Cartoon Network Digs a Hole in the Wall

[BigMac]

From Variety (http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118021937.html?categoryid=14=1&cs=1):


Cartoon Network has uncovered the "Hole in the Wall," ordering a new version of the Human Tetris-like gamer.

"Hole," which orginally ran on Fox during the 2008-2009 TV season, has now been updated for Cartoon Network's younger-skewing audience. Cartoon has picked up 10 new episodes of the show.


In the new version, the half-hour game show will pit two teams of families against each other. But the gist of the show is the same: Contestants, dressed in spandex, contort their bodies in order to clear a series of moving barriers with various cut-out shapes.


The "Hole in the Wall" acquisition comes as Cartoon Network has gotten busy in the live-action reality TV and game show space, with shows like "Dude What Would Happen" and "Destroy Build Destroy."


"Hole in the Wall" is based on a popular Japanese TV format from Fuji TV. Since "Hole in the Wall's" 2006 premiere on Fuji TV, the format has made it to localized editions from FremantleMedia in territories including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, Colombia, Denmark, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Mexico, Russia and the U.K.


Meh. It could be entertaining for kids but are they into this idea?

[Silverstar]

Sounds like something you'd see on '90's era Nickelodeon, or maybe that's the idea.

[PhatMan]

So they pretty much made a show we've already seen and have familys compete ugh.

[Peter Paltridge]

Pink Floyd: Hey! CN! Leave those kids alone!

[Rick Jones]

Whatever happened to Slamball ?

[Matt Hazuda]

Yes, because it worked so well re-purposing Slamball :yawn:

Something that may be funny watching online in clip form isn't good at all as an actual show. Hole in the Wall stunk when it was on FOX and it'll stink on CN. May a swift and painful ratings plummet be it's end.

[Rho]

Ohh boy.

How have they not learned by now? Live-Action has been a failure for the most part (except stuff like Scooby-Doo: Mystery Begins, Back in Action, and the Ben 10 movies) in the ratings and critically.

I give this about a month. They could have easily used the money to acquire something with a better chance of success. SGT Frog, for example, could do fairly well. I haven't seen it, but seeing as how it airs on a bunch of kids networks worldwide, it probably has no content issues.

I really just don't know what they're thinking anymore. All I can do is hope that one day they'll realize that this stuff isn't working. Stuff like the B10 movies and such do well because they're partially animated or they are based off of popular animated franchises.

[Bakasama]

It sounds like they based on a Japanese game show. I've seen clips of it on youtube. It's a little weird.

[NewcomerDC]

I give this about a month. They could have easily used the money to acquire something with a better chance of success. SGT Frog, for example, could do fairly well. I haven't seen it, but seeing as how it airs on a bunch of kids networks worldwide, it probably has no content issues.
Besides FMA: Brotherhood, I don't think CN wants any more of the anime Funimation has acquired. I told myself that the network already has one long-running anime show that won't seem to end, it doesn't need two. Sgt. Frog. in my opinion, is too little, too late with being popular. After all of the years it took for the show to have one company interested in dubbing and releasing the episodes on DVD and online legally, I think it should just stick with how it's being released now rather than having it come on the network, have the execs struggle with the though of rather to keep the show on the network or not, and then, without warning, yank it underneath our feet.

With my thoughts on Hole in the Wall, I also doubt it'll last long. Whoever's thinking that live-action can work on a Cartoon Network needs to be fired. How long will it take until the network can exist on its own merits rather than having it changed to be like all of the other children's networks? I guess CN's going to continue digging themselves a hole that it had tried to get out of many times with popular acquisitions such as the Total Drama series but most of the live-action will continue to fail, besides some of the hits that are on TV today, unless CN goes through a complete overhaul and, like many of us had said, become a completely new network that could go toe to toe with the likes of Disney Channel and Nick who only have a couple of popular animated series but mostly scoring with their live-action programming.

It sounds like they based on a Japanese game show. I've seen clips of it on Youtube. It's a little weird.
It's based on a Japanese game show. It's mentioned in the first post.

