Fine Tooning: Some Proposals For the Cartoon Network

From Martin (Dr. 'Toon) Goodman

To: Mike Lazzo
Senior V.P. of Programming and Production
The Cartoon Network
RE: A Few Suggestions

Dear Mr. Lazzo:

It has been a long and happy road you've traveled since October of 1992 when TBS launched the Cartoon Network. Considering your humble beginnings in the mail room at Turner I must say that you've done spectacularly well, and I congratulate you on this, your fifth year with the Network. I'm certain that I speak for many animation fans in expressing my appreciation for your efforts in our behalf.

World Premier Toons deserves a place in history simply for launching Dexter's Laboratory, Cow and Chicken, and Johnny Bravo (a tip of the cap to you too, Ms. Simensky). O Canada has transformed the Great White North into a technicolor paradise for legions of Americans who were aware only of Nelvana's imports to the US market. Toonheads, The Tex Avery Show , and other feature have brought both cherished and obscure toons into the public eye for the enjoyment of a new generation of fans. And of course, Space Ghost Coast to Coast's hilarious revisionism is still drawing major laughs from MA to CA. The gray and grizzled, the buffed and buzzcut, boomers and X'ers alike can relive those golden childhood hours or create new memories to cherish seven days a week, twenty-four hours a day, three hundred and sixty-five days a year thanks to you and your companions.

Now...can you take a good thing even further?

The following suggestions, singly and as a group, are humbly intended to serve as a possible guide to building a more diversified programming schedule that may add more viewers while retaining your already loyal following. Some of these ideas may be expensive, prove complicated, or be difficult in terms of negotiating rights, but I have quite a bit of faith in you; the ratings since 1992 bear witness to the job you have already done.

1. Exploit the international market

O Canada is a marvelous beginning and an innovative addition to the Cartoon Network; could you add European animation and shorts from developing countries as well? While the works of, say, the Zagreb studio may seem somewhat arcane to younger viewers, older and more sophisticated fans will surely be impressed. Not that the youngsters are to be ignored; with the resources of ASIFA to draw upon, you could program a half-hour showcase of World Animation that would please everyone. A good start might be the numerous Academy Award winners and nominees of the past thirty-five years or so when animation from other nations began to edge out American shorts for the prize; that's quite a library of toons in and of itself. Classy, entertaining shorts from other nations also carry the advantage of bringing a multicultural touch to the Cartoon Network, always a plus in reaching out to an increasingly diverse viewer base.

2. Exploit the boom in animation technology

Pardon me? What entertainment potential have we here, you say? Consider the following: Anyone who attended the New Animation Technology Exposition that was held in conjunction with the World Animation Celebration in March of this year can tell you that animation technology is a field ablaze with progress, and that there are few jobs hotter in the film industry today than "animator". Why not hire an expert or two to host a show called something like The Animator's Workstation in which professional computer animators show how it's done using the latest and hottest software. Or perhaps something like Animation in Focus which could highlight how animated SFX are created in recent animated and live-action films? Such shows would capture techies, fascinate legions of the curious who wish to see the secrets of CGI revealed, and serve as an inspiration and motivator to aspiring animators as well (remember how many now-legendary animators decided upon their careers after seeing Winsor McKay's Gertie the Dinosaur?). Oh, and since we've brought up the World Animation Celebration, how about live coverage of the highlights next year?

3. Exploit the richness of animation's history

After all, Mr. Lazzo, TBS owns a preponderance of America's animation history. Consider an original piece of programming called, oh, Cartoon Spotlight where every week a major historical talent or animated character is given center stage using a biographical format. Such a show, heavy on the footage and hosted by an animation historian, could highlight the careers of such luminaries as Bob Clampett, Chuck Jones, Walter Lantz, Tex Avery, Otto Messmer, Carl Stallings, etc. or trace the developments and showcase the star turns of Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Woody Woodpecker, Popeye, and so on right up to the latest hot toons and toonmeisters.

4. Isn't Turner's forte.....movies?

The possibilities here are limitless! From Hoppity Goes to Town to Fantastic Planet, from Watership Down to Rock and Rule, there is a bonanza of animated movies that would make great Saturday night (or matinee) viewing. Why not make the Cartoon Network the primary place for animated features? Acquiring film libraries is certainly in the Turner tradition, and I would venture to guess that quite a stockpile of animated films could be amassed without tremendous expense. How about slipping in a documentary into this slot every once in awhile, such as The Boys From Termite Terrace(1975) or Cartoon Madness: The Fantastic Max Fleischer(1993)?

5. Exploit the craze for anime

You probably saw this one coming. This suggestion is akin to the one made earlier on presenting the international animation scene, but different in that anime has a large and rabid following in the US and comprises an animation subculture in itself. There is also a plentitude of product available through Streamline Pictures, A.D. Vision, and other distributors. Of course, we're not talking about the most radical representations of manga here, let alone hentai(very politically incorrect!), but there are some well-made anime series that are neither ankle-deep in blood or squirming with sexuality. A series like Bubblegum Crisis, for example, would span several demographic sectors. How about Gall Force(not much editing required) or Dancougar? And then there are the movies, but I'm sure you get the point by now. Anime has something for every viewer from adults down to the Kimba and Marine Boy set (Cat Girl Nuku Nuku fans, you're on your own) [Hey, I resemble that remark! -- Webkeeper]. This could be your true "Toonami".

Now, let's recap: Take a pinch of the international market, fold in some fresh software and a keyboard or two, stir in a savory helping of history, toss in a taste of movies, a soupcon of live coverage, a dash of documentaries and a dollop of anime. Might this sound like a good recipe? Mind you, I never intended to suggest that you turn the Cartoon Network into the animated equivalent of PBS or NPR; I simply ask you to consider highlighting the many sides of what, after all, must be considered an art form. Nothing need be boring; every suggestion listed here could be carried off with the zest and zany panache typical of your programming style, and you may well be surprised at the results when the ratings come in. I thank you, Mr. Lazzo, for your time and consideration...seven days a week, twenty-four hours a day, three hundred and sixty-five days a year, until the end of time.....

Sincerely,

Martin A. Goodman
(Dr. 'Toon)

Send your questions and comments to: Dr. 'Toon.

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