Television - 3/22 - Retroland

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

He’s the leader of the pack, the guiding light that leads Santa on his journey every year, ensuring that all those gifts make it safely to a cozy resting place under the tree. His name is Rudolph, and for over four decades, kids have eagerly tuned in as the holidays draw near to share his adventurous journey - in the beloved, 1964 animated special, Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer.

A Charlie Brown Christmas

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It’s virtually impossible to avoid the tidal wave of commercialism that accompanies each holiday season, sending shoppers scurrying to the nearest department store to empty their wallets. Perhaps to provide some counterbalance, a quaint little cartoon airs each year, serving as a reminder that other aspects of Christmas might be more worthy of celebration. A favorite since it first aired in 1965, A Charlie Brown Christmas has touched the hearts of millions of television viewers with its back-to-basics approach to Christmas. Its enduring success stems from its charming simplicity, endearing characters, and an infectious, jazz-laced musical score that replays in one’s memory long after the cartoon’s conclusion. Join us as we take a look back at this beloved classic.

Santa Claus Is Coming to Town

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Few holiday specials are as well remembered and beloved as the collection of stop-animation offerings from Rankin/Bass Productions that originated in the 60s and 70s. Today, we look back at the 1970 classic, Santa Claus Is Coming to Town, a charming tale that taught many of us the evolution of the big jolly guy in the red suit.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas

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Ask any random group of people what their favorite annual holiday television show is you will likely get substantial votes for How The Grinch Stole Christmas. Based on a children’s book of the same name, written in 1957 by Theodor Geisel (better known as Dr. Seuss,) the characters were brought to life (in animated form) on television for the first time during the Christmas season of 1966 and over 40 years later, there are no signs of diminished popularity.

The Little Drummer Boy

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From the Production Company of Rankin/Bass, creators of such timeless holiday classics as Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman, came another beloved stop-action animation offering for the Christmas season – The Little Drummer Boy. And, like most of their seasonal offerings, it is fondly remembered by many who still make it part of their annual viewing tradition.

Northern Exposure

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A classic fish-out-of-water story if there ever was one, Northern Exposure was one of the cleverest, quirkiest and most under-appreciated television series in the 90s. Following the lives of a collection of colorful characters in a small Alaskan town, the show received an avalanche of critical accolades and developed a faithful and smitten fan following that persists to this day.

WKRP in Cincinnati

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving

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Thanksgiving is a time of traditions, and for kids of the past few decades, one of the most beloved of them, besides the behemoth meal, is curling up in front of the television to watch the classic animated special, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving. Created by master illustrator Charles M. Schulz and filled with all of his colorful Peanuts characters, this seasonal cartoon has delighted kids for over 35 years.

The Bugs Bunny Show

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A half-hour of sheer fun kicked off every Saturday morning, with kids across the nation curled up in a blanket and a box of cereal at their side, ready to be entertained. All the Warner Bros. favorites were there – Bugs, Elmer, Porky, Daffy, Wile E. and their many colorful cohorts – taking turns in one cartoon misadventure after another. The Bugs Bunny Show, in its many incarnations, meant that the weekend had arrived – to millions of children over a 40-year broadcast run.

You Can’t Do That On Television

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One of the first big hits to emerge on the up-and-coming Nickelodeon cable channel, You Can't Do That On Television (YCDTOTV) quickly endeared itself to young viewers with its bathroom-humor-laced sketch comedy performed by kids. But the show will always be best remembered for introducing the young populace to green slime, a substance that is now a trademark for the Nickelodeon brand, thanks to this long-running series that was required daily viewing for many an 80s kid.