Podcast for 03-22-08 - Space Ghost Coast To Coast

Good morning, true believers...I mean, gentle readers...er...well now, I wonder what I should call you. We haven't yet come up with a catch all phrase to describe our listeners, have we? We've bandied about Toonatics, but that seems not quite right. Oh well. Hey guys! :) We're knee deep in show and freezing our assorted extremities to the bone, but that has of course not stayed us from our appointed cartoon rounds. Ka-linkage!

The Saturday Morning Cartoon Show - 03-22-08 - Space Ghost Coast To Coast

Before you listen I would like to make a small disclaimer: I have a deep and long standing love for both The Ramones and David Byrne, so I am, for a portion of the program, rendered slightly loopy. They and the music they've made mean a great deal to me and I got a tad giddy. Please forgive the babbling.

Okay, so, Space Ghost Coast To Coast rules. Since it's formatted as a 15 minute show with commercials, it means that we can bring you six complete episodes. Here's the breakdown in order of appearance, both on TV and on today's show:

1) "Bobcat" - Bobcat Goldthwait & The Ramones

2) "Fire Drill" - David Byrne & Donny Osmond

3) "Art Show" - Laurie Anderson & Stomp

4) "Gallagher" - David Cross & Bob Odenkirk

5) "Rio Ghosto" - Ben Stiller, Kevin Smith, & Jim Jarmusch

6) "Sweet For Brak" - Tenacious D

It's hilarious, subversive, and embodies everything that makes good late night television. Does it remind anyone else of Steve Allen or Ernie Kovacs? It has that kind of flair. Well done, Williams Street nee Ghost Planet Industries.

Musically the show's a bit light today, but I think the Marky Ramone improv and Tenacious D jamming more than makes up for it. Keep an ear out for another bizarre celebrity cartoon theme. We'll be making up for that a bit with a musical nugget right here. A caller asked to hear that beloved tune by The Nightmare from Emmett Otter's Jug Band Christmas, "Riverbottom Nightmare Band," but since we played it last week I told him I'd put it here for him. So many people love this song, so it's fun to share. 

Enjoy!

- DJ Muppet

WIDR Week Recap & Bonus 'Toon

Well, everyone, thanks to the generosity of our listeners, The Saturday Morning Cartoon Show raised $219.10 for WIDR. Thank you so much! We literally can't do what we do without you guys and your nice cashy money. If you wanted to donate but didn't get to during WIDR Week you can still donate at the website anytime you like.

Since you guys didn't let us down and we have some new and international listeners joining us, I thought it'd be a good time for a little tidbit that just doesn't fit into the show.

Heckle & Jeckle - Steeple Jacks (1951)

Heckle & Jeckle is a great cartoon that often relies more heavily on visual gags than dialogue, as did most of the cartoons in the Golden Age. Because of that, this particular short doesn't work especially well on the radio, hence deciding to share it with you here. One of the things that drew me to Heckle & Jeckle initially is that though much of the broad physical humor is akin to the fare seen in Tom & Jerry, even through the cynicism (as much as there was in the cartoons of the fifties) and 'toon violence, there is a sweetness to both characters. I've always found that soothing and endearing. Even as a child I didn't understand why you couldn't drop and anvil on a bad guy and be pleasant about it.

I've played it in Windows Media Player, Real Player, and DivX, so you shouldn't have too much trouble. If you do, I'm sure downloading the latest codecs will fix you right up. :) Enjoy!

- DJ Muppet