70s Saturday Mornings – Big John, Little John

After taking a sip from a fountain of youth, John Martin changed from a 45-year-old school teacher to a 12-year-old. Because he only took a sip, the change was not permanent but the change was reoccurring and Martin had no control as to when the change would occur.

John’s secret was only know to his immediate family and to explain the appearance of the 12-year-old John, they claimed he was their nephew. Throughout the series, John tried to find a cure for his predicament, but he was unsuccessful in his attempts. (http://www.70slivekidvid.com/bjlj.htm)

The show also featured Joyce Bulifant who appeared on Matchgame many times. I’ve only met a handful of people who actually remember the show.

This Saturday morning series was only on for one season 1976. It only lasted for 13 episodes. I liked the fountain of youth stories (especially now!) and I really liked the show at 9 years old. It starred Herb Edelman as Big John and Robbie Rist as Little John. Robbie Rist was the infamous cousin Oliver in the Brady Bunch. Robbie looked like a miniature John Denver to me… and grew up to be a musician…and actor.

Robbie Rist                             John Denver

robbierist.jpgjohndenver.jpg

Below the Big John, Little John intro video… is a tv commercial from the same time that shows my favorite EVER peanut butter spread…Koogle…I loved the Banana flavor.

 

Koogle Peanut Butter spread…I wish they would bring it back…probably was the worst thing for you but it was so good. I loved the banana flavor.

Author: Badfinger (Max)

Power Pop fan, Baseball, Beatles, old movies, and tv show fan. Also anything to do with pop culture in the 60s and 70s... I'm also a songwriter, bass and guitar player.

11 thoughts on “70s Saturday Mornings – Big John, Little John”

  2. I could swear there was a scene in some show, where Robbie did appear with John Denver as a mini-me. I only remember seeing it once, and it only lasted a second or two. Not sure I’ll ever be able to remember what show it was.

    I don’t think that Big John Little John show aired in our region. It’s not familiar to me at all.

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    1. It might have happened on a variety show…now I’m going to look for it because it does seem familiar with John Denver…I’m searching
      It was only on for one year…not many people from here remember. I don’t remember them ever rerunning it.

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    2. Yes…You were right…I found a interview with Robbie Rist….

      Did you play John Denver’s son or something?

      Well, what happened is it was on one of his specials and they did a magic trick joke where Dick Van Dyke turns John Denver into me.

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      2. I’m crazy about useless trivia…I can’t rest til I find something. I think I remember that. Probably why I connect them together.

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  3. I was born in 1967 so maybe that is the reason I seem to remember all these old things and yes I do remember BIG JOHN LITTLE JOHN and the KOOGLE COMMERCIAL is something I have not seen in over 40 years I suppose – but this had me FLASHING BACK – It is amazing how these things get stuck in the back of your consciousness forever.

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    1. We are the same age…1967 was the year I was born.
      It’s amazing what we store there. I’ll see or hear something that sparks a memory.

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  4. For years people thought I was crazy when I would talk about this show, I watched as a kid. I couldn’t remember what it was called at the time. When I finally found out the name, I went to YouTube to prove to them I wasn’t crazy.

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