OT: The Officially Unofficial Nickelodeon Thread

[Marty26]

http://www.google.com/images?q=tbn:fFRvPKfwqWAc-M::kothelegend.files.wordpress.com/2008/02/nickelodeon-logo.jpg


Since it seems Nickelodeon always somehow sneaks its way into a lot of our discussions, I figured "Why not just make an entire thread devoted to all things Nick?" This is the place to discuss both classic (pre-"All That") and modern Nick.

I think I've already pretty well discussed my thoughts. Nick was pretty much at their peak during the early-90's IMO. Throughout most of the 80's, they aired mostly low-budget Canadian/Japanese series with few in-house productions (an exception being the classic low-budget sketch show Out Of Control). But they had one unequivocal hit with You Can't Do That On Television (why did the Nostalgia Critic hate on it in his "Nickcoms" video???). Finally, in the late-80's and early-90's, Nick had a pretty sizeable audience and bigger budget. So they produced more in-house shows like Hey Dude, Wild And Crazy Kids, Clarissa Explains It All, and my personal favorite Nick show, Salute Your Shorts. Nick admittedly produced one notable stinker in the early-90's: their direct-from-Canada Degrassi Junior High clone Fifteen (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6l9R3tGG7lY) (which one of its key actors, Ryan Reynolds, later admitted was an embarassment for him to be a part of). Otherwise, Nick was awesome at the time.

Unfortunately, the introduction of the Nicktoons could be seen as the beginning of the end for Nick. Doug, Rugrats, Ren And Stimpy, and Rocko's Modern Life were all great shows (although IMO Doug and Rugrats don't really have the adult appeal the other two shows have). But once Ahhhh! Real Monsters began, Nick really went downhill. They abandoned their classic shows in favor of MORE Nicktoons. The actual quality of their Nicktoons also steadily declined (IMO hitting rock bottom with Catdog). And Nick became much more overtly-PC. Even removing any references to Christmas during the Holiday Season but keeping their Hannukah specials/promos in tact (no offense to any Jewish posters on this board, of course). Meanwhile, All That (their replacement for You Can't Do That On Television) had some funny moments, but was hindered by crummy guest musicians and too many cast members coming and going (there's no way Danny could've topped Lori Beth with those "Vital Information" skits). It really should've ended around 1998 or 1999 rather than dragging on until 2005 (eleven years after its premiere). Of course, to be fair, I was also getting older during the mid/late-90's. So I was gradually losing interest in Nick to the point where, by the time I was 15 or 16, I no longer watched it.

Sooooooo, that's my opinion in a nutshell. Any other opinions? Views? Disagreements with me? Post them right here!

[Brandon Panther]

Rocko's Modern Life, Angry Beavers, and Invader ZIM are my three favorite Nicktoons. I mean Rocko was zany, and had all that crazy animation and storylines, AB was almost retro and had all the pop culture humor, and ZIM was a great sci-fi cartoon with lots of fun action and absurditiy.

[cbrubaker]

Was a huge fan of Rocko. Still am. It was wild but also had good story and characters. No cartoons today would match that. Not even Joe Murray could when he started "Camp Lazlo" years later (in fairness, it didn't help that people were expecting Rocko-level zaniness).

I've been watching episodes of "Ren & Stimpy" lately (both the Spumco and Games episodes). It was pretty good, really. The animation in "Sven Hoek" were top-notch, due to Carbunkle doing it. Despite the behind-the-scenes problems, the show came out alright.

I was actually a fan of "Real Monsters". Liked it better than Rugrats, in fact. It's anything AFTER that that Klasky-Csupo really went downhill. Really, Monsters and their adult show "Duckman" (and the Simpsons, too, I guess) were their only good works.

I stopped watching Nickelodeon regularily after "SpongeBob" started. Just got tired of it, I guess. The show was alright. The early episodes at least had some of the old Rocko crew working on it, including Mark O'Hare.

[Glowworm]

When I was a child we actually had a tv without a remote control (GASP!:eek: ) and only got at least 20 or 30 channels until I was in second grade and acquired Cartoon Network. So Nick was basically the place for me to watch as much cartoons as I wanted. I adored all the older stuff they'd put on such as Looney Tunes, Rocky and Bullwinkle(absolute childhood favorite),Danger Mouse, Count Duckula(still must rewatch that to see if its still fun to watch) as well as stuff like What Would You Do and Wild and Crazy Kids-and Legends of the Hidden Temple(which I find kinda lame now-but the temple part is still awesome)

I was a huge Rugrats fan until the Kimmy saga began-and didn't even try All Grown Up-although the pilot special was great. I liked Doug-never watched the Disney version-was understandibly grossed out by Ren and Stimpy and Catdog(horrible show in MO.)

I tried to avoid Spongebob-although I did enjoy at least 5 earlier episodes. I did enjoy Fairly Oddparents though-but it's truely jumped the shark now with that baby fairy that they added-seriously! I started to lose enjoyment in it when Butch Hartman left it to work on Danny Phantom.

[nickramer]

I was a huge Rugrats fan until the Kimmy saga began-and didn't even try All Grown Up-although the pilot special was great. I liked Doug-never watched the Disney version-was understandibly grossed out by Ren and Stimpy and Catdog(horrible show in MO.)



That's pretty much my opinion of the show. I hate to admit it, but "Rugrats" was and is one of my favorite Nicktoons. Yeah, it's not as cartoony as the others, but it was very amusing, mainly the original 65 episodes. I can't believe they got away with mentioning Hussain in one episode! I'm not joking. I hope the series will get a DVD release(please don't make a rant thread about this having a DVD set first or after Rocko ever gets an offical retail release for my sake, guys).

Other shows I like that haven't benn mentioned yet were Creig Bartlett's "Hey, Arnold!" (another less cartoony show) and the game shows hosted by "Unwrapped" host Marc Sommers(sic).

[nickramer]

Intreasting fact: Nickelodeon along with MTV originally was a local channel in Columbus, Ohio (that's whare I live) as part of the pre-cable system called QUBE in 1977. It was originally called "Pinwheel" while MTV was called "Sight and Sound".

[Studio Toledo]

Intreasting fact: Nickelodeon along with MTV originally was a local channel in Columbus, Ohio (that's whare I live) as part of the pre-cable system called QUBE in 1977. It was originally called "Pinwheel" while MTV was called "Sight and Sound".
I've heard a lot about that already. One guy in Cleveland made sure to document it all in a video he made around '78!

QUBE Demo Video 1/1978 pt. 1 (http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x46hpq_qube-demo-video-january-1978-part-1_shortfilms)
QUBE Demo Video 1/1978 pt. 2 (http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x46hs2_qube-demo-video-january-1978-part-2_shortfilms)
QUBE Demo Video 1/1978 pt. 3 (http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x46htt_qube-demo-video-january-1978-part-3_shortfilms)
QUBE Demo Video 1/1978 pt. 4 (http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x46hvn_qube-demo-video-january-1978-part-4_shortfilms)
QUBE Demo Video 1/1978 pt. 5 (http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x46hxk_qube-demo-video-january-1978-part-5_shortfilms)
QUBE Demo Video 1/1978 pt. 6 (http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x46omk_qube-demo-video-january-1978-part-6_shortfilms)
P.M. Magazine on QUBE (1979?) (http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6cvev_pm-magazine-on-qube-1985_shortfilms)
"Columbuscope" on QUBE (early 1980's) pt. 1 (http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6mdhg_columbuscope-on-qube-mid-1980spart_shortfilms)
"Columbuscope" on QUBE (early 1980's) pt. 2 (http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6metk_columbuscope-on-qube-mid-1980spart_shortfilms)
"Columbuscope" on QUBE (early 1980's) pt. 3 (http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6mfft_columbuscope-on-qube-mid-1980spart)
QUBE's 25th Anniversary (selected segments, 2002) pt. 1 (http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x46pb2_qubes-25th-anniversary-selected-seg_shortfilms)
QUBE's 25th Anniversary (selected segments, 2002) pt. 2 (http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x46q0q_qubes-25th-anniversary-selected-seg_shortfilms)

My cable company was around then anyway, but a shame Warner-Amex didn't think to license the technology so other cities could've adopted it too. I really remember the Nick from it's 81-83 era when it used to be commercial-free and actually had on some pretty nifty programs I cannot picture the current Nick doing anymore. MTV (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5905210375134304831) might've been added to my system by '83, and I can remember spending weekend afternoons glued to it as well. The Nick I grew up with usually ended around 8 or 9PM, and this would be it's sign-off sequence (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkxQmu3tPHI) while the frequency it was on would go to another network to braodcast at night, ARTS (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13mDZKiMOwM).

