Saturday Morning Memories: Richie Rich

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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In the 70s and 80s Hanna-Barbera ruled Saturday morning television. Besides original creations like The Flintstones, Scooby-Doo and Yogi Bear, the duo brought Richie Rich from pages of a comic book to the small screen. Richie's tv persona was more grownup from his comic book days. 

Many times outrageously rich characters are portrayed as evil or at least usually in the role of the bad guy. Look at Mister Burns on The Simpsons,  "The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase and Scrooge McDuck for examples. But I guess Uncle Scrooge wasn't evil, just grumpy. There's probably a deeper social commentary for this trend, but I'm not going there. 

Richie broke that rude and rich stereotype. He was a wholesome, happy kid always trying to help those who needed it. Even when that little jerk Reggie was trying to pull one over on the family, Richie never tried to hurt his nemesis. He and his dog Dollar (who had dollar signs instead of spots on his fur) saved the day in the course of about 15 minutes. Although not officially a super hero, he kind of was. His super power was money and a sense of knowing the difference between right and wrong.

Besides Dollar, Richie's girlfriend Gloria and robot maid Irona joined the zillionaire boy on his adventures. Irona more often than not helped ensure Richie and his friends stayed safe. She was a Transformer before being a Transformer was cool.

Richie Rich was a part of Saturday mornings for four years, with just over 100 cartoons airing. In the mid-90s the cartoon was given the big screen treatment with Macaulay Culkin starring in the title role. Disclaimer, I only saw bits and pieces of it, so I'm not going to pass judgment. There's also a live action TV show on Netflix now. I didn't know this until I starting writing this post.

A few years ago when my kids were younger they started watching the Richie Rich reruns in syndication. They liked it too, which was priceless for this nostalgic dad.

Saturday Morning Memories: The Smurfs

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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I still remember the summer before going into the third grade (it was 1981).  I was looking at the comics section in the Sunday newspaper and found a full page color ad for the upcoming Saturday morning cartoon lineup on NBC.  One of the new shows was called The Smurfs.  I don't know what it was, but at that moment I connected with the little blue people staring back at me from the paper.

I couldn't wait for September to roll around and learn more about the Smurfs.  It didn't take long for eight year old Kevin to become addicted.  Six months later when I turned nine I had a Smurf themed birthday party which included an ice cream cake with a Smurf artistically added to the top.  Gifts included Smurf t-shirts, ColorForms and stuffed animals. I had dozens of the little rubber figures by then too.  Hardee's had released a series of Smurf glasses a couple years later and I had them all. Again I was addicted.

I watched their many adventures week after week and even forced down several bowls of Smurf Berry Crunch cereal (I wasn't crazy about the cereal).  Clumsy was without a doubt my favorite. But I also loved Papa Smurf, Brainy and Smurfette.  I cheered when they overcame the underhanded tactics of Gargamel, Azrael and Hogatha.  Somehow they escaped danger in both episodes that aired each Saturday morning.

The one episode that stands out to me the most aired on Halloween 1981.  The Purple Smurfs told the story of a how the happy blue Smurfs turned angry and purple after a bug bite spread like wildfire.  It was a zombie apocalypse of Smurfy proportions.  Just as it seemed as if the end was in sight for the Smurfs, the day was saved and everyone returned to the happy Smurfy selves. 

Even into adulthood I held onto those Smurfy memories.  I kept my collection of toys and even added to them after graduating college, scoping out yard sales, flea markets and thrift stores.  Then in 2011, the tiny characters overtook the big screen.  New merchandise was released and I added to my already out of control collection.

Snapchat Challenge: Let's Get Animated

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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Since starting the Snapchat Challenge a few weeks ago, this one has been my favorite.  Lots of great memories from Saturday mornings spent watching cartoons from the early morning until the afternoon hours.  Enjoy.