Best Era for Animated Shows?

CharmedSerenity · 08-23-2007, 04:04 PM

I did a poll about this at my forums originally, was wondering how it would fare here.

kev trashcan · 08-23-2007, 04:15 PM

i voted for 80's lots of great cartoons came from the 80's ninja turtles, the real ghostbusters, transformers, g.i joe, thundercats, smurfs, etc. i was born in 1987 though, at the end of the 80's so i was more exposed to 90's cartoons that i think were just as good. besides the 80;s cartoons were still on cartoon express on usa back in the day, and cartoon network used to play all sorts of good cartoons, what happened?

**ThirdMarioBro** · 08-23-2007, 04:19 PM

Anybody who says 1980's is kidding themselves with nostalgia. 80's cartoons were all action figure commercials and Barbra Bush driven censorship. The early 1990's were the era of Fox Kids, Disney Saturdays, and when NBC still had cartoons that weren't public service announcements; a time of sexual innuendos, kick-ass video game cartoons, serious animation, political satire, Disney at their finest, and soulless ripping of celebrities.

The 90's on that poll should be split into the early 90's, and the late 90's. And there was no anime. That all came around 1996-7, a time I call the apocalypse of American animation.

kev trashcan · 08-23-2007, 04:44 PM

you have a good point, but i still love them equaly, 80's early 90's and mid 90's. late 90's were ok

*Raph's Girl* · 08-23-2007, 05:46 PM

Seems to be a battle between the 80's and 90's. As a child of the 80's I of course chose well 80's. I mean come on... the 80's gave us:

The Wuzzles
Care Bears
Gummi Bears
He-Man/She-Ra
Transformers
TMNT
Popples

*Cure* · 08-23-2007, 05:58 PM

TMB's right. 90's all the way.

*DrSpengler* · 08-23-2007, 06:05 PM

I also voted 90's.

The 80's definately set the groundwork for more dynamic and fluid storytelling in television animation, but it was largely a mess and a lot of trial and error. You've got Transformers which had continuity and tons of backstory, but an almost equal number of contradictions. Interviews with writer Donald F. Glut reveal that nearly all the scripts for the show were turned in at the first draft stage and went largely unchanged, with story editting being mostly an after thought. All the other Sunbow cartoons were done in pretty much the same fashion.

Still, haphazard as it was, the 80's did get the ball rolling on more intelligent and challenging cartoon shows.

The 90's, though, really refined the process. They no longer let channels run the episodes in any order they chose and wrote each episode to fit into an actual season-long story arc.

The 90's gave us shows like ReBoot and Beast Wars and Men in Black and Swat Kats and Real Adventures of Jonny Quest, shows that fine-tuned what television animation could be whilst firmly putting their 80's predecessors to shame.

*VaughnMichael* · 08-23-2007, 06:26 PM

I Voted 80's cause I like to kid myself.

*Mecha Cow* · 08-23-2007, 06:51 PM

Late 80's ~ Early 90's I guess. Generally not a fan of the later 90's stuff.

**ThirdMarioBro** · 08-23-2007, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecha Cow

Late 80's ~ Early 90's I guess. Generally not a fan of the later 90's stuff.

That's a good lad.

*ZariusTwo* · 08-24-2007, 03:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThirdMarioBro

Anybody who says 1980's is kidding themselves with nostalgia. 80's cartoons were all action figure commercials and Barbra Bush driven censorship.

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

That mentality is typical of anyone who doesnt look closer, especially since He-Man, TMNT, GI Joe, Ghostbusters, Centurions, Bravestarr, Thundercats, and Transformers ALL rose above their intended purpose and told excellent storylines that set the course for your PRECIOUS 90s

And as for shows that werent "major" toylines, or even commercials at all..oooh lets see...Racoons, Galaxy Rangers Ralph Baski's Mighty Mouse, Defenders of the Earth...

You have NO argument

And I love how you used that WONDERFUL "If you think there great, its only memory" card like every other putz, which goes to show how insecure you are that you have to sink that low to insult anyone who can, and have, proven you wrong, and always will.

The 80s bashing bandwagon is a tired, useless fad that makes idiots out of anyone that thinks its "cool" to disrespect an innovative, and landmark, period of evolution in the buisness. Why dont some of you pick on animation periods that DESERVE it like the 1970s?

*Roseangelo* · 08-24-2007, 03:08 AM

I voted 90s, but I have to agree that all the gems came in the early 90s. The Disney Afternoon and Nickelodeon especially were at the top of their game during those years.

Ra · 08-24-2007, 04:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecha Cow

Late 80's ~ Early 90's I guess. Generally not a fan of the later 90's stuff.

Same here. Although I love a few new cartoons from the 2000 era, but they are few and far between ("They" being 2k3 TMNT, Justice League (Unlimited), Grim Adventures, Kids Next Door, and I'm starting to get a taste for Ben 10 now).

