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Mind you, some of today's cartoons, if I'd shown them to prisoners in Abu Ghraib, they'd haul my [deleted] in jail, no questions asked. And toss the key. But even those I'd prefer to Montel Williams.

The advertisers, however, beg to differ with me. The cartoons have all been banished to The Cartoon Network because they don't sell. Transsexual rapists do.

I think the shirt tales and pound puppies were somewhere in that line up. I too was a huge fan. Dark Wing Duck RULED!!!

You are completely right. Where did QUALITY childrens television go? I also noticed that many of the CARTOONS are geared more towards teens and are violent. There's a lot of anime on during the day. I actually watched one episode and saw japanamation at it's best - three anime teens riding motorcycles, going around throwing bombs at "the bad guys" lair. These same teens also get in street fights continually, but their intention is never really stated. Remember the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles? I guess you could argue that this was a violent cartoon, although I loved it. But at least they fought for a purpose - to save people, just like batman, spiderman and superman.
I really don't understand what the intention of the people who produce these cartoons is. What lesson do they want children to walk away from the episode with?

It is kind of rediculous if you ask me. We all grew up with "violent cartoons" and we turned out okay. There were many other outside societal forces that shaped me as a person. The other thing is that while cartoons seem preety mindless nowadays, meaning not only are there not any on, they're not really even that good, television and movies show so much sex and violence which kids are privy to so tv programmer's logic is based on flawed logic that children don't watch network television. Then again the people in charge of children's tv are probably the same as the one's who program primetime tv. Didn't someone just get a 3.6M fine for showing anm orgy scene at like 9pm on network tv.

I sorta agree but only partly.

it's def true that local stations no logner have afternoon cartoons on in the afternoon, but as the first post said, that's all advertisting dollars. Fair? Nope. But tv is a business and in the local setting it's cutthroat.

As for new cartoons..the scope has def changed from when we were kids, but everynow and then I chill with my brothers(10 and 9) and watch shows with them, and try to put myself in their frame of mind.

cartoons suck these days.

except for a few winners(justice league, titans, avitar, samuri jack, ben 10) most of the shows seemed to be aimed at really just insanity.

I guess all/most cartoons are just now aimed at an older crowd or a really younger crowd and the kids that are left in between (8-15) are just assed out.

Ok, here's a funny story and I'll tie it into the topic at the end.

So as you may know, I used to do graphic design for a big name publishing company. I also illustrated several books. I didn't get to choose the books I illustrated, they were assigned to me.

So this one lady writes this book that was kinda weird. It was about some of the not-so-pleasent habits a first grader has. BUT The book was designed with a first grader in mind, so it was kinda humorous. So after 5 months of working on illustrations the book goes to print.
As soon as the book comes back it is sold through major retailers, like Amazon.com, Borders, Barnes & Noble, etc.
Well one day I go to Amazon.com to show my parents a picture of the book and there's all these negative things written BY ADULTS about the book. Some of the comments were:

"It's not action packed." - Nancy, 47, AZ
"Dull, no suspense." - Jim, 22, MI
"I think this book SUCKS!" - Kevi, 39, KY
"Stupid Plot" - Randall, 18, OH.
"This publication lacks 'volume'. The middle of the book seems to drag." - Becky, 46, MI

So I am looking at page after page of all these comments written by people over the age of 17 thinking to myself, "Why do you care? What made you decide to purchase a book geared for a FIRST GRADER?" then on top of that, they wanted to critique it like it was a novel by Stephen King!

so my parents and I sit there looking at the computer screen in amazement. There were even responses that had profanity in them!

My point is, who is really deciding the content of the cartoons? Obviously if one publication made for 6 year old can get adults that mad, imagine what they say about tv programs?!

You have made good points. Ya know, it was my New Years resolution to "write letters". I decided that instead of bitching to my husband about how the toy we bought the baby was mis-manufactured, or the toothpast I spent $4.00 on was only half full, I'd write the company. On the flip side, when I had a good experience I'd wirte a letter of appreciation.
I started doing this and have recieved tons of responses. I was actually shocked to discover that some businesses out there really do care about the consumer. But as you say, many of the consumers who are complaining are missing the big picture, thus compicating things.

Wow I didn't know my little rant about cartoons would generate so much discussion. Anyway, here's a little bit about how I feel. Like Mr. Champion said "we all grew up with violent cartoons and we turned out ok." I think one of the differences between cartoons today and back then is the characters themselves. When we were younger cartoon characters were mostly animals (all the cartoons I listed in my original post featured different animals) or they were adults (G.I Joe, X-men, insert just about any other super hero).

My point is today when kids looks at cartoons they see kids their age doing all this crazy/violent stuff. So if the kid on TV can do it then why can't they? When we watched cartoons all we thought was "those silly chipmunks" or "those turtles are awesome" or "when I grow up I'm gonna be like Duke from G.I. Joe". I think the problem is there is no difference between the characters kids are watching and the kids that are watching them.

With the same concerns as you, I have tried to switch off the tv more and more. From Ed, Edd & Eddy, to Billy & Mandy (I dunno, something with the friggin Grim Reaper) I steered my 8 year old more towards old school things that I know, hence, star wars. Now the child is so involved, he practices. He has seen all 6 episodes, and is very intrigued. May not be sweet little chipmunks, but at least he's not playing with dead people ;-)

writingup.com/blog/paintedladybug

The first time I saw that cartoon I thought, "What the hell is this?!" A grimm reaper with a weird voice is best friends with a little girl. That's twisted.

I think the first time I seen the cartoon was in the morning getting ready for school....HELLO, not a good thing to send kids off to school with. What people, or should I say networks, will do for the almighty dollar. And then we wonder what's wrong with upcoming generations. That is an easy question to answer, unfortunately. I remember good ol bugs bunny and daffy-kept me rolling, and still does! Sorry to show the age!

http://writingup.com/blog/paintedladybug