TigerSharks
Ep. 216 is live!
Well here we are, week three and the third show in what seems to have been an accidental trilogy on the part of Rankin/Bass. Thundercats had proven to be quite the goldmine, while Silverhawks lived up to its name by being a reasonable silver medalist...but what of the third offering that saw humanoid animal hybrids in out of this world adventures? We certainly get into it this week when we discuss TigerSharks. By no means a runaway hit, TigerSharks did leave its mark on 80's cartoon & toy related pop culture, but mostly with the deeply obsessed sort (being completely self aware here). While Thundercats enjoyed four tremendous seasons, and Silverhawks managed to have a solid single season of 65 episodes, TigerSharks fared the worst of the three. TigerSharks managed a single season of 26 episodes, and was NOT a stand alone series, but rather part of a package by Rankin/Bass called The Comic Strip, a programming block that saw other offerings from Rankin/Bass such as Karate Cat, Mini-Monsters (starring a YOUNG Seth Green!), and Street Frogs. While the animation was handled once more by Pacific Animation Corporation, and many of the character designs were compelling, the show had its hiccups. For starters, when compared to the opening theme for Thundercats and SilverHawks, TigerSharks opener is a stark departure from what we had become accustomed to for animated drama and action. Where Thundercats and SilverHawks took a more dramatic and compelling approach, Tigersharks almost seemed jazzy, and certainly far too upbeat. Additionally, the opening is a bit too frenetic and jarring. Thundercats and SIlverhawks had quick cuts in their openers that gave us action, but also had some decent establishing shots or some slight pauses. Not TigerSharks, it was all action, and it also seemed to try to showcase the effects of the Fishtank (the source of The TigerSharks ability to change in an animal form) on the characters. Coming into this blind as a kid, it just looks weird. Finally, I'd say a detriment to this show was its villains, as they certainly weren't compelling. Jason really said it best on the episode: evil for the sake of being evil is kind of lazy. Even as a kid it's boring, and you're left with little reason to care. Mumm-Ra and the Mutants? They wanted the Eye of Thundera for its power. Mon-Starr and his gang in Limbo? He was a mob boss concerned with money and power by any means necessary, constantly scheming, and ever pissed when the SilverHawks foiled his plans. These are things we can get behind. Evil for the sake of being evil, no thank you. Still, one has to admit one hell of a positive...the animation wasn't bad at all, and the designs were pretty damn cool. I'd say Octavia was a favorite, her coloring definitely aided in that, but everyone had a great look to them. Yes, even Walro.
Hey, what sort of nostalgic podcast would we be if we discussed a cartoon without talking about related toys or merch, right? Unlike Silverhawks, but totally like Thundercats, TigerSharks landed at LJN. We were delivered one wave of figures that featured a flip-head gimmick to recreate the metamorphosis process for the heroes. Between the line's limited run, as well as the lack of durability over time for the flip-head gimmick, TigerSharks have become rather spendy on the secondary market for loose and carded figures alike. LJN did showcase additional toys to supplement the first wave, such as Dragonstein, The Sark vehicle, and a Fish Tank playset, but with the show's cancellation these additions would not see production. 3-D printing artists and customizers have been known to make their own versions of some of these pieces, so stay frosty on eBay and you too could have your very own Dragonstein or Fish Tank. Outside of these toys, there really wasn't much product save one item, that I WILL have someday...The TigerSharks lunchbox. It will be mine.
That will wrap things up this week for Yesterdaze, and it closes the chapter on the efforts of Rankin/Bass to entertain us in the 80's...But join us Next week, won't you please, as we crack the time barrier, jaunt past the 80's, right out of the 90s, hell..we're even leaving the aughts behind us. The boys and I jump to 2011 to discuss a polarizing update for a legacy property that saw returning talent, some nods to the past, and ultimately the last collaboration between Arthur Rankin Jr. and Jules Bass. Join us next Monday as we discuss Thundercats 2011, and just what the hell happened for this nostalgic cash grab to underperform. It is of course the penultimate episode in our epic five week month celebrating Larry Kenney. Folks, you won't want to miss it. Thanks for checking us out this week, we will of course see you next Monday, and as always...Enjoy!
