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Five of the Creepiest Real Life Versions of Famous Cartoons
In TV, there are two distinct worlds: our world and the cartoon world. So far, we've gotten along pretty well because, for the most part, cartoons have kept their animated butts in their world. We don't allow it to happen very often because when cartoons try to invade the real world on those rare occasions, the transference is nightmarish. Their distorted animated features and expressions can make 'Eraserhead' look like an Olson Twins movie.
Here are five of the creepiest looking and sounding real life cartoon crossovers that will have you bleaching your brain with the magic of Clorox 2.
Mummy Killer on 'Castle' (VIDEO)
An ancient mummy on the loose in the streets of New York City? Yes, okay, it does sound like the plot of a 'Scooby-Doo' episode. But it also happens to be the plot of the most recent episode of 'Castle' (Mon., 10PM ET on ABC). Novelist turned crime-fighter Richard Castle (Nathan Fillion) investigates the murder of a museum curator, along with his partner Kate Beckett (Stana Katic). And soon, they begin to suspect that something very weird is going on.Watch the video after the jump.
TV Squad Ten: Cartoon women who should have Playboy centerfolds
Marge Simpson's spread in Playboy was a groundbreaking moment for cartoon women everywhere. Her sensual skin pics paved new ground for the "feminine-animated." She told the world that the women of animation aren't just vehicles for humor or straight characters to set up punchlines for the males on the paper. She helped us realize they have thoughts, feelings, emotions and yes, even urges that make them unique, infinitely interesting and utterly fascinating. They are, as Dr. Frasier Crane so eloquently put it, "like a fine wine: always intoxicated, ever surprising and only getting better with age."
And so, for the cause of gender equality and female empowerment, here are the ten cartoon chicks who should pose naked because it would be righteously awesome.
The Ultimate Kiddie Show Quiz
As kids, we watched the darndest things -- everything from educational series like 'Sesame Street' to shows that would launch some of today's biggest pop stars ('The Mickey Mouse Club'). Looking back on it now, how well do you remember your favorite kiddie shows?
Take our quiz and get in touch with your inner-child.
Six spinoffs you'll probably never see ... but sure would be fun
The new fall pilots don't excite me very much, what with all of the cops, doctors and lawyers. But I know networks, and original ideas aren't exactly the "in" thing.
So, why can't we design some spin-offs? You know, the networks might go for some ideas based on hit shows, and we can make them a little bit unique, right? Let's add in some elements that excite us to some familiar characters and see if we can't create some new spin-off pilots better than the actual ones.
Live action Scooby Doo coming to TV and DVD
Just in case the first two Scooby Doo movies left you with unanswered questions, there is some good news. A third movie is in the works and this one will be direct-to-TV-and-DVD.The new movie is intended as a prequel and will be called Scooby Doo: In The Beginning. It will star lesser-known actors (and by lesser I mean virtually not known at all) since the original actors have moved on with their careers. It will be about the Scooby Gang solving mysteries together for the first time.
Is it real or Scooby?
Mental Floss has a clever little quiz in which you must determine whether various descriptions of bizarre crimes actually happened in real life, or are merely plots of various Scooby-Doo cartoons. I'd recommend taking the quiz before reading any further.
I surprised myself by actually scoring 9 out of 10. The only one I was fairly positive about was number four, as I'm fairly certain no Hanna Barbera cartoon would ever feature someone pointing a gun at someone else. At least, not lighter fare like Scooby Doo. I'm sure Batman has had various weapons aimed at him on more than one occasion.
Traveler: New Haven
(S01E03) I don't know that any of us can ever really understand the machinations that go into making the network schedule. After watching the first three episodes of Traveler though, I'm left scratching my head wondering just what it was that kept this one tucked away for so long. I'll give in where The Nine is concerned, because the pilot was very good. But how this one got passed over for Six Degrees, Men In Trees, and the collection of little sit-coms that couldn't is beyond me.
Animation news: 12 Oz Mouse returns, and Hanna Barbera on iTunes
Here's a couple bits of animation news:
Early this year I told you 12 Oz Mouse would be returning with new Web-only episodes. Well the first one is online over on Adult Swim, so check it out.
I was indifferent to 12 Oz Mouse at first, but after finally watching the episodes in order and becoming immersed in its odd little world, it quickly became one of my favorite Adult Swim series. It's nice to see it back in any form.
