Has 'The Tick' Been Considered for Adult Swim?

[JohnCrichton]

Seems almost a no brainer and perfect for AS.. especially over the Ripping Friends.

Tick ever at least make consideration to the CN big wigs?

[Lord Dalek]

Hey it was on Comedy Central, that should get the "That's a kid show, stupid!" naysayers to remain silent.

[randi]

Hum,never thought about The Tick,what about Freakazoid

[Killtacular]

There's only one FOX Kids show, if any show (and think about this before you post, people.. FOX Kids... "should a FOX Kids show be on Adult Swim?" I think not.), that would possibly belong on Adult Swim, but only through new episodes.

That show is Sam and Max.


Watch Venture Bros because that is by a writer from The Tick, and a couple of episodes had Tick creator Ben Enland as assistant writer. So there.

[KBlueBiG]

I can see "The Tick" on Adult Swim. Anything is better than Ripping friends.

[guinaevere]

Seems almost a no brainer and perfect for AS.. especially over the Ripping Friends. I'm rather of the mind that it'd be a no brainer over much of the comedy on AS. ::shrugs::


There's only one FOX Kids show, if any show (and think about this before you post, people.. FOX Kids... "should a FOX Kids show be on Adult Swim?" I think not.) eh... How often is something completely mis-interpreted and mis-marketed?
That said, I think the Tick would do better during the afternoon hours, but that's just me.


<snip>would possibly belong on Adult Swim, but only through new episodes.

That show is Sam and Max. ah. Yes, with new episodes. Not that they haven't run shorter series, but I think they'd definately want to add to the number of episodes before considering for the AS lineup.

[Mynd Hed]

Hey it was on Comedy Central, that should get the "That's a kid show, stupid!" naysayers to remain silent.
I don't see why-- there's nothing magical about Comedy Central that makes anything that's ever been aired on that network automatically for adults.

This has been brought up before, and I'll say again what I said then-- I wouldn't complain if the Tick WERE on Adult Swim, because I'd kill to see it again anywhere. But there's no particular reason why it NEEDS to go to Adult Swim, and it would probably get better ratings (especially among the preteen and high school demographics) if it aired earlier. Ideally, I'd love to see it air along with Freakazoid in the hour before Adult Swim, but really, I can't think of a bad place on CN to air it, except maybe Toonami (since, despite being a superhero cartoon, it's not particularly action-oriented).

But ultimately it's a moot point, since neither show is an AOL Time Warner property and neither is enough of a ratings goliath to make it worth the trouble and expense of acquiring (as opposed to Futurama and Family Guy, AS's two big purchases from another media giant).
Which is a pity, as it's not like the folks who DO have the rights are doing anything with them.

[SirLemming]

ah. Yes, with new episodes. Not that they haven't run shorter series, but I think they'd definately want to add to the number of episodes before considering for the AS lineup.Not to mention the Space Ghost: Coast To Coast-esque licence for edginess it would get from becoming an adult show.
Now, that may not seem like a good thing, but Sam & Max was clearly always meant to have mild profanity and senseless comic brutality. It wouldn't change the writing style. The only change in writing style came from making it a kids' show.

And I'll just cut myself off since I've ranted about Sam & Max in plenty of threads already.



So, uh... yeah, The Tick. "Spoon!" I remember that.
Although the live action version was infinitely superior.
*struck by Heavenly lightning*

[Mysteryinfoman]

The Tick, I don't know, I think AS should try to get more originals made then getting shows unless they are anime.

[livingfruitvirus]

There's only one FOX Kids show, if any show (and think about this before you post, people.. FOX Kids... "should a FOX Kids show be on Adult Swim?" I think not.), that would possibly belong on Adult Swim, but only through new episodes.

That show is Sam and Max.


Watch Venture Bros because that is by a writer from The Tick, and a couple of episodes had Tick creator Ben Enland as assistant writer. So there.
funny you mention that. at the Sam and Max panel in San Diego last summer someone mentioned new eps to them and suggested Adult Swim. their response seemed to be that they're not interested in TV anymore as much as they are in the comics.

