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Did NBC Really Hate Rocky & Bullwinkle?
Not sure just where this article originated or the year, but a friend had it on his site. It involves NBC trying desperately to get rid of Bullwinkle, the adult-oriented Jay Ward cartoon that’s still one of my all-time favouites from the early 60s.
Apparently the show was insulting to the network, especially when the Moose and Squirrel killed and roasted a peacock, NBC’s trademark image. The article indicates there were constant wars with the censors, including using celebrity names without permission. One of the best was when the duo was looking for a magical hat called the “Kurwood Derby,” an obvious reference to Candid Camera co-host Durwood Kirby. Even as a kid, I got that one!
The thing ends by noting it wouldn’t be surprising to see the show jump ship. And indeed, it did. When I was young, I remember watching it on ABC. Have to say I have no memory of it ever airing on the Peacock Network. Dead or alive.
- Shorty Wave
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Re: Did NBC Really Hate Rocky & Bullwinkle?
Hey Rocky, watch me pull a rabbit out of my hat! Used to be one of my favourite cartoons too as a kid. Watched it a few years back and man, it was quirky!
- mace
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Re: Did NBC Really Hate Rocky & Bullwinkle?
The Bullwinkle Show did indeed run on NBC in the Sunday 7pm timeslot during the 1961-62 season. Up against Lassie and Maverick, I suspect poor ratings had more to do with its cancellation than censorship issues.
- betaylored
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I believe the Rocky and Bullwinkle team gave us "Fractured Fairytales" which were my favorite part.
I can hear the intro music right now.
The bespectacled boy and the beagle cartoons were alright too. ;)
- newsguy1
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Re: Did NBC Really Hate Rocky & Bullwinkle?
Some trivia.
Natasha Fatale was voiced by actress June Foray -- but she was also the voice of Rocky. She also did Nell Fenway of Dudley Doright -- and granny in the Tweety Bird cartoons/
She also was one of the Smurfs.
She lived to be 105.
- Doug Thompson
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Re: Did NBC Really Hate Rocky & Bullwinkle?
For many years, the Dudley Do-Right Emporium aka The Bullwinkle Store, was located at 8200 Sunset Boulevard, right beside Jay Ward's production office. Ward's wife ran the store. During the years I lived in LA, I would visit often buying original animation cells from the Rocky and Bullwinkle and George of The Jungle series. Usually, Mrs. Ward would ask me, "Would you like Mr. Ward to sign it". I would always say "yes, please". She would call the office and Jay, with his magnificent handlebar moustache would trot in, sign my cell and trot back to the office. So, I now have a collection of over a dozen original animation cells signed by Jay Ward. I also met June Foray on my honeymoon in Edinburgh, Scotland. She was there for an animation festival. We became friends and I hired her to do the voice of Rocky for a comedy bit during the first year if 'Radio Kandy' in 1989.
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Re: Did NBC Really Hate Rocky & Bullwinkle?
One of my prize possessions from that store is this T-shirt. A bit faded by time, but still wonderful. Proving that, when they tried to do something, they would always "do right."
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