For one season in 1969/70 there was a partially animated show called My World and Welcome to It. It was a sitcom, in some ways typical, but based on the humor and cartoons of James Thurber, although by the time this series was created Thurber had been dead for about 8 years. The show featured a Thurber-like writer called John Monroe, played by William Windham. He had his normal work and family life, but often had these fanciful imaginings portrayed in line style cartoons. The animation for the series was done by DePatie-Freleng, who were also responsible for the Pink Panther cartoons. I would have been six when this show aired and I remember being fascinated by it!
I loved Thurber's drawings and his humor...and as an adult learning more about Thurber, I have come to appreciate him ever more. I mean, in 1929 this guy wrote a spoof of sexual psychology manuals with E.B. White (you know...Stuart Little, Charlotte's Web!) Thurber himself wrote several children's books, including Many Moons and 13 Clocks.
I learned later that My World and Welcome to It, lead to the 1972 Jack Lemmon film, The War Between Men and Women. I haven't seen that in a long time, but if I recall it had that similar charm and it definitely had the distinctive, Thurberesque animations. I also later learned that CBS repeated My World and Welcome to It during the summer of 1974 and it turned up occasionally on local stations, most recently in the early 90s on Chicago's WGN. Since then this clever series has vanished. Since I feel like I remember it so well, it is possible that I may have seen it in 1974, but definitely not since then. I would SO buy the dvd if they would issue it.
I can't help but wonder if I had this show in the dark corners of my mind when I named this blog originally (My Boring Life...Welcome to It). Anyway, I guess this show is one of the legions of one season wonders. I know I have a few favorites in that category, including Wonderfalls, Freaks & Geeks, and Undeclared, just to name a few. Do you have a show that is especially memorable from your childhood? Do you have a favorite one season masterpiece? Tell me about it!
12 comments:
This sounds like a very unique and fascinating show. I will be on the lookout for it on DVD or TV. I thought you were recalling your original blog name by the title.
I can't think of any memorable one season shows from my childhood. If I think of any, I will return to let you know.
I loved reading about this Laura, it was very interesting... you have a knack for holding someones attention and making a subject something of interest to anyone.
I can't think of a one season show but I know most of memories of childhood are tied up with Sunday mornings watching Little House on the Prairie and The Waltons.
(that Nellie was a meanie!)
Brilliant post!
i can't think of any one season shows ffrom my childhood - but I did really like Life on Mars - it was on ABC this year and they cancelled it - so it was a one season show.
I agree with daffy's comments about your writing, BTW.
I remember a cartoon called Deputy Dog I liked as a child; I tended to like cartoon characters that were a bit stupid. Huckleberry Hound was another favourite. Can't remember any one season shows but I'm sure there were some.
My mother was a big Thurber fan and back then... we never missed a show!
AlienCG: I remember how much I enjoyed it and it makes me really want to see it again.
I know you don't watch that much episodic tv anymore, so you may not have as many one season hits to mourn as a slacker like me :-)
Daffy: Thank you for your kind words..and it is so great to see you again!
I LOVED Little House on the Prairie and The Waltons :-)
Crazy4Coens: I never watched Life on Mars, although it actually sounded very interesting. They don't give shows much time to develop their audience, it seems.
Thank you, too...that is nice of you :-)
FW: haha! You liked those dogs with funny voices :-) You know who's cute and has an English accent? Kipper the Dog! I love him.
Ananda: I guess our moms must have had something in common! Do you remember it? Did you like it?
Although I can't think of any shows I liked as a child that only lasted one season, I did have some favorite shows that lasted awhile:
The Muppet Show
Nickolodean's "Pinwheel" and "You Can't Do that on Television"
Alf
Silver Spoons
Scooby Doo
Thundercats
and
Bill Nye the Science Guy
Tara: Ooh, all good choices :-) I've always been a big Bill Nye fan too.
Oh, I love Freaks and Geeks! And this is a show I'm making a mental note of, want to see it.
Been meaning to read Thurber's 13 Clocks. Also wanting to read Roald Dahl's work... been ages since I read one of his works.
Hmmm, shows that are memorable from my childhood... Bugs Bunny cartoons were always my favorite. I liked the Ninja Turtles as well. My parents didn't let me watch tv before noon (hated it but thankful for it now, haha), so I missed out on some of the cartoons :)
Sebastien: If you find this show anywhere, please let me know. I'd love to see it again.
Thurber and Dahl are both a great pleasure to read. Funny, quirky, hints of a dark side :-)
Ninja Turtles are fun. When my boys were small they had a HUGE collection of the little action figures.
I used to wish I had been born a ninja turtle. Like really truly. haha
Sebastien: Did you have a favorite? I always had a fondness for Donatello, the intellectual turtle. haha!
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