[Classic Speedy]

Although the live action version was infinitely superior. Not a fan of the live action series, but I liked the cartoon. And it only gets funnier as adults, due to the jokes that kids wouldn't get or appreciate. The Swiss have invaded!!!

[ZorBrak]

Not the old tick.... but perhaps a new series would be appropriate

[Fata Morgana]

(and think about this before you post, people.. FOX Kids... "should a FOX Kids show be on Adult Swim?" I think not.)
I'm surprised you'd be so dogmatic about something as arbitrary as a label. After all, a majority of the people out there think that simply because something is animated it must be for kids. One of my brothers thinks that South Park is evil, since it's "obviously" marketing adult entertainment to children (by being animated). Fox is a network I'd least trust to know the difference between adult programming and kid's programming. If I believed their definition of adult programming, I'd be watching reality TV. Ick.

Fata Morgana

[Killtacular]

The shows were not made for adults. They were made for children. It goes beyond the label. Especially after Sam and Max bombed (a year before Tick was released), FOX made damn sure that their new lineup did not stray from the beaten path: for 2-11 year olds and 2-11 year olds only. That's how they got sponsored, and that's what the FCC had mandated. These shows don't belong on Adult Swim.

Shows shouldn't be on Adult Swim because "I like them" or "it's my favorite." A show should be on Adult Swim if it targets the 18-34 demographic. End of story. Such a show can air anywhere else if it doesn't. Air it in the afternoon. Air it in primetime.

This is why I hate people saying "OMG Invader ZIM on AS PLZ."

The only way I'd support The Tick or Sam and Max on AS is through new episodes. Because the comics ARE for adults. But the existing television shows? No way. And AS making new episodes of either shows seems very unlikely.

[Fone Bone]

Y'know, I think the Tick has adult sensibilities. More so than The Ripping Friends anyways. Just because a show was created for a children's block doesn't nessecarily mean it's been kiddiefied. I could be wrong.

I would love to see it on Cartoon Network, regardless the time slot.

[j32885]

Hey I wouldn't mind seeing The Tick on Adult Swim. Don't see Comedy Central is using the show right now. Saw someone at college the other day, wearing a Tick t-shirt.

[Matthew Williams]

Plus, there may be a problem getting the rights in the first place.

From what I gathered, it was co-produced by Fox Kids Productions, which was absorbed by Saban, which made its way to Disney. Unless someone else got the rights, I'm pretty sure the rights are held by Disney. And we all know how tightly they hold their library.

(and if anybody even thinks of starting Eisnerbashing here, I will Eisnerbash your head.)

[ClockStomper]

The Tick would be good with as a new series (rather than converting the old one.) I'm quite tired of the sameness of the WS originals, they should shoot for something different.

[Nin-Nin69]

1) The show is too old
2) It's currently impossible to snatch up the contracts and rights
3) Ripping Friends is here to stay unless you change the channel when it's on.

[Fata Morgana]

Shows shouldn't be on Adult Swim because "I like them" or "it's my favorite." A show should be on Adult Swim if it targets the 18-34 demographic. End of story. Such a show can air anywhere else if it doesn't. Air it in the afternoon. Air it in primetime.
Matt, Matt, Matt. Do you not realize the level of ******** you are spewing? Almost all anime was created for the under 18 demographic. Almost all of it. And yes, that includes FLCL, Trigun, Kikiader, Wolf's Rain, Witch Hunter Robin, any Gundam series, Evangelion, and most any other anime series CN might like to acquire. That means that half the block is already wrong as far as demographics go.

Moreover, Tick was not created for the youth. If you've ever read the comic, you know perfectly well that Tick is for the coveted 18-34 crowd. The animated series had to be censored, sure, but I know many adults who watched Tick who never watched any other animated series. The core of the series was adult.

