" ? ) "Saved By the Bell :The New Class" This show ran longer than it's parent show ( 8 years , 143 episodes) and became the anchor this block. The series focused on Bayside HighSchool and Mr. Belding after our original cast has moved on. A show about high school students can go three ways : 1 . Normal progression , 2: The same kids going to High School longer than 4 years (they didn't study very well) 3: End the show after a focus set of characters "leave the school". "The New Class" did the first thing , but not just that they would change people in the season and not tell you what happened. ("Hey , where's Steve?" , ,"Steve is away , we talk about Steve" ) Then they had to bring back Screech (Dustin Diamond) from the original "Saved By the Bell". Anyway, it aried 7 years on TNBC. (Now on DVD , Bing it )
Who are these people? NBC/Youtube
Other programs over the 10 years this block lived were : "Brains and Brawn" a teen game show hosted by Mark-Paul Gosselaar ( Zach Morris ) , "Running the Halls" , "Hang Time" , "City Guys" , "One World (like City guys and the Saved by the bell shows were by Peter Engel ). Teen comedy-drama " Just Deal" (yeah dude) co-created by Thomas Lynch (creator of "The Secret World of Alex Mac) , he also created Sk8 (Skate?) for this block , and "All about us". The block pretty much ran that way with one or two new series a season. In that 10 year period , things changed , the E/I rule came into effect forcing stations to have education shows for under 16's ,this block fulfilled that need already. Disney had bought ABC , Viacom and CBS had merged (then divorced in 2005). But NBC deiced to get out of producing their own Children's -Teen TV ( The E/I rule affected advertising rules therefore money) so they sold their time to Discovery. Teen NBC bowed out in September of 2002 and Discovery Kids on NBC came in the next week. (Read about that , if you haven't already, here)
Now we continue after the Jump , please join us
Some blocks were not long lived enough to warrant it's own post others because the block was around for a long time but didn't do much. These are the cases for the blocks we are taking a look back at Today. First, TNBC (Teen NBC in English). But to talk about this block we have to talk about "Saved By The Bell" (Yeah sounds confusing doesn't it? Hang with us) 2 Things : 1) This is the show that changed Saturday Morning TV for NBC , 2) We have to talk about Disney Channel.
"Saved by the bell" Began in 1989 on NBC , but let's go back further (time machine). "Good Morning ,Miss" is where this show comes from... it began on Disney Channel created by NBC for Disney Channel (Now that's something) . It stared actress Hayely Mills ("The Parent Trap" ) , she played the teacher for Zach Morris, Lisa Turtle ,and Screech. They were in 8th Grade. After 13 Episodes it was canceled. (The End ?)
Good Morning , Miss Bliss /Youtube
So NBC not wanting to give up ( persevering is good| E/I) so they picked up the show and decided to create a spin-off , of sorts. It was changed to be in LA instead of Indy (awwww) , and they would be in High School , and no Miss Bliss. They kept Zach, Screech, and Lisa and added some new characters (A.C Slater) . The new show aried on NBC and it became very popular and high rated.
In 1992 ,NBC was very happy that "Saved by the Bell" was doing so well they decided that they were going to convert their entire Saturday Morning line up.
First , they threw out the cartoons and other kids programs (not literally , maybe literally) kind of ironic twist that after FOX started kids programming , NBC bows out. Second, they gave something to adults (oooh my ) and maybe news loving kids , A Saturday edition of the "Today Show". (Yay?) Third, they started a new block for teenagers (old kids). The centerpiece was "Saved By The Bell" , it was so important to them it aired twice a Saturday. 2 new programs included : "Name Your Adventure" a teen reality series where Mario Lopez, Jordan Brady , and Tatyana Ali help teens' dreams come true. The other series was "California Dreams" (same executive producer as "Saved by The Bell", this block was made for him you'll see what I mean) The Show was a sitcom that focused on teenagers (take that Disney Channel) and it showed their issues about growing up.
Funny thing about a block that was built because of success of "Saved By The Bell" , the program that helped birth it ended in 1993. So what did they do ? They created a spin-off (like you do , remember "Joey" ? ) "Saved By the Bell :The New Class" This show ran longer than it's parent show ( 8 years , 143 episodes) and became the anchor this block. The series focused on Bayside HighSchool and Mr. Belding after our original cast has moved on. A show about high school students can go three ways : 1 . Normal progression , 2: The same kids going to High School longer than 4 years (they didn't study very well) 3: End the show after a focus set of characters "leave the school". "The New Class" did the first thing , but not just that they would change people in the season and not tell you what happened. ("Hey , where's Steve?" , ,"Steve is away , we talk about Steve" ) Then they had to bring back Screech (Dustin Diamond) from the original "Saved By the Bell". Anyway, it aried 7 years on TNBC. (Now on DVD , Bing it )
Who are these people? NBC/Youtube
Other programs over the 10 years this block lived were : "Brains and Brawn" a teen game show hosted by Mark-Paul Gosselaar ( Zach Morris ) , "Running the Halls" , "Hang Time" , "City Guys" , "One World (like City guys and the Saved by the bell shows were by Peter Engel ). Teen comedy-drama " Just Deal" (yeah dude) co-created by Thomas Lynch (creator of "The Secret World of Alex Mac) , he also created Sk8 (Skate?) for this block , and "All about us". The block pretty much ran that way with one or two new series a season. In that 10 year period , things changed , the E/I rule came into effect forcing stations to have education shows for under 16's ,this block fulfilled that need already. Disney had bought ABC , Viacom and CBS had merged (then divorced in 2005). But NBC deiced to get out of producing their own Children's -Teen TV ( The E/I rule affected advertising rules therefore money) so they sold their time to Discovery. Teen NBC bowed out in September of 2002 and Discovery Kids on NBC came in the next week. (Read about that , if you haven't already, here)
Now we continue after the Jump , please join us
Thursday, July 24, 2014
Looking Back : FOX Kids
TV Look back Children's TV
Welcome one again to our look at defunct children's television blocks on network TV. This is due to the eventual end of traditional children's TV on Broadcast TV. This time we look at FOX KIDS.
