The Hanna Barbera Happy Hour premeired in April of 1978 on the NBC TV network.
This variety show was hosted by life like puppets named Honey and Sis, who were both portrayed as sisters.
The entire hour consisted of comedy skits featuring the puppet hosts and various guest stars. The skits would parody current popular TV shows, including, but not limited to, daytime soap opears. At times, the guest stars would star in a skit that parodied the TV shows they starred in, such as John Ritter, who appeared in a skit that parodied Three's Company, which he starred in during the 1970's.
Unlike most variety shows of the era, this variety show was aimed towards family rather than adults. Most variety shows of the era were mostly aimed at adults, but this was more of a family friendly variety show.
The Hanna Barbera Happy Hour was a very different and unique variety show. The show was hosted by puppets rather than humans. The guest stars also introduced themselves rather than have an announcer introduce them. It was also something different for a change when it came to the show's respective format, which was variety.
The series lasted only four episodes, although there were five taped. The fifth episode was never aired.
The Hanna Barvera Happy Hour was a bright spot in the midst of some terrible entertainment around 1978. During the early part of that year, there were many mid season replacement shows that were really awful. However, The Hanna Barbera Happy Hour was the only one that premeired during that time that was actually terrific. From the life sized puppet hosts to the comedy skits shows during the hour, the show truly entertained and the skits were hilarious. They were knee slapping and foot stomping funny. The series entertained much more than most other TV series' of that year. Again, the series was something different and a unique change of pace. It was funny, charming and entertaining.
Sadly, this series never really got the chance it truly deserved. It left the air too soon. This series would've been a hit if only NBC let it run a little longer. I remember how sad I was when this series was cancelled by NBC. IMHO, NBC should've brought it back during the Summer of that year. It would've made a wonderful Summer replacement series that could've been brought back during the Summer of that year and maybe, the next year. But again, it left the air too soon, which was very disappointing.
Overall, a terrific show that never got its true chance. If it did, it would've been an enormous hit.
