The Occult Section is to blame for this post. They included a picture of Sigmund the Sea Monster in an article they wrote about a 55 foot sea monster washing up in China. It brought back a slew of childhood memories of paranormal TV shows from the 1970s.
It also got me to thinking about why I’m so key on the paranormal. I know why I love to travel. My parents instilled that in me. They were always packing me up and taking me on an adventure somewhere or other. When they weren’t sending me solo to visit family in different parts of the country, that is. I can remember being as small as five on a plane by myself to Phoenix to see my grandparents. (I also made solo trips on more than one occasion to California, Illinois, and New Jersey to see family during my youth.)
So that’s where I get my travel bug, but why the paranormal? Again, my mom and dad contributed to that I’m sure. They both had a penchant for the spooky and mysterious in their entertainment tastes. Which is maybe why I’ve always been partial such things as well.
But TV also probably had a huge influence. In addition to reruns of shows like the Munsters and the Addams Family, here’s some of the other paranormal shows I grew up on in the 70s:
- Scooby Doo (All time fave. To this day I’m still a big Scooby Doo fan!)
- Land of the Lost (not sure it’s quite paranormal, more sci fi, but those Sleestaks were some freaky creepy monsters to my child’s mind)
- H.R. Pufnstuf (LOVED this show. Maybe now I’d hate it. Haven’t seen a re-run in ages, but back then? Very close second to Scooby Doo.)
- Sigmund and the Sea Monsters
Here’s some clips I found on YouTube of the intros to the shows mentioned above. In case you want to take a trip down memory lane too. Or, for you young whippersnappers, who might want to acquaint yourself with the groovy shows my generation grew up viewing.
The next two are slightly different versions of the Scooby Doo openings I remember from Saturday Morning cartoons. The first one is the one I remember most, but the second one is the one that I always liked best.
And then there were the commercials. Like this one for one of my favorite cereals growing up: Count Chocula. I’d always ask for it in his accent. “Count CHOC ula please!” (Very dramatic, just like how he did it, with my arms up over my head and my eyebrows raised. Now I understand why that always made people laugh…I was RiDONKUlous!)
What were some of your favorite TV shows as a kid?
Courtney Mroch is a globe-trotting restless spirit who’s both possessed by wanderlust and the spirit of adventure, and obsessed with true crime, horror, the paranormal, and weird days. Perhaps it has something to do with her genes? She is related to occult royalty, after all. Marie Laveau, the famous Voodoo practitioner of New Orleans, is one of her ancestors. (Yes, really! As explained here.) That could also explain her infatuation with skeletons.
Speaking of mystical, to learn how Courtney channeled her battle with cancer to conjure up this site, check out HJ’s Origin Story.
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What about Jonny Quest *wink*
You know, I *almost* included Johnny Quest. I loved that show too. You’re making me think I should have!
Hey, I give shout outs where inspiration comes from. That’s what you did. Inspired a trip down memory lane. So funny! Neat to know we have shows from our youth in common too.
Don’t forget Casper or my favorites Duck Tails and Chip & Dale’s Rescue Rangers.. both had a number of paranormal episodes. Two of the most influential shows of course were Shadow Chasers (1986-re-runs) and Kolchak the Night Stalker.
Ahhh. Good times! I remember all of those shows/commercials! Incidentally, my hubby told me the original Scooby Doo van (used for promotion) recently sold on Ebay. Of course; he waited until AFTER it sold!
I should sic a sleestak on him for that one.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! What a classic comment, Brenda!
OMG! I loved Duck Tales, PW! Shadow Chasers…that’s one I don’t know either. Have to check that out along with that Freaklinks you introduced me too.