The Saturday Morning Cartoon Show is a party dude!

Happy Saturday, fellow cartoon aficionados! Today is a very special day here on The Saturday Morning Cartoon Show: we're pleased to welcome our super special guest DJ/producer, Fred. Since WIDR and the SMCS in particular meant so much to him, Fred stepped up during WIDR Week and donated $89.10, entitling him to not only bitchin' WIDR merch, but also to a day here in the studio with DJ Beta and I, running the game and calling all shots in need of calling. It's a tough job, but he came prepared to be awesome. How, you may very well ask? By declaring today Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle day, of course!

Back in the eighties, there were many things that sounded like a good idea but really weren't: C3PO cereal, square knit neck ties, and of course D.C. Follies. Luckily for us, the eighties was a bastion of absurd, but wonderful cartoon show. With Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, you got a little bit of everything that made the eighties worth being a kid in: action, creatively costumes villains, bad puns, and merchandise up the wazoo! While the hardcore fans of the comics may not have liked the liberties taken with their favorite Foot fighting terrapins, there were far more people who came to the TMNT mythos through the show and loved every minute of it. Be honest, how many of you had a crush on April O'Neil? That's what I thought. :)

Podcast for 04/18/09 - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

We got calls about how much people liked Fred and we know he reads the blog, so if you'd like to here more of him as a DJ here at WIDR, please leave a note for him in the comments. In fact, he wants to leave a little note himself:

First and for most: Thank you all for those who donated along with me to WIDR for WIDR Week. You guys are the ones that keep radio evolution alive and I am colored 50,000 shades of happy because of that. Now to my fellow original TMNT fans.... You're Welcome. I loved growing up watching this show and I'm so glad to hear from all the happy phone calls we received that this wonderful show has not been forgotten. Thank you DJ Beta for all the Uncle Phil jokes and wonderful insights on the TMNT universe. Thank you to all those that requested the songs/shows they did, everything fit and just made the show that much better. Sorry to the few friends that requested songs to me and we weren't able to fit them in. All I can say is that there is just too much cartoony goodness to fit in just 2 hours. Much love to DJ Muppet to helping me get everything setup for the show, the hours of talking about all things geeky, muppety and cartoony alike, and most importantly giving me good directions so I could actually find the WIDR building. Finally, to those that listen to this show and other WIDR shows, TELL YOUR FRIENDS, TELL YOUR FAMILY, TELL YOUR CO-WORKERS (even the creepy ones that you'd rather didn't make eye contact with you) about the Saturday Morning Cartoon Show and WIDR. Help keep radio evolution alive. I know you love it, you know I love so please do the right thing: tell your friends when they have a boogie in their nose cause you'd want them to do the same for you and since we all love it.... spread the love.  

Words of delight and sensibility. :) I also need to apologize. One of our listeners made a request that we couldn't play, but I said I'd post it here, however in all the hubbub at the station today, I forgot what song it was! I'm so sorry!  Leave a note for my in the comments and let me know what it was so I can get it posted here. Aside from that, tune in next week for more video game memories when we air The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3. Many of you have wanted this and your patience shall be rewarded. Enjoy!

- DJ Muppet

Peter, my boy, you've got to shape up and reform if you want to be The Saturday Morning Cartoon Show.

What a great weekend for an egg hunt! There's no snow or anything. Last year there was snow. Yes, California listeners, I can hear you laughing at us with pity and bemusement, but I'm still happy. :) Today is one of our holiday specials and we couldn't be more pleased.

Here Comes Peter Cottontail may at first glance seem like a mediocre offering from the bursting coffers of Rankin-Bass, but it soon becomes apparent that this Easter cartoon is a whirlwind ride that asks us to reevaluate everything we thought we knew about physics, food preservation, prosthetics, and the space-time continuum. I'm not kidding. This puppy takes us careening from one holiday to another in a hot air balloon thing of unstable engineering with a basket of eggs that, by all rational standards, should've become a mass of sulfuric stench, yet remains fresh as the daisies painted on the shells. There are appearances by witches and ghouls, talking worms and hats, and even Santa Claus. Don't try to understand it; let the cartoon wash over you and surrender to the journey. I say this with my tongue only partially in my cheek. ;)

Podcast for 04/11/09 - Here Comes Peter Cottontail

A great deal can often be said about the cultural impact of holiday specials, but with the exception of it's signature song, this particular cartoon never reached the levels of influence that it's peers (like Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town) did. It did spawn a direct to video sequel, but what little I've seen of it doesn't indicate much improvement in writing or animation style, though both are updated for the modern audience. It kind off rips of a handful of Christmas specials...well, I think it does, you ought to judge for yourself. I would like to see flaming nougat though.

