10 Cartoons Starring Celebrities You Don't Remember

 Late last month was the 10th anniversary of Mike Tysons Mysteries. An animated cartoon that aired on cartoon networks adult swim, that made Tyson the center point of the cartoon.

                                  

The anniversary of the show made my brain start rattling through the archives of when cartoons were created just for celebrities. After all big name celebrities themselves are a brand, and they work to sell their brands. Usually these cartoons were nothing more than publicity and cash grabs, but some of them were quite entertaining. 

We remember Life With Louie and Jackie Chan Adventures. Here's a list of celebrity starred cartoons for lack of a better way to word it, you likely dont remember. Away we go.

10. Mister T

In the early 1980's fresh off his run as the villain in Rocky III and his role on the NBC hit A-Team, Mr. T was on top of the world. People were enamored with the gravel voiced, mohawk sporting, covered in jewelry Mr. T. Since his popularity was at a all-time high, he even had his own cereal and comic book. To continue to ride the wave, he was given his own cartoon debuting in the fall of 1983. 

The cartoon featured Mr. T  as a gymnastics coach who travels the world with his crew solving mysteries, pretty straight forward concept for a cartoon. It lasted for 3 seasons and featured interludes in the beginning and end of each episode featuring Mr. T in the flesh.

9. Karate Kommandos

Karate Kommandos was an attempt to cash in on the G.I. Joe craze that all the kid's loved in the mid-80's. Created by Chuck Norris and featuring a interpretation of him, this 1986 cartoon followed Norris is a covert ops government agent alongside his team of operatives all of different races. Facing off against a super villain by the name of Claw and his organization Vulture. Sound familiar? 

Since this cartoon was produced by the same company that produced Mr. T's cartoon, the format was the same. Episodes opened with Norris explaining the premise of the episode and closed with Norris talking to the audience providing a lesson learned that episode. The cartoon only lasted one season, but if interested a few episodes are on YouTube.

8. Hammerman

I previously wrote about how M.C. Hammer was a rock star in the early 90's, the man was truly everywhere. Commercials, dolls, soundtracks, sitcom appearances, you could not turn on the TV during that time and not see Hammer. So no surprise he received his own cartoon in 1991, Hammerman. Starring Hammer as Stanley a meek young man who has a pair of talking shoes in his possession, which once he wear's them he becomes the neighborhood superhero Hammerman.

Following the trope well known at that time, Hammer had a message at the beginning and end of each episode. The cartoon only ran for one season as Hammer's popularity was starting to wane and he no longer was considered "cool".

7. Kid 'N Play

Debuting in 1990, I'm kind of shocked this one was ever green-light. It followed rap duo Kid 'N Play, along with their producer Hurbie and DJ, DJ Wiz (both voiced by Martin Lawrence) and friend Jazzy. They would go about their day as teenagers trying to become musicians, getting into their teenager mischief. 

    
                                    
 

The cartoon get's brownie points for having the duo's hit single Rollin' With Kid N Play be the intro. The two would also appear live during interludes of episodes, to promote positivity to the audience.

6. New Kids on the block

Another musical act that was everywhere you turned in the late 80's and early 90's was New Kid's On The Block. The king's of boy band's during that era, they too had dolls, cereal, and lunch boxes. So it's no surprise following the trend in 1990 they were awarded their own cartoon. Following the band alongside their tour, they stumble upon an adventure at each tour stop. A bit different format from the norm in this genre that was actually different.

It's everything you'd think it would be, campy, maybe a little over the top, but it got the job done of selling the brand known as NKOTB.

5. Wish Kid

In the 1990's Macaulay Culkin had a run that made him arguably the biggest child star in film history. Fresh off his starring role in Home Alone and before his wave of mid-90's hits, Macaulay starred in a cartoon for NBC debuting in 1991. Following a young boy Nick who clearly is based on Culkin, who has a baseball glove that could grant wishes. It came with limitations, but granted enough wishes to get him in trouble.

The cartoon only lasted one season like most of its counterparts, but it was enjoyable while it lasted.

4. Camp Candy

Late comedian John Candy's cartoon debuted on NBC in 1989. It followed Candy as a camp counselor alongside fellow staffer Nurse Molly, teaching the kids attending his camp about the outdoors. At the same time staving off his arch nemesis Rex Deforest from destroying the camp at all costs. 

The show aired for two more seasons in syndication, and it wasn't until the third and final season that Candy began appearing in live segments for the show.

3. Mary-Kate And Ashley in Action

When I spoke about celebrities being brands earlier, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen are the personification of that idea. As they gained popularity from their joint role as Michelle Tanner on Full House, they branched out into TV-movies and straight to home video specials, along with another sitcom. It was only fitting to target their pre-teen market, they would venture into cartoon land which they did in 2001 on ABC.

