Why Cartoon Network Is Failing

launchpad25 · Why Cartoon Network Is Failing

There was once a time when Cartoon Network was such a swell place for cartoons. It wasn't perfect, but it was fine all the same. In the last few years, however, the Techwood Drive offices in Atlanta is starting to become a huge shell of it's former self. Nearly all of their best programing is either gone, or has moved to their sister network Boomerang. Plus, alot of their current programing leaves so much to be desiered. It's bad enough that they've deviated from what they once stood for by airing live action movies. Many of which have anything to do with animation. And to make matters worse, In a shameless attempt to compete with Nickelodeon, and Disney Channel's 'tween sitcom' crap, they produced the god awful 'Re-Animated', which will become the series 'Out Of Jimmy's Head'.

The problem with Cartoon Network is that it's being guided by management morons who really don't care about animation as an aesthetic. (John Krisfalusi, call your office.) Especially since Betty Cohen got ousted and her subordinates quit in resignation. That is why they switched to showing live action stuff in the first place because they didn't know how to make a good cartoon in the first place and they blamed it all on the medium instead of looking at their poor choices in programming. They also refused to understand that Cartoon Network's core audience is an entirely from Nickelodeon and Disney Channel's audience (Read: teenagers and adults with a huge emphasis on males.) So why did these 'cartoon hating' morons chose to work at Cartoon Network (Or animation studios for that matter) when there are other networks to suit their needs?

If they even cared about Animation in the first place they would have spent time making worthwhile animated programming instead of taking the easy way out, and switch to live action in the first place. The lack of ratings on their cartoons isn't necessarily the cartoons themselves, but their lack of effort in said cartoons. The problem is that they always assume the product is bad, not their handling of said product. Live action programs don't require much effort to achieve success. Hence, they're taking the easy way out and easy isn't always better. To put it simple, the network execs are simply choosing shortcuts over hardwork.

John Gibson

I agree, I remember when Cartoon Network consisted mostly of Hanna Barbera cartoons. Like you said, now they've moved them to Boomerang. What are we left with? Cartoons only fit for 6 year olds, or adults with a 6 year olds mentality.

Talonluck

The only reason I watch cartoon network anymore is for Adult Swim. If they would just move Adult Swim to its own channel, I'd be happy. I'm just sad they're bringing Adult Swim down with it.

launchpad25

I blame the success of Nick, and Disney Channel with younger viewers for Cartoon Network's downward spiral. For years, i've always been leary towards Nickelodeon. 'Ren & Stimpy, aside, Nick has always presented themselves as 'a network that's just for kids', and their approach has always rubbed me the wrong way. Even when i was in their 'target demographic'. Disney Channel, on the other hand, has completely abaondoned nearly everything that made Disney great in the past eight, or nine years, and just limits their programing to toddlers, and tweens. (Plus, let's not forget that they've given us Britney Spears. Who kissed Madonna At The MTV 'video' awards, and Justin Timberlake. Who ripped Janet Jackson's shirt infront of millions of viewers at The Superbowl Halftime Show. Then there's Linsay Lohan, but i don't need to explain her, now do i?)

What made Cartoon Network so special in years past was it knew exactly what it was. A channel dedicated to some of the best cartoons around 24/7, and they weren't ashamed to admit it. Heck, they even made a living by poking fun at themselves with their now memerable TV spots. (Soloman Grundy want pants, too!) They also dared to show people that animation was more than just kids stuff with cartoons that pushed the envolope in terms of action, and comedy. Toonami use to be a kicka$$ block for action, and Adult Swim dared to aim for an older audience. Now, Toonami barely has the presence it onced had, and has changed for the worse. Adult Swim still has some life left, but is becoming a bit questionable. The old regime is gone, and in it's place are people who still belive that cartoons are for kids, and kids only. Overall, the Cartoon Netwerk i once knew, and loved is now dead.

John Gibson

Let's think of all those useless channels going to waste on cable. Can't think of any off the top of my head, but what about when you're flipping through, and you suddenly jump from channel 206 to 518. Yeah, most people's cable goes up to 900, or 999. So you don't really have over 900 channels, cause there are empty spaces.

My point? Let's start seperating shows. Put the kids cartoons on one. You're set. Then take the stuff that's for the teens, create a new channel, put it on that. Take mature stuff (not XXX, we already have a channel for that, hehe) make a new channel/network, and you got a place for just about every age group.

Some of you may be thinking

"Well, that'll just make it easier for parents. If they know their kids are watching non-stop kiddie shows without some teen oriented violent shit in-between, then they will feel more secure knowing that Television can continue to be the babysitter"

No matter what you do, folks, even if you sanitize cartoons, censor them, or put parental blocks on them, television will always be the babysitter.

Ok, I'm off topic. Ok, back to Cartoon Network. I'll flip it on if I see a Scooby Doo movie (I plead guilty). All the other stuff that's on during the day, I have little interest in. I don't see Justice League anymore. Is that still on?

Ya know, Boomerang is pretty much the home of classic cartoons (last time I looked). Maybe I'm being anal by suggesting cartoons be categorized by age group, so I'll stop there, folks.

Talonluck

I agree, non of this crap where these shows have to be on at certain times of the day. Isn't there plenty of Parental Controls on TV's now anyway?

I would much rather have tv shows On Demand. Watch whatever, whenever. I wouldn't even mind the commercials if it ment I could watch Aqua Teen Hunger Force all day long.

John Gibson

There's too many parental controls, and locks. And all because parents are way too busy to see what their kids are watching. They put locks on their TV so they can go on with their daily lives, and interact less and less with the kid.

Let the kids learn about life through television, and kids at school. That's America for you.

Talonluck

I don't think we need parental controls. Never had them when I was a kid, we had parenting instead.

I remember the good old asskickings.

spiderman91

yeah something funny i did my mom made me mad (i forget why i was mad?)she talks in her sleep and i asked for the parental password and she gave me it and then i turned
around and locked all of the channels except the channels i liked.

John Gibson

HAHAHA, nice!!

spiderman91

yup i'm evil

Lunarwolf30 · Cartoon Network

I remember watching old Superfriends (The 1980's version, not Wendy and Marvin) or an episode of the Herculoids. I loved it! Now I have to watch shows like Camp Lazlo of My Gym Partner is a Monkey! I want my Voltron!!!

launchpad25 · Re: Cartoon Network

John Gibson

Once on Cartoon Network, really late, I saw Chuck Norris: Karate Kommandos. That'd make an interesting review. hehe.

launchpad25

Just when you thought that Cartoon Network couldn't stoop any lower...

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/...i7796170462804d1f9627700c990ff505

Talonluck

They need to get live action stuff off of CARTOON network. It's annoying.

Why Cartoon Network Is Failing

Cartoon Network

Re: Cartoon Network