Next week is going to rock, because one of our listeners will be taking the reigns for the day. He was generous enough to Adopt-A-DJ during WIDR Week and he picked The Saturday Morning Cartoon show. An active and interactive listener of many moons, he's picked a day of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles for his special visit and we're all pretty geeked about it. Even though he's in control, you can still get your requests in by calling during the show or by e-mailing and commenting here throughout the week. We'll take 'em however we get 'em!

Have a happy Easter and enjoy!

- DJ Muppet

P.S. For those who might be wondering, this is xkcd. It's amazing, but not for kids, so be ye warned. Make sure that you don't start in on the archives unless you have several hours free. Even when work calls, you may find it hard to tear yourself away. XKCD is geek crack. Sexy, sexy geek crack.

By the power of Grayskull, I have The Saturday Morning Cartoon Show!

Happy WIDR Week, loyal listeners! Today is a celebration of all the things that make WIDR and The Saturday Morning Cartoon Show awesome. Even our most long-standing audience members will be shocked and giddy with delight at the amount of fan service we managed to cram into a single show. ;) Seriously, it's pretty impressive. There are also a number of theme songs making their debut on the show today, so if you don't usually download the podcasts, this is the day to change that.

As you're no doubt already aware, this week's cartoon is none other than the equally loved and mocked He-Man & The Masters of The Universe, featuring everyone's favorite whiny, scheming, bone based villain, Skeletor. Beta does a pretty good impression too, which makes today's show a lot of fun, even though much - okay, all - of our talk time is spent asking for your help in keeping WIDR running. If you've yet to make a donation and would like to, you can call the station at (269)387-6303 until Sunday at midnight to make a pledge or use this direct link to the WIDR page on the WMU donation system to give via credit card. Every single dollar helps keep the shows you love on the air and is niftily tax deductible. If you make a donation of $10 or more, you'll get your very own copy of the 2009 WIDR Week SMCS Mix CD, lovingly put together by yours truly. If you donate online or through another show, let me know via e-mail with your contact info (and screenshot/receipt for online payments) and I'll make sure you get your CD. And of course a huge thank you to the people who have donated already! You are the only reason we get to do what we do and we're so very grateful.

Since we didn't provide our usual infotainment fodder of history and cultural significance for He-Man, I figured those of you who were interested in deeply detailed information about the Masters of The Universe universe would do well with one of the most comprehensive fan sites in existence, He-Man.org. Not only do they have in-depth analysis of each series, movie, and comic book run, they also have the most up-to-date information about existing and upcoming toy lines. What? So I want Teela and Evil-Lyn dolls to pose in battle on my desk. Is that so wrong? I already have a Teela from the original run you know. ;)

Podcast for 02/28/09 - He-Man & The Masters of The Universe

I also though the more hardcore leaning He-Man afficionados - and, heck, just the people who like pointing and laughing - would dig this recent post in the Live Journal community Scans Daily featuring He-Man and Superman in what could easily be termed a Battle Royale. I saved it all week for you and was so geeked to share! Unfortunately, Scans Daily was just suspended. I have no doubt that it'll be back up sooner rather than later, as it has a very active and vocal population, but still, harumph. It seemed like a sensible thing to give you the link and hope for the best, so that's just what I did. If someone had the wild hare to make this sucker, the people should not be deprived of it.

Tune in next week for another journey back to the surprisingly warped world of the 1960's when we whisk you away to a land populated by ineffectual witches, talking crockery, and music that can't help but inspire illicit behavior. What strange land is this, you may well be asking? In the galaxy populated by the minds of Sid and Marty Krofft, the first show they produced, H.R. Pufstuf, stands the test of time as a deliciously out there romp through the transition between the 60's and the 70's, which for those of us who watched a lot of Laugh-In is an impressive feat. This is a week you'll want to listen with friends, if for no other reason than to have someone with which to share that feeling of "What?!?" Your brain will thank me. 

The sun is out and spring is coming, so after you've had your fill of cartoonery, go outside and enjoy!

