The Lookback : Nickelodeon's Thanksgiving Fest

The Flashback  Thanksgiving  Nickelodeon 

     Last Christmas  , I talked about  Nickelodeon's first attempt at original animation , "Christmas in Tattertown" . Then I gave it away. (I quit)   So Nickelodeon dipped their toes into original animation now they were going to dip their whole foot in. (stop)  Anyway, We've had Christmas so now it's time to talk about the most famous holiday of all, Thanksgiving. ( You are really going all out on this)


      I think something important about this special and the one before it was that yes, Nickelodeon was looking for something different to do then it ever has done before.  These two specials were them trying to see how it worked and what they wanted to do. These are the linchpins into  what eventually became the Nicktoons.   So, now  to look at this special that came out on November 22nd 1989. (Unless someone else corrects this date)

        The special starts with a voice over telling us that Thanksgiving is a special holiday. Then the same narrator talks about Cranberry sauce  when he asks a person working at a factory and we get a joke about Cram berries. (get it get it?)  This special has mini segments as wrap-arounds with two main segments, which I will get to in this post umm now.   The first main segment is called  "Thanksgiving Nightmare"  this one starts with a family eating Thanksgiving dinner and there's a mouse who wants to steal the meal. There's also a cockroach that wants to steal the meal. The family decides to "three bears" it and go out and walk off the dinner.  This causes the mouse and roach to jump into action.  I've also learned that mice and roaches are mortal enemies.  The family has a cat because of course. One of lady family members sees the cat with a bone and she tells him that if she catches him so much as even a pea she's going to throw him out permanently. (bit harsh there)

No, please don't you see I am not an average cat! / Copyright Viacom 

       The mouse has a mouse gang and he talks about how bad roaches are (the great roach vs rat war hadn't begun yet) meanwhile the roaches also have a large meeting and talk about how bad the mice are. (So umm the people  in this house need to call an exterminator. )  The cat decides to watch TV. The mice decide  that this would be a good time to capture the turkey.  Meanwhile the roaches do their plan of attack  as well.   This has become a mouse versus roach war.  The cat sees all the mess and decides to use a vacuum cleaner to take care of it. (This cat is not from our Earth)   The rodents and roaches are sucked up except the head roach and mouse. 

Mice. Rodents want to the rule the world/ Copyright Viacom 

      The people come back and the house is a mess and guess who gets blamed for the mess? (Yep, the roach.) Yes, the cat and woman throws him out.  He seems alright since he has  a drumstick. I guess.  Back to a mini segment. There's a hunter he's shooting carrots because sure.  Now, it's time to see how animals celebrate Thanksgiving.  (We get a rabbit multiplies like rabbits joke here)
There's a second long segment called "Thanksgiving Dreams" I  see what they did there. It has an interesting animation start where it airs in like slow moving  still picture book animation. It starts with the Great Depression.   This one has a mom and her two kids ( a boy and a girl) and we talk about how it hard it is for food.  The kids names are Sam and Emily.   This animation style doesn't last too long because at least to me it feels like headache maker.  The kids awake over the night hearing a noise then they start shrinking.  They make it to kitchen where everything is dancing.

I think this is real/ copyright Viacom 

    The carrots even dance and have faces as they dip themselves into boiling water. A loto of the food starts preparing themselves. (food is weird)  I'm not going  through every single little thing.  This sequence is kind of like an old fashioned cartoon  with the movement of objects and dancing.   Anyway, there's a dough monster because when you add  to much yeast this happens. Sam gets pepper all of the kitchen and causes everything to sneeze. This does make the dough monster sneeze  and shrink back down.  Then Sam and Emily wake up and apparently food magically appeared.  The mother is confused but she's happy and it's a happy ending.

Where did this food come from? I don't question it! /Copyright Viacom 

    More wrap-around astronauts have dehydrated Thanksgiving.  Some older people watch some football. What do turkeys eat for Thanksgiving?    They eat man!!!!

   I think that was an alright Thanksgiving special. I liked how it talks about the traditions of Thanksgiving and does some light humor in  the wrap-arounds.  The first long segment was quite  fun though if you feel that cat got a real deal that might turn you off.  The concept was an interesting one.  I think the 2nd one was pretty fun too, though the start was a little much because of the animation the rest of it was a nice little story and was a nice hint of throwback to old style animation.    The animation in the special is well done and crisp so Nick wasn't cutting any corners here. 


