So has the UK, because I can recall my family getting our first color telly.  I can also recall being given 10p on a Saurday morning (about the equivalent of a quarter, I guess) and going off to the shop down the road (alone; we weren't afraid to walk anywhere by ourselves back than) to buy candy.  Stuff that was two-for-a-penny, bubble gum and sherberts and such. 

I totally agree about Saturday morning cartoons that didn't suck.

Growing up before satellite TV, we lived in the country and got about 3 or 4 fuzzy stations.  However, I remember getting up early on Saturdays to watch cartoons because they were *only* playing on Saturday mornings.  My mom had one of those kid sized folding tables that we sat at eating our oatmeal or pancakes while watching cartoons.  Now, Saturdays are no different than any other day since every day has cartoons on TV.

I think that one of the reasons that we are seeing more and more overweight kids is because they don't have to amuse themselves.  They can just plunk down in front of the TV/video game/computer and be entertained.  We used to walk miles to a friends house to chat with them because Mom was on the phone.  Now you just you AIM or your cell phone.

Heck, do kids even ride bicycles anywhere anymore?

Of course, I also remember when girls dressed like girls

Yes, I do.  We used to ride our bikes everywhere, and would think nothing of riding 2 miles (one way) down to the next village to see our friends.  Of course, it was safe to do that without fear of abduction then.  My mum would kick us out of the house and make us play outside...or at least be outside.  We'd go to the play ground, or like Karma says, walk over to someone elses house instead of IM or call them.  I make my kids go outside every afternoon.  If the weather's bad then the TV gets turned off and they have to go find something else to do.