1997_09 Insight September 1997

              1 insight
In Focus
. 17,1997
3:
Prime-time cartoons offer adults a viewing alternative
I Animation grows up
with cartoons aimed
at adults.
by Mick Wingert
StaffWriter
Gone are the days when the term
"cartoon" meant the glossy, pastel
syrup of Saturday mornings and
weekday afternoons.
The descendants of early cartoons
arc stark, coarse examples of animated cynicism. Many are far from
appropriate as children's programming. And they're taking prime-time
by storm.
Broadcast and cable stations alike
are "tooning" in to the renewed cash
crop of prime time animated offerings. New animated programs keep
popping up to give conventional
shows a run for their money.
Gunnar Valgeirsson. Fresno State
professor of sociology and popular
culture, said the trend reflects the
shows' potential for quality scripts.
"All the most
popular shows on
television are well- ^—^^^^^
written."
Valgeirsson said,
"and an [animated]
format gives writers
liberties unavailable in live-action
shows."
But the prime-
time cartoons, such
as "King of the
Hill" and "The
Simpsons" on Fox,
"Duckman" on the
USA Network and
"Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist" on
Comedy Central are not just written
different. The look of these programs
is rougher and harsher than their
1960s prime-time predecessors.
Complex style
Valgeirsson compared these animation styles to the 1980s musical trend
toward punk rock. He said the complex style of previous television and
feature film animation has been bro-
3 think about."
David Underwood. 20. a self-proclaimed connoisseur of prime-time
"These [cartoons] operate on my
level." Underwood said, "and I hate
cartoons."
Kevin Harris. 24, is a student in a
local private nursing program. He is
a fan of shows such as "The
Simpsons," "The Critic," and "The
Tick." The shows' appeal lies in identifying with audiences his age.
"These shows are hits because
younger people are looking for something angry," Harris said. "They are
looking for something that their parents don't watch. 'Murder, She Wrote'
will never make a comeback."
Baby boomers to blame
Charles Solomon, animation critic
and historian, wrote in the July 7,
1997 issue of TV Guide that
Hollywood's renewed interest in animated programming stems in part
from baby boomers joining the ranks
of Hollywood's executives.
These programs were developed by
* mat
South Park takes a grown-up look at childhood.
critical, while raising uncomfortable
questions about our culture."
M
"The animation style itself
is a great tool for the
writers. It allows them to do
outlandish, obnoxious
things with the characters."
— Gunnar Valgeirsson,
sociology professor
Fox shows two top prime-time cartoons. "The Simpsons" and Mike
Judge's new offering, "King of the
Hill."
Many other adult-oriented cartoons are found on Comedy Central.
The visually unstable "Dr. Katz. Professional Therapist," the controversial
"South      Park."
former Fox offer-
       ing "The Critic."
and "The Tick," a
tongue-in-cheek
super-hero series,
can all be found on
the cable comedy
network.
Add      MTV
•Bear
and
again
Butthcad" and
"Daria." as well as
USA's "Duckman"
and one need never
go back to watching real  people
a generation who grew up with a constant input of cartoons, Solomon
wrote. 'Simpsons' a favorite
Valgeirsson and Solomon agree Of all the offerings, however, many
that another reason for the number of people still consider "The Simpsons"
prime time animated shows is their their favorite. This veteran series still
efficiency. Solomon quotes
prices of $650,000 to $1 million per
animated episode versus several million for one episode of live sitcom
programming.
Valgeirsson said cable TV has also
grabs the critics and the public.
"I think 'The Simpsons' is ingenious." Harris said.
"My favorite is 'The Simpsons'."
added Underwood. "-It holds a story,
and every character is well developed
ken down, a '90s parallel to punk    played a big role in cartoons' prime ; and bbs1 his own personality. Even the
rock's decomposition of elaborate
'70s "art rock."
"The animation style itself is a great
tool for the writers," Valgeirsson explained. "It allows them to do outlandish, obnoxious things with the characters. The visual aspect sends us the
humor and the voices send us things
time access. Broadcast networks usually don't have time for these shows,
but cable stations seeking to distinguish themselves more often reach for
animation, he said.
One exception to the network rule:
Fox, a standard-bearer for "alternative" programming since its inception.
smallest townsperson is a well-developed character."
Valgeirsson, too, revealed his partiality to the yellowish citizens of
Springfield.
"I've always been a big fan of the
show," he said. "I think the show is
ground-breaking. It's very ironic and
Matt Greening's less-than-perfect
family not only broke ground, but
continues to run eight years after its
1989 debut, longer than any other cartoon and most live-action shows, too.
Solomon wrote in TV Guide that
"The Simpsons" arid other similarly
styled series were "a break from the
toy-oriented series of the 1980s, toward a 'creator-driven' product." This
widened their appeal.
"Shows like these cut across demographic lines to attract viewers of all
ages," Solomon wrote. ""The
Simpsons,' for instance, draws an audience that is 71 percent adult."
