Wrestling gets animated

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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Over the course of the last several weeks I've become a big fan of Camp WWE. I'll be honest, I was worried that I would not embrace the show. When the ads first came out for it, I was expecting another byproduct of the PG era of WWE programming, and I had no problem with that.

Then I heard it was going to be more Adult Swim in nature. I never really watched Adult Swim so I had no idea what to expect. I've been pleasantly surprised with the characters and stories coming from Camp WWE. I think part of the appeal for me is that viewers are in on the behind the scenes chatter we all read about, but they put a comedic twist on it.

John Cena and Vince McMahon are my two favorite characters. I picture Vince actually sitting there reading his script as he's voicing what his animated self is saying and wondering his thoughts. The scenarios are sometimes over the top ridiculous, while other times they're spot on. Eight year old John Cena is the kiss ass of the camp, much like how many fans view him today. Some of the jokes are clearly hitting close to home.

@Evanmichaellee on Twitter

I recently had the chance to interview Evan Michael Lee who does the voice of Mark Henry on Camp WWE. You can listen to the full conversation here. Lee shares some of his experience before finally being asked to join the cast. I'd like to see more of Henry in upcoming show. The series is a FAR cry from Hulk Hogan's Rock 'n Wrestling, but I like.

WWE is also releasing another Scooby-Doo film. This time Superstars like The Undertaker, Triple H and Kofi Kingston are part of Scooby-Doo! and WWE: Curse of the Speed Demon. It'll be released on BlueRay and DVD August 9 ahead of SummerSlam and is a followup to Scooby Doo! WrestleMania Mystery.  Another classic cartoon has teamed up in the past for The Flintstones & WWE: Stone Age SmackDown!

Partnerships like the ones established are serving the WWE well as the company strives to take things outside the ring and entertain new generations of fans. It's also getting an older generation attached to new stories and silly situations.

Way Back WhensDay: Underoos

Yoda

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

"Underoos are fun to wear!"  That was the slogan of the popular child's underwear of the 1970's and 80's.  They were a pair of briefs and a tshirt with some sort of character printed on them.  They often came in different colors and made the Fruit of the Loom tighty whities pail in comparison.

Comic book characters, superheroes, even video game icons were printed on the briefs and shirts.  There were a handful of Underoos for girls too, which included Wonder Woman, Super Girl, and Daisy Duke.   DC Comics, Marvel Comics, Archie Comics, and Hanna-Barbera worked with the maker of Underoos,  Larry Weiss.  Eventually, the underwear giant, Fruit of the Loom bought the product and kept the momentum going and adding sets with Star Wars characters, The Transformers, and The Real Ghostbusters.

Superman

When I was a kid I had several different pairs of Underoos.  I remember becoming Aqua Man, Superman, and the all knowing Jedi, Yoda.  Back then (and now still) I wasn't much into the superhero genre, but there was something about Underoos that made me feel invincible.  I also had more traditional cartoon characters like Fred Flintstone and Scooby Doo.  Sorry, I do not have any pics of me dancing around in them...

I don't know exactly when Underoos stopped being produced, but obviously they were fun to wear before hitting the teen years.  Now as an adult, you can pick up briefs or boxers with just about any character on them.  I've owned my share of Smurfs, Mickey Mouse, and even WWE boxer shorts through the years.  Now fans of Duck Dynasty can even get underwear in honor of the show.  Again, no pics of me stylin' and profilin' in those either.

Underoos were indeed fun to wear.  What kind did you have?

Jaws: The One That Got Away

Being attacked by Jaws

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents

I have visited Universal Studios in Florida three times in my life.  The first was back in 1991, right after I graduated high school.  One of the rides that stuck out to me was Jaws.  When I went back in 2008 and 2010, I rode it again and of course posed by the giant shark hanging outside the entrance.

This is by no means new news, but I wasn't really aware the ride had closed more than a year ago.  It was taken out to make way for the expanding Wizarding World of Harry Potter.  The waters where the guided boat tour once cruised have been paved over for Diagon Alley.  Like I said before, I've only been there three times in the last 20 + years, but it makes me a little sad to see the classics getting bumped.

My kids in Harry Potter World

Don't get me wrong, I love Harry Potter.  I love the books and the movies much more than Jaws.  The area of the park we visited in 2010 that's dedicated to the boy wizard is amazing.  I also thought it was sufficient.  But I understand as things in popular culture get old, they have to fade off into the sunset.

Yabba Dabba Don't close this ride

Something similar happened about a decade ago when my favorite ride at the park, The Funtastic World of Hanna-Barbera was replaced with Jimmy Neutron's Nick Toon Blast.  I'm sorry, but the likes of Fred Flintstone, Yogi Bear, Scooby Doo, and George Jetson have and will stand the test of time compared to Jimmy Neutron.  But I get it.  The park is appealing to a much younger demographic.  And so Despicable Me has replaced Neutron.  As they say at the other theme park in Orlando, "it's the circle of life."

D'oh!

I do sing a different tune when it comes to the Simpsons ride.  I've loved the show since it started off as short sketches on the Tracy Ullman Show in the 80's.  The ride replaced the Back to the Future Ride.  A great movie, a fun ride, but my love for Springfield wins this battle.  Moe's Tavern and Krusty Burger have also been added since I was last there in 2010.  I don't know (and couldn't find after a brief search) what, if anything the new features are replacing.

While it's hard for me (not really hard, but you know what I mean) to see these blasts from the past become extinct, I know that new memories will be made for generations to come, including my own kids who loved the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.  It's a great experience, even for Muggles.