If you’re my age, then you probably know and watched the Super Friends Saturday morning cartoon show when you were a kid. If you are unlike me, then you did not watch reruns of it after midnight in your 20s in college (NOT stoned, completely sober – no excuses for me). If you haven’t seen this show since you were a kid, you may have forgotten how utterly insane it was. This show is endlessly amusing to me.
I delight in watching Superman not using his powers out of sheer laziness. In watching Wonder Woman offer to be in charge of a schedule for helping balloon-like aliens as if they didn’t have an intern to do that. In the seemingly random things the Super Friends find shocking and the ones that don’t phase them at all.
It is a spectacle for the eyes, ears, and the “wait, what?” part of your brain.
So, for probably mostly my own amusement, I will be watching every episode (or until I grow tired of it) – one a week, in order to document the marvelous ridiculousness that is Super Friends. And so, I present to you:
Season 1 – Episode 1: “The Power Pirate”
Air date was September 8, 1973.
The Super Friends consist of Superman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Batman, and Robin. Wendy, Marvin, and Wonder Dog are the “Junior Super Friends.” They haven’t made partner yet. They also have no super powers other than Wonder Dog’s ability to almost speak.
Short synopsis: An alien comes to earth to steal energy because his planet used all theirs, thus wreaking havoc on lil ol’ earth. Superman solves the problem by deciding to “polish” their moon until it is “as smooth as glass,” allowing the aliens to…something about the sun.
Best Jerking Around Moment:
Superman pretends that he can’t beat Marvin at arm wrestling and the rest of the Super Friends jokingly discuss whether they should help Superman. This is happening during the WEEKLY SUPER FRIENDS MEETING. Which, Wendy baked a cake for.
Important Lesson and Theme:
“Don’t forget, not everyone has super strength. But, everyone has a brain. You can do super things with your brain.” -Batman
Hey, Can I Get a Ride?
You will never see a show more obsessed with how superheroes got somewhere. In this episode alone, they address the issue FIVE TIMES:
WTF Screenshot
Speaking of the nuclear power plant – here is its “start button.”
I love the post, because, like you I watched the SuperFriends back in the early 70s; but you forgot to mock the inappropriateness of a nubile teenager like Wendy sitting on Batman’s lap. And to ask the musical question, “Why does it look like Superman has his hand all the way up Batman’s Bat-Butt?”
Both excellent points! Luckily, there are hours and hours left of episodes to explore Bat-Butts and lap sitting.