So to talk about FOX Kids we have to talk a little about FOX, the network launched in 1986 using mostly old independent (non-affiliated with networks ) channels . Independent channels had something to them they would have to fill their days with movies, sitcoms , dramas and children's programs. Weekday Children's programming instead of soaps or some talk show , or game show. FOX was a brash , edgy network compared to the others. Their stations who mostly to be independent (this changed in 1994-95) had afternoon children's television blocks of syndicated programming.
In 1987 Disney , which at the time syndicated it's programming for kids, premiered "Duck Tales" and these Fox, the remaining independent stations , and maybe some big 3 network affiliates picked up the program to air in their children's television slot. In 1988 in LA Disney bought a local TV channel , now known as KCAL-TV, and they of course wanted their own made program to air on their channel. The problem was : FOX . Fox owned (still does) KTTV in LA and they were airing the program. So they pull the program from ALL their owned stations .
That was long history ,but what does that have to do with FOX KIDS?
FOX launched it's own programming block , FOX KIDS , (what else would you call it? ) , on September the 8th 1990. It aired 30 minutes each afternoon and 3 hours on Saturday Mornings. So you could say that this was FOX's only daytime networked programming. This block could be mixed in with the local stations pre-existing children's programming.
FOX KIDS Network (sounds like a 24 hour channel) /Youtube
Programs included : "Attack of the Killer Tomatoes" ( See , Mom if we eat the vegetables they will come back and kill us ) , "Bobby's World" (created by Howie Mandel ,yes THAT Howie Mandel , how many do you know?) , "Peter Pan and the Pirates" , "Tom and Jerry Kids" (no Tom and Jerry did not actually get married to some cat and mouse down the street and have kids, it was them as kids, though I like your thinking) .
See it was a real show .. Marvel/ Fox Kids/ Youtube
It also aired Bugs Bunny , because 3 networks are never enough. Batman the animated series , Then we can't mention FOX KIDS with out mentioning "Tiny Toon Adventures" , yep this program started in Syndication in 1990 then moved to FOX in 1992 , then we got "Animaniacs"in 1993. A great 90's show that was liked by kids and adults alike. It ran on FOX kids from 1993-1995 then moved to Kids WB (oh we got to write about them soon don't we?) And if anything FOX Kids is remembered for it would be "Power Rangers" the program's first series started as "Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers" , it's become a large franchise of TV series and sold lots of toys (which children's TV kind of does). In 1993 , FOX KIDS was now on 3 hours each weekday from 2-5PMET (Times Varied due to fox station) and 4 hours on Saturday 8AMET/7AMCT. That's alot of time to fill.
Yes, where on Earth is she? / Youtube
Fox Kids was merged with Saban Entertainment in 1996 , providing it with more program rights and programs themselves. In 1996 they now had more compensation , especially on the weekdays , The new new The WB and UPN networks had introduced their own children's TV blocks. What else came out in 1996? Oh yeah, our old friend the Children's television act, we will get back to that soon. KIDS WB was one block that was going to compete well against , FOX , it had some of the programs that were made by Warner Brothers but aired on FOX, "Animanics" for example. But Fox Kids continued and did well, it launched more "Power Rangers" series (those were still hip with the kids, 80's kids ?) . They also made the book series "Goosebumps" into a TV series that became just as popular as the books.
Now back to the E/I rule , FOX decided to add some educational programs , there was one ,"The Magic School Bus" (what's more educational than that?) After the program ended on PBS in 1997 , FOX picked up the repeats. (Most stations aired it in the mornings) . It gave FOX stations some help in reducing their E/I quota of 3 hours a week of E/I programming.
It kept airing non E/I programming , the mix of entertaining live-action and cartoons. But the world was changing or something. In 1999 the weekday version of the block was cut to 2 hours. Their programs were the same as continuing and a little more action cartoons. Remember that competition we spoke of? , UPN Kids was doing great (ok ok that was a joke) , KIDS WB was doing really well ,in 1999 they aquired one of the the most popular programs to air on broadcast TV since "Power Rangers" ,"Pokemon". That's not where all the competition was coming from either... there were Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network where kids could watch cartoons and other programs until the cows came home . FOX affiliates also wanted a change : many of them were wanting to do something different in the afternoons and wanted some part of Saturday morning to air news or something. E/I rules limited commercials in Children's TV, that means limited revenue coming in to FOX Kids and to the local stations. A fox station could air more advertisements therefore make more money from airing some talk/court/trashy-talk/late-afternoon newscasts than Children's shows. The Weekday block died in 2001.
