This year, I'll be recalling some of my favourite programs from television, via A-Z, of course.
How many of these do you remember?
Were these before your time?
This blog post has been written in front of a live studio audience.
1976-1978 / Jabberjaw featuring: Tommy Cook, Barry Gordon & Frank Welker
As a seven year old, if it wasn't a school day, it was cartoon day. That's right, every Saturday I'd be up at the crack of dawn and sit in front of the TV till I was ultimately told to go outside and play. This was just one in a long stream of Hanna-Barbara cartoons I watched on a regular basis.
1975-1985 / the Jefferson's featuring: Sherman Hemsley & Isabell Sanford
This was a spin-off from All In the Family. There were funny moments, the laugh track was in place and there was nothing else on TV. So it was perfect for a ten year old Jeffrey Scott, as long as it wasn't on past my bedtime.
1993-1996 / the John Larroquette Show featuring: John Larroquette & Liz Torres
In the 90's I was free from thinking actors were locked into playing one roll. As a fan of Night Court, I gave this series a try and rather liked it, when I could find it on TV. Unlike your typical television show at the time, this was a dark ride.
This A-Z list has been brought to you today, by....
1958 - Jell-O
1959 - Jelly Babies
1974 - JCPenny (Featuring Christopher Reeve)
I don't remember any of those, but Saturday was always cartoons and silly shows for us too :). I always loved Jayce and the Wheeled Warriors, even though it was some time after I should have been watching such things :).
ReplyDeleteTasha
Tasha's Thinkings | Wittegen Press | FB3X (AC)
I watched cartoons for a long, long time. I never understood why someone would watch anything else. Obviously I was a kid then. I rarely watch cartoons any more. Unless it's something that really interests me.
DeleteIs it just me or is eating babies disturbing?
ReplyDeleteWatched all of those shows. And yes, lived for Saturday morning cartoons.
That's why I close my eyes when I eat Jelly Babies.
DeleteI remember the Jeffersons very well! Don't remember that particular cartoon. I think I tried that John Larroquette show as well, I had expected it to be awesome after his performance on Night Court, but seems I don't remember it really.
ReplyDeleteRevisit the Tender Years with me during the #AtoZChallenge at Life & Faith in Caneyhead!
The producers didn't like the John Larroquette show either. He ultimately had to change the theme so it wasn't as dark as season one. When he made the changes, he was allowed to continue.
DeleteJabberjaw looks like a lot of fun! I never watched it. I like the way he chuckles ...sounds like Larry from the Three Stooges a bit (nyuk, nyuk)...
ReplyDeleteI never watched John Laroquette's show either. I like the theme song and intro: looks like a good show. I'll have to try to find it. But I definitely watched the Jeffersons. That was good programming!
The Jello commercial is hilarious. You always pick funny commercials! "Poor Chinese baby!" hahaha. That's got me giggling this morning...
Also really liked the $10 dress shirt spot with Christopher Reed. Nice find there too!
Michele at Angels Bark
When it came to the commercials like Jell-O, I wanted to find outlandish spots. Ones that would NEVER be done or shown on TV any more. I also didn't want to use any Bill Cosby commercials.
DeleteHi, Jeffrey!
ReplyDeleteThanks for being the early bird on SDMM today, good buddy. I appreciate it! Our generation gap is showing today because I never heard of Jabberjaw, a cartoon series that tapped into the shark mania of the 70s which is still going strong today as evidenced by the Sharknado series. I watched All In The Family and The Jeffersons. Like many if not most series, those two were better in the first few seasons and later began to drift off the mark. I also watched The John Larroquette Show - (good one!). Cast member Elizabeth Berridge had been a world class hottie in the movies The Funhouse and Amadeus, but her character on the Larroquette series (Officer Eve Eggers) was decidedly homely. I ate Jello almost every day during the Fifties but do not remember Jelly Babies. It always makes me sad to see young, handsome, physically fit Chris Reeves in the years before the tragic equestrian accident that brought his life to an early end. He was great in the movie Noises Off.
Thank you, good buddy Jeffrey!
Glad to know someone else who has seen the John Larroquette Show. As for Jelly Babies, I think they were strictly a British candy, but as they are among my faovurites, I HAD to include that vintage commercial. I agree about Christopher Reeves. Did you ever see him in 'Somewhere In Time'. I loved the film because I wanted to time travel so badly when I was younger. Even though I knew it was impossible, that didn't stop me from trying. But that's another story.
DeleteI looked up Somewhere in Time and I don't remember seeing it, but now I'd like to, especially since the cast includes Teresa Wright, one of my favorite actresses!
DeleteWell there you go. Make sure you tell Teresa I sent you.
DeleteThe only one of these I watched with regularity was The Jeffersons. That was a funny, funny show.
ReplyDeleteOther cancelled J shows that I really miss (though not nearly as old these): Joan of Arcadia (my favorite!), Jericho (the first season rocked!), then it was cancelled! (boo hoo), and then they brought it back for seven episodes (a very fast wrap up... better than nothing, but disappointing). Still a great show.
