Cartoons that shaped my childhood: 1

Tuesday, December 21, 2010 5:04 PM By Simon , In


Because I don't feel like reviewing Exit Through the Gift Shop.

1) Recess
A Disney afternoon show (previously on, I dunno, ABC or something), about the goings-on during the recesses of one PS 113, aka Third Street School, specifically centering on six fourth graders making up a regular band o'misfits--TJ, the chubby little leader, Vince, the designated Black Guy who's also really good at sports, Gretchen, nerd with unbelievably big teeth, Spinelli, the badass tomboy chick of indeterminate ethnic makeup, Mikey, the large, pacifistic dude with a Robert Goulet's singing voice, and Gus, the new kid who's son of an army general and is also really, really boring. Trying to thwart their shenanagins is Principal Prickly, who is indeed quite prickly, but also very put upon, and with an admirable mustache, and Miss Finster, the BAMF playground moniter and, I don't know, fifth grade teacher or something.

The animation was terrible (something I didn't quite remember until I recently rewatched what used to be my default afternoon film, Recess: School's Out), the writing could be shit, the characters one-dimensional, and sometimes, quite annoying. But guys. At the time of my viewings--something like first and second grade--this shit was motherfucking accurate. It made schoolyard politics as dramatic and Serious as they felt. Tons of They Call Him Barkeep characters, various dramatic events like rainy days, where you're cooped up in the cafeteria with a bunch of hysterical banshees you didn't realize you had, at best, ambient feelings towards until right then, that one kid who always told on you. This shit? A less gonzo version of my pre-pre-adolescent life.

And let's face it. You love the Kindergartners.

5 comments:

Robert said...

I loved this show. Can't say it shaped my childhood, but definitely was a part of it. Can't wait to hear what other shows shaped your childhood! :D

December 21, 2010 at 8:04 PM
SugaryCynic said...

oh man, I remember Recess. My younger brother watched it all the time. I remember going to see the movie with him (ok we're only 3 years apart, I sort of enjoyed it as well). What I liked most about it was the same thing, how random kid crap becomes a Life Or Death situation when you're a munchkin.

December 21, 2010 at 8:49 PM
Sam Turner said...

Great memories, we used to get this over in the UK too on Saturday mornings. Remember it in much the same way you do although I suspect it's one of those shows that won't have aged well.

December 22, 2010 at 3:14 AM
Simon said...

Robert: You will, my good man.

Sugary: And I didn't even touch upon the perils of Not It.

FIlm Intel: It ages well if you don't.

December 25, 2010 at 2:17 PM
Andrew K. said...

Damn, I loved RECESS. This show is awesome, and so are you for mentioning it.

December 26, 2010 at 3:59 PM