Press Release from Boomerang
When Pokémon first arrived in the United States in 1998, little did anyone know it would be one of the most enduring animated series of all time. More than 600 episodes of the anime television program in its various incarnations have premiered in the U.S. to date. Now the commercial-free Boomerang network will pay homage to this neo-classic cartoon by airing Pokémon every weeknight at 6:30 p.m. starting Monday, April 5.
Pokémon's run on Boomerang will begin with the Adventures of Orange Island edition of the original Pokémon series. This edition of Pokémon made its U.S. debut 10 years ago and follows Ash, his trusty Pokémon Pikachu and friends Misty and Brock as they traverse the Orange Islands. The episodes bring plenty of engaging battles and aggravating encounters with Team Rocket as Ash eventually wins the four required badges to enter the Orange League competition.
"The Pokémon brand continues to carry on throughout a changing entertainment landscape," said Stacy Isenhower, senior vice president of programming and scheduling for Boomerang and Cartoon Network. "It has become a classic while still remaining fresh, making it an excellent addition to the Boomerang lineup."
The first week's episodes are as follows:
* Monday, April 5: "The Pokémon Water War" - Ash and his friends see a team of Fire-Fighters consisting of Squirtles, Wartortles and Blastoises. Eager to test its skills, Ash's Squirtle get to train with them. But when an actual fire turns up, training has to become reality.
* Tuesday, April 6: "Pokémon Food Fight" - While in a battle, Ash accidentally breaks Snorlax's Pokéball. With the Pokémon Center on the other side of the island, Ash and his friends have to get Snorlax there. And to make matters worse, Team Rocket arrive and are hoarding the island's food ransom until they get Pikachu.
* Wednesday, April 7: "Pokémon Double Trouble" - On Kumquat Island, Ash discovers Luana, the final Orange Island Gym Leader, who mistakes him for her son. After defending the island from Team Rocket, they head to the Gym to have a Double Battle where Pikachu and Charizard is against Marowak and Alakazam.
* Thursday, April 8: "The Wacky Watcher!" - On Rind Island, Tracey meets Dr. Quackenpoker, a noted Pokémon Watcher who is doing a study on the Magikarp that climb up waterfalls and how they evolve into Gyarados. However, Team Rocket appears to steal the Magikarp and get them to evolve.
* Friday, April 9: "The Stun Spore Detour" - On Tiny Island, Ash and Tracey get affected by Stun Spore leaving it up to Misty to get an antidote to heal them. Can Misty find it with the help of her new Poliwag?
Boomerang is Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.'s (TBS, Inc.) 24-hour cable/satellite network offering the best in classic animated entertainment. In partnership with Cartoon Network, the service boasts 75 percent unduplicated programming and is available to cable/satellite operators and their customers in Spanish. Boomerang's official Web site is located at http://Boomerang.CartoonNetwork.com [1].
Cartoon Network (CartoonNetwork.com), currently seen in more than 97 million U.S. homes and 166 countries around the world, is Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.'s ad-supported cable service now available in HD offering the best in original, acquired and classic entertainment for kids and families. Nightly from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. (ET, PT), Cartoon Network shares its channel space with Adult Swim, a late-night destination showcasing original and acquired animation for young adults 18-34.
Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, creates and programs branded news, entertainment, animation and young adult media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.
Links:
[1] http://Boomerang.CartoonNetwork.com