Roger Ramjet

1 9 6 5 (USA)
156 x 5 minute episodes
1 9 7 8 – 1 9 8 6 (USA)
156 x 5 minute episodes

Roger Ramjet and his Eagles, Fighting for our freedom
Fly through in and outer space, not to join ’em, but to beat ’em

Roger Ramjet He’s our man, Hero of our nation
For his adventures, just be sure and stay tuned to this station

Produced by Ken Snyder, this crudely animated superhero spoof starred the title character (voiced by Gary Owens of Laugh-In fame) as a man so patriotic that eagles soared, flags waved, and stars sparkled as he spoke.

Roger was a superhero who, after taking his Proton Energy Pill, was endowed with the power of twenty atom bombs for a period of twenty seconds.

He used this amazing power on missions for the government – assigned by General G.I. Brassbottom (voiced by Bob Arbogast) – to battle criminals like Noodles Romanoff (Gene Moss) and Henry Cabbage Patch of the N.A.S.T.Y (National Association of Spies, Traitors and Yahoos) organisation.

Joining Roger in his crusade against crime were his young associates, the American Eagle Squadron; Yank, Doodle, Dan and Dee (say it fast . . . geddit?!). Their voices were provided by Dick Beals, Gene Moss and Joan Gerber).

Though loyal, these astute Squadron members sometimes questioned their leader’s antics.

Roger had other problems on his hands. Another superhero, Lance Crossfire (Paul Shively), was constantly getting in his way, as was his mother, Ma Ramjet (Bob Arbogast), who would take it upon herself to get involved in his battles and become a major source of embarrassment for her son.

Meanwhile, his frustrated girlfriend, “Lotta Love” (a G-rated version of a Bond girl or one of Austin Powers’ companions, voiced by Joan Gerber), alternated between pride and worry about her single-minded man.

Episodes were narrated by Dave Ketchum.

The sharp satire, clever dialogue and non-sequitur asides were all there, and Roger had his fans when the show first aired in syndication in 1965. It returned 13 years later to NBC, where it aired between 1978 and 1986. It reappeared on Nickelodeon between 1988 and 1994 and on the Cartoon Network between 1994 and 1997.

Episodes were aired in Britain as part of the 1980s kids TV show No. 73 (1982 – 1988), and the show was also regularly aired in Australia from 1966 onwards.

When Roger takes a proton pill, The crooks begin to worry
They can’t escape their awful fate from proton’s mighty fury

So come and join us, all you kids, for lots of fun and laughter
As Roger Ramjet and his men get all the crooks they’re after

Roger Ramjet
Gary Owens
Gen. G.I. Brassbottom
Bob Arbogast
Yank
Dick Beals
Doodle
Gene Moss
Dan
Dick Beals
Dee
Joan Gerber
Lotta Love
Joan Gerber
Lance Crossfire
Paul Shively
Noodles Romanoff 
Gene Moss
Ma Ramjet 
Bob Arbogast
Announcer
Dave Ketchum

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