 Tune in next time  when we found out that  the reason we eat turkey is because they'll eat us first.

Powerpuff Girls 20 : Every Superhero has an Origin Story

Cartoon Network  The Flashback 

       The Powerpuff Girls  first premiered in November of 1998 on Cartoon Network (though pilots for the series were featured a few years earlier).   Personal note : PPG is one of my favorite Cartoon Network series and was when it first ran too.  I have written about Powerpuff Girls Z when the remake series was starting in 2016 so, this time I decided to look at the Powerpuff Girls Movie that came out in theaters in 2002. (Yes I call this  a TV blog, but it's more than that it's just easier to say TV blog plus, this is based on a TV show)  This movie is an origin story of the Powerpuff Girls, even though the intro does explain how they were made this movie sets to explain how they became Townsville's  dedicated heroes.   As the title stays,  Superheroes do need origin stories. Apparently, this movie is the reason Cartoon Network seems weary of releasing anymore of their TV series to theaters.

    The narrator is in the movie too!  He starts with mentioning that Townsville is riddled with crime (why? no body knows)  and he asks if there's anyone in this town that can help make this better.  It brings us to the professor who does sciencey-science things.  There's also a monkey who's destroying his lab because the professor doesn't believe in cages for some reason.  The mixture in the open re-acts the intro of the Powerpuff Girls where chemical x is added to the mixture Professor Utonium was working on , and it explodes.   Bringing us the title card of the movie.

Woah I created life! / Copyright Warner Media 

     Three girls appear from the explosion and ask the professor what is his name.  They suggest that he gives them names.  He gives them names Blossom, Bubbles, Buttercup.  He quickly decides to get them gifts because it's their birthday. There's something different about these girls- they have superpowers. (what?!)  There's a green money with his brain protruding out and dramatic music, that'll probably bring nothing later.  There's a montage of the professor and the girls getting to know each other and setting up their lives.  Since, they weren't born babies the next day is for school. Everyone at the Poke Oaks Kindergarten seems to like the girls.   There are somethings to learn about though, like what is tag?

That'll buff out/ Copyright Warner Media 

    This tag game goes wrong when the girls do  a long chase around the city causing some destruction.  This tag thing does take up a good long chunk of this 73 minute long movie (yeah it's not that long)  The mayor , who called Mayor in the series and movie sees that girls causing destruction actually, he wants  pickles. This is his favorite thing in the series too,  and the girls stop him from enjoying his pickle (that sounds wrong some how).  Professor  Utonium tells them when putting them to bed, that they should try not use their powers around town.

Girls. don't destroy the town next time. / Copyright Warner Media 

     The  next day, the girls go to school, which shouldn't be open because who runs a school while there's a river of water running through it with rebuilding work going on ?  There's some health and safety problems somewhere there.  The other kids don't like the girls anymore. (Also, this school has no electricity who does this?)  Meanwhile, the Mayor forms and angry mob because that's what mayors do , to arrest the professor.  Meaning he can't pick up the girls from school  and the girls start  to think the Professor hates them now.  The news media in the town call the girls freaks because bad people. Plot convenience time  : the girls see the TV videos calling them freaks , but don' t see the news report that the professor is in jail.

     The three of them try to walk home but get lost.   This is when they run into a gang called the Gang Green Gang but they are saved by a shadowy figure. It's the monkey from before. ( I'm shocked)   His name is JoJo.  He gets the girls to help him with his plan to "make the town better".   Will this  make the  town better?  Find out after the jump!

The Loud House Celebrates Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Nickelodeon 

    Usually, I do a post right after an episode or special comes out  with the last "The Loud House" special I covered, (the Halloween one) I waited a year after it aired, this time I am doing this post just after it aired so that's different. I thought it would be good to do this look now while I can.  Anyway this time we look an episode of the Loud House that is called "The Loudest Thanksgiving".

