movies/tv The Dark Age of Cartoon Network

[Jon the VGNerd 894]

TL;DR, Cartoon Network has entered the dark age of all television programs from its shows that show no quality (I can only name a few that holds their own well), especially from their "reboot" of PPG, which not only showed no quality, but also proves that CN would revive a childhood show of mine and completely desecrate it. Even without Stuart Snyder, Cartoon Network had pretty much left a lot of infamy for many older viewers like myself. Even without the man that marked the end of the great shows, the channel itself continued to relish in poor quality shows that left us trying to embrace on what CN has truly become, in a negative way too.

 

Instead of focusing on shows that showed true quality back in the 90's and early-to-mid 2000's before its downfall, they trimmed down the majority of shows in exchange or "newer" shows that's become too kid-friendly (because of how overly-sensitive parents can be when it comes to dealing with action shows which deem them to be "too violent") with deplorable quality to go for.

 

I wonder how long it'll take for CN to truly realize that they've made a massive mistake and make a huge overhaul for the entire channel to satisfy older viewers like me? No one will ever know.

 

What are your opinions regarding the current state of the once-beloved channel that is Cartoon Network? I know some of you still love it, but for us, we want it back to where it was back in the 90's and the early 2000's, but feel free to express your opinions regarding the channel itself.

[Kyoshi Frost Wolf 42,203]

CN seemed to be on the right tracks years ago with shows like Chowder, Flapjack, and other things. Many I have talked to considered than another CN golden age of animation. Now it seems they are crumbling down a hill once again and much worse than before. I haven't seen anything else they have had on display recently, but the absolute atrocity that is the PPG 'reboot' is enough for me to know what their business model is.

[cmarston1 5,965]

I would actually disagree about this.

CN's dark age would have been in the mid to late 2000's.

Even with shows like the PPG reboot and TTG and how their reception, this decade we have gotten some really great shows such as Adventure Time, Steven Universe, Regular Show, Over the Garden Wall, The Amazing World of Gumball, and We Bare Bears.

And even if I am not too big into Clarence I still find that to be a decent show.

Currently airing right now there are 6 shows on Cartoon Network that I either like, love, followed at one point, or find to be decent.

I think that makes it far from being in a dark age.

[Megas 28,155]

Disagree completely, Dark Age started when they cancelled Megas and started CN REAL. Since shows like Adventure Time, Chowder, and Regular Show, CN's only been going up

[Jon the VGNerd 894]

Disagree completely, Dark Age started when they cancelled Megas and started CN REAL. Since shows like Adventure Time, Chowder, and Regular Show, CN's only been going up

 

They didn't even bothered to bring DC Nation back, which was the start of a massive downfall as a result of CN's rookie mistake. Plus, they basically never brought back the original Teen Titans and continue with the story arc, which was abruptly ended as a result of their poor decision.

[Flamestreak1990 1,204]

 

 

 

 

 

 

I don't know, the shows on cartoon Network (with the exception of PPG and TTGO) are some of the best on TV. Steven universe, The amazing world of gumball, adventure time, regular show, we bare bears, and even Clarence at times. Just because it doesn't cater to the needs of its "old-school" fans doesn't mean it's bad.

 

 

CN seemed to be on the right tracks years ago with shows like Chowder, Flapjack, and other things. Many I have talked to considered than another CN golden age of animation. Now it seems they are crumbling down a hill once again and much worse than before. I haven't seen anything else they have had on display recently, but the absolute atrocity that is the PPG 'reboot' is enough for me to know what their business model is.

 

I don't think that's really fair, every channel has its hiccups now and then. Disney has had fish hooks and pickle and peanut. Nick is.....Nick, And Hasbro other than MLP and transformers isn't that great. Judging their "business model" based one or two bad shows and nothing else is very........ short sided.

 

Now if we really wanna talk about "dark ages" let's talk Nickelodeon shall we?

They didn't even bothered to bring DC Nation back, which was the start of a massive downfall as a result of CN's rookie mistake. Plus, they basically never brought back the original Teen Titans and continue with the story arc, which was abruptly ended as a result of their poor decision.

And? The shows ended. Doesn't mean the channel is bad just because they ended a beloved series

[Denim&Venöm 20,533]

We all have to realize that CN is no longer catering to us. We are no longer the target audience, and the kids tuning in and watching don't know any different.  It's time to move on. Cartoon Network doesn't want our business anymore. 

