playnext.fm

Animation Destination

371. What a Cartoon Show with What's in My Head Podcast Part 1

·1 hr 1 min·5 clips
Brandon Jones asks Julian Hester to name the only correct favorite 90s cartoon creator, revealing it's Genndy Tartakovsky.
The episode begins with host Brandon Jones asking guest Julian Hester a trivia question about favorite 90s cartoon creators, establishing Genndy Tartakovsky as a key figure. They introduce 'What a Cartoon Show' as a Cartoon Network pilot program from the 1990s that served as a testing ground for new animated series. The hosts explain that many beloved Cartoon Network shows, including Dexter's Laboratory, Powerpuff Girls, Johnny Bravo, Courage the Cowardly Dog, and Cow and Chicken, originated from this showcase. Julian shares personal childhood memories of watching specific shorts like 'A Rats Hot Tin Can' and 'Two Fat Cats Drip Dry Drip', describing them as foundational to his cartoon experience. Brandon notes that the show often reran shorts like 'Gramps', created by Butch Hartman and voiced by Rob Paulson, as time-slot fillers. The discussion touches on the artistic styles of various shorts, with Julian praising Rob Renzetti's 'Mina and the Count' for its UPA-inspired visuals and color palette. Brandon highlights Seth MacFarlane's 'Larry and Steve' as the pilot that later evolved into Family Guy, noting its intelligent humor and references. They delve into industry anecdotes, such as how Steven Hillenburg and Danny Antonucci considered pitching SpongeBob and Ed, Edd n Eddy to competing networks before their eventual pickups. The hosts mention Fred Seibert's role in founding Cartoon Network and initiating the pilot program after earlier shows like 'Two Stupid Dogs' and 'SWAT Kats'. They compare the 'What a Cartoon' model to modern streaming platforms like Netflix, which host acclaimed animated series such as Arcane and Blue Eye Samurai. The conversation also covers Ralph Bakshi's contributions to the showcase with shorts like 'Malcolm and Melvin', noting their darker, adult-oriented style. Throughout, the hosts reflect on the cultural significance of these shorts in reviving animation in the 1990s and their lasting impact on the industry.

As heard by us

A lively 1990s animation-history chat about the showcase that helped young creators get seen.

Animation Destination's first part on What a Cartoon Show looks at the classic 1990s series as both a time capsule and a practical route for cartoon creators trying to get work on screen.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

You get a lively stop at What a Cartoon Show, the 1990s showcase where creators pitched short cartoons and future names like Genndy Tartakovsky enter the conversation.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →
Listen to the show on
Apple PodcastsSpotify
Play clips from this episodeMore from Animation Destination