My earliest love on television was the sublime Pogle's Wood. In fact, I loved all the Firmin/Postgate oeuvre, with the exception of Bagpuss (on the basis that Professor Yaffle got a raw deal, even though he was often right (much like the Postgate family friend Bertrand Russell, on whom he was (affectionately) modelled)).
Other cartoons I never wanted to miss were Mr Benn, Captain Pugwash and Roobarb and Custard.
Animations included Magic Roundabout and the Wombles, though Paddington never appealed (despite the fact that I adore Michael Hordern's voice - his Lear is the definitive one for me, and his Jeeves was the standard to aspire to).
American cartoons were odd ones. I saw Tom & Jerry regularly, and loved them. Later, I'd watch Top Cat (without realising the Sgt Bilko parallel) and the Pink Panther. There were other US cartoons, which I was aware of, but rarely saw. including Disney, oddly enough. Disney only appeared as feature films at the cinema and snippets on the compilation shows at holidays. We were familiar enough with Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy et al, but I can't remember a single cartoon, barring the endlessly referred Steamboat Willie.
Then there was Scooby Doo. I don't know why, but I did like it, and watched it every week, even if it was a repeat. Even when they included guest stars who meant very little to us, like Mama Cass, or the Three Stooges. Of course, as someone mentioned above, Crappy Doo ended the programme completely.
As I grew up, Dangermouse came along, which was an outstanding piece of work. But I don't really remember any other cartoons from that period which appealed to me.
Then there was a break from TV for me until I had kids. So a great many things passed me by, though Thomas the bleedin Tank Engine and Superted both drove me to complete boredom from video.
There are cartoons I will never get, like Ren & Stimpy, Angry Beavers, Beavis & Butthead, Family Guy and South Park. But others I have encountered through my kids which really appeal, like The Simpsons and Animaniacs, which are intelligent and witty rather than just crass and banal.
