Before any of you point it out, no these were not “technically” commercials. They were more along the lines of Public Service Announcements. But this is my house, so these are my rules.
The “Timer” psas started airing in the 1970s, and my friends and I ate ‘em up! Timer was a little yellow guy with noodle-like arms and legs, who would teach kids about good eating and sleeping habits through catchy songs. Well, like this…
Timer would appear every week during your favorite ABC cartoons. And I, for one, would anxiously await his next bit of advice. Like this one …
Ah, Timer. It’s good to see you again. And I want you to know old friend, that I still “hanker for a hunk of cheese.” Except, now my doctor says I have to cut back because of high cholesterol. *sigh*
Clacked by Tara Shrodes
on Feb 25, 2011 @ 20:16 EST5EDT
Those were some of my favorites. I almost remembered all the words to the hunk o’ cheese song, and the orange juice popcicles, LOL! These and Schoolhouse Rock made commercial breaks tolerable. I also remember lots of Toucan Sam and Smack’em the Sugar Smacks frog.
After these messages, we’ll be right back!
Ah, Timer. LOVED those little bits of film… like Schoolhouse Rock, it taught me a lot about life. Yes, Children of the 70’s, it’s Time for Timer!
*POST AUTHOR*
I’m thinking that Michael and I should take on some School House Rocks based on your comments!
Schoolhouse Rock?!! Yes, please! I don’t have many of these, but it would definitely be a “squee” moment for me. On the downside I now have “Conjunction Junction” fighting with “Interplanet Janet” for dominance in my head. The songs just keep going and going…
It really would be a pleasant trip back in time to talk about Schoolhouse Rock.
**sigh** I never saw these…too old I guess! And not sure if my boys did either…they didn’t really watch cartoons ..don’t know why..just their choice!
*POST AUTHOR*
You, my dear Mikki, are not “old.” You’re like a fine vintage wine … with an excellent sense of humor!
I remember those! (№. 2 more than 1, though—I was born in the late 60s, after all!) Now I want some cheese and juice, darn it!
*POST AUTHOR*
You’re in luck David! This review comes with “virtual” cheese and juice…
Oh. My. Gawd! What a surprise it was to see the first video. I haven’t seen it since it originally aired, but to this very day when we want cheese, both my wife and I still say, “I hanker for a hunk o’ cheese.” I kind of twisted the second suggestion into something less than healthy as I used to put chocolate milk in the ice tray instead of juice. But hey, cacao beans grow on a tree so it’s fruit, right? RIGHT?
I don’t know exactly when in the 70’s those little PSAs played, but I’m one of those kids who never outgrew cartoons. I was born in 1960 and could be found suffering through a hangover while watching Saturday morning cartoons during my college days. In my half-century on this Earth I still enjoy the occasional cartoon, Spongebob and Shaun the Sheep being two of my current favorites, and I’ll watch Scooby Doo any time. Who can resist any Aardman animation at any age?
THANK YOU for “re-hankering” me! Tomorrow I’m going to play that for my wife so she and I can annoy our kids by singing the song every chance we get.
You’re welcome Tom! See? Timer makes *everyone* happy! (Except maybe your kids :)
. . . . .
Educational note:
Timer was voiced by the late, great Lennie Weinrib who not only played the roll of H.R. Pufnstuf, but wrote all the episodes as well.
He was a fantastic voice-over actor with a hefty bio of programs, both live and animated …
Thanks for that tidbit, Michael. I never knew that, but I guess if you listen to the accent he has in the cheese bit you can hear Mr. Pufnstuf in there.
Okay, where’s the Schoolhouse Rock? I’m getting bored already! (Told ya I never grew up)