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Cartoon Network Dropping Gundam and Bebop?

Lhadatt was among several who noted unannounced changes in Cartoon Networks' anime lineup. It's easy to speculate that Mobile Suit Gundam and Cowboy Bebop were dropped because of Tuesday's terrorist attacks since each show has a fair amount of violence, but nobody really knows. You can see the evidence on Cartoon Network's Listings. Tonight, episode 5 of Bebop was scheduled to air: one of the best episodes, too.

160 of 316 comments (clear)

  1. ??? by Robber+Baron · · Score: 1, Offtopic

    And this is news because...?

    --

    You're using her as bait, Master!

    1. Re:??? by jayhawk88 · · Score: 2, Insightful

      It's news because the creator of this web site is a big anime fan, and he felt like posting a story about it. Also because it shows a possible (regrettable) reaction to this tragedy, that may end up spreading to other forms of media, either through the pressure of the public or government regulation.

    2. Re:??? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      It's news because we knew it would piss you off.

    3. Re:??? by MrDolby · · Score: 1

      Yes why is this news? It like when any other network shuts off a show no one cares. I understand that some of us are anime fans but come on, do that many of us give a damn.

    4. Re:??? by AndyChrist · · Score: 1

      Movies which will not be seen on television in the US for a while:

      Die Hard
      Die Hard 2
      Die Hard 3
      Air Force One
      Executive Decision
      Only the Lonely
      Armageddon
      Independence Day (this isn't a bad thing)
      Godzilla (see Independence Day)

      But I'll bet Die Hard, Die Hard 2, Air Force One, Excecutive Decision, and Armageddon are all really big rentals right now.

    5. Re:??? by Nullsmack · · Score: 1

      hah, this is exactly like my roommate.
      says "cartoons" in the ghey way that only he can say it (while making it sound like a little kid) when I'm sitting here watching ranma or something.. then he sits down and turns on something stupid like "cat-dog" or rugrats or some shit.
      wtf, I'd rather watch a bad dub than an american animation.

      For all you who think Anime=cartoon=kids..
      That's the same as saying Primetime tv=Barney+powerrangers+teletubbies=kids. Yeah, anime has some kid shows.. But even the "rugrats" has a movie and I don't see everyone thinking that "Hollow Man" is a kiddie movie. There are widely different genres of anime, just like widely different genres of movies.

  2. Is the media getting paranoid? by Xpilot · · Score: 1, Funny

    Do they think the terrorists were somehow subliminally influenced by Mobile Suit Gundam??? What's next on the ban list? Godzilla?

    --
    "Backups are for wimps. Real men upload their data to an FTP site and have everyone else mirror it." -- Linus Torvalds
    1. Re:Is the media getting paranoid? by vsync64 · · Score: 1

      Well, I work at Office Depot, and we're pulling all copies of "Command and Conquer: Red Alert 2" from the shelves and sending them back to Westwood, due to the depiction of a New York battle on the inside front cover. I tried to gently prompt a discussion on this, but all I got was "How can you not agree with this?" and "He wants to play the game where we bomb New York.". *sigh*

      --
      TO BUY A NEW CAR WOULD MAKE YOU SEXUALLY ATTRACTIVE.
    2. Re:Is the media getting paranoid? by Alex+Belits · · Score: 2

      Do they think the terrorists were somehow subliminally influenced by Mobile Suit Gundam??? What's next on the ban list? Godzilla?


      Evangelion, of course.

      --
      Contrary to the popular belief, there indeed is no God.
  3. You think thats bad... by John+Harrison · · Score: 2, Interesting

    The WB didn't show the last episode of Batman Beyond (ever) on Friday because its content was too similar to the attacks. Friday was the last day they will broadcast the series. All the episodes been sold to Cartoon Network except for the last one. Hopefully they (the WB) will reschedule it for sometime in the near future.

    1. Re:You think thats bad... by jci · · Score: 1

      From Cartoon Network website:
      TM & © 2000 Cartoon Network, Inc. A Time Warner Company. All Rights Reserved.
      I didn't know you could sell items to yourself so easily hehe.
      That's why they can call WB shows toonami just as it is on Cartoon Network.

  4. Good for Bebop by soulsteal · · Score: 1, Troll

    Cartoon Network was butchering Bebop to hell and back just to make it suitable for viewing under FCC guidelines. If you're that desperate to see Cowboy Bebop, rent it or borrow it if you can. It's a great series but doesn't deserve to be mangled by censors.

