Pole Position: Classic Cartoon Review - RetroBlasting

RetroBlasting's classic cartoon review on the Saturday Morning Cartoon Pole Position is here!
#RetroBlasting #PolePosition

[@RoodeMenon]

Pole Position's opening theme song is unforgettable.

[@Focusakker]

"What do you mean, it's not real?!?"

[@aestroai8012]

From the few episodes of this I watched a few years ago I thought it had a surprising amount of depth. You never know what happened to their parents. (It's like they were in M.A.S.K.!) Those cars are cool, and it was really innovative to have computers in cars way back in the early 80's! And the best thing about this show is how believable all three main characters are despite the outlandish plots!

[@ShawnSJames]

I remember watching this one at the tail end of CBS Saturday morning. Came on around 12-12:30 back in the 80's. Fun show.

[@josealmeida2842]

Fun fact, in the Spanish Dub of Pole Position, they actually had Kuma talking!

[@batangbatugan]

I LOVE this show when they aired it alongside MASK. I always thought that both shows existed in the same universe, how awesome would it have been if they had a crossover! I liked this show the same way I liked The Real Ghostbusters and Galaxy Rangers because they didn't dumb down for kids AND they have awesome female characters. (Janine is still my most favorite of them all- at least the first few seasons version of her)

[@davistalhone9482]

I was surprised when she didn't mention M.A.S.K. - I remember thinking there were a lot of parallels there as well.

[@DoktorKlaus666]

Great review. Back in the day, I was the only kid I knew that liked Pole Position. Well developed characters, talking robot cars, strange mysteries...but all my friends thought it would have been better if it had been more like Wacky Racers. Philistines, one and all....

[@retroblasting]

DoktorKlaus666 You were a superior being, my friend. - Michael

[@nathanl7018]

I loved this show as well and remember watching it every Saturday. I wish I had known it came out on DVD.

[@malloryemclaren]

My soul mate!!!

[@DeanStrickson]

Love that theme song! One of the best of Levy's. There was a band named La Roux who made a song a few years ago called "In For the Kill" that was influenced by the Pole Position theme. The music video for the song has a Pole Position feel too.

[@retroblasting]

MediaGold Thanks for the intel! I'm going to check that out!

[@houseofsledge6891]

I've been obsessed with "In for the Kill" since it was first released because it's evocative of this theme song!!!

[@paulfisker]

I watched that in early 90s in Poland with Polish dubbing. I can't believe they made only 13 episides... I was wondering in years what happed to their parents... That was 30 years ago, damn it. I will never forget the song.

[@JCinLapel]

This was one of my favorite ones growing up

[@RoninCatholic]

Kuma is the Japanese word for bear (and can generically refer to other mammals) but also sounds kinda like "coon", and between his eye fur and manual dexterity he somewhat resembles a raccoon (but mostly looks like a cat). The Japanese word for raccoon is araiguma, the "guma" being "kuma" when placed after a vowel. He doesn't need to be a specific species though, it's enough to look at him and see that he's cute.

[@jeremy355]

No animal sidekick is more annoying than Snarf.

[@retroblasting]

jeremy355 AGREED! - Michael

[@KasumiKenshirou]

The reboot's Snarf was OK, though. (That one didn't have the ability to speak.)

[@Dragonrider1227]

someone doesn't remember Deputy Fuzz of Bravestarr

[@jeremy355]

Deputy Fuzz didn't have to say name twenty times for each sentence of dialogue spoken.

[@Dragonrider1227]

jeremy355 No, he just had the most goddamn annoying voice in 80s cartoons. Either him or Lookee from She-Ra

[@KingofPotatoPeople]

Ah.... For years I have dreamt of Pole Position toys...... Missed opportunity 80s you makers!

[@JamesKenobi1138]

Another great video. I barely remember this cartoon and I don't remember watching it but your overview really got me up to speed and I kind of wish I had given it a chance back in the 80s. It sounds like a real hidden gem of retro goodness. Thanks for giving it a feature, I really enjoyed it.

[@retroblasting]

JamesKenobi1138 You're welcome! Thanks for watching! We're really ramping up for 2015 with more of these videos since we ran on a slight feature deficit last year what with the convention appearances.

