I didn’t have to think too hard about this week’s assignment from The League, which was to create our own ideal Saturday Morning Cartoon schedule. I just borrowed from my list of favorite cartoons of the 80s and 90s and called it done. #WINNING!
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe
8:00 – 8:30 AM
This ridiculous, awesome, and ridiculously awesome cartoon is your reward for getting up so early. But it’s the type of show you can still enjoy even if you’re half-asleep, in danger of face planting into your Fruity Pebbles. (Skeletor always loses–that’s all you need to know.) I HAVE THE POWER!
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yeA7a0uS3A
ThunderCats
8:30 – 9:00 AM
THUNDERCATS HOOOO! The skimpy outfit-wearing, sword-wielding, catchphrase-yelling awesomeness continues.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2fKJe37jYg
Captain N: The Game Master
9:00 – 9:30 AM
And now we move into the video game power hour. Who didn’t wish they could go inside the worlds of their favorite video games, especially if they get to be the hero? Captain N was the embodiment of every Nintendo-owning kid’s fantasy.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_k43xdmAc3A
Super Mario Bros. Super Show
9:30 AM – 10:00 AM
This show had everything: animation AND live-action, sitcom elements, celebrity guest stars, a cheesy rap song, video game music, and best of all it had The Legend of Zelda built-in. Two cartoons about video games in one!
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkWYP95WbbY
X-MEN
10:00 – 10:30 AM
I saved the best timeslots for the best shows on this list. First up: X-MEN. I lived for Saturday mornings because of this show. I collected the comics, the trading cards, and recorded every episode on VHS. And it had one of the most badass instrumental theme songs ever.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZAhqEiq4cA
Batman: The Animated Series
10:30 – 11:00 AM
I like my superheroes dark and gritty, and for Batman fans, this show was the ultimate. Originally airing for prime-time, it was a much more mature cartoon that didn’t pander to us kids.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5nB2OJnCko
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2003 Series)
11:00 – 11:30 AM
This pick might be a little surprising to fans of the original 80’s TMNT cartoon, but I think the 2003 Turtles reboot was the better show between the two, and truer to the spirit of the original comics. Don’t get me wrong, I love the original! But this darker, more mature version of the Turtles fits in better with the other shows in my lineup.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRnRUtMHGow
Gargoyles
11:30 – 12:00 PM
I’m closing out the programming block with yet another darker, edgier show: Gargoyles! It’s full of awesome characters, gothic cityscapes, and complex story arcs. Sadly, this underrated show didn’t get much attention until after it was cancelled. In my Saturday morning cartoon lineup, it’s the reason to keep watching until it’s time to go outside and play!
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRVRYb98brQ
Stay in your jammies and watch cartoons with The League!
Wondering what this is all about? This week The League of Extraordinary Bloggers was tasked with programming the ultimate Saturday morning cartoon experience for kids across the nation. Here’s what they picked:
- I’m unofficially declaring Calvin’s Canadian Cave of Cool winner of this week’s challenge. His post really took me back.
- Green Plastic Squirt Gun loves cartoons about dinos and Dracula.
- Goodwill Hunting 4 Geeks has a truly awesome lineup that includes many of my OTHER favorite cartoons. We’d have probably been best friends.
- Memories of Toymorrow hits all your favorites and throws in Scooby Doo for good measure!
- Rediscover the 80s thinks He-Man and ThunderCats go together well too!
