Anybody watch The Great Pumpkin last night ?

[Mikey]

Was watching The Great Pumpkin last night and was struck with a thought ... You know, old cartoons were so noncondescending and mature back then.

I just can't understand WHY this changed today.

The kids who originally watched The Great Pumpkin grew up and are today's writers ...
Why didn't any of this style rub off on them ?

[Riffster]

there's no snot or farting in the classics... somebody thinks kids need that

[darklord1967]

For me, Mike, the short answer is the cynical nature that has creeped into our society is to blame.

Heart-felt sentimentality (which those Charles Schultz cartoons were all about), is considered a dead, "corny" and/or useless concept.

In it's place are the sarcastic, condescending attitiudes, and the snot, fart, poop, and genital jokes that seem so prevalent today.

Also, attention spans have dropped dramatically over the last 30 years. So today's youth do not have the patience to allow a story to take it's time with exposition and character development as it unfolds.

I've said it before, but I truly weep for the future of this country.

[Wee67]

Kids programming today is like most things- there are some good things and a lot of bad. I happen to think Spongebob is very well-written kids show. 'The Adventures of Pete & Pete' was actually one of the funniest shows I have ever seen and it was aimed at kids. Sure, most of it is pretty bad, but I think that stands true for most of TV at any given period. I mean, I never gained any insight or wisdom from Jabber Jaw. I loved it, but The Peanuts gave me a better window.

BTW, Charlie Brown is a class! No holiday is complete with a Charlie Brown special. I miss the old spinning "Special" CBS used to open their specials with. That just said it was time to celebrate.

YouTube - CBS Special Presentation Ident - 1973

[Mikey]

You are so right about the logo.

To me it was part of the program

YouTube - CBS Special Presentation Ident - 1973

m

[rche]

We no longer get station programming over here. There must have been something in the air, tho. 'Cos we watched the CB Halloween special during our lunch break yesterday. I couldn't stop laughing when the kids practiced drawing the jack'o'lantern on Charlie Browns head.

I got a rock! darn.

good stuff indeed.

[kryptosmaster]

I just missed it. Didn't realize it was on till I was flicking through the channels. Saw the last 2 minutes of it.
Rich

[Mikey]

I just missed it. Didn't realize it was on till I was flicking through the channels. Saw the last 2 minutes of it.
Rich

It's on youtube in 3 parts

Just type in Great Pumpkin part

[jds1911a1]

my kids got tired at 7:30 so I taped it (I really shoud just get it on dvd) we will all watch it tonight. it isn't the Halloween without the Great Pumpkin

[wayne foundation 07]

Kinda weird I watched it then watched SouthPark Halloween episodes on Comedy Central.Talk about your polar differences.Both made me laugh.

[EmergencyIan]

The Great Pumpkin is airing again this evening on ABC at 8pm EDT / 7pm Central.


- Ian

[fallensaviour]

We are watching it right now on YTVe 20 mins left.

[HardyGirl]

I not only watched it, but I had my Great Pumpkin T-shirt and pajama bottoms on, had my sound greeting card, and played that CBS Special Presentation bumper before it began. And one of my kids came in and told me he watched it. I know I have it on video, but watching it in real time reminds me of being little, when you waited all year for those specials to come on.

[saildog]

I miss the old spinning "Special" CBS used to open their specials with. That just said it was time to celebrate.

YouTube - CBS Special Presentation Ident - 1973

This came up in a conversation not too long ago when people were talking about watching TV as a kid. I interjected, "Remember that CBS duh-duh-duh-duh-duh-duh-duh-duh, trumpet blast, big finish before a Holiday Special? I used to knock everyone down like George Castanza in a fire drill to get to the TV when I heard that!".

To a person, everyone at the table knew exactly what I was talking about.

That's iconic!

[saildog]

Hey! I'm watching it right now!

It's on ABC and while I'm tickled to death to be watching it, it seems weird that it's not on CBS.