The Best of Mr. Peabody & Sherman

This was a standard feature on the Bullwinkle Show (often called Rocky and Bullwinkle) a seemingly juvenile cartoon show which sometimes appeared to have been scripted more for adults. At the time, it was fairly popular with college students. Mr. Peabody is an erudite, bespectacled dog (he appears to be a beagle) who is, in effect, the master of Sherman, a credulous, bespectacled boy, whom he often gently chides and criticizes. I always found it funny and amusing, both as a child and as an adult.

The same theme is closely followed in the film version of Harlan Ellison's novella "A Boy and his Dog" (1975) featuring a polished, yet acerbic telepathic dog and his "boy"---a young Don Johnson, who later starred in Miami Vice. This is a sick, twisted, at times darkly funny movie about a ravaged, post nuclear world which is definitely not for children. But the parallels with the old cartoon are quite striking for those familiar with the Bullwinkle Show.

I grew up on Peabody and Sherman so naturally, in school I always got my dates correct however, the facts were just a little skewed. I subsequently had to read Barbara Tuchman to correct these anomalies.

For those people who need this series here is a quick synopsis. Mr. Peabody, canine of superior intellect realizes that he needs to adopt a boy. In his search comes across Sherman. Mr. Peabody now realizes that boys it is a bit difficult for boys to keep an apartment (no not potty training). Therefore, as a birthday present, he builds a Way-back machine. The machine itself is a "should have been" machine not a "what was" machine and this is where the fun starts.

Although I grew up on Peabody and Sherman, I never really knew how it all started. "The best of Peabody and Sherman" starts off telling how Mr. Peabody adopted Sherman and now everything is in perspective. Oh, maybe with one exception or two this is still my history.

I have great fun anticipating the pun at the end of each episode; then I tried to do one pun better.

Now before you go out in the world you also better read "The March of Folly: From Troy to Vietnam" by Barbara Tuchman.

Mr. Peabody and Sherman are two of my fave everythings ever. I loved their show. Mr. Peabody was awesome and I loved the way they would talk to each other. Great adventures and this best of really is a best of, no bad filler just to get this put together quickly and cheaply.