Yesterday marked the death of Saturday morning cartoons as I had known them. It got me thinking about my favorite Saturday Morning series. Along with the great cartoons of the 70s ad 80s, there were a lot of fun live action series mixed in with the cartoons. I decided to make a list of my top ten live action Saturday morning shows of my childhood. I stuck to the shows I loved (for better or worse). I didn’t include shows like Saved By the Bell or Mighty Morphin Power Rangers because they post dated my regular Saturday morning viewing.
In the near future, I will create a list of my favorite animated Saturday Morning Cartoons of my childhood. That will be a hard list to create because I loved so many of them.
10) Ark II
If for no other reason, I loved the jetpack that was used on this show. I really wanted to fly one as a kid. I do have very fond memories of this show. I am sure it is not as good as I remember from my pre-adolescent days. I loved that this series was about teenagers/ young adults traveling around and not a bunch of “old” adults.
9) Jason of Star Command
In the late 70s, I loved anything that half way resembled Star Wars. If it was a space drama, I was in. I loved Battlestar Galactica and Buck Rogers in the 25th Century. Jason of Star Command was in the same vain but not as well written or acted. But I loved it anyway.
8) Krofft Supershow (Superstar) Hour
Sid and Marty Krofft were the kings of Saturday morning shows in the 70s. They created several of the shows on this list and many shows that were considered. They create a this fun series with mini episodes of 4 different live action shows and a comical band to entertain between the sets. The first two seasons, the band was Kaptain Kool and the Kongs. The final season had the Bay City Rollers. I enjoyed all of it. Two of the shows inside of the Krofft Supershow (Superstar) Hour also made the list.
7) Wonderbug
Speaking of the Krofft Supershow (Superstar) Hour, Wonderbug was a mainstay of that show. A group of teens looking for a cheap car find a junky dune buggy that is transformed with a magic horn. They went around helping people in their magical car. It is corny but great 70s fun.
6) Pee Wee’s Playhouse
The weirdness of this show made it appealing in my mid teens. I found it funny but in a strangely un-explainable way. I might have liked it more because my parents hated it.
5) Isis
A science teacher goes on a archaeology dig in Egypt. She discovers the amulet of the Egyptian godess Isis. It grants her the ability to become a superhero to the world. She was in the same world as SHAZAM!‘s Captain Marvel and did have an occasional team up. “Oh Mighty Isis!”
4) Electra Woman and Dyna Girl
Here is the second show inside the Krofft Supershow (Superstar) Hour . Electra Woman and Dyna Girl was female version of Batman and Robin. This show was the typical quirky 70s take on superheroes but as a kid, it was a lot of fun. I had a bit of a crush on Judy Strangis (Dyna Girl).
3) American Bandstand
Here is the only non-geeky entry on this list. American Bandstand became a much bigger deal for me as I hit my teenage years. I was able to see a ton of great musical artists and bands on this show. I saw Madonna preform live and it fueled my obsession for her. It was a great show to end the Saturday morning TV watching.
2) SHAZAM!
This series was huge in my childhood. I was so inspired by this version of Captain Marvel (SHAZAM!), I had a towel with a clothespin that I worn to school so I could be Captain Marvel. I wanted to the the wisdom of Solomon, the strength of Hercules, the stamina of Atlas, the power of Zeus, the courage of Achilles, and the speed of Mercury to be mine.
Marshall, Will, and Holly
On a routine expedition
Met the greatest earthquake ever known.
High on the rapids
It struck their tiny raft.
And plunged them down a thousand feet below.
To the Land of the Lost.
To the Land of the Lost.
To the Land of the Lost. (via Lyrics On Demand)
As far back as I can remember, I have always been fascinated with Dinosaurs. Land of the Lost is partially responsible for it. This show scared me in a good way but I just loved it and all the dinosaurs. In my opinion, this is the greatest Sid and Marty Krofft show and the greatest Saturday morning TV show of all time. This unique quirkiness of this show sowed a ton of geeky seeds into my imagination. The Special effects were the best at the time and they were much better than most sci fi/ fantasy movies a decade later (Star Wars movies were the exception). I a crush on Kathy Coleman (Holly).
Well, there is my list. What do you think?
I would love to see a list of your favorite live action Saturday morning series. Please post it in the comments. We promise not to ridicule you for it. I can’t say a word after a few of the entries I have on this list.
Stay Geeky My Friends!
