Best Era for Animated Shows? - Page 4

Time Mistress · 08-27-2007, 09:05 PM

They used to air it on Adult Swim on CN, they still might in the Sunday Night block. It seemed like an interesting show when I watch an episode. I had no idea it was as old as the 60s, that's kinda cool.

As far as 60s and 70s cartoons go, I thought most of the best ones of that era wound up being shown again on the USA Cartoon Express. I remember the Roman Holidays, Hair Bear, Wheelie and the Chopper Bunch, Trollkins, Dinomutt, Inch High Private Eye,etc. There was some pretty good stuff.

*DrSpengler* · 08-27-2007, 09:09 PM

I always saw WTYFGH as a show inspired by All in the Family, perhaps, but never a knock-off. It had a similar vein of politically incorrect and daring humor, but the characters were never direct clones of All in the Family's cast (well, not all of em).

Now the Flintstones, that was an unashamed parody/rip-off of the Honeymooners with absolutely identical main characters, yet the Flintstones is revered as a classic.

*Drtooth* · 08-27-2007, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrSpengler

I always saw WTYFGH as a show inspired by All in the Family, perhaps, but never a knock-off. It had a similar vein of politically incorrect and daring humor, but the characters were never direct clones of All in the Family's cast (well, not all of em).

From what I read The Barkleys was. They even gave the main character the name "Arnie Barkley" which is basically 2 letters off the real thing. But then of course that decade also saw a bad ripoff called "The Oddball Couple," the difference being they weren't mismatched roomates, they were mismatched crimefighters. Once again, just having read about it.

Quote:

As far as 60s and 70s cartoons go, I thought most of the best ones of that era wound up being shown again on the USA Cartoon Express. I remember the Roman Holidays, Hair Bear, Wheelie and the Chopper Bunch, Trollkins, Dinomutt, Inch High Private Eye,etc. There was some pretty good stuff.

I remember seeing one episode of Roman Holidays a while back, and it was just not as memorable as Flintstones or Jetsons for time related family animated sitcoms.... Dinomutt, which I've never seen, was actually one of the first things Andy Heyward (CEO of DIC entertainment) did, and it inspired him to create Inspector Gadget (at least according to the interview he did for the Shout factory IG DVD).

I never saw Inch High, but I've heard it was just Hanna Barbera knocking off Get Smart, and borrowing the plot device from this old cartoon no one remembers.

Off Topic, anyone remember a mixed bag live action/ Cartoon show called "Wake Rattle and Roll" that had a Wacky Races like cartoon with Yogi, Top Cat, and Dastardly and Muttley in it?

*VaughnMichael* · 08-27-2007, 10:06 PM

good lord drtooth you've missed out on allot of really fun great cartoons from the 70's! The Blue falcon and dinomut was one of my faves as a kid along with inch high and the hair bear bunch.

*Drtooth* · 08-28-2007, 07:27 AM

I still think the 70's were an era more of groundbreaking sitcoms than animation.

*VaughnMichael* · 08-28-2007, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drtooth

I still think the 70's were an era more of groundbreaking sitcoms than animation.

oh for sure some of my favorite shows come from that time like the muppet show.

**Jester** · 08-28-2007, 06:55 PM

I think it depends on your age. I would say the late 80's on into the 90's. Shows like TMNT, Batman, Tiny Toons, Animaniacs, The Fox Marvel Comics series, Duck Tales, Darkwing Duck the list goes on. I guess I only say this because they were my favorite shows growing up....

But I do have one question for those who are uber-opinionated:
What do you think of the 60's marvel comics shows, like Spider-man (Does whatever a Spider can...), The Incredible Hulk (Dr. Bruce Banner, pelted by gamma rays...) and Captain America (When Captain America throws his mighty sheild...)?

*Drtooth* · 08-28-2007, 09:14 PM

I've seen some, some of the 1960's Spiderman... but not any of the others.

But I do recall seeing some late 70's early 80's Spiderman cartoon with his Amazing Friends. That was pretty enjoyable.

