Pink Panther and Pals

[Raph's Girl]

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/new-pink-panther--pals/story.aspx?guid={1A156E9E-A988-476B-8C47-6599D02D60C7}&dist=hppr

Turner Broadcasting and MGM Worldwide Television (MGM), announced today that they are producing a new 26 episode half-hour animated series for MGM's much-loved Pink Panther franchise to air on Cartoon Network channels worldwide in Fall 2009.

The show is being produced jointly by MGM and Rubicon, Jordan's pioneering animation, edutainment and multimedia company. Production of the series is currently taking place in both Los Angeles and Amman, Jordan.

"The Pink Panther character is iconic and instantly recognized around the globe," said Gary Marenzi, Co-President, MGM Worldwide Television. "In addition to Cartoon Network's interest in the series, international buyers have been especially eager for us to produce another Pink Panther series and we are happy to partner with Rubicon on meeting the worldwide demand with this new series."

"Pink Panther & Pals" is a 26 episode animated TV series featuring the Pink Panther as a rambunctious teenager who, along with his friends, gets into all sorts of mischievous capers and hilarious escapades.

"The character is drawn a little younger to depict the Pink Panther as a teenager, although he will be instantly recognizable with his signature walk and devil-may-care attitude," said David Corbett, Executive Producer.

Favorite characters from the original series such as Ant and Aardvark and new characters Hoarse and Dog join the Pink Panther in his daily adventures. In every episode the Pink Panther will interact with his pompous and problematic arch-nemesis Big Nose -- who always tries to spoil the party and stop the Pink Panther from doing what he does best -- having fun.

The musical score and comedy themes will be reprised from the original Pink Panther theatrical shorts and TV series and will be familiar and recognizable to legions of Pink Panther fans the world over.

MGM plans to support the new "Pink Panther & Pals" show with a dedicated licensing and merchandising initiative targeting licensed apparel, stationery and back to school toys, publishing and interactive games. The retail launch of licensed merchandise is targeted for late 2009.

WTF?! Pink Panther as a Teenager?!

[Drtooth]

Originally Posted by Raph's Girl

WTF?! Pink Panther as a Teenager?!

As long as he doesn't talk or have kids, I'm fine with it.

Though, I'm kinda surprised to see Ant and Aardvark there... hope that means we'll see Tijuana Toads (Or, more likely Texas Toads) and Mr. Jaws too.

[Wildcat]

This is awesome news, I love watching the old reruns on Boomerang.

Im especially happy that thier bring back Ant and the Aardvark... I loved the Aardvark, hes so goofy and his voice was so unique

Whao just had a bad thought, what if its not the same voice actor? They better keep his original voice.

[DrSpengler]

I can deal with the teenager bit, just don't let him talk like he did in the 90s.

I'm *more* stoked about the return of the Ant and the Aardvark. They were the only other characters from the original series I liked (never dug Mr. Jaws and I especially hated Crazylegs). I worry that they'll mess up casting, though. The Aardvark always had what sounded like a heavy Jewish accent, which made his voice very distinct. I have a feeling they won't try to reproduce that.

[KROW]

Originally Posted by DrSpengler

I'm *more* stoked about the return of the Ant and the Aardvark. They were the only other characters from the original series I liked (never dug Mr. Jaws and I especially hated Crazylegs). I worry that they'll mess up casting, though. The Aardvark always had what sounded like a heavy Jewish accent, which made his voice very distinct. I have a feeling they won't try to reproduce that.

It's easy. Just find someone who can talk like Jackie Mason.

[RAM BAM]

HFC! I totally forgot about the Ant and the Aardvark. OY!

[Jester]

Billy West, if they get Billy West, I'm sure he could pull it off.

[DrSpengler]

Did he voice Harold Zoid in that episode of Futurama? Because that would be the perfect voice for the Aardvark.

I'm just wondering if political correctness would frown upon a Jewish villain, is all. I can already forsee complaints.

[Jester]

Actually Hank Azaria and Maurice LaMarche voiced Harold Zoid. Hank in the episode and Maurice in the bit role he had in Beast with a Billion Backs.

Thank you VoiceChasers.com

[DrSpengler]

Ah, cool. Well then, Hank Azaria would be perfect for the Aardvark, though he doesn't seem to do much voice work outside of the Simpsons, these days.

[Wildcat]

I didnt even realise the article said there would be merchandise...Id love to have toys based on 'Ant and the Ardvark'. Iv looked online for any original ones from the past but I only found 1 and it was a long time ago.

Anyway they should have brought back "The Inspector",the little french guy in the brown coat and hat, he was awesome. He was so funny and in some epsiodes he had a partner who was from Spain I guess.

"Si...

don't say Si say Wee...

Si,I mean Wee,oh no"

[DrSpengler]

Originally Posted by Wildcat

I didnt even realise the article said there would be merchandise...Id love to have toys based on 'Ant and the Ardvark'. Iv looked online for any original ones from the past but I only found 1 and it was a long time ago.

There was a Pink Panther toyline as recently as '06 which featured toys for Pink Panther, Inspector Cluseau, The Man and the Ant and the Aardvark (who came packaged together, conveniently). You could likely find them cheaply on eBay.