    1. Re:Good for Bebop by Harlockjds · · Score: 2, Interesting

      eh the first 2 ep's hare very few edits and was edited less than it was when it was first shown in Japan (before it moved to the wowwow pay channel)

    2. Re:Good for Bebop by AlecBreen · · Score: 1

      I have the first 5 episodes on DVD(DUB & SUB) and I watched these episodes immedeately after they were over on CN and the only edit made to episode one was when the old guys were playing cards for the second time in the episode, they edited the "god" out of "god-damn son of a bitch". Episode Two didn't have any edits and Eps 3 and 4 didn't have any other edits from what the above post said.

    3. Re:Good for Bebop by Rendus · · Score: 1

      What kind of crack rock did YOU just take a hit off of before posting this drivel?

      I personally didn't pick out any modifications. I've heard the word bitch several times, only one or two words dropped, I've yet to see a scene edited out, and I certainly haven't noticed any "butchering".

      All said, I'm amazed at what they've had the balls to show.

  5. What the hell are you talking about? by DragonPup · · Score: 4, Informative

    I actually watched Bebop on CN, apparently unlike you. I also have the whole series on DVD. The ONLY 2 changes I have seen is the replacing of the word 'shit', and 'covering' the girls in porno mags(there was a porno mag in ep4). Other than that. nothing was changed so far. They even left the nasty messy headwound from episode 1 in.

    Please actually watch the series before acting like you do.
    -Henry

    --
    "Useless organic meatbag" -HK-47
  6. What do cartoons have to do with terrorists? by }InFuZeD{ · · Score: 1

    I mean, come on. I don't think the terrorists were watching cartoon network and got the idea to fly planes into various U.S. buildings. I think they're a little screwed up in the head, but it's definitely not cartoons. It's another one of those "Quake made my kid become a killing machine" stories...except this time, way out on a limb.

    1. Re:What do cartoons have to do with terrorists? by AKA+da+JET · · Score: 4, Offtopic

      I don't watch much anime stuff. But I think its more out of respect for the victims and their families, not because they think it causes terrorism.

    2. Re:What do cartoons have to do with terrorists? by OblvnDrgn · · Score: 1

      I have serious problems believing that Quake turns anyone into a killing machine, but I've always believed that the only thing I've learned from video games is to shoot the alien in the head three times with the rocket launcher.

      Still, I think this might be more about politeness than trying to warp young kid's minds. It's just bad form to show something like Die Hard the day after something like that. It might offend a lot of people and rightly so.

      Of course, if it's just a one week cancellation, that's fine, now killing a series of something is pushing it.

    3. Re:What do cartoons have to do with terrorists? by MegaGremlin · · Score: 1

      What we're experiencing is the beginning of what made the 1950's so "innocent".

      The horror of WWII made anything that wasn't "wholesome" unthinkable for public consumption. Prepare yourselves for at least a limited resurgence of this.

      I can't say I mind too much personally. I know where to find good entertainment (it's not on network television.)

      --

      .sig
    4. Re:What do cartoons have to do with terrorists? by Lostman · · Score: 2

      Most definately.

      If the tv exec's thought that watching something happen could actually cause someone to follow it, then I imagine we would see quite a different lineup for normal tv shows...

      Its the same way that it would be in bad taste for them to start showing a movie about terrorism and blowing up buildings -- since it just happened so soon... I mean, maybe they feel that they should at least bury the bodies before they get back to "normal" broadcasts..

      Of course, tv execs arn't known for their great morals.. it could also be that they dont want to cause media coverage to single in on their "in bad tastes" tv shows therefor showing negitave publicity.. so one way or the other, they arnt showing them b/c someone (or quite a few people) will be upset...

      ... and even though I love bebop and am anime Otaku I can't really blame them that much.

    5. Re:What do cartoons have to do with terrorists? by LordNimon · · Score: 1

      I bet none of the terrorists ever played Quake. Of course, those who promote the idea that video games make people violent would claim that that is irrelevant.

      --
      And the men who hold high places must be the ones who start
      To mold a new reality... closer to the heart
    6. Re:What do cartoons have to do with terrorists? by Jburkholder · · Score: 1

      I think that's hardly the point. Someone else already put it better that I can, so at the risk of being moderated redundant...

      It is about avoiding criticism for being insensitive to the viewers that might not really want to see TV shows featuring buildings being blown up right now.

      Scenario A: A network airs a show that contains elements of terrorsts, bombings and/or skyscrapers being destroyed. Lots of people seeing the show feel that the timing of the show's airing is somehow inappropriate given the recent terrorist attack. Many of these people (Moms, etc) call or write the network to express their feelings that the network is insensitive in airing said show right after a bunch of people have died. Network executives are put in a position of either apologizing or explaining why they decided to air the show.

