Terrytoons
In an unusual week of programming all but one of the new series premieres this week were on the major broadcast networks. In 1955, CBS brought a series of animated theatrical shorts to television and basically created Saturday morning cartoons. In 1985, one of CBS’ most popular stars made her less than triumphant return to the sitcom format. In 1995, one of three animated series based on a Jim Carrey movie premiered, and in 2015 NBC tried to spoof the popular Spanish-language soap opera format. Scroll down to see all of the new shows that premiered this week, and tell us if you remember any of them.
1955
- December 10 – Mighty Mouse Playhouse (CBS, 12 seasons, last broadcast on September 2, 1967)
Mighty Mouse Playhouse featured animated short films starring Mighty Mouse. The series was credited with popularizing the character far beyond what the original short films had done, and it put Saturday morning cartoons on the map. The theatrical shorts were not as popular as the Looney Tunes, Woody Woodpecker or Tom & Jerry short films, but the character was still the most popular for producer Terrytoons. Mighty Mouse became a cultural icon through television. As the demand for theatrical shorts declined, Paul Terry sold the entire Terrytoons company to CBS in 1955. After the sale, Terrytoons under CBS only produced three more theatrical shorts between 1959 and 1961. Actress and singer Carol Lawrence provided the voice of Pearl Pureheart.
1965
- No new series premiered this week in 1965.
1975
- No new series premiered this week in 1975.
1985
MTM Enterprises
- December 11 – Foley Square (CBS, One season, 14 episodes)
- December 11 – Mary (CBS, One season, 13 episodes)
Foley Square starred Margaret Colin, Héctor Elizondo and Vernee Watson-Johnson. Co-stars Michael Lembeck and Cathy Silvers were second generation performers whose fathers were Harvey Lembeck and Phil Silvers, respectively.
Mary marked the return of Mary Tyler Moore to television after a six year absence. Her two previous series following The Mary Tyler Moore Show were variety programs and ratings disasters, so Moore decided to return to sitcoms with Mary. It unfortunately met the same fate. The show’s setting was the office of a Chicago tabloid, originally named Chicago Post in the series however the owner of the real Chicago Post requested the name be changed so as not to be associated with what he felt was a ‘sleazy newspaper’ on the series. The producers changed the name before the show aired. With the newspaper setting, many felt the show was trying to clone the success of Moore’s previous series set in a television newsroom. The show was paired with Foley Square on Wednesdays until February of 1986, and both went on hiatus until the end of March where CBS tried the shows, still paired, in a new time slot on Tuesdays but the move helped neither series. The cast also included John Astin, James Farentino and Katey Sagal.
1995
- December 9 – Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (CBS/Nickelodeon, Three seasons, 41 episodes)
CBS aired two seasons of Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, and a third premiered on Nickelodeon in 1999. Seth MacFarlane was one of the show’s writers. Michael Hall provided the voice of Ace Ventura. The series was one of three based on Jim Carrey movies that premiered the same year, and Ace Ventura: Pet Detective even had a crossover episode with The Mask as the two shows aired back-to-back. The characters retained their animation styles while appearing in the other’s show. The crossover was the Season 2 finale of Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, and the series finale of The Mask.
2005
- No new series premiered this week in 2005.
2015
Tall and Short Productions
- December 7 – Telenovela (NBC, One season, 11 episodes)
- December 13 – Married By Mom and Dad (TLC, Two seasons, 20 episodes)
Telenovela was a behind-the-scenes sitcom set at a fictional telenovela that is shot in Miami, Florida. Eva Longoria starred as the leading lady who does not speak Spanish. NBC originally ordered 13 episodes of the series, which was to be titled Hot & Bothered before being switched to Telenovela.