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Too Looney News

For more news, see the NEWS FORUM and the Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies Page.

6/22/02

To most Toon Zone News readers, this is old news...but I'll sum it up for you since I've been gone a while:

Speedy Gonzales returns: My petition worked! Speedy Gonzales has returned to Cartoon Network! However, if the character does poorly ratings-wise, he will be gone again. How can you help? Watch these shows on these dates (check listings for times):

"A Taste of Catnip" - June 22, The Looney Tunes Show

"Assault and Peppered" - June 24, The Bugs and Daffy Show

"It's Nice to Have a Mouse Around the House" - June 27, The Bugs and Daffy Show

"Spy Swatter" - June 28, The Bugs and Daffy Show

"Speedy Ghosts To Town" - June 29, The Looney Tunes Show

"Well Worn Daffy" - June 30, The Looney Tunes Show

-also, there are a number of Speedy cartoons scheduled for July, and several other Looney Tunes never before shown on CN...see the new CN classics schedule HERE: http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=37740

NEW LOONEY TUNES: I have been informed by Toon Zone news and actor Bob Bergen (Porky Pig's voice) that Warner Bros. is now producing a series of new theatrical shorts in the classic Hollywood style, for display with not just kid's movies and using contemporary situations as humor. FINALLY! However, results on the animation could be interesting...it is rumored that some of them will have animation farmed to Korea. These will be overseen by Larry Doyle, a writer whose previous credits include Fox's "The Simpsons" and MTV's "Daria". More on this when I hear it. Also, OH, the HORROR.....

Bugs, Lola, Daffy, Taz, Sylvester & Tweety Celebrate Their Playpen Origins As Cartoon Network Presents BABY LOONEY TUNES

New Original Series from Warner Bros. Animation Premieres Weekdays at 9 a.m. Beginning Sept. 3

_____The world’s zaniest and most beloved group of inimitable cartoon personalities — Looney Tunes — will prove that true character is something you’re born with when Cartoon Network premieres its newest original animated series, BABY LOONEY TUNES, starting Tuesday, Sept. 3, to air weekdays at 9 a.m. (ET, PT). Each half-hour episode, featuring two 11-minute shorts and a one-minute song/music video, will showcase the immortal Looney Tunes cast of characters as “small-fries,” exploring the world for the very first time. The new series, from Warner Bros. Animation, is poised to deliver all the fun and excitement of its classic Looney Tunes counterpart, but in smaller, significantly sweeter doses.

_____“Looney Tunes is one of the most recognizable and beloved brands in the world, and we are very excited about exploring a whole new aspect of these legendary characters,” said Sander Schwartz, President, Warner Bros. Animation. “BABY LOONEY TUNES will give the audience a peek into how these cherished characters developed their distinct personalities and give Looney Tunes fans a great new opportunity to enjoy them.”

_____Before they became the irreverent stars of the classic Looney Tunes animated shorts, television series and movies, Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Tasmanian Devil and the rest of the gang were tiny (and already tenacious) toddlers, full of wide-eyed innocence and unparalleled curiosity. They live with Granny in a big, wonderful house — fanciful, charming, and decidedly “toonish” — that serves as the starting place for all of their adventures. There’s a playroom with toys and craft activities, a high-ceilinged library filled with storybooks, an atrium that’s like a jungle, a big backyard and playground, plus a circular slide to take the gang downstairs. Each episode will pose a new challenge that usually involves teamwork, and every now and then, a little guidance from Granny. Just as the classic Looney Tunes made comic commentaries on adult life — so universally valid that they remain relevant today — BABY LOONEY TUNES will make commentary on the universal experiences of early childhood.

_____Cartoon Network, currently seen in 81.1 million U.S. homes and 145 countries around the world, is Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.’s 24-hour, ad-supported cable service offering the best in animated entertainment. Drawing from the world’s largest cartoon library, Cartoon Network also showcases unique original ventures such as The Powerpuff Girls, Dexter’s Laboratory, Samurai Jack, Justice League, Courage the Cowardly Dog, Ed, Edd n Eddy and other Cartoon Cartoons. Since its launch in 1992, Cartoon Network has remained one of ad-supported cable’s highest-rated networks. Cartoon Network’s Web site is located at http://CartoonNetwork.com (AOL Keyword: Cartoon Network).

