Friday, June 15, 2012

Sunday Funnies: Paw Paws (1985)

Paw Paws was one of the original components of the Funtastic World of Hanna-Barbera anthology package, launching in 1985. Formatted similarly to studio stablemates Smurfs and Biskitts, the Paw Paw bears live within their own little forest community, tucked away from the outside world.

Obviously, H-B didn't learn anything from the past. Where they had previously copied the successful formulas that made The Flintstones and Scooby-Doo iconic hits, now they tried to mine the vein that made Smurfs a worldwide phenomenon. Just like the Biskitts, however, the Paw Paws lasted just one season, despite a veteran voice cast that included Ruth Buzzi (ex-Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In), Scatman Crothers (ex-Hong Kong Phooey, Chico & The Man), and studio stalwarts like Frank Welker & Jerry Dexter.

Here's the open:



Of course, there also existed at the time another group of bears who were pretty popular thanks to some greeting cards----the Care Bears. That would do a lot to explain the Paw Paws' failure.

I barely remember seeing the show, but from what I did see, this was worthy of a second season---if it were on a network.

Rating: B.

2 comments:

magicdog said...

I never was a fan of this show, I couldn't help but think they were more about selling plush toys than anything else.

Interesting you bring up the copying of the Smurfs' format. Looking back, that's exactly what they ended up doing!

"Galtar" was the best thing about the "Funtastic World" package anyway.

hobbyfan said...

I will do a review on Galtar real soon.

I wasn't that big on the Paw Paws, either, but it was just something to pass the time.