      Scenario B: Network executives decide that airing a show might be considered in poor taste by a substantial number of viewers and decide to postpone showing an episode or two, possible indefinitely. Bunch of guys on popular websites post comments criticizing the networks for pulling shows they like.

      I'm not saying the decision is right or wrong, or that it is this black and white... just that networks would probably rather hold off showing a few episodes than be seen as insensitivly airing potentially inappropriate material.

    7. Re:What do cartoons have to do with terrorists? by heptapod · · Score: 1

      Of course they never played Quake, they were too busy playing Microsoft's Flight Simulator with the opening scene of:
      The game introduction shows two people using the software, who say, "John, you just about crashed into the Empire State Building! Hey, that would be cool."
      Check this out for the whole story.

    8. Re:What do cartoons have to do with terrorists? by Yottabyte84 · · Score: 1

      Bah, perhaps they just are behind sechedule with the dubbing? If it does end up being canceled then i'll just rent the subs from the local anime rental place. I'd also like to see cartoon network show a dub of trigun. Perhaps they should start a spinoff anime network?

      This looks like a great time to plug tinews.net!

    9. Re:What do cartoons have to do with terrorists? by Slugba · · Score: 1

      ConFused about this one InFused, Its all about the violence matey, not influence.

  7. no more violence? by archen · · Score: 1

    what is this? Suddenly all violence is related to the terrorist attacks? It also might be possible that they're just going to yank these titles temporarily - until all this blows over. I'm sure the majority of the audience for cartoon network (which are kids) probably don't need to be reminded about what happened at this point. Make no mistake, Holywood can't live without violence very long, I mean that's the basis for their movies nowdays
    (sex + violence + pretty special effects + plot/10 = good movie)
    I mean take out the violence and all you have left is a lame porno with cool special effects... which actually might be a nice change of pace now that I think about it.

    1. Re:no more violence? by QDerf · · Score: 1

      Apparently you don't know jack about the shows you are talking about. A large part of Cowboy Bebop, and this is very true of episodes 4 and 5, is not just about violence, it's about TERRORISM. If Cartoon Network is pulling it off the air, that's why.

    2. Re:no more violence? by archen · · Score: 1

      Okay, I've only seen the first episdoe of Cowboy Bebop - and it didn't impress me so I didn't watch the rest. Think I made my generalization a bit too broad... Anyway, what happened to the WTC is shocking because people got killed. Now people get killed every day, stabbings, shootings etc. The WTC was a victim of terrorism - terrorism happens all the time - Isreal, Irleand (until recently). I think that perhaps this is just another example of how stuck up the US has been until recently, and now we're suddenly shocked because it happened to us (which of course doesn't make it any better). It just strikes me as odd that people are suddenly offended by terrorism. Cartoon Network obviously didn't have a problem with scheduling those programs before. I just don't think shielding ourselves from anything showing terroism is going to help. (And yes I know about Gundam Wing - with the exception of Nadesco, Evangelion, and Macross; I avoid mecha anime like the plague).

  8. It's actually still listed... by DragonPup · · Score: 2, Informative

    On adultswim.com's schedule, which is here. In the past, cartoon network's whole website never even mentioned bebop due to the fact they didn't want to come in the open and show that they were showing a violent thing like Bebop, or something like that. Hopefully it wasn't cancelled.

    -Henry

    --
    "Useless organic meatbag" -HK-47
    1. Re:It's actually still listed... by SpiritualRemains · · Score: 1

      Unfortunately, this doesn't really prove anything other than Cartoon Network hasn't updated that part of the site. The schedule for last week does in fact list Cowboy Bebop, so don't celebrate too early.

      SpiritualRemains

    2. Re:It's actually still listed... by oghmagod · · Score: 1

      So much for that. Some crap that should have been on boomarang was on instead of this fine show tonight. Adult Swim ruled, but they just couldn't finish it off with somthing good.

  9. As long as they... by pdiaz · · Score: 1

    ..don't quit Johnny Bravo I'll be happy

    --
    Make It Secret . Free JavaScript implementation of AES for your browser
  10. Regular Fall ratings tuning? Or CCA Redux? by Speare · · Score: 2

    This could be just regular Fall season tweaking. Even though Comedy Central and other cable channels don't have a massive "Fall Season" promotion like the big three networks, they still want to dump the deadwood and get back to those things that have proven viewership. The big three "Fall Season" blitz can be rough on a cable network viewership. Remember, it's a big business.

