A belated Happy Rockyversary to Rocket J. Squirrel and Bullwinkle J. Moose

Charlie Meyerson's Chicago Public Square had this yesterday, but it's not the first time I've been a day late... or, for that matter, a dollar short.

Hard to believe that Moose and Squirrel have been frustrating Boris and Natasha and Fearless Leader from their base in Frostbite Falls, Minnesota for 65 years now, but that's what Meyerson reports.

I'm a fan.

OK, I'm an obsessive: I have all five seasons of the show on DVD. My children never quite got into the shows; some of them chafed at my constant explanations of the references, once topical, by then historical. (Perhaps -- just possibly -- not all of the running commentary was necessary.) But I have grandchildren now, and, like Boris, I have a Fiendish Plan.

My Fiendish Plan has been to introduce the show to the grandkids... but, also like Boris, my plan has foundered upon implementation. It seems the new generation is not as much interested in sly Cold War comedy as they are in... well... Paw Patrol... or Super Kitties...

which is the Disney Channel's 'homage' to Paw Patrol -- and can you believe someone would want to imitate Paw Patrol? -- or Batwheels...

which, incredibly enough, is just exactly what it looks like....

There has to be a window where it will be possible to bring at least some of the kids into at least an appreciation of Rocky, Bullwinkle, Dudley Do-Right, Peabody and Sherman, Aesop's Fables, and (of course) Fractured Fairy Tales ... but, inasmuch as the Rocky and Bullwinkle Show never once mentioned Taylor Swift, it can't be a very large window.

But I continue to hope.