Cartoon Network.....Has it fallen into a pit?

[GreenGoblin]

Regular Show and Adventure time are okay, but I kinda miss the old ones like Powerpuff Girls and Johnny Bravo. Nothing can really beat the classics...

[Naruto200]

I'd say yes, they have fallen into a pit
It's mostly due to bad decision making and terrible show ideas. It's like their beating a dead horse and just making copies of their old shows. Why can't they do more stuff like that CGI Star Wars series? (Hopefully with better animation but still....)

I wish they would do something like Samurai Jack again that show was awesome not cause of the story but the way it was presented. The story was good too. I want another season of IGPX too, but that's not going to happen any time soon <_<

[CourageHound]

Originally Posted by GreenGoblin

Regular Show and Adventure time are okay, but I kinda miss the old ones like Powerpuff Girls and Johnny Bravo. Nothing can really beat the classics...

I agree that the classics are usually better, but the actual situation is that most of the new stuff is bad.

[Mr Cat Dog]

I like a fair number of shows aimed at children: Phineas and Ferb, Adventure Time, Gravity Falls and some more that I can't remember off the top of my head. So when I hear all these reports that say 'oh children's TV has gone so downhill since I was young', I always approach them with a high degree of scepticism. Having said that, I've looked at the shows that Cartoon Network produces (apparently it only makes 4 in house!) and I can't say that I'm impressed with their quality.

To me, what made - and continues to make - the CN shows of the 90s well regarded was that they didn't seem to write down to their intended audience i.e. kids. From the snippets of the CN shows of today that I've seen, they do seem more 'childish'/'kiddy'/whatever derogatory word you wish to use. And that's a shame. But it doesn't mean that the entire network has fallen into a pit. I mentioned Adventure Time above; that and Regular Show (which I don't care for but understand why people like it) are shows that definitely do NOT talk down to their audience, and are all the richer for it. And yet they're massively popular according to ratings of target demographics. But so is stuff like Ben 10... so I don't know if either will be seen by CN as the way forward.

[Spinosaurus]

Originally Posted by CourageHound

I agree that the classics are usually better, but the actual situation is that most of the new stuff is bad.

Allow me to speak strictly as a person who enjoys cartoons for their charm and artstyle. I've been a huge fan of older cartoons, stuff like Scooby Doo and Samurai Jack (this being my favorite) amaze me the more I watch them and I particularly grew up with Dexter's Lab and Ed Edd & Eddy, but regardless of nostalgia I have to say some of the new stuff are completely enjoyable for what they're worth. Despite the awful fanbase, I found Adventure Time to be completely charming, and while Regular Show and Gumball seem to try hard with the comedy and isn't as creative as Adventure Time I still enjoyed the overall artstyle and presentation. I do agree Ben 10 falls flat due to how much it caters to kids with the action, but I can see why it's popular amongst them. (And it definitely does a good job in keeping them intrigued)

For me, comedy isn't what defines cartoons. So while I found them to be hilarious back in the day, they do feel plain today. Even when watching Ed, Edd n Eddy, which I used to think was funny, I don't see myself laughing, but I appreciate it more. The charm, the artstyle, the animation, the cast, the visuals and the creativity behind the cartoons are what defines them, particularly the charm. I think Regular Show, Adventure Time and Gumball are strong in those departments. I'm not expecting to laugh, and I set my expectations low, but I would be lying if I said I don't feel like a kid again watching them.

It's not just cartoons either. Games like Warioware, Little King's Story, Rhythm Heaven and MediEvil are games I love especially because of the influence of charming cartoons.



I'm worried more about Disney. They seem to be heavily reliant on childish sitcoms and pop culture nowadays. I can see that young girls enjoy it, but it's pretty bad.

[ZetaZaku]

The only CN shows I occasionally watch are Batman Brave and the Bold, Young Justice and Adventure Time. I used to watch the second season of Ben 10, since it was IMO better than the first one, but it later went downhill so I can't even stand Ben 10 now. Adventure Time is also a good show, but it requires you to sit through an episode or two first. When I first watched some clips on youtube, it looked pretty lame. But after watching the first three episodes, I got into it and now I love it.

And I can't agree that the older shows were better. Even then they had some good and some bad shows. Just because we can remember the good ones, doesn't mean that there weren't bad ones. Like, most Scooby Doo seasons. I think that I only liked the first one (one with the "Scooby dooby doo, where are you?" theme song).

I mean, if someone can't stand the new shows on CN, why not watch Boomerang? Isn't Boomerang practically the CN those people love?

[Iceman3317]

I would say yes to the main line up. Satureday line up is ok. I still watch Johnny Test,Adventure Time,Regular Show,Pokemon,Clone Wars and of course Adult Swin on Saturday Nights. I really miss most of the old show,that is why I am glad I have Boomarang though they show the old old shows that I didn't watch. They had some good shows out like Unnatural History and Tower Prep which was stupid for them not to countinue. I really loved Tower Prep.