[Marty26]

Intreasting fact: Nickelodeon along with MTV originally was a local channel in Columbus, Ohio (that's whare I live) as part of the pre-cable system called QUBE in 1977. It was originally called "Pinwheel" while MTV was called "Sight and Sound".

Didn't the show Pinwheel not begin until 1979, though? I find it odd that Nick was already named "Pinwheel" two years before the show Pinwheel first aired.

An interesting aside: Pinwheel was originally supposed to be Nick's flagship show. But then YCDTOTV came along and, for all intents and purposes, stole its thunder. Pinwheel still had a pretty solid run on Nick, though. Specifically, it ran until September, 1989. When Nick's own Eureeka's Castle replaced it. I do, however, remember still seeing Pinwheel air on a local Canadian channel (which is no longer around) called TV Ontario until about 1992/1993-ish.

[J Lee]

Didn't the show Pinwheel not begin until 1979, though? I find it odd that Nick was already named "Pinwheel" two years before the show Pinwheel first aired.

An interesting aside: Pinwheel was originally supposed to be Nick's flagship show. But then YCDTOTV came along and, for all intents and purposes, stole its thunder. Pinwheel still had a pretty solid run on Nick, though. Specifically, it ran until September, 1989. When Nick's own Eureeka's Castle replaced it. I do, however, remember still seeing Pinwheel air on a local Canadian channel (which is no longer around) called TV Ontario until about 1992/1993-ish.

Warner-Amex originally sold Nick as sort of the cable version of PBS' kids shows, so for the first couple of years the emphasis was really on more gentle, educational stuff that was produced for the network, with the afternoon shows being bought from outside sources (Canada for "YCDTOT" and Britain for shows like "The Tomorrow People" or "Danger Mouse"). Once the cable channel field started becomming more competitive in the mid-1980s, Nick started moving away from their original formula, as well as ending their channel-sharing agreement with A&E when Nick at Nite was launched, with Warner-Amex selling their channels, including MTV, to Viacom a couple of years later after the partnership between the two companies ended (A mistake on Warners' part --they were pretty much out of the cable channel field for almost a decade except for HBO, then got back in with the Turner merger, though it would have been interesting, given the mess they've made of Cartoon Network, to wonder what a Time-Warner owned Nickelodeon would look like today).

[Marty26]

Interestingly, Nick later did a 90's update to The Tomorrow People, about a year after the 90's update of Land Of The Lost was made (I've never seen the original 70's versions of either show, btw).

As for the quality of Pinwheel, I don't really remember the show well enough to comment (I WAS, after all, probably about six years old when I last saw a full episode of it). In fact, I probably remember its opening/closing better than I remember the actual show. Eureeka's Castle I remember fairly well, though. And it was a great show. Especially its holiday specials like Don't Touch That Box (Thanksgiving) and Christmas.

[Tim Lones]

Another aspect of Qube..Interesting, but not cartoon related..Game Show Veteran Bill Cullen was talked into coming down to Columbus to host several test shows for Warner Cable's Qube system featuring "Two-Way Television"..The result was a quiz/survey show called "How Do You Like Your Eggs?" which aired in March 1977..Here is a blog post I wrote last year about this show..with a YouTube sample and a link to a page on the show by Bill Cullen fan Matt Ottinger..

http://clevelandclassicmedia.blogspot.com/2008/02/how-do-you-like-your-eggs.html

[Studio Toledo]

Didn't the show Pinwheel not begin until 1979, though? I find it odd that Nick was already named "Pinwheel" two years before the show Pinwheel first aired.
It would've began in '79, I think before it was probably called something else if it was simply meant to denote it as a children's channel. These proto-channels pretty much were made for any specific interest that either died or evolved over those first few years.

An interesting aside: Pinwheel was originally supposed to be Nick's flagship show. But then YCDTOTV came along and, for all intents and purposes, stole its thunder. Pinwheel still had a pretty solid run on Nick, though. Specifically, it ran until September, 1989. When Nick's own Eureeka's Castle replaced it. I do, however, remember still seeing Pinwheel air on a local Canadian channel (which is no longer around) called TV Ontario until about 1992/1993-ish.
Pinwheel also aired on a defunct pay-TV channel in Canada some years before called First Choice Pay TV. At least, that's where this decent copy of the show's opening (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVliKI0px-I) comes from!

[Studio Toledo]

Warner-Amex originally sold Nick as sort of the cable version of PBS' kids shows, so for the first couple of years the emphasis was really on more gentle, educational stuff that was produced for the network, with the afternoon shows being bought from outside sources (Canada for "YCDTOT" and Britain for shows like "The Tomorrow People" or "Danger Mouse"). Once the cable channel field started becomming more competitive in the mid-1980s, Nick started moving away from their original formula, as well as ending their channel-sharing agreement with A&E when Nick at Nite was launched, with Warner-Amex selling their channels, including MTV, to Viacom a couple of years later after the partnership between the two companies ended (A mistake on Warners' part --they were pretty much out of the cable channel field for almost a decade except for HBO, then got back in with the Turner merger, though it would have been interesting, given the mess they've made of Cartoon Network, to wonder what a Time-Warner owned Nickelodeon would look like today).
Funny how history changes things so gradually. I still miss the Nick that was when cable TV was still young and often resorted to take up whatever wasn't owned by the big guys such as the foreign acquisitions and all that. I want those early years back!

[Studio Toledo]

Interestingly, Nick later did a 90's update to The Tomorrow People, about a year after the 90's update of Land Of The Lost was made (I've never seen the original 70's versions of either show, btw).
I saw the 70's Land of the Lost personally, and thought it was OK when it was repeated on CBS's saturday morning sometime in the early 80's.

As for the quality of Pinwheel, I don't really remember the show well enough to comment (I WAS, after all, probably about six years old when I last saw a full episode of it). In fact, I probably remember its opening/closing better than I remember the actual show. Eureeka's Castle I remember fairly well, though. And it was a great show. Especially its holiday specials like Don't Touch That Box (Thanksgiving) and Christmas.
My memories are too VIVID. As some have often stated, it was a low-rent version of Sesame Street if nothing more. Usually it had 'host segments' featuring humans/puppets in whatever scenario is at hand, and sprinkled throughout is any number of interesting short films from all sources that never got credited in the end credits (making my job a tad tough tracking down these classic gems later on). What I realized was how much non-dialogue-related cartoons would get shown, especially out of Eastern Europe, as well as some using narration out of the UK like Paddington Bear, Bod, Bagpuss and more. A lot of this stuff isn't available domestically, but can be found anywhere online and through online DVD places in Europe and such. You often have to talk to the right people to get anything these days. There's some good information that's surfaced about it in recent years, and some footage of Pinwheel itself has been circulating around the tape/DVD trading channels for a while too, so it has helped a bit in being able to see this show again for those that miss it too much.

I do remember in it's final years, Pinwheel's time got shorten from being on nearly the entire morning/afternoon to just one or two hours a day, and it was just composed of it's usual host/original segments as they may've lost the rights to the other footage they used to show before.

[Studio Toledo]

Another aspect of Qube..Interesting, but not cartoon related..Game Show Veteran Bill Cullen was talked into coming down to Columbus to host several test shows for Warner Cable's Qube system featuring "Two-Way Television"..The result was a quiz/survey show called "How Do You Like Your Eggs?" which aired in March 1977..Here is a blog post I wrote last year about this show..with a YouTube sample and a link to a page on the show by Bill Cullen fan Matt Ottinger..

http://clevelandclassicmedia.blogspot.com/2008/02/how-do-you-like-your-eggs.html
Love the "small-town Columbus" mention, kinda felt Toledo was more attributed to that. And the Atari Pong thing wouldn't surprise me since they own 'em too. They were massive back then. If only Toledo had something like this back then though, Columbus was lucky that time. My cable company was already in the hands of the local newspaper and had a good stronghold of the area anyway. My town wouldn't even get a cable converter box until '87 (at least in my area). For years another drawback was our use of 'dual-line' cables that forced us to use A/B switches to switch to each side of the normal VHF band, but it gave us a total of 24 channels this way instead of 12 (one though was a scrambled picture meant to be used for Premium channels to be tuned at).