*DrSpengler* · 08-28-2007, 10:33 PM

Of the 60's Marvel shows, Hanna Barbara's Fantastic Four was always my favorite. They pretty much just animated issues of the comic panel to panel and while the animation was date, it wasn't even remotely as limited as the animation in Spider-Man, which I never liked. The voice acting for that series was also really good, I thought, and I still hear 60's Thing's voice when I read a Fantastic Four comic.

**Jester** · 08-29-2007, 08:32 AM

I can't believe I forgot Hanna Barbera's FF...although what about H/B's Thing....

"Thing Ring do your thing!"

*Drtooth* · 08-29-2007, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jester

I can't believe I forgot Hanna Barbera's FF...although what about H/B's Thing....

"Thing Ring do your thing!"

Ugh... that "Fred and Barney Meet the Thing" where they don't really meet the Thing? No the 1960's one with Paul Frees as the Thing? Greatness. Just for the fact they had the great Paul Frees as the voice of my favorite Marvel character.

*Sage Ninja* · 09-01-2007, 01:08 AM

Can I be a comeplete cop out and say the 80's and 90's?

Well I guess I'll say 40's since those cartoons where sort of aimed at not just children but adults as well. Actually I don't think they actually cared if children where watching them or not. These cartoon like Bugs Bunny and Tex Avery cartoons had alot of adult humour with out being raunchy and inappriate but also was littered with innuendo, cross dressing violence, and stero-types that would be deemed politically incorrect by todays standards.

Quit a few Bugsbunny cartoons have to be edited or censored now adays so that it doesn't offend todays standards.

Heck have you guys ever watch some of the Tex Avery cartoons involveing the wolf club scenes as an adult? Those cartoons where wicked risque!

Time Mistress · 09-01-2007, 12:13 PM

The 40s had a lot of great stuff Sage. I defiantely am way too young for the 40s but I do remember the 80s when cartoons from the 40s could still be aired uncensored.

Saw Song of the South IN THEATERS in both 1980 and 1986!

Those were the days.

*pannoni1* · 08-14-2012, 10:38 AM

1985-1995 was the sweet spot IMO, but I said the '90s, because I'd say the late '90s shows beat out the early '80s ones which still had that flat animation and dark age feel (possibly except for the Smurfs), though the '80s are close on their tail. Inspector Gadget, Danger Mouse, Muppet Babies, and much more all had quality entertainment without having the intent on selling toys.

After that, I'd say the '60s, which was when Hanna-Barbera was at its peak, and Saturday Morning had its golden age. You also had Rocky & Bullwinkle, Speed Racer, Underdog, George of the Jungle, The Alvin Show, and even the campy but fun comic book series. There were some duds, but also a lot of great classics that I enjoyed in reruns growing up like my parents did. It was a very family friendly decade for animation.

The '00s are next, but tend to be hit-or-miss with so many cartoons released during that decade, and due to the fact that there are many different targeted demographics than there were in the '90s in terms of what the series appeals to, with Adult Swim being the homeplace for adult animation, to family friendly material on The Hub and Cartoon Network, kid friendly stuff on Nickelodeon and especially Disney, and even some little kids stuff on PBS Kids sprout and some Saturday morning programming on networks that once carried great material.

The '50s was a fledging decade for television animation, often being part of a segment of a greater show. But since this is about "shows", this doesn't include all the excellent movie shorts and features, and it wasn't until late in the '50s that TV animated series really began to come of age.

The '70s are the worst of course for all that infamous animation age ghetto.

It's a bit too early in the '10s to decide on that decade, but it looks to be a bit better than the '00s so far and almost as good as the '80s, but still noticeably less than the '90s.

Logan · 08-14-2012, 11:23 PM

I voted the 80s. Not sure if the nostalgia argument works in my case, though. Most these cartoons I've watched now in my 20s and I probably get more appreciation out of them now then I did as a kid. OT's more topical humor being an example.