"World-Premier Toons' ■
Even animation geared toward children is growing up. Ted Turner's
Cartoon Network has revitalized the
Hanna-Barbera studio by hiring new
animators for their "World-Premier
Toons," which have caught on with
adults as well as children.
Steven Spielberg acts as executive
producer for "Animaniacs," an animated children's show that also appeal to adults. Tongue-tying songs
and slapstick comedy combine with
political humor and fast-paced stories
to form viewing fare that speaks on
several levels. The show airs in the
afternoons on the WB network, but
has also been picked up by Turner's
Cartoon Network.
Time and ratings will tell if the
prime-time features will continue.
Each show, with its own style, writing, and statement has to contend with
many other options for the viewing
audience. And although many cartoons survive that first critical season,
only Nielsen can say whether they're
in it for the long haul.
In tune with prime-time toons
The Simpsons (Fox, Sunday 8 p.m.)
Homer. Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie maintain the usual "nothing's
sacred" attitude in this Matt Greening creation. This show boasLs a stable
following and is highly recommended by critic aftd consumer alike.
King of the Hill (Fox, Sunday 8:30 p.m.)
Mike Judge's "King" is a comedy about life in suburban Texas. The .
main character is Hank Hill, a proud propane salesman and family man.
SouthPark (Comedy Central, Wednesday 10 p.m)
This new show features four boys in a small mountain town whose exploits explore issues such as what to do when you find out your dog is
gay, or how to assassinate Kathie Lee Gifford. Watch for the new ways
in which Kenny dies in every episode.
Dr. Katz Professional Therapist (Comedy Central,
Sunday 10 p.m.)
This Emmy-winner combines therapy sessions, with stand-up comics
as clients, with the misadventures of the doctor, his son Ben, and receptionist, Laura. The show is drawn in unique "Squigglevision" style.
The Critic (Comedy Central, Sunday 10:30 p.m.)
Jon Lovitz is the voice of this portly film critic. The animation is a
toned-down version of The Simpsons," with a humor that's a bit more
extreme.
The Tick (Comedy Central. Sunday 12:30 a.m.)    /
This show's tongue-in-cheek writing enticed Gen-X crowds. It deals
with the life of The Tick, a blue muscleman who. with his side-kick
Arthur, nobly defends The City.
Beavis and Butthead (MTV. Weekdays 8 & 8:30 p.m.)
America's favorite underachievers bring a base brand of humor to the
already tacky genre of music videos. Watch them cause huge amounts
of property damage and bodily harm.
Daria (MTV, Sundays 9 p.m. & Monday 10:30 p.m.)
This "Beavis and Butthead" spinoff follows the pair's erstwhile nemesis Daria, a hypers mart teen-ager who looks down her nose at the world.
Dexter's Laboratory (Cartoon Network, Wednesday 5 & 9 p.m.)
Dexter is a brilliant scientist who happens to be 10 years old. This comedy series showcases smart, yet simple animation and fresh comedic
material.
Cow and Chicken (Cartoon Network, Tuesday 5 & 9 p.m.)
These barnyard siblings cavort and frolic in a grotesque "Ren and
Stimpy" fashion. The desire for low-level humor is balanced with sophisticated writing that does not talk down to anyone.
Johnny Bravo (Cartoon Network, Monday 5 & 9 p.m.)
Johnny is a hero out of his league when it comes to solving mysteries in
the '90s. Watch for Johnny's frustrated efforts to woo women.
Animaniacs (WB, Weekdays 4:30)
Yakko. Wakko and Dot provide the perfect vehicle for letting off steam
after school in this Steven Spielberg concoction. Aimed at children and
adults, this show can get the toughest of curmudgeons laughing.
Schedule of Fresno events
just a mouse click away
■ On-line sen/ice provides
lineup of events through
the year 2000.
by Karen E. Giese
StaffWriter
Anyone who thinks there is nothing to
do in Fresno or on campus hasn't looked
in the right place.
ONCE, the ON-line Calendar of
Events, is a web site offered by Fresno
State's the- 	
ater arts de-
ONCE also gives information about
the theater department.
Net surfers can reserve tickets for
campus-related events by e-mail, but
tickets cannot be purchased on-line yet.
"I don't see it happening in the next
few years," Dyer said. Still, she remained
proud that ONCE has started catching
on around town.
"One of the biggest joys was that last
November, the Fresno Convention Center joined us on ONCE and began posting events
    on our cal
endar,'
said.
she
"I thought that the
Web needed a little
more beauty."
— Pamela Dyer,
theater department
manager
dars jump
on the bandwagon and work together to make something really exquisite," said Pamela Dyer,
the theater department's business and
promotions manager.
"We would also like to one day join
forces with The Fresno Bee" and its entertainment listings, she said.
The ONCE web site allows local businesses, groups, and Fresno State event
planners to post notices about upcoming
events up through the year 2000 at no
charge.
