SB-03: Cartoon Network 1.0 | Step Two: Embrace Animated Shorts

Originally Posted by Jeff Harris

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Let's never lose the fact that it all began with a short. I'm paraphrasing Walt Disney's classic phrase there that his humble company began with a mouse. Technically, it began with a rabbit, or a lack of a rabbit since Mr. Disney couldn't take the character with him, thus inspiring him and Ub Iwerks to create a new character, namely a mouse they called Mickey. Of course, Cartoon Network's very first program was Friz Freleng's controversial Rhapsody Rabbit (Toon Heads had an entire episode explaining the controversy with that Bugs Bunny short and an Oscar-winning Tom and Jerry short with the same plot and song made and released within months of each other). The acquisition of many animated shorts by Turner Entertainment was the guiding force behind the creation of the original Cartoon Network, so it would be no surprise that they launched with several shorts.

Cartoon Network's creation also inspired the network to create new animated shorts, most of them featuring original characters never seen before. Some of the characters became stars of their own series on Cartoon Network while other shorts introduced the world to talents that would become the modern day face of animation for the 21st century. The shorts program at Cartoon Network invigorated the animation industry in the United States, and I feel a rebirth could do likewise today.

The new Cartoon Network could reintroduce the "World Premiere Toons/What A Cartoon!" concept introducing new characters and properties as well as serving as plots for future series for both Cartoon Network and Checkerboard if the properties take off. The bi-coastal studio concept of Warner Cartoon Group would be beneficial for a reintroduction of the shorts program.

Warner Bros. Animation could create new shorts featuring Looney Tunes characters and short subjects in the tradition of those one-shot shorts of yesteryear. Both WBA and Cartoon Network Cartoons could create shorts based on Hanna-Barbera, Tom and Jerry, DC Comics, and MGM characters, including action properties. Independent studios from all over the world are also free to create shorts for the new Cartoon Network.

As mentioned before, action/adventure shorts would also be included in the shorts program. It'd be a hoot to see classic Hanna-Barbera action characters back in the format they was originally made for rather than comedic parodies. It'd also be interesting to see what kind of action franchises they'd create using the shorts format.

Shorts help bridge the generation gap for Cartoon Network. Adults reminise about the classics they grew up with and find themselves interested in these slightly adult shorts. Kids like action and comedy, something the new shorts will bring in droves. The shorts are just a small part of the new Cartoon Network. A variety of cartoons will be another major part of the new Cartoon Network.