[@GarrettCRW]

It's actually pretty amazing just how many cartoons in the '80s really took the time to present strong, well-developed women. Tess is probably the savviest of the lot, since most of those other shows have the strong female lead as a sort of "Hero 1A" to the hero with whom they are romantically linked. Here, though, Dan is a straight-up parody of these types of heroes, right down to being a strapping blonde man (just like He-Man and Duke from G.I. Joe), and there's no denying that Tess is the star of the show. It's really a shame that CBS buried it from the start. Sure, it doesn't compare in quality to what The Bugs Bunny/Road Runner Hour or Dungeons & Dragons had on tap that season, but it never deserved to be buried at the end of the day, after The Get-Along Gang of all things.

[@JLeoni96]

This cartoon too was one of UK TV'S Saturday morning line up..It was cool.

[@tommytoploader]

Broken Vader needs his own GIJOE style PSA, warning kids about the chocking hazard of loose parts.

[@retroblasting]

tommytoploader HAHA! Hilarious!

[@markplott4820]

What about putting a Mr. T head on Spock ?...…..LOL Imagine Vader with a TMNT body

[@SNARC15]

For those who said this series should be more racing based, I put it this way. I think of Pole Position as a precursor to MASK, specifically towards the elements of Roadie and Wheels. But what did MASK do for its final season? That's right, changed the episodes to more of a racing theme, which didn't work as well as the original format.

[@CapricornMediaProducts]

This show was a classic. Never knew the studio behind Tenchi Muyo in the 90's made the interior animation to this show. There should have been a second season.

[@mazinkaizer0]

Slight correction; KITT from Knight Rider actuallly did have a mobile unit box that enabled him him to be removed from the car. Though, it was only used in about 2 episodes or so.

[@retroblasting]

Okay. You win the Knight Rider knowledge crown.

[@tlaloc92]

mazinkaizer0 Not exactly. It was in some little electronic devices yes but only because the car was all destroyed and they had to rebuilt all. Not to be remove on purpose.

[@makishepard]

***** you're right they should've made some toy line for this cartoon. And I thought the girl was kinda cute when I was younger.

[@inquisitorchristopher8527]

5:23 - Devon Miles / Edward Mulhare - the guy who sends Michael Knight / David Hasselhoff out on missions and contacts him via the screen on KITT's dash.... -. -

[@jonhufford6980]

I remember this show being on in a Saturday morning arcade cartoon block with this , donkey Kong, pacman and Q bert. I always wanted to see Q bert but they seemed to only have maybe 6 episodes of that and they always showed this and pacman the most. Great memories though.

[@GutznMetal]

One thing I noticed is that most of the episode titles are taken from Alfred Hitchcock movies.

[@MarkDemeo]

thanks for this video,i really loved this cartoon as a kid and would consider it a hidden gem of 80s animated shows.

[@ripleygrimes]

At the end of the video when it says "thanks for watching", I feel like saying "the pleasure's all mine!" Keep up the good work guys! -Ripley

[@retroblasting]

Lt. Ripley Grimes Thanks Ripley!

[@Fauntleroy.]

Just became aware of an animal called the Golden Brushtail Possum. Kuma has to be at least 50% this. Look it up!

[@tikifire]

Great review! Now I want to see this, and I want a plushie of that guy too!

[@Matthewjohnwilson]

Another well scripted / edited video RetroBlasting. Hats off to you. I love me some 80s cartoons.

[@retroblasting]

Matrix8369 Thanks, Matrix!

[@inquisitorchristopher8527]

+RetroBlasting ~ "He's like Charlie from Charlie's Angels." ~ You mean he's like Devon Miles... from Knight Rider. And Pole Position is like The Foundation for Law And Government. And both Roadie and Wheels are like KITT, there's even an episode of Knight Rider where KITT's body gets stolen and Michael has to walk around with him in some kind of portable TV box thing, kinda like what Road and Wheel's "brains" are in on the front cover of that DVD box set in your intro. Who the heck cares about Charlie's Angels.

[@rajangenesisn.sanchez508]

Brings back memories...especially when the opening theme and title card is being played...Rajan here from the philipines....80's kid...

[@lostboy710]

As always great episode. Can't wait to see what's next for ur channel.

[@retroblasting]

Joshua Grigg We've got some fun stuff on the way! We're making at least five videos a month at the current rate of production!

