This next sentence might make you feel very old, and I’m sorry: Cartoon Network’s first original show aired earlier this week. Space Spirit from Coast to Coastwas 30 years old. And while many have spent the week celebrating the strange series, its best bits and funniest episodes, I want to take a moment to remember a lesser-known part of it Space Spirit from Coast to Coast Story. I want to talk about the time when he hosted Smash Bros Clone with characters from Cartoon Network.
For those who may be too young to remember (or who didn’t watch the series back then) Space Spirit from Coast to Coast was, in theory, a cartoon talk show hosted by Space Ghost – a somewhat obscure cartoon superhero from the 1960s at the time. In reality, however, the show was more of an experimental and surreal animated journey, often involving celebrities and strange distractions. The kind of show where Busta Rhymes, Space Ghost and his pals can stage a murder mystery before you get high on natural gas and there is a spaceship crash that ends in a trip to the grocery store.
Space Spirit from Coast to Coast wasn’t exactly kid-friendly, which is why it aired at midnight. But a lot of kids, including me, watched the show. And Space Ghost – along with his pals Zorak, Moltar and even Brak – became popular and mainstream enough to appear outside of their midnight slot, and even got a children’s spin-off. Cartoon planet. So there’s a bit of a history of Space Ghost and its strange adult talk show universe crossing over into children’s media. Nevertheless, it is like that Really It’s strange to hear George Lowe – the voice actor for Space Ghost – a Smash Bros Clone with characters Ben Ten, Dexter’s laband other hit Cartoon Network shows.
Cartoon Network: Punchtime Blast released in 2011 for Xbox 360, PS3, Wii and 3DS. While it has some fans, it’s not a great game, mostly functioning like another arena fighter directly inspired by Nintendo’s Smash Bro Franchise. The main story of the game’s campaign involves various Cartoon Network characters crossing paths due to a nefarious plot by an unseen villain. And all of this is narrated by Space Ghost, who just wanted to try to relax on his day off, but instead had to talk about a big video game adventure.
“Greetings citizens and welcome to – Hey, wait a minute! I’ve hosted so much that I can actually imagine myself on my day off! I finally have some time to myself to put on my casual tights, snuggle up and watch my favorite shows. Let’s see what’s on Cartoon Network,” says the narrator of Hit time in the game’s opening sequence.
It should be noted that technically The game never explicitly identifies the narrator as a Space Ghost. Some fans assume that this is due to the license Punchtime’Space Ghost’s low budget, while others believe that publishers and developers were worried that Space Ghost’s inclusion might hurt its ESRB rating. I think it’s also possible that the developers didn’t want to upset kids who had no idea who Space Ghost was and simply downplayed it by dropping him in innuendos and jokes throughout the campaign but never outright confirming it. However, parents and teens watching or playing would prevail.
The game ends with the appearance of Captain Planet as Space Ghost laments, “Oh, don’t tell me that shiny guy’s in here? Yes… he is.” It honestly feels like a bit Coast to coast. At the very end, the narrator wonders if he can find a lava man who can help him change channels – the most direct reference to this Coast to coast throughout the game.
So if you’ve seen every episode of Coast to coast several times and want a new space ghost comedy in your life, check this out Cartoon Network: Punctuality Explosion. I mean, probably don’t play it, but watch the cutscenes on YouTube. Or watch the latest episode of Jellystone with Spacie and his “friends”. Or take a nap. All of this is better than playing On-time explosion.
Oh, and while I have you here if you want to take a closer look at how Space Spirit from Coast to Coast was filmed in the 90s. Check out this local news report about the show’s production.
And if you want to watch some episodes of the show, you can Check out this live stream happening right now in honor of the show’s 30th anniversary.
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