    Or, as you allude, is this a return to the 1950s and 1960s paranoia about the influence of the comic media on "young minds"? The Comics Code Authority (CCA) was the precursor to music lyric rating labels, video game rating labels, and other industry self-inflicted censorship to avoid the wrath of a Congress who doesn't care to understand freedom. (Of course, the Congress is just an extension of the general population, and the general population doesn't want to understand freedom either.) The CCA had one rating: if it wasn't CCA-approved pablum for toddlers, it wasn't put on the shelf.

    --
    [ .sig file not found ]
    1. Re:Regular Fall ratings tuning? Or CCA Redux? by eXtro · · Score: 1

      The CCA is a pretty interesting case. There is a fairly good write up on it. There were also many instances where the CCA was used to kill the competition. The main comic producers could essentially determine if smaller companies could bear the CCA seal or not.

    2. Re:Regular Fall ratings tuning? Or CCA Redux? by JAVAC+THE+GREAT · · Score: 1

      I'd guess we've seen the last of "That's My Bush". It's a shame, it was damn funny too.

    3. Re:Regular Fall ratings tuning? Or CCA Redux? by StenD · · Score: 1
      I'd guess we've seen the last of "That's My Bush". It's a shame, it was damn funny too.
      Since it was announced in the beginning of August that it was canceled, that would be expected.
    4. Re:Regular Fall ratings tuning? Or CCA Redux? by Pope · · Score: 2

      "That's My Bush" was cancelled a while back, mainly due to the high cost of production.
      IIRC, they only ended up with 7 or 8 episodes.

      --
      It doesn't mean much now, it's built for the future.
    5. Re:Regular Fall ratings tuning? Or CCA Redux? by mimbleton · · Score: 1

      To bad you are stupid enough to realize that if anybody it is Democrats with their grand Government schemas who are your greatest enemy.

  11. Well drek.. by GearheadX · · Score: 1

    Now that's really, really disappointing. I was actually proud of CN for having the nerve to show Bebop at all, if they chickened out over this I'll be very upset.

    It was a sign the network was growing up and evolving a spine.

  12. Transformers episodes getting dropped, too by Robotech_Master · · Score: 5, Insightful
    Some episodes of the new Transformers: Robots in Disguise anime show are getting delayed, too--for instance, episode 6, in which a skyscraper is blown up and a news announcer apparently makes a comment about "robotic terrorism," was skipped this time around. And I imagine that when the series goes into repeats the first couple of times, probably episode 1 (in which Megatron crashes through a skyscraper) and episode 2 (involving a terrorist bomb) will probably be skipped, too.

    It's a bit of a dilemma, you see. On the one hand, every time we make some change to our daily routine because of this despicable terrorist act--dropping episodes, delaying the premiere of shows, editing the World Trade Center out of the Spiderman movie altogether--we are in some small sense handing the terrorists a victory, acknowledging that they've affected us exactly the way they wanted. On the other hand, people should have a right to watch TV to try to forget the tragedy for a while and destress from the whole thing without being reminded of it by what's on the set.

    Hopefully the pre-emptions and delays will be only temporary, for just a month or two until such time as people are a little less sensitive. The Buffy episode that was delayed over Columbine was eventually aired, after all. The networks did pay money for these shows, and they'll want to use them sooner or later.

    --
    Editor Emeritus and Senior Writer, TeleRead.org
    1. Re:Transformers episodes getting dropped, too by AnalogBoy · · Score: 1

      Well, maybe they'll take this time to re-mold RiD to make it fit into the Transformers timeline. Ya know, put them on some other planet, change their names back to Fire Convoy and God Magnus [Probably wouldn't go over too well here].. just something where fanboys such as myself don't get pissed off because for the sake of marketing or todays trendy cartoons (i know,i know...its a kids cartoon and needs to reflect the kidsblah blah blah.) they don't mess up the whole transformers timeline - which has been established since 1984! I mean, jeez, even BWTF doesn't fit in with this!

      Its off topic, i know. but i wanted somewhere to vent my frustrations over Car robots [RiD].

    2. Re:Transformers episodes getting dropped, too by Robotech_Master · · Score: 1

      Er...have you even been watching the dubbed version of the show? They have been reworking it to fit into the timeline. Sort of. Somehow. The only thing is, there have only been a few little hints dropped, so we TransFans have no idea how they're doing it yet.