   For those that don't know what The Loud House is  in simple premise terms : it's an animated series that premiered in 2016 on Nickelodeon about a large family called the Louds with 11 children, 10 of which are girls. The middle child, Lincoln, also happens to be the only boy.  Most of the episodes focus on their  lives the things that happen. Also, for this episode there is more info.  there's  a character named Ronnie-Anne  Santiago she was introduced in the series back in season 1 , her brother is named Bobby and he is also the boyfriend of the oldest Loud sister, Lori.  In season 2 they moved away to a place called in the series as simply "The City" (not the old ABC soap series I hope) and they and their mother live with their extended family called the Casagrades.  This is also being made into a spinoff. That is my simple explanation for those who haven't seen the series at all.


 Now, here's a look at the special.

        It starts with Flip, the man who runs a convenience store, being our host for the story it's like a classic holiday special which I think is a nice touch.  It starts with the day before Thanksgiving where Louds and the Casagrandes are prepping for Thanksgiving.  Lori and Bobby explain to each other what their families are doing for Thanksgiving.   This part gives us a nice Thanksgiving prep feel of seeing how these two large families prepare for such a big  holiday.   Bobby and Lori both lament they wish to have  Thanksgiving together. 

Holiday separation is what happens/ Copyright Viacom 

    Lincoln overhears his sister and Bobby's  Grandfather overhears well Bobby, saying this and they get worried about their respective  family members that they will lose them for all the holidays.  Both families start doing things to convince not to leave without outright telling them.  This escalates  as much as you can probably can tell where it is going where both Lori and Bobby find out why their families are acting in such a way.

They got caught/ Copyright Viacom 

   I like how the episode kind of shows how similar they are to each other.  Anyway, their finding out brings us to next part of the plot. The two families decide to merge their Thanksgivings together after some contention a coin is flipped and dinner will be at the Louds.  Meaning these two families are still going to compete on making their Thanksgiving better than the  other so they won't lose their family member for the next Thanksgiving.  The Casagrandes show up  and bring all their stuff and make their Thanksgiving work.  The Louds put on a  trial (with the People's Court music) for Lilly, the baby Loud, who is dressed like a turkey to be pardoned. (Interesting tradition)  The Casagrandes put on a Turkey dance because of course.  Then comes the dinner where this goes where you are probably expecting this to go , well badly. It descends into chaos and a food fight.

Does save on leftovers , I guess/ Copyright Viacom 

    Lori and Bobby leave this chaos and end up  at Flip's where he tell us that's how they ended up there. The two families find their members  and Bobby and Lori tell them they don't wanna chose sides.   Flip offers the best and most obvious answer  that  Lori and Bobby could just alternate Thanksgiving.   The two families come together at Flip's and have dinner there.  Also a fun episode for Flip being kind instead of greedy.  The special ends with a song with Luna and  Bobby's grandfather doing a duet song it's a good song.

sweet harmony / Copyright Viacom 

    I think it was a fine Thanksgiving special it had one primary plot with no B plot meaning all it's energy was filled into this plot. Nothing felt too  dragged out either. You can feel that both families really just don't want to not have their member be there and are trying to do anything to  keep them with them.  It is kind of funny that Flip suggests probably one of the  most obvious suggestions ever yet, one that might have not been thought up so easily.  For people who want a Thanksgiving special but haven't seen the Loud House you don't really need to see the entire series to understand the special it pretty much works self contained.    I do think it really could  have been longer because it would have been nice to see more character interactions. but, this doesn't mean what we got wasn't good and it was quite fun.  

 That it for us tune in next time when we force two random families we found to have Thanksgiving together.  Something ensues. 

NBC Holiday programming 2018

NBC Thanksgiving  Christmas 

      NBC has released their holiday programming from Thanksgiving all the way to new year. Highlights include : "The Grinch" , "Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade" , a New Years Eve show and more.


   Here's the schedule

 Wednesday, November 21st
   
 8-9PM  Hollywood Game Night (repeating December 19th at 9pm)
9-11pm  A Saturday Night Live Thanksgiving

Thursday , November 22nd
9-12pm (all time zones with same time)   Macy's 92nd Thanksgiving Day Parade  (repeating  2-5pm)
12-2pm (all time zones)    National Dog   show   (repeats Saturday November 24th at 8pm)

Friday, November 23rd
8-8:30pm How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)  (repeating December 25th at 8pm)
8:30-9pm   Dreamworks Trolls Holiday

Wednesday, November 28th
8-10pm 86th Annual Christmas in Rockefeller Center 
10pm    A Legendary Christmas with John and Chrissy (repeat December 12th at 10pm)