Noticed this page as well, does a lot more than what I could get from a Funk & Wagnall's Yearbook in the basement!
http://www.qube-tv.com/

[Marty26]

I saw the 70's Land of the Lost personally, and thought it was OK when it was repeated on CBS's saturday morning sometime in the early 80's.


My memories are too VIVID. As some have often stated, it was a low-rent version of Sesame Street if nothing more. Usually it had 'host segments' featuring humans/puppets in whatever scenario is at hand, and sprinkled throughout is any number of interesting short films from all sources that never got credited in the end credits (making my job a tad tough tracking down these classic gems later on). What I realized was how much non-dialogue-related cartoons would get shown, especially out of Eastern Europe, as well as some using narration out of the UK like Paddington Bear, Bod, Bagpuss and more. A lot of this stuff isn't available domestically, but can be found anywhere online and through online DVD places in Europe and such. You often have to talk to the right people to get anything these days. There's some good information that's surfaced about it in recent years, and some footage of Pinwheel itself has been circulating around the tape/DVD trading channels for a while too, so it has helped a bit in being able to see this show again for those that miss it too much.

I do remember in it's final years, Pinwheel's time got shorten from being on nearly the entire morning/afternoon to just one or two hours a day, and it was just composed of it's usual host/original segments as they may've lost the rights to the other footage they used to show before.

Well, sure, because by 1986-1987, Nick realized that man could not live on Pinwheel alone. So they began focusing more on other shows like YCDTOTV and Double Dare (their two biggest hits of the 80's, and arguably the shows that REALLY established Nick). I wonder, too, when they started airing older kid shows like Dennis The Menace (black and white live-action version) and Lassie. Both of which I think they aired until as late as 1994/1995.

[Marty26]

Pinwheel also aired on a defunct pay-TV channel in Canada some years before called First Choice Pay TV. At least, that's where this decent copy of the show's opening (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVliKI0px-I) comes from!

I think Wikipedia is probably wrong about the show and channel beginning in 1977. I remember, in 1991, Nick was celebrating their 12th Birthday. And most sources say both Nick and the show Pinwheel began in 1979. With Nick being called Pinwheel until 1981.

Wow, that opening definitely brought back a lot of long-lost memories. The house, the synthesized theme song, the 70's-ish artstyle, etc. You're right in your suggestion that it was basically a low-budget version of Sesame Street. That's not really a knock against the show itself (since Nick was an upstart network at the time, it's only logical that they would've been on a tight budget). Just a simple fact/observation.

I think Eureeka's Castle probably had a considerably bigger budget, evident in how much more elaborate its sets were and how much better made its puppets were (almost Jim Henson quality). Not to mention the fact that it was considerably more original than Pinwheel (and, thus, a much better show ultimately). I'd actually venture to guess a big part of the reason why Nick never aired Sesame Street (but aired The Muppet Show) was because they were weary of it stealing some of EC's thunder. Although it could also be that PBS had some exclusivity deal with Sesame Street, preventing it from being aired on other networks (except for the Canadian Sesame Street that aired on TV Ontario during the late 80's and early 90's).

[grim_tales]

I've been watching Spongebob (I have Seasons 1 and 2 so far) and it's very funny :D Gotta love some of the songs like "Ripped Pants", the show-tune one from S2 (can't remember the episode) or the one in "Band Geeks". Some episodes can be really quite touching, eg "Dumped" from S2 and "Where's Gary?/Have You Seen This Snail?" (S4). :( Some of the surreal humour and jokes really make me laugh :) :D There's plenty of humour adults can enjoy too IMO.
"Opposite Day", "Squidville" and "Welcome To The Chumbucket" are brilliant, I like Plankton episodes :)

ETA: I'm sure I remember watching Eureka's Castle when I was little, maybe not on Nick though (we didn't have cable then). Wasn't there a dragon would do a rap at the end?

[Gasmask Ted]

Pinwheel and YCDTOT were aimed at different age groups, Pinwheel being for significantly younger kids than YCDTOT (not that the younger kids wouldn't watch YCDTOT too). It's unsurprising that YCDTOT would have been a bigger hit, as Pinwheel was incapable of targeting kids for more than a couple years of their childhood, whereas YCDTOT had a much wider age spread.

[Studio Toledo]

Well, sure, because by 1986-1987, Nick realized that man could not live on Pinwheel alone. So they began focusing more on other shows like YCDTOTV and Double Dare (their two biggest hits of the 80's, and arguably the shows that REALLY established Nick). I wonder, too, when they started airing older kid shows like Dennis The Menace (black and white live-action version) and Lassie. Both of which I think they aired until as late as 1994/1995.
Those shows also showed up on schedule around '85, I remember watching them everyday thanks to Nick!

Course they had classics like Danger Mouse, Mysterious Cities of Gold and Mr. Wizard's World.

[LooneyFan]

Pinwheel looks like Sesame Street on crack....

[Studio Toledo]

I think Wikipedia is probably wrong about the show and channel beginning in 1977. I remember, in 1991, Nick was celebrating their 12th Birthday. And most sources say both Nick and the show Pinwheel began in 1979. With Nick being called Pinwheel until 1981.
Who knows, I'll go with it being Pinwheel before '81 anyway for now.

Wow, that opening definitely brought back a lot of long-lost memories.
I'm glad it did.

The house, the synthesized theme song, the 70's-ish artstyle, etc. You're right in your suggestion that it was basically a low-budget version of Sesame Street.
I'm always right! :p

That's not really a knock against the show itself (since Nick was an upstart network at the time, it's only logical that they would've been on a tight budget). Just a simple fact/observation.
None taken either. This was when cable/satellite channels just started to take off, but they were still potatoes to The Big Three and the regular terrestrial stations people were watching then.

I think Eureeka's Castle probably had a considerably bigger budget, evident in how much more elaborate its sets were and how much better made its puppets were (almost Jim Henson quality). Not to mention the fact that it was considerably more original than Pinwheel (and, thus, a much better show ultimately).
I think so as well, not to mention video technology got a lot better by the end of the 80's.

I'd actually venture to guess a big part of the reason why Nick never aired Sesame Street (but aired The Muppet Show) was because they were weary of it stealing some of EC's thunder. Although it could also be that PBS had some exclusivity deal with Sesame Street, preventing it from being aired on other networks (except for the Canadian Sesame Street that aired on TV Ontario during the late 80's and early 90's).
Don't forget the CBC too. I used to watch SS on CBC a lot as well. I don't think the Childrens Television Workshop was in the mood to get into cable just yet when they'd rather stick with the publicly funded channels.

[Studio Toledo]

Pinwheel and YCDTOT were aimed at different age groups, Pinwheel being for significantly younger kids than YCDTOT (not that the younger kids wouldn't watch YCDTOT too).
Heh, at the age I was at, anything on Nick looked appealing anyway, I remember watching this one show that was aimed at the teenage set as well.
Nickelodeon "Livewire" Intro - 1982 (http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x4lv5k_nickelodeon-livewire-intro-1982_shortfilms)
Gene Roddenberry Interview on Nickelodeon - 1982! (http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x4n6os_gene-roddenberry-interview-on-nicke_shortfilms)

It's unsurprising that YCDTOT would have been a bigger hit, as Pinwheel was incapable of targeting kids for more than a couple years of their childhood, whereas YCDTOT had a much wider age spread.
That's true, of course Nick didn't play the first season after a while, but that was OK.

[Marty26]

Wait, did Nick ever air the 1979/1980 episodes of YCDOTV (before it moved to their channel)? As far as I remember, I don't even think I've ever seen the 1981 episodes on Nick (disclaimer: I know 1981 was when the show was moved to Nick, but I wasn't born until 1982, and I remember only seeing 1982-1990 episodes).

Ahhh, Mr. Wizard's World. That was an awesome show. And, interestingly, I think Nick was still airing reruns of it until about 1999 or 2000 (albeit eventually with a 5:30 AM/6:00 AM timeslot). That was another one of their best shows IMO. And I remember wanting to do some of those experiments at my school as a kid.

