(click the face to watch the video this entry is about)Adventure Time was a one-time short animation for the Nicktoon show "Random Cartoons". In this mini show, we are shown what appears to be random nonsense that a crazy, whacked out writer came up with. Originally planned to be shown on television, the episode leaked out onto the internet over two years before it was originally planned to be aired. Normally, such an act would destroy the show's credibility and uniqueness.
However, the exact opposite happened thanks to the widespread, almost viral, showings of this 7 minute cartoon. Hype for the actual showing was staggering, and thanks to most teens having a crude sense of, shall we say, humor (see, anything on CollegeHumor.com), the show became one of the top viewed shorts during it's runtime. So much, so, that Cartoon Network actually picked up Adventure Time, and it's set for a late 2009 airing (13 episodes, each running 22 minutes).
This shows the power of how the internet and social sites, such as Youtube, can boost the popularity and fame of a seemingly unnoticed show. So much, infact, that it's now a "cult classic", being spread all over the internet, colleges and via friends.
However, the exact opposite happened thanks to the widespread, almost viral, showings of this 7 minute cartoon. Hype for the actual showing was staggering, and thanks to most teens having a crude sense of, shall we say, humor (see, anything on CollegeHumor.com), the show became one of the top viewed shorts during it's runtime. So much, so, that Cartoon Network actually picked up Adventure Time, and it's set for a late 2009 airing (13 episodes, each running 22 minutes).
This shows the power of how the internet and social sites, such as Youtube, can boost the popularity and fame of a seemingly unnoticed show. So much, infact, that it's now a "cult classic", being spread all over the internet, colleges and via friends.
Having been recently introduced to 'Adventure Time,' I can attest to the randomness and 'humor' of the show. The Internet is the perfect medium for this type of wacky, senseless cartoon. When I watched this, I couldn't help but think of Charlie the Unicorn or the Happy Tree Friends. Due to the easy accessibility, Youtube has become the perfect place for animators, both amateur and professional, to show off their work. In regards to the video's fame, countless 'celebrities' have been born in much the same way-Star Wars kid, Afro Ninja, and the crying Brittany fan just to name a few. The fact that Adventure Time was picked up by Cartoon Network just shows the power of the Internet.
ReplyDeleteThis type of random humor is something I view every time I even go on the internet. Like Chris mentioned above, youtube is a generator of sorts for this type of humor. Octocat, Ducktunes, etc showcase random animations that become cult classics sometimes overnight. Even cable networks like adult swim are picking up on this random humor idea with shows like Tim and Eric and Aqua Teen Hunger Force. Most people would shoo the idea as ignorant stoner toons, but the truth is that random is the new norm. They leave you there wanting more what the hell type of laughs and they become addicting due to the fact that they are not the run of the mill type of gag shows.
ReplyDeleteWhat…was…that? I have no clue what that cartoon was…I’m afraid. I’ve never been a big fan of super random cartoons like that, although in retrospect that was not too bad. Cartoons like Charlie the Unicorn make me want to punch a baby. Adventure Time actually was fairly entertaining and adorable. The style is simple which helps produce some beautiful and smooth animations.
ReplyDeleteI will admit that several moments were very humorous that even made me chuckle. The scene where the King looses his crown while battling Jake is fantastic. It reminds me how stupid some villains are when they put all of their power into an easily losable item. I’m looking at you Sauron from Lord of the Rings! Cartoons like this proves that there is still some imagination and creativity working out there. Some programming on television is absolutely trash and is only successful at rotting the brains of its viewers. I will definitely check out this cartoon when it releases later this year.
While it is true that the internet is the medium for the birth of a variety of strange and unique productions that otherwise would have been buried under commercialism, this is just further proof how far downhill parts of the entertainment industry have fallen. It seems the entire industry has become so desperate for ideas that they’ve reverted to the largest source of connection around the entire planet. Sometimes, with cartoons such as Adventure Time I find myself wondering where all of the good entertainment in this world has gone. MTV is another prime example. What originated as a station for music videos has extremely fallen to the point where its original purpose has become shadowed by ‘fan service’ shows. It disgusts me.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your post as it relates to something that has always bothered me for many years. Growing up, I enjoyed cartoons as most of us did. Although I was raised primarily with a heavier influence on anime and manga, the casual cartoons here in the states where fairly enjoyable. The Adventures of Batman & Robin, The Real Adventures of Johnny Quest, and much more have increased my acceptance of cartoons in the states. It wasn’t until the release of SpongeBob Square Pants I began to dislike American cartoons for their crude and obnoxious humor. A bunch of nonsense is written onto a script and played over a course of 24 minutes was not appealing to me and as the years went by, this style of storytelling became the norm with The Adventures of Billy & Mandy, My Gym Partner’s a Monkey, and the craziest of them all…Robot Chicken. This style of cartoon has been around for many years and was heavily pushed forward by Ren & Stimpy and is perhaps the most effective form of entertainment in the world. It is amazing how times change and what causes them to change.
ReplyDeleteI like how you talked about YouTube been able to boost the popularity and fame of certain work or media. However, I have a problem with people uploading whole albums on there without the consent of the artist. Once an artist comes out with a new album, the next day when one types in the name of the album in YouTube, one finds all the songs on the album. As a result one does not have to purchase the album because they can just listen to it without having to buy it. I think this is a major problem and they got to do something about it.
ReplyDelete