Bananas: 70's Kids Magazine From Scholastic

Issue #1 TV's Comedy Duel; Who's Funnier Chico or J.J.?

Freddie Prinze and Jimmie Walker

This is the first issue from 1975 and features two of the most popular funny guys on TV at the time, Freddie "Chico" Prinze and Jimmie "J.J." Walker. The magazine featured not just the cover art with both actors, but an article, too, naturally.

Also included was an article on Robert Redford and even a poster of him.

I have to admit, that I wasn't a fan of either show, so, I have no opinion as to who was funnier. :)

Issue #2 Baretta Goes Bananas

Tough Undercover Cop Tony Baretta

Believe it or not, Robert Blake was a child actor beginning his career way back in 1939 in a movie called "Bridal Suite".

He would then go on to star in over 40 "Our Gang" movie shorts, but it was in 1975 that Robert became a household name with is portrayal of undercover cop "Tony Baretta" in the series "Baretta" which had a three year run. Remember, the wise words of Tony...."don't do the crime if you can't do the time".

Issue #9 Charlie's Angels Wants YOU!

The Original Angels From Season One

This is issue #9 and is from 1977. It features, of course an article on Charlie's Angels as well as having an article on the movie remake of the classic film "King Kong". Also, you will find articles about Steve McQueen and rock ground Jefferson Starship.

I really loved the first season of Charlie's Angels, cause I guess like a lot of viewers, I was taken with Farrah. I was disappointed when she left the show, but Cheryl Ladd was good replacement, she had big shoes and hair to fill, but she did it her way and never tried to be Farrah.

Charlie's Angels Books

Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Charlie's Angels!

Issue #10 Starsky and Hutch

David Soul and Paul Michael Glaser Cover

Ok, so I might have had a little bit of a crush on David Soul while it seemed everyone else was going ga ga over Paul Michael.

I watched the show faithfully and was really happy when David released his hit single "Don't Give Up On Us, Baby". I didn't know at the time, that David was a singer long before he was an actor and actually appeared on the Merv Griffin's TV talk show, wearing a mask and calling himself the "Covered Man" way back in 1967. David has stated that he hopes to be remembered more for his music than his acting.

Issue #11 The Bionic Woman Vs Wonder Woman

Lindsay Wagner and Lynda Carter

This is issue #11 and I have to admit, that is has a poor rendition of Wonder Woman (Lynda Carter) and The Bionic Woman (Lindsay Wagner) on the front cover. Wonder Woman looks nothing like Lynda and the Bionic Woman,while showing an ok resemblance to Lindsay, makes it look as though she has 5 o'clock shadow and needs a shave. The artist for this issue's cover was Katrina Taylor.

But anyway, two of my all time favorite shows from the 70's. Lindsay went on to have a successful career in entertainment making lots of TV movies. Lynda did several more series and even released an album called "Portrait" in 1978 which has a beautiful portrait of Lynda on the front AND a full color photo of her belly button pose that was issued as a Pro Arts poster in 1978 as well.

Issue #12 Horshack Speaks Out

Ooh-ooh-ooooh! Mr. Kotter!!

Ron Palillio played Arnold Horshack, the goofball, class clown of the Sweathog bunch on the series "Welcome Back Kotter". He was known for his "Ooh-ooh-ooooh!" whenever he raised his hand to answer a question.

Ron is still acting and is a gifted artist. He did the illustrations for the book, "The Red Wings of Christmas" written by Wesley Eure (that's right, Will from the classic "Land of the Lost" 70's Saturday morning kids show) and "A Gift for the Contessa" written by Michael Merle.

Issue #14 Jaclyn Smith: A Talk With A Real Angel

Kelly Garrett On Charlie's Angels

Jaclyn gained her fame as Kelly Garrett on "Charlie's Angels". Her character, called the most beautiful of the three original angels, was a cross between Sabrina and Jill.... smart like Sabrina and athletic like Jill and beautiful in her own right. Before getting the role of Kelly Garrett, she did guest stints on a variety of popular 70's shows, like "The Partridge Family", "The Rookies", "Switch" and more. She was the only angel to remain with the series for it's entire 5 year run.

