What Ever Happened to Saturday Morning Cartoons?

As a 6-year-old, Saturday mornings were the most important part of my week. They were like a little Christmas. Why you may ask, because on Saturday Morning meant Cartoons. I would make sure my room was clean and my chores were done Friday night just so I wouldn’t be interrupted. We had three channels, that you actually had to get up to change, full of cartoon fun for all. From the time I got up until around 1:00, my Mom knew actually where to find me, in front of the TV.

There was some daily programming on PBS stations in the 1970’s. Shows like Sesame Street which still airs to this very day. Zoom or the Electric Company, which featured stars like Morgan Freedman, Rita Moreno and Bill Cosby talk about your humble first jobs.

From that meager beginning cartoons have evolved to into the entity they are today. A multi-million dollar industry that completely consumers our children’s world. They can watch cartoons 24 hours a day 7 days a week on any number of stations that have nothing but cartoons or programming gears towards entertaining children and younger teens.

I found it interesting that the first Primetime cartoon aired during 1956 called the CBS Cartoon Theater hosted by Dick Van Dyke. The Flintstones and The Jetsons both sent some time in Primetime during the early 1960’s. So when exactly did the cartoon industry break out of their Saturday Morning time slot?

The Disney Channel debuted in 1983 with shows like 1950’s era Mickey Mouse Club, Good Morning Mickey, Welcome to Pooh’s Corner and Donald Duck Presents. The station was only on the air for 18 hours a day. In December 1986 the Disney Channel started airing 24 hours a day. back then they once aired mostly animated programming they now have sitcoms such as Hannah Montana and Life with Derek to entertain a slightly older audience.

The Simpsons brought cartoons back to Primetime on a weekly basis when they aired the half-hour show on December 17, 1989. The Simpsons are in their 20th season with well over 400 episodes under their belt. The Simpsons were introduced to the American public as part of the Tracy Ullman show on April 19, 1987.

Other broadcasting company soon noticed the success of the Primetime Cartoon programming as a result more Channels followed the Disney Channel in the early 1990’s. Nicktoons first aired on August 11,1991 and Turner Broadcasting launched The Cartoon network on October 1, 1992.

Even though my children will never know the thrill and anticipation of waking up on Saturday morning to watch Johnny Quest and Archie’s Gang at least they can watch the classics in reruns 24 hours a day 7 days a week.