Saturday Morning Cartoons - Winter Laff-A-Lympics

Remember Laff-A-Lympics? They were not quite prestigious sporting competitions officiated by Hanna-Barbera, which would air (and re-air) in the 1970s and 80s - sometimes conveniently during the years when a similar series of games would receive television coverage. I can't recall the name of that event, but apparently it has Greek origins.

What bothered me about Laff-A-Lympics (other than the blatant spelling errors and the fact there isn't really a "laff" to be found in the whole series) is the fact that barely any of the competitions took place in the winter! The only winter-themed events that were held included...

Downhill Skiing, Ice Skating and Toboggan Race  (Swiss Alps - 1977 / Winners: The Scooby Doobies, 105 pts)

Hang The Bell On The Abominable Snowman and Climbing Mount Everest  (The Himalayas - 1977 / Winners: The Scooby Doobies, 90 pts)

Get Your Man Contest and Dog Sled Race  (Canada - 1978 / Winners: The Yogi Yahooeys, 85 pts)

While typing this, I sometimes get the sense that other countries view winter sports as a bit of a joke.

To largely ignore these winter-based Greek sporting competitions (note to self: research actual name of event) is a major faux pas here in Canada. #WeAreWinter, after all!

That said, today I thought I'd highlight a TRUE Winter Laff-A-Lympics, and expand the playing field a bit by introducing a few non Hanna-Barberathletes into the mix!


SKI JUMPING - MEN'S LARGE HILL IND.

Goofy from Team USA easily claimed gold in ski jump (and most sports in general), as showcased in this clip from The Art of Skiing. This is nothing new to Goofy though. Honestly he could probably do this kind of event in his sleep.

Claiming silver and bronze respectively (but only due to lack of competition) is a bear and Popeye, a Ski Jump Chump if there ever was one.

SKIING - MEN'S DOWNHILL FINALS

Popeye fared much better in (and starred in better cartoons relating to) alpine and downhill skiing. Early in his training, it wasn't uncommon for Popeye to construct his own skis, as you can ski see in 'I-Ski Love-Ski You-Ski'.

SKIING - MEN'S FREESTYLE QUAL RUN 1 / LADIES' AERIALS QUAL 2

Popeye also inadvertently created his own skis in 'I'll Be Skiing You', while trying to keep up with Olive Oyl. He fared well, but the sailor-turned-skier was later disqualified for illegal spinach use.

According to this cartoon, Popeye and Olive may have fared better in...

FIGURE SKATING - PAIRS' FREE SKATE

Jerry and Nibbles got off to a shaky start, but ended up dominating the competition with their routine called 'Mice Follies', set to Tchaikovsky's waltz from "Sleeping Beauty". Bonus kudos for the pair's ability to do their own lighting. It would not be enough for gold though, due to low scores from the feline judge.

SPEED SKATING - MEN'S 1,000 METER

That same judge proved to be quite formidable at speed skating, and showed true sporting spirit as he sustained a major injury to his abdomen, yet still continued the program. Amazingly, he was also able to incorporate luge into his performance at the 2:00 mark.

ICE HOCKEY - MEN'S QUARTERFINAL

At first I thought it was Goofy of skiing fame who took to the ice (and the stands and the coaching bench), but it was in fact Icebox Burtino, Fearless Ferguson, "Clean Game" Kinney, etc. At press time, the score was 342 to 329 - too close to call.

FIGURE SKATING - LADIES' SHORT PROGRAM

Peppermint Patty pirouetted past some audio problems to prove quite the crowd pleaser in this performance from 'She's A Good Skate, Charlie Brown', set to Puccini's "O mio babbino caro".

FIGURE SKATING - MEN'S SHORT PROGRAM

Mickey Mouse also skated a fine program 'On Ice', but will likely receive point deductions for hitting that barrel.

Goofy, who once showed such promise on the rink and slopes, tarnished his good name on the pond by forgetting that the 'Lympics have been tobacco-free since 1988.

CURLING - MEN'S FINALS

Team Canada suffered a major upset to Mexico!

And at the end of the day, the current front-runner in the standings is...Inspector Gadget. 

In the first episode of his TV series, Inspector Gadget proved a triple threat in skiing, bobsledding and hockey, and took to the podium to give a lecture and receive a gold medal in "best demonstrating the Olympic spirit". (The Olympics! That's what the event is called!)

Upon review of the tapes though, there's a controversy fuelling rumours that it may not have been Inspector Gadget participating at all, but Powdered Toastman in disguise! We'll have more on this breaking story 4 years from now!