Watch Mr. Wizard (1951 - 1965)
Science-based shows have carved out quite the niche in Saturday morning programming over the years, and that all started withWatch Mr. Wizard.Don Hubert, the show’s creator and host, was responsible for introducing young and curious audiences to the extraordinary world of science hiding out in their homes and backyards.
The simple premise and efficient execution of it – Hubert explains scientific concepts to a rotating roster of neighborhood kids – impacted more than just those millions watching the live broadcast. The series helped inspire and establish more than 5000 science clubs, thanks to Mr. Wizard’s popular brand of edu-tainment.
H.R. Pufnstuf (1969 - 1970)
Even though it only lasted for on season,H.R. Pufnstufmade a considerable dent in pop-culture. With its unique and inventive use of full-sized puppets – a novel concept at the time – the popular kids show introduced wide-eyed children to the titular mayor of Living Island and its distinct residents.
A young human boy, Jimmy, pulls aGilligan’s Islandand gets shipwrecked with Pufnstuf’s crew. They try to help Jimmy escape the show’s villain, a very zany witch, who wants to add Jimmy’s talking flute to her magical collection. So, we have talking flutes and people-sized puppets. What’s not to love?
The Banana Splits Adventure Hour (1968 - 1970)
We apologize in advance for this show’s “The Tra La La Song (One Banana, Two Banana)” theme song getting stuck in your head for days after reading this.H.R. PufnstufpuppeteersSid and Marty Krofftwent all-in on their psychedelic aesthetic with this late ‘60s series from Hanna-Barbera.
Zany barely covers this show’s brand of antics, as costumed animal hosts Fleegle, Drooper, Bingo, and Snorky did everything from chat with the public to perform hippie rock musical numbers for legions of fans-turned-baby boomers. The episodes’ use of laugh tracks aside, watching this kids show is an experience unlike any other.
The Krofft Supershow (1976 - 1978)
The Kroffts presided over a significant portion of our collective childhoods in the ‘60s and ‘70s. Their legacy extended intoThe Krofft Supershow, a variety show targeting the Saturday morning audience. And if people still could get away with describing things as “a hoot” anymore, that’s what this would be.
An impressive mix of hit-or-miss live-action segments and musical numbers, the series was hosted by a rock band by the name of “Kaptain Kool and the Kongs.” Ironically, the series is best remembered by fans for replacing its hosts with the real-life band, the then-popular Bay City Rollers.
The Shazam/Isis Hour (1974 - 1977)
DC’s Captain Marvel was a popular fixture for Saturday morning programming. Before it wasTheShazam/Isis Hour, it was known to fans asShazam!– a half-hour show that originally aired on CBS Saturday mornings from 1974 to 1976. 1975 marked the title change and expanded the show to an hour.
Those extra 30 minutes were devoted to superhero Isis (Joanna Cameron) and her adventures when she wasn’t posing as a schoolteacher. Filmnation Productions, who would go onto be famous for their animatedHe-Manseries, were behind this show that still has a very dedicated fanbase more than 40 years later.
Ark II (1976)
It’s too bad Saturday morning TV is no longer a thing, because we would love a reboot of this short-lived sci-fi series. Despite its limited production values,Ark IImade the most out of them to deliver on its environmental and family-friendly premise.
The series centers on a trio of scientists trying to help people when pollution all but ruins planet Earth. While the CBS show lasted only for one season, its altruistic themes are timeless. As climate change increasingly becomes a real threat, the hopeArk IIinspires is just what modern audiences need.
No relation to the ‘80s cult hit movie,The Monster Squad, this live-action series did feature Dracula and the Wolfman, however. It also featured an inspired, kid-friendly premise on par with the movie that shares its namesake.
Frankenstein joins Drac and “Bruce W. Wolf” to form a literal squad of crime-fighting monsters. They had a crime computer (naturally) known as The Crime Computer, and a pretty sweet ride – the black Monster Van. Our monster heroes also took a page from Batman’s playbook and gave themselves utility belts.
Land of the Lost (1974 - 1976)
This popular ABC series from the ‘70s burrowed its way into the brains of many a young fan, proving to be a brand that warranted a big-screen adaptation starringWill Ferrellin 2007. The movie was a box office disappointment, but the show’s legacy emerged from that failure relatively unscathed.
Land of the Losttook two of our favorite things – alternate universes and dinosaurs – and combined them to create a cheesy-but-entertaining show about the Marshall family’s adventures in a realm that’s home to dinosaurs. Each week, the Marshalls struggled to survive their new home long enough to find a way back to their real one.
Big John, LIttle John (1976)
This underseen Saturday morning sitcom that suffered from less-than-impressive production values. But its solid premise makes it definitely worth revisiting. The first season, which ran for 13 episodes on NBC, told the story of a 40-year-old middle school teacher who drinks from the Fountain of Youth and is then able to turn into his 12-year-old self.
A lot ofBig John, Little John’s fun came from the complications that come with a teacher being able to turn into a younger version of himself that is around the age of his students. (Nevermind the more weirder and problematic issues of having “Big” John’s wife and child know his secret.)
Zoobilee Zoo (1986 - 1987)
This charming, Emmy-winning series was produced locally at WQED in Pittsburgh and it spared no expense on its visual flare.Zoobilee Zoo, hosted by actorBen Vereen, centered around a group of six actors dressed up as animal characters who call the Zoo home.
Our animal characters spent most episodes breaking into song and dance, impressing young viewers everywhere. ThoughZooended after one season, it ran for years in syndication with prominent airings on both The Learning and Hallmark Channels.Zoo’s ‘80s production values aside, its songs and wholesome atmosphere more than hold up in 2019.
