movies/tv Why did Nickelodeon go to Jhonen Vasquez for a new Nicktoon?

[TheMisterManGuy 344]

Apparently, the creation of Invader Zim came about when Nickelodeon approached Jhonen Vasquez to make a cartoon for them. But of all people, why did Nickelodeon go to Jhonen for a new cartoon? Surely they must've known about his previous work. Well, apparently I read that Nickelodeon wanted a Nicktoon for a slightly older audience compared to say Spongebob, kids 12+ or Something. If that was the case, then why didn't Nickelodeon put the show on TEENick in the first place (even though it was briefly on the block at one point), or even better, move it to The N for it's second Season.

[Megas 27,939]

For the same reasons as you said, they wanted a cartoon for older audiences.

 

As for why they didn't put it on TEENick, trust me, I thought the same when it came to DBZ Kai, but remember that this is Nick. Invader Zim wasn't a show about teenagers doing teenager shit, and apparently that's all Nick thought teens want. And it doesn't really help that this is VIACOM, the same company that owns MTV, so I'd assume MTV also influenced TeenNick in someways 

[Rebel the Wolfgirl 5,607]

I agree with Megas.

 

The only reason it was on Nick was because they wanted something for the slightly-older-preteen to teen market.

[Jammo 986]

Putting Zim next to Rocket Power was a stupid idea.  It's also a real shame fans aren't getting "Something".  A comic, a TV special, the character as a cameo.  Zim fanbase is kind of fading away.  There's just nothing left to say about it, and that sucks for such a great show.

Edited February 8, 2015 by Jammo