[Mesousa]

Yet, CN can make better live-actionstuff than either Nick or Disney Channel.

Maybe it's not so teen-boppy, instead being pretty much edgy.

Not that I appreciate CN making more live-action stuff, but if it's somehow better than Nick and Disney Channel's teen boppy crap, I really shouldn't complain.

[Itchy]

Why is crap like this still being brought to CN? I thought that pesky Stuart Snyder had resigned.

[Kindness King]

Why is crap like this still being brought to CN? I thought that pesky Stuart Snyder had resigned.
This was already contracted back when they wanted to do some sports programming. The same reason they can't yank Unnatural History even though the ratings haven't been doing that well. Same with Out of Jimmy's Head.


And no, Stuart Snyder hasn't resigned, what made you think that? :confused:

[Kool345]

I personally kind of like this idea, however, I don't think it should air on CARTOON Network. Come on CN, have you not learned your lesson. Let's take a look here:

SUCCESSFUL LIVE-ACTION SHOWS:

*Destroy Build Destroy
*Dude, What Would Happen?

FAILURE LIVE-ACTION SHOWS:

*The Othersiders
*Survive This
*Out of Jimmy's Head
*SlamBall
*10 Count
*Re: Evolution
*BrainRush
*Bobb'e Says
*UnNatural History
*My Dad's a Pro

***I didn't include movies in this list***

Obviously Cartoon Network, kids don't like all of this live-action stuff on CARTOON Network. I am assuming Tower Prep (or whatever the name of that other show is) will fail, and this might fail on Cartoon Network too. How much more will it take for Stuart Snyder and other Cartoon Network executives to get the picture???:confused:

[Psychopulse]

Snyder's determination to force live action will ultimately be the network's undoing...

[Polychrome]

Dunno about the holes in the wall, but I know we can all see the writing on it.

I realize some of these shows came into production awhile ago, but at what point will CN get a clue? Contract? I would have bought out of them a long time ago. Someone needs to stand up to this internally and make the point: It's not working!

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and over again and expecting something different, right?

What CN needs is some fresh material.

Everyone and their dog has suggested x and y anime series. Naruto was a big hit for the network, and CN ditched it for reasons still not quite understood. (Other than possibly a ratings drop from the fillers....) It only makes sense that CN should do what they can to snatch up another hit series.

Of course, they can only go so far on old material, and new stuff is needed. Adventure Time and Generator Rex are step in the right direction, IMO, but we need more. I understand the network is nervous to give any new series a chance these days, but seriously, not EVERY series can be the best in ratings. Give something else a try! Dig up some fresh meat, and promote it for once! If it's second place, why not just enjoy the money they *do* make? Or, stupid thought, why not go with their OLD advertising model (ads aimed at all age ranges?).

And heck, if they need a quick easy buck, why not see if Lucasfilm is willing to develop a few more properties with Cartoon Network? Can anybody here say they wouldn't enjoy an Indiana Jones or Monkey Island animated series?

[Matt Hazuda]

Dunno about the holes in the wall, but I know we can all see the writing on it.

I realize some of these shows came into production awhile ago, but at what point will CN get a clue? Contract? I would have bought out of them a long time ago. Someone needs to stand up to this internally and make the point: It's not working!

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and over again and expecting something different, right?

What CN needs is some fresh material.

Everyone and their dog has suggested x and y anime series. Naruto was a big hit for the network, and CN ditched it for reasons still not quite understood. (Other than possibly a ratings drop from the fillers....) It only makes sense that CN should do what they can to snatch up another hit series.Without further derailnig the topic at hand, the reason they don't want to license outside proerties all comes down to money.

CN makes zero profits on stuff like Naruto outside of whatever they make for it in selling commercial time. Why should they pick up a show like that that has zero long-term gains for them?

Yes, they have licensed outside shows, but those are more likely due to contractual obligations than actually wanting them. A case of "To get X, they need to take Y as well."

[Itchy]

This was already contracted back when they wanted to do some sports programming. The same reason they can't yank Unnatural History even though the ratings haven't been doing that well. Same with Out of Jimmy's Head.