Thursday, November 29th
8pm  Lego Jurassic World : The Secret Exhibit Parts 1&2 (repeats Wednesday Dec. 19 at 8pm)

Monday December 3rd
10-11pm Deal of No Deal : Happy Howie Days  (Series premieres December 5th on CNBC)


Tuesday, December 4th
9-11pm  Saturday Night Live Best of Christmas (repeat December 13th at 9pm)

Tuesday, December 11th
9-10pm  Darci Lynne : My Hometown Christmas
10-11pm  Hollywood Game Night

Wednesday, December 12th
8pm  Ellen's Game of Games (repeat  Thursday, December 20 at 10pm)
9pm  Little Big Shots

Monday, December 17th
10-11pm  America's Got Talent (repeat December 21st at 8pm)

Thursday, December 20th
8-10pm Timeless  ( Series finale)

Monday, December 24th
8-11pm It's a Wonderful Life
11:30-1am  Christmas Eve Mass

Tuesday, December 25th
8:30pm -11 Movie :How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Monday, December 31st
8-10PM NBC NEWS Special : A Toast to 2018!
10-11, 11:30-12:30PM NBC New Year's Eve

Tuesday, January 1st
11:30amet/8:30am PT  130th Annual Tournament of the Roses Parade

Full press release  after the Jump

The Lookback : Alvin and The Chipmunks Thanksgiving

The Flashback   Thanksgiving 


      One long time ago, we've written about Alvin and the Chipmunks celebrating Christmas  but  they had a Thanksgiving special too.  That's our Lookback this time, a look at  "Alvin and the Chipmunks : A Thanksgiving Celebration" which first came out in 1994.  So let's see what chipmunks eat on Thanksgiving or something..

        The Chipmunks and Dave send invitations out to their relatives and Alvin wants to be the lead in a community play about pilgrims.  Simon has been made the lead  which he doesn't want to do, Theodore doesn't want to do lights but gets that and Alvin gets do  to costumes  which . well guess.   Dave tells them about a time he  had to do show as a kid and where it went bad.  He made up words to the song  to make up for the words he forgot and apparently, worked out.  That moment made him want to be songwriter.   Dave's  message to them is that they shouldn't let fear stop them form trying something new.

Young Dave/was not a rhinestone cowboy 

    Since this is an Alvin and the Chipmunks related piece of media, the are songs. In this case used for montage things.  The chipmunks work on their tasks to various effects.   Alvin has a nightmare where he gets attacked by costumes. (I hate when that happens)  Simon has a dream that  he fails at the play. Theodore has  a dream that he screws up with the lighting and gets arrested by his grandma (what?)  and all 3 run into Dave's room and tell him something that is too late to stop the relatives from coming.  (Some of their relatives are chipmunk people  and some are human people so that's a thing)  More montage with music time.

When costumes attack 

      Now, it's the play day.  Alvin has a plan that  we don't get to hear (thanks a lot special). The idea is to fake that a baby is stuck in a gorilla enclosure but never mind it's in a tree so the new plan  then it ends up in a gorilla cage for real.  Simon is dressed up as a mother also he scares a gorilla and gets a doll. (What kind of plan was that?)  A police man shows up and he ruins their plan to be late for the play because he gets them there in time. (Almost as if this plan was stupid)  The three of them are nervous.  Their grandmother tells them they did a great show at that park there with the baby and gorilla.   This gives them the confidence to do well with the play.  Then the family has Thanksgiving dinner.  Dave was entered into a golf tournament.

Happy Thanksgiving I think. 

  Quite a nice special to see. It's not center pieced with Thanksgiving in the normal sense that is used to give us a reason for the relatives to show up  and possibly the reason for the play.  The center message was don't be afraid to try new things it may work out. That's a good message and I like how the action  of the three trying to fake a baby needing rescue with them doing the things they were afraid to do.   There wasn't too much filler in this special either  which I though there would be but, was surprised that it wasn't long and most of the events that happened stayed for the plot.


 That's our lookback tune in next time when Alvin and The Chipmunks fight Tom and Jerry.

