You may or may not recall that Star Wars: The Clone Wars was originally proposed as a five-season, 100-episode series that chronicles the events of the Clone Wars between Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Jedi. If that’s still the plan, then it’s hard to believe that we’re almost halfway through.
The CGI animated show really hit its stride in Season 2, with numerous multi-episode arcs and some of the most imaginative storytelling from the franchise since the original trilogy. Cartoon Network has just announced that Season 3 will premiere with a one-hour episode on Friday, September 17th at 9:pm EST/PST. Season 3’s 22 episodes will unfold on subsequent Friday nights.
Lucasfilm Animation’s hyperbole-filled press release hints at major developments, describing the new season this way:
As war continues to rage throughout the galaxy, the dark side grows even stronger and the Jedi Knights are pushed to the breaking point. The lines between good and evil become blurred as secrets are revealed, truths are questioned and alliances are betrayed. Loyalties are tested as new enemies emerge and heroes rise — and fall. In this transformative new season of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, surprises wait at every turn, the fate of the galaxy hangs in the balance and the destiny of the “Chosen One” will at long last be uncovered.
Don’t we already know who the Chosen One is? That’s kinda what the whole prequel trilogy was about. Anywho, here’s the teaser trailer for Season 3:
Variety is reporting that Lucasfilm is looking to buoy its success with Star Wars: The Clone Wars by launching another animated series, only this one is putting a comedic slant on the Star Wars universe. As a concerned Star Wars fan, I’m wondering if it’s long past time that we stage an intervention before George Lucas milks his cash cow until it’s dead.
Yet one aspect of this news shows a single drop of promise. The creators of Robot Chicken, Seth Green and Matthew Senreich, are members of the show’s creative team, and they’re describing the show less as The Jar-Jar and Battle Droids Laugh-In and more as an irreverent take on the saga that has no problem poking fun at its source material. The writing staff also boasts a scribe from The Daily Show.
Less inspiring is the fact that a writer from The Backyardigans and a director from Back at the Barnyard are onboard. It sounds like Lucasfilm hopes to strike a balance between cheeky and wholesome. Witty enough for mom and dad, but innocent enough for the kids. Precious few animated series have ever been able to conjure a subtle balance between these two ends of the spectrum, and George Lucas isn’t exactly known for his subtlety.
I do dig The Clone Wars, so I’ll check this one out when it debuts, but it’s going to take a lot to win me over.
At present, the untitled show has announced no voice cast, no premiere date, and no network. (Though if Lucas keeps creating shows — he’s also got a Star Wars-for-toddlers cartoon in the works, as well as the much-ballyhooed live action show that’s coming, you know, sometime this century — he’ll be able to start a network of his own.)
King of The Hill has escaped previous cancellation notices but not this time. The show will not get a 14th season.
King of The Hill has gone through some major changes of late with both creators Greg Daniels and Mike Judge moving on to other TV projects, namely The Office and The Goode Family, a new animated series.
We have reported a few days ago that King of The Hill will be cancelled.
But another network is reportedly interested in acquiring the show. ABC has expressed interest in getting the show because it will reportedly be a good companion to The Goode Family, which is being executive produced by Hill creator Mike Judge.
Comedy Central, FX and the Cartoon Network are also likely alternatives but these are a little more far-fetched.
The wacky animated sitcom American Dad is getting a fifth season.
Fox has officially approved a new season for the show. Both Mike Barker and Matt Weitzman are still involved in the show, which comes from Seth MacFarlane’s company.
The production team has already finished making the fourth season, and are now breaking new stories for the fifth.
Fox is renewing “King of the HIll” — extending the show for the 13th season, and ordering 13 episodes. (Now that’s a lucky number.) It is now considered the second longest running cartoon in primetime.
The show was created by Mike Judge, the genius behind Beavis and Butt-head.
Seth MacFarlane’s furious. The man behind “Family Guy” had stopped work on the series because of the on-going writer’s strike. But instead of airing reruns, the Fox network executives have decided to proceed with the show without him.
“It would just be a colossal dick move if they did that,” said MacFarlane. Though the contract allows to continue the show without him — got to love those lawyers — he says (rather meaningfully) that this would affect the creative direction and drive away viewers.
“They’ve never done anything like this before, in which they’ve said, ‘We’re going to finish a show without you,’ ” he said. “It’s really going to be unfortunate and damaging to our relationship if they do it.”
From the ocean to the discos, Spongebob — the wide-eyed kitchen tool of very little brain — has had thousands “scrubbing” across the dance floors.
Rapper Young G was inspired by the Nickelodeon character to create a song and dance, consisting of kicking legs backward in succession. “Check out the way he moves his legs when he swims, that’s what’s up.”
