Oblongs is being resurrected. WTF

[Joe Tully]

http://www.newsarama.com/AniShorts/Ani277.html
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In another bit of interesting, if a tad strange news, it looks like Adult Swim is doing it again…and by that I mean it's bringing another cancelled animated show back from the grave.
As it stands, we can thank Adult Swim for the return of Seth MacFarlane's Family Guy and Matt Groening's Futurama. Now it looks like a little-remembered series that originally aired on the soon-to-be-defunct WB network, The Oblongs, is steadily climbing up the Nielsen ratings for Teens 12-17, now that it's found a regular home on AS.
According to the latest Nielsen ratings, the June 5th airing of the ongoing tale of a family that sports all manner of mutating disfigurements thanks to industrial pollution, drew over 560,000 teens for a 2.3 rating (for the age group). That puts the show in the top 30 for the demos. Originally cancelled by The WB five years ago, the show never achieved those kinds of numbers during its original run. As a rerun on Adult Swim, the series is only being beat out by the likes of The Simpsons, Family Guy and the NBA Finals. On the other hand, it beat out another Monday night regular among teens, the WWE.
As is now well known, the WB is currently merging with UPN to become (pardon the alphabet soup) CN. Suits inside the new network figure the reason the show is now taking off with teenagers is they were too young to understand it when it originally ran in 2000-2001. Adult Swim got the rights to the series, including a number of unaired episodes, in the fall of 2002. Now, four years later, the kids who never got the chance to appreciate the series when it originally aired have grown up to the point where they can call their own viewing preferences, and they want The Oblongs.
Of course, reassembling the original cast might be a problem. The series starred the vocal talents of Will Farrell and Jean Smart, both of whom have gone on to much bigger and better paying jobs.
Still, with Family Guy being super hot among teenagers and new episodes of Futurama currently in production, one never knows. Hey…maybe you DC Animated fans can use that argument for your own shows too…five years from now, anyway.

I like how the suits came up with an excuse for the shows current success. Because it couldn't have possibly failed because they were stupid, right?

I just want to see them bring back Mission Hill.

[William C. Maune]

The article is sort of confusing. Depending on the part of the article, it could be read as either AS or the CW is making new episodes. It also could be read as neither is producing new episodes, and instead it could just be referring to AS bringing the show back from the grave by airing it at 11pm. Finally, it doesn't cite a source at either network that actually says the show is getting new episodes.

That all being said, I'm kind of surprised Oblongs didn't get new episodes years ago. It's always done surprisingly well on Adult Swim, even back in the day, and continues to do so even after many runs of only 13 episodes. I have no idea how much it costs to make an episode of The Oblongs though. If I remember correctly, cost was what caused Mission Hill to not get new episodes.

[BrickTamland]

This doesn't sound very reliable. First of all it says Futurama is having new episodes....when did this happen? And It has no major source like E! or Variety. So you have to take this with another one of those crazy internet rumors. And BTW, how the hell would they be able to afford Will Ferrell to come back & record voices...he's one of Hollywood's most popular actors right now...I just can't see him voicing a character on a little known animated series on the CW.

[Joe Tully]

The article is sort of confusing. Depending on the part of the article, it could be read as either AS or the CW is making new episodes. It also could be read as neither is producing new episodes, and instead it could just be referring to AS bringing the show back from the grave by airing it at 11pm. Finally, it doesn't cite a source at either network that actually says the show is getting new episodes.

That all being said, I'm kind of surprised Oblongs didn't get new episodes years ago. It's always done surprisingly well on Adult Swim, even back in the day, and continues to do so even after many runs of only 13 episodes. I have no idea how much it costs to make an episode of The Oblongs though. If I remember correctly, cost was what caused Mission Hill to not get new episodes.

Yeah, I agree, it's confusing as hell. The reference to getting Will Ferrell back was the only thing that really made me think they were starting up again.

