Because what the Looney Tunes franchise really needs is having the characters be turned into renamed edgy “loonatic” super-powered critters 700 years in the future. Right.
The Looney Tunes characters — six in all — have been “reimagined” (in studio parlance) for a new series called “Loonatics,” which is set to air next fall on WPIX/Channel 11 as part of the Saturday morning Kids’ WB program lineup.
The show features new versions of Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Wile E. Coyote, the Tasmanian Devil, Road Runner and Lola Bunny (the newest of the characters, who was introduced in the 1996 Michael Jordan movie “Space Jam”). For “Loonatics,” the six characters are being projected 700 years into the future, given superpowers, and outfitted in tight-fitting, slenderizing space gear.
Apparently, falling anvils and exploding cigars are no longer enough to keep kids 6 to 11 years old entertained. “This is a kids show intended for kids today who are growing up in the Internet age, an age of technology, an age of hip, cool animation, and something that we hope will resonate with that age group,” explained Sander Schwartz, president of Warner Bros. Animation, in a phone interview from Hollywood.
He said the characters’ superpowers have not yet been finalized. And neither have their names, although they are expected to have names close to those of their ancestors (think Buzz Bunny).
Shrug. And/or yawn. There’s an outside possibility that this could actually be entertaining, though the odds are veeery long. I can’t quite muster up the outrage (or exhausted outrage) of some fans, though I agree that WB has run these 70-year-old characters into the ground, as well as therefore not doing much to support new animation. Though, frankly, I tend to find things that set out to be edgy and “age group-resonating” to usually be huge wastes at best and simply obnoxious at worst. There may be exceptions — but I don’t think this is going to turn out to be one of them.
(via The Beat)
UPDATE: Scott points to another article on the subject. He’s guardedly optimistic.
Well…
Not amused by the character design. Really bad Hannah-Barbera on steroids.
Bugs Bunny has always been my hero. Outsmarted his opponents rather than using brute force. Often used their idiocy and rage against them.
I did enjoy “Animaniacs” and occasionally sing the Animaniacs song at the office. It keeps everyone guessing…
I really don’t see the appeal of “edgy”. I’ve yet to see a single “edgy” thing that has had any classic lasting appeal. I’m not enthused by the prospect of Loonatics at this time, but I’ve largely stopped watching cartoons.
So what are the most popular cartoons with 6-11 year olds? I don’t recall channel surfing past anything resembling the Evil Toons (or at least Mean Bully Toons) pictured above.
Given the evidence of merchandising, Sponge Bob is good, Teen Titans and the TMNT are OK, but Anime is king.
The cartoons on Cartoon Network slotted after school include the above (except Sponge Bob, but he’s on Nick), and others of a similar nature. My favorites were the cynical and sarcastic The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy, and the garish (but goofy) Ed, Edd, and Eddy. I’m easily amused.
Anything edgy?
Nope.
Something I find interesting about the Loonatics above are the proportions. I’d heard that almost every cartoon–anything meant to appeal to kids–will give the characters large eyes, small noses, and disproportionately large heads, because babies and children of any mammalian species share these tendencies (versus the adults). (Think PowerPuff Girls, etc.) I even saw a comparison between the original Disney sketches for Mickey over the years, and these features were exaggerated over time on him, too.
The original Looney Toons, to some extent, went against that tendency, but these features are still more exaggerated than they would be on natural animals, even the human characters like, um, the little old lady that takes care of Tweety Bird.
What I want to know is where’s the comic relief? where’s Porky Pig? Where is Tweety Bird? Even cartoons like the JLA realized you needed a little humor.
I agree with decrepitoldfool: Bugs Bunny is my hero. If all he does is blast evil villains with his CarrotVision, what’s the point?
The problem with “edgy” is that the edge is always moving, meaning “edgy” quickly becomes “dated.”
the cynical and sarcastic The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy, and the garish (but goofy) Ed, Edd, and Eddy.
Actually, I’d call both of those examples of “bad” edgy. For whatever reason, I don’t think they’re good cartoons for kids — I find cynicism and/or exultation of stupidity to be in too-abundant supply in the world, and not something kids need introduction to any sooner than necessary.
Of course, for adults watching cartoons, it’s YMMV. 🙂
When I first saw them, I would have agreed with you, but I changed my mind — more so in the case of the Eds than Billy and Mandy.
While stupidity is celebrated in the Eds cartoons, so is coping with the results of one’s stupidity. Most of the plotlines go like this: The Eds plan an idiotic scheme. Something goes wrong. They deal with the consequences. Another theme of the show is that no matter how dumb those guys are, they’re still the heroes. Because they’ve tried something new, even though they’ve screwed up, they’re the center of the story.
Hm…I was going to try to justify Billy and Mandy, but truly it’s more of an indulgence for me as an adult than something I think is wholesome entertainment for kids, so nevermind.