Interesting how both that Livewire opening and that Nickelodeon promo use Shaft-ish funk music in the background. I figured that, by 1982, that sort of thing was considered "passe." Although shows like The A-Team were still using that style of music, so I could be wrong.

[Studio Toledo]

Pinwheel looks like Sesame Street on crack....
Wouldn't surprise me.

Here's a good sample of the stuff that showed up on there!
Pinwheel Montage (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQPlWDjhD94)
Pinwheel Montage II (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeBAp-ZqOTQ)
Chapi Chapo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojWNKH9C75w)
Bod (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJrbUkrB1_U) (bizarre British toon with a bald kid)
Mole (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9Qqdq25TWo) (Czech cartoon)
A little Hungarian cartoon some dubbed the name "Bunny in a Suitcase" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kqdd2R6IkO4) to
Paddington Bear (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=529Lr8i_EB0)
Pinwheel on the Road (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxDtnyvXM3o)

Kinda like this trippy ad (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrxInmtlQ6g) here!

Similarly, USA Network had it's own little show I also used to watch this sort of stuff on called "Calliope" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKvpggqr9nI), which unlike Pinwheel, usually informed us of what we were going to see beforehand. I sorta liked it better that way.

If anything, I sorta felt cable TV was more liberal in those days than they are now, if only because there wasn't that many viewers just yet, so they didn't feel they needed to impose certain restrictions or restraints on what to show or not.

If anything, I'm proud of the TV Heritage I can tell off the younger generation one day, after they start to feel left out too!

[Studio Toledo]

Wait, did Nick ever air the 1979/1980 episodes of YCDOTV (before it moved to their channel)? As far as I remember, I don't even think I've ever seen the 1981 episodes on Nick (disclaimer: I know 1981 was when the show was moved to Nick, but I wasn't born until 1982, and I remember only seeing 1982-1990 episodes).
I guess I would mean the 1981 episodes anyway. Those episodes produced before would've been produced locally in Ottawa and was partially done live. Because I'm five years older, I have seen these episodes when they were either new or a couple years into reruns. Pretty much all the 1981 episodes are now floating out there in Internetland if you can find 'em.

Ahhh, Mr. Wizard's World. That was an awesome show. And, interestingly, I think Nick was still airing reruns of it until about 1999 or 2000 (albeit eventually with a 5:30 AM/6:00 AM timeslot). That was another one of their best shows IMO. And I remember wanting to do some of those experiments at my school as a kid.
I once had a book of Mr. Wizard's experiments I used to look at a lot, but dared not do any of 'em since I don't think my parents would've wanted me to anyway. I wasn't much the science type as a kid.

Again, they don't have a show like that anymore.

Interesting how both that Livewire opening and that Nickelodeon promo use Shaft-ish funk music in the background. I figured that, by 1982, that sort of thing was considered "passe." Although shows like The A-Team were still using that style of music, so I could be wrong.
TV still felt that way to me at that time. We just sorta accepted it. Incidentally, the host of Livewire went on to some other cool things in his life too!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Newman_(Actor) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Newman_%28Actor%29)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Livewire_(talk_show) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Livewire_%28talk_show%29)

[Marty26]

I guess I would mean the 1981 episodes anyway. Those episodes produced before would've been produced locally in Ottawa and was partially done live. Because I'm five years older, I have seen these episodes when they were either new or a couple years into reruns. Pretty much all the 1981 episodes are now floating out there in Internetland if you can find 'em.


I once had a book of Mr. Wizard's experiments I used to look at a lot, but dared not do any of 'em since I don't think my parents would've wanted me to anyway. I wasn't much the science type as a kid.

Again, they don't have a show like that anymore.


TV still felt that way to me at that time. We just sorta accepted it. Incidentally, the host of Livewire went on to some other cool things in his life too!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Newman_(Actor) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Newman_%28Actor%29)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Livewire_(talk_show)

That was Fred Newman? Wow, that's interesting. He actually appeared once on a Jim Henson TV special called "Neat Stuff", and also on an episode of Out Of Control. I'm actually surprised he never got more mainstream notice for his unique vocal talents.

Heh. Manowar was on Livewire, once. HAIL TR00 METAL!!!

[grim_tales]

Do you mind me mentioning Spongebob? It's a Nick show after all :)
Sure it's goofy, but funny stuff :D

[Studio Toledo]

That was Fred Newman? Wow, that's interesting.
Yep, Mr. Dink himself! :D

He actually appeared once on a Jim Henson TV special called "Neat Stuff", and also on an episode of Out Of Control. I'm actually surprised he never got more mainstream notice for his unique vocal talents.

Heh. Manowar was on Livewire, once. HAIL TR00 METAL!!!
Not to mention R.E.M.! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwzxvxKBhbc)

[frootloops]

Here's something I'll bet you folks might not know, living across the Atlantic and all.

We didn't have Nickelodeon until 1998! And even then, we just got stuck with the crummy UK version that's not as good. We had to depend on a station called TCC (The Childen's Channel), which basically just showed a lot of kids / teens shows and cartoons from either the BBC or the US and Canada.

We got to see You can't Do That On Television, Underdog, King Leonardo, Roger Ramjet, Casper and Friends, Degrassi Junior High, Saved By The Bell, Cartoon Classics (Which just showed public domain cartoons) etc. etc. But one day in April 1998 it just went away. It was replaced with a terrible channel called Nickelodeon!

I'd say the American Nikelodeon is much better.

[Studio Toledo]

Here's something I'll bet you folks might not know, living across the Atlantic and all.

We didn't have Nickelodeon until 1998! And even then, we just got stuck with the crummy UK version that's not as good. We had to depend on a station called TCC (The Childen's Channel), which basically just showed a lot of kids / teens shows and cartoons from either the BBC or the US and Canada.
At least you had something.

We got to see You can't Do That On Television, Underdog, King Leonardo, Roger Ramjet, Casper and Friends, Degrassi Junior High, Saved By The Bell, Cartoon Classics (Which just showed public domain cartoons) etc. etc.
The basic stuff!

But one day in April 1998 it just went away. It was replaced with a terrible channel called Nickelodeon!

I'd say the American Nikelodeon is much better.
At least you got a good point there.

[Marty26]

Wouldn't surprise me.

Here's a good sample of the stuff that showed up on there!
Pinwheel Montage (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQPlWDjhD94)
Pinwheel Montage II (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeBAp-ZqOTQ)
Chapi Chapo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojWNKH9C75w)
Bod (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJrbUkrB1_U) (bizarre British toon with a bald kid)
Mole (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9Qqdq25TWo) (Czech cartoon)
A little Hungarian cartoon some dubbed the name "Bunny in a Suitcase" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kqdd2R6IkO4) to
Paddington Bear (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=529Lr8i_EB0)
Pinwheel on the Road (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxDtnyvXM3o)

Kinda like this trippy ad (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrxInmtlQ6g) here!


The weirdest thing was probably that "kids swimming in a pool" montage. That looked VERY 1975/1976-ish. Was it a Pinwheel original, or was it taken from an old stock film they had?

Also, the Pinwheel On The Road clip was actually pretty cheesy IMO.

None taken either. This was when cable/satellite channels just started to take off, but they were still potatoes to The Big Three and the regular terrestrial stations people were watching then.

That makes sense. I think CNN also had to deal with incredibly low budgets when it first premiered in 1980. In fact, I remember seeing a documentary on the history of CNN, and when they first premiered, they were heavily criticized for sloppy production values and a lack of professionalism. I suppose it may be safe to say that 1984/1985 was when Cable TV became a household item and cable channels started having bigger budgets.

[Studio Toledo]

The weirdest thing was probably that "kids swimming in a pool" montage. That looked VERY 1975/1976-ish. Was it a Pinwheel original, or was it taken from an old stock film they had?
I wish I knew. There's one film that also got played in the show that showed ladies trying to teach very young toddlers how to swim, and I can remember being rather scared of water due to the way they showed these kids being forced in the water or the stuff they have them do with the camera going above the water and under.

Also, the Pinwheel On The Road clip was actually pretty cheesy IMO.
It was! It's like going to the county fair and expecting that!

