Gephyrophillia | Watch This Space #23

Originally Posted on 01/31/2003 by Jeff Harris

Okay, let's end this momentous month. It's the last day of the month, and January ended with a bang . . .

The Big Dog, Robert Edward Turner (Ted to most folks), is calling it a day, leaving his #2 position at Time Warner, um, AOL Time Warner, moments after the company issued out its fourth quarter report was issued. The company loss almost $45 billion in a three-month span thanks in part to the fossil internet division that is at the masthead of the company (well, it wasn't because of the filmed entertainment and cable divisions, they made billions!). Mr. Turner remains Vice-Chairman until May, so he has a lot of stuff to do between now and then. And get this . . . he left on his own accordance, unlike Case, who was basically booted out by the board. Turner's the ultimate entertainment gambler. He knew when to hold them, knew when to fold them, knew when to walk away, and yes, knew when to run. AOL Time Warner was a hellish merger, and it's up to former Time Warner #3 (soon to be Chairman and CEO) Richard Parsons to rebuild and reorganize the mess left behind. Much luck to him, and good luck to Ted in his future endeavors.

Many in the Toonami fan community cried, "All is lost! We are doomed! Kellner's permanent now!" Not so fast. For starters, all's not lost. Turner was basically a figurehead at the company. A very influential figurehead with a lot of clout and his name attached to units in 1/4 of the company, but a figurehead nonetheless. He was just an advisor, not a control man like he used to be, which is why he was near powerless in the Bob Pittman coup in 2001. Of course, we all know that the effects of that coup is crumbling. Pittman's gone for good, and the guys that put Pittman in that position, Gerald Levin and Steve Case, are history. Kellner's selling his stake in The WB by year's end and is destined to be gone from his position of power at Turner Broadcasting (of course, there's this other rumor about Ted buying it back with a little help from his friends, but that's another story). The point is, well, it's Turner's departure is not the end of the world. Well, the announcement of his departure (combined with the announcement of EVA coming in February for one week to Toonami) may be a sign of the apocalypse, but trust me, it's far from the end. It could be a new beginning for the company.

The Next Chapter.

In case you haven't realized it, Cartoon Network IS finding its groove again. More people are watching the network thanks to its revamped lineup, which will continue to improve in the months ahead. The people in place are doing their damnedest to make Cartoon Network worth watching. I mean, think about it. On Monday, February 24, we could say that we could watch Nadesico, Evangelion, Dragon Ball Z, Pokemon, Futurama, Lupin III, and Cowboy Bebop on one network without saying we're in Latin America or a European country. Perhaps the good times are indeed ahead of us.

Told ya there'd be changes!

Until we are one, later.
Jeff Harris
CNX Creator/Webmaster
January 31, 2003