[Harlequin]

See, in direct contrast to the majority of this thread, I don't see the appeal of Gravity Falls. It's not due to design issues or whatever, I just find the characters to be annoying and I change the channel when it's on. Can anyone tell me why they find the show so appealing?

[OhRuffledFeathers]

Adventure Time, Regular Show, Pokemon and Ninjago are my favourite shows..
I used to watch Powerpuff girls and that's it..

But the show I DO NOT like, is Annoying Orange... >.>

[Pinkie-Dawn]

Originally Posted by AzaleaLightning

Adventure Time and The Regular Show are actually the best cartoons on right now. They're actually as mature as some of the old cartoons we were given us, especially Adventure Time which has a lot of really adult hidden themes. The Looney Tunes Show is also really good to me, but a lot of people in the nostalgia box reject it after 5 minutes.

That Gumball show is actually pretty good too, very reminiscent of the older cartoons.

I think most of the posters in this thread are only hating on the new stuff for nostalgic reasons, tbh.

But I do agree The Annoying Orange and several other shows do suck. Doesn't mean I liked every single show back then, though.

This all the way, except for Gumball (the characters' intelligence is really insulting). It's getting tiresome to hear people complaining about CN going downhill and want their old shows without realizing that 1) They can still watch the shows on Boomerang, 2) They can still watch them on Cartoon Planet every Friday, and 3) Their precious old shows will get stale like the Simpsons if they were to stick around for a little longer. No matter how many points they try to make to prove themselves right about CN's quality, in the end, the real answer is that they grew up. Adventure Time and Regular Shows are the best things that happened to CN, and now Toonami's back on air (every Saturday on Adult Swim) during their 20th anniversary. What we should be using our negative energy on are the live action shows.

[The Mega Champion]

They suck.

Maybe if they stopped airing shows that suck and aired anime again they might make a comeback.

But since they're ANIME HATERS now I'll enjoy watching their channel finally die once and for all.

[Hikari10]

I don't watch Cartoon Network (lack of cable TV!) but I do agree with most of these guys that the lineup is terrible these days, full of cartoons I've never even heard of or have little knowledge about.

Also, they dumped loads of anime from the lineup (Pokemon is an exception though) and even though they now have sub-channels like Boomerang for the older content I do agree that Cartoon Network has "fallen into a pit".

[Harlequin]

Originally Posted by The Mega Champion

They suck.

Maybe if they stopped airing shows that suck and aired anime again they might make a comeback.

But since they're ANIME HATERS now I'll enjoy watching their channel finally die once and for all.

Location: proving Cartoon Network are mentally retarded
bye

Not gonna lie, you're starting to bug me. You're constantly popping in at the mere mention of Cartoon Network, dropping a bomb of ill-formed opinions and then hastily leaving, as if what you're saying is UNDISPUTED FACT and no one but you is right. Need I quote your location again?

proving Cartoon network is mentally retarded

As I mentioned earlier in this thread, in a past that seems to be extremely distant, Cartoon Network is changing/has changed its tactics and its programming for a new generation. Programming that to you may be 'mentally retarded', but perfectly entertaining for others. It seems that kids these days aren't into anime - too bad. I don't like the majority of Cartoon Network's lineup either, save a few little diamonds, but times are changing. Your tastes have changed. I'm watching The Powerpuff Girls as we speak, fun fact there. Sure, it is brilliantly written and animated, but even then some plots were questionable. Not questionable as in questionable material, but questionable as in 'did the writers even try?' I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but your crusade to Save Cartoon Network From The Clutches Of The Mental Retardation That Threatens It So is unfounded and useless.
Stop griping about the apparent loss of your childhood and move on.

[The Mega Champion]

^To be honest I forgot that was still there.

But they're on the ROAD TO FAILURE regardless.

I'm enjoying watching them squirm.

When they die... I'll just be able to say 'I told you so'

[Eivana]

I honestly think it's just us. We're getting older. Things are changing. We see PowerPuff Girls and Dexter's Lab and **** in a more glorifying light than we do **** like Chowder and MAD, but most of the children of today love it like we loved ours and will complain when things change for them, too.

The only thing that I hate is the fact that it seems cartoon shows are a whole lot less violent and they focus more on stupidity... Glorifying it, if you ask me. I would never allow my children to watch most of the stuff I see on TV now. lol.

[CarcharOdin]

A lot of the new stuff on CN just bugs me for some reason. Pokemon seems to be its only saving grace and I only watch that when I'm bored nowadays.

I miss the classics of the 90's. For me, the channel hasn't been good since the mid-2000's at the latest.

[Harlequin]

Originally Posted by CarcharOdin

Pokemon seems to be its only saving grace

Even though the anime is notoriously bad?

[CarcharOdin]

Originally Posted by Harlequin

Even though the anime is notoriously bad?

