Skip to content
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • PodBean
  • Subscribe To My Pal Sammy Newsletter
  • ABOUT
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms

My Summer Lair

Think NPR's Fresh Air meets Kevin Smith: My Summer Lair with host Sammy Younan: interviews & impressions on Pop Culture.

  • Home
  • Podcast
    • My Summer Lair
    • Space Station Oddity
  • Set The VCR
  • New Book Alert
  • True Sammy Stories
  • Toggle search form
David Kamp (Sunny Days) My Summer Lair 160

160 | David Kamp (Sunny Days: The Children’s Television Revolution That Changed America)

Posted on June 16, 2020March 21, 2024 By Sammy Younan No Comments on 160 | David Kamp (Sunny Days: The Children’s Television Revolution That Changed America)

My Summer Lair Chapter #160: Of The Many TV Shows That Make Up The Children’s Television Revolution…Which Are Your Favourites?

>

History lesson kids! David Kamp latest book is Sunny Days: The Children’s Television Revolution That Changed America.

To recap some of the children’s TV shows covered in this book and our conversation…
Sesame Street which premiered on November 10, 1969.

Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood started right before the Street on February 19, 1968.

The Electric Company powered up on October 25, 1971.

Finally:
Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids Hey, Hey, Heyed on September 9, 1972 while Schoolhouse Rock debuted on January 6, 1973. Shoutout to Three Is a Magic Number. Yes. That’s my jam.

I consumed all of those shows and I adored all of them. And I mean that’s an impressive run and it’s not even a full complete picture: the book mentions so much more. Kamp astutely calls it an Era of Enlightenment Jr.

And what’s amazing about Sunny Days is that it’s not a shrine to nostalgia. It doesn’t just look back for the sake of looking back. What makes the book relevant is that it looks ahead. This is about our future as much as it is about our past. It is the sobering recognition we were once good coupled with a tantalizing invitation to be good again.

Think about this for a second: Sesame Street…Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood on PBS got federal funding. We invested in the emotional well-being of children and equipped at-risk kids teaching them how to read, understand their emotions and the value of imagination and play. Can you even imagine that happening now with our political landscape? We’re barely feeding them right now.

So…if we were good once…it’s entirely possible for us to be good again. Sunny Days are here if you want em…John Lennon is right: War is over! If you want it.

David Kamp @ W • T • F

Host & Photography Sammy Younan

Recorded: Wednesday October 14, 2020 at 1:00 pm

Stress free pop culture tastefully harvested for your divine delight. Once a week a carefully curated edition of My Pal Sammy goes directly to your inbox. Sign up for my newsletter so we can have some fun…like loitering on Sesame Street!

My Summer Lair, Podcast Tags:David Kamp, Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids, Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, New Book Alert, Schoolhouse Rock, Sesame Street, Sunny Days, Writers

Post navigation

Previous Post: 159 | Lulu Wei (There’s No Place Like This Place, Anyplace)
Next Post: 162 | David Oster (Todd McFarlane: Like Hell I Won’t)

More Related Articles

009 | Andrew Keen (The Internet Is Not The Answer) My Summer Lair
055 | DMC (Darryl Makes Comics) My Summer Lair
Jesse Cook (Tempest 25) and Sammy Younan in My Summer Lair 152 | Jesse Cook (Tempest 25) My Summer Lair
288 | Michael Hirsh (Animation Nation) My Summer Lair
013 | Jerome Skeete & Philip Leung (Hum) My Summer Lair
My Pal Sammy Episode 2: Expectations vs Reality Podcast

