"Free to be... You and Me" review - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

PPatters · 08-25-2001, 01:47 PM

I usually start things like these with a little background about the special itself, and this is going to be no exception :-) I am sure several of you saw it, but if you didn't, here goes.

This was a 1974 special, mainly for kids, I do believe, hosted by "That Girl" actress Marlo Thomas. It featured songs sung by Michael Jackson, Alan Alda, Marlo Thomas, Mel Brooks, Cicely Tyson, Tom Smothers, and Kris Kristofferson, among other people. This special featured songs like "Mommys are People", which explained to younger kids that "mommys are people... people with children", and a song about a boy that wanted a doll, and how it was alright for boys to have dolls, and a song about how it's okay to cry, and that ladies can't be rude about always being first. Another regular feature throughout the show were two babies (voices of Mel Brooks and Marlo Thomas) who were learning about their genders, and sung other songs.

I think that this special was wonderful. I, a 14 year old, found it very amusing, and thought it was a great opportunity to get younger peoples programming on the network. Someone mentioned that they didn't think that this, as being a childrens special, should be shown on TVLand. I completely disagree. I think that this is exactly the type of programming that isp erfect for TVLand. I mean, someone mentioned, and they're right, this is not about just airing classic shows, it's about people being able to experience nostalgia, and this was a great way to do it.

The special itself was completely wonderful. I mean, the songs were very enlightening, and the star-studded cast, I am sure, helped prove the point that the television show tried to get across. (I mean, in the mind of a child, if it's okay for Michael Jackson to be small, it's okay for them to be small!). It was innovative, and had several very talented people that were nice enough to be part of this special that wanted to make a message (or rather, send messageS) to children across America.

This show was most certainly deserving of the Emmy it won, and I think it was a wonderful program for TVLand to air.

dawsongirl · 08-25-2001, 04:31 PM

I hope you don't mind my saying this, but you sound much older than 14.

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Love ya, see ya here on the feud!

08-25-2001, 01:47 PM	#1
PPatters Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Aug 27, 2001 Location: Rockford, MI, USA Posts: 404	"Free to be... You and Me" review I usually start things like these with a little background about the special itself, and this is going to be no exception :-) I am sure several of you saw it, but if you didn't, here goes. This was a 1974 special, mainly for kids, I do believe, hosted by "That Girl" actress Marlo Thomas. It featured songs sung by Michael Jackson, Alan Alda, Marlo Thomas, Mel Brooks, Cicely Tyson, Tom Smothers, and Kris Kristofferson, among other people. This special featured songs like "Mommys are People", which explained to younger kids that "mommys are people... people with children", and a song about a boy that wanted a doll, and how it was alright for boys to have dolls, and a song about how it's okay to cry, and that ladies can't be rude about always being first. Another regular feature throughout the show were two babies (voices of Mel Brooks and Marlo Thomas) who were learning about their genders, and sung other songs. I think that this special was wonderful. I, a 14 year old, found it very amusing, and thought it was a great opportunity to get younger peoples programming on the network. Someone mentioned that they didn't think that this, as being a childrens special, should be shown on TVLand. I completely disagree. I think that this is exactly the type of programming that isp erfect for TVLand. I mean, someone mentioned, and they're right, this is not about just airing classic shows, it's about people being able to experience nostalgia, and this was a great way to do it. The special itself was completely wonderful. I mean, the songs were very enlightening, and the star-studded cast, I am sure, helped prove the point that the television show tried to get across. (I mean, in the mind of a child, if it's okay for Michael Jackson to be small, it's okay for them to be small!). It was innovative, and had several very talented people that were nice enough to be part of this special that wanted to make a message (or rather, send messageS) to children across America. This show was most certainly deserving of the Emmy it won, and I think it was a wonderful program for TVLand to air.

08-25-2001, 04:31 PM	#2
dawsongirl Member Forum Icon Join Date: Jan 04, 2001 Posts: 53,128	I hope you don't mind my saying this, but you sound much older than 14. ------------------ Love ya, see ya here on the feud!