My daughter asked a simple question at dinner the other day. “Who is your favorite muppet?” She is a traditionalist, picking Kermit and Miss Piggy as her favorites. Her dad and I were at more of a loss. I picked Animal and Zoë (Zoë because she’s the cute little red-haired girl who came on the scene about the same time my cute little red-haired girl). My husband, also a traditionalist, picked Oscar the Grouch, which is fitting for him on so many levels.
The reality is that my husband and I are not a part of the muppet-era. We really didn’t do much traveling on Sesame Street. Instead, we watched cartoons. Mindless entertainment. The politically incorrect classics. We are no worse for wear because of it.
I have never had an anvil dropped on my head. I have never run off a cliff into thin air. I have never been tied to railroad tracks or found myself holding a lit piece of dynamite. I don’t think all Mexican’s are lazy and smoke dope while sneaking across the border, or that Canadian law enforcement is clueless, or that all Southerners are slow. I don’t believe roadrunners and coyotes can read. I certainly don’t believe only women are victims or only men heroes.
I can’t help but think that my kid is missing out on a piece of American childhood. Remaking the classics as blockbuster movies doesn’t come close.
I remember watching Underdog cartoons before getting ready for afternoon Kindergarten. Funny, how I liked Underdog, but never got into Superman. I know there’s an updated Underdog movie, but in no way is it as good as the classic cartoon with Shoeshine Boy/Underdog, Sweet Polly Purebred and Riff Raff. Have no fear, Underdog is here! You’d think the vitamin industry would have grabbed on to this character like Popeye to Spinach.
And let’s not forget Dudley Do-Right, the bumbling Canadian Mounty saving us (Nell) from the dastardly Snidely Whiplash. Here I am to save the day! And, no, I am not talking about the Brandon Frasier remake of several years ago. I’ve got nothing against Brandon, but nothing ruins good cartoon memories like an up to date movie.
Also on Rocky and Bullwinkle – Boris Badenov and Natasha Fatale. Bonnie and Clyde of the tundra. Am I mistaken or did Dudley take care of these two as well? I always loved Natasha – She may be a villian but Natasha is also a groundbreaker for women (maybe that’s ball breaker!).
Another bumbling Mounty also comes to mind – Klondike Kat. Klondike is always in pursuit of Savoir-Faire, a French-Canadian mouse who constantly steals food and is remembered with, Savoir-Faire is every-waire, monsieur Pussycat!
Klondike has a few sayings of his own – I’ll make mincemeat out of that mouse! and not so surprisingly, Klondike always gets his mouse in the end. I suppose there are plans to spoil this with a remake, too.
After living in Minnesota for 10 years I can’t help but appreciate the Go Go Gophers. The University of Minnesota mascot is a golden gopher, and the teams are usually about as inept as Ruffle Feathers and Running Bored. Go go gophers, watch them go go go. The U of M fight song is so similar its scary!!
Looney Toons are perennial favorites, too. My husband always liked Fog Horn Leghorn. Me, not so much. The Tasmanian Devil is now his favorite and his (nick)name sake.
Bugs Bunny is always at the top of the list - but I also liked some of the lesser known characters. Pepe le Pew, the lover boy skunk still gets a laugh out of me! Poor Penelope Kitty.
Wile E. Coyote and Roadrunner – I wish those were still on. Maybe they are someplace. I need to get the DVD’s. I’d watch Roadrunner cartoons just to sing along with the song…
Road Runner, the coyote’s after you.
Road Runner, if he catches you you’re through.
That coyote is really a crazy clown……
Beep, Beep!!
One of my all time favorites is Speedy Gonzales, the fastest mouse in all of Mexico. Also known as Hizli Gonzales for you bi-lingual’s. Robin Hood from south of the border. Andale! Andale! Arriba! Arriba! as he zips past El Pussygato (Sylvester), armed with cheese for his impoverished amigos. My all time favorite episode – who could forget Speedy’s cousin Slow-Poke Rodriguez?
Of all the Looney Toon shorts, Speedy and Slow-Poke stories are the still relevant today – Long before John McCain was a blip on the Republican radar, Sylvester was a staunch proponent of keeping our borders closed to the likes of Speedy and Slow-poke.
I could go on and on….
The Archies, especially Sabrina the Teenaged Witch – The TV show isn’t bad but just doesn’t compare to the cartoon
Penelope Pitstop and the Mob Hill Gang, who my childhood pet was named after
Scooby-Do, which my daughter enjoys today, but again, the movie version is a spoiler
Speed Racer, my brother’s must see TV – I watched by default until it was my turn to pick something. Remember when there was only 1 TV in the house?
Don’t ruin cartoons by watching with adult perceptions and hindsight. Watch with childhood innocence instead of finding things to “protect” kids from. I didn’t realize how much TV I really did watch as a kid and how much I enjoyed it. No matter what my daughter says, The Disney Channel, Elmo and SpongeBob can’t compete. And neither can cheesy remakes.