Also they cite CN as the new WB + UPN network but this could be Cartoon Network, and they just got their info wrong. With Futurama, they're probably confused with those debunked rumors and the DVD that's coming out. Whoever wrote this up did a half-assed job.

[Nin-Nin69]

If anything AS would've been better off funding the team from Mission Hill to make more episodes instead of the Oblongs when they picked up the licence.

[livingfruitvirus]

Didn't Angus Oblong say he was glad the show died and never wants to see it come back?

[TheMecca]

Didn't Angus Oblong say he was glad the show died and never wants to see it come back?
Yeah, I remember hearing something like that.

BUT not all shows on AS could be as successful as FG- if Angus isn't involved it wouldn't be good at all.
And yes, Mission Hill must be brought back.

[BrickTamland]

Oblongs is meh at best. It really is bland, nothing special. Mission Hill is definetly something that should be brought back. It would fit in with the CW's spunky programming line. And the style is very unique. The Oblongs looks pale compared to Futurama & FG. Mission Hill would do much better these days.

[The Landstander]

The article sounds more like AS might want to do it; it doesn't really say "this is going to happen".

That combined with Oblong's own opinions of the show and the fact Ferrell probably has better (or perhaps worse but higher paying) things to do makes me think this is just speculation.



But hey, could happen.

[SirLemming]

Also they cite CN as the new WB + UPN network but this could be Cartoon Network, and they just got their info wrong. With Futurama, they're probably confused with those debunked rumors and the DVD that's coming out. Whoever wrote this up did a half-assed job.
Yeah. It's CW, not CN.

[JCorey3rd]

he series starred the vocal talents of Will Farrell and Jean Smart, both of whom have gone on to much bigger and better paying jobs.
______________

Jean Smart has gone on to bigger things? Did she really top Designing Women in the last few years? And shouldn't kids between 12-17 be in bed?

[Freedom Fighter]

I always wonder why these 'animation resurrection' articles never mention Home Movies, which also aired in primetime on UPN and was cancelled, and then brought here to AS, where it went on to complete four seasons.

[livingfruitvirus]

I always wonder why these 'animation resurrection' articles never mention Home Movies, which also aired in primetime on UPN and was cancelled, and then brought here to AS, where it went on to complete four seasons.

I think because Home Movies didn't endlessly cycle on AS while building an audience. Home Movies was renewed as part of Adult Swim's launch.

[Carolina Red]

I never really was much of a fan of the series, but I would figure that the show would not be as good if the original creator isn't involved. And with Will Ferrell being as successful as he is today, I do not see him wanting to go back to the series, assuming that the show could go back to the CW, which probably will not have as much in terms of ratings as a typical network will.

And if it does come back, I bet that of all the returning voice cast members the Sklar brothers would be most likely to return. The show would also become focused on being a blatant advertisement for their work, just like Cheap Seats. (not a fan of that either)

[gopherwartz]

there'd be anarchy if somehow oblongs got more episodes and home movies didn't

[William C. Maune]

there'd be anarchy if somehow oblongs got more episodes and home movies didn't

Home Movies did get new episodes, three times.

[Master Moron]

I remember a card aired a LONG time ago that said they might get new episodes of the Oblongs. You guys all thought it was a joke. It kind of seems silly that they would wait this long to get new episodes of the Oblongs. I don't trust the article.

As for Mission Hill. Is that show really that popular? I've met more people who watch the anime on Adult Swim than people who watch Mission Hill. I think I've met one person who hated Mission Hill and the rest don't care about it one way or another or don't even know it exists. I've never actually met a Mission Hill fan in real life.

[IWDP Lim]

If this show comes abck without Susie's albino midget crossdressing father and Happy Happy Happy Happy Sammy, then who cares. Or just give the walking shark a show instead. Either way.

[Discloner]

I remember a card aired a LONG time ago that said they might get new episodes of the Oblongs. You guys all thought it was a joke. It kind of seems silly that they would wait this long to get new episodes of the Oblongs. I don't trust the article.

