The "bug" during Starcrossed

[Russkafin]

This was mentioned in the Starcrossed talkback thread, but there are so many posts there already I thought this should get it's own thread... a lot of people have complained about the "bug" (I guess that is the technical term for it... the little ads that pop up in the bottom corner of the screen) that played a few times during Starcrossed, complete with sound effects that drowned out the character's voices.

I was wondering if anyone knows an address where fans could write to CTN and complain about it? I thought it was ridiculous. It certainly did not make me want to watch the show they were advertising, if they are going to advertise it by disrupting a show that I like to watch!

[TheWonderTwits]

Yes, that irritating little bug for Mega XLR---lame. Not to mention the show sucks and this is America's answer to Transformers, Macross, and ever other Anime mech cartoon?!?!? this is what they came up with??!?!?

Aside from the fact it sucks, they had the "audio" bug playing during Starcrossed so you had a hard time hearing what the hell they were saying-l a m e!!

If anyone knows the addy to send this complaint to, please share the info-i'll definitely write in :)

[Hordesman]

The bug is probably going to become more frequent, because of things like TiVo making it easier for viewers to fast-forward commercials (and why would they do that?:rolleyes: ). Friday night I caught some Iron Chef and the host's subtitles were obscured by a programming blurb. Then there was the Starcrossed thing. And TiVo sometimes does bugs during ads in the upper right screen corner: Push the hands up button to record the advertised program.One day, you might be able to click on, say, Hawkgirl during a JL rerun to order her action figure.

[StarScream64]

I don't even remember what they were trying to advertise; I was too busy trying to read Hawkgirl's lips.:rolleyes:


Wait! If I say that, then they'll just decide to make those things bigger.
I take it back, I take it back!

[squashua]

First off: "Mega" is actually quite funny. It pokes fun at the whole robot genre. It's not an "answer" to anything. It did a hilarious send-up of Voltron/Battle of the Planets/G-Force

Second: Blame Cartoon Network, not "Mega". It's not Mega's fault that they got slapped into the screen; could have been "Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law" for all I care; it was Cartoon Network's fault for DOING IT.

Yes, I thought it was a crappy thing to do, but this time around, blame the MESSENGER, not the MESSAGE.

[Jeffrey]

I just seen TMNT today and the bug appeared again, 'cept this time, it's not noisy anymore! WOO-HOO!

To squashua: It's MEGAS, not MEGA. There's no apostrophe before the "S" if that's what you thought it was.

But yes, they bother me too. I don't see the point of using loud "bugs" other than trying to get some attention.

[GL2k2]

I think Timm and company should complain about that kinda stuff. It didn't completely ruin my viewing experience, but girlfriend was pretty pissed off about it. And I have to agree its annoying.

Though I think Timm and co. should be upset, they probably don't have a leg to stand on, because CN will probably dangle the Starcrossed DVD in front of them. But for children that can't afford the DVD and only have the tv version to watch, like some of my nephews, they don't have that option. Something CN should think about.

[Alph]

It wouldn't be bad if it weren't so LOUD!


That is all.

[Nick K.]

You can go to CartoonNetwork.com and then to the customer service or e-mail us section.

[Fone Bone]

It might be more prudent to write them a letter. Shows them you've taken the time to make yourself be heard. Here is the address:

Cartoon Network
1050 Techwood Dr.
Atlanta, GA. 30318

I wrote them a letter about the Clones Wars bug during A Better World and will probably write another for the Mega bug.

[Ed Liu]

Howdy,

I'm ticked off enough about the advertising bug that I'm thinking of telling them I'm not buying the DVD until it hits bargain bins purely because of the ad bug. If buying a DVD is the only way I can watch a show without the ever-growing obnoxicons (those little "transparent" station logos in the corner of the screen) or stuff like the supremely, incredibly, astoundingly stupid, loud, dialogue-drowning Megas bug, then they can go take a flying leap. The fact that the bug was so freakin' loud didn't exactly set me in a good mood for the rest of the episode, which might well be why I don't seem to be praising it as much as I was thinking I would.

They get to double-dip, getting ad space at the expense of programming which then forces you to buy the DVD to see the whole thing unmangled. Nice try.