CW Midseason 2019

The CW Midseason 

        The CW has released their mid season schedule which includes the series remake of "Roswell" is coming in January. "I -zombie" and "The 100" are set to return sometime in spring.  "Jane the Virgin" is  also set to return for its final season.

 Here are the details
Friday, January 11th , 2019
9-10pm  Crazy EX-Girlfriend (Midseason Return)

Tuesday, January 15th, 2019
8PM  The Flash (Midseason Return)
9PM  Roswell, New Mexico (Series Premiere)

Wednesday, January 16th , 2019
8PM  Riverdale (Midseason Return)
9PM   All American (Midseason Return)

Thursday, January 17th, 2019
8PM  Supernatural  (Midseason Return)
9PM  Roswell, New Mexico (Encore of Premiere)

Friday, January 18th , 2019
8PM  Dynasty (Midseason Return)
9PM  Crazy-Ex-Girlfriend (Original episode)

Sunday, January 20th, 2019
8PM  SuperGirl (Midseason Return)
9PM    Charmed (Midseason Return)

Monday, January 21st, 2019
8PM  Arrow (Mid Season Return )
9PM Black Lightning (New Period Premiere)

Thursday, January 24th, 2019
8PM  Supernatural (Original Episode)
9PM   Legacies (Midseason Return)


full spring schedule comes later. 


press release after the Jump

ABC's 25 Days of Christmas

ABC Christmas 

 
    ABC has released their 25 Days of Christmas programming. 

     All times ET

Friday, November 23rd
8PM  Santa Claus is Comin' To Town

Monday, November 26th
8PM The Great Christmas Light Fight (Season Premiere)

Thursday, November 29th
8pm  Olaf's Frozen Christmas
8:30pm Toy Story that Time Forgot
9PM  The Wonderful World of Disney Magical Holiday Celebration


Sunday, December 2nd
10pm The Victora's Secret Fashion Show Holiday Special

Monday, December 3rd
8PM-10PM  The Great Christmas Light Fight
10PM  The Good Doctor (Winter Finale)

Tuesday, December 4th
8PM The Conners

Thursday, December 6th
8PM  A Charlie Brown Christmas
9PM-11pm  The Great American Baking Show Holiday Edition ( Season Premiere)

Friday, December 7th
9-10:01pm  The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show (rebroadcast)

Saturday, December 8th
8:00-10:00pm The Great American Baking Show (rebroadcast)

Sunday, December 9th
8-9pm Dancing With the Stars  Juniors (Season Finale-Holiday Special)

Monday, December 10th
8-10pm  CMA Country Christmas
10pm  The Great Christmas Light Fight


Tuesday, December 11th
8:31pm  The Kids Are Alright -Christmas 1972
9pm   Black-ish "Christmas in Theater Eight"

Wednesday, December 12th
8PM  The Goldbergs
8:30pm  American Housewife
9pm Modern Family
9:31   Single Parents
10pm  A Million Little Things  - Winter Finale


Thursday, December 13th
8PM  Disney's Prep & Landing
8:30PM Prep & Landing 2: Naughty vs. Nice

Friday, December 14th
8PM Fresh off the Boat
8:30PM Speechless

Saturday, December 15th
8-10pm  The Great Christmas Light Fight (rebroadcast )

Sunday, December 16th
7-11pm The Sound of Music

Monday, December 17th
8-10pm The Great Christmas Light Fight 
10pm  ABC News - In Memoriam


Wednesday, December 19th
8PM Olaf's  Frozen Adventure
8:30 Shrek the Halls

Thursday, December 20th
8PM  A Charlie Brown Christmas
9PM-11  The Great American Baking show Holiday Edition (season finale)

Friday,December 21st
8PM I want a Dog For Christmas, Charlie Brown
9-11pm  The Great Christmas Light Fight (rebroadcast)

Saturday, December 22nd
8-10pm CMA Country Christmas (rebroadcast)

Sunday, December 23rd
8PM  Disney's Prep and Landing
8:30PM  Prep and Landing

Monday, December 24th
8-10pm   Beauty & The Beast 

Tuesday, December 25th
10AM-12PMET  / 9-11AM CST MST, PST  :  Disney Parks Magical Christmas Parade

Thursday, December 27th
8PM Happy New Year , Charlie Brown 
9PM  Rudolph's Shiny New Year

Monday, December 31st
8PM New Years' Rockin' Eve


Press release after the Jump

Not a Lookback: A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving

Peanuts  Thanksgiving 

       I say this alot  when I write about Thanksgiving specials or episodes is there's not alot of Thanksgiving related specials out there. The Peanuts one is the only one that consistently airs each year on time.   Interestingly enough, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving came out later than its Christmas or Halloween counterparts.   Coming out in 1973 , 8 years after Christmas  and 7 years after Halloween. 2018 is the 45th anniversary  of the special first airing.   It won an Emmy.  