That makes sense. I think CNN also had to deal with incredibly low budgets when it first premiered in 1980. In fact, I remember seeing a documentary on the history of CNN, and when they first premiered, they were heavily criticized for sloppy production values and a lack of professionalism.
Probably.

I suppose it may be safe to say that 1984/1985 was when Cable TV became a household item and cable channels started having bigger budgets.
Pretty much. Nowadays it's possible to do the following (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thOxW19vsTg) like it was nothing.

[Marty26]

I wish I knew. There's one film that also got played in the show that showed ladies trying to teach very young toddlers how to swim, and I can remember being rather scared of water due to the way they showed these kids being forced in the water or the stuff they have them do with the camera going above the water and under.

What was REALLY freaky was how dark that pool room was. Was it in a basement or something? :confused:

Sesame Street used to show similar films. Often accompanied by some edumacational (intentional mispelling) tune about something like sharing or playing fair. Boy, it seems Pinwheel copied A LOT from Sesame Street. Albeit on a much slimmer budget (so it had a much more "corporate" and "plain" feeling to it).

[speedy fast]

Does anybody know whether each Pinwheel episode was actually produced as 4-6 hour shows, or if they were actually produced as individual hal-hours/ hour-long shows merged into longer shows? I know that every seaosn of Garfiedl and Friends was produced as half-hour shows, but most seasons were broadcast a shour-long episodes.

It would be great if we could get some "old school" Nickelodeon DVDs. Perhaps a two-disc 1980s set, with disc 1 being a "Best of Pinwheel" disc and disc two being other shows (unfortunately, Nickelodeon doens't own You Can't Do That on Television). And there cna also be a 1990s set, or evne multiple ones. There can be a two-disc Nicktoons set, a two-disc sitcoms set, a two-disc variety and game show set, and a two-disc drama/ science fiction set. And old Nickelodeon promos could be shown. Heck, it'd be great if there was a Nick Jr. set, with introductiosn by Face (in addition to other Nick Jr. wrap-around promos).

[Marty26]

Does anybody know whether each Pinwheel episode was actually produced as 4-6 hour shows, or if they were actually produced as individual hal-hours/ hour-long shows merged into longer shows? I know that every seaosn of Garfiedl and Friends was produced as half-hour shows, but most seasons were broadcast a shour-long episodes.

It would be great if we could get some "old school" Nickelodeon DVDs. Perhaps a two-disc 1980s set, with disc 1 being a "Best of Pinwheel" disc and disc two being other shows (unfortunately, Nickelodeon doens't own You Can't Do That on Television). And there cna also be a 1990s set, or evne multiple ones. There can be a two-disc Nicktoons set, a two-disc sitcoms set, a two-disc variety and game show set, and a two-disc drama/ science fiction set. And old Nickelodeon promos could be shown. Heck, it'd be great if there was a Nick Jr. set, with introductiosn by Face (in addition to other Nick Jr. wrap-around promos).

I'm not sure if Nick owned Pinwheel either, though. It was actually a Canada-produced show that was supposedly given to Nick so that they could get their network off the ground (heck, for two years, Nick was called "The Pinwheel Channel").

Many of Nick's 80's shows were actually contracted by independent Canadian studios, with otherwise no affiliation with Nick. Nick's first "original" show (Out Of Control) didn't air until five-and-a-half years after the network's debut. So unless Nick was able to somehow obtain the rights of their earliest shows like Pinwheel and You Can't Do That On Television, chances are a "classic" Nick compilation would feature shows like Double Dare, Out Of Control, Hey Dude, Clarissa Explains It All, Salute Your Shorts, those old Pete & Pete shorts, the 1993 spin-off series, and perhaps even The Secret World Of Alex Mack (although, being a late-1994 show, that may not quite qualify as "classic Nick" - but hey, it still predates All That by about two and a half months!).

[grim_tales]

I remember The Children's Channel (TCC) :) Used to watch and like The DJ Kat Show in the 80's/90's with Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles (butchered UK version of TMNT).
I liked the Spongebob episode "Graveyard Shift" :D

[Marty26]

Correct me if my history's a little off, but it seems to me that the 80's were a bit of a transitional period for kid shows. In the early-80's (and before then), they were typically gentle shows with cute cartoons, puppets, and moral lessons to be taught. But then as the 80's progressed, perhaps due in large part to Nickelodeon's success, kid shows gradually became rowdier and more low brow. To the point where, by about 1990, "gentle kid shows" were rather few and far between.

[cbrubaker]

Anyone remember "KaBlam"? Specifically, anyone remember "Sniz & Fondue"? It was probably my favorite part of the show (probably because it was the only traditionally animated one, while everything else was stop-motion).

Courage the Cowardly Dog creator John Dilworth directed the pilot for the series, "Psyched for Snuppa". Originally, the main characters were supposed to be Snuppa and Bianca, with Sniz and Fondue (then known as Squeaky) as side characters.

Somewhere along the line, they decided to make Sniz and Fondue the main characters. Snuppa and Bianca were regulated as side characters.

You can see the pilot at www.stretchfilms.com (http://www.stretchfilms.com) (go to "works" and scroll down until you find the title).

[Marty26]

Kablam actually came on just as I was starting to lose interest in Nickelodeon (Fall, 1996). So I definitely remember it, but not nearly as well as I remember older Nick shows. I remember it being a variety show hosted by a somewhat nerdy kid named Henry, and his polar opposite June (who would often get the best of him). It also had quite a few unique cartoon and stop-motion shorts scattered around like Action Leage Now (a superhero series with stop-motion action figure animation), Promethius And Bob (I think claymation caveman series), and several others I'm not really remembering right now. I remember Larisa Oleynik was Nick's spokesperson around the time it premiered (she was promoting that, several other new Nick shows, and some "find the dot" Nintendo 64 contest). On an interesting personal note, my cousin used to be a schoolteacher in (San Diego?) California. And Larisa was one of her students. She had her, I believe, a little after the first season of Alex Mack was filmed. And a bit before The Babysitter's Club was filmed.

It was probably around mid-summer of 1997 that I more-or-less stopped keeping up with Nick. Except that they started airing Garfield And Friends in the Fall of that year, so I would watch that. But otherwise, I think I was mostly done with Nick, except for the occasional Hey Dude and Salute Your Shorts rerun. I remember Lori Beth Denberg replacing Larisa as their new spokesperson around the same time Garfield was put on Nick (September-ish of 1997). But that's pretty much the last of what I remember from Nickelodeon. By early-1999 (around the time the aforementioned Hey Dude and SYS were taken off the air), I was pretty much finished with the network.

[Mr. Semaj]

Anyone remember "KaBlam"? Specifically, anyone remember "Sniz & Fondue"? It was probably my favorite part of the show (probably because it was the only traditionally animated one, while everything else was stop-motion).

Courage the Cowardly Dog creator John Dilworth directed the pilot for the series, "Psyched for Snuppa". Originally, the main characters were supposed to be Snuppa and Bianca, with Sniz and Fondue (then known as Squeaky) as side characters.

Somewhere along the line, they decided to make Sniz and Fondue the main characters. Snuppa and Bianca were regulated as side characters.

You can see the pilot at www.stretchfilms.com (http://www.stretchfilms.com) (go to "works" and scroll down until you find the title).

You learn something new every day. :)

In addition to Sniz & Fondue, I also enjoyed Prometheus & Bob (http://www.indavideo.hu/video/Prometheus_es_Bob_-_Robot?action=video_site&video_title=Prometheus_es_Bob_-_Robot%3Ftoken%3Db10b063f8c8f62bf517c69444777dd3d) . Most episodes had a running gag that involved someone or something crashing into the camera.

[Studio Toledo]

What was REALLY freaky was how dark that pool room was. Was it in a basement or something? :confused:
I know a local YMCA that was like that!

[Studio Toledo]

I'm not sure if Nick owned Pinwheel either, though. It was actually a Canada-produced show that was supposedly given to Nick so that they could get their network off the ground (heck, for two years, Nick was called "The Pinwheel Channel").
No, Pinwheel was not Canadian, and in it's end credits, it stated Warner-Amex owned the copyright to it, so it's probably still in Nick's archives anyway. The show you're thinking of was probably "Today's Special", which was produced by the provincial educational network TVOntario.