Plus, anime was starting to get more attention, even if it oftentimes was "re-versioned". I love Voltron and Robotech, just as I love GoLion and Macross.

*AT-Man* · 08-15-2012, 09:30 AM

2000. I mean, come on! the new He-Man and TMNT were alot better than originals and then there's Avatar and Metalocalypse... well Ren & Stimpy is not 2000 but overall newer is better.

Darth Knuckles · 08-15-2012, 10:50 AM

I voted for the 80's for a reason a lot of you have already stated. It was the era that really got the ball rolling on good American animation. There were a lot of good shows on during the 80's and through 1996 I'd say so I voted for the 80's. And because our original TMNT series started in......wait for it.......1987, I had to go 80's!

Green Machine · 08-15-2012, 11:02 AM

80's for me no doubt!

TMNT, He-man, Transformers, Gi Joe, Thundercats, Silverhawks, and the list goes on and on!

billbot85 · 06-05-2014, 09:08 PM

I think it was the 1990's for me, although the 80's comes in at a very close second. But with shows like BTAS, Animaniacs, and all of the animated shows that ran on Nick and Cartoon Network, the decade was pretty hard to beat. Growing up in the 90's, I felt it was one of the best times to be a kid. The youth these days don't what awesome TV shows are.

*TheBlueTurtle1* · 06-06-2014, 01:47 AM

I think its a close call between the 80s and 90s.

80s had, He-man, Thundercats, Tmnt, Transformers, Gummi bears, Wuzzles, Dino Riders, to name a few

90s had Spider-man, Rugrats, Recess, Dexters lab, Chip and Dale, Tiny toons, and the ever unbeatable X-men animated series!

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

08-27-2007, 09:05 PM	#61
Time Mistress Stone Warrior Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Pennshellvania, or the 79th level of Null-Time Posts: 710	They used to air it on Adult Swim on CN, they still might in the Sunday Night block. It seemed like an interesting show when I watch an episode. I had no idea it was as old as the 60s, that's kinda cool. As far as 60s and 70s cartoons go, I thought most of the best ones of that era wound up being shown again on the USA Cartoon Express. I remember the Roman Holidays, Hair Bear, Wheelie and the Chopper Bunch, Trollkins, Dinomutt, Inch High Private Eye,etc. There was some pretty good stuff. __________________ AKA the Edwardian Adventuress and Fairlady_Z "You just made your last mistake, Bugeyes -- 'cuz nobody beats up my best buddy and gets away with it -- Nobody! Got that?!" Raphael about Michaelangelo, TMNT Volume 1

08-28-2007, 07:27 AM	#65
Drtooth Foot Elite Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 4,439	I still think the 70's were an era more of groundbreaking sitcoms than animation. __________________ [Insert mildly amusing banner here]

08-28-2007, 06:55 PM	#67
Jester Rat-faced Dude-guy Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Arkansas Posts: 26,301	I think it depends on your age. I would say the late 80's on into the 90's. Shows like TMNT, Batman, Tiny Toons, Animaniacs, The Fox Marvel Comics series, Duck Tales, Darkwing Duck the list goes on. I guess I only say this because they were my favorite shows growing up.... But I do have one question for those who are uber-opinionated: What do you think of the 60's marvel comics shows, like Spider-man (Does whatever a Spider can...), The Incredible Hulk (Dr. Bruce Banner, pelted by gamma rays...) and Captain America (When Captain America throws his mighty sheild...)? __________________ "Clearly, you're Ninja Turtling incorrectly." - Leo656 Last edited by Jester; 08-28-2007 at 07:12 PM.

