The Banana Splits

The Banana Splits are back!

Remembered for their goofy comedy skits, psychadelic sets and catchy music, the quartet of Fleegle, Drooper, Bingo and Snorky have made a triumphant return to TV in all-new music videos and shorts on Cartoon Network and Boomerang starting September 2.

With as many as 130 one to two minute unique, kid-focused segments airing daily, The Banana Splits are set for a revival. Universal Records is also getting into the act by producing a DVD with 13 new Banana Splits songs and music videos.

Fleegle is the unofficial leader of the Banana Splits. He is a beagle (Fleegle the beagle). He would get the guys organized for their club meetings. Fleegle would bang his giant mallet to call the group to order causing everyone to fall over.

One of the recurring segments on the show was when Fleegle (wearing magician attire) would appear as "The Great Fleegali" and then Fleegle and his assistant Snorky would do various magic tricks for Drooper and Bingo.

Whenever the Banana Splits Band appeared, Fleegle played the guitar.

My man Drooper. What can be said about this zany member of the Banana Splits? Drooper is a lion and would be featured in his "Dear Drooper" segment during the first year of the series where Drooper and Bingo would offer advice to viewers who wrote in. One thing I remember was that whenever Drooper cried, he would dab his eyes with his tail and then wring out his tail. And Drooper was a whiz on guitar.

Bingo is a orange gorilla noted for his big toothy grin. He would keep the Drooper, Fleegle and Snorky active in his segments as "Coach Bingo." Also, Bingo was the drummer for the band.

Although Snorky never spoke, he was one of the favorite Banana Splits. Out of all the Splits characters, Snorky went through the most change. Originally Snorky was all covered in shaggy hair, but during the episode "The Great Banana Splits Race" A new version of Snorky was introduced. Snorky now was clean-shaven (with visible eyes) and wore a striped vest. This version was used thru the show's second season.

Do you remember some of the cartoons and live action shorts from The Banana Splits Adventure Hour? Here's a list of the various cartoons aired during the show's initial run.

Arabian Knights
Danger Island
The Hillybilly Bears
Micro Ventures
The Three Musketeers
Adventures of Gulliver
New Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

The Hard Rock Park, newly opened in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina have also created Banana Splitsville, an outdoor play area with rides for the kids like Bouncing Dune Boogies and Sole Train. "The Banana Splits Live" show is performed several times a day with the Splits posing for photos with park-goers.

The park has roller coasters, a 10,000-seat amphitheater for live shows and special events and dining areas.

Tra La La

The Splits' catchy theme song was written by Tony Powers & Ritchie Adams and I still have the chorus stuck in my brain. "Tra,la,la...la,la,la,la...tra,la,la,...la,la,la,la,la")

One banana, two banana, three banana, four
Four bananas make a bunch and so do many more.
Over hill and highway the banana buggies go
Coming on to bring you the Banana Splits show

Making up a mess of fun, Making up a mess of fun
Lots of fun for everyone

Tra la la, la la la la, tra la la, la la la la
Tra la la, la la la la, tra la la, la la la la

Four banana, three banana, two bananas, one
All bananas playing in the bright warm sun,
Flipping like a pancake, popping like a cork,
Fleagle, Bingo, Drooper and, Snork

Making up a mess of fun, Making up a mess of fun
Lots of fun for everyone

Tra la la, la la la la, tra la la, la la la la
Tra la la, la la la la, tra la la, la la la la

Two Banana, four banana, one banana, three
Swinging like a bunch of monkeys hanging from a tree
Hey there everybody won't you come along and see
How much like Banana Splits everyone can be

Making up a mess of fun, Making up a mess of fun
Lots of fun for everyone

Tra la la, la la la la, tra la la, la la la la
Tra la la, la la la la, tra la la, la la la la
Tra la la, la la la la, tra la la, la la la la

Do you remember the Banana Buggy? This thing was a toy that you had to assemble like a model car. Originally issued way back in 1969, I wonder if there are any for sale over at eBay. I haven't checked, but let me know if you find any.