The Forgotten Dinosaur Show That Inspired Jurassic Park Fans

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It’s tough to overlook the fact that the ’80s provided some of the most enduring cartoons ever made, but this 37-year-old dinosaur show, often overlooked, is a must-watch for fans. Just as the creation of Jurassic Park didn’t happen overnight, its fanbase wasn’t miraculously generated from fossils. Much like the engineered dinosaurs in John Hammond’s park, there was a series of events that led to its popularity. Denver, the Last Dinosaur, was more than just a weekend companion for viewers; he embodied an era long past, and certainly not the Mesozoic.

Prior to the release of the Jurassic Park films, the animated series Denver: The Last Dinosaur premiered in 1988, produced by World Event Productions (WEP LLC), the same studio that made Voltron popular in America. The show centers around Jeremy, Shades, Mario, and Wally, a lively group of Californians who discover a living Corythosaurus unearthed from the La Brea Tar Pits. They narrowly avoid exploitation by a mad scientist, Professor Funt, and a shady Hollywood producer, Morton Fizzback, for Denver’s unique musical abilities. As a result, they must conceal their dinosaur friend, Denver, leading them on adventures involving friendship, ecology, and time travel. In this era, the term “rock and roll” takes on an entirely new significance as this fossilized creature navigates the 1980s.

The Neon-Lit Nostalgia of Denver, the Last Dinosaur

From The Tar Pits to the Mosh Pits

The 1980s were marked by popular cartoons such as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Transformers, and She-Ra: Princess of Power, but when even Inspector Gadget and the Care Bears join the nostalgia celebration, Denver and his friends tend to fly under the radar. Some might say these shows defined the pop culture of the era, but none embodied its essence more than Denver, the Last Dinosaur, and none laid the groundwork for future cartoons quite like it did.

Wearing a vibrant neon-pink pair of sunglasses, a guitar to match, and a sharp mohawk styled like bones, Denver was an incredibly trendy Corythosaurus. He appeared as if he had just emerged from a Lisa Frank notebook. Denver and the entire show seemed as though they were created by a team aiming to blend all the popular elements of the time: skateboarding, brightly lit malls, Californian dreams, playful E.T.-inspired antics, and, needless to say, dinosaurs adorned in glam rock fashion that Jurassic Park could only dream of cloning.

Denver’s escapades mirrored the broader television trend of that era. As some parents fretted over the violence in shows like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Denver provided a more amiable option. When politicians urged cartoons to impart lessons, Denver responded with episodes focusing on standing up against bullies, preserving the environment, and showcasing the coolness of paleontology, introducing children to dinosaurs like Stenonychosaurus (nicknamed “the karate-champ dinosaur”). Essentially, if Barney had the ability to rock out like Slash, battle cartoon adversaries, and consume vast amounts of potato chips, he might have resembled Denver.

37 years on, the show’s infectious theme tune (still resonating in viewers’ minds) mirrored the vibrancy of the glam rock epoch. With its gripping guitar melodies, resonant vocals, and a refrain that served as both a battle cry and a motto: “Denver, the Last Dinosaur; He’s my friend and a whole lot more!”, it perfectly embodied the essence of the series. Denver’s theme was a blend of dinosaur power ballad, irresistible hook, and pure ’80s enchantment.

The TV show about a dinosaur in the 1980s had a unique blend of allure and wit, making it seem as if a time-traveling writer from that era was behind it. This cartoon depicted children conversing in phrases like “Mondo Condo” and balancing internships, activism, and an overwhelming amount of after-school activities that even the Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers might have found challenging. Yet, this was what made Denver special. Just like the dinosaur hatching from a tar egg, the show itself is a time capsule, filled with cheese, peculiarity, and a heartwarming charm. Despite being labeled as a “Jurassic Punk,” Denver taught kids (and continues to remind everyone) themes similar to those in Jurassic Park: the importance of nature, responsibility, and preservation, even when it’s painful. WEP’s TV show didn’t often preach; instead, it focused on having fun, but it never lost sight of the power of kindness.

