I'm sure there are a number of reasons why such a show would never make it to air today, but as a kid I got a big kick out of The Super-Globetrotters. I loved comics, superheroes and basketball, so this cartoon definitely caught my attention. I remember enjoying watching the live action Harlem Globetrotters games against the hapless Generals - man, that bucket of confetti gag got me every time!
Pretty sure my first exposure to the Harlem Globetrotters was on THE ALL-NEW SCOOBY-DOO MOVIES, but I became a fan instantly. Somehow they feel more at home in the Hall of Justice than they did on Gilligan's Island.
ReplyDeleteThey reminded me so much of The Impossibles!
ReplyDeleteThat's precisely what they were, Tobor. An amalgamation of the Impossibles with the animated Globetrotters from the early 1970's (minus Coach Granny and Dribbles the Dog). But, if memory serves, H-B did them for NBC. Their CBS counterparts, the Drac Pack, were more like the Impossibles-meet-the Munsters!
ReplyDeleteGotta love the 1980's. The Golden Age of Concept Recycling!
I remember the concept recycling started before the 1980s (I was born in 1963).
ReplyDeleteThe 1970s were full of cartoons recycled (with tweaks) from old prime-time TV shows, including my beloved animated Star Trek, which, like the original series, was better than it had any right to be. Of course, it had a few clunker episodes, just as the original series did.
Ah, glad to read the references to The Impossibles. I never saw the Super Globetrotters cartoon (just the earlier series), and looking at the graphic here immediately made me think, "Hey, Meadowlark Lemon looks like Multi-Man from the Impossibles."
ReplyDeleteI have to admit that I've never heard of this show outside this blog, which is too bad because I probably would've really liked it when it aired. Even now I'm intrigued enough to want to give it a look, but it doesn't appear to be streaming on any of the services to which I subscribe; the Wikipedia article says it's in Warner Brothers' library, so if it's anywhere (besides Daily Motion and such) it's probably on HBO Max.
ReplyDeleteCertainly, I'll add Gizmo to my list of Hammerspace Heroes, along with Wakko Warner, Slapstick, Pockets (from the Ant Hill Mob), and Shag (of the Road Rovers).
Say what you will about the Super Globetrotters; it's from their cartoon I learned a basket is 2 points.
ReplyDelete@Kid Charlemagne: maybe so. But, only because every Golden Age has to be minted some place.
ReplyDeleteRegarding the Super-Globetrotters and the Impossibles, my understanding is that they re-used animation of the Impossibles.
ReplyDeleteWow, I never would have expected the Globetrotters, super or otherwise but this is great :D
ReplyDeleteNow it makes me want to see Dynomutt or Inspector Gadget meet the Robonic Stooges
@Big Mike: Now your comment has me wanting to see these Super Globetrotters meet the Mighty Heroes.
ReplyDelete@Carycomic The Drak Pack were a trio but that's the only thing in common with The Impossibles. They had their usual Universal Monster powers, just deciding to fight evil rather than what they usually do. But yes, three of the Super Globetrotters do share powers with the Impossibles. They had the good powers if my memory serves.
ReplyDeleteIt is funny, I keep seeing cartoons that are take-offs on The Impossibles but I have never actually seen that cartoon, just the take-offs of it. Weird the way that works. There are a bunch of classic cartoons that friends grew up with that I never saw (like Tom Slick).
ReplyDelete#ShadowWingTronix: actually, they had a second thing in common with the Impossibles. When assigned their newest missions by Dracula Senior, they always referred to him as "Big D." Just like the white-haired original voiced by Paul Frees!
ReplyDeleteNow that is a blast from the past! Thank you for that!
ReplyDeleteSeeing the Super Globetrotters reminded me of another cartoon I hadn't seen in years - "My Favorite Martians." I think there was a comic book series around the time of the original TV show. Ever consider a Team-Up with Uncle Martin and The Martian Manhunter?
ReplyDeleteI have considered that.
ReplyDeleteRoss, I think there's enough Mars running around to make it the theme of one of your Anniversary Issues: Martian Manhunter (along with Miss Martian et al), Marvin the Martian, John Carter, Uncle Martin, Mars Attacks!, the War of the Worlds Martians, the Ice Warriors of Doctor Who, and probably others that I haven't thought of.
ReplyDelete"When the Moon is in the 7th House and Jupiter aligns with Mars.
ReplyDeleteThen Ross will grant Bob Greenwade's wish...and love will steer the stars!"
@Anon444: if singing is your day job, by all means...do quit it! ;-)
ReplyDelete