Shazzan

"Shazzan" was a Saturday morning cartoon, created by Alex Toth and produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions in 1967 for CBS. The series followed the adventures of two teenage siblings (Chuck and his sister Nancy) traveling around a mystical Arabian world, mounted on Kaboobie the flying camel. During their journey they face several dangers, but they're always helped by Shazzan, a genie with magical powers out of this world.

"Shazzan" is not to be confused with "Shazam!", the 1970s comic book/television revival of Golden Age super hero Captain Marvel, created by C. C. Beck and Bill Parker.

ynopsis

The intro to the cartoons and the first episode give this plot description:

"Inside a cave off the coast of Maine, Chuck (voiced by Jerry Dexter) and Nancy (voiced by Janet Waldo) find a mysterious chest containing the halves of a strange ring. When joined, the ring formed the word "Shazzan!" And with this magical command, they are transported back to the fabled land of the "Arabian Nights". Here they meet their genie, Shazzan (voiced by Barney Phillips). Shazzan presents them with Kaboobie (voiced by Don Messick), a magical flying camel. Shazzan will serve them whenever they call, but he cannot return them home until they deliver the ring to its rightful owner. And thus begins their incredible journey."

hazzan's powers and abilities

Shazzan was invincible; for all their boasts, nothing the villains did could hurt Shazzan for he always has tricks up his sleeves. In addition to the Shazzan rings, Chuck and Nancy were also equipped with other magical items, such as a rope that would move on command, a flying carpet, and a cloak that made the wearer invisible.

Other appearances

Robert Smigel's "TV Funhouse" created a parody of "Shazzan", appearing on the May 14, 2005 broadcast of "Saturday Night Live". The parody, entitled "Shazzang!", depicted the genie Shazzan(g) quickly defeating the villain, but then maiming and executing the villain in an increasingly sadistic fashion, to the consternation of Chuck, Nancy, and Kaboobie. The parody was generally well-received, but some viewers found the segment to be excessively violent and disturbing. It is shown on the DVD version of the "SNL" special "The Best of TV Funhouse" and according to commentary, some people thought it was a vague allegory of George W. Bush invading Iraq to please his father. Smigel asserts that this is not true and is actually ridiculous.

Shazzan has appeared on an episode of "Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law" voiced by Maurice LaMarche. In the episode "Mufti Trouble," he had a long-standing rivalry with Mentok the Mindtaker.

External links

*imdb title|id=0061294|title=Shazzan
*Tv.com show|id=20186|title=Shazzan!