Fox did get Digimon , which is still running to this day , and that has it's own fans.
Angela Anaconda , from Canada , aired on FOX Kids and Fox Family /yotube.
Welcome one again to our look at defunct children's television blocks on network TV. This is due to the eventual end of traditional children's TV on Broadcast TV. This time we look at FOX KIDS.
So to talk about FOX Kids we have to talk a little about FOX, the network launched in 1986 using mostly old independent (non-affiliated with networks ) channels . Independent channels had something to them they would have to fill their days with movies, sitcoms , dramas and children's programs. Weekday Children's programming instead of soaps or some talk show , or game show. FOX was a brash , edgy network compared to the others. Their stations who mostly to be independent (this changed in 1994-95) had afternoon children's television blocks of syndicated programming.
In 1987 Disney , which at the time syndicated it's programming for kids, premiered "Duck Tales" and these Fox, the remaining independent stations , and maybe some big 3 network affiliates picked up the program to air in their children's television slot. In 1988 in LA Disney bought a local TV channel , now known as KCAL-TV, and they of course wanted their own made program to air on their channel. The problem was : FOX . Fox owned (still does) KTTV in LA and they were airing the program. So they pull the program from ALL their owned stations .
That was long history ,but what does that have to do with FOX KIDS?
FOX launched it's own programming block , FOX KIDS , (what else would you call it? ) , on September the 8th 1990. It aired 30 minutes each afternoon and 3 hours on Saturday Mornings. So you could say that this was FOX's only daytime networked programming. This block could be mixed in with the local stations pre-existing children's programming.
FOX KIDS Network (sounds like a 24 hour channel) /Youtube
Programs included : "Attack of the Killer Tomatoes" ( See , Mom if we eat the vegetables they will come back and kill us ) , "Bobby's World" (created by Howie Mandel ,yes THAT Howie Mandel , how many do you know?) , "Peter Pan and the Pirates" , "Tom and Jerry Kids" (no Tom and Jerry did not actually get married to some cat and mouse down the street and have kids, it was them as kids, though I like your thinking) .
See it was a real show .. Marvel/ Fox Kids/ Youtube
It also aired Bugs Bunny , because 3 networks are never enough. Batman the animated series , Then we can't mention FOX KIDS with out mentioning "Tiny Toon Adventures" , yep this program started in Syndication in 1990 then moved to FOX in 1992 , then we got "Animaniacs"in 1993. A great 90's show that was liked by kids and adults alike. It ran on FOX kids from 1993-1995 then moved to Kids WB (oh we got to write about them soon don't we?) And if anything FOX Kids is remembered for it would be "Power Rangers" the program's first series started as "Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers" , it's become a large franchise of TV series and sold lots of toys (which children's TV kind of does). In 1993 , FOX KIDS was now on 3 hours each weekday from 2-5PMET (Times Varied due to fox station) and 4 hours on Saturday 8AMET/7AMCT. That's alot of time to fill.
Yes, where on Earth is she? / Youtube
Fox Kids was merged with Saban Entertainment in 1996 , providing it with more program rights and programs themselves. In 1996 they now had more compensation , especially on the weekdays , The new new The WB and UPN networks had introduced their own children's TV blocks. What else came out in 1996? Oh yeah, our old friend the Children's television act, we will get back to that soon. KIDS WB was one block that was going to compete well against , FOX , it had some of the programs that were made by Warner Brothers but aired on FOX, "Animanics" for example. But Fox Kids continued and did well, it launched more "Power Rangers" series (those were still hip with the kids, 80's kids ?) . They also made the book series "Goosebumps" into a TV series that became just as popular as the books.
Now back to the E/I rule , FOX decided to add some educational programs , there was one ,"The Magic School Bus" (what's more educational than that?) After the program ended on PBS in 1997 , FOX picked up the repeats. (Most stations aired it in the mornings) . It gave FOX stations some help in reducing their E/I quota of 3 hours a week of E/I programming.
It kept airing non E/I programming , the mix of entertaining live-action and cartoons. But the world was changing or something. In 1999 the weekday version of the block was cut to 2 hours. Their programs were the same as continuing and a little more action cartoons. Remember that competition we spoke of? , UPN Kids was doing great (ok ok that was a joke) , KIDS WB was doing really well ,in 1999 they aquired one of the the most popular programs to air on broadcast TV since "Power Rangers" ,"Pokemon". That's not where all the competition was coming from either... there were Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network where kids could watch cartoons and other programs until the cows came home . FOX affiliates also wanted a change : many of them were wanting to do something different in the afternoons and wanted some part of Saturday morning to air news or something. E/I rules limited commercials in Children's TV, that means limited revenue coming in to FOX Kids and to the local stations. A fox station could air more advertisements therefore make more money from airing some talk/court/trashy-talk/late-afternoon newscasts than Children's shows. The Weekday block died in 2001.
