Remember that one day when you could wake up without an alarm? When you would get your favorite bowl of cereal and sit between the hours of 8 and 12? This is a blog dedicated to the greatest time of our childhood: Saturday mornings. The television programs you watched, the memories attached to them, and maybe introducing you to something you didn't realize existed. Updated every weekend.
MAIN
CAST: Bryan Scott – Kidd Video Gabriele Bennett-Rozzi – Carla Robbie Rist – Whiz Steve Alterman – Ash Cathy Cavadini – Glitter Peter Renaday – The Master
Blaster Robert Towers – Cool Kitty Marshall Efron – Fat Cat Susan Silo – She-Lion Hal Rayle – Toolbot (season 2) When MTV
launched in 1981 it ignited a revolution in the music industry. Their
ever-growing viewership offered greater exposure for artists and their music.
As a result, more and more money was being put into the production of the music
videos the station was supplied with to the point where many became mini
movies. Not ones to let a popular trend pass, DiC Enterprises
teamed up with Saban
Productions to produce a Saturday morning show catered to the MTV
generation: Kidd Video.
Kidd Video live and animated. Bottom picture from left: Ash, Whiz, Kidd, Glitter and Carla.
Kidd Video, created
by Jean Chalopin, Andy Heyward, Haim Saban and Shuki Levy,was named for the band who
was named for their frontman (how’s that for some inception?). Kidd (Bryan
Scott) was the lead singer, guitarist and keyboard player for the band. While
being a generally good friend who cared about his bandmates, there were times
his ego could inflate out of control and he’d need to be brought back to Earth.
Carla (Gabriele Bennett) was the band’s drummer and a bit of a party girl,
always looking for a good time and into keeping fit. She often served as the
voice of reason and frequently injected Spanish words when she spoke. Ash
(Steve Alterman) alternated between keyboards (particularly a small,
collapsible one called the Groove Machine) and bass and saxophone. Despite
being the biggest music lover in the group, his lyrics were always terrible. He
was also the token coward, often needing his friends’ support in dangerous
situations to keep moving forward. Whiz (Robbie Rist) played guitar and
keyboard and also sang lead vocals from time to time. He was the resident
genius, capable of inventing and building almost anything. He was also a little
selfish and short-tempered, often angered by his friends’ seeming inability to
take certain things seriously.
Master Blaster and the Copy Cats: Cool Kitty, She-Lion and Fat Cat.
As laid out in the show’s intro,
while the band was rehearsing in a warehouse, an animated despot named Master
Blaster (seemingly an evil music executive, voiced by Peter Renaday) appeared
in a mirror in a floating chair. He transported the band into an alternate animated
dimension known as The Flipside where music was a powerful commodity. He sought
to steal their sound and use it to strengthen his hold over the realm by either
conquering it or controlling its music (on some occasions, he’d just settle for
riches galore). Aiding him was his trio of incompetent henchmen and lousy band
known as the Copy Cats: literal humanoid felines comprised of the vain and
whiny She-Lion (Susan Silo); the constantly-hungry Fat Cat (Marshall Efron);
and the lazy and mellow Kool Kitty (Robert Towers). Master Blaster operated out
of and travelled around in a flying fortress that resembled a juke box. It’s
interesting to note that while all the characters wore the same clothing in
each episode, Master Blaster’s suit was given different color combinations each
time.
Glitter rocking that 80s fashion.
The
band got their own help in the form of Glitter (Cathy Cavadini), a tiny fairy
that gained super strength for a brief time whenever she sneezed, who rescued
them from Master Blaster when they arrived and stayed with them. Together, they
traveled around The Flipside as the band searched for a way to get home while
protecting the unusual citizenry (one whole town was comprised of vegetable
people that grew instruments, for instance) from Master Blaster’s machinations,
as well as freeing the other performing artists he captured. They did so in the
Kiddmobile, a large hovercraft that doubled as a mobile home for the band. In
the real world, it was actually Whiz’s 1984 Subaru Brat that was also
sucked in with them and their instruments and took on this new form.
The strange world of the Flipside.
Kidd Video debuted on NBC on September 8, 1984. The series featured a
blend of live-action and animation, with the actors portraying both themselves
in the real world and providing their voices in The Flipside. Each episode was
largely a showcase for popular music of the day. A Top 40 hit was played during
at least one scene, lip-synched by the Copy Cats via Master Blaster’s captives,
or somehow incorporated as an element of the story. Additionally, an excuse was
always made to show a minute-long snippet of a music video. The entire season
was written and story edited by Jim
Carlson and Terrence
McDonnell, and the characters were designed by Tim Gula and Barbara Pizinger. Animation
duties were handled by Cuckoo’s
Nest Studio. The visual style for the show was heavily influenced by the
videos airing on MTV and album artwork of the era (and, as one artist would
claim, lots and lots of drugs).
