Throwback Cartoons That Deserve a Second Look: A Johnny Spoiler Deep Dive
From the mind of Binge-Watchers Podcast)
Okay, folks, it's time to gather ‘round, dust off the cobwebs, and take a deep dive into the real classics of the '60s cartoon scene—the ones that weren't blessed with endless reruns, merchandise deals, or a revamped movie trilogy. I’m talking about those obscure, barely remembered gems that either got lost in the shuffle or just didn’t get the credit they deserved. Ready? Let’s go on a trip back to the era when animation was still figuring out how to give us both a sugar rush and nightmares.
1. The Flintstones' Reincarnation: The Jetsons (1962)
Everyone remembers The Flintstones, but how many of you took the time to appreciate The Jetsons? A far superior Flintstones, mind you. Sure, Fred and Barney might have had a pterodactyl, but George Jetson had a flying car. Flying. Car. This show was so ahead of its time, they had robot maids, smart homes, and teleportation. Yet, we somehow couldn’t get a decent revival until the Jetsons movie in the '90s... because apparently, that’s what humanity needed after the ‘80s? A movie about robots in space? Anyway, if you haven’t seen it recently, it’s a whole other level of kitschy '60s futurism with all the charm of a space-age family sitcom.
2. Where the Heck Is The Magilla Gorilla Show? (1964)
Okay, real talk, who remembers Magilla Gorilla? No one? Yeah, that's what I thought. Let me remind you: he was a lovable, misunderstood gorilla living in a pet store, and the chaos that ensued when his owner tried (and failed) to sell him was sitcom gold. But this was not your standard Saturday morning cartoon. It was so zany, it felt like someone dropped acid in Hanna-Barbera's offices and said, "Make a cartoon about a gorilla that’s just... too lovable to be sold." Magilla could’ve been the original antihero. Instead, it went down as the kind of show you had to explain to people—if you were lucky enough to even find it.
3. The Herculoids (1967): All the Monsters, None of the Dignity
Here’s the deal with The Herculoids: if you want your cartoons to be about a guy named Zandor who rides a giant space lizard and fights creatures from another dimension, then this was your jam. If you didn’t, well... good luck finding another show like this. It’s like someone got the script for a classic superhero origin story and said, “You know what would make this better? Some of the weirdest alien creatures imaginable and a flying rock monster.” For those who got it, The Herculoids were amazing. For everyone else, they were way too ahead of their time. Imagine Star Wars if Luke Skywalker was too busy riding dragons to save Princess Leia. Total insanity.
4. Underdog (1964): The Original Underdog
There are some people who think Underdog is just a ridiculous premise—a superhero dog fighting crime while having a strange, unspoken rivalry with a cat. But let me tell you, Underdog was secretly a comedy masterpiece. Every episode was about a talking dog (with a secret identity, because obviously) who did battle with the town's worst villains. And if that doesn’t sound ridiculous enough for you, the dog sang in each episode. Yes, a crime-fighting dog who breaks into song. This wasn’t just a cartoon. It was a musical. And if you didn’t catch that gem in the '60s, well, I don’t blame you for ignoring it. It's the equivalent of having a Scooby-Doo mystery, but everyone in it is drunk on milkbones. Absolute brilliance.
5. Tennessee Tuxedo and His Tales (1963): Because Penguins Know Best
Oh, you’ve heard of Rocky and Bullwinkle, right? But have you ever seen the underrated gem that was Tennessee Tuxedo? Picture this: a penguin with a top hat and a bow tie solving mysteries and engaging in wild adventures with his dim-witted walrus friend, Chumley. The fact that this show wasn't a mainstream hit is beyond me. You’ve got a tuxedo-wearing penguin—basically, the animal kingdom’s version of James Bond—and what does he do? He educates children about the world through his wacky adventures. It’s like Bill Nye the Science Guy but with penguins and a lot less, you know, intelligence.
6. Shazzan (1967): Your Daily Dose of Shazam!
If you grew up watching Shazam on TV, then Shazzan is the cartoon you wish you had known about. This series is like the ‘60s version of Aladdin crossed with I Dream of Jeannie. A magical genie, a flying camel, and a couple of kids caught in the middle of it all—what could go wrong? Oh, everything. From the bizarre setup to the psychedelic color schemes, Shazzan was exactly what you’d expect from a ‘60s cartoon: equal parts confusing, charming, and inexplicably addicting. Just throw in some magical powers and call it a day. Classic.
The Conclusion You Didn’t Ask For
So, there you have it. A list of ‘60s cartoons that probably shouldn’t have been forgotten, but let’s face it—if you didn’t have the nostalgia glasses on, these gems would’ve been buried under an avalanche of Scooby-Doo reruns and Flintstones spin-offs. But they’re still there. Waiting. So, next time you want to relive the past, skip the mainstream hits and check out the stuff that truly deserves a second look. You might just discover a new obsession, or at the very least, you can be that person who knows about The Herculoids. You’re welcome.
And if you disagree with me, well, you probably need to take a good hard look at your taste in obscure animated gems.
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