The Dinosaur That Time Forgot (But Jurassic Park Fans Shouldn’t)

How Denver Was a Jurassic Spark of a Mesozoic Movement

While Jurassic Park marketed itself as an adventure spanning 65 million years, it could also be seen as building on the dinosaur craze that emerged half a decade earlier. Essentially, Denver, the Last Dinosaur served as its prologue, given dinosaurs’ popularity, particularly in children’s programming, and Denver being far more intriguing than many realized.

In the ’90s, I couldn’t help but be swept up by the dinosaur craze that was unstoppable! But let me clarify, Jurassic Park wasn’t the start of it all; it was more like the spark that ignited the flame. Dinosaurs had already been making a comeback long before Isla Nublar’s gates were opened.

Remember the magic of Don Bluth’s The Land Before Time? It captivated us, and who could ever forget Littlefoot’s heartbreaking loss that left an entire generation feeling emotionally drained. At the same time, dinosaurs were taking over the toy aisles with Transformers’ Dinobots and Mattel’s Dino-Riders. Museums came alive with animatronic exhibits of these ancient creatures.

Denver, the Last Dinosaur was from a unique period – a sort of bridge between the ’80s and today. This era was marked by a collision of everything ’80s: neon fashion, rock ballads, and even skateboarding dinosaurs! It was as if we were living in a prehistoric time capsule.

Instead of the futuristic thrill of Steven Spielberg’s movies, Denver provided a more intimate experience for children: the dream of becoming friends with a dinosaur rather than fleeing from it. It was not about learning about them, but playing music alongside them. Imagine Tim Murphy, the young dinosaur enthusiast from Jurassic Park, rushing to catch Denver and his friends every Saturday morning before eating his Dinersaurs cereal. WEP’s show embodied that raw childhood wonder, the pure happiness of believing dinosaurs were the epitome of coolness, and wishing one could be your best buddy.

Fans of “Jurassic Park”, particularly those who cherished it during their childhood years, could find a sense of nostalgic warmth in exploring Denver. The 1988 series resonates with the same affection for dinosaurs, but presents them through a gentler, vibrant neon filter. Unlike science fiction, this isn’t about futuristic explorations. Instead, it’s a Saturday morning fantasy come true – a cartoon that not only captured a child’s fascination with dinosaurs, but transformed it into something thrilling, heartwarming, and most importantly, hip.

A Nostalgic Magic That Can’t Be Recreated

Denver, The Last Dinosaur Can’t be Cloned

The ’80s cartoon was revived in 2018 and is now being turned into a new movie, but it’s challenging to imagine that lightning will strike twice with the same magic. WEP’s original series tapped into a nostalgic charm that can’t be replicated. It was a unique blend of science, skateboards, and synth-backed soundtracks, a cartoon that was truly a product of the ’80s yet remains relevant today. Despite some studios questioning Denver’s relevance in the contemporary world, his impact has already been profoundly felt. For fans of Jurassic Park, the original show serves as an essential bridge between childhood fascination with dinosaurs and adult awe at blockbuster films.

Stepping back into the realm of nostalgia, I must say that Denver truly stood out as the last of his unique breed. The 80s, with its Saturday morning lineup brimming with action heroes like He-Man, Optimus Prime, and Jem, was a time when the extraordinary battled the sinister. Yet, amidst this vibrant landscape, a prehistoric guitarist in neon hues deserves a place among these iconic figures.

Denver was not just cooler than an icy Capri Sun on a hot summer day; he oozed a chill vibe that made him stand out from the crowd. More importantly, he embodied more heart than most shows dared to reveal, making his character endearing and memorable even today.

While Denver wasn’t created in a lab or through computer graphics, he was a dinosaur kids could consider their friend, and for many, this meant everything. In a time when dinosaurs still captivate children, the Jurassic World series brings them to life on the big screen. Even though Denver is over 37 years old, if his presence and that of his friends showed us anything, it’s that sometimes revisiting the past can help us appreciate the marvels of the present all over again.

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2025-05-14 20:51