[@houseofsledge6891]

I have huge love for this show and have since I was a kid when it originally aired for 5 main reasons - because of Rhodey, Wheels, Tess, Kuma, and that AMAZING theme song. I appreciate that you hit on all 5 of those reasons as strong suits. Thank you!

[@MuShinGirl]

One of my faves back in the day! Thanks Melinda, great summary from an obvious fan. :)

[@tyrantpictures]

Loved this cartoon back-in-the-day. Great review. Really makes me want to see it again!

[@patrickburton9869]

I remember waking up at the ass crack of dawn on Saturdays to start my cartoon watching...I believe this show was on around 7-730 am on CBS...I used to really love it - what young kid wouldn't want a talking car?!

[@Yu1awAngerWolf82]

This takes me back remembered watching this show alot when I was a kid.

[@irishhips]

Great video, Melinda. Another 80s cartoon that never hit Ireland, btw when they fly, reminds me of the BTTF2 Delorean when the wheels folds down.

[@stillbuyvhs]

There wasn't a commercial internet in the 80's, but there were other computer networks used by companies for timesharing.

[@YodaPagoda]

Another awesome trip back through time, I totally remember watching this show, but I think I ended up watching another channel halfway through the series because my grandma's TV didn't tune it in. That intro song though is burned into my brain!

[@retroblasting]

Yoda Pagoda Mine too. A shame the show isn't more remembered by Gen X at large. - Michael

[@rednasseel4113]

I WATCHED THIS WHEN IT CAME OUT IN THE 1980’s. I THINK IT WAS ON SATURDAYS AT 11:00 AM CHICAGO TIME. IT WAS REALLY FUN TO WATCH AND I LOVED THE THEME SONG. I SHOWED IT TO MY KIDS AND THEY LOVE IT TOO!

[@MasterJediDude]

Great review, Melinda. I think you captured the good and bad characteristics of the show. It was one of my favorites as a kid!

[@primusvsunicron1]

03:43 the animated Transformers 80s cartoon is both an American cartoon and Japanese anime due to the G1 Transformers toyline's Japanese roots

[@FirstNameLastName-oo1zm]

I loved this one, just never could catch it on.

[@tyrusbowie4489]

As a kid I instantly recognized Melvin Franklin's voice. RIP Blue best bass singer of all time

[@dwiggins1]

It’s so funny how we critique these cartoons that our kids shows it’s meant for kids not for adults. Not to mention, it’s an 80s cartoon. I loved Pole Position back in the day and still love it! I never knew that was Otis from the Temptations now I love it even more because I’m a Temptations fan!!!!! I thought his voice sounded familiar!

[@ImRobertFinnerty]

I know that I'm really late to the discussion here, but I noticed that Daisy's character model looks similar to Penny, from Inspector Gadget. They were both by DIC Entertainment, so I guess that makes sense.

[@frankschuler2867]

It's nice to see a vid about this show. Most people I talk to don't seem to remember it. I loved it.

[@MegatronPRIME]

I remember this show and wondered how many episodes were ever made. Thanks guys you are awesome

[@retroblasting]

MegatronPRIME You're welcome!

[@Mastabas2112]

Do you remember or will you review any of the electronic toys of the 80s, like Rom the space knight, starbird avenger or even the "computer controlled" vehicles like 255 computer control corvette or the brain buggy? I had all of these toys and they were pretty popular.

[@TecromDesigns]

This was such a cool retrospective. Love your work!!

[@retroblasting]

James Tecrom Thanks James!

[@Cavillier1970]

LOL at the beginning. Hey B.V. send me your address and I'll sneak in steal the arms from Mike & Melinda and fix you myself! I'm in your corner bubba! LOL

[@Nekosage]

Something I just thought of: In a solid number of 80s cartoons, the guy is usually a brunette and the girl a blonde. Not the case with this cartoon. Dan is the blonde(With him falling into the dumb blonde trope) and Tess having black hair.

[@ericm.7165]

I agree that there should have been merchandise for this show. I vaguely remember it and I thought the blue car was the kewlest thing on wheels at the time.

[@crazywonder7197]

My memory is very vague with this show. I know I watched it because it was in between Saturday Supercade and Dungeons and Dragon, but its been so long that I don't remember. I also would occasionally change the channel that half hour to Alvin and the Chipmunks. It looks interesting enough to go after though and the video resparked some old memories, what Retroblasting does best! Spent plenty of times with Pole Position II which came with my Atarti 7800 a couple of years later.