The show was a hit and was renewed
for a second season. Several changes were made; most notably the alteration of
the characters’ animated forms to closer resemble their actors. Carla’s skin
was made lighter in complexion and her tendency to drop Spanish words was
removed. Glitter was given slightly longer hair and a more pixie-ish face. Whiz
was far less homesick than he had been in the previous season, and invented an
artificially intelligent toolbox robot named Toolbot (Hal Rayle) that served as
his sidekick and friend. He also gained a vest over his shirt. And speaking of
vests, Kidd’s became a darker blue. This season was written by Dianne Dixon, Michael Maurer, Deborah Shelton and Levy, with
Tracy Mays serving as story editor. The night before the season premiere, the
live cast appeared on the preview special Back to Next
Saturday Morningto promote the
show.
Although Kidd Video’s
popularity quickly waned in the United States, in Saban and Levy’s native
country of Israel the show was incredibly popular. So much so, the band
actually went on tour in the country in 1987. As a result, a great deal of Kidd
Video merchandise
was only released in Israel, including an album
featuring 11 songs by CBS
Records; an audio story cassette recorded in Hebrew; candy bars; yogurt
cups; bed sheets; and a card game. In the United States, Helm Toys produced a
portable AM radio emblazoned with Kidd’s image.
One of the VHS tapes.
Kidd Video remained on NBC in
reruns until 1987 when CBS picked it up for
continued airing. In 1989, it was combined with another less-successful music-themed
DiC production, Wolf Rock TV, and aired in syndication as The Wolf
Rock Power Hour. The last known airing of the show was in 1992 on WGN (now NewsNation), when licensing for the
respective songs ran out resulting in the video clips being removed and the
music being changed to generic tunes. Golden Books Video
released six VHS tapes containing the original music but missing the video
clip. Four of the tapes contained one episode each, with the other two featured
three episodes. Because of the music rights issue, it’s highly unlikely further
releases or even a complete series release would ever happen. More episodes as
well as attempted fan recreations of the original broadcasts can be found on YouTube.
Following the end of the show, most
of the band had largely fallen out of the spotlight. Rist has been the most
active, continuing to do voice work, some on-screen acting, and playing music
with several bands locally. Scott had a few more voice acting roles and worked
in sound post-production. Bennett became a teacher and dance instructor, and
relocated to Germany in 2011. However, she did perform with Rist
in 2012 at Redballs Rock’n Roll
Pizza. Alterman has also continued voice acting, as well as working behind
the camera and playing music in local clubs. At one point, he and Rist had
their own band, The Beat Society. EPISODE
GUIDE: Season
1: “To
Beat the Band” (9/15/84) – The band must find a way to slow down the residents
of Neon City before they burn themselves out. Music
video: “All Night Long”
– Lionel Richie Songs:
“Running with the Night”
– Lionel Richie, “Electric
Avenue” – Eddy Grant “The
Master Zapper” (9/22/84) – Master Blaster plans to crash a concert put on by
their fan club and hit Kidd Video with a device that will turn them into their
exact opposites. Music
video: “Run to You”
– Bryan Adams Song:
“Somebody’s Watching Me”
– Rockwell “Woofers
and Tweeters” (10/6/84) – When the Kiddmobile gets stuck in the Lock Stock
Forest, they’re captured by the inhabitants as minions of Master Blaster. Music
video: “Owner of a Lonely Heart”
– Yes Songs:
“Footloose”
– Kenny Loggins,
“White
Horse” – Laid
Back “Barnacolis”
(10/13/84) – The Copy Cats steal the magical instruments of mermaids, causing
them to wail and awaken the destructive Barnacolis. Music
video: “Hungry Like the Wolf”
– Duran Duran Songs:
“The Safety Dance”
– Men Without Hats,
“Footloose” – Kenny Loggins, “Wrapped Around Your
Finger” – The
Police “The
Pink Sphinx” (10/27/84) – A homesick Whiz rescues a Beatburg city leader who
gives him a Pink Sphinx that can grant anyone a wish once a year while the Copy
Cats capture the others. Music
video: “Owner of a Lonely Heart” – Yes Songs:
“Somebody’s
Watching Me” – Rockwell, “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get
Enough” – Michael
Jackson “Cienega”
(2/16/85) – The band travels to Dismal Swamp for a cure for the disease Whiz
contracts and encounter a swamp monster. Music
video: Unknown Songs:
“Automatic”
– The
Pointer Sisters, “Footloose” – Kenny Loggins “The
Lost Note” (2/23/85) – Ash restores a city from stone after pulling a golden
note for a rock, becoming its king and allowing the power to go to his head. Music
video: Unknown Song:
“Don’t Answer Me”
– The
Alan Parsons Project “Music
Sports” (3/2/85) – The band goes up the cheating Copy Cats in the annual