Issue #17 Cheryl Ladd: The Human Angel

Farrah's Replacement on Charlie's Angels

What a stroke of genius on the writers and producers part, to make the replacement for Jill Monroe (Farrah) her younger sister, Kris (Cheryl Ladd). I mean how could you hate Jill's little sister?! Apparently not many could and Cheryl, as Chris, became an accepted angel, unlike poor Shelley Hack, who is spotlighted on issus #31's cover.

Do you know that Cheryl was the singing voice for Melody Jones on the classic cartoon, "Josie and The Pussycats" and she was credited under the name "Cherie Moor". Do you also remember that Cheryl released two albums here in the US? Her single,"Think It Over" from the first album, peaked at #38 on the Billboard chart.

Issue #18 Rock And Roll! Kiss! Elton! Elvis!

The first album I ever bought was "Rock and Roll Over" by Kiss. When these guys came on the scene with their wild makeup and costumes, people simply didn't know what to make of them. There was a rumor going around that their name actually stood for "Kings in Satan's Service". While I don't think these guys served Satan in any capacity, I do think they were four musicians who came up with a really great gimmick for getting their music out before the people. Comic books, posters, TV appearances and not to mention music sales and successful concert tours, yeah these guys most certainly knew what they were doing. Anyway, this is from 1978 and is issue #18.

Issue # 22 Suzanne Somers

Chrissy Snow on Three's Company

We remember Suzanne Somers as "Chrissy Snow" on the 70's sitcom, "Three's Company". Her character started out as a naive blond and as time went by she became pretty much just another blond bimbo on the show.

When she asked for a significant raise in pay she was promptly fired from the show and was shown only very briefly on the remaining episodes of her contract. Rumor has it that co stars John Ritter and Joyce Dewitt weren't too happy with her demands but Suzanne made peace with John before his passing several years ago.... no clue as to how things are between Joyce and Suzanne after all these years.

Issue #24 Farrah Is Back

Don't We Wish It Was True

The cover photo of this issue reminds me of the photo used on Farrah's shampoo that hit the stores back in 1978 or 79. Did you buy her shampoo...and maybe even stashed it away for when it would become a valuable collector's item?

She was thought of as just eye candy;a beautiful blond who gave us a classic poster. But, we were all taken aback when we discovered this beautiful lady could ACT!!

Farrah was indeed talented and we can be thankful that we got the chance to discover that in such roles as "The Burning Bed", "Nazi Hunter: The Beate Klarsfeld Story", "Small Sacrifices", "Extremities" (off Broadway play and big screen movie) and more.

Kate Jackson, her co-star on "Charlie's Angels", comments about Farrah's passing...."when you think of Farrah, remember her smiling, because that is exactly how she wanted to be remembered: smiling."

Remember Farrah's classic poster from 1976? Click the photo to go to another lens that highlights some of the best posters from the 70's and 80's.

1977 Bananas Yearbook

John Travolta and Farrah Fawcett 1977's Top Bananas

This issue features a beautiful full color photos of both Farrah and John. They were the top bananas of the year, Farrah for "Charlie's Angels" and John for "Welcome Back Kotter".

One of the questions on the Q & A on the story about Farrah was "does she get along with her co stars" and Farrah's answer was "the only time we have any conflicts is when we knock each other down racing to the doughnut wagon". It's so hard to believe that she is gone.

Issue #31 Shelley Hack

Hello Shelley! Goodbye Kate!

Shelley came to Charlie's Angels as a replacement for Kate Jackson (Sabrina Duncan) and by then the only original angel left on the series was Jaclyn Smith as Kelly Garrett.

It's been said of Shelley that her character was too snooty and simply didn't fit in with Jaclyn and Cheryl. Her character only lasted for one season, the 4th. But, personally, I thought she worked well with Cheryl and Jaclyn and she was a pretty darn good actress.