[Wildcat]

Originally Posted by DrSpengler

There was a Pink Panther toyline as recently as '06 which featured toys for Pink Panther, Inspector Cluseau, The Man and the Ant and the Aardvark (who came packaged together, conveniently). You could likely find them cheaply on eBay.

I typed in Pink Panther on ebay and just got plushies and classic toys. Ant and Aardvark didnt have any results. Thanks for letting me know though, theres some online toy stores I usually buy stuff from so I'll check them out, the package sounds familiar.

However I did find these 2 items that I thought were interesting,well the second anyway...Id love to have that Aardvark plushie(I really wish I had an ebay account) and the wind-up toy is the Pink Panther and he seems to be dressed as the Inspector, probably not on purpose but kinda cool imo.

[Drtooth]

Originally Posted by DrSpengler

There was a Pink Panther toyline as recently as '06 which featured toys for Pink Panther, Inspector Cluseau, The Man and the Ant and the Aardvark (who came packaged together, conveniently). You could likely find them cheaply on eBay.

Palisades Toys. The same people that brought you the Muppet action figure line up. They really shouldn't have taken on too many licneses at once, especially since they just had a lot of one series wonders (with lots of series 2's going unproduced). I remember a lot of complaints that the Clouseau was the animated movie opening/style guide version, and not the solo cartoon version.

I have mixed feelings about these remakes, though. I liked Woody Woodpecker, but it just didn't have the same feeling. I enjoyed PP in the 90's show, but felt that it was uneven compaired to the originals... but I thought Tom and Jerry Tales were close to the original theatrical cartoons, with just a little modernizing here and there... they were much closer than every other attempt, Filmation, Tom and Jerry Kids... even the 1970's "Tom and Jerry and Grape Ape and Muttley..errrr. we mean Mumbly Show."

As long as we don't go that horrible late 90's making the characters have an obsession with extreme sports route, it should be interesting at least. Just DON'T make him talk. Even in the short run of original shorts where he did talk:

In an early series of Pink Panther animated cartoons, the Pink Panther generally remained silent, speaking only in two theatrical shorts, Sink Pink and Pink Ice. Rich Little provided the Panther's voice in the latter shorts, modelling it on that of David Niven (who had portrayed Clouseau's jewel-thief nemesis in the original live-action film).

Those were pretty bad Pink Panther cartoons at that, taking away what really made TPP a great series of shorts.

[Wildcat]

Originally Posted by Drtooth

I liked Woody Woodpecker, but it just didn't have the same feeling...

thought Tom and Jerry Tales were close to the original theatrical cartoons, with just a little modernizing here and there

There was a remake series of Woody Woodpecker? When? I loved those cartoons, did they bring back Chilly Willy?

Yes Tom and Jerry Tales was/is great, not sure if its still set for another season. There was only one episode I hated, where Jerry became a Hip-Hop DJ while Tom had to take care of a record store for the night.

Of course its mostly up to opinion cause I persoanlly dont like Hip-Hop and imo that episode was the only one that tryed to appeal to the clich'e music scene of the moment.

[DrSpengler]

Originally Posted by Drtooth

Those were pretty bad Pink Panther cartoons at that, taking away what really made TPP a great series of shorts.

I didn't really mind when Pink Panther would make an end-of-episode one sentence quip during the original DePatie-Freleng shorts. It always came as a funny surprise and I liked his heavy British accent (one of the reasons why I disliked his 90's voice; they could have at least retained his accent in some way, shape or form).

But yeah, the Panther's best when he's pantomiming.

I never watched much of the Woody Woodpecker revival from the 90s. But then, I never liked Woody Woodpecker to begin with.

Same with Tom & Jerry. Their formula just got too stale too quickly. The recent Tom & Jerry straight-to-video movies haven't been so bad. I rather liked Fast & the Furryous, but mostly for the antics of the supporting cast (and I'm admittedly a sucker for Wacky Races parodies). I haven't watched any of Tom & Jerry Tales, though I keep hearing good things.

[Type 97 Chi-ha]

Originally Posted by Raph's Girl

WTF?! Pink Panther as a Teenager?!

Technically wouldn't he be a subadult?

I wouldn't care if he were different ages in different episodes, or if in a few instances he did have a family.

I loved the 1960's-70's show as a child, disliked the 1990's show, less because he talked but because most of the episodes were mediocre. I can allow some dialogue, but I prefer pantomime.

[Drtooth]

Originally Posted by DrSpengler

Same with Tom & Jerry. Their formula just got too stale too quickly. The recent Tom & Jerry straight-to-video movies haven't been so bad. I rather liked Fast & the Furryous, but mostly for the antics of the supporting cast (and I'm admittedly a sucker for Wacky Races parodies). I haven't watched any of Tom & Jerry Tales, though I keep hearing good things.

Yeah, Tom and Jerry Tales was pretty much the best incarnation since the originals, as I stated. Even when the shorts had new directors, they seemed to lose a lot of what T&J are about (though, I'm the only one I know that loves the Chuck Jones ones). I mean, the violence is toned down a little, but not so much as to taint the project with Political Correctness. In fact the top complaint I ever hear is Mammy TwoShoes became white. And while it's debatable if a Jewish sounding Aardvark villain would fly, I could never see an Aunt Jemima like black woman in a kids cartoon post the 1950's.

On that note, I guess we can forget about seeing The Japanese Beetle from Blue Racer.