[Flamestreak1990 1,204]

We all have to realize that CN is no longer catering to us. We are no longer the target audience, and the kids tuning in and watching don't know any different.  It's time to move on. Cartoon Network doesn't want our business anymore.

 

This complaint makes no sense to me, have you actually watched any of the new cartoon Network shows? Again just because something doesn't pander to your specific needs doesn't make it bad. Also Cartoon network doesn't want our business? Isn't the goal of any TV station to make as much money as possible? Why would they purposely cut off their target audience if that's the case?

[Denim&Venöm 20,533]

This complaint makes no sense to me, have you actually watched any of the new cartoon Network shows? Again just because something doesn't pander to your specific needs doesn't make it bad. Also Cartoon network doesn't want our business? Isn't the goal of any TV station to make as much money as possible? Why would they purposely cut off their target audience if that's the case?

No I haven't. I quit during the first dark age during the mid to late 00s. And let me rephrase the next part. They welcome your business. Feel free to watch. But they aren't going to cater to older demographics. They pander to kids and only kids. It's dumb enough for kids, and dumb enough for parents not to complain, and even shell out for. You may not like it, but you aren't a parent or a 12 year old. It's the same as HBO targeting an adult audience. They don't care for kid viewers. CN wants a children's audience and don't care for older ones. 

[Flamestreak1990 1,204]

No I haven't. I quit during the first dark age during the mid to late 00s. And let me rephrase the next part. They welcome your business. Feel free to watch. But they aren't going to cater to older demographics. They pander to kids and only kids. It's dumb enough for kids, and dumb enough for parents not to complain, and even shell out for. You may not like it, but you aren't a parent or a 12 year old. It's the same as HBO targeting an adult audience. They don't care for kid viewers. CN wants a children's audience and don't care for older ones. 

Well, if you haven't seen any shows since then, how can you judge what it's like now? The mid to late 2000s ended in 2009 obviously, so that's, at the very minimum, 7 whole years since the last time you watched a CN show. So your assessment of CN may have been right in that time period (which I do agree with)

 

But nowadays CN has gotten much MUCH better, shows like the one's I mentioned above certainly cater to both the older and younger demographic, also the quality of those shows In my opinion rivals the quality of the late 90s early 2000s CN shows. 

Edited June 23, 2016 by F. L. A. M. E

[Denim&Venöm 20,533]

Well, if you haven't seen any shows since then, how can you judge what it's like now? The mid to late 2000s ended in 2009 obviously, so that's, at the very minimum, 7 whole years since the last time you watched a CN show. So your assessment of CN may have been right in that time period (which I do agree with)

 

But nowadays CN has gotten much MUCH better, shows like the one's I mentioned above certainly cater to both the older and younger demographic, also the quality of those shows In my opinion rivals the quality of the late 90s early 2000s CN shows. 

I'm not judging. And all of what you just said doesn't make my point irrelevant. They maybe making good shows, but it very well might not be becasue they're trying to cater to an older demographic. They just maybe trying to make a good show overall. Point is, appeasing to older teens & young adults isn't in CNs current business model. Some show creators may have older fans in mind, but CN doesn't. If your dissapointed, remember, the show wasn't made for you.

 

Now if kids are disappointed at all the shows, that's another story. 

[Flamestreak1990 1,204]

I'm not judging. And all of what you just said doesn't make my point irrelevant. They maybe making good shows, but it very well might not be becasue they're trying to cater to an older demographic. They just maybe trying to make a good show overall. Point is, appeasing to older teens & young adults isn't in CNs current business model. Some show creators may have older fans in mind, but CN doesn't. If your dissapointed, remember, the show wasn't made for you.

 

Now if kids are disappointed at all the shows, that's another story. 

Yes, they are, That's why you see many adults making forums, fan art, fan made animation, fan made music, having avatars on forums which deal with CN shows, on this very site no less. CN shows nowadays have fandoms, massive ones and I don't think they're all screaming kindergartners. If these shows have millions of adults saying they like the show I doubt it's just a show for kids, Again, you would have to see them to know.

 

Also, mlp isn't a very "adult" show, but you're here on this forum talking to a fellow fan. do you see the point I'm making?

Edited June 23, 2016 by F. L. A. M. E

[Jon the VGNerd 894]

Yes, they are, That's why you see many adults making forums, fan art, fan made animation, fan made music, having avatars on forums which deal with CN shows, on this very site no less. CN shows nowadays have fandoms, massive ones and I don't think they're all screaming kindergartners. If these shows have millions of adults saying they like the show I doubt it's just a show for kids, Again, you would have to see them to know.

