The 1997 World Premiere Toons
In 1997, Cartoon Network decided to "synergize" with their fellow company, Hanna-Barbera Studios (both were owned by Turner Broadcasting). The attempted had already proven successful with their "What a Cartoon" project, and their first series, "Dexter's Laboratory" (then still in its first year). The mission was to keep the formula of the classic 7 minute cartoon short, but challenge it with new ideas. As before, Cartoon Network helped finance a group of artists that could produce a pilot of a cartoon. If they liked how the short turned out, the network would most likely strive to make it into a series.
The block for this year was important, because it was the first time the network deliberately bombarded the viewers with a new cartoon every Friday (thus beginning a tradition) for consecutive months. This year not only changed Cartoon Network's status from being "retro" or nostalgic, but it also shaped the way in which the programming for the future was developed. Cartoon Network gave the viewers a large mix of animation from up-and-comers that didn't satisfy a moral agenda (as some claim Disney of) or it's anti-thesis (as kid-centric Nickelodeon aimed for in the early 1990's). Nor did it cater to one demographic. It was a return to the classic style of animation, made popular in 1930's. Cartoons were short with slap-stick comedy, and visual gags. None of the cartoons had merchandising deals prior to their airdate. It was a refreshing mix and a rebirth to a format that hadn't been touched in nearly half a century.
The offerings for this year varied widely, ranging from classic character-driven cartoons, to more experimental ones. Below is a list of the premieres for the beginning of the year that changed Cartoon Network:
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"Johny Bravo and the
Amazon Women" by Van Partible
(Premiered Jan. 1, 1997) Even before this short aired, the series was in production. It features Johnny Bravo, the macho, overly styled, muscle bound doofus. He lands on an island filled with oversized, strong women. When he uses his cheesy pick-up lines, he gets more than a slap in the face.
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"Blammo the Clown" by
Butch Hartman
(Premiered Jan. 7, 1997) The story of a comedic animal duo, Phish, a dimwitted shark, and Chip, and sarcastic Lynx, and their attempt to stop a bomb-tossing clown, from the demands of their mean human boss. They're blown up a few times, in a very cartoony way.
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"Awfully Lucky" (Premiered Jan. 15, 1997) When a geeky guy discovers the "Paradox Pearl", and gains incredible luck. The only downside is that for everything good it brings, it brings something bad.
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"Strange Things" (Premiered Jan. 22, 1997) A computer animated short in which robotics interact with each other in a quirky-comcial way. |
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"Snoots New Squat" (Premiered Jan. 29, 1997) Snoots, an alien, lands on earth and takes residence on a dog. Insanity ensues as Snoots bosses the dog around, along with a dash of wacky impressions and hijinks. |
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"Steve and Larry" By Seth McFarlane (Premiered Feb. 5, 1997) The misadventures of the jerky know-it-all, Larry, and his talking dog, Steve.
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This is only a sampling of the shorts that aired in 1997, but hopefully it gives you an idea of the scope and range the network initially offered the public. The idea of these premieres led way to the ultimate challenge, The Big Pick, in 2000. For as long as the network was around, they've used the successes pooled from the "What A Cartoon" project to spark their new original series.