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TV network reviews: Cartoon Network

"Greetings, Citizen! Are you getting enough oxygen?"

Ted Turner loved cartoons. He had no problem making this point clear. In the late 80s he used his massive financial clout to purchase Hanna Barbera. All of a sudden he had access to literally thousands of hours of cartoons ranging from classics like "The Flintstones" and "Scooby Doo" to obscure shows like "Huckleberry Hound" and a little remembered superhero named "Space Ghost". Using all of these shows he created a new cable station aptly called "Cartoon Network".

The premise of this network was rather simple: show cartoons 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For the most part it was nothing by re-runs, but he also able to introduce a new show, "Captain Planet" which was about a multicultural group of kids that could summon an eco-hero by the same name to stop bad guys that were trying to destroy the planet.

In 1994, Cartoon Network created a brand new innovation in the form of "Space Ghost: Coast to Coast". It was the first animated talk show where the former superhero would actually interview real life guests. Joining him were former villains Zorak (acting as his band leader) and Moltar (acting as director). The show didn't spend that much on animation as they simply re-used the same sequences over and over. The true beauty of the show wasn't the cheap animation, but the fun the characters would have interviewing the unsuspecting guests. Many of the earlier episodes are available for sale on DvD and the show remains in production to this day.

In the mid 90s Turner Broadcasting would merge with Time Warner allowing Cartoon network to have access to all of Warner Brothers' cartoons. This allowed a much greater variety of shows. In 1995 Cartoon Network would create a spin-off of "Space Ghost: Coast to Coast" called "Cartoon Planet". It was an hour-long animated variety show featuring old cartoons from both Hanna Barbera and Warner Brothers. In between the toons there would be comedy skits by Space Ghost, Zorak, and additional villain Brak. They also would sing songs. The songs were so popular that they would inspire three CDs.

In an effort to create their own shows, Cartoon Network created the "What a Cartoon!" show that would feature three shorts that were an effort to span new programs. The results were the highly successful programs "Powerpuff Girls", "Cow & Chicken", "Johnny Bravo", and "Dexter's Laboratory". When all of these shows established enough success they were given a whole night to themselves, called


Below are the top articles rated and ranked by Helium members on:

TV network reviews: Cartoon Network

  • 1 of 16

    by David Furritus

    "Greetings, Citizen! Are you getting enough oxygen?"

    Ted Turner loved cartoons. He had no problem making this point clear.

    read more

  • 2 of 16

    by Lori Savery-Hinze

    In Cartoon Network's beginnings, there were more classical cartoons, like Looney Tunes, Scooby-Doo, and Droopy. Since then,

    read more

  • 3 of 16

    by Benjamin Lomax

    Upon inception, Cartoon Network was a great concept, though a very basic one, replaying classic cartoons, mostly from the

    read more

  • 4 of 16

    by Can Tran

    As a person in his mid-20s, I have to testify that I do still watch the Cartoon Network which is part of AOL Time Warner

    read more

  • 5 of 16

    by JC Campbell

    Cartoons by nature, are intended to make us laugh and none have achieved that goal more than Bugs Bunny and Tom and Jerry.

    read more

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TV network reviews: Cartoon Network

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