General Television Discussion

[MasterXtreme]

‘Arthur’ Canceled: Why PBS Kids Show Is Ending After 25 Years

Article

It’s the end of an era for children’s television as beloved PBS cartoon Arthur is bowing out after its upcoming 25th season.

Rumors of Arthur‘s cancellation emerged earlier this month when Kathy Waugh, who first developed the show for TV, appeared on Jason Szwimer’s Finding D.W. podcast. “Arthur is no longer in production. We had our wrap party two years ago,” Waugh stated.

She continued: “I think [PBS] made a mistake, and I think Arthur should come back, and I know I’m not alone in thinking they made a mistake. I don’t know if it was a ratings issue or if it felt like it needed to be retired. To me, it felt evergreen, like it was never going to end, but it did end; we finished the last episode, season 25 two years ago.”

Carol Greenwald, executive producer for Arthur, has since confirmed the news in a statement to IGN. “In the winter of 2022, the 25th and final season of Arthur will debut. Arthur will continue to be available on PBS KIDS for years to come,” Greenwald said. “Producer GBH and PBS KIDS are continuing to work together on additional Arthur content, sharing the lessons of Arthur and his friends in new ways.”

The longest-running kids animated series in the history of American television, Arthur, based on the Arthur Adventure book series by Marc Brown, debuted in 1996 and has run for over 240 episodes. The show is set in the fictional Elwood City and centers around the lives of 8-year-old Arthur Read, an anthropomorphic aardvark, his friends and family, and their daily interactions with each other.

Throughout its 25-year run, Arthur has picked up four Daytime Emmys for Outstanding Children’s Animated Program, as well as a Peabody Award.

Arthur the cartoon aardvark is getting his own podcast months after final show aired...
Article

The Arthur Podcast was officially announced by PBS Kids on Thursday (6 October). Season one of the show will feature eight episodes released weekly on all major podcast platforms starting 20 October.

[MasterXtreme]

Here's some happy news!

Source

Bob Barker, former host of ‘The Price is Right’ and Washington State native, turns 99!!

The former host of “The Price is Right” and Washington state native, Bob Barker, turned 99 years old on Monday.

Barker was born in Darrington, Washington, on Dec. 12, 1923. His mother was a school teacher and his father was a foreman on the electrical high line throughout Washington.

He met his future wife at an Ella Fitzgerald concert and began dating her at the age of 15.

After enlisting in the U.S. Navy during World War II as a fighter pilot, Barker moved to California in 1950 to pursue a broadcasting career.

Barker hosted “The Price is Right” from 1972 to 2007, and was replaced by the current host, Drew Carey.

[Wolfwood]

The myth, the legend.  He was is a great dude.

[Grapefoot]

MeTV May Be Launching a classic cartoon channel called MeTV Toons!  This seems like what Boomerang used to be.  The network is launching in June and will feature Warner Brothers, Discovery, and other content.  A new cartoon channel with old shows!  I am predicting Boomerang as a channel will be discontinued in the near future as Turner looks to downsize and cut costs.  Literally almost all the same shows on that network will be on this new channel not owned by Turner.  They are just selling rights to make money most likely.

Article

Weigel Broadcasting Co. has announced the launch of an all-new national television network, MeTV Toons, dedicated exclusively to classic animation from Hollywood-era shorts to made-for-television favorites.

The new MeTV Toons collaboration between Warner Bros. Discovery and Weigel – the company behind the MeTV Network – will welcome dozens of the world's classic cartoons, including Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Scooby Doo, Tom & Jerry, George Jetson, Top Cat, Yogi Bear, Popeye, Johnny Quest and Fred Flintstone, among others.

Alongside Warner Bros. properties, other cartoon characters joining MeTV Toons include Rocky and Bullwinkle, Woody Woodpecker, Casper, Betty Boop, Speed Racer and more. The network will be available for multi-platform distribution on over-the-air broadcast television, traditional MVPD's and virtual MVPD's, along with a complimentary offering for ad-supported streaming services.

"We are honored to work with the amazing team at Warner Bros. Discovery and others on this network and bring together a truly incredible collection of the world's best known and most loved classic cartoons, creating a new destination for everyone to discover or rediscover the sheer joy of watching cartoons on TV," said Neal Sabin, vice-chairman of Weigel Broadcasting Co. "MeTV Toons will be dedicated 24/7 to showcasing the biggest names and most beloved classic cartoons and animated characters. Everyone has a favorite cartoon; it is a universally loved art form. We are thrilled to bring those smiles and memories back to TV with MeTV Toons."

[MasterXtreme]

I think this is awesome news!!! ^^^^^^

Boomerang has become a network to play older Cartoon Network shows and not the classic anymore.  So another channel to play actual classics is awesome to me! I love this.

[Silverwing]

This sounds like good news to me.  I think Boomerang as a network will get axed to not that you bring it up.

[MasterXtreme]

More good news and in-depth news about MeTV Toons.  Interview with the Vice Chairman of Weigel, the owners of MeTV.

[Rainberry]

Probably should make a topic for this network, but maybe not?  Doesn't look like they plan to make their own content, just showcase classics.

But how long will it be till the "Classics" become a show from a different decade?  Like it moves into the 80s.... or something... then 90s?

[Soda]

MeTV May Be Launching a classic cartoon channel called MeTV Toons!  This seems like what Boomerang used to be.  The network is launching in June and will feature Warner Brothers, Discovery, and other content.  A new cartoon channel with old shows!  I am predicting Boomerang as a channel will be discontinued in the near future as Turner looks to downsize and cut costs.  Literally almost all the same shows on that network will be on this new channel not owned by Turner.  They are just selling rights to make money most likely.

Article

Weigel Broadcasting Co. has announced the launch of an all-new national television network, MeTV Toons, dedicated exclusively to classic animation from Hollywood-era shorts to made-for-television favorites.

The new MeTV Toons collaboration between Warner Bros. Discovery and Weigel – the company behind the MeTV Network – will welcome dozens of the world's classic cartoons, including Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Scooby Doo, Tom & Jerry, George Jetson, Top Cat, Yogi Bear, Popeye, Johnny Quest and Fred Flintstone, among others.

Alongside Warner Bros. properties, other cartoon characters joining MeTV Toons include Rocky and Bullwinkle, Woody Woodpecker, Casper, Betty Boop, Speed Racer and more. The network will be available for multi-platform distribution on over-the-air broadcast television, traditional MVPD's and virtual MVPD's, along with a complimentary offering for ad-supported streaming services.

"We are honored to work with the amazing team at Warner Bros. Discovery and others on this network and bring together a truly incredible collection of the world's best known and most loved classic cartoons, creating a new destination for everyone to discover or rediscover the sheer joy of watching cartoons on TV," said Neal Sabin, vice-chairman of Weigel Broadcasting Co. "MeTV Toons will be dedicated 24/7 to showcasing the biggest names and most beloved classic cartoons and animated characters. Everyone has a favorite cartoon; it is a universally loved art form. We are thrilled to bring those smiles and memories back to TV with MeTV Toons."

Is this channel successful?  I haven't found it or seen it yet.

[Anyponedrawn]

MeTV Toons is awesome!!! I have watched it a bit and I really like what they are doing. This is what Boomerang/Cartoon Network originally was but with remastered quality and a unique approach to the commercial breaks. It's pretty great if you have it in your region.  There is a fantastic educational approach to the channel.  So not only do you get to watch these great old cartoons remastered and in their best form, but they also provide educational info on them as "commercials."  It's a great channel.