08-28-2007, 09:14 PM	#68
Drtooth Foot Elite Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 4,439	I've seen some, some of the 1960's Spiderman... but not any of the others. But I do recall seeing some late 70's early 80's Spiderman cartoon with his Amazing Friends. That was pretty enjoyable. __________________ [Insert mildly amusing banner here]

08-27-2007, 09:09 PM	#62
DrSpengler Foot Elite Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 4,842	I always saw WTYFGH as a show inspired by All in the Family, perhaps, but never a knock-off. It had a similar vein of politically incorrect and daring humor, but the characters were never direct clones of All in the Family's cast (well, not all of em). Now the Flintstones, that was an unashamed parody/rip-off of the Honeymooners with absolutely identical main characters, yet the Flintstones is revered as a classic.

08-27-2007, 10:06 PM	#64
VaughnMichael I'm Baaaaaaccck! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 11,833	good lord drtooth you've missed out on allot of really fun great cartoons from the 70's! The Blue falcon and dinomut was one of my faves as a kid along with inch high and the hair bear bunch.

08-28-2007, 10:33 PM	#69
DrSpengler Foot Elite Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 4,842	Of the 60's Marvel shows, Hanna Barbara's Fantastic Four was always my favorite. They pretty much just animated issues of the comic panel to panel and while the animation was date, it wasn't even remotely as limited as the animation in Spider-Man, which I never liked. The voice acting for that series was also really good, I thought, and I still hear 60's Thing's voice when I read a Fantastic Four comic.

08-29-2007, 08:32 AM	#70
Jester Rat-faced Dude-guy Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Arkansas Posts: 26,301	I can't believe I forgot Hanna Barbera's FF...although what about H/B's Thing.... "Thing Ring do your thing!" __________________ "Clearly, you're Ninja Turtling incorrectly." - Leo656

09-01-2007, 01:08 AM	#72
Sage Ninja Band of the Hawk Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: USA Posts: 3,927	Can I be a comeplete cop out and say the 80's and 90's? Well I guess I'll say 40's since those cartoons where sort of aimed at not just children but adults as well. Actually I don't think they actually cared if children where watching them or not. These cartoon like Bugs Bunny and Tex Avery cartoons had alot of adult humour with out being raunchy and inappriate but also was littered with innuendo, cross dressing violence, and stero-types that would be deemed politically incorrect by todays standards. Quit a few Bugsbunny cartoons have to be edited or censored now adays so that it doesn't offend todays standards. Heck have you guys ever watch some of the Tex Avery cartoons involveing the wolf club scenes as an adult? Those cartoons where wicked risque! __________________ Cassandra: You won't fight me, but will you fight--for him! Cassandra's Revenge ~Tangled the Series ________________________________ http://frankviola.org/2012/01/30/godsviewofawoman/ _______________________________ http://nox-artemis.tumblr.com/post/4...k-and-feminism

09-01-2007, 12:13 PM	#73
Time Mistress Stone Warrior Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Pennshellvania, or the 79th level of Null-Time Posts: 710	The 40s had a lot of great stuff Sage. I defiantely am way too young for the 40s but I do remember the 80s when cartoons from the 40s could still be aired uncensored. Saw Song of the South IN THEATERS in both 1980 and 1986! Those were the days. __________________ AKA the Edwardian Adventuress and Fairlady_Z "You just made your last mistake, Bugeyes -- 'cuz nobody beats up my best buddy and gets away with it -- Nobody! Got that?!" Raphael about Michaelangelo, TMNT Volume 1