      Time for me to over think the Peanuts. (a hallmark of our blog here)  Since Peppermint Patty  seemed to having a more lonely Thanksgiving.  She remarks on the phone to Chuck that her father is out of town and he said that she could come over to Chuck's for the holiday.  Now, she doesn't know what Chuck's plans are for the holiday  and since he is Charlie Brown he is not  in the strength to say "Hey Patty,  I am going somewhere for Thanksgiving already."  Peppermint Patty also self invites  her friends Marcie and Franklin. (apparently their families don't mind them not being around for Thanksgiving.)   Pin this back for  a later paragraph.  

       Linus being the best friend in the world to ole Charles suggests that they do something for Thanksgiving before Chuck has to leave.  Charlie Brown, Linus, Snoopy and Woodstock all help with this plan.  (Now when I talk about the ending ,I am going to add this context here: Charlie Brown and Linus never asked if Snoopy could make them dinner, they only asked if they could help).  If I were to over think other aspect of this special is : why do the Browns have like 20 toasters, were they all wedding gifts?   The dinner they put together is of toast, popcorn,  and jelly beans. A simple and believable feast that you could imagine children making. ( even with a sentient dog and bird)  

        The time shown preparing for the meal is important as well.  Why? Let's say this is another pin to connect it back to the first paragraph.  Peppermint Patty and friends join Chuck, Linus, Sally and the rest. Another showing that Peppermint Patty may just want a normal Thanksgiving  is that she requests that they say grace. (I'm connecting a point here)  Linus once again shows us that his brain is stored with stuff that we could only imagine.  When the meal is served  Peppermint Patty's reaction is one that is less than pleased at this. (Also Snoopy is dangerous with this food delivery system of his)  Going back to my first point now, you can see the Peppermint Patty wanted  what I can say would considered a normal Thanksgiving which could explain this rant she goes on.  This is not to say, that she is justified in it.  You can see the work that Chuck and the gang put into this meal he DIDN'T have to do in the first place.   So, of  course this hurts Charlie Brown's feelings and he laves the table.   Marcie lays out the complete truth here with her defense of Charlie Brown.  Marcie brings up that did Charles invite them or did she self invite?  Peppermint Patty does feel remorseful about her actions which is also nice.  Fitting with her character as some one who is little over the top but never meaning to be well mean.   If I go back to my over thinking again, my theory kind of fits a little.  

    She asks Marcie if she could maybe talk to Chuck for her  since Marcie is better at this stuff than she. The special exhibits  Thankfulness in a nice way , be thankful for what is there and others. There is even a nice resolution with Charlie Brown's grandmother (Grandma Brown) that she decides to let all his guests come over for Thanksgiving. (She's probably just happy to have less left overs.) 

   This special is just my over thinking and that plot. The comedy shows well in this special and there lots of funny moments to enjoy,  and I am thankful for that.  I will note something else, besides the opening skit at the start , there is no Lucy in this special.  Linus  even hangs with Chuck all day and goes with him to Grandma Brown's house. This is interesting in hindsight even more than Franklin and Marcie's parents not minding them not being home for the holiday.    The ending:  Snoopy making Thanksgiving dinner himself in his TARDIS dog house. Going back to that line where I sad Charlie Brown never asked if Snoopy could make dinner only to help make the dinner they were planning. Charles Schulz dark humor shows up too with Woodstock eating some turkey.  Now, many birds are meat eaters (worms are meaty)  but it is great dark humor to have a bird  eat his fellow bird life.   It's mostly  timeless as a special though the idea of kids riding in the back of a station wagon with no seat belts is of that time. (It's the station wagon isn't it?)   With that I am thankful for this special and glad it runs every year.   

   Tune in next time when Charlie Brown and Peppermint Patty do stop playing lovers' games.