I hate so much when a show is cancelled after the first season. There is so much story left, and it's like the producers didn't even give it a chance. For me, this was Firefly. What a great show. But it only lasted one season. Outcry demanded that a film was made. Sometimes cancellations just don't make sense to me.
DeleteOh great- now I'm singing Moving on up to the East side.....
ReplyDeleteI love jello ( strawberry is my fave).
I hope you use a spoon when you eat Jell-O.
DeleteWhatever happened to John Larroquette? I recall thinking he had some sort of drinking or drug problem that may have brought the demise of his show, but the memory is hazy. (no pun intended!)
ReplyDeleteLoved the Jeffersons, too!
Mary
#AtoZChallenge J is for Jewel
I think it was simply cancelled because of the ratings.
DeleteAnother fun post! ☺ Not familiar with Jabberjaw but I like the concept of a friendly shark. The Jeffersons was regular viewing around here as was the John Larroquette show. Loved the dark humour! Who doesn't love Jell-O? a real household name, but I'm thinking Chinese people weren't too thrilled with that commercial. Never heard of Jelly Babies, but they seem a little creepy. Imagine only spending $10 for a dress shirt! Christopher Reeve looked great in that commercial. He was the perfect Superman. Such a tragedy what happened to him.
ReplyDeleteI think Jefferson was regular viewing for most of us.
DeleteNo, I don't think that Jell-O commercial would run today.
I don't know ANY of these! Are they all American - which would explain it? However, I have eaten quite a few jelly babies in my time!
ReplyDeleteYes, they are all American television but have been on in Britain from time to time. Well, except for John Larroquette. I don't recall that ever being on in Britain.
DeleteJeffrey, The Jefferson's was another 70s favorite. Sherman Hensley was so funny as George Jefferson. It always cracked me up how his character was a racist. TV programs in those days got away with poking fun of the other race, make no difference what color the skin was. It was a good way to feature people's ignorance through humor. The Jello commercial you used I do not remember that one, but then it ran in 1958, so I reckon they must not have used it in the mid to late 60s. It's a good one, though. Poor little kid couldn't get a bite of Jello with her chopsticks. I was half expecting her to drop her face into plate to just suck it up. We use to do that when we were kids even though we had spoons. :D Thanks for sharing such great fun!
ReplyDelete~Curious as a Cathy
All Things Vintage: J-E-L-L-O #AprilA2Z
I still suck my Jell-O from time to time. It's what makes it so much fun. I think it is funny to see commercials like this one that got away with such stereotypical behaviour. You wouldn't see that today.
DeleteThe television show that I remember the most is the Jeffersons because I loved it. There was some good humour in that show and I laugh my heart out.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the memories.
Shalom,
Patricia @ EverythingMustChange
Yes, so much humour. Lots of fun.
DeleteThanks for stopping over today.
I've never seen any of those shows
ReplyDeleteSo what shows did you grow up with? I wonder.
DeleteThe makers 0f the original superman visited my school and played a video trailer of Superman to everyone there. We were all numb with excitement. When the clip was over, they played it for us again and then we went and saw the movie, the star of the show, Reeves, was from another planetl!
ReplyDeleteThat would have been cool if they showed the trailer in my school. I would have loved it all the more, I'm sure.
DeleteI don't remember Jabberjaws but I doubt I'll ever forget the Jeffersons! Even as a kid I was surprised by the blatant racism, but shoot, back then it was all in jest. We watched Night Court a few times, but I didn't know Larroguette had his own show after that. Who knew the spoon was invented for eating Jell-o? Jeez, I'd run right out and buy a ten dollar dress shirt if it came with the model;-)
ReplyDeleteSuch great memories, I think your theme is a hit, my friend:-)
I appreciate your frequent visits. I'm glad so many are enjoying the theme.
DeleteThe Jefferson's, wow. John Larroquette Show, didn't know there was such a thing. Really sad about Christopher Reeve.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting to see how these TV shows slip past people.
DeleteOh my gosh, The Jeffersons! I used to watch that show, too.
ReplyDeleteLots of good memories, being entertained by TV.
DeleteI don't even remember Christopher Reeve doing ads for J.C. Penney! How cool. I did watch The Jeffersons a lot, though.
ReplyDeleteThere are so many commercials I discovered done by well known actors, who were not so well known at the time. I have more coming up.
DeleteWell Jeffrey this is the first one you have stumped me on. I don't recall any of these shows - perhaps we didn't get them in Australia. I wonder how many more letters you will stump me with in your A-Z challenge. Sue @Sizzling60 from
ReplyDeleteSizzling Towards Sixty
I'm sure there will be plenty. Though I'm fairly certain you will have seen at least one of the shows in the letter K.
DeleteI didn't know Christopher Reeve was an actor for J.C. Penney. I still feel sad to think of the struggles he endured later on in his life.
ReplyDeleteI agree. It was a tragic accident.
DeleteI love the Jeffersons...I found them hilarious and, like their original place, All in the Family, they would never make it today due to all the PC stuff. I had a huge crush on Christopher Reeve when I was young...he was the only guy I had pictures of on the wall.
ReplyDeleteI agree, there is too much PC guru's out there now, this kind of show or All in the Family, it would not fly. But serial killing forensic people? Sure, put that on the screen. LOL
Delete