As for Mission Hill. Is that show really that popular? I've met more people who watch the anime on Adult Swim than people who watch Mission Hill. I think I've met one person who hated Mission Hill and the rest don't care about it one way or another or don't even know it exists. I've never actually met a Mission Hill fan in real life.I don't know. I think the show is fantastic, and I know quite a few people my age whom agree with me (and most, if not all of them aren't as animation-centric as I am). Now that it's on so early, I have a better chance of showing the series off to friends who've never heard of it, nor cared enough to stay up until 1am on a Sunday night to catch it.

I think it really speaks to the collegy/independant living crowd, but hey...that's just me. I mean, obviously 12-17 year olds don't really concern themselves with topics like not having dental insurance or health care; something MH has an entire episode about.

[RD!]

The thing about Mission Hill is I think it's one of those shows most people just don't remember. It's such a normal show that doesn't have some hook to leave an impression in people's minds which is why they don't have such an impression of it like they would over the Oblongs, Futurama, Family Guy, Simpsons, ATHF etc... Most people I know who have watched it always seem to enjoy it.

[tb4000]

It's basically what a typical 20-something who hasn't quite become the success he wants to be does over the course of his life in the semi-trendy city. Quite a few of us can relate to it, but if you're too young or too old you won't get it.

[MGFanJay]

I enjoy both MH and the Oblongs, and while I'd rather see MH get new eps, Oblongs is a fine show in its own right, and I'd love to see new episodes produced for it.

[Trogdor]

I enjoy both MH and the Oblongs, and while I'd rather see MH get new eps, Oblongs is a fine show in its own right, and I'd love to see new episodes produced for it.

My thoughts exactly!

[Ykwia]

If anything AS would've been better off funding the team from Mission Hill to make more episodes instead of the Oblongs when they picked up the licence.

To produce the unproduced episodes that were supposed to close the series, That's what I think.

[Anarky]

The thing about Mission Hill is I think it's one of those shows most people just don't remember. It's such a normal show that doesn't have some hook to leave an impression in people's minds which is why they don't have such an impression of it like they would over the Oblongs, Futurama, Family Guy, Simpsons, ATHF etc... Most people I know who have watched it always seem to enjoy it.

i thought the odd-color palette would've resonated in people's memories

i'm indifferent if either is renewed. frankly i'd rather see more original programming on [as] like an adaptation of DC's Vertigo Universe.

[Ykwia]

i thought the odd-color palette would've resonated in people's memories

It wouldn't, It was just your typical adult comedy set in the city, Mission Hill never really gained a cult-following, It had poor ratings and very few fans, It was so bad, The creators decided to cancel the series leaving some undeveloped episodes that were supposed to close up the series. In short, Noone liked Mission Hill.

[Starsky]

It wouldn't, It was just your typical adult comedy set in the city, Mission Hill never really gained a cult-following, It had poor ratings and very few fans, It was so bad, The creators decided to cancel the series leaving some undeveloped episodes that were supposed to close up the series. In short, Noone liked Mission Hill.
I did.

And the undeveloped episodes were never supposed to end the series. WB just ordered 5 more scripts after the original 13 were written, but you can read them at the same page the animatics are - they don't conclude anything. In fact, the show had planned to introduce major changes in the character's lives if more seasons had been ordered - Kevin going to college, Andy actually becoming a successful cartoonist and getting his own animated series...

[RD!]

In fact, the show had planned to introduce major changes in the character's lives if more seasons had been ordered - Kevin going to college, Andy actually becoming a successful cartoonist and getting his own animated series...That's probably the worst part about the show being so short. Listening to the commentaries for where they wanted to take the show--actualy have the characters age and all--sounds fantastic.

[Classic Speedy]

You know what? I'd be all for new Oblongs episodes... as long as the writing gets better. I will admit that many episodes in the show suffered from poor dialog and writing, but if the old staff improves so that not every line is a one-liner like a standard sitcom (or better yet, hire a different staff), there could be some legs to the show. I for one love the large and varied cast of characters and wouldn't mind seeing further misadventures with them.