[@miamifiction]

I love this cartoon ! Thanks for the great review guys ! Regards from the 80s Detective ;-).

[@JediDB]

Awesome vid, I loved this show too. I will have to search online for that first volume that has 10 of the episodes on it.

[@retroblasting]

JediDB Thanks, DB!

[@clarkcooler4333]

wow i for got all about this show . thank you for talking about it its good to see

[@YourEvilNinjaTwin]

Can't wait for a Bionic Six video! You guys are great!

[@edwardleonard9302]

Since a lot of other things have been re-made from the 80's (transformers, thundercats, GI Joe etc). It surprises me that they haven't tried to remake this show.

[@ImRobertFinnerty]

What network line up was this a part of ( NBC, CBS,ABC)? I recall the other shows you mentioned - Saturday Supercade was always my favorite.

[@GamingDelight]

CBS, from what I heard.

[@laurenbonner2393]

As someone who just discovered this show and watched all 13 episodes, I'm very disappointed that it only has 13 episodes.

[@Chewcudda]

what cartoon is it a 6:38 I am racking my brain trying to remember. the egg shaped robot that turned into a scooter.

[@hilarioph]

Kuma is my favorite creature from Pole Position. He so cute I wish Bandai Namco will make a plush toy of this

[@Xero328]

U guys should cover galtar snd the golden lance. Loved that show.

[@dinomonzon7493]

Remember & Liked this show. Tess Darrett was a very likable and very pretty heroine. She and Uncle Zach were my fave characters.

[@tlaloc92]

Wheel and Roadie were called Zoom and Turbo in France.

[@scottjohnson388]

Highly underrated cartoon. I am amazed though at how many cartoons from my childhood only lasted 20 or so episodes. I felt there was tons of some shows. I guess I just watched them over and over. :)

[@grotezakhooi]

my fav 80's cartoon sidekick has to be Brain , Inspector Gadgets dog & wow just found out Frank Welker did the voice ..Megatron :)

[@dennismendoza8904]

Another great review, guys. Also, I can't wait for the pay-off for the Vader gags. Not to sound like a creep but Melinda is always adorable but more so here.

[@thomjames66]

I would watch the opening just for the music and animation and youtube has the French opening always makes me smile, the smart possum use to creepy me out.

[@boblowes]

Loved Pole Position as a kid.

[@MasterSun42]

Pole Position had one of te best theme music just under Silverhawks. I love this show and I have it on DVD but I think I have a different version than the ones you showed.

[@brianr101010]

I've been watching retroblasting videos for a few weeks now, and after watching this video it is official. I'm in love with Melinda.

[@buddyjones5419]

Roadie and Wheels among my dream cars.

[@dinomonzon8853]

I remember & rather liked the Pole Position cartoon. It was rather good. Tess & Uncle Zach were my fave characters- and Tess Darrett was very pretty! Hope you'll also do videos on the G. I. Joe cartoons of the 1980s from both Marvel & DIC.

[@1701Tex]

Pole Position and Turbo Teen are the last two stand-alone (as in NOT part of a blockbuster franchise--I'm looking at YOU, Droids) cartoons I remember watching on Saturday mornings. After that, I stopped being even remotely near the target demographic. The show always reminded me of Devlin, the Hanna-Barbera cartoon from a decade before. And unlike most of HB's shows, it was more of a drama. Just look up "Devlin (TV series)" on your local Wikipedia station for more information. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fWrapYCHg956idE PS -- KITTY! 14:48

[@baron7755]

only 13 eps? Wow I loved this show, I didnt realize it was that few.

[@stevenman013]

How did you not mention the theme song?!

[@darcanjel7]

I remembered the theme more than the show episodes.

[@dnds4]

This review never gets old. Glad someone else enjoys this show as well when it aired. In its own way it holds up. I'm developing a tribute to this show. Google 'Qualify' 'animatic' . Hoping this show gets not a reboot but a continuation. And rename the cartoon. What are your thoughts?

[@MLCOOK51]

What kind of car are thy I noticed one 67 mustang I am right. I don’t no what the other one is .