[Marty26]

No, Pinwheel was not Canadian, and in it's end credits, it stated Warner-Amex owned the copyright to it, so it's probably still in Nick's archives anyway. The show you're thinking of was probably "Today's Special", which was produced by the provincial educational network TVOntario.

According to IMDB, the show originated in Canada. Of course, IMDB has been wrong on several occasions, so I guess I shouldn't be too quick to take their word for it: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0224947/. P.S. Did Warner-Amex have any affiliation with Warner Brothers?

I remember Today's Special. That was another fun show. Certainly one of the more original kid shows in the 80's.

[Studio Toledo]

According to IMDB, the show originated in Canada. Of course, IMDB has been wrong on several occasions, so I guess I shouldn't be too quick to take their word for it: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0224947/. P.S. Did Warner-Amex have any affiliation with Warner Brothers?
Warner-Amex Satellite Entertainment Co. was the joint venture between Warner Communications and American Express.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warner-Amex_Satellite_Entertainment

[Jack G.]

The Nickelodeon era I remember was the one with the Canadian shows -
You Can't Do That On Television being the most memorable.

[RyougaLolakie]

I was born in the late 80's, so I can't comment on the early Nick ones (Luckly, if my older brother and sister, though being kids of the 80's, seen this channel, I would be more jealous. PFFT...wish I was born in the late 70's :rolleyes:) Anyways, I didn't watch nickelodeon until I was like 7 years old when I discovered it (and that's the time I was watching the Disney channel. Didn't get Cartoon Network on cable until 98 but I watched it in Satelite temporary around 96)..

The early Nick cartoons were great. I loved Doug (though, the Disney version was ok, to be honest, but not in the same level as Nick version, but it's kinda watchable.), Ren and Stimpy (the original Spumco ones, though didn't remember the Games one. When I was young, I was a little grossed out by the humor. Ironically Cow and Chicken didn't have the effect on me, but it had the same level as R&S dispite that David Feiss kinda worked for Spumco. However, I didn't grossed out when I'm older. Still a great and hilarious cartoon.), Rocko's Modern Life (ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT. PERIOD!), and of course Rugrats. I also liked Kablam (loved the Action League, Sniz and Fondue, and Prometheus and Bob on the cartoon) and Angry Beavers (I loved what the creator put the pop culture references in that cartoon especially the episode where Norbert met the female beaver, who was in fact a hippie. LOL!). Though, around 1999, Nick was about to downpour when Invader Sim begin and I kinda hate that cartoon (it's kinda goth to me, to be honest. X__X). The rest was just stink, with the exception of Spongebob Squarepants and Fairly Odd Parents (yeah, I loved both of those cartoons. Throw some tomatoes at me all you want but I DON'T CARE! :D)

The Nick sitcoms were good, but I wasn't fond of those with the execption of All That and Kenan and Kel show. :) The game shows were fantastic.

Last but least, the best thing about Nick was not only that Nick produced cartoons but they put some classic cartoons such as Looney Tunes, Rocky and Bullwinkle, and the Alvin Show until LT moved into
Cartoon Network. Of course, there was the Peanuts cartoons as well. :D


I was a huge Rugrats fan until the Kimmy saga began-and didn't even try All Grown Up-although the pilot special was great. I liked Doug-never watched the Disney version-was understandibly grossed out by Ren and Stimpy and Catdog(horrible show in MO.) .

I agree with you about Rugrats, I was a huge fan of that cartoon too until the Kimmy saga (I loved Rugrats in Paris, but I just don't like the Kimmy episodes). Though, Dill episodes were "OK" but afterwards, it kinda loses its charm. Of course, the spinoff, "All Grown Up series" was a bit atrocious and kinda ruins the Rugrats and the franchise .Then again, Rugrats is why I started to watch Nickelodeon as my favorite channel (LOL), along with the Disney Channel and Cartoon Network. :D

[speedy fast]

Does anybody remember the "Nick Mania" marathons that ran briefly in 1993? It was a series of two-hour marathons of shows on Nickelodeon shown on saturdays and sundays, I think it replaced Special Delivery, and was eventually replaced by Muppet Matinee on saturdays and Weinderville on sundays. These marathons would include trivia questions before the commercial breaks, and the answers came up at the end of the commercial breaks.

I recall that Nick Mania included marathons for Salute Your Shorts, Welcome Freshmen, and Muppet Babies. I can't remember what other shows had these kinds of marathons.

[Marty26]

YES! I remember those! In fact, I've been looking for information on those, since I'd like to know what the "scoring systems" were for each Nick Mania (what I mean is that, for example, in the Doug one, 0 to 2 points made you a "Roger", 3 to 6 points made you a "Porkchop", and 7 to 10 points made you "the ultimate Doug Head" - each "rank" would be accompanied by a picture of the show's corresponding character). They did it for the three shows you mentioned, Hey Dude, Nickelodeon's Most Wanted Yogi Bear, Doug, Rugrats, Looney Tunes, and probably other shows that I don't remember. Nick Mania went on during Summer, 1993. And then returned around Christmas 1993, Christmas 1994, and Christmas 1995.

Does anybody know where, on the internet, I can get the scoring systems for those Nick Mania segments?

[grim_tales]

I enjoy Spongebob Squarepants too, Ryouga :) It makes me laugh :D

[cartoonfan4ever]

I also like Spongebob. Well.... the first 3 seasons. The 4th season started to go downhill IMO.

I used to watch Nickelodeon all the time like; Pinwheel, YCDTOTV, Angry Beavers, Invader Zim, Rocko's Modern Life, Prometheus & Bob and Ahhhh! Real Monsters. The station was great back then but now, I can't get into the stuff they show. Some of them are OK, but not as great as the old ones.

[cbrubaker]

I think SpongeBob was the last Nicktoons I watched on a regular basis. I stopped watching Nick by the time the yellow sponge made his debut.

The show has funny moments, though. I'm amazed, however, at how popular the show has become.

[RyougaLolakie]

I enjoy Spongebob Squarepants too, Ryouga :) It makes me laugh :D

Yeah, especially one of my favorite episodes, "Band Geeks" and the other episode where Spongebob rips his pants. I'd actually laugh my butt off just seeing those episodes.

I think SpongeBob was the last Nicktoons I watched on a regular basis. I stopped watching Nick by the time the yellow sponge made his debut.

The show has funny moments, though. I'm amazed, however, at how popular the show has become.

Yeah the show was hugely popular during that time. Reminds me of that recent Burger King comercial where the King sing the "Baby Got Back" song parody related to Spongebob. Kinda rediculous and cheesy but....lol. :p

[grim_tales]

The music in the Spongebob episode "Band Geeks" is brilliant :D - and "Dumped" and "Where's Gary?" are touching and sad :(

[Snowpeck II]

Pinwheel the show, and channel, most definitely started in 1977 on the Warner-Amex QUBE system in Columbus, Ohio. 1979 is the year that the channel went nationwide.

The program guide available for viewing at this link:
http://www.qube-tv.com/qube-tv/QUBE-GUIDE.html is from July 1978 and lists Pinwheel, and even includes an ad for it.

Greg

[Studio Toledo]

Pinwheel the show, and channel, most definitely started in 1977 on the Warner-Amex QUBE system in Columbus, Ohio. 1979 is the year that the channel went nationwide.
Kinda makes me wonder when my cable company picked it up. I get the impression they took it quite early as I think they had it by 1980. I don't think they would have that information anymore over what they may or may not have had back then. It's annoying finding any info on this personally.

The program guide available for viewing at this link:
http://www.qube-tv.com/qube-tv/QUBE-GUIDE.html is from July 1978 and lists Pinwheel, and even includes an ad for it.

