I'm a huge fan of "Jem and the Holograms". Years ago, one of the channels on cable here would show Jem, She-Ra and He-Man back to back. It was pretty fun viewing. Thanks for this! Been enjoying these.
He-Man was so great. Although I guess it would seem too masculine or bodybuilder now?? I still think it felt like an epic space. “I have the power!” I can hear it so vividly. I had a chat on Miter’s posts recently about this. Thanks Jon!
“Too masculine or bodybuilder now??” Wait up!!! Is that even a thing!?!? To borrow from Fran Lebowitz, no one told Nicolas.
So…and not being overly heavy or political (…really, I promise…)…there’s a cool subversive, queer space for him as a good iteration of identity, one claim of masculinity and bodybuilding, and that could continue now in a more nuanced way. And not be toxic. I’d like to think so.
I guess this claiming isn’t what Scheimer or Filmation intended, but hey, as with all creativity, what everyone does with the work once it’s created is out of reach of the creator in many ways. I’d like to hope that Scheimer might get it.
Totally agree with you, Nicolas. As a parent of a 5 year old, the cartoons these days tend to stay away from this though and things are mostly cute and cuddly. I’m sure Jon could historicise more.
You can’t have a more masculine name than “he-man” and that’s not a bad thing. :) it’s good for kids to explore lots of identities and ideas through TV/stories in my opinion! All the subversive parents are watching stuff on YouTube from the 80s and 90s anyway. There are other inclusive aspects that I think have developed in a positive way in kids Tv but sometimes things go too far in one direction, eh?
I've heard of He-Man but I've not watched it - She-Ra reminds me of lockdown, when I watched the show with my family (several times)! It's a great remake of a classic - I love the focus on female characters and modern storylines. Thank you for sharing :)
I have been meaning to go back and rewatch He-Man. It's been a long time. I wonder if I'll be able to sit through the half hour long toy commercial now that I am older. I wonder how engaging the story lines are now for someone who is nostalgic but not the target demographic anymore.
This was such an iconic 80s cartoon. I remember this one and all its spawned commercial swag/merch more than any other cartoon. Saturday Morning cartoons were a big deal in my house 🏠
Given that they had to overproduce material for syndication, the original series is actually one of the best television animation programs of its decade. It benefitted from having very good writing (J. Michael Stracyznski, creator of "Babylon 5", sold his first professional script to the show) and amazing direction, even in the lesser episodes that didn't entirely stick the landing.
Lou Scheimer was an amazing man. He started FIlmation in the 1960s and spent a couple of decades making Saturday morning shows before "He-Man". All the while, he was careful to work within the restrictions of television censorship imposed upon him to make programs with enduring values. The subtle and blunt moral lessons presented on this program are a trademark of his work. (I was very fortunate to interview him for my television animation history book before he died, and the personal warmth he had was astonishing for someone who had worked in Hollywood for so long.)
I certainly know how and why this show and others he made have influenced my writing and life, and I'm pretty sure other viewers know, too.
I'm a huge fan of "Jem and the Holograms". Years ago, one of the channels on cable here would show Jem, She-Ra and He-Man back to back. It was pretty fun viewing. Thanks for this! Been enjoying these.
Ohhhh the memories 😅
I remember watching this with my younger brother after school! Power to the older siblings!! :)
🤩 thanks for reading, am sure your brother was cool in his kit. 😁
Thanks so much. I appreciate you reading it 🤩
I know what you mean. Sometimes a rewatch ignites the child inside 🥳
He-Man was so great. Although I guess it would seem too masculine or bodybuilder now?? I still think it felt like an epic space. “I have the power!” I can hear it so vividly. I had a chat on Miter’s posts recently about this. Thanks Jon!
Hey Kate
“Too masculine or bodybuilder now??” Wait up!!! Is that even a thing!?!? To borrow from Fran Lebowitz, no one told Nicolas.
So…and not being overly heavy or political (…really, I promise…)…there’s a cool subversive, queer space for him as a good iteration of identity, one claim of masculinity and bodybuilding, and that could continue now in a more nuanced way. And not be toxic. I’d like to think so.
I guess this claiming isn’t what Scheimer or Filmation intended, but hey, as with all creativity, what everyone does with the work once it’s created is out of reach of the creator in many ways. I’d like to hope that Scheimer might get it.
Totally agree with you, Nicolas. As a parent of a 5 year old, the cartoons these days tend to stay away from this though and things are mostly cute and cuddly. I’m sure Jon could historicise more.
You can’t have a more masculine name than “he-man” and that’s not a bad thing. :) it’s good for kids to explore lots of identities and ideas through TV/stories in my opinion! All the subversive parents are watching stuff on YouTube from the 80s and 90s anyway. There are other inclusive aspects that I think have developed in a positive way in kids Tv but sometimes things go too far in one direction, eh?
Hey, sorry, saw this and had to share this post with you! https://miter.substack.com/p/salon-du-monde-blasters-of-the-puniverse
This is great, thanks for the share.
I love He-Man! We used to sing it at our PE teacher when he scaled a hedge to retrieval a lost football 😂
I too felt like He-Man the other day collecting all the lost footballs, tennis balls and shoes from the school roof. Thanks for reading Jack :)
I've heard of He-Man but I've not watched it - She-Ra reminds me of lockdown, when I watched the show with my family (several times)! It's a great remake of a classic - I love the focus on female characters and modern storylines. Thank you for sharing :)
A wee bit after my time, but an absolute favourite of my younger brother who had all the kit! Thanks for the nostalgia, Jon! :)
Sweet piece.
I have been meaning to go back and rewatch He-Man. It's been a long time. I wonder if I'll be able to sit through the half hour long toy commercial now that I am older. I wonder how engaging the story lines are now for someone who is nostalgic but not the target demographic anymore.
A childhood favorite of mine...it was only superseded for me by Voltron. Btw, that Dolph Lundgren movie was the worst...
You are so right! They needed to stick within animation. Thanks for reading.
This was such an iconic 80s cartoon. I remember this one and all its spawned commercial swag/merch more than any other cartoon. Saturday Morning cartoons were a big deal in my house 🏠
Snap, loved it! 😊
Given that they had to overproduce material for syndication, the original series is actually one of the best television animation programs of its decade. It benefitted from having very good writing (J. Michael Stracyznski, creator of "Babylon 5", sold his first professional script to the show) and amazing direction, even in the lesser episodes that didn't entirely stick the landing.
Lou Scheimer was an amazing man. He started FIlmation in the 1960s and spent a couple of decades making Saturday morning shows before "He-Man". All the while, he was careful to work within the restrictions of television censorship imposed upon him to make programs with enduring values. The subtle and blunt moral lessons presented on this program are a trademark of his work. (I was very fortunate to interview him for my television animation history book before he died, and the personal warmth he had was astonishing for someone who had worked in Hollywood for so long.)
I certainly know how and why this show and others he made have influenced my writing and life, and I'm pretty sure other viewers know, too.
You are so right. It took the world by storm at the time and hm has had a ripple of influence ever since. Thanks for this.