_____Warner Bros. Animation has been producing award-winning original programming since 1930, when it released its first cartoon, Sinking in the Bathtub. Since then, Warner Bros.’ animated characters have set the standard for inventive, quality animation. Providing programming for network, syndication and cable television as well as theatrical, home video and online product, Warner Bros. Animation is highly respected for its creative and technical excellence, as well as for maintaining the studio's rich cartoon heritage. The most honored animation studio ever, Warner Bros. Animation has garnered 30 Emmys, the highly coveted George Foster Peabody Award, an Environmental Media Award, the Parent's Choice Award, the Prism Award and numerous Annie Awards, which honor excellence in animation.

Also in store, a new feature-length Looney Tunes movie, called "Back In Action", directed by Joe Dante ("Gremlins") and costarring Brendan Fraser ("The Mummy", "Monkeybone".)

5/1/02: 10th Annual June Bugs Brings Alphabetical Zaniness to Cartoon Network

Cartoon Network, TV's Exclusive Home to Looney Tunes, Dedicates 38 Straight Hours to Bugs Bunny June 1 and 2

June Bugs, Cartoon Network's annual tribute to animation's biggest star, returns with a 38-hour marathon that begins on Saturday, June 1 at 8 a.m. (ET, PT) and continues until 10 p.m. (ET, PT) on Sunday, June 2. This year, June Bugs presents more than 160 Bugs Bunny cartoons in alphabetical order, beginning with "The Abominable Snow Rabbit," and ending with "Yankee Doodle Bugs."

Over the course of 38 straight hours, Bugs will clash with an all-star roster of Looney tunes stars, ranging his most frequent tormentors, like Daffy Duck, Elmer Fudd and Yosemite Sam, as well as lesser-known co-stars such as Cecil Turtle, Count Bloodcount, Sir Pantsalot and Witch Hazel.

June Bugs is Cartoon Network's annual toast to the rabbit with the most. The versatile star always keeps his cool and outsmarts his foe. Bugs is just as comfortable in outer space, facing off against Marvin Martian, as he is in a grassy glade. He has also been known to traipse through time, rubbing shoulders with historical figures like Christopher Columbus ("Hare We Go"), Robin Hood ("Rabbit Hood"), Dr. Jekyll ("Hyde and Hare") and even Humphrey Bogart ("Slick Hare").

In 2001, June Bugs racked up powerful ratings to become the most-watched stunt ever on Cartoon Network. Airing June 1-3, June Bugs scored a 1.6 average household rating (+14 percent) and delivery of an average 1,146,000 homes (+25 percent over last year). The stunt also charted its best-ever kids 6-11 rating (2.8), tweens 9-14 rating (1.7) and adults 18-34 rating (0.7).

Daffy Duck, the wisecracking, web-footed nemesis of Bugs Bunny, will receive equal "billing" this June as BOOMERANG, Cartoon Network's 24-hour commercial-free classic animation cable/satellite network, pays homage to the fast-talking foul with a 48-hour marathon of beloved Daffy Duck cartoons. Daffy's Revenge, to air Saturday, June 1 at 8 a.m. (ET, PT), through 8 a.m. (ET, PT) on Monday, June 3, will feature 76 Daffy Duck shorts from the Looney Tunes library.

-Note * some cartoons may be skipped-eleven Bugs cartoons were omitted from last year's chronological-order celebration for political correctness concerns. Aint they a stinka? Also note that Daffy's marathon on Boomerang will not be complete, many more than 76 Daffy cartoons were made.

-courtesy of Cartoon Network and Toon Zone news.