Greg
That guy's got a cool site, but apparently he will not sell me a copy of that DVD he's toting on there. Such a shame since I would've loved watching that footage over and over than the usual YouTube clips (if only because I want to see interlaced glory). Maybe to retaliate, I'll stuck up a DVD of my mom's recordings on YouTube, which is what I'm doing now! :cool:

[Marty26]

There are two forgotten Nickelodeon shows that premiered in late 1994 and ran until early/mid 1995 (or may be early 1996?) that I somehow remembered just now and thought might be worth briefly discussing if anybody else remembers them:

U to U - This premiered, I think, in either October or November of 1994 (but I know it was sometime in late-1994). It was basically an internet-themed TV show where viewers could interact with the hosts and audience via Prodigy (at the time, one of the hottest internet service providers on the market), play games over the phone, people in the studio audience could play at-the-time really cool 3D "virtual reality" games, viewers could send in their own songs and have them turned into music videos, etc. Pity it had such a short run (presumably because it was expensive to produce) since it was actually quite an original and interesting show at the time. Particularly since it came out around the time the internet was becoming a big business.

EW even has an archived article about it here. I'm assuming it's from late-1994 or early-1995: http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,304577,00.html

Bing! - This show aired probably around the same time U to U aired (late-1994 through 1995 or 1996). It was an MTV-like news program about what was hot at the time among kids. A good program if you were interested in what was going on in Elementary/Middle School Pop Culture at the time, before the internet began telling you everything you needed to know.

[speedy fast]

U to U - This premiered, I think, in either October or November of 1994 (but I know it was sometime in late-1994). It was basically an internet-themed TV show where viewers could interact with the hosts and audience via Prodigy (at the time, one of the hottest internet service providers on the market), play games over the phone, people in the studio audience could play at-the-time really cool 3D "virtual reality" games, viewers could send in their own songs and have them turned into music videos, etc. Pity it had such a short run (presumably because it was expensive to produce) since it was actually quite an original and interesting show at the time. Particularly since it came out around the time the internet was becoming a big business.

I was thinking about that show recently. I thought it was called The U Show, and thought it was on the air longer, even though I hardly ever watched it. I guess given the format it would be very hard to release that on DVD, unless all contributors signed something allowing for video rights. I'd also be surprised if Nick Arcade ever gets a DVD release, due to the presence of actual arcade games.

[Marty26]

I was thinking about that show recently. I thought it was called The U Show, and thought it was on the air longer, even though I hardly ever watched it. I guess given the format it would be very hard to release that on DVD, unless all contributors signed something allowing for video rights. I'd also be surprised if Nick Arcade ever gets a DVD release, due to the presence of actual arcade games.

Nick Arcade. Not really one of Nick's better shows, but come on. You (and everybody else, for that matter) can't tell me you didn't want to be a part of that "Video Zone" challenge. Even though it was obviously just a Blue Screen effect. It was also, at the time, cool to see then-hot games like Sonic The Hedgehog and Super Castlevania IV in action.

[Vdubdavid]

Nick Arcade. Not really one of Nick's better shows, but come on. You (and everybody else, for that matter) can't tell me you didn't want to be a part of that "Video Zone" challenge. Even though it was obviously just a Blue Screen effect. It was also, at the time, cool to see then-hot games like Sonic The Hedgehog and Super Castlevania IV in action.

I don't know, I always wanted to be on "Legends of the Hidden Temple." I would watch that show and think I could do so much better in the final Temple race than the kids that were actually on the show.

[Snowpeck II]

I don't know, I always wanted to be on "Legends of the Hidden Temple." I would watch that show and think I could do so much better in the final Temple race than the kids that were actually on the show.

It was always so painful to watch the kids running around in circles through the same rooms they'd been through, or taking the same wrong route that got their partner in trouble.

Greg

[Studio Toledo]

It was always so painful to watch the kids running around in circles through the same rooms they'd been through, or taking the same wrong route that got their partner in trouble.

Greg
Though I was already in high school when this was on, it brought back some memories of Finders Keepers (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zM-RbC9O8KM) for myself!

[Marty26]

I don't know, I always wanted to be on "Legends of the Hidden Temple." I would watch that show and think I could do so much better in the final Temple race than the kids that were actually on the show.

That was actually a cool show. And, I too, remember wanting to run through Old Mac's temple as a kid.

[samtheq]

Ah, to have a few videos of classic Nick again, circa 1982 when I was watching it regularly...
I downloaded an episode of "Mr. Wizard's World" the other day, and was taken back to that time. The cheesy computer graphics and synth music, etc.
Anybody remember the sweeeet bumpers and in-between-show items they used to run? There was one that taught you about different planets and their moons. It was cool.
Bill Bixby had a science show, too, and there was a "Ripley's Believe It Or Not" type show hosted by Joseph Campanella that I watched a lot of.
And then there was OUT OF CONTROL, which I probably wouldn't watch today, but boy, I sure did then. And the TOMORROW PEOPLE! And THE THIRD EYE!
Oh! And TURKEY TELEVISON, anybody remember that? I think it was more imported Canadian stuff, but it was great. It had Uncle Floyd and the guy whose name escapes me now that had a comedy show (and radio too) in Britain--got it, Kenny Everitt.
DOes this spark anyone's memory about that era of Nick? REAL Nick?

[Marty26]

Turkey Television wasn't that Thanksgiving Special Nick used to air, was it? For those who need a refresher, from the late-80's to about 1995, Nick used to annually air a "Thanksgiving Special" with two full-length cartoons (Thanksgiving Nightmare and Thanksgiving Dreams) and a series of in-between shorts illustrating how different Americans celebrated Thanksgiving.

There's actually an old episode of Out Of Control on Youtube, if you're curious: YouTube - Out Of Control - Pet Dinosaur (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2V67AOKKgzk) . Interestingly, Marty Schiff (who played Hern Burferd on the show) posted in the "Comments" section of this video a while back. Also, look for some classic John Seeley music during the "How Not To Build A Go-Kart" segment. The series definitely shows its age, and performances are quite amateurish. But it's still fun to watch. And you can see the cast had a lot of fun doing the show.

In terms of commercial bumpers, IMO nothing will beat those "clock bumpers" Nick was using from I think early-1989 through mid-1992 (for clarity, were "what's next on channel-X" promos also called "bumpers"?).

[Vdubdavid]

Turkey Television wasn't that Thanksgiving Special Nick used to air, was it? For those who need a refresher, from the late-80's to about 1995, Nick used to annually air a "Thanksgiving Special" with two full-length cartoons (Thanksgiving Nightmare and Thanksgiving Dreams) and a series of in-between shorts illustrating how different Americans celebrated Thanksgiving.

I remember that! With the one short that seemed to be a takeoff on the 30s WB short "The Dish Ran Away with the Spoon."

[samtheq]

Turkey Television wasn't that Thanksgiving Special Nick used to air, was it? For those who need a refresher, from the late-80's to about 1995, Nick used to annually air a "Thanksgiving Special" with two full-length cartoons (Thanksgiving Nightmare and Thanksgiving Dreams) and a series of in-between shorts illustrating how different Americans celebrated Thanksgiving.


No, what I'm referring to is this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkey_Television


brant

[Studio Toledo]

Ah, to have a few videos of classic Nick again, circa 1982 when I was watching it regularly...
I downloaded an episode of "Mr. Wizard's World" the other day, and was taken back to that time. The cheesy computer graphics and synth music, etc.
At least the show's out on DVD for all to see and learn! Wonder if I can go through watching it all over again? :D

Anybody remember the sweeeet bumpers and in-between-show items they used to run? There was one that taught you about different planets and their moons. It was cool.
I remember one about mosquitoes saying how attracted they were to bananas. Funny how elements from the show opening became the bumpers/intros for the segments as well, though I can faintly remember when the show first aired that they didn't used to had that opening or bumper sequences at all in '83, but I think they were introduced and re-edited into the previous episodes in '84 when Nickelodeon brought out it's orange splotch logo.

And then there was OUT OF CONTROL, which I probably wouldn't watch today, but boy, I sure did then.
Never too old for that show!

