Gephyrophillia | Watch This Space #1

Originally Posted on 07/13/2002 by Jeff Harris

Pardon our dust.

A familar phrase has a new meaning around here at CNX. As of July 13, 2002, CNX: Toonami Revolution is ending transmission.

Temporarily.

In mid-August, the site will return online full-time.

Why the self-imposed shutdown? There's a few reasons. One clearly obvious reason is in the new logo design. I have had a Cartoon Network-based logo since the site's original inception as CN2. The original purpose of the site's creation was to promote the underpromoted Toonami block and to help inspire the network to create a Toonami-themed channel. I've long abandoned that dream because it'll never happen, especially considering current circumstances in the boss's office. So, I changed the site's logo to reflect my change in attitude as well as break away from my Cartoon Network exclusivity. It was something that I think I have been subconciously doing since last year.

The because I'm refocusing the site's purpose a bit. The last year has seen a lot of ups and downs, but as I have recently discovered, things are changing in the television spectrum. Some for the better. Some for the worse. I have seen something I love and respected turn into a massive merchandising block. No disrespect to the powers that be, but I think I have seen the light. The last year really showcased my disapproval of things that have been going on. The broadcast edition may be gone, but there are still problems that need to be solved. Unfortunately, even good shows can't change the image of a block ruined by network politics and the pointy-haired boss that has alterior motives for the damage he has inflicted over the year (now he's trying to get rid of PVR services like TiVo because, um, he doesn't own a piece of it, and he's willing to make people pay for individual basic cable networks because of so-called lost ad-revenues from people who skip past commercials [I wish I could say I'm making that up, but he said that at TCA last week]). Most of the good guys have already moved on to bigger things on weekends (though the name is still less-than-desirable), and the block that I once admired greatly has been forever tarnished. Not even a good shiny coat of polish could get rid of the tarnish, though it may make it look a little better.

It goes to show you, it's all about hamsters and Saiyans now. Older folks like me may be attracted to the block, but the draw is somewhat waning now. Perhaps there was a reason why CNX remained the oldest Toonami-themed site for a reason. I was blinded with false optimism for the longest time. I hoped that somehow, things would change, and they are. It's happening at a snail's pace, but change is happening at Toonami as we speak. Is it enough? I'm not sure. Will Toonami ever regain it's revolutionary, bad-ass spirit to take on risks and be rebels.

For the first time ever, I'm convienced that the answer is a resounding NO.

Toonami is all but a memory. It remains, it's back at three hours, but to use a terminology of an oft-repeated series, the power level is kinda low. Toonami is on a level of irrevelance now, thanks to oversaturation on broadcast television with non-action shows, working with a VERY limited budget, and a severe watering down of the core block with a non-action show at the starting time. The K-Beast has a victory. A shallow, pointless victory in the long battle of the Revolution.

There are new soldiers on the battlefield now. Adult Swim's Saturday action block is an heir apparent to the Toonami throne. Soldiers outside the traditional battlefield like Batman, Superman, Boomeraction, Justice League, Samurai Jack, and G.I. Joe (watch G.I. Joe every Monday - Thursday night at 1 AM EST/PST, or if you can't watch it, TiVo it!) make their impact on the network. There are even soldiers outside of the traditional battlefield growing in droves. You got individual shows that have that revolutionary attitude like Kim Possible (on Disney, a network that has no other action shows on it), ABC Family (powered by the remnants of Fox Kids and currently possessing the best Saturday morning lineup in the US now), the upcoming Fox Box block, and, of course anime distributors providing a bevy of products to an unsuspecting public. Sure, the anime soldiers have numerous followers, but their fellow western soldiers have hardly any to fight on their behalf.

The armies shall not be separate any more. They are all guided by the spirit of the Revolution, a fight that Toonami was the first to stand up for. Like Marvel's Nick Fury, Toonami's wounded and yet still fights despite obvious handicaps, and you got to respect that. But now, it's time to take the Revolution in a new direction. A more universal, non-limited direction. Something that should have taken place a long time ago. I won't stray too far from my Toonami roots courtesy of Toonami Satellite, a section dedicated to the best of the block that inspired a revolution as well as a history of the block. The Evolution of CNX has begun and I will resume transmission real soon. But keep eyes posted around here. Until the revamped CNX is completed, Page One will be known as Watch This Space. Weekly briefings to say what's been going on. As usual, the Toon Zone Toonami board, still powered by CNX, is still online, so check it out.

This isn't goodbye. This is FAR from being goodbye. This is only evolution. And isn't that what life's all about?

Until we are one,
Jeff Harris
CNX Creator/Webmaster
July 13, 2002