The site was designed to help organizations avoid conflicts in scheduling their
events. ONCE has other features, such
as links to Butterfield's, a Tower District
"brewpub." and the Tower 2000 web
page.
Channel
47[KJEO-
TV] checks
the calendar all the
time, which
makes me
feel good."
    Dyer said.
While
posting to ONCE is free, the page does
not allow advertisements.
"ONCE is not meant to be a commercial enterprise, but rather a community
service," Dyer said.
The web site has a medieval theme,
which Dyer considers to go hand-in-
hand with the name ONCE.
"I thought that the Web needed a little
more beauty," she said.
Dyer said that when the page first went
on-line more than a year ago, it averaged about 20 visitors a day.
She said now about 50 visitors a day
step into her fairy-tale world of scrolls,
castles, and stars.
ONCE can be found at http:/7
www.fresno.com/once and on some
search engines.
Italian approach inspires campus child
care; aids children, parents, teachers
■ Center provides an
education for children
and a choice for parents.
by Yuen Too
Staff Writer
Fresno State's Early Education
Center has quietly pioneered American use of a highly-regarded program
teaching young children to learn and work
together.
"The early childhood years are a critical
time for learning," said EEC director Shareen
Abramson. The center uses the
Reggio Emilia approach, an early
education method adapted from
Italian preschools rated among
the best in the world.
The approach began in Reggio
Emilia, a town of 130.000 people
located in Italy's Po Valley, the
better-developed northern part of
the country. Parents started this
program around the time World
War II ended. 	
Unlike the better-known
Montessori approach, which
emphasizes children's intellectual development through guided play, the Reggio
Emilia method focuses on children's ability
to work together.
The intellect is developed through
positive and constructive relationships with
others.
The center offers infant/toddler, preschool
and school-age programs. Inside the new
education building, the center includes a
30,000-squarc-foot "Environments Playground," a specialized science education
area with a series of "mini-environmfnts."
At the center, parents, children,
Fresno State students and staff
work together to provide an
experience-rich environment for the
children.
Abramson said the partnership, involvement and caring relationships among
parents, staff and the children remain
essential to a successful early education
program. She hopes the center will improve
early childhood education and services for
children and their families.
Currently, few American early education
programs use the Reggio Emilia method.
Teachers from other centers interested in
Reggio Emilia have visited and observed
the center in action.
Instead of children passively watching
videos, they spend most of their time on
activities like working with clay and paint.
* typical day's interaction involving children named Ashley and
L Sandy, and their teachers, Judy and
Sally:
Ashley worked busily on her clay pan
£0
who used the center in the past, filled
hall and corridor of the center.
"Objects and artifacts from diverse
cultural sources thai are part of Fresni
heritage are incorporated in the en\
and learning materials."" Abramson saiu.
One room contains a Mexican bark
painting, a wooden bird from Asia and a
stuffed elephant from the Hmong culture,
all brought in by students.
k utside the center, a group of 3-
I years-old took their dait) nature
/alk in a redwood forest The)
passed through a dwarf orchard before
an uiuugi
o;
stopping
house.
t the shade Ire
a water pump
"Objects and artifacts from diverse cultural
sources that are part of Fresno's heritage
are incorporated in the environment and
learning materials."
The teacher. Sally, had some
trouble deciding which book to
read to the students. She
gathered the children around
her and asked for their opin-
- Shareen Abramson.
EEC director
cake. Sandy looked around, her eyes
twinkling on seeing the new poster her
teacher, Judy, put up that day. The poster
showed a bird nursing her eggs in a nest.
Ashley looked dow n at her piece of clay
and started making her own version of a
bird nest. She looked attentively at Sandy,
and started reaching for a new piece of clay.
Ashley asked Sandy to help her with her
nest, and she smiled when Sandy handed
her a nest.
Later both children filled their nests with
clay "eggs." Ashley passed Sandy a clay
fork and motioned at the bottom of the nest.
Sandy placed the eggs in the nest, and
smiled happily when they stayed put.
Sunlight shined from the windows
through transparent paintings made by the
children. Flowering, green plants grew
everywhere. A colorful display of craftwork
the children created filled several shelves.
Panels showing photographs of the
children's project work, as well as families
wluJis.
Three stories were suggested,
and Sally took the student vote.
Five children out of 12 voted
for a little red hook on Sally's
lap. She nodded her head and
started reading.
Unlike regular preschool.
parents find too structural, the
center oilers the children freedom to
explore their own interests, said Tania
Landers, who joined the program when it
started in 1994. Landers also said the center
gave her 5-year-old son. Nicki. a smooth
transition into kindergarten.
Tamtni and Robert Jackson have sent
three of their children to the center. They
said the center brought out their children's
creativity and also helped them discover a
sense of who they arc.
Struggling student-parents trying to make
ends meet qualify for the center's services.
The center provides quality education and
child care for children from three months
old to 12 years old.
"Everyone is involved in decision
making, it's like democracy in action,"
Robert Jackson said. "We all come together
and we come to a compromise for everyone,
and it's the best for the children."