 

Also, mlp isn't a very "adult" show, but you're here on this forum talking to a fellow fan. do you see the point I'm making?

 

MLP does show well humor and plot along with it, even though some are a mixed bag. Other shows CN offers has humor that often falls flat. Plus, in my honest opinion, old-school is better than new-school; old-school still holds their own well with classic, nostalgic qualities for the older viewers like myself whilst new-school is a mixed bag, often falling short from the old-schoolers. Just saying, but you get what I mean.

 

Boomerang is the only channel I would tolerate, but even its slowly falling into a dark pit as its "upgrade" included omitting the majority of classic (and early modern) shows in exchange for other "classic" shows which are far from it, including the infamous, dreadful show Johnny Test.

Edited June 23, 2016 by Jon the Bronynerd

[Denim&Venöm 20,533]

Yes, they are, That's why you see many adults making forums, fan art, fan made animation, fan made music, having avatars on forums which deal with CN shows, on this very site no less. CN shows nowadays have fandoms, massive ones and I don't think they're all screaming kindergartners. If these shows have millions of adults saying they like the show I doubt it's just a show for kids, Again, you would have to see them to know.

 

Also, mlp isn't a very "adult" show, but you're here on this forum talking to a fellow fan. do you see the point I'm making?

Adults may react and like what they see, but that's a secondary result CN is lookign for. Adults are what is known as a peripheral demographic. The group that CN woudl like to attract but aren't willing to sacrifice for. If a show does make enough money from said demographic, then they'll begin catering. Millions of adults can say they like it, but that'll never change it from being a kids show if that's what the creators intended. Some shows do cater to multiple demographics, like Adventure Time. 

 

I don't have to see the shows to know how CN operates from a business standpoint. If they're loved by fans of all ages, it's a family show. If older fans hate it, then it was geared towards kids who don't knwo any better. 

 

MLP is a family show. It was never made to cater to just children. The Hub was never made to cater to just children.  Hence why it has been so successful. 

[Flamestreak1990 1,204]

MLP does show well humor and plot along with it, even though some are a mixed bag. Other shows CN offers has humor that often falls flat. Plus, in my honest opinion, old-school is better than new-school; old-school still holds their own well with classic, nostalgic qualities for the older viewers like myself whilst new-school is a mixed bag, often falling short from the old-schoolers. Just saying, but you get what I mean.

I've said the shows that I felt are good, so it would be redundant to list them again

 

I never said new-school is better (which overall it isn't) I said there are shows that rival the quality. Also not all old-school is good, 

 

 

 

Adults may react and like what they see, but that's a secondary result CN is lookign for. Adults are what is known as a peripheral demographic. The group that CN woudl like to attract but aren't willing to sacrifice for. If a show does make enough money from said demographic, then they'll begin catering. Millions of adults can say they like it, but that'll never change it from being a kids show if that's what the creators intended. Some shows do cater to multiple demographics, like Adventure Time. 

 

I don't have to see the shows to know how CN operates from a business standpoint. If they're loved by fans of all ages, it's a family show. If older fans hate it, then it was geared towards kids who don't knwo any better. 

 

MLP is a family show. It was never made to cater to just children. The Hub was never made to cater to just children.  Hence why it has been so successful. 

The MLP brand as a WHOLE was made to cater to little girls, so initially, yes it was but as more bronies came, the show started to be more catered towards adults. Which is what you excuse CN of doing. Most of the shows currently airing on the hub (discovery family) are TV-Y while shows on cartoon network are generally TV-PG, that alone should prove The hub is catered more to kids than CN.

 

Also if that's true then why don't I see forums of Arthur? One of the best kid oriented shows of all-time. 

[Moved to Elsewhere 11,331]

TBH, I feel like CN does worse when trying to pander to 90s kids. They've proven with Teen Titans Go and The Power Puff Girls reboot that they don't know how to do a reboot right by pretty much spitting in the face of the original creation. CN does a whole lot better when making original shows as proven with Steven Universe, Adventure Time, Regular Show, Gumball, and We Bare Bears. CN should just leave some of these shows in the past because they've proven that Adult Swim does better with rebooting shows with Samurai Jack.

