Adult Swim Action - the reasoning behind the block

[Vin]

When Adult Swim first launched, it was a bunch of pretty inexpensive Williams Street shows. Now, look how it's evolved now. They're aquiring comedy series that have aired on other networks and will be making some more original comedy series.

Think the same thing about AS Action. This is the first step. Maybe CN wanted to launch the block right away, so they took some older shows and added in some new ones. Eventually, "Outlaw Star" and "Tenchi" will be gone and will make room for some newer, less edited shows. "Pilot Candidate" was already announced last year and was already edited for Toonami. So, CN took "PC" and put it on Adult Swim Action, in addition to some older Toonami shows.

Don't be so pessimistic. Sure, I was a little upset but at least we are getting these shows on television in the first place. Be happy that Cartoon Network is doing this. Rome wasn't built overnight.

[Killtacular]

I still think it's a shaky foundation to build on.

It's the choice of the shows that confuses me. BIG O would be a perfect choice for the block, editted or not. It has that kind of hip energy that would be perfect for Adult Swim.

If I were in charge of the reruns, I'd shape the line-up like this:

11:00 PM - Cowboy Bebop
11:30 PM - Pilot Candidate
12:00 AM - Yu Yu Hakusho
12:30 AM - Big O
1:00 AM - Gundam 0083
1:30 AM - Outlaw Star

The reasoning for this lineup:

First of all, Yu Yu may or may not launch with a TV-Y7-FV rating. The schedule may have been incorrect, since FUNi knew this was for Adult Swim. However, in the event that the first episode has that rating, I wouldn't want that to be the first episode out of the gate.

The least we need is for adults to tune in and see TV-Y7. They'll go "blah" and change the channel, which is bad. If you put Bebop first, they'll say "yay" or...maybe not. But they'll at least sit down and watch the block.

Pilot Candidate is a show where if people don't see the TV-Y7 rating, they'll probably not know if it's editted or not, since it's a very bare anime in terms of content.

Of course, Yu Yu Hakusho is editted to Adult Swim standards, and that will please people.

And Big O is, again, as I said, a show with enough style and mecha violence to outweigh the editting.

Gundam 0083.. I wasn't really sure where to place it...

And by the time Outlaw Star comes on, most people will be in bed, asleep.

[Sheamon]

When Adult Swim first launched, it was a bunch of pretty inexpensive Williams Street shows. Now, look how it's evolved now. They're aquiring comedy series that have aired on other networks and will be making some more original comedy series.

Think the same thing about AS Action. This is the first step. Maybe CN wanted to launch the block right away, so they took some older shows and added in some new ones. Eventually, "Outlaw Star" and "Tenchi" will be gone and will make room for some newer, less edited shows. "Pilot Candidate" was already announced last year and was already edited for Toonami. So, CN took "PC" and put it on Adult Swim Action, in addition to some older Toonami shows.

Don't be so pessimistic. Sure, I was a little upset but at least we are getting these shows on television in the first place. Be happy that Cartoon Network is doing this. Rome wasn't built overnight.

The problem is that its hard to be optomistic when you have this moderately successful block of animation that while still not exactly 'adult' at this point in time, is atleast a block that targets teenagers and up. Then they go and stretch out the block, filling it up with shows targetted towards 7 year olds. Not to mention the fact that Tenchi and Outlaw Star have only aired what, 15 times each in the past year? Not only did Big O come off as a more mature show (although it was also chopped to 7 year old levels, its a more mature show than the other 2 from the start), but its length wouldn't be a problem because only 1 episode would air per week. Not to mention the fact that another third of the block is stuff not aired yet, but already chopped to 7 year old levels and who know what'll happen to YYH.

Its one thing to stretch out the block with already used Toonami fare. But to call the thing "Adult" Swim and air shows like Tenchi and Outlaw Star that the channel targets to babies makes no sense whatsoever.

Just like with Toonami, I found myself very optomistic about the block for a while. Then the boneheads in charge screw it up, changing my views of the thing forever. I suppose there's still some hope since its a month away, but I wouldn't be too optomistic about it

[ohmrbill]

Any chance that we can blame Kellner on this one?

[Zorakfan]

No, but I'll blame Canada, because it's something I can do.

[AgentMaxX]

I think it would be far better off with a name like "Toonami: After Hours" (or "Midnight Run", if you must). Adult=TV-M, but CN has already shown us that they aren't THAT crazy, so now Adult=TV-14. This I guess is acceptable, but once you take ADULT Swim and give it TV-PG and TV-Y7, the shows just start to contradict the name. Any ADULT would want to watch the full uncut show, not something edited so that a 7 year old can watch it. I'm very disappointed with CN

[CookieS]

My thoughts exactly. I mean what's the differance between Toonami and Adult Swim then? Also, has anyone noticed that this block is going to compete with Mad TV and Saturday Night Live?

[KingKoopa]

Originally posted by CartoonFridays
My thoughts exactly. I mean what's the differance between Toonami and Adult Swim then? Also, has anyone noticed that this block is going to compete with Mad TV and Saturday Night Live?

If they want to compete with SNL, then why are they putting repeats and TV-Y7 on from 11:30 to 1:00? Yu Yu Hakusho to SNL for me until they put something worthwile on from 11:30-1:00.

[William C. Maune]

[indent]Actually it is pretty good counterprogramming for SNL and Mad TV since it is action as opposed to comedy.

[KingKoopa]

Originally posted by AFXanatos
     Actually it is pretty good counterprogramming for SNL and Mad TV since it is action as opposed to comedy.

Maybe, but I doubt it's going to make adults watch it opposed to SNL. They may watch Yu Yu Hakusho, and maybe Cowboy Bebop, but after midnight they may as well call it Toonami, because that way they'll get some viewers at the real age group they're targeting.