Fox did get Digimon , which is still running to this day , and that has it's own fans.
Angela Anaconda , from Canada , aired on FOX Kids and Fox Family /yotube.
Thursday, July 17, 2014
The Look Back: Christmas in July
The Flashback Christmas
It's not Christmas.. how dare you start early to join the commercial crowd. I know that's what you are thinking. (I know , I was)
So, happy Christmas in July to you ... unless you are reading this in a different month (that happens) , we are taking a look at some Christmas specials from the past ... but these aren't the famous "Rudolph , The Red Nosed Reindeer" ," Santa Claus is comin' to Town" , or "Santa and The Grinch fight the zombies". Ok, that last one was made up... we hope. No we are looking at some ones that are kind of famous but at the same time kind of forgotten. We have five to tell you about , so that is what we shall do.
1. The life and adventures of Santa Claus
This special from 1985 is based off a book from 1902 of the same name. It was done by the famous stop motion animators ,Rakin and Bass. (It was their last stop motion special too). There have been many specials about where Santa came from... "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town", for example. This one has a very imaginative story. It starts with a much of "immortals" as they gather for a meeting, the leader , The great Ak , tell us about the life of Santa Claus.
Great musical score in there too WB/ Youtube
Apprently, in this story Santa was first taken care of by a lioness ,commanded not to eat him, then he was taken by one of the immortals and raised by her , with permission. Santa learns of the world and how to speak animal. Then after he becomes a man , he leaves the forest to a place that I think is now the North Pole with one of the immortals and the lioness.(Why not?) . He makes toys , the audience finds out how where the elves came from. Then of course every story needs an enemy so we have the the Aguwas, they are troll like things that have nothing better to do but bother Santa's projects. They steal his toys ,and almost gives up. (Gasp) The the immortals and the aguwas have a great battle (the true meaning of Christmas spirit) , then we later find out where the flying reindeer and the one night a year thing comes from. (Not telling you everything , that's for you to find out) It's an interesting special and it falls in where many people remember it but it's not as talked as a classic like "Rudolph the Red Nosed reindeer" (or "Santa and the Grinch versus the Zombies") .
2. The Leprechaun's Christmas Gold
Well this is different , this came out in 1981, it combines the fun of leprechauns and Christmas (all the needed was Unicorns and fireworks and you have a special). It's pretty much a man , digs up a tree on an island (because when I go to an island the first thing I do is dig up a tree), and releases our villain a banshee. The leprechauns on the island find out and they get mad at the man for doing such a thing, so helps them stop the banshee before she gets their gold before Christmas. (Moral of the story: don't dig up trees?)
Rakin-bass / youtube
3. Holding the title for a second
You've heard of "A ,Charlie Brown Christmas" right? Of, course it's famous played every year. The Peanuts have had more than 1 Christmas specials. There is "I want a dog for Christmas , Charlie Brown" , this one features Linus and Lucy's little brother Rerun , and there's "Charlie Brown Christmas Tales". But there is one that is not talked about as much and not replayed on American TV for some reason.(Travesty) "It's Christmas time again, Charlie Brown" It first came out in 1992 and aired on CBS. It has the characters added after the original specials , Peppermint Patty for example. It's not like the original special (which is kind of a good thing, don't wanna repeat yourself) it has different moments taken from the strips. It starts with Charlie Brown selling Christmas wreathes s in November. (Charlie Brown, I thought you were anti commercialism of Christmas ?) Much like Charlie Brown's Christmas tales (which does still run each year) this is one is loose parts pieced together as a special not a cohesive plot line like the original. But it's still a fun special.
couldn't find a clip...found a whole instead
4. Noel .the Christmas ornament
I remember this special airing on FOX Family , don't know much about it's background but I do know what it's about. (That helps) It's a strange one if you think about it. It starts with a glass blower and he finds out he is going to be a grandpa, his tears of joy flows in the red round ornament he is making. The ornament is made (named Noel) and packed with others. He is a very happy ornament thanks to the tears of joy it irritates another ornament . Oh yeah, the the story is told from the ornament's view (mostly Noel's) , they are bought and brought to their home. All the decorations are put up and Noel is excited and talks to the Christmas Tree (it talks back) and wonders what's going on . He finds out that it's Christmas and he likes it. Then after Christmas they are packed away (He doesn't like that) , then the next year the same thing happens and it shows a montage of time year by year new trees, presents , same ornaments, and family. Then the kids grow up and the parents ,left behind, give up and they decided that it wasn't worth it to decorate anymore , so they don't. Noel is crushed. (emotionally) Then we go through another montage of the parents death (we think) , the house is closed up for a long time and dust gathers. (No one cleaned out the basement). Finally a whole bunch of years later ... a new family moves in and new mother finds the ornaments but they are all old and cracked (old and cracked!!) , but she chooses Noel and brings him down and puts him on their tree , but guess what? He breaks. Is he dead ? (nooooooo) His happiness which his him (huh?) floats around and now can see the world , now that he is no longer confined to the glass thing anymore.
oh my /youtube
5. The 12 days of Christmas (not the song)
This is a cartoon with bears, it aired on NBC I think in 1992 , it about a one bear who wants to marry the princess bear. The princess' father (usually called kings) likes cross word puzzles one of answer lists makes it to the other bear who is looking for away to get the the princess' heart. (Figuratively ) So he sends his squire Hollyberry (get it ?) to do his courting (lazy) , the gifts are each of the items of the 12 days of Christmas. Most of the gifts end up irritating her because they are birds. ( There are lots of birds in this song) Which each passing chance of trying the princess becomes more impressed with...Hollyberry.