The Late 80's to Early 90's was where it was at for me. I find that I love quite a lot from that era, even though I never really grew up with any of them. Well, save for "The Twisted Tales of Felix the Cat". That show was so high on acid I couldn't really forget it. Many a great 'toon was made in that era, in my opinion. After 1995/1996, it seems that cartoons started treading the road that they are well on today. Which is a shame, since some of the cartoons back then were great and had some sort of humor in it. Now we have crap like "Camp Lazlo" and "My Gym Partner is a Monkey" on our screens.

*KROW* · 08-24-2007, 09:33 AM

I voted the 70s (yeah, I'm such a rebel). Those cartoons were fun, flashy, and cheesy. Most of them began in the 60s and bled into the 70s, like Space Ghost, but they were basically innocent and had some good plots but also weren't targeting to sell merchandise.

As a child of the 80s, I loved a LOT of the shows that came out: Voltron, Centurions, Thundercats, G.I. Joe, He-Man, Ghostbusters, Silverhawks, Transformers; hell, even Dragon's Lair and The Simpsons. But I also noticed that about a week or two after they debuted (with the exception of DL and Simpsons), toy shelves were loaded with action figures. G.I. Joe really can't be accused of this, since there was a toyline back in the 50s, but I see the point of the cartoon aiming to sell the toys that were crafted for it. Of course, as a kid, I didn't care, but looking back on it now... hoo-boy.

The early 90s were the days of Batman:TAS, The Tick, Captain Planet, X-Men, Spider-Man, Animaniacs, and Freakazoid. At least, that's what I watched back then.

The late 90s really didn't offer anything interesting for me except Futurama, unless I'm not remembering right.

*Mecha Cow* · 08-24-2007, 09:52 AM

Quote:

which goes to show how insecure you are that you have to sink that low to insult anyone

Sometimes I really wonder if you actually read your own posts, man.

*Scandia* · 08-24-2007, 10:01 AM

I put the 1980s. Too many good ones to not vote for it. The early 90s were good as well due to Captain Planet. But things have gone downhill since the late 90s for the most part. 2k3 is an exception, of course.

*ZariusTwo* · 08-24-2007, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecha Cow

Sometimes I really wonder if you actually read your own posts, man.

I don't usually read the bible.

Quote:

Originally Posted by KROW

]ee the point of the cartoon aiming to sell the toys that were crafted for it. Of course, as a kid, I didn't care, but looking back on it now... hoo-boy.

Looking back now...what? Whats the problem? Who the hell cares that they sold toys? He-Man, TF, Centurions, they all rose ABOVE their original intentions, or did'nt you read my last post over why this 80s bashing fad is so futile and hypocritical? Especially since the DCAU sold toys, and the NEW TMNT SELLS TOYS TOO!

*Hannah* · 08-24-2007, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZariusTwo

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

That mentality is typical of anyone who doesnt look closer, especially since He-Man, TMNT, GI Joe, Ghostbusters, Centurions, Bravestarr, Thundercats, and Transformers ALL rose above their intended purpose and told excellent storylines that set the course for your PRECIOUS 90s

And as for shows that werent "major" toylines, or even commercials at all..oooh lets see...Racoons, Galaxy Rangers Ralph Baski's Mighty Mouse, Defenders of the Earth...

You have NO argument

And I love how you used that WONDERFUL "If you think there great, its only memory" card like every other putz, which goes to show how insecure you are that you have to sink that low to insult anyone who can, and have, proven you wrong, and always will.

The 80s bashing bandwagon is a tired, useless fad that makes idiots out of anyone that thinks its "cool" to disrespect an innovative, and landmark, period of evolution in the buisness. Why dont some of you pick on animation periods that DESERVE it like the 1970s?

I like how you take kids' cartoons so seriously.

愛 · 08-24-2007, 11:35 AM

I enjoyed 80's cartoons. What was wrong with them?

SassyGal · 08-24-2007, 11:41 AM

I voted 80's. Say what you want about them being toy commercials, but I still enjoyed them

The 80's toons, and early 90's were the best.

View Poll Results: Which decade had/has the best animated series?
The 1950s	1	1.56%
The 1960s	0	0%
The 1970s	1	1.56%
The 1980s	20	31.25%
The 1990s	36	56.25%
2000 onwards	6	9.38%
Voters: 64. You may not vote on this poll

08-23-2007, 04:04 PM	#1
CharmedSerenity Mad Scientist Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: In front of her computer Posts: 1,335	Best Era for Animated Shows? I did a poll about this at my forums originally, was wondering how it would fare here. __________________ Favorite incarnations: 2k3 animated series, 2014 & 2016 movies and the IDW comics. Last edited by CharmedSerenity; 08-23-2007 at 04:12 PM.