[Lil Pip 775]

^{I disagree about the pandering idea, ppg was a hit with probably multiple demographics and I found myself watching it the other day despite being much older than when I first saw it. So if they have good shows they are good, if they don't then its bad and yeah some shows will be good and on at some times and others might be bad and on at other times. But do we have kids that watch CN or nephews or nieces anyways? We might be too busy with other stuff to even notice the merits of it, or how it seemed to our parents so that aspect is kinda true I guess about the different marketing, but a good show is good so I still think that has precedence.}

[Guest]

Steven Universe is doing well, Regular Show is doing well, Adventure Time is doing well, Toonami is relatively popular again, Adult Swim performs pretty well, Samurai Jack is returning... So it's the dark age because PPG reboot did poorly?

 

Sorry but I disagree. There are still many redeeming things about CN.

[Banul 3,831]

Confirmation bias, my dude.

 

People like to look at the new Teen Titans or Power Puff Girls and claim that it's all going down hill while seemingly ignoring all the other shows that are doing well with most folks. Regular Show, Adventure Time, Steven Universe and so on all seem to be performing well and staying popular. I hate TTG and the new PPG as much as the next guy, but Cartoon Network is doing fine.

[Steve Piranha 29,496]

I think the main problem is that many of us expect CN to still pander to us. We are in a new age, and most of us have moved on, and CN knows it, they won't pander to us because there's more money in the new target audience, and they did made great shows today, like Regular Show, Adventure Time, World of Gumball, etc. Many use the argument of the PPG reboot and Teen Titans Go to as an argument that CN is falling. While on the later I can't comment as I don't watch it, TTG (well, first season mostly), I find it had clever use of parodying the Teen Titans, and is genuinely funny (seriously, it's easier to beat Culex than make me laugh ) 

[cuteycindyhoney 13,339]

My only problem with Cartoon Network, is the absolute garbage they shovel out as live action. Is it me, or do they intentionally make them to be bad? If you gave kids in the third grade some video equipment, they'd produce a much better product.

[Stormlight 1,371]

As much as I dislike most of the new shows that air on Cartoon Network, there are some that actually have potential like Adventure Time, The Amazing World of Gumball, Regular Show, and We Bare Bears.

 

Sure, the reboots and other cartoon shows are not for my liking, but CN hasn't conpletely met its downfall.

[PinkiePie97 913]

If Cartoon Network had a dark age, I think it was during the days of CN Real, and unlike a lot of people, I didn't stop watching CN because I still liked the cartoons. Plus, the cartoons they had on at the time weren't as popular as some before or after. I liked shows like Chowder and Flapjack but they didn't create as much buzz as some of CN's other shows. I think CN has actually gotten better since then. It started with Adventure Time and Regular Show in 2010. Those were the biggest hits Cartoon Network had in a while. Then Steven Universe came along in 2013 and that's been a big hit as well. And even though it was only a miniseries, Over the Garden Wall has a strong fanbase as well. The Amazing World of Gumball and We Bare Bears also have good followings. They also haven't made any live action since Incredible Crew was canceled a few years ago. And I think they've gotten even better since Stuart Snyder left. Unlike most people, I didn't hate him, but I don't think he did that good a job either. Some pretty good shows were picked up during his time, so I'll give him that, but he still did CN Real and made the network more boy centric. Yeah, they aired Teen Titans Go! too much in one day for a while, but they've actually cut back on that. It's still the most played show on the network, but it's not as bad as it was last year. Currently, the only 2 shows on CN I don't like are Uncle Grandpa and Teen Titans Go, and the latter isn't even made by CN, so really, there's only one modern CN show I don't like. Bottom line, I don't think Cartoon Network is in a dark age. If anything, they might be in another golden age.

 

Also, if you think CN will make a huge overhaul to satisfy older viewers, I hate to break it to you, but that's not going to happen. You can criticize all you want, but it's a kids network. Maybe they'll do some things, but as long as they're doing well with their target audience, I don't think a huge overhaul will happen.

[Jon the VGNerd 894]

Sure it might be a kids network, but the removal of many great shows back in those years was the downfall for me. To me, CN is pretty much a lost cause even without Stuart Snyder, especially after they completely ruined a childhood show that is Powerpuff Girls. It didn't showed nostalgic qualities back then, and it didn't felt the same without the same voice actors, either. Nowadays I just watch Boomerang, but again, its "upgrade" wasn't the same due to the majority of classic shows being replaced with "modern" shows that's far from being classic. If an overhaul isn't happening, then Cartoon Network has pretty much lost a longtime viewer (and others, too).

[SquipyCheetah 449]

Both Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network have gone too far into the dark for saving for me. I don't know why but most things on these channels, with a few exceptions, are just... aweful. It makes me really wish it were like a decade ago, just so I can enjoy these channels as a kid when they were actually good.