(Guess how it ends)
youtube
So there you have it , 5 random and surprisingly unknown Christmas specials thanks and Merry Christmas! ( Sorry about that, we should calm down)
It's not Christmas.. how dare you start early to join the commercial crowd. I know that's what you are thinking. (I know , I was)
So, happy Christmas in July to you ... unless you are reading this in a different month (that happens) , we are taking a look at some Christmas specials from the past ... but these aren't the famous "Rudolph , The Red Nosed Reindeer" ," Santa Claus is comin' to Town" , or "Santa and The Grinch fight the zombies". Ok, that last one was made up... we hope. No we are looking at some ones that are kind of famous but at the same time kind of forgotten. We have five to tell you about , so that is what we shall do.
1. The life and adventures of Santa Claus
This special from 1985 is based off a book from 1902 of the same name. It was done by the famous stop motion animators ,Rakin and Bass. (It was their last stop motion special too). There have been many specials about where Santa came from... "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town", for example. This one has a very imaginative story. It starts with a much of "immortals" as they gather for a meeting, the leader , The great Ak , tell us about the life of Santa Claus.
Great musical score in there too WB/ Youtube
Apprently, in this story Santa was first taken care of by a lioness ,commanded not to eat him, then he was taken by one of the immortals and raised by her , with permission. Santa learns of the world and how to speak animal. Then after he becomes a man , he leaves the forest to a place that I think is now the North Pole with one of the immortals and the lioness.(Why not?) . He makes toys , the audience finds out how where the elves came from. Then of course every story needs an enemy so we have the the Aguwas, they are troll like things that have nothing better to do but bother Santa's projects. They steal his toys ,and almost gives up. (Gasp) The the immortals and the aguwas have a great battle (the true meaning of Christmas spirit) , then we later find out where the flying reindeer and the one night a year thing comes from. (Not telling you everything , that's for you to find out) It's an interesting special and it falls in where many people remember it but it's not as talked as a classic like "Rudolph the Red Nosed reindeer" (or "Santa and the Grinch versus the Zombies") .
2. The Leprechaun's Christmas Gold
Well this is different , this came out in 1981, it combines the fun of leprechauns and Christmas (all the needed was Unicorns and fireworks and you have a special). It's pretty much a man , digs up a tree on an island (because when I go to an island the first thing I do is dig up a tree), and releases our villain a banshee. The leprechauns on the island find out and they get mad at the man for doing such a thing, so helps them stop the banshee before she gets their gold before Christmas. (Moral of the story: don't dig up trees?)
Rakin-bass / youtube
3. Holding the title for a second
You've heard of "A ,Charlie Brown Christmas" right? Of, course it's famous played every year. The Peanuts have had more than 1 Christmas specials. There is "I want a dog for Christmas , Charlie Brown" , this one features Linus and Lucy's little brother Rerun , and there's "Charlie Brown Christmas Tales". But there is one that is not talked about as much and not replayed on American TV for some reason.(Travesty) "It's Christmas time again, Charlie Brown" It first came out in 1992 and aired on CBS. It has the characters added after the original specials , Peppermint Patty for example. It's not like the original special (which is kind of a good thing, don't wanna repeat yourself) it has different moments taken from the strips. It starts with Charlie Brown selling Christmas wreathes s in November. (Charlie Brown, I thought you were anti commercialism of Christmas ?) Much like Charlie Brown's Christmas tales (which does still run each year) this is one is loose parts pieced together as a special not a cohesive plot line like the original. But it's still a fun special.
couldn't find a clip...found a whole instead
4. Noel .the Christmas ornament
I remember this special airing on FOX Family , don't know much about it's background but I do know what it's about. (That helps) It's a strange one if you think about it. It starts with a glass blower and he finds out he is going to be a grandpa, his tears of joy flows in the red round ornament he is making. The ornament is made (named Noel) and packed with others. He is a very happy ornament thanks to the tears of joy it irritates another ornament . Oh yeah, the the story is told from the ornament's view (mostly Noel's) , they are bought and brought to their home. All the decorations are put up and Noel is excited and talks to the Christmas Tree (it talks back) and wonders what's going on . He finds out that it's Christmas and he likes it. Then after Christmas they are packed away (He doesn't like that) , then the next year the same thing happens and it shows a montage of time year by year new trees, presents , same ornaments, and family. Then the kids grow up and the parents ,left behind, give up and they decided that it wasn't worth it to decorate anymore , so they don't. Noel is crushed. (emotionally) Then we go through another montage of the parents death (we think) , the house is closed up for a long time and dust gathers. (No one cleaned out the basement). Finally a whole bunch of years later ... a new family moves in and new mother finds the ornaments but they are all old and cracked (old and cracked!!) , but she chooses Noel and brings him down and puts him on their tree , but guess what? He breaks. Is he dead ? (nooooooo) His happiness which his him (huh?) floats around and now can see the world , now that he is no longer confined to the glass thing anymore.
