Daily Dirt: Remembering Rocket J. Squirrel and Bullwinkle J. Moose on Saturday morning cartoons

Daily Dirt for Saturday, July 9, 2022

Ahhh, those were the days my friend, we thought they’d never end … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 334 of The Daily Dirt.

1. Like most baby boomers, cartoon shows were an important part of my formative years. Cartoons eventually took a backseat to things like baseball and … well, girls. But for a wonderful period in the early and mid-1960s, there was nothing more rewarding than camping out in front of the family’s black-white television and relaxing to the likes of Fred Flintstone, George Jetson and Yosemite Sam.

The following “medal winners” hold the fondest memories for me on those Saturday mornings when there was nothing more important in the world than trying to figure out exactly why Huckleberry Hound had blue skin.

• Gold medal: Today “The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show” (starring Rocket J. Squirrel and Bullwinkle J. Moose) would likely be considered an adult-themed cartoon. In the early 1960s, it was well ahead of its time and known for its quality writing, wry humor and satire. It was downright hilarious.
• Silver medal: “The Flintstones” was a comical look at prehistoric times fueled by the shenanigans of Fred, Barney, Wilma and Betty. FYI: The voice of Betty was provided for most of the cartoon’s run by Bea Benadaret, who later starred in “Petticoat Junction.”
• Bronze medal: “Mighty Mouse” was always my TV mouse of choice. “Mickey Mouse” always seemed like a dimwit, but “Mighty Mouse” was a mouse who could save the world — and often did.

2. This week we have a double dose of disgusting menu item from around the world:

• Escamoles are the eggs of the large black Liometopum ant. Popular in Mexico, escamoles have a buttery taste and a bit of a nutty flavor. Supposedly those litttle ant eggs are quite delicious in a taco with guacamole. No. Thanks.
• The dish is called “hasma,” and we can thank China for this little delicacy. While the French love the leg of a frog, in China they are more fond of the genitals. Hasma is made from the fatty tissue around the ovaries of frogs. No. Thanks. Again.

3. Fun fact: Ringo Starr, who turned 82 earlier this week, has never eaten a pizza in his life (due to various allergies). Ringo has, however, has starred in a Pizza Hut commercial.

Steve Thought O’ The Day
Another of my favorite cartoons growing up was “Jonny Quest.” If you are not old enough to remember Jonny Quest, Race Bannon and the rest of the team on this adventurous type cartoon, just think of it as a PG version of “Archer.”

Steve Eighinger writes daily for Muddy River News. It is believed Steve was wearing Scooby Doo pajamas when he was watching all of those Saturday morning cartoons, and he nicknamed his first car the “Mystery Machine.”