3/29/02 Speedy Gonzales banned, fans not giving up: updated 5/12/02

-image courtesy of Toon Zone

When the Cartoon Network's statements about Speedy Gonzales being avoided due to stereotypes, it was a very small story. Only the true cartoon fanatic knew the answer, and probably found it out from me or a select few others. Now, thanks to Fox News, the rest of the world is learning, and not liking, apparently. Fox apparently discovered an article at www.hispaniconline.com, written by Virginia Cueto, on the subject (it was written about a year ago and both I and Jon Cooke were consulted for it.) The Fox people put it up on their web site this week, and it includes some rather unpleasant-sounding statements from CN spokesperson Laurie Goldberg. It got a large response, and they did a segment on the Fox News cable TV channel in which Cueto was interviewed.. Then Rush Limbaugh picked it up and mentioned it on both his popular radio show and on his website. Then I created a petition to send to the Cartoon Network to prove them wrong, and it has gotten several hundred signatures in only a couple of days. I'm not crazy! The rest of the world does care! If you are the rest of the world and have not signed the petition or read the above articles, I urge you do so. Maybe now we can get CN to treat classic cartoons like the film masterpieces they are, not as kiddie material or the basis for a political agenda.

Update 5/12/02:

This has become a huge news story...and who'd have thought it would all be stirred up by lil' ol' me? (And Virginia Cueto of hispaniconline.com.) Here are a few of the dozens of articles that have been written about this story, not including thee radio shows and TV spots that are STILL going on. One station in New York offered to interview me personally, but since I live in Texas, I offered the story to some other fans, and fellow member of www.toonzone.net, Nelson Hughes, is scheduled to be on TV!

Apr. 7, 2002 --- From today's New York Times comes this story: "Adios, Speedy. Not So Fast".

Apr. 4, 2002 --- Another update: Matthew Hunter's petition (which now has well over 1,200 signatures at the time of this writing) has been sent to Cartoon Network. Matthew has given visitors of the Termite Terrace Trading Post message forum an update: click here!

Fox News has also done a follow-up story today: Click here!.

More "Speedy Sightings" from around the Web:

Chicago Sun-Times article

In Re Speedy Gonzales, Et Al: Editorial by James Lileks.

Apr. 2, 2002 --- HispanicOnline has posted a new article today about Speedy: Click here!

(3/8/02)Warner Bros. new DUCK DODGERS cartoon series!

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news and image from Jerry Beck at www.cartoonresearch.com:

"Warner Bros. Animation and Cartoon Network are about to launch DUCK DODGERS into series production - and I'm happy to report it's in great hands: Spike Brandt, Tony Cervone and Paul Dini are concocting a faithful visual and verbal extension of the Chuck Jones classic.
Storylines and character designs gleaned (at the recent New York Toy Fair trade show) look and sound teriffic. Porky is back as "The Eager Young Space Cadet", Marvin Martian is appropriately billed as "Commander X-2", Dr. I Q. Hi has an expanded role as the Secretary of the Stratospere, and a new character, The Martian Queen, is a cool sci-fi cleopatra-like ruler of Mars.
Two 11 minute cartoons are planned for each episode. Production is to start this Spring - and if we're lucky we should be seeing the future in 2003."

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-Hmmm...this sounds promising. I am glad that Warner Bros. is finally realizing that they need to try some new ideas with their classic characters. While I am not sure how "Duck Dodgers in the 241/2th Century" can work as a whole series of 11-minute cartoons, the crew behind it has a lot of experience. Brandt did the recent "Little Go Beep", a Road Runner cartoon short that was never fully released, but recieved Academy Award consideration. Paul Dini is a great choice as well, he did a lot of work on the 1990's Tiny Toon Adventures series, a great production in its own right, as well as Batman: the Animated series, which could be considered one of the greatest TV cartoons ever. I hope they get Joe Alaskey to voice Daffy and Marvin and not some Canadian actor or Dee Bradley Baker (Daffy's voice in Space Jam). -Jerry Beck has also hinted that there is something cooking with a new WB short cartoons department as well, but could say no more. In the meantime, we can always keep watching the Flash material on looneytunes.com, much of it has been hit-or-miss, but the hits are really funny.-the original "DuckDodgers" cartoon (excuse the crappy picture)

re. In the meantime, we can always keep watching the Flash material on looneytunes.com, much of it has been hit-or-miss, but the hits are really funny.-the original "DuckDodgers" cartoon (excuse the crappy picture)