08-14-2012, 10:38 AM	#74
pannoni1 Foot Elite Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: USA Posts: 3,447	1985-1995 was the sweet spot IMO, but I said the '90s, because I'd say the late '90s shows beat out the early '80s ones which still had that flat animation and dark age feel (possibly except for the Smurfs), though the '80s are close on their tail. Inspector Gadget, Danger Mouse, Muppet Babies, and much more all had quality entertainment without having the intent on selling toys. After that, I'd say the '60s, which was when Hanna-Barbera was at its peak, and Saturday Morning had its golden age. You also had Rocky & Bullwinkle, Speed Racer, Underdog, George of the Jungle, The Alvin Show, and even the campy but fun comic book series. There were some duds, but also a lot of great classics that I enjoyed in reruns growing up like my parents did. It was a very family friendly decade for animation. The '00s are next, but tend to be hit-or-miss with so many cartoons released during that decade, and due to the fact that there are many different targeted demographics than there were in the '90s in terms of what the series appeals to, with Adult Swim being the homeplace for adult animation, to family friendly material on The Hub and Cartoon Network, kid friendly stuff on Nickelodeon and especially Disney, and even some little kids stuff on PBS Kids sprout and some Saturday morning programming on networks that once carried great material. The '50s was a fledging decade for television animation, often being part of a segment of a greater show. But since this is about "shows", this doesn't include all the excellent movie shorts and features, and it wasn't until late in the '50s that TV animated series really began to come of age. The '70s are the worst of course for all that infamous animation age ghetto. It's a bit too early in the '10s to decide on that decade, but it looks to be a bit better than the '00s so far and almost as good as the '80s, but still noticeably less than the '90s. __________________ http://forums.thetechnodrome.com/sho...d.php?t=37065- MY WANT LIST TMNT FAN CLUB LINK: http://sot.ag/gCjK/ 30 years of Turtle Power! Last edited by pannoni1; 08-14-2012 at 10:55 AM.

08-14-2012, 11:23 PM	#75
Logan Hench Mutant Join Date: May 2011 Location: Michigan Posts: 483	I voted the 80s. Not sure if the nostalgia argument works in my case, though. Most these cartoons I've watched now in my 20s and I probably get more appreciation out of them now then I did as a kid. OT's more topical humor being an example. Plus, anime was starting to get more attention, even if it oftentimes was "re-versioned". I love Voltron and Robotech, just as I love GoLion and Macross. __________________ We're a team; and as a team let's go kick some ass! -Leonardo Logan the Layman Critic, a youtube channel for movie reviews and animation appreciation. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjn...xrKPml1WlYh6Mw

08-15-2012, 09:30 AM	#76
AT-Man I SEEN IT Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: FIN Posts: 2,206	2000. I mean, come on! the new He-Man and TMNT were alot better than originals and then there's Avatar and Metalocalypse... well Ren & Stimpy is not 2000 but overall newer is better. __________________ Through the Golden Door

08-15-2012, 10:50 AM	#77
Darth Knuckles Stone Warrior Join Date: May 2012 Location: Mutani-Isle Posts: 703	I voted for the 80's for a reason a lot of you have already stated. It was the era that really got the ball rolling on good American animation. There were a lot of good shows on during the 80's and through 1996 I'd say so I voted for the 80's. And because our original TMNT series started in......wait for it.......1987, I had to go 80's! __________________ "Shredder, what have you done!?!" - Tiger Claw (Annihilation: Earth!)

08-15-2012, 11:02 AM	#78
Green Machine Hench Mutant Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Concord, NC Posts: 442	80's for me no doubt! TMNT, He-man, Transformers, Gi Joe, Thundercats, Silverhawks, and the list goes on and on!

06-05-2014, 09:08 PM	#79
billbot85 Mad Scientist Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,007	I think it was the 1990's for me, although the 80's comes in at a very close second. But with shows like BTAS, Animaniacs, and all of the animated shows that ran on Nick and Cartoon Network, the decade was pretty hard to beat. Growing up in the 90's, I felt it was one of the best times to be a kid. The youth these days don't what awesome TV shows are. __________________ MY COMPLETE WISH LIST: http://forums.thetechnodrome.com/sho...03#post1120403 GIFSoup

06-06-2014, 01:47 AM	#80
TheBlueTurtle1 Foot Elite Join Date: May 2012 Location: UK Posts: 2,892	I think its a close call between the 80s and 90s. 80s had, He-man, Thundercats, Tmnt, Transformers, Gummi bears, Wuzzles, Dino Riders, to name a few 90s had Spider-man, Rugrats, Recess, Dexters lab, Chip and Dale, Tiny toons, and the ever unbeatable X-men animated series! __________________ http://jandmdev.deviantart.com/ (My Brother and I have a dev page, I am J, brother is M)