oh my /youtube
5. The 12 days of Christmas (not the song)
This is a cartoon with bears, it aired on NBC I think in 1992 , it about a one bear who wants to marry the princess bear. The princess' father (usually called kings) likes cross word puzzles one of answer lists makes it to the other bear who is looking for away to get the the princess' heart. (Figuratively ) So he sends his squire Hollyberry (get it ?) to do his courting (lazy) , the gifts are each of the items of the 12 days of Christmas. Most of the gifts end up irritating her because they are birds. ( There are lots of birds in this song) Which each passing chance of trying the princess becomes more impressed with...Hollyberry.
(Guess how it ends)
youtube
So there you have it , 5 random and surprisingly unknown Christmas specials thanks and Merry Christmas! ( Sorry about that, we should calm down)
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
ABC announces fall premiere dates
ABC TV Look Fall 2014
ABC has announced it's fall premiere dates and times for it's fall line up.
Monday, September 15th
8/7c to 10/9c Dancing with the Stars (new season)
Monday, September 22nd
10/9c Forever (Special sneak preview)
Tuesday,September 23rd
9/8c Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.LD (new season)
10/9c Forver (new series) Time period premiere
Wednesday, September 24th
8/7c "The Middle" (new season)
8:30/7:30c "The Goldbergs" (new season)
9/8c Modern Family (new season )
9:30/8:30c Black-ish (new series)
Thursday, September 25th
8/7c Grey Anatomy (new season)
9/8c Scandal (new season)
10/9c How to Get Away with Murder (new series)
Friday. September 26th
8PMET Shark Tank (2 hour season premiere)
10PMET 20/20
Sunday, September 28th
8/7c Once Upon a Time (new season)
9/8c Resurrection (new season)
10/9c Revenge (new season)
Monday, September 29th
10/9c Castle (new season)
Tuesday, September 30th
8/7c Selfie (new series)
8:30/7:30c Manhattan Love Story (new series)
Friday, October 3rd
8/7c Last Man Standing ( 1 hour long season premiere )
9/8c Shark Tank (regular time period)
Sunday,October 5th
7/6c America's Funniest Home Videos (new season)
Friday. October 10th
8:30/7:30c Cristela (new series )
source: http://abcmedianet.com/Web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=pr67998
want to write for Joshuaonline ?, story ideas? , questions or comments? email us mychiller@inbox.com
ABC has announced it's fall premiere dates and times for it's fall line up.
Monday, September 15th
8/7c to 10/9c Dancing with the Stars (new season)
Monday, September 22nd
10/9c Forever (Special sneak preview)
Tuesday,September 23rd
9/8c Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.LD (new season)
10/9c Forver (new series) Time period premiere
Wednesday, September 24th
8/7c "The Middle" (new season)
8:30/7:30c "The Goldbergs" (new season)
9/8c Modern Family (new season )
9:30/8:30c Black-ish (new series)
Thursday, September 25th
8/7c Grey Anatomy (new season)
9/8c Scandal (new season)
10/9c How to Get Away with Murder (new series)
Friday. September 26th
8PMET Shark Tank (2 hour season premiere)
10PMET 20/20
Sunday, September 28th
8/7c Once Upon a Time (new season)
9/8c Resurrection (new season)
10/9c Revenge (new season)
Monday, September 29th
10/9c Castle (new season)
Tuesday, September 30th
8/7c Selfie (new series)
8:30/7:30c Manhattan Love Story (new series)
Friday, October 3rd
8/7c Last Man Standing ( 1 hour long season premiere )
9/8c Shark Tank (regular time period)
Sunday,October 5th
7/6c America's Funniest Home Videos (new season)
Friday. October 10th
8:30/7:30c Cristela (new series )
source: http://abcmedianet.com/Web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=pr67998
want to write for Joshuaonline ?, story ideas? , questions or comments? email us mychiller@inbox.com
Sunday, July 13, 2014
Classic Dr.Who fans have reason to be happy
TV NEWS
As we have written before, Classic episodes of "Doctor who" (1963-1989) will be coming to digital network Retro TV. We now have the date and times , Retro tv announced on their website that the program will be coming August 4th airing back to back weeknights at 8PMET and Saturdays.
from their website:
To find out where it is in your area click here
Classic "Doctor Who" episodes are also Hulu Plus ,if you don't receive Retro TV.