Pokemopolis (look it up) has enabled me to enjoy it a little more.

[Ryoutarou]

Originally Posted by CarcharOdin

A lot of the new stuff on CN just bugs me for some reason. Pokemon seems to be its only saving grace and I only watch that when I'm bored nowadays.

I don't know about that. Shows like Young Justice, Green Lantern, and Adventure Time all have some very tight writing and range from action to comedy. And in the case of Young Justice, it's a serialized story, something you rarely see in American cartoons. Which probably explains why its ratings aren't the best at times.

Even though the anime is notoriously bad?

The Black and White saga of the anime is actually pretty good. It'll probably never win any awards, but it's a much more solid show than the anime has seen in years.

[Pinkie-Dawn]

Originally Posted by The Mega Champion

^To be honest I forgot that was still there.

But they're on the ROAD TO FAILURE regardless.

I'm enjoying watching them squirm.

When they die... I'll just be able to say 'I told you so'

Then clearly you haven't watched Adventure Time, Regular Show, Ninjago, Dragons, Star Wars the Clone Wars, Young Justice, and Green Lantern.

The Black and White saga of the anime is actually pretty good. It'll probably never win any awards, but it's a much more solid show than the anime has seen in years.

Funny you should say that, because a lot of fans criticized Ash's sudden reset to his former self from the first season (constantly making mistakes in battles than he did in previous sagas). And don't get me started on Iris.

[dbp]

Both AzaleaLightning and Pinkie-Dawn have it nailed. That's really all there is to it. However, as an animation enthusiast, I have to agree with Spinosaurus, too.

I'm not going to bother restating anything they said, I just want to reemphasize that you should read what they said. As for my own personal input, as long as CN has Regular Show, it's no where near a pit. And it's certainly not in a financial pit either with the likes of AT.

Also, as with AzaleaLightning, I like The Looney Tunes Show as well. It grew on me. I thought Daffy was incredibly annoying, and yet now I can't get enough of his characterization. And this is coming from someone who really thinks the Golden Age Looney Tunes were the top of the line. I just don't think I'm enough of a hardcore, invested fan of anything to feel bitterly about anything... except the Kirby series.

I feel like a lot of people within my generation like to rose-tint the heck out of everything. Whole Tumblr blogs are based on this. And yet, all that's happening is that people are just stating "the good ol' days" like every other generation above us. Face it, we're all getting older.

The only thing that's objectively bad compared to what it was is The Simpsons. People still like it, but that doesn't mean it's quality matches the level of greatness that inspired the earlier years (unlike The Looney Tunes Show, The Simpsons of today is conceptually the same show as it was in the 90's. It is not a reboot, remake, alternate universe, or anything).

One other thing I'll agree with, someone mentioned how shows became less violent and started to glorify stupidity. Oh God yes. The mid aughts was such a rough time for cartoons everywhere. Everybody was shouting all of their lines, the idea of "one sane man" was take to the extreme in that even background characters acted as if they had a frontal lobotomy, and LOL RANDOM humor was in vogue. What an embarassing time for me to have lived through, especially as an up and coming animator.

[Elgyem]

It's become less of a channel for kids and more of a channel for 15-year old hipsters, as evidenced by the new tripe such as Regular Show and Adventure Time.

[PikachuAddict]

I like watching the reruns of Loony Rooms, Tom & Jerry, and What's New Scooby Doo?, I also like watching The Amazing World of Gumball, Adventure Time, and the Loony Toons Show. The rest of the shows I can't stand.

[Harlequin]

Originally Posted by Elgyem

It's become less of a channel for kids and more of a channel for 15-year old hipsters, as evidenced by the new tripe such as Regular Show and Adventure Time.

???????
Although your sentiments could somewhat be applied to Regular Show (though I doubt hipster is the right word to describe any show on Cartoon Network), I cannot see in any way how Adventure Show is a show for hipsters. As for the age, Regular Show is for anyone who watches it, though people of an older age are definitely going to get more from it than the kids, who just think that Mordecai and Rigby are Cool Guys and there are Even Cooler Motorcycles And Stuff or whatever. Adventure Time... that's aimed more for kids, though people of an older age (example: Toujours and Mr Cat Dog) tend to enjoy it too.

In regards to the rest of the programming, '15 year old hipsters' is probably the worst way to describe the demographic Cartoon Network is aiming to please.

[PokeRaidenFighter350Z]

I liked the old cartoons around that time, especially Codename: KND and Ed, Edd n Eddy. But ever since they pulled the plug off those shows, CN hasn't been much of an interest to me. I'm only 21 but I still watch Ed, Edd n Eddy, especially the true series finale, which was the TV movie, Ed Edd n Eddy's Big Picture Show. I have them on a DVD so the shows of today hasn't really took my attention. I would like to see that Dragons series though, because it takes off after the events of the film.