The Saturday Morning Podcast

Send us Fan Mail Okay, here's the story: First, there was an idea. And then a man who gave the people what they wanted. This is the origin story of Toys R Us, the toy mecca of children for generations. In this documentary-length episode, we explore: The creation of the store The origin of Geoffrey the Giraffe Where that famous jingle came from Who were the kids from that commercial? Times Squ...

Send us Fan Mail Okay, so here's the story: I get to act like a Saturday Morning Cartoon producer in the 1980s and make my own shows. It's just like the 80s, but with less cocaine. Not 100% less, we all need to get through some how. Here now is what Christopher Jay would have gotten on Saturday Morning in the 1980s! Will there be film adaptations? Any glimmer of originality? What famous...

Send us Fan Mail Okay, here's the story:  After years of studying, tearing apart, and becoming an expert in the culture of Saturday Morning cartoons, I finally got in on the fun.  If I had been a studio executive, what would I have ordered? What would they have replaced on the schedule? Could any of them have been hits? All these questions and more will be answered in SATURDAY MORNING FANTASY...

Send us Fan Mail So, here’s the story. There’s a ghost, and some cops, and a few other goodie-whompers. It’s a story that goes back to the 1930s, and works its way to the end of the disco decade. You won’t believe how much the creators sold the rights for. You would never guess who some of the players in the cast were. But if you stick around to the end, I guarantee you a hell of a pep talk about...

Send us Fan Mail Okay, here’s the 4-1-1: Take a minor character from the legendary “Donkey Kong” series and make a big deal out of him. Sure, he was the hero. But all he did was jump and climb. I could do that. Even if I was 300 pounds I could probably… I don’t know, do one or the other maybe. Sorry Pauline, you gonna die. Kids, this is the story of how this Mushroom Kingdom show came to syndicati...

Send us Fan Mail Okay, here's the story: Take one part Scooby-Doo, one part Tazmanian Devil, and shake them together in a decanter of "I Was a Teenage Werewolf", and you've got a new show. Where did this show come from? Why is it important in the history of Ruby-Spears? A baby! Why did it have to be a baby? All these questions and more will be answered in this look at FANGFACE....

Send us Fan Mail Okay, here’s the 4-1-1: Crime! The city was full of it. Desperate measures were needed. Desperate measures were taken. Police Academy. They’re lean… mean… obscene. Each and everyone of them striving to defend… or upend. Now that they’re ready for the real world, crime is no longer a number one problem. They are.  Kids, this is the story of how this zany show came to syndication.  ...

Send us Fan Mail I love a good crossword puzzle. It’s a great way to end a long day of tooning. A glass of chocolate milk, a roaring fire and a puzzle from Hanna-Barbera. 37 down, Jetson’s boss. “Spacely Sprocket”, of course. Blank Rubble. Oh, too easy. 8 across, 10 letters, three words. The clue is Bump, Hustle and Boogie. Why does that sounds familiar? Bump, Hustle and Boogie… Are they lawyers?...

Send us Fan Mail Okay, here’s the 4-1-1: Four men delve into science and figure out that ghosts are real and can be contained. It seems like this would change everything we ever thought about the afterlife. Hmmm… better to not think too hard about this.   Kids, this is the story of how this ghost-busting show came to syndication.               Who created this clever idea?               Where did...

Send us Fan Mail In the Summer of 1975, the movie "Jaws" was released, and everything changed. Summer became something children looked forward to, and it spawned imitators. In true Saturday Morning fashion, Hanna-Barbera realized they needed to get back into the water find their "Jaws". Here now is the story of JABBERJAW, the friendliest shark in the seas. Explore the creation,...

Send us Fan Mail Okay, here’s the 4-1-1: Take an action hero, make him a secret government operative and send him on dangerous missions. They can involve super computers, the space shuttle and bombs, sweet, sweet bombs. And just for good measure, he should always travel with a pack of children who should not be involved. Unless they’re un-blow-up-able.  Kids, this is the story of how this martial...

Send us Fan Mail Spirits and demons beware! Back in 1975, someone said, “If we make a show with a catchy name, someone will probably have a similar idea and want to buy the name from us”. Sounds reasonable. That’s why I can never release my novel, “The Six Million Dollar Man”. It has nothing to do with bionics. It’s the epic story of a man with $5,999,990 and that lucky day he found a Hamilton on...

