Do you remember? I remember don’t worry, worry.

Of course I remember, when American cartoons were actually written for the correct demographic. When shows tailored to teach children about something. I woke up this morning to my daughter watching The Wild Thornberrys. Not only was this show highly entertaining, it was also highly intellectual. Designed for the demographic of about 10-15 years old. If you don’t recall what the show was about here is an episode of the show on Nick.com, click here for episode.

Another well suited show was a personal favorite. Hey Arnold!, was pretty much (or at-least became) a soap opera about growing up in the city. I mean of course there were mostly child themed episodes dealing with bullies or finding the Pigeon Man. It explored the reality of childhood, rather than the fantasy of child-like situations. Not every day was awesome for the football headed protagonist, but life could not be sweeter on his block.

Confusing? CHECK! Awesome theme song? CHECK!

Let me just begin by saying that I did enjoy this Action/Romance based anime. I have no hard feelings towards the over the top action scenes, nor, the catchy theme song of season one from Abingdon Boys School, a Japanese rock band. My “beef” stands with only one, tiny, small, probably insignificant detail… How the hell things became as they were.

Let’s begin with the contracts. Each person who was gifted powers had to perform a task in order to fulfill said contract. Such tasks included smoking cigarettes, folding the upper right hand corner of pages, acting like a child, and many other pain staking activities. Previously, before the contracts were mailed out, all the stars fell from the sky and slowly were replaced with new stars. Apparently, each of the new stars were directly linked to every person who received a contract.

Sounds dreadfully nice, I know. And that theme song keeps pulling you in. Only promising awesomeness and chocolates. Sadly, the buffet they set up specifically for chocolates was closed down two hours before you came through the door. It never explains if any of these people signed these contracts willingly. I keep asking myself if they just woke up one morning and said ” Wow, I think I’ll fly to work today and once I get there I think I’ll break one of my fingers to pay for the flight.” Literally, first episode. Once the final episodes began, I thought the answers would become all to clear. They only answered where his lost sister was. She was, of course, inside of him all along.

Just so you know how awesome that theme song was, here is the opening theme song to Darker than Black.

Brak came up at dinner

Yes the cat man. I can’t say I didn’t enjoy The Brak Show, but Brak from the original Space Ghost (1966) is what popped up in conversation. You just can’t replace the classics. Birdman, Space Ghost, Johnny Quest, The Herculoids, etc. So I guess pretty much anything Hanna- Barbera. There was something so great about those shows. Probably because of the simplicity of their cartoons. Take this time to reminisce with me about all those great memories.

I know some of you all out there have seen Jabba Jaw. The aquatic version of Scooby-Doo. Which brings up Speed Buggy. That was like a memory overload for me. I’ve decided not to bring up Josie And The Pussycats. I mean mysteries were cool in the 60s. So was pot, however… Probably made the mysteries more mysterious. Watching those shows were amazing regardless. Each time I watched them I never felt like I was watching the same show. It was always something new, some different themed villain.

So can we give it up to Captain Caveman. I mean he is the greatest superhero ever. He’s all hair. It’s like if Cousin It had arms, legs and bulging eye balls.

You know what… I have other things to do. We can continue with another time.

God rest Hanna & Barbera