Oh! And TURKEY TELEVISON, anybody remember that? I think it was more imported Canadian stuff, but it was great. It had Uncle Floyd and the guy whose name escapes me now that had a comedy show (and radio too) in Britain--got it, Kenny Everitt.
DOes this spark anyone's memory about that era of Nick? REAL Nick?
It does for me, since I live it. The show in in a nut shell was an excuse for a half hour of comedy clips, often taken from a variety of places including silent comedies, stand-up, foreign commercials, independent short films and music videos. I often think of it as a predecessor to "Short Attention Span Theater" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Short_Attention_Span_Theater) on Comedy Central which was of a similar nature though more host-oriented, but was still kinda interesting a show like that ever got on Nick at all..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28hcz41ngvg

[Studio Toledo]

No, what I'm referring to is this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkey_Television


brant
Here's several opening animations for the show.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePgTVonCOOk

[looneymaniac]

Since were talking about Nickelodeon on this thread I have a request. Can someone please upload the following episodes of Nickelodeon Arcade on YouTube if you have any of those episodes?:

Season One
April & C.J. V.S. Christina & Yennimard
Dana & Chris V.S. Vanesha & Joshua

Season Two

Kristin & Chris V.S. Cas & Jeanine

[The Coyote Never Wins]

Thinking about the early days of Nick certainly takes me back. My parents were lucky enough to be able to get cable in around 1982 to 1984 (my memory is a bit fuzzy but I do remember getting MTV while it was still relatively new).

Even though I felt a little "old" to be watching Pinwheel and Calliope (on USA)--I was all of about six or seven at the time--I was fascinated by the cartoons and short films they showed, particularly the foreign ones, and willing to sit through the host segments to watch them. (I particularly enjoyed the Paddington segments.)

I also loved Mr. Wizard's World and those bumpers about various moons and planets--I still remember one about Europa. That's probably where my lifelong fascination with astronomy and space exploration (heck, science in general) comes from. And I loved You Can't Do That On Television ("what do you think's in the burgers?"). And Danger Mouse (I got to see that on DVD a couple of years ago, and it held up much better than I expected).

I also watched the Edison Twins. I can't remember if that was any good or not but I remember the theme song.

Kept on watching You Can't Do That... until about '87 or '88, plus Count Duckula. Once the Nicktoons came in, though, I pretty much only watched Looney Tunes. I have to admit I didn't much like Ren & Stimpy (and I still don't like it).

A bit OT, but I also remember that USA would air various cheesy '70s H-B shows for a couple of hours every weekday afternoon, and for many more hours on the weekends. Stuff like Dyno Mutt, the Hair Bear Bunch, Jabberjaw, etc.

I wish there was a nice DVD set of all that old Nick stuff; I wouldn't mind seeing it again, if only for nostalgia.

(Don't get me started on the early Disney Channel. For a budding animation nerd in training, their programming in the early days was fantastic.)

[Marty26]

Kept on watching You Can't Do That... until about '87 or '88, plus Count Duckula. Once the Nicktoons came in, though, I pretty much only watched Looney Tunes. I have to admit I didn't much like Ren & Stimpy (and I still don't like it).

The first few Nicktoons were good. Doug, Rugrats (yes, I know it's probably not a popular cartoon in Animation Circles, but I like it), Ren And Stimpy, and the later Rocko's Modern Life were actually very good shows. Especially Rocko, one of the best cartoon series of the 90's.

I'd say Nick's downfall really began around late-1994, when Ahhhh! Real Monsters first premiered (never liked that show much). And then All That came on in December of that year (although I think its pilot episode aired during the Summer of '94, if I remember correctly), basically signifying a "new" Nickelodeon. There were other new shows like My Brother And Me and The Secret World Of Alex Mack (which was actually a fairly decent show, if a little far-fetched) that aired around the same time.

The "new Nick Jr." with Face also began during the Fall of 1994. I remember, during the Summer of '94, Nick had Nick Jr. on a hiatus so that they could "remodel" it, so you'd see standard Nickelodeon programming during the normal Nick Jr. block. Before then (specifically, from Spring, 1993 through Spring, 1994), Nick Jr.'s bumpers and promos typically showed a group of preschoolers in what appeared to be a daycare center, with the caretaker playing games like Duck Duck Goose with them.

[Studio Toledo]

Thinking about the early days of Nick certainly takes me back. My parents were lucky enough to be able to get cable in around 1982 to 1984 (my memory is a bit fuzzy but I do remember getting MTV while it was still relatively new).
Heh, my folks had cable since the 70's! Nick was something I was just born into (MTV probably around '83).

Even though I felt a little "old" to be watching Pinwheel and Calliope (on USA)--I was all of about six or seven at the time--I was fascinated by the cartoons and short films they showed, particularly the foreign ones, and willing to sit through the host segments to watch them. (I particularly enjoyed the Paddington segments.)
Just like me (was probably 4 or 5 when I watched it anyway). Nowadays you can hardly find Euro goodies unless you look high and low for 'em.

I also loved Mr. Wizard's World and those bumpers about various moons and planets--I still remember one about Europa. That's probably where my lifelong fascination with astronomy and space exploration (heck, science in general) comes from. And I loved You Can't Do That On Television ("what do you think's in the burgers?"). And Danger Mouse (I got to see that on DVD a couple of years ago, and it held up much better than I expected).
Face it, kids today have NOTHIN'!

I also watched the Edison Twins. I can't remember if that was any good or not but I remember the theme song.
I noticed Nelvana did that show, they even did The 20 Minute Workout, another show that has indoctrinated millions of children into the busty world of aerobics! Canadians knew how to make programs!

Kept on watching You Can't Do That... until about '87 or '88, plus Count Duckula. Once the Nicktoons came in, though, I pretty much only watched Looney Tunes. I have to admit I didn't much like Ren & Stimpy (and I still don't like it).
I liked R&S a little early on, but it got annoying for me during the Games era. Probably stopped watching Nick altogether by the mid 90's.

A bit OT, but I also remember that USA would air various cheesy '70s H-B shows for a couple of hours every weekday afternoon, and for many more hours on the weekends. Stuff like Dyno Mutt, the Hair Bear Bunch, Jabberjaw, etc.
Back before CN, that was the best I had to watch that stuff on cable!

I wish there was a nice DVD set of all that old Nick stuff; I wouldn't mind seeing it again, if only for nostalgia.[quote]
I had to look for this stuff on 16mm, ain't I'm pathetic!

[quote](Don't get me started on the early Disney Channel. For a budding animation nerd in training, their programming in the early days was fantastic.)
'nuff said! These days, I just don't understand!

[Mr. Semaj]

Face it, kids today have NOTHIN'!

Ain't that the truth?

Speaking of which (http://www.mediaweek.com/mw/content_display/news/magazines-newspapers/e3ia63351ea832b17bf5007882d8e55917a)... :(

[nickramer]

Ain't that the truth?

Speaking of which (http://www.mediaweek.com/mw/content_display/news/magazines-newspapers/e3ia63351ea832b17bf5007882d8e55917a)... :(

Sheesh, I'm telling you, this econemy stinks.

[Super Nintendo Chalmers]

I have been perusing this site for a while along with many of the linked sites on goldenagecartoons.com. I was looking through the Looney Tunes on Nickelodeon site and I found this interesting excerpt.

"Looney Tunes soon disapeared from weekdays and Saturdays, with only a weekly half-hour on Sunday mornings at 8:30 A.M. Eastern Time. For summer 1999, Nick restored the at-one-time-regular Saturday afternoon one-hour showing and dropped the Sunday broadcast. In a surprising move, Nick had an unannounced six-hour marathon of Looney Tunes on Saturday, May 29, 1999 from noon to 6:00 P.M. Eastern Time. "

Ahh, May 29 1999. I specifically remember this day, as this was the day that my family last moved. My mom, dad, and dad's buddy Jim were moving our stuff with the Ryder van, and had dumped me and my three year old brother at my grandmother's mobile home. We sat there and watched most of, if not all, of that Looney Tunes Marathon on my grandmother's recently aquired DirecTv system. It's hard to believe it's been 10 years already.

[Marty26]

I've just remembered a series of shorts Nickelodeon aired in the early 90's called "Yours Truly." They were typically minute long shorts aired during commercial breaks, chronicling a preteen girl's daily adventures (narrated through what she'd write in her diary - in fact, each short would begin with her saying "Dear Diary"), such as a disastrous night out with her father (disrupted by a pet hamster) or a case of having a ton of clutter in your mind and having to empty it through constant babbling. The shorts began, I believe, around the Fall of 1990 and frequently aired during commercial breaks until about 1993.

Does anybody else remember those?

[Marty26]

I'm surprised nobody mentioned this yet. You Can't Do That On Television lead actor (and the only one to appear throughout the entire series) Les Lye died almost a month ago:

http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/07/24/canadian-tv-legend-les-lye-dead-at-84/