And no, Stuart Snyder hasn't resigned, what made you think that? :confused:
A comment made on this picture (http://itchyscratchy.deviantart.com/art/Stuart-Snyder-171453270)http://itchyscratchy.deviantart.com/art/Stuart-Snyder-171453270. I guess I shouldn't trust random people on Deviantart.

[B-Six]

Kool345: Unnatural History is not a failure -- it's numbers are rising (especially since making the move to Tuesday nights) -- I'd also go out on a limb (having only seen a trailer and one short scene from an episode) to say that Tower Prep won't fail either -- just sayin ;)

[chdr]

Kool345: Unnatural History is not a failure -- it's numbers are rising (especially since making the move to Tuesday nights) -- I'd also go out on a limb (having only seen a trailer and one short scene from an episode) to say that Tower Prep won't fail either -- just sayin ;)Not to knock on the show (and I'm not, mainly because UH is really good and Tower Prep looks awesome), but I think the main point is that so many other shows on Cartoon Network have gotten farther on much less than what UH got. For example, the premiere of "Unnatural History" (which is the only ratings info on the show I can find) got months of promotion and strong lead-ins at got 416k for kids 6-11. In comparison, an unadvertised rerun of "Ben 10: Ultimate Alien" two days earlier got 535k for kids 6-11. Bot shows were in the same timeslot and faced equally tough competition.

If Cartoon Network had to prop UH up with months of non-stop advertising, strong lead-ins, several stunts and marathons, and a massive timeslot change and it still hasn't earned mentions in CN's weekly ratings releases while unadvertised premieres in death slots can easily match or outrank the show, there's a problem. I'm not sure if the budget of the show makes up for that, but it just doesn't seem like it's sticking with the viewers, no matter what the network does.

Are you at liberty to disclose what Unnatural History is currently getting on Tuesday nights?

[Blackstar]

Kool345: Unnatural History is not a failure -- it's numbers are rising (especially since making the move to Tuesday nights) -- I'd also go out on a limb (having only seen a trailer and one short scene from an episode) to say that Tower Prep won't fail either -- just sayin ;)

Idly, one has to wonder if Cartoon Network would have given Unnatural History the same breaks and 2nd and 3rd chances to find an audience if it had been an animated series.

Anyway, back on topic. This Hole in the Wall show might be entertaining to some kids and maybe their parents, but I don't see it being a huge fit for Cartoon Network.

[Kindness King]

Considering that Adventure Time got the same amount of hype, I'd say that's a moot point.

[B-Six]

chdr: I'll answer your question in the Unnatural History thread (this is probably the wrong spot for my response) -- swing by, we can definitely discuss further -- thanks

[Blackstar]

Considering that Adventure Time got the same amount of hype, I'd say that's a moot point.


You could say that. However, Adventure Time isn't really the best example to use since AT got good ratings in it's debut, and the ratings pretty much stayed the same up to this writing, while Unnatural History had a high rated premiere, but took a drop in the ratings afterward. If AT had taken that kind of a dip, would Cartoon Network have been so willing to give it a 2nd or 3rd chance to find an audience? Case in point, what happened with The Secret Saturdays and Chowder after their 1st seasons.

Stuart Snyder and company really, really want live action on CN to work, as they clearly don't want to be working on a 24 hour cartoon channel. Snyder wants CN to be Nickelodeon Too; a boy-centric kids' entertainment channel that shows some cartoons, so they're willing to go through greater lengths to make sure their live action shows find an audience. Meanwhile, many of CN's animated series under Snyder's regime get death slotted and gradually disappear from the network if they don't receive monster sized ratings right out of the starting gate.

[Neomysterion]

I personally kind of like this idea, however, I don't think it should air on CARTOON Network. Come on CN, have you not learned your lesson. Let's take a look here:

SUCCESSFUL LIVE-ACTION SHOWS:

*Destroy Build Destroy
*Dude, What Would Happen?