Issue #27 The History of Happy Days

Henry Winkler and Ron Howard Cover

Happy Days had a 10 year run on ABC starting in 1974. Set in the 1950's and 60's, we got to see life through the eyes of the Cunningham family, Howard and his wife Marion and their three children, Chuck (who vanished shortly after the show began) Richie and Joanie. Thrown in for good measure was Richie's two best friends, Potsie (Anson Williams) and Ralph Malph (Donnie Most) and an occasional appearance by a high school drop out name The Fonz (Henry Winkler) who would go on to become one of the most popular characters ever created for a TV series.

Issue #28 Cheryl Tiegs

The First Super Model

Cheryl is probably one of the most easily recognized of the super models. She is, in fact credited as being the very first super model

She began her modeling career at age 17, appearing on magazine covers and she has appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition three times. The first in 1970, again in 1975 and finally in 1983.

And, here she graces the cover of Bananas, Issue $28, looking as lovely as ever.

In 1978, Cheryl released a poster through Pro Arts, the same company that gave us the famous Farrah bikini pose. I have read, but have never been able to find any real conclusive proof that Cheryl's pose rivaled Farrah's in terms of units sold. Can anyone verify this?

Issue #32 Erik Estrada

Francis "Ponch" Poncherello on CHiPS

He came to fame as Francis "Ponch" Poncherello on the TV series "Chips" that ran from 1977-83.

In 1979 he was seriously injured when he was thrown from his motorcycle while filming a scene for the series He seemed to fall from public view after CHiPS ended. But, in recent years has worked in a variety of venues including work on the daytime soap, "The Bold and the Beautiful", with guest appearances on "Scrubs", "According to Jim" and "Big Time Rush".

Issue #39 Bo Duke and Bo Derek

John "Bo Duke" Schneider and Bo Derek Cover 1980

Two popular Bo's back in 1980. Bo Derek came on the scene in the movie "10", a Blake Edwards comedy that co-starred the late Dudley Moore as George Webber, a song writer who is going through a mid life crisis and ends up being infatuated with a young newly wed played by Bo.

Bo Duke, played by John Schneider starred in the "Dukes of Hazzard" a show that lasted for seven years. While all the girls were falling for blond cutie, Bo, I was more into dark haired Luke (Tom Wopat). I always seemed to do that, go against the flow and end up having the crush of the "less" popular guy.

An Eye for Beauty: A Photographer's Odyssey

Bo Derek Photos

Issue #41 Michael Jackson Talks To Bananas

RIP Michael June 25 2009

The cover on this issue is of Michael before all the plastic surgery and long before all the scandals which has all but destroyed his career.

I don't know for certain that Michael was guilty of everything he was accused of doing. There are many who say without a doubt yes he was...but in this crazy old world, scandals take on a life of their own and get populated with rumor, half truths, innuendo and more. People who never so much as spoke to the person accused, all of a sudden are "experts" with something valid to say and we hang on their every word.

But what I do know for sure is that he had songs that I really liked and I will choose to remember Michael for his music and leave it at that.

Issue #44 Here's Loni

Loni came to our attention as receptionist Jennifer Marlowe on "WKRP in Cincinnati", a show about a struggling rock and roll station. Surprisingly, the producers of the show made her into a woman of intelligence which went against stereotype of beautiful blonds.

Loni went on to do a few other TV series as well as a movie biography about blond 50's sex symbol, Jayne Mansfield.

This particular issue has a nice fold out poster of the stars of the series "WKRP", not to mention this very nice cover shot of Loni.

Issue #45 Bo Duke Goes Out On A Date

The Dukes of Hazzard TV series which ran from 1979 to 85 was based on a big screen movie from 1975 called, "Moonrunners" where the characters were Grady and Bobby Lee Hagg who ran moonshine for their Uncle Jesse. Waylon Jennings was the Balladeer for the film and for the TV series

The movie was based on the real life experiences of Jerry Rushing who was a bootlegger. His life inspired the character Bo Duke.

Issue #48 Magnum, P.I.