Musical Sport meet for control of the Flipside music. Music
video: Unknown Songs:
“Owner
of a Lonely Heart” – Yes, “Automatic” – The Pointer Sisters, “Breakdance”
– Irene Cara “Chameleons”
(3/23/85) – While the rest of the band tries to free the Kiddmobile from desert
sands, Carla and Glitter enjoy a hot new dance club. Music
video: Unknown Songs:
“Karma Chameleon”
– Culture Club,
“The Safety Dance” – Men Without Hats “Euphonius,
the Melodious Dragon” (5/5/85) – The Copy Cats steal a dragon’s egg for Master
Blaster’s breakfast, and the resulting angry roar threatens to shatter the
jeweled Sparkle City. Music
video: “Missing You”
– John Waite Songs:
“The Reflex”
– Duran Duran, “Don’t Answer Me” – The Alan Parsons Project “Professor
Maestro” (5/12/85) – While the band employs a genius to help them get home,
Master Blaster targets the cause of his constant defeat: the Groove Machine. Music
video: “We Belong”
– Pat
Benatar Songs:
Unknown “Grooveyard
City” (5/19/85) – Master Blaster drops the band in the middle of a haunted
city. Music
video: Unknown Songs:
“Ghostbusters”
– Ray Parker Jr.,
“The Reflex” – Duran Duran “The
Stone” (5/26/85) – A giant bird takes Ash away, and the band learns that the
wise man who owns it may have just sent Ash home through a special stone. Music
video: Unknown Songs:
Unknown Season
2: “The
Dream Machine” (11/2/85) – Master Blaster steals and uses Whiz’s device to give
a town nightmares after they refuse to pay their music tax. Music
video: “Dancing on the Ceiling”
– Lionel Richie, “Crazy
in the Night” – Kim
Carnes Songs:
“Axel F”
– Harold Faltermeyer, “Relax”
– Frankie
Goes to Hollywood, “The Heat is On”
– Glenn
Frey “Double
Trouble” (11/2/85) – The band rescues a man whose bottled message they found,
and he ends up being Master Blaster’s brother Laster! Music
video: “Taken In”
– Mike and the Mechanics Songs:
“Master Blaster (Jammin’)”
– Stevie Wonder “No
Place Like Home” (11/9/85) – The band makes their way towards a town that looks
like their home and discover that looks can be deceiving. Music
video: “Point of No Return”
– Nu Shooz Songs:
“The
Heat is On” – Glenn Frey “Having
a Ball” (11/16/85) – The band transports the Lyric Box with all the lyrics yet
to be written, and it and Ash end up stolen by Master Blaster’s cousin. Music
video: “Dreamtime”
– Daryl
Hall Songs:
“Rhythm of the Night”
– DeBarge “Old
Time Rocks that Roll” (11/23/85) – The band investigates why a town of
vegetable people’s instrument crops keep disappearing underground. Music
video: “Don’t Forget Me (When I’m
Gone)” – Glass
Tiger, “Out of Touch”
– Hall & Oates Songs:
“I Love Rock and Roll”
– Joan Jett,
“Solid”
– Ashford
& Simpson, “Beat It”
– Michael Jackson “Starmaker”
(11/23/85) – Without fans of his own Whiz creates a device that will make them
for him, which the Copy Cats intend to steal to get in good with Master
Blaster. Music
video: “When I Think of You”
– Janet Jackson Songs:
“Everybody Wants to Rule
the World” – Tears
for Fears “Narra
Takes a Powder” (11/23/85) – When the Copy Cats hit Glitter’s cousin with a
music scrambling powder, she’s unable to create the whistle needed to keep her
land cold and a monster asleep. Music
video: “All I Need is a Miracle”
– Mike & the Mechanics Songs:
“Sussudio”
– Phil Collins,
“Beat It” – Michael Jackson “Race
to Popland” (11/23/85) – In order to keep their jobs, the Copy Cats trick the
band away from a contest where Master Blaster planned to steal their music. Music
video: Unknown Songs:
“Angel”
- Madonna “Master
Blaster Brat” (11/23/85) – The Copy Cats make a cake for Master Blaster’s
birthday that accidentally turns him into an evil toddler. Music
video: “Jumpin’
Jack Flash” – Aretha
Franklin Songs:
“Sussudio”
– Phil Collins “Twilight
Double Header” (11/23/85) – Ash’s singing keeps up a cyclops who is responsible
for the day and night cycle of a town and they must find a siren to put him
back to sleep. Music
video: “Daydream Believer”
– The Monkees Songs:
“Shout”
– Tears for Fears “A
Friend in Need” (11/30/85) – Away from the group, Carla must choose between
going home or helping an injured new friend. Music
video: “Everybody Have Fun
Tonight” – Wang
Chung Songs:
“Every Time You Go Away”
– Paul Young,
“Lay
Your Hands on Me” – Thompson Twins “Pirates
and Puzzles” (11/30/85) – When a flower turns Carla and Ash into plants and
disables the Kiddmobile, Kidd and Whiz borrow a pirate parrot’s ship to
retrieve the cure. Music
video: “Don’t Get Me Wrong”
– The Pretenders Songs:
“Rhythm
of the Night” – DeBarge “Who’s
in the Kitchen with Dinah?” (12/7/85) – The Copy Cats bungle getting a love
potion from Dinah for Master Blaster, spilling it on her and causing her to
fall for him. Music
video: “Take On Me”
– A-Ha Songs:
“Dancing in the Streets”
– Martha
and the Vandellas, “Be Near Me”
– ABC
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