TV's Fall Animation Lineup
CBS: Project G.eeK.eR. is an action adventure series focusing on the exploits of a nerdy hero who happens to have unlimited powers. The problem is he does not know how to use them. Film Roman's The Mask (based on the popular Jim Carry feature) and The Twisted Tales of Felix the Cat (the latest incarnation of the classic character) have been renewed for a second season. Also returning is Disney's The Lion King's Timon & Pumbaa, which will have new episodes running both on Saturday morning and in syndication; the show, of course, deals with the exploits of feisty meerkat, Timon and his buddy Pumbaa, Also returning are Ace Ventura: Pet Detective and Fred Wolf Films' old perennial, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Fox: The Fox Kids Network, which has been the dominant force among terrestrial broadcasters these past few years, has renewed most shows from last season, but will introduce several new titles this time around. These include Casper, inspired by the old Famous Studios cartoons and last year's live-action film, from Universal Cartoon Studios and Harvey Entertainment. Also new is Film Roman's C-Bear and Jamal, which explores the relationship between Jamal, a young African-American boy, and C-Bear, his stuffed animal companion who walks, talks and transports him to imaginary places.
Returning are Where On Earth Is Carmen Sandiego (DIC), Bobby's World (Film Roman), Eek! Stravaganza (Nelvana), The Adventures of Batman & Robin (Warner Bros.), Life With Louie (Hyperion), Spider-Man (Marvel), X-Men (Saban/Graz) and The Tick (Sunbow/Graz).
In the meantime, The Simpsons (Gracie/Film Roman) comes back for another season on prime time..
UPN: The new network, which is still finding its legs, will premiere four new shows this fall. The Mouse and the Monster, produced by Saban (which is programming the UPN Kids lineup), is described as a Rocky & Bullwinkle for the 21st century. The plot involves an "outrageous monster" and his sidekick mouse who are being chased by a mad scientist who is after the monster's brain. Also from Saban is Bureau of Alien Detectors, which is being touted as an "X-Files meets The A-Team." This action-adventure series, which premieres in September, is about a secret group who protects the world from supernatural encounters.
Marvel will provide an animated incarnation of The Incredible Hulk, which features the classic character in various modern day adventures. Lou Ferrigno, who played the Hulk on the live-action TV show, will supply the voice, joining a vocal cast that also includes Luke Perry, Genie Francis and Mark Hamill. Also new on UPN is Jumanji, based on the Robin Williams film, which follows the adventures of two children who find their lives turned upside-down when they discover a mystical board game that pulls them into a perilous jungle world.
WB Network: The surprisingly strong showing the new network has had in the ratings race has, in large part, been attributed to its strong animation lineup. It also helps to have a number of popular franchise characters readily available from Warner Bros. and Steven Spielberg.
New this fall is Superman based on the classic DC Comic character from Warners. The series will undoubtedly draw its inspiration from the old Max Fleischer Superman cartoons, which had previously inspired Warner's highly successful Batman: The Animated Series. Tim Daly is supplying the voice of the Man of Steel while the voice of Lois Lane belongs to Dana Delaney.
Warners is also producing Waynehead, which provides comedian Damon Wayans' debut in animation. The show is about Darney Walker, a 10-year-old living in lower Manhattan, who is the neighborhood underdog and struggles with the problems of preadolescence. Then there is Road Rovers, which feature some superhero dogs who protect the galaxy. Animaniacs, Pinky & The Brain, Freakazoid (all three from Spielberg/Warners), The Sylvester & Tweety Mysteries (Warners) and Earthworm Jim (Universal Cartoon Studios) are all returning.
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