500 channels of Guilty Pleasures

Multicultural ‘Super Friends’
They were at best borderline inappropriate and at worst ragingly racist, but there was something about the three multicultural “Super Friends” that kept me tuning in. Samurai, Black Vulcan and Apache Chief were added to the 1978 Saturday morning cartoon “Challenge of the Super Friends” (now out on DVD), no doubt, to balance the lily-whiteitude of original heroes Batman, Wonder Woman and Superman. Admirable intentions; cringe-worthy implementation. How can you not wince when you watch this culturally diverse trio try to battle evil as they embody every racial stereotype in the book? Samurai “summons his ancient powers” and defeats an out-of-control video game. “I never knew you were so skilled in electronics,” Wonder Woman beams. Apache Chief speaks in broken English and touts his “Indian tracking abilities.” Black Vulcan, like all the other non-original Super Friends, is saddled with a superhero name based primarily on his ethnicity. (Why wasn’t he just called “Vulcan”?) I know I shouldn’t get a kick out of how politically incorrect and one-note they were, but God help me, I do. It was like tuning in to an animated version of “Crash.” –Brian Bellmont

Jane Fonda workout videos

Karl Video

A lot of people ask me: Paige, how do you maintain that incredible physique? At least, I imagine someone will ask me this one day, so I keep an answer ready. It isn’t some fancy ball that works my “core.” It isn’t Pilates and it doesn’t involve Billy Blanks. It’s workout tapes by Fonda. Jane Fonda is so good, she has an opening act in her own video. Before Jane appears, a young gym bunny bounces back and forth and sings, “You’re much more than meets the eye.” This inspires my inner fat kid, and whets my appetite for Fonda. I also love the back-up exercisers’ ensembles. Imagine Care Bear hides stretched over the taut bodies of 12 poofy-haired women and one buff but effeminate man. Best of all, the dated exercises, synthesized music and pervasive use of scrunchies as hair restraint devices mean that I get to combine the endorphin surge of physical fitness with the adrenaline rush of: “What if I get caught?” So laugh all you want. Summer’s here, my Jane Fonda videos (yes, videos) are out, and soon everyone will be begging to bounce a quarter off my glutes. -Paige Ferrari

‘Full House’

Warner Home Video

The other day, I watched “Full House” three times and was thrilled that none of the episodes overlapped with the ones I own on DVD. I pay for enhanced cable primarily so I can watch the reruns on Nickelodeon. Yes, I admit, I’m a die-hard fan of the heart-to-heart moments, the sister rivalry and the moans when Kimmy Gibler walks into the Tanner household. Sure, my habit makes it tempting to spend days on end figuring out how to nourish the Olsen twins. And it is a little weird that Joey and Uncle Jesse never left after moving in to help Danny raise the girls. But who can resist the corny music, Bob Saget’s acting, or the predictable plotlines that always end with a hardy life lesson? Through the seasons, the house got fuller. Cousins, boyfriends and pets were introduced, each with their own set of terrible ’80s clothing (even Comet the dog was occasionally stuck with a brightly colored bandana). The quality had nowhere to go but up — and yet somehow, “Full House” proudly maintained its mediocrity until the bitter end. -Elizabeth Chuck

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