Another Hanna Barbera alumni of the USA Cartoon Express, Space Ghost was a bit different than the rest of the lineup. Rather than a lighthearted comedy, this ‘toon featured the strange adventures of an intergalactic superhero. Space Ghost flew around the galaxy in the Phantom Cruiser with the help of his sidekicks Jan, Jace, and Blip. Facing challenges from baddies like Zorak, Moltar, and the evil doppelganger Space Specter, Space Ghost episodes often included crossovers with other cartoons like The Herculoids and the Teen Force.

The main appeal of Space Ghost these days comes not from the quality of the show, but from how over-the-top cheesy it was. The plots always involved some sort of diabolical scheme that must be thwarted by Space Ghost, who was voiced in a stilted, ham-fisted baritone.

In recent years, Space Ghost saw something of a comeback on the Cartoon Network in Space Ghost Coast to Coast, a parody of late night talk shows that featured real-life guests like Thom Yorke, Mark Hamill, and comedy duo Penn & Teller.

The original show is great for goofy laughs, but little else, but Coast to Coast is often hilarious; as long as you’re into that Adult Swim humor. Both series can be found at Amazon by using the links below.

Space Ghost and Dino Boy: The Complete Series

Space Ghost Coast to Coast – Volume One

Alright, this one’s a bit off the beaten path, but it’s one of my all-time favorites. The Hair Bear Bunch is another great Hanna Barbera cartoon that was originally aired in the 70s and was featured on the USA Cartoon Express in the 80s. It borrowed bits from Yogi Bear, except instead of two mischief-making bears in a national park, it featured three mischief-making bears in a zoo. Yogi and Boo Boo were replaced with Hair Bear, Bubi Bear, and Square Bear, while the zoo keeper Mr. Peevly and his assistant Botch stood in for Ranger Smith.

The Hair Bear Bunch first aired in 1971, so it took on many cultural trends of the time, most notably Hair’s…hair. I was watching an episode the other day and couldn’t help being mesmerized by that crazy afro. In addition, the bears turn their cave into a swinging bachelor pad, complete with wet bar, party area, and furniture that looks like something straight out of an Austin Powers flick.

Plots are about what you’d expect: the bears cause trouble by either trying to escape from the zoo or throwing a party in their cave, Peevly intervenes, hilarity ensues. But what I never understood was how and why Square Bear had an invisible motorcycle. I mean, seriously, what in the hell?

That puzzling bit aside, this cartoon is classic Hanna Barbera and one of the many reasons I love that studio so much. It’s got the great theme song, the goofball characters, and all the elements that make cartoons so much fun. Unfortunately, there’s no way to get your hands on a legitmate collection of the Hair Bear Bunch. I nabbed a bootleg a few years ago, and the VHS collection has long been out of print. However, you can watch an episode on Saturday Morning Cartoons: 1970s Vol. 2. The Saturday Morning Cartoons series are awesome collections of some of the best (and, unfortunately, some of the worst) cartoons from their respective decades. I totally recommend picking up one, two, or all of these collections if you’re a classic cartoon junkie like myself.