Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Eulogy for an old friend (Saturday morning cartoons)

Imagine I look like this while you read this blog
On September 27th of this year, an old friend of mine breathed its last breath. Though this friend was way older than me, I've known them all my life.This friend made me laugh, cry, gave me imagination, and most of all, woke me up early every Saturday morning.  This friend is, if you didn't guess by the title, is Saturday morning cartoons.

The best friends a toddler could ever ask for
As an 80s baby who grew up in 90s, I got to see the two greatest eras of Saturday morning cartoons. From cartoons based on comics books, to 30 minute toy commercials, I truly believed I soaked it all in, shaping some of my personality. I know it sounds insane but bear with me here, I can say I got my sarcasm from Raphael of the Ninja Turtles or Heathcliff, a sense of right and wrong from the Thundercats or M.A.S.K. and some my taste of music from Kidd Video (look it up). I'm not saying my parents didn't teach me anything but when you're a kid, you tend to listen to cartoons more than your parents. Well, until your parents threaten to whoop you.
Probably the reason for my obesity 

As I got older, I didn't watch as much many Saturday morning cartoons because if I didn't have to work, I was most likely catching up on sleep.When I did see them, with some exceptions, I wasn't really impressed with them. Within time, the big 4 channels (ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX) stopped showing cartoons altogether, leaving only the CW and after September 27th of this year, they stopped.

I find it a little sad because of the following reasons; 1. They've been around for forever. They were around when my parents were kids. I remember watching them with my parents (my mom always chuckled at "Cadillacs & Dinosaurs and Dad was pretty fond of "Real Ghostbusters") and my sister ( "Jem" was the only cartoon we could agree on to watch). I was hoping to one day watch them with my children but unless I have the internet, I won't be able to show them the classics. 2. I can't be the only person influenced by Saturday morning cartoons. Though we don't like it, Michael Bay is obviously a fan of them. I know books and life can influence kids but what better way to be influenced than to wake up on a 6 a.m. Saturday morning to watch 6-7 hours of animation??

Rest in Peace, Saturday Morning Cartoons. You are sorely missed
Always,
Me

P.S. Below are stills from some of my Saturday Morning Cartoons growing up and some of the morals they may have taught me...  
Teamwork
Family
Patriotism 

Music
Martial Arts
and... More Teamwork