08-23-2007, 04:15 PM	#2
kev trashcan Hench Mutant Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: sf east bay california Posts: 265	i voted for 80's lots of great cartoons came from the 80's ninja turtles, the real ghostbusters, transformers, g.i joe, thundercats, smurfs, etc. i was born in 1987 though, at the end of the 80's so i was more exposed to 90's cartoons that i think were just as good. besides the 80;s cartoons were still on cartoon express on usa back in the day, and cartoon network used to play all sorts of good cartoons, what happened? __________________ check out my art http://kcmp-sewer-sludge.deviantart.com/

08-23-2007, 04:19 PM	#3
ThirdMarioBro Tea Time! Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 8,905	Anybody who says 1980's is kidding themselves with nostalgia. 80's cartoons were all action figure commercials and Barbra Bush driven censorship. The early 1990's were the era of Fox Kids, Disney Saturdays, and when NBC still had cartoons that weren't public service announcements; a time of sexual innuendos, kick-ass video game cartoons, serious animation, political satire, Disney at their finest, and soulless ripping of celebrities. The 90's on that poll should be split into the early 90's, and the late 90's. And there was no anime. That all came around 1996-7, a time I call the apocalypse of American animation. __________________

08-23-2007, 04:44 PM	#4
kev trashcan Hench Mutant Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: sf east bay california Posts: 265	you have a good point, but i still love them equaly, 80's early 90's and mid 90's. late 90's were ok __________________ check out my art http://kcmp-sewer-sludge.deviantart.com/

08-23-2007, 05:46 PM	#5
Raph's Girl Dierna Soul, Reporter Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Jakku Posts: 10,831	Seems to be a battle between the 80's and 90's. As a child of the 80's I of course chose well 80's. I mean come on... the 80's gave us: The Wuzzles Care Bears Gummi Bears He-Man/She-Ra Transformers TMNT Popples __________________

08-23-2007, 05:58 PM	#6
Cure Y'all need Jesus Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: New Jersey Posts: 8,938	TMB's right. 90's all the way. __________________

08-23-2007, 06:05 PM	#7
DrSpengler Foot Elite Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 4,842	I also voted 90's. The 80's definately set the groundwork for more dynamic and fluid storytelling in television animation, but it was largely a mess and a lot of trial and error. You've got Transformers which had continuity and tons of backstory, but an almost equal number of contradictions. Interviews with writer Donald F. Glut reveal that nearly all the scripts for the show were turned in at the first draft stage and went largely unchanged, with story editting being mostly an after thought. All the other Sunbow cartoons were done in pretty much the same fashion. Still, haphazard as it was, the 80's did get the ball rolling on more intelligent and challenging cartoon shows. The 90's, though, really refined the process. They no longer let channels run the episodes in any order they chose and wrote each episode to fit into an actual season-long story arc. The 90's gave us shows like ReBoot and Beast Wars and Men in Black and Swat Kats and Real Adventures of Jonny Quest, shows that fine-tuned what television animation could be whilst firmly putting their 80's predecessors to shame.

08-23-2007, 06:26 PM	#8
VaughnMichael I'm Baaaaaaccck! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 11,833	I Voted 80's cause I like to kid myself.

08-23-2007, 06:51 PM	#9
Mecha Cow Gorgeous and modest too Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 3,699	Late 80's ~ Early 90's I guess. Generally not a fan of the later 90's stuff. __________________

08-24-2007, 03:08 AM	#12
Roseangelo Emperor Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: California Posts: 9,119	I voted 90s, but I have to agree that all the gems came in the early 90s. The Disney Afternoon and Nickelodeon especially were at the top of their game during those years. __________________ www.ninjapizza.net www.colorsbyrosemary.com

08-24-2007, 09:33 AM	#14
KROW Meat-n-Potatoes Man Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: State's Anus, NY Posts: 6,472	I voted the 70s (yeah, I'm such a rebel). Those cartoons were fun, flashy, and cheesy. Most of them began in the 60s and bled into the 70s, like Space Ghost, but they were basically innocent and had some good plots but also weren't targeting to sell merchandise. As a child of the 80s, I loved a LOT of the shows that came out: Voltron, Centurions, Thundercats, G.I. Joe, He-Man, Ghostbusters, Silverhawks, Transformers; hell, even Dragon's Lair and The Simpsons. But I also noticed that about a week or two after they debuted (with the exception of DL and Simpsons), toy shelves were loaded with action figures. G.I. Joe really can't be accused of this, since there was a toyline back in the 50s, but I see the point of the cartoon aiming to sell the toys that were crafted for it. Of course, as a kid, I didn't care, but looking back on it now... hoo-boy. The early 90s were the days of Batman:TAS, The Tick, Captain Planet, X-Men, Spider-Man, Animaniacs, and Freakazoid. At least, that's what I watched back then. The late 90s really didn't offer anything interesting for me except Futurama, unless I'm not remembering right. __________________ - Optimus Acid Trip - Cult of a Half-Shell - Raiden's Bitter Tongue - *I don't try to be funny; I fail at it naturally.*

08-24-2007, 10:01 AM	#16
Scandia Mad Scientist Join Date: May 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 2,265	I put the 1980s. Too many good ones to not vote for it. The early 90s were good as well due to Captain Planet. But things have gone downhill since the late 90s for the most part. 2k3 is an exception, of course. __________________ Turtles fight with honor!!!

08-24-2007, 11:35 AM	#19
愛 Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 7,449	I enjoyed 80's cartoons. What was wrong with them?

08-24-2007, 11:41 AM	#20
SassyGal Mad Scientist Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: London, Canada Posts: 1,349	I voted 80's. Say what you want about them being toy commercials, but I still enjoyed them The 80's toons, and early 90's were the best.