America Goes Bananaz is a teenager-oriented variety show presented by Michael Young and Randy Hamilton. It premiered locally on QUBE's C-1 channel in 1977, with the title Columbus Goes Bananaz. The series was renamed America Goes Bananaz in preparation for a move to then-upcoming youth-oriented national network Nickelodeon; all episodes aired from January 19, 1979, onward used this title. Early episodes of the show were broadcast live from the Westland Mall in Columbus, Ohio. Some episodes incorporated the QUBE system's interactivity, having viewers decide which events they would like to see. The series' interactive element was discontinued as the show went national, and episodes were taped in advance from 1979 until the show ended. Notable guest stars included Arnold Schwarzenegger, Chuck Jones, Todd Rundgren, the Sanford-Townsend Band, Andy Kaufman, and Bob Zmuda. Format The format of America Goes Bananaz was modeled after the structure of The Mike Douglas Show, which producer Burt Dubrow worked on. The concept was adjusted for a slightly younger audience, and the program was billed as having been "designed for the American adolescent." Recurring segments on America Goes Bananaz included a karate feature hosted by Jay T. Will, audience polls, and advice columns allowing viewers to send the host requests for guidance. Hip hop music sessions focusing on mature subjects, such as drugs and birth control, were also regularly shown in an effort to interest and educate a teenage target audience. Guest speaker John Steinberg, a "consumer gadfly" notifying viewers of negative purchases like "record album rip-offs," often appeared. History According to an interview with Philadelphia Daily News, original host Michael Young first learned of Columbus Goes Bananaz while in his lawyer's office in 1977. He had reportedly just discovered that he was being sued for a play he had co-produced with Herschel Bernardi. Over the telephone, Young's agent informed him that Warner-Amex was holding auditions for a talk show host. Due to his lack of offers at the time, Young decided to try out for the job. Among others auditioning to be the show's host was Tony Dow, whose well-known role as Wally Cleaver on Leave It to Beaver initially made Young believe that Dow would be chosen. According to Young, Dow ultimately stated that Young deserved the role. Michael Young was selected and hosted the show for two years, until he moved to ABC's Kids Are People Too in 1979. After Young's departure, actor