FAILURE LIVE-ACTION SHOWS:

*The Othersiders
*Survive This
*Out of Jimmy's Head
*SlamBall
*10 Count
*Re: Evolution
*BrainRush
*Bobb'e Says
*UnNatural History
*My Dad's a Pro

***I didn't include movies in this list***

Obviously Cartoon Network, kids don't like all of this live-action stuff on CARTOON Network. I am assuming Tower Prep (or whatever the name of that other show is) will fail, and this might fail on Cartoon Network too. How much more will it take for Stuart Snyder and other Cartoon Network executives to get the picture???:confused:

Let me tell you guys about my opinion on Live-Action shows airing on Cartoon Network, so many of them failed. The obvious reason why is that the network isn't called the Cartoon Network for nothing. Live-action was a total flop on Cartoon Network, it just feels like a cheesy way to attract viewers. In my opinion, I think Hole in the Wall may actually be a success, it kinda reminds me of one of those 80s or 90s Nickelodeon game shows.

I may watch an episode of the show, to see "good" it is, but I highly doubt that it will garter a large audience due to the show being "Live-Action". I never minded The Othersiders, which felt like a kiddie version of Ghost Hunters in my opinion. Out of Jimmy's Head I never minded as well (because it had animated characters in it), but let's face it, Cartoon Network should realize that their live-action series are total flops and kids aren't going to buy live-action programs from an animated channel.

P.S.: Kids never minded if it's Nickelodeon doing a game show, but they do mind if it's Cartoon Network doing a "live-action" game show.

[Neo Ultra Mike]

Uh wasn't this "hole in the wall" show already parodied in the finale of Total Drama Action? Which had about a minute or so of two of the contenstants (Duncan and Beth) going through various weird type of holes as one of the ways to try and win the million? Really does Cartoon Network think that their auidence wants a full show about actual kids doing that? Honestly it dosen't even seem like the kind of idea that would lend itself out to more then a few episodes worth of material. All the Nickelodeon gameshows even the newer ones at least had more of a basis behind them for various kinds of activities. Even with a light PG rating there's not going to be much of interest to bring people back again and again for this besides... no wait there's NOTHING that will bring people back. Live action or not the idea of a show based on this, at least for the american children auidence, is just plain unworkable.

[GatorMan92]

Snyder's determination to force live action will ultimately be the network's undoing...

Hard to argue with that. I find it hard to believe that with shows like this CN will be able to compete with Nick and Disney.

[Andrew T. Hingson]

Hard to argue with that. I find it hard to believe that with shows like this CN will be able to compete with Nick and Disney.

They wont. For all intents and purposes this is probably something they got cheap which they hope will help more people accept live-action on CN and in turn help future more expensive live-action programs find an audience. If they actually expect this show to be a ratings winner they're crazy.

[Kitschensyngk]

I have a stamp on my deviantArt account (http://kitschensyngk.deviantart.com/gallery/#/d23gqti) which protests live-action on Cartoon Network (which I begrudgingly admit gets more views and favorites that everything else I've drawn or made, but I digress.)

A recent comment on it was from another deviant who asked a sixth grade class what they thought of CN's reality shows. According to her, most of them thought that they were too childish and would rather watch shows like The Real World and Jersey Shore.

When 11- and 12-year-olds think your reality shows are more childish than freakin' MTV, something's definitely wrong with your kids' network.

As for this Hole in the Wall...it didn't last long on Fox as near as I can tell. I'm not convinced that this will come out any different.

[Kiddington]

This whole idea seems a lot more up Nickelodeon's alley than CN. Think about it; over the years, Nick has always had at least one game show on their schedule. All they'd have to do is fill the pool (that the kids are supposed to fall into if they don't fit in the hole) with their trademark slime instead of water, and hey... they'd probably have a winner.

On CN, though... no doubt this show will bomb, amidst a ratings display of sad mediocrity. Honestly, when will these guys ever learn? Game shows? Nobody watches CARTOON Network for that. This'll do nothing for them but further their ongoing public identity crisis.

[defunctzombie]

Way to steal from Japan, Cartoon Network. :sweat:

[Matt Hazuda]

Way to steal from Japan, Cartoon Network. :sweat:More like way to steal from FOX who stole from Japan :p