- DJ Muppet

P.S. Check back in a couple of days or subscribe to our feed, because I'm going to be posting some bonus material music that fans of Chuck Jones will not want to be without. Ain't I a stinker? :p

Podcast for 04/19/08 - Batman Beyond

When I came back to the studio to upload the show the sun was shining and it was raining. I absolutely love days like that. :) It's a little bit like Batman Beyond, today's cartoon, in that it's something that seems quite odd on paper, but is rather lovely when it actually happens. Okay, so maybe lovely isn't the best word to describe anything Batmanish, but this is a great series and today's episodes are certainly indicative of the quality this show consistently brought to the airwaves.

The Saturday Morning Cartoon Show - 04/19/08 - Batman Beyond

Beta and I were very pleased to welcome John into the studio for today's show. As you'll hear, he was the generous soul who adopted The Saturday Morning Cartoon Show during WIDR Week. Not only did he help keep us on the air with his donation of $89.10, but he also got to pick a cartoon for the day and sit in with us on the air. He's a quiet guy, but he likes and knows his Batman. Let this be a lesson to all of you: WIDR Week will return, we love company, and we come cheap. ;) If you missed out on donating during WIDR Week and would still like to, you can donate at any time throughout the year on our website.

If you're here and have a few seconds to spare, please respond to the poll we have posted to your left. As much as we love what we do and (for the most part) know what we're doing, we'd really like to know more about what you guys and gals would like to hear. We'll play cartoons from every decade, but if you have one or two you like better than others we'd be happy to program based on your feedback. The polls change every week or two, so please come back from time to time and let us know what's on your mind. Of course, the comments are open for any musings or requests you may find yourself possessing.

I plan on posting some bonus material this week, so...when? Well I'm not going to tell you that! That would spoil the surprise. Just keep checking back or, even better, subscribe to our RSS feed using one of the convenient links to your left. As always, please pass links on to your cohorts and, if you're a member, give us a little click for Reddit or StumbleUpon. 

Right-O. I have to get to work. Have a great week, everyone, and enjoy the show!

- 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

Podcast for 03-15-08 - Rocko's Modern Life

Another wonderful Saturday is upon us and that means it's time for another edition of The Saturday Morning Cartoon Show. Today's episode has not one, not two, but four vignettes from classic Nicktoon Rocko's Modern Life.

We are in the midst of WIDR Week, so some of the show is spent asking our listeners to donate and help keep WIDR and Radio Evolution alive. You may not know this, but the vast majority of our operating budget and emergency fund come from the direct contributions of the WIDR audience, both in Kalamazoo and around the world. In fact, our first donation this morning came from California, so you can see we get around. If you're an international listener and would like to donate, there is a donation link on the main page of the WIDR website. Every single dollar helps and goes to keep independent music and radio kicking in Kalamazoo.

Here's this week's episode. We had a blast, so hopefully you will too. :)

The Saturday Morning Cartoon Show - 03-15-08 - Rocko's Modern Life

This file's a little larger than usual, as I've decided to try things out at a higher bitrate. If any of you have a preference about file size, sound quality, etc., please let me know. It's totally feasible to post a high and low quality version for folks with slower connections. Enjoy!

- DJ Muppet

Podcast for 03/08/08 - Silver Surfer

Sorry about the delay on yesterday's show. Someone changed the setting on the board to something very bad and I didn't realize it until after the show, so I've been trying to get the file cleaned up. The good news is that it's much better than it was when I started, but the expected bad news is that it's still really overdriven and may drive the audiophiles in the audience nuts. That being said, the show was really good, so it's worth muddling through. :)

The Saturday Morning Cartoon Show - 03/08/08 - Silver Surfer

WIDR Week is now in full swing, so please consider giving to help keep radio evolution on the air and, well, evolving. If everyone who listened to the station or the show podcasts gave a dollar we would have more than enough to run the station for the year. Just something to think about.

As we did last year, we'll be offering an additional premium to the good folks who donate during our show at the $30 level. You'll of course get the swag WIDR has for you, but as a special bonus and thank you from DJ Beta and I we'll be putting together a SMCS mix disc with all kinds of musical delights for animation fans of all ages. Donors will have the choice between an all music disc or a disc that includes a never-before-heard cartoon. If you have any questions or special requests about WIDR Week or our giveaway, please feel free to leave a comment here or give us a call whenever you hear either of us on the air. :)

- DJ Muppet