Fata Morgana

[Killtacular]

Matt, Matt, Matt. Do you not realize the level of ******** you are spewing? Almost all anime was created for the under 18 demographic. Almost all of it. And yes, that includes FLCL, Trigun, Kikiader, Wolf's Rain, Witch Hunter Robin, any Gundam series, Evangelion, and most any other anime series CN might like to acquire. That means that half the block is already wrong as far as demographics go.
It is. Of course these shows do not appeal to either the adult or kid market in America. And I don't see how kids in Japan could possibly sit through Witch Hunter Robin without falling asleep. I know they're a little more cultured and raised on somewhat slower series, but god damn.

Of course half of these series were (or will be) ratings failures for the network. You don't have to debate that with me.


Moreover, Tick was not created for the youth. If you've ever read the comic, you know perfectly well that Tick is for the coveted 18-34 crowd. The animated series had to be censored, sure, but I know many adults who watched Tick who never watched any other animated series. The core of the series was adult.
The source material was adult but the show was created for kids. Let's not kid ourselves, and substitute "funny" for "adult". The original Tick cartoon is a "funny" show, but it is not an "adult" show. Obviously being creators of an adult comic book series, Ben Enland wanted to make the show humorous for older viewers as well. BUT, the series' main audience is kids and that's why it stayed on the air for 3 seasons instead of being cancelled right after the one. The original Tick cartoon doesn't belong on Adult Swim. Freakazoid doesn't belong on Adult Swim. Invader Zim doesn't belong on Adult Swim. Ren & Stimpy doesn't belong on Adult Swim. Even Rocko's Modern Life doesn't belong on Adult Swim.

Now, if you want to make a new Tick cartoon, yes, do it for Adult Swim. If Jhonen wants to do a series for Adult Swim, greatacular. But don't air watered down children's fare on AS, no matter how "funny"/"adult" it is. It cheapens the block.

[JohnCrichton]

It was adult enough to air late night on Comedy Central for a while and a lot of the jokes just seemed to aim pretty high and above children sensiblities.

And didn't it get kicked off Fox Kids because it didn't appeal to the target demographic, but it did appeal to the adult demographic?

I understand not wanting Invader ZiM on AS... although I'd still want it on AS.... but The Tick seems like a different case. Jokes that stem from office humor and disfuctional relationships... other adult aimed content. At least to those over the age of 14.

[Andrew T. Hingson]

I for one would enjoy having both the Tick and Sam & Max on Adult Swim. Even if they don't get new episodes. They were hillarious, well written, well acted, and would easily interest older audiences than they were "intended" for. Same goes for Freakazoid.

[Killtacular]

And didn't it get kicked off Fox Kids because it didn't appeal to the target demographic, but it did appeal to the adult demographic?
No, it was renewed twice, but almost all of the lineup at that time got kicked off of FOX when they brought in Digimon and thought they could demolish Kids WB or something (impossible).


I understand not wanting Invader ZiM on AS... although I'd still want it on AS....
Please god no. Air it on Toonami. Only one episode could possibly rate higher than TV-Y7 (Dark Harvest) and the show is a total teen-fest.

[JohnCrichton]

Please god no. Air it on Toonami. Only one episode could possibly rate higher than TV-Y7 (Dark Harvest) and the show is a total teen-fest.
Hm... not a bad idea.

[Artimus Gigan]

If Zim aired on Toonami they could have an event where he gains control of the Absolution and royaly ****s TOM3 and Sarah...

It would be funny


Also IF The Tick or S&M were to be on AS, they would need to be all new shows, the Fox Kids episodes while good, would not really work with the newer comedy shows like Futurama and Family Guy, first off the animation will look dated, and second the comedy is really nothing THAT adult. Family Guy and Futurama aired on baisic very recently until they moved to AS, so they brought an established fanbase and watcherbase. Not alot of people in the mainstream audiance would remember Sam and Max, the tick possibly considering the short lived LA series that aired awhile back. So to be on AS The Tick and S&M would need to be all new shows....period.