Send us Fan Mail Okay, here’s the 4-1-1: A line of toys with no story gets it’s own show. Time to start shoe-horning in the personalities. And adding plants and vines and all the cool stuff kids love. And a wizard. And a father who’s just trying to get back home, but can’t because of the Monster Minds. [Halloween Oooo] Kids, this is the story of how this botanist’s wet dream of a show came to synd...

Send us Fan Mail He’s the world’s best-known crime fighter. He wears a mask and no one knows his true identity. He’s busted up car rings, recovered kangaroos, diamonds, and barely avoided crashing a plane. And that was just his first adventure! Get ready for Batman!               Not Batman? Who? Oh, that guy! You know, I used to play, “Phooey Phighter”. The cat always saved the day.             ...

Send us Fan Mail Okay, here’s the 4-1-1: A bunch of guys and one woman put on masks and take on different personas. Sounds like the cartoon version of “Eyes Wide Shut”. That might be worth exploring! Kids, this is the story of how this turbo-charged show came to syndication.               Is there a movie in the works?               Was this show the unholy child of “The Transformers” and “G.I.: J...

Send us Fan Mail So, the story is about a group of kids who hang out with the teacher and go on adventures that defy space and time. The kids are from a diverse background… Wait! This sounds familiar. Oh, and one of the characters is played by a well-known celebrity. I didn’t realize I was going to talk about “The Magic School Bus”, but here we go.            It’s not “The Magic School Bus”? Rick...

Send us Fan Mail Okay, here’s the 4-1-1: Imagine assembling a bunch of Lion-shaped cars, coordinating an attack, and defending the universe. I could imagine it working if it’s a force of Soccer Moms. In fact, I’d watch a show called “Soccer Moms Unite: Defenders of the Universe” because I know it would contain action, adventure, and fist fulls of blood.  Kids, this is the story of how this super m...

Send us Fan Mail Back in the 70s, there was one television character that told it like it was. He tried to protect his family from Meatheads, and protested the way society was going. He held on to his values, even if he didn’t English so good. Oh, and he was a bigot… so bigoted. Believe it or not, that character kinda, sorta came to Saturday Morning. Because… what a role model?      While you coul...

Send us Fan Mail Okay, here’s the 4-1-1: A long, hard phallic sword turns a soft teen in spandex into a big strong barbarian who’s barely wearing anything, has bulging muscles, and fights on the side of right as a defender and protector. I mean, it does sound like Prince Adam is closeted while He-Man is out and proud. Just be yourself, that’s all I ask. Kids, this is the story of how this groundbr...

Send us Fan Mail Remember being a kid and going to amusement parks? I bet you do. Remember seeing stage magic and wondering how it was all done? I bet you do. Now, remember that time you snuck back stage to learn the illusion and, instead, you found a top hat that grew so big you fell into it and were brought to a magic land where the locals were living hat people? I bet you do… if your name is Ma...

Send us Fan Mail Okay, here’s the 4-1-1: Why have one superhero cartoon, when you can have two? The only difference: In one version he’s got no friends, and the voice actor who played Aunt May, also voices a possible love interest. Ugh.  Kids, this is the story of how this incest – I mean, comic book show came to syndication. Where did this web-slinging super come from?                         Did...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to the retro series that explores Saturday Morning of the 1970s. These episodes were originally produced for my defunct Patreon. They were recorded back in 2022, and are not like the modern episodes. I decided to release these shows so they didn't sit in a drawer and collect dust. Put on your chunky headphones and come back to the age of bell bottoms, Watergate and th...

Send us Fan Mail Okay, here’s the 4-1-1: Take a trio of kids who love sports, are from an alien world modeled after Olympus, and have a time machine, and then have them fight against a team-work hating Queen. It’s like the “Wizard of Oz”, but with referees instead of flying monkeys. Though I can see the similarities.  Kids, this is the story of how this sports show came to syndication.            ...

Send us Fan Mail Merry Christmas! It's time to roast chipmunks on an open fire. No, wait. They're acting in this one. And it was before their Saturday Morning TV show. Here now are Alvin, Simon and Theodore to bring in the holidays and make you feel less glum about mortgaging your home to buy overpriced gifts. This is the true meaning of Christmas: Lying about a harmonica just before pla...

Send us Fan Mail It's the return of Pods R Us! It's that time of year when we look back at the hottest Christmas toys of yesteryear! Let's set the Saturday Morning Time Machine for 1981, and see what's waiting. Happy Holidays, and thanks for 'tooning in!