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • #SetTheVCR: July 28 – August 03, 2025
    by Sammy Younan
    From a Red Eye to Area 51 this week’s TV Recommendations will make you put up your Twisted Metal. I dunno what that means, either, though I do know it’s #SetTheVCR time.
  • #SetTheVCR: July 21-27, 2025
    by Sammy Younan
    OPEN Happy Gilmore 2 is the TV Pick. TEXT This week’s TV Recommendations range from a Holy War to a Code of Silence. And Happy Gilmore is back…with a (golf) range like that it can only be #SetTheVCR.
  • #SetTheVCR: July 14-20, 2025
    by Sammy Younan
    Welcome To The Summer I Turned on The TV enjoying an Apocalypse and many Home Runs. With these recommendations #SetTheVCR is for TV Rif Raf and Amateurs.
  • #SetTheVCR: July 7-13, 2025
    by Sammy Younan
    #SetTheVCR is your Institute for TV Recommendations: from Trainwrecks to Jaws I drop it like it's hot!
  • #SetTheVCR: June 30 – July 6, 2025
    by Sammy Younan
    New Sandman means new TV dreams for this week to let your Old Guard down and enjoy TV Recommendations just like Sinners. It’s #SetTheVCR so let’s get Lost Together.
  • #SetTheVCR: June 23-29, 2025
    by Sammy Younan
    Here's a Countdown of TV Recommendations. For those who're Young Werther or those with an Ironheart this is #SetTheVCR.
  • #SetTheVCR: June 16-22, 2025
    by Sammy Younan
    TV Recommendations for a Magic Lover you can watch week down by The Waterfront just watch out for Sharks. I'm not a Liar...look it's #SetTheVCR.
  • #SetTheVCR: June 09-15, 2025
    by Sammy Younan
    Without a TV Guide TV Recommendations can quickly go FUBAR quickly like checking into a Hell Motel. To avoid that Trainwreck #SetTheVCR is your TV Revival.
  • #SetTheVCR June 2–8, 2025 TV recommendations image from My Summer Lair, featuring a retro-style television graphic promoting a weekly pop culture column by podcast host Sammy Younan.
    #SetTheVCR: June 02-08, 2025
    by Sammy Younan
    Your Presence is required for these TV Recommendations which range from Power Moves to a Resident Alien. #SetTheVCR for Good Night, and Good Luck.
  • #SetTheVCR TV recommendations cover for May 26 – June 1, 2025, from My Summer Lair podcast, highlighting curated weekly streaming and television picks by Sammy Younan.
    #SetTheVCR: May 26 – June 01, 2025
    by Sammy Younan
    Here stories from Birbiglia to Bono: it’s a Brave New World filled with TV Recommendations. Wanna Live The Good Life? Enjoy this week’s #SetTheVCR.
  • Morning Tea: Happy UFO Day 2025!July 2, 2025
    What's popping in popular culture? My Summer Lair host Sammy Younan steeps some seriously serious tea which prompts reflections.
  • Trial By Trailer: The Running Man (A Remake…)July 1, 2025
    Trail By Trailer is judging a book by its cover or in this case...a movie by its trailer. Are you 100% IN or is it a Hard Pass?
  • #CouchWorthy: Barbara Walters: Tell Me EverythingJune 22, 2025
    Exploring the pioneering career of Barbara Walters. Delving into her influential role in broadcast journalism and the challenges women face in achieving success.
  • #CouchWorthy: Bono: Stories of SurrenderMay 29, 2025
    Bono: Stories of Surrender is a vivid reimagining of his one-man stage show Stories of Surrender now streaming on Apple TV.
  • #CouchWorthy: Super Team CanadaMay 16, 2025
    Super Team Canada follows six lesser known and underrated Canadian superheroes, tasked with saving the world.
  • #CouchWorthy: Murderbot: Season 1 May 15, 2025
    Murderbot a private security cyborg hides its acquired autonomy, while completing dangerous assignments is simultaneously drawn to humans.

  • Batman: Detective Comics Vol. 1: Gotham Nocturne: Overture
    Under-Review: Detective Comics: Gotham Nocturne: Overture
    by Sammy Younan
    My Summer Lair host Sammy Younan reviews Batman - Detective Comics: Gotham Nocturne: OvertureL Volume 1,
  • New Book Alert: California Bear
    by Sammy Younan
    New Book Alert is just that: A useful Yo for a fresh book. from your pal Sammy. What Are You Reading?
  • New Book Alert: The Music Was Just Getting Good
    by Sammy Younan
    New Book Alert is just that: A useful Yo for a fresh book. from your pal Sammy. What Are You Reading?
  • New Book Alert: The Ascent
    by Sammy Younan
    New Book Alert is just that: A useful Yo for a fresh book. from your pal Sammy. What Are You Reading?
  • New Book Alert: Fantastic Four by Ryan North Volume 2
    by Sammy Younan
    New Book Alert is just that: A useful Yo for a fresh book. from your pal Sammy. What Are You Reading?

Copyright © 2025 My Summer Lair.

Powered by PressBook Premium theme