-- Ed/Ace

[Bird Boy]

Howdy,

I'm ticked off enough about the advertising bug that I'm thinking of telling them I'm not buying the DVD until it hits bargain bins purely because of the ad bug. If buying a DVD is the only way I can watch a show without the ever-growing obnoxicons (those little "transparent" station logos in the corner of the screen) or stuff like the supremely, incredibly, astoundingly stupid, loud, dialogue-drowning Megas bug, then they can go take a flying leap. The fact that the bug was so freakin' loud didn't exactly set me in a good mood for the rest of the episode, which might well be why I don't seem to be praising it as much as I was thinking I would.

They get to double-dip, getting ad space at the expense of programming which then forces you to buy the DVD to see the whole thing unmangled. Nice try.

-- Ed/Ace

Actually, it is a nice try. How else would they get you to buy the DVD of a show that just aired? Wait...how well is that Friends DVD selling?

They did a similar thing on "A Better World" with the Clone Wars promo--R2-D2 beeping, couldn't hear what Superman was saying to the President.

-BB

[The Detective]

Howdy,

I'm ticked off enough about the advertising bug that I'm thinking of telling them I'm not buying the DVD until it hits bargain bins purely because of the ad bug. If buying a DVD is the only way I can watch a show without the ever-growing obnoxicons (those little "transparent" station logos in the corner of the screen) or stuff like the supremely, incredibly, astoundingly stupid, loud, dialogue-drowning Megas bug, then they can go take a flying leap. The fact that the bug was so freakin' loud didn't exactly set me in a good mood for the rest of the episode, which might well be why I don't seem to be praising it as much as I was thinking I would.

They get to double-dip, getting ad space at the expense of programming which then forces you to buy the DVD to see the whole thing unmangled. Nice try.

-- Ed/AceExcept CN probably doesn't have much direct contact with Warner Home Video so when they notice everyone waiting for Starcrossed to hit the bargain bins, they'll say "Bah nobody like JL on DVD! Cancel all future JL projects! Heck, let's seriously consider scrapping all DCUA DVD projects...." ;)

Of course, I'm sure nothing that drastic would happen. :p

[guinaevere]

Second: Blame Cartoon Network Sweety, that's what we're doing. No one cares WHAT the bug was about. It could have been for the greatest show on tv. The problem was the method (LOUD!!! So loud, that we couldn't understand the dialogue of the show we were trying to watch.) that offended viewers.

And as the posters in this thread have been requesting the proper address to submit their complaint to, you should be able to draw the conclusion, that we are blaming Cartoon Network, or as you say, the Messenger.

Don't worry. No one is advocating pulling your (and I believe, CNs) show because their advertisements are too obnoxious. All we want scaled-down (volume-wise, at least) are the pop ups/bugs.

[Chad Bonin]

Part of me is extremely glad Toonami got another bug (They've only done it two or three times previously)... part of me wishes it wasn't so damn loud.

[GL2k2]

I'm not going to complain about the promos. If I had to write a letter it would a JL box set starting with Season 1.

[SirLemming]

It's certainly not the only time it happened, but it's the only time I saw when it actually obscured dialogue to the point where I literally could not make it out. Usually the noises just confuse me temporarily. The fact that it was a big finale and the fact that they've proven that they have a silent version is what really makes it messed up on their part. And a silent version is so much less likely to irritate the viewers, while it's still QUITE big enough so that anyone watching will notice it.

[William C. Maune]

Part of me is extremely glad Toonami got another bug (They've only done it two or three times previously)... part of me wishes it wasn't so damn loud.

Frankly, I hope Toonami never gets another bug again if that is what the bugs are going to be like. At least this is the only loud bug that has been on Toonami. Bugs should be silent and small. Making a noticable bug and a bug that doesn't detract from the episode/movie should not have to be mutually exclusive things. If a bug is on the screen, it is going to be noticed, it doesn't have to drown out the dialogue to get attention.

I would recommend writing a letter over not buying a DVD. I think taking the time to write something that will reach the hands of someone at the network (and they do, I've written before) would make much more of an impact than just the loss of a DVD sale.