As we have written before, Classic episodes of "Doctor who" (1963-1989) will be coming to digital network Retro TV. We now have the date and times , Retro tv announced on their website that the program will be coming August 4th airing back to back weeknights at 8PMET and Saturdays.
from their website:
Chattanooga, Tenn. (July 10, 2014) – Luken Communications is excited to announce the highly-anticipated debut of Doctor Who on Retro TV on Monday, August 4th. Beginning with the very first episode of the series, “An Unearthly Child,” fans of the science fiction classic can find two episodes of Doctor Who back-to-back every weeknight at 8:00 PM ET/PT on Retro TV.
Doctor Who follows the adventures of the Doctor, a Time Lord who faces a variety of foes while travelling through time and space in the TARDIS, his iconic blue police box. Retro TV will be showcasing the series’ classic run, featuring the first seven incarnations of the Doctor: William Hartnell, Patrick Troughton, Jon Pertwee, Tom Baker, Peter Davison, Colin Baker, and Sylvester McCoy.
To find out where it is in your area click here
Classic "Doctor Who" episodes are also Hulu Plus ,if you don't receive Retro TV.
Thursday, July 10, 2014
Fox announces fall premiere dates
FOX Fall TV 2014 TVLOOK FALL 2014
FOX has announced it's fall line up's premiere dates and times today.
Sunday , September 7th , Tuesday September 9th , and Friday September 12th
8/7c-10/9c Sunday : UTOPIA (Series premiere, Part One)
8/7c to 9/8c Tuesday: UTOPIA (Part two , and time period premiere)
8/7c to 9/8c Friday: UTOPIA and time period premiere)
Wednesday , September 10th
8/7C Hell's Kitchen (New season)
Tuesday, September 16th
8/7c New Episode of Utopia
9/8c New Girl ( New Season)
9:30/8:30c The Mindy Project (New Sesaon )
Wednesday, September 17th
9/8c Red Band Society (new series)
Monday, September 22nd
8/7c Gothan (new series)
9/8c Sleepy Hollow (new season)
Thursday, September 25th
8/7c Bones (new season)
Sunday , September 28th
8/7c The Simpsons (New Season )
8:30/7:30C Brookyln Nine-Nine (New season)
9/8c Family Guy ( Special The Simspons Guy - crossover event
Thursday, October 2nd
9/8c Gracepoint (10 part mystery even series premiere)
Sunday, October ,5th
7:30/6:30c Bob's Burgers ( New Season )
8/7c The Simpsons ( New season)
8:30/7:30c Brookyln Nine-Nine
9/8c Family Guy
9:30/8:30c Mulaney (new series)
Friday, November 7th
8/7C Masterchef Junior (new season)
FOX has announced it's fall line up's premiere dates and times today.
Sunday , September 7th , Tuesday September 9th , and Friday September 12th
8/7c-10/9c Sunday : UTOPIA (Series premiere, Part One)
8/7c to 9/8c Tuesday: UTOPIA (Part two , and time period premiere)
8/7c to 9/8c Friday: UTOPIA and time period premiere)
Wednesday , September 10th
8/7C Hell's Kitchen (New season)
Tuesday, September 16th
8/7c New Episode of Utopia
9/8c New Girl ( New Season)
9:30/8:30c The Mindy Project (New Sesaon )
Wednesday, September 17th
9/8c Red Band Society (new series)
Monday, September 22nd
8/7c Gothan (new series)
9/8c Sleepy Hollow (new season)
Thursday, September 25th
8/7c Bones (new season)
Sunday , September 28th
8/7c The Simpsons (New Season )
8:30/7:30C Brookyln Nine-Nine (New season)
9/8c Family Guy ( Special The Simspons Guy - crossover event
Thursday, October 2nd
9/8c Gracepoint (10 part mystery even series premiere)
Sunday, October ,5th
7:30/6:30c Bob's Burgers ( New Season )
8/7c The Simpsons ( New season)
8:30/7:30c Brookyln Nine-Nine
9/8c Family Guy
9:30/8:30c Mulaney (new series)
Friday, November 7th
8/7C Masterchef Junior (new season)
A look back : Children's programming blocks: Discovery Kids on NBC
The Flash Black | Children's TV
This must really be a series now .... we take another look back at children's television on broadcast TV from the past. This time we go back to obscurity. Discovery Kids on NBC.
NBC in 2002 , deiced to hop back into having children's programming on a Saturday Morning and end it's long running T-NBC ( Teen NBC) block. This block was self-serving for both sides it gave Discovery's children's channel , Discovery Kids, more exposure and gave NBC 3 hours of E/I mandated children's programming. Discovery Kids had launched in 1996 , as the beginning of Discovery's expansion into digital cable networks but it didn't have a lot of people able to watch it. 2002 ,was an interesting year for children's programming blocks where cable network programming was added more to broadcast tv,
Nick on CBS, Disney Channel programs on ABC Kids, some cartoon network programs on Kids WB.
Discovery Kids Ident - Sound Design and Mix from Richard Spooner - Sound Designer on Vimeo.
So anyway what kind of programs did this Saturday Morning 3 hour long block air on NBC ? Many of the programs from Discovery Kids , is the short answer. The first year , 2002, they aired programs that were about nature and science targeted towards kids, a new reality program called "Endurance", which was playing upon the popularity of survivor, but instead of Adults it was kids. The Final hour was a couple dramas by Discovery Kids. In 2003, the block added cartoons (yay! Cartoons) Discovery had a way of making interesting yet educational cartoons.