[@brett8481]

Sweet! A Melinda review, I love your takes on the vintage stuff (more ponies please). That said, I only have the vaguest of memories of this show. What I remember are just the quick shots of the car computers and the helmets, so I think I may have only ever seen the into to it and not actual episodes. Too bad I missed it, as it sounds like it treated the female characters well. I don't remember Kuma, but Kuma seems far less annoying than other '80s sidekicks.

[@TheYottaTube]

I never saw it, I think it wasn't broascasted in the Netherlands.

[@Xero328]

I’ve rewatched this review so many times like most of your stuff. Just so dead on. Although I didn’t like the little thing running around. Reminded me of snarf or orko or all those little creatures in every show. Hell I LOVED the wonder twins but I despised gleek. Grab the bucket from nowhere.

[@Xero328]

Almost forgot. Devlin. Another fave.

[@zeboswalt1131]

Cool Vid. I use to love this show as a kid.

[@skittles7306]

Loved this show. I would cry during the ending credits 🤣

[@Jshaw71]

Thanks for the upload, and creation of this video, as I kid, I never caught this show, but was curious about it, and it's knight rider type tech within in the cars, but I think i was still busy with dungeons and dragons, I didn't know the show only had a single series, that's too bad, seemed like the series was good...

[@retroblasting]

You're welcome!

[@inquisitorchristopher8527]

+RetroBlasting ~ 8:03 - "except that KITT's core CPU wasn't something portable that you could just carry around like a Tom Tom." (it took me a second to realize you meant the old GPS thing, and not the drum...) ~ Actually, yes, in the episode Soul Survivor, they have to do exactly that, because some lady drugged Michael and made him give up the authorization codes so she could steal KITT's body, and she also cons some nerdy computer whiz-kid into helping her use KITT's built-in laser to rob some truck or something.

[@stillbuyvhs]

I thought Kuma was a cat, till I saw him stand up. Then I thought he was a lemur. Nice to know he's a whatzit.

[@slade2040]

i know this show is old and all (and i enjoyed) but still, i cannot stop thinking that dan looks like a cartoons version of Owen Wilson! XD

[@1980Triumph]

Another cool video. I hope you guys do Chuck Norris and the Karate Commandos this way.

[@thelastdisplay]

I never watched Pole Position but its intro music is the greatest.

[@haroldcarfrey4381]

Red Nine is the example of a code group, you tell me blue three, so I insert encycrption disk Blue 3 into the computer and update the encryption

[@paul1warr]

This was a childhood secret.... I loved it but I can not remember talking about it to anyone. It was on for a short time in the uk, early (unsure what day). I think I liked the cars more than anything in the show .. but on the back of this video I watched M.A.S.K. and Pole Position. I had a lot of MASK toys and tbh PP has aged much better. It actually feels character led and nuanced, and seems remarkably not sexist (early episode the character assume the scientists is a man and turns out to be a strong, intelligent older woman). It's a shame this didn't have more episodes... Like Bagpuss and Firefly , some of the best things come in 13s. One correction for the video.... Not sure why you missed this.... But the easy code being given out by the uncle in the pilot episode was the part of the plot. It was intended to allow them to capture the Roadie and Wheels so they could attack the criminals computer systems. But great for the reminder. And more Melinda!

[@_Only_Zuul]

dan darret = owen wilson! :D oh my GOD! TURBO TEEN!!! i had COMPLETELY forgotten about that show!!!

[@inquisitorchristopher8527]

+EtherealAesthetic ~ Turbo Teen - also another effort to try to capitalize on Knight Rider's popularity.

[@_Only_Zuul]

i liked turbo teen lol!

[@inquisitorchristopher8527]

+EtherealAesthetic ~ I did too, but mainly because of how much that red car looked like a Trans Am, lol.

[@jasonstrong8650]

You guys should do the jurassic park toy line from the 1993

[@greek1237]

Kid's in cartoons, I didn't find Penny bad or comic relief from Inspector Gadget, if anything she did drive that show for pretty much solving the case that Gadget himself could not(80's cartoon, non of the reboots).

[@coreylevine8095]

Have your did Goldie gold cartoon show

[@SFPhoto2011]

You guys should do The Mighty Orbots

[@coreylevine3856]

I was 13 in 1984 when i first saw it remember the song of the show

[@maxbrandt6]

Kuma looks to be the hybrid of a house cat and a monkey and someone needs to make Melinda a plushie of that STAT!

[@fdfkjow]

keep these great videos coming