With concept art, archival images, all-new interviews, and a foreword by Bobby's World creator and funnyman Howie Mandel, It's Saturday Morning! celebrates the shows, characters, songs, and commercials that made Saturday mornings a pop culture event--decade by decade. Broadcasting into family living rooms from the 1960s to the 1990s, this wildly creative art form wrought a beloved rite of passage. From the hours of 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., parents could sleep in while their
children plopped on the couch to consume cartoons galore. From
The Bugs Bunny Show,
The Jetsons, and
Jonny Quest to
The Smurfs,
He-Man, and
Animaniacs, this window of time promised pure entertainment and
an experience that united generations.
Organized by decade,
find
profiles of the most beloved Saturday morning cartoons:
- 1960s: The Flintstones, Bugs Bunny, Space Ghost, and more!
- 1970s: The Pink Panther, Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!, Fat Albert, and more!
- 1980s: The Smurfs, The Adventures of the Gummi Bears, The Transformers, and more!
- 1990s: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Animaniacs, Pinky and the Brain, and more!
Each show profile is accompanied by
easy-reference stats (years on air, network, number of episodes, and characters and voice actors),
promotional and concept images of the cartoons, and
candid photos of its creators and actors. The commentary explores the
cultural setting that influenced its creation and
behind-the-scenes insights from the show's producers and artists.
This entertaining walk down memory lane is made complete by a review of some of the iconic products advertised between these favorite cartoons. "After These Messages..." segments provide
fascinating facts about the merchandise that appeared in Saturday morning commercials, such as the Slinky, Lite-Brite, Cabbage Patch Kids, and Golden Crisp cereal.
This exquisitely produced guide to the golden era of cartoons is perfect for artists and illustrators, pop culture fanatics, or anyone who loves a heaping portion of nostalgia.