[Fata Morgana]

It is. Of course these shows do not appeal to either the adult or kid market in America. And I don't see how kids in Japan could possibly sit through Witch Hunter Robin without falling asleep. I know they're a little more cultured and raised on somewhat slower series, but god damn.

Of course half of these series were (or will be) ratings failures for the network. You don't have to debate that with me.
If you agree that almost all anime is for the wrong demographic, why aren't you posting on this board with angry contempt every time AS accquires a new anime? Why don't you make the same complaints about the anime portion of the programing as you are about The Tick?

I still disagree with your definition of "adult." Just because Tick does not contain levels of violence/sex/language that would require it to be censored from the kiddies, does not mean the humor is not adult. By your standards, Bing Crosby and Bob Hope's "Road to Morrocco" (upon which Seth Macfarlane based the Family Guy parody "Road to Rhode Island") is not adult, because the more adult aspects are only hinted at instead of shown more blatantly. Of course the demographic in it's day was adult, but ask a modern television programmer what the demographic is and he'll say "family." I say once again, I don't trust Fox to know which shows appeal to which demographic. Remember, this is the channel that thought Escaflowne would best appeal to 6 year old boys. >_<

Fata Morgana

[SirLemming]

I for one would enjoy having both the Tick and Sam & Max on Adult Swim. Even if they don't get new episodes. They were hillarious, well written, well acted, and would easily interest older audiences than they were "intended" for. Same goes for Freakazoid.I'd enjoy it too... but as we all (probably including you) know, it would undermine the purpose of the block, especially without new episodes.



I still disagree with your definition of "adult." Just because Tick does not contain levels of violence/sex/language that would require it to be censored from the kiddies, does not mean the humor is not adult.
Well... you're right and wrong. I think what's being said here is that it'd be similar to putting Shrek on Adult Swim. Sure, it's got lots of humor for adults to enjoy, but it's still primarily a kids' movie, or at the very least a family movie, even though it's immensely popular among adults.

[True Noir]

Hey, I remember this show... I liked it alot. It should definately be considered for AS. Hey, didn't the tick have a sidekick or something? I was really yound so I can't remember.

[Killtacular]

If you agree that almost all anime is for the wrong demographic, why aren't you posting on this board with angry contempt every time AS accquires a new anime? Why don't you make the same complaints about the anime portion of the programing as you are about The Tick?
Maybe because it's pointless to complain about programming acquisitions that have already been made, since AS doesn't give a rats ass about what anyone thinks about their scheduling. If they did, they'd be obliging the dozens of Popeye Show threads in the AS.com forums and would've removed that show. I just choose not to watch.

When talking about shows that Adult Swim has NOT acquired, or COULD acquire, it's much easier to complain or object to.


By your standards, Bing Crosby and Bob Hope's "Road to Morrocco" (upon which Seth Macfarlane based the Family Guy parody "Road to Rhode Island") is not adult, because the more adult aspects are only hinted at instead of shown more blatantly.
No, Road to Morocco is adult because it was filmed and marketted for an adult audience.


I say once again, I don't trust Fox to know which shows appeal to which demographic.
The Tick wasn't an acquisition for FOX, it was an original production, and FOX had creative control over the show (don't think there weren't plenty of creative notes or meetings for the network to screen script pitches, LIKE ANY OTHER CARTOON ON AMERICAN TV), and knew exactly what they were doing. It's not like the show was made before FOX bought it, simply because it wasn't done within FOX's buildings.

[Duke]

Please god no. Air it on Toonami. Only one episode could possibly rate higher than TV-Y7 (Dark Harvest) and the show is a total teen-fest.
One of the best ideas ever. :anime:

Anyway, I can't see the original Tick cartoon on AS (maybe pre-AS), but a brand-new Tick cartoon would be good for the block, even if CN could never get the rights.