Assuming a lawyer doesn't have this removed before this post is published...here's a 1990 episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show, featuring her interview with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, who were promoting their rock album at the time.
April: The reason for the tour is the Turtles decided to put down their weapons and pick up instruments. That's why 9 years from now they're so out of practice that each of them gets horribly maimed in their comic.
Yeah, there's a heavy emphasis on the Turtles NOT fighting now, even though that's mainly why kids liked them in the first place.
And of course there's an anti-drug message in there.
I had a memory of Oprah repeating "Yeah, where's Splinter?" after a kid asked, and the actors not knowing how to ad-lib a response. Didn't see it in this clip, so maybe it's from another show.
Those awful spots someone decided to paint all over the Turtle masks are unforgivable. Shredder is also oddly off-model. I wonder if they had to alter the designs for legal reasons.
I get what they were trying to do here but man, this is a low point even for something like TMNT. This is really the Turtles on their knees. I wonder if Eastman and Laird felt even a tinge of embarrassment about this, or if they laughed all the way to the bank like they've done ever since?
Little Girl: Where are your weapons?
ReplyDeleteApril: The reason for the tour is the Turtles decided to put down their weapons and pick up instruments. That's why 9 years from now they're so out of practice that each of them gets horribly maimed in their comic.
I remember this! I don't think I saw the whole episode but I know I caught part it when it originally aired.
ReplyDeleteThe Turtles aren't white. They aren't black. They're green! (Audience goes wild.)
Yeah, there's a heavy emphasis on the Turtles NOT fighting now, even though that's mainly why kids liked them in the first place.
ReplyDeleteAnd of course there's an anti-drug message in there.
I had a memory of Oprah repeating "Yeah, where's Splinter?" after a kid asked, and the actors not knowing how to ad-lib a response. Didn't see it in this clip, so maybe it's from another show.
Those awful spots someone decided to paint all over the Turtle masks are unforgivable. Shredder is also oddly off-model. I wonder if they had to alter the designs for legal reasons.
I remember watching this when it aired too.
ReplyDeleteI get what they were trying to do here but man, this is a low point even for something like TMNT. This is really the Turtles on their knees. I wonder if Eastman and Laird felt even a tinge of embarrassment about this, or if they laughed all the way to the bank like they've done ever since?