"Kenny the Shark" was one of those programs that was introduced. It was about a girl named Kat, she adopts a shark (Kenny) that apparently got tired of living in the water (which should scare us all) and he has to learn to live in our world ( he gets yelled at lot for doing shark things...because you know he's a shark!) the program also inserted facts about sharks (mostly tiger sharks) in subtle but noticeable ways. Other programs were Tuntenstien , about a mummy king kid, who was brought back to life, has to deal with our time and living(?) in a museum. And a kids version of the popular reality show "Trading spaces". Some wildlife /science shows were returned for a short time in 2005 , but in fall cartoons return to lead the block.
A new program "Time Warp Trio" started in 2005 it was about 3 boys who had a time traveling book , they go to different times in history and one case we meet the secondary characters ,their 3 grand children , who sometimes are included in the travels. The series fit E/I because it did teach historical facts (except the 2105 episode) with some twists. Others included Comedy-drama "Darcy's wild Life" and "Flight 29 Down" , which was following the popularity of "Lost" but instead it was teens (because who wouldn't want some teens stuck on Island?).
Time Warp Trio/ WGBH/ Youtube
Well 4 years flies fast , doesn't it ? In May 2006 , NBC Universal announced they were partnering with Ion Media, Scholastic , and Classic Media to create a new children's block called QUBO. So that mean that after 4 years Discovery Kids on NBC was to end . So September 2nd , the block did one last run and it ended. Discovery Kids, the Channel, continued it did introduce a couple more series but it lost some of it's drive after the NBC block was ended. The Network died 10-10-2010 after earlier deal was made by Discovery to sell 50% to toy maker, Hasbro, to create the Hub Network.
Kind of wishing there was more that could be said about Discovery Kids on NBC, it aired some good programs kind of wonder how it would be if it was still running now.
This must really be a series now .... we take another look back at children's television on broadcast TV from the past. This time we go back to obscurity. Discovery Kids on NBC.
NBC in 2002 , deiced to hop back into having children's programming on a Saturday Morning and end it's long running T-NBC ( Teen NBC) block. This block was self-serving for both sides it gave Discovery's children's channel , Discovery Kids, more exposure and gave NBC 3 hours of E/I mandated children's programming. Discovery Kids had launched in 1996 , as the beginning of Discovery's expansion into digital cable networks but it didn't have a lot of people able to watch it. 2002 ,was an interesting year for children's programming blocks where cable network programming was added more to broadcast tv,
Nick on CBS, Disney Channel programs on ABC Kids, some cartoon network programs on Kids WB.
Discovery Kids Ident - Sound Design and Mix from Richard Spooner - Sound Designer on Vimeo.
So anyway what kind of programs did this Saturday Morning 3 hour long block air on NBC ? Many of the programs from Discovery Kids , is the short answer. The first year , 2002, they aired programs that were about nature and science targeted towards kids, a new reality program called "Endurance", which was playing upon the popularity of survivor, but instead of Adults it was kids. The Final hour was a couple dramas by Discovery Kids. In 2003, the block added cartoons (yay! Cartoons) Discovery had a way of making interesting yet educational cartoons.
"Kenny the Shark" was one of those programs that was introduced. It was about a girl named Kat, she adopts a shark (Kenny) that apparently got tired of living in the water (which should scare us all) and he has to learn to live in our world ( he gets yelled at lot for doing shark things...because you know he's a shark!) the program also inserted facts about sharks (mostly tiger sharks) in subtle but noticeable ways. Other programs were Tuntenstien , about a mummy king kid, who was brought back to life, has to deal with our time and living(?) in a museum. And a kids version of the popular reality show "Trading spaces". Some wildlife /science shows were returned for a short time in 2005 , but in fall cartoons return to lead the block.
A new program "Time Warp Trio" started in 2005 it was about 3 boys who had a time traveling book , they go to different times in history and one case we meet the secondary characters ,their 3 grand children , who sometimes are included in the travels. The series fit E/I because it did teach historical facts (except the 2105 episode) with some twists. Others included Comedy-drama "Darcy's wild Life" and "Flight 29 Down" , which was following the popularity of "Lost" but instead it was teens (because who wouldn't want some teens stuck on Island?).
Time Warp Trio/ WGBH/ Youtube
Well 4 years flies fast , doesn't it ? In May 2006 , NBC Universal announced they were partnering with Ion Media, Scholastic , and Classic Media to create a new children's block called QUBO. So that mean that after 4 years Discovery Kids on NBC was to end . So September 2nd , the block did one last run and it ended. Discovery Kids, the Channel, continued it did introduce a couple more series but it lost some of it's drive after the NBC block was ended. The Network died 10-10-2010 after earlier deal was made by Discovery to sell 50% to toy maker, Hasbro, to create the Hub Network.
Kind of wishing there was more that could be said about Discovery Kids on NBC, it aired some good programs kind of wonder how it would be if it was still running now.
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