by G. Jack Urso
 |
| Title card shot from the show. |
The Hot Hero
Sandwich Project is an effort to historically document the innovative children’s
television show, Hot Hero Sandwich,
which ran from 1979-1980 on NBC and produced by Bruce and Carole Hart, both of whom
helped develop material for the first season of Sesame Street. Bruce Hart, in fact, co-wrote the Sesame Street
theme and Carole wrote some early episodes. Both Harts were involved with Marlo
Thomas’ noted children's entertainment TV special Free to Be . . . You and Me (1972) and together wrote, with Bruce directing, actor/rocker Rex Smith’s 1979 film
Sooner or Later (Smith also performed on episode 10 of Hot Hero Sandwich).
Often described
as Saturday Night Live for teens, the
show was a mix of sketches, short films, animation, celebrity interviews,
musical guests, and of course the awesome in-house Hot Hero Band. Despite running for just eleven episodes, the show struck
a nerve with its fans who, for the past four decades, have quietly kept the show
alive with social media and sharing the precious few clips still available from
the show.
With the gracious assistance of some of the former members of the show, I have put together a
behind-the-scenes look with interviews, the first complete episode guide, never before seen photos, video clips, and much more. Not
just to document the show, put also to preserve it as a case study for those in
education and entertainment looking for new ways of reaching a difficult
demographic with positive and inspirational programming that addresses the
issues teens deal with using multimedia integrated with a common theme.
Below is a list
of the current articles detailing the show. More articles are coming so STAY TUNED!
Hot Hero Sandwich: A Historical Retrospective of the 1979-1980
Innovative Children’s Television Show
Articles
- Hot Hero
Sandwich: The Late 70s TV Teen Scene: Series retrospective — Start Here!
- Hot Hero Sandwich 1980 Daytime Emmy Awards
- Hot Hero Sandwich: All Opening Credits
- Hot Hero Sandwich Credits
- Hot Hero Sandwich Episode 10 Scene-by-Scene
- Hot Hero Sandwich Episode 6: Andy Breckman, “My Friend Bernie” with the Hot Hero Band
- Hot Hero Sandwich Episode 3: Andy Breckman, “Tommy Two,” with the Hot Hero Band
- Hot Hero Sandwich Episode 3: Eddie Money, “You Can't Keep a Good Man Down”
Special Reports
- Hot Hero Sandwich: Second Serving! A Retrospective Interview with Writer Sherry Coben and Film Editor Patrick McMahon — Introduction
- A Second Serving! Part I: Origins
- A Second Serving! Part II: Production Notes and Broadcast History
- A Second Serving! Part III: Commercials, Demographics, and Music
- In Conversation with Dr. Tom Cottle
- In Conversation with Talent Agent and Personal Manager Larry Weiss
On the Flip Side with the Hot Hero
Band
- On the Flip Side! Hot Hero Band Interviews — Introduction
- On the Flip Side with Bassist Robert Brissette
- On the Flip Side with Guitarist Richie Annunizato
- On the Flip Side with Drummer Mike Ratti
- Hot Hero Band Video Clips
Off-Script
with the Writers
- Off-Script with Writer Andy Breckman
- Off-Script with Writer Richard Camp
- Off-Script with Writer Marianne Meyer
Off- Stage with
the Cast Members
- Off-Stage with Cast Member Denny Dillon
- Off-Stage with Cast Member Jarett Smithwrick
- Off-Stage with Cast Member Michael Longfield
- Off-Stage with Cast Member Nan-Lynn Nelson
- Off-Stage with Cast Member Claudette Sutherland
YouTube Channel
- Hot Hero Sandwich Central: Rare Hot Hero video clips, most of which haven't been seen since first broadcast!
Bookmark the project's web address: www.HotHeroSandwich.com.
For media and other inquiries, please email HotHeroSandwich@outlook.com.
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I think the article is right -- HHS is a positive template for shows for kids/teens. Good overall job. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThe index is easy to read, well organized and concise - always a good thing. Being able to check out all the vids gives you the sense of how well done and important HHS is. Great work.
ReplyDelete