The cartoon followed the duo as teenage special agents traveling the globe to support their mission. It only lasted one season, and in a break from the norm did not include the sisters in live action segments. Except for the intro which helped explained the double life nature of the storyline.

2. Jackson 5ive

If you're a 70's kid you remember this show, if you're a 80's/early 90's baby chances are you remember this show from the early days of the Cartoon Network. The animated series debuted in 1971 when the group were at their peak of popularity. It followed the brother's on tour with their manager Berry Gordy getting into several misadventures while on the road. An fictional animated version of Diana Ross would also appear in the cartoon from time to time.

The cartoon also featured live action concert footage of the band and the intro included photos of the brothers morphing into their animated counterparts. In addition, the intro was a medley of four of their biggest hits Stop The Love You Say, ABC, Mama's Pearl, and I Want You Back.

1. Pro Stars

Probably the best cartoon from the era of celebrities starring in cartoons. Pro Stars followed three of the greatest sports players to ever play their respective games. Michael Jordan, Wayne Gretzky, and Bo Jackson who doubled as secret agent heroes alongside being pro sports stars. They were usually called to action by a child in danger and would save the day by episodes end.

The cartoon debuted in September 1991 on NBC and didnt even make it an entire season. Ending in December 1991, not sure what caused the early cancellation but it was a missed opportunity.

Read More

Why We Still Love House Party 30 Years Later

“I don’t give a damn if Marvin Gaye ‘Gonna be there, you Won’t!”- Pops

That line sums up the basis of 1990’s House Party which has become a classic in the 30 years since it’s release. Released March 9th, 1990 and starring tarring rap duo Kid N’ Play, Martin Lawrence, Tisha Campbell, A.J. Johnson, and Robin Harris the movie was a film the culture didn’t know it needed until it was released. High schooler Kid gets into a scuffle with school bullies (Full Force members B-Fine, Bowlegged Lou, and Paul George) during lunch That causes Kid’s dad (Robin Harris), to ground him and keep him from the biggest party of the year thrown by his best friend  Play.

What ensues is a night of dodging bullies and the cops, getting the girl, and having fun. In the early 90’s most Black films highlighted inner-city youth and issues, and the aggression that a lot of Black youths harbor. House Party on the other hand showcased an often under depicted demographic middle-class Black youths who just want to get laid and have fun.

House Party carries so many attributes of the culture that still resonate today. Kid N’ Play and all their friends care about how they dress and look. They just want to rap and dance and look good doing it. Throw in sneaking out while you’re grounded, worried parents who are also pissed. Dealing with overzealous cops, high school bullies that look too damn old, and playing the game to get the girl. The soundtrack is a time capsule of late 80’s hip hop and r&b, and the now legendary New Jack Swing sound. Everyone knows and loves the classic dance off in the middle of the film between Kid N’ Play and Tisha Campbell and A.J. Johnson. 

We can’t forget the quotable lines that make the movie enjoyable to watch time after time. “I smell Pussy”, “follow the drip”, “What the hell is a Public Enema?”, “I would put my shoe so far up your ass, you’ll be shitting sneaker for a month.” "I'll fight a girl", "I know you will, I seen your ass get beat by a couple." And so many other lines you can still quote today, and those in the know will instantly get it.

House Party also is one of those movies that has a lot of stars or actors with consistent work, that you did not realize. Martin Lawrence is a comedy legend who starred in the classic sitcom Martin a couple of years later, and inspired a generation of comedians. Stand up legends Robin Harris and John Witherspoon displayed why their two of the funniest comedians ever. Tisha Campbell has built a nice career displaying her comedy chops between Martin and My Wife and Kids.  A.J. Johnson has built a fitness empire for herself. Everyones favorite scumbag Clifton Powell has an appearance. Funk legend George Clinton steals his scene as a DJ at a party. Daryl Mitchell, Anthony Johnson, Kelly Jo Minter, and Joe Torry all faces you may know more than the name, all have small appearances in the film.

House Party is a movie that those under 18 who watch it enjoy it because of some of the adult content, and looking forward to being in those at times dangerous but relatively harmless situations. Adults on the other hand can watch and relate to the carefree teenage days when you just needed to get home before your parents realized you were gone.

House Party has left a legacy between two direct sequels starring Kid  N’ Play, and a sequel starring music group immature that is related to the original strictly by title. There was also a sequel released in 2013 in which Kid N' Play make a cameo appearance. There are plans to reboot the original with Lebron James producing it, which goes to show how influential the film is years later.

It has made legends out of Kid N’ Play and let several Black youths know dance moves can get you the ladies. House Party is a simple film with a  simple mission, enjoy life and have fun doing it which is why we still love it 30 years later.    

Read More