Growing up in the ‘90s, Saturday morning cartoons were everything. The “big three” offered legendary cartoons and half-hour shows to be watched by children of all ages. Several of these were quite successful, and you might even be able to find some still in syndication today. However, more than a few failed to meet network expectations and were cancelled almost immediately. Mark ProStars down under this second category.
In 1991, Michael Jordan was on the brink of greatness and reaching the peak of his basketball career. Combine Jordan’s fame with that of hockey legend, Wayne Gretzky, and top it off with the popularity of two-sport athlete, Bo Jackson, and you have one hell of a wrecking crew.
ProStars intro theme
Initially slated for ESPN, ProStars was a 13 episode cartoon which aired on NBC in the fall of 1991. The premise centered on Jordan, Gretzky and Jackson fighting crime, protecting children and the environment. A Captain Planet meets Sports Illustrated, if you will.
Now, I don’t remember much from 1991 – mainly because I sniffed a lot of markers as a kid – but one thing I do remember as a six-year-old was watching ProStars. There wasn’t a kid living in Simpson, Pennsylvania that didn’t idolize Michael Jordan in the early ‘90s. ProStars had every opportunity to exploit the minds of adolescent sports fans and create a money-making blockbuster. Instead, it got shelved next to Hammerman.
Here it is, 26 years later and I’m still thinking about this goddamn show. I cannot help but wonder what Einstein executive gave this show the F.U. button? And after only one-half of a season?!?! C’mon. Even Attack of the Killer Tomatoes got picked up for a full season that year.
It’s possible that ProStars’ failure could be linked to creator Douglas Booth’s decision to portray Wayne Gretzky as the comedian of the show. Bad decision, Doug. I don’t ever remember hearing, “Oh that Wayne Gretzky, he’s such a wisecracker.” Maybe Jackson would have been the better choice for the show’s comic relief. I’m sure Bo “knows” some jokes. *I stole that last line from Gretzky.
Aside from that flaw, ProStars could’ve been good, if not, great. Who wouldn’t want to see Michael Jordan take on an Australian motorcycle gang? Or Bo Jackson save the Commissioner of Baseball from robots controlled by a villain named Clockwork Delaronge? It was almost too perfect.
@Eddie_ThePAS