The Skatebirds
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The Skatebirds was an one-hour show on CBS Saturday mornings from 1977 to 1978. Produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions, the show featured a number of short segments hosted by live-action wraparounds featuring "The Skatebirds": human-sized birds that were protrayed as costumed characters similar to those of Sid and Marty Krofft.
The Skatebirds, named for the fact that they usually rode about on roller skates, were named Sach (a penguin), Knock-Knock (a woodpecker), and Scooter (a penguin). Their nemesis was the Scat-Cat, who would often attempt to chase and catch the birds.
The segments included on The Skatebirds included:
- The Three Robonic Stooges - a cartoon featuring animated robotic versions of the Three Stooges.
- Wonder Wheels - a cartoon about a boy named Willie and his living, shape-shifting motorcycle
- Woofer and Whimper: Dog Detectives - condensed versions of episodes of Hanna-Barbera's Clue Club.
- Mystery Island - a live-action serial about the crew of a downed plane and their robot trying ot escape the wrath of Dr. Strange.
The Skatebirds lasted only a half-season in its original run; from September 10, 1977 to January 28, 1978. Edited to a half-hour by removing Mystery Island, it was broadcast for a time on CBS Sunday mornings, but soon was taken off the schedule. Cartoon Network's sister station, Boomerang, periodically aires the short versions of The Skatebirds; Danger Island is paired with reruns of Captain Caveman and the Teen Angels.