Tom Sellect Cover 1981

Tom Selleck... what a hunk, or so I thought when Magnum, P.I. first came on the scene. I watched the show faithfully for a few seasons and then just seemed to lose interest. I guess that happens from time to time, huh?

Tom's first TV appearance was on the show, "The Dating Game" in 1965. He would appear on the show again in 1967 and he lost both times. Remember that Tom also played Lance White on "The Rockford Files". His character was a rival private detective who always was in the right place at the right time, things just seem to come so easy for him, while Rockford had to work really hard to solve cases.

Did you know that Tom was originally cast as Indiana Jones, but had to turn down the role because of his contract to work on Magnum PI? We all know who finally ended up playing the part, right.... Harrison Ford.

Tom has turned down the chance to do a cameo in the planned 2011 film version of Magnum, P.I. and explains why..."I tell you what worries me -- because I love "Magnum" and we have loyal fans -- is they take these TV show titles, and they buy them and they spend $100 million on special effects, and then they make fun of them and trivialize it. Then they try and get the actor who used to be in it to do some ridiculous cameo to prove to the audience that it's OK. And I will not do that". Way to go, Tom, I totally agree with you, it's horrible the way that Hollywood treats the classics when they "remake" them. I never understood why anyone would take a popular show (popular because people liked it, the way it was originally written) and then totally change the premise so that it doesn't even resemble the show that fans loved so AND then be shocked when it tanks at the box office.

Issue #50: Meet Tony Geary

General Hospital actor graces the front cover

I have to admit that I was never able to get into watching soap operas for any length of time and I certainly wasn't taken with the Luke and Laura pairing... sorry, but I thought Tony Geary was "weird" looking. But, lots of other folks out there didn't think like I did and Tony became a soap opera hunk.

So, if I wasn't a fan of Tony's what is this magazine doing here... well simple, really, the popularity of this couple made soap opera history. Every soap since then has tried to come up with their own "super couple"...Luke and Laura set the standard.

Issue #51 Greatest American Hero

William Katt as a super hero who hasn't a clue!

What happens to an ordinary high school teacher, Ralph Hinkley (William Katt) who has a close encounter with space aliens? Well... for one thing, he gets a super suit that gives him super powers and he promptly loses the instruction booklet. Well, guess like most of us, he will just have to try to figure things out doing a lot of trial and error..with some hilarious results....with flying being a problem.

The Greatest American Hero ran for three seasons on ABC TV starting in 1981 and lasting till 1983. Along for the ride was FBI agent, Bill Maxwell (Robert Culp) and Pam Davidson (Connie Selleca).

Issue #52 Brooke Shields Goes Out On A Date

Brook was 11 months old when she started her modeling career in 1966. At age 14, she appeared on the cover of Vogue Magazine, making her the youngest model to do so.

Not one to rely on just her Hollywood career, she went to Princeton University from 1983 to 87 and graduated with a degree in French Literature.

In 2005 she went public about her battle with postpartum depression, a revelation that earned her criticism from actor Tom Cruise, a devout Scientologist whose religion frowns on using psychiatry as a form of medical treatment. Brooke defended her actions and won a private apology from Tom.

Issue # 57 Scott Baio

The Fonz's Cousin

When he was 16 years old he was cast as Chachi Arcola, the Fonz's cousin on "Happy Days" and his character had a crush on Richie Cunningham's sister, Joanie, and it wasn't, for a while returned.

But, eventually things would change and not only would Chachi end up with Joanie, they would get their own spin off from the series, called "Joanie Loves Chachi " which lasted for two seasons.

Issue #60 We Trip Up The Fall Guy

1982 Lee Majors Cover

Lee first came to my attention as "The Six Million Dollar Man" back in 1974. I watched the show faithfully (remember the few episodes when Steve wore a mustache, he just never seemed to look right to me with one of those).

Then, he gained our attention again in "The Fall Guy" as Colt Severs, a Hollywood stunt man who moonlighted as a bounty hunter. The show ran from 1981 to 86. Lee sang the theme song to the show and even had a #1 hit with it in Germany.