A New Threefer.

As of today, I'll be posting thoughts about HB characters on both Saturdays and Sundays. And since tomorrow's a holiday, there'll be a bonus.

So now, my thoughts on the three components of "The New Hanna-Barbera Cartoon Show."

Wally Gator. Since he was taken from his home in the Everglades, and placed in a big city zoo, I understand his need to get out more. Mr. Twiddles should have been a bit more understanding, and more willing to bend the rules, or just let him go. Also, since the theme song calls him a "swinging alligator in the swamp," I believe the shorts should have taken place there instead of a zoo. Twiddles could have easily been an airboat captain instead of a zookeeper, taking passengers to see a gator in his own envrionment.

"Lippy And Hardy." Although I was able to see that Hardy Har Har was the eternal pessimisst, I none the less saw the humor in hurting his jaws each time he tried to laugh. And I also noticed that Lippy's prime scheme was to intentionally get himself and Hardy arrested and jailed just to get free meals and other "luxuries" that jail offered.

But my favorite episode about this pair was one in which a witch tried to turn humans into hyenas. At the end, she, Lippy, a king, and a prince fell into the cauldron, and turned into hyenas. Hardy then admitted he liked being a homely hyena, and said, "Welcome aboard, fellas!" I was rolling on the floor laughing by then.

Touche Turtle And Dum Dum. Here we had a hero in a half shell long before you know who. Of the three opening sequences of the cartoons on this show, this one was the most awesome. Touche puts out a dragon's fire with a hose, ties an octopus in knots, and also takes out a thunderstorm. "Touche Away!" That's what I say! And all the episodes had undeniably perfect humor, like Touche taking credit cards for his heroism.

I also saw that he and Dum Dum followed a rule H-B apparently had about swordsmanship. They could use their swords for fencing, but never, ever to stab or impale an opponent. Even cartoons had to draw the line somewhere, and I like that.

So again, I give these funny animals a high ratng. Way to go, H-B!

Cartoon Network used to show these shorts in between shows when there was time left over. Touche Turtle was fun because despite the little guy failing time and time again at first--he would eventually find a way to thwart the baddie he was hired to get rid of. I also liked how he always kept a phone inside his shell-- and his shell would ring before he answered it.

I used to think Lippy's name was Limpy. Someone had to correct me on a forum I used to go to.

Trivia Question 88: True Or False: Lippy's schemes to to intentionally get himself and Hardy thrown in jail are similar to an O., Henry story.

Trivia Answer: Yes. It was very much like "The Cop And The Anthem," in which Soapy knowingly commits crimes just to get free food in jail.