If the surreal post-modern weirdness of 12 Oz Mouse isn't your thing, you can always check out some new Hanna Barbera cartoons that were recently added to iTunes. The new store includes episodes of Scooby-Doo, The Jetsons, Huckleberry Hound, The Flintstones and Yogi Bear.
New TV on DVD releases
Here are the new TV DVDs, in stores tomorrow.
- American Dad - Vol. 2
- Banacek - Season 1
- Coach - Season 2
- Curious George - Rocket Ride and Other Adventures
- ER - Season 7
- Frasier - Season 9
- Home Improvement - Season 6
- M*A*S*H - Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen
- Martin - Season 2
- Masters of Horror - Right To Die
- Monarch of the Glen - Series 6
- Playboy After Dark - Collection 2
- A Pup Named Scooby-Doo - Vol. 6
- The Rockford Files - Season 4
- Tom and Jerry - Tex Avery's Droopy: The Complete Theatrical Collection
- Tom and Jerry Tales - Vol. 2
- The War At Home - Season 1
- Wings - Season 4
New TV on DVD this week
Here are the new TV DVDs, in stores tomorrow:
- Avatar: The Last Airbender - Book 2, Vol. 2
- The Batman - Season 3
- Murder in Suburbia - Series 2
- Proof - Season 2
- Scooby-Doo All Stars - Season 3
- The Streets of San Francisco - Season 1, Vol. 1
- Teen Titans - Season 3
- The Untouchables - Season 1, Vol. 1
The ten worst movies based on TV shows
Welcome to TV Squad Lists (formerly 'The Five'), a feature where each blogger has a chance to list his or her own rundown of things in television that stand out from the rest, both good and bad.
A couple of other bloggers have made lists concerning movies that have been made into TV shows and vice versa. There's The Top 10 Movies Based on TV Shows, The Top 5 Shows That are Better than the Movie, Four Small Screen to Big Screen Flops and AOL's own list. Here is my effort. Enjoy.
1. The Avengers: I tried to sit through this move twice and couldn't do it either time. If anyone can explain the plot to me, they can have my job. This movie is the exact opposite of the TV show. Boring, unoriginal, ignorant and unpleasant to watch.
2. Lost in Space: After the cameos by the surviving original cast members, stop watching. Since when is Dr. smith a psycho? I know Heather Graham is hot, but why is Don West more interested in getting laid than getting home? And what is up with the stupid CGI alien? I'd rather see a monkey with Spock ears.
Animation news: Batfink, Walter Tetley and Scrappy Doo
Guess what? Batfink is coming out on DVD in June. The set will include all one hundred episodes of the series.
Actually, screw Batfink. Here's even better news: every episode of The Ant and the Aardvark on DVD next month.
I'm going to make a confession: I actually like A Pup Named Scooby Doo better than the original Scooby Doo. I found the original rote and unimaginative, and while A Pup Named Scooby Doo wasn't exactly the greatest cartoon either, it had funky animation and a self-awareness I could really dig. As far as Scrappy Doo, the spunky little scamp many fans believe ruined the Scooby Doo series (I never thought he was that bad), you can read about his origins over on Mark Evanier's site.
Scooby-Doo animator dead at 81
After losing co-founder Joseph Barbera and animator Ed Benedict, Hanna Barbera is again saying good-bye to yet another legend. Iwao Takamoto, who designed Scooby-Doo, Shaggy and the rest of the Mysteries Inc. gang, passed away yesterday at the age of 81.
While Ed Benedict is credited with designing the original Flintstones characters, Takamoto designed the Great Gazoo. He also created Muttley, the wheezing dog featured on such shows as Laff-A-Lympics, Dastardly & Muttley in Their Flying Machines and Wacky Races; and Astro, the Jetson's dog who, oddly enough, sounded not unlike Scooby-Doo (both were voiced by Don Messick). His other credits at Hanna Barbera include Josie and the Pussycats, Jabberjaw and many, many others.
New TV on DVD releases today
24 - Season 5 - Animaniacs - Vol. 2
- Dukes of Hazzard - Season 7
- Dungeons & Dragons - Complete Series
- Mission: Impossible - Season 1
- Pinky and the Brain - Vol. 2
- Roseanne - Season 6
- Saturday Night Live - Season 1
- Survivor: Vanuatu - Complete Season
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - Vol. 6
- What's New Scooby-Doo? - Vol. 10
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