      --
      Editor Emeritus and Senior Writer, TeleRead.org
    3. Re:Transformers episodes getting dropped, too by JabberWokky · · Score: 2
      The new Transformers show is hella shitty. It's got faieries... Robots and pixies shouldn't be mixed.

      The wreched Shadowrun aside, the storyline I dropped into our Changeling campaign involving Technocracy was *great* (specifically, Iteration X, which gives much banality, but some Knockers figured out that they could draw dark glamour from them, and "helped them out", of course, giving the Technos a bit of the Knocker fraility).

      Mixing fantasy and scifi can be done - and like Sturgeon's law would indicate, 95% of the time, it's crap, and you wind up having to search for the remaining 5%.

      --
      Evan

      --
      "$30 for the One True Ring. $10 each additional ring!" -- JRR "Bob" Tolkien
    4. Re:Transformers episodes getting dropped, too by JabberWokky · · Score: 2
      editing the World Trade Center out [scifi.com] of the Spiderman movie altogether

      They said from the beginning that the trailer wasn't from the movie, but rather a teaser. Having seen it in the theater, it *better* damn well have been a teaser - the effects looked like they were from a USA Network made for TV movie. Not horrible, but clearly underdone and low budget. It also was very self-contained, and had no real dialogue, further indicating it was just made for a trailer on summer features.

      --
      Evan

      --
      "$30 for the One True Ring. $10 each additional ring!" -- JRR "Bob" Tolkien
    5. Re:Transformers episodes getting dropped, too by Robotech_Master · · Score: 2

      Frankly, I'm still trying to figure out where he got faeries from. I haven't seen anything like that in Robots in Disguise, though I'm only up to episode 7 so far. Perhaps he's talking about Beast Wars Neo?

      --
      Editor Emeritus and Senior Writer, TeleRead.org
    6. Re:Transformers episodes getting dropped, too by JabberWokky · · Score: 2, Offtopic
      Vs lbh pna ernq guvf, lbh unir whfg ivbyngrq gur QZPN.

      Y'know... I can now read a handful of rot13 without having to translate it... things like "vs", "gur", oddly "ivbyngrq" and especially "QZPN".

      I wonder if *I* will be seized as an "illegal circumvention device" if I get too good at reading it?

      --
      Evan

      --
      "$30 for the One True Ring. $10 each additional ring!" -- JRR "Bob" Tolkien
    7. Re:Transformers episodes getting dropped, too by AnalogBoy · · Score: 1

      Personally im thinking of learning japaneese where i can watch all the series we've missed out on. And i've only seen up to episode 5 - I can't find any others online, and my VCR is dedicated to my other fanboy fixation, Star Trek.

    8. Re:Transformers episodes getting dropped, too by zpengo · · Score: 2
      Damn. Even cartoon characters aren't safe from the layoffs.

      I can't imagine the look on Megatron's face when he comes in to work on Monday and finds a pink slip on his dressing room door. Poor guy.

      --


      Got Rhinos?
    9. Re:Transformers episodes getting dropped, too by Phantasmagoria · · Score: 1

      I don't see how "editing the World Trade Center out" of a movie is being "sensitive to the recent events". If it's because they've only done part of the filming, and that filming had the WTC in them, and now the rest of the filming won't, then I obviously understand. But if it's just because of the recent terrorist acts, then so what. Keep the WTC in them. Movies and photographs are the only things now that will keep the image of the old WTC alive.

      --
      Loban Amaan Rahman ==> Anagram of ==> Aha! An Abnormal Man!
    10. Re:Transformers episodes getting dropped, too by Bodrius · · Score: 1


      Somehow I find it hard to believe that changing Cartoon Networks schedule was "affecting us exactly the way they wanted".

      I don't think there's any "victory" to claim there for the terrorist, I don't think it's even relevant. Other, bigger, changes to the daily routine (and legislation, security policy...) are worrying, indeed, but the delay of a Transformers episode?!

      Somehow that just doesn's seem to have the scale of a priority.

      The only thing that's a dilemma is the stupidity of network executives who waste money and time making such changes thinking they're "making a difference", just to feel better about themselves.

      Surely the fanatical terrorist immolating himself along with a hundred innocent passengers did that because he watched Transformers too much when he was a kid. Surely terrorist organizations have depots full of Anime tapes for psychological conditioning of their members...

      This was just a trivial and unimportant triumph of stupidity.

      >It's a bit of a dilemma, you see. On the one
      >hand, every time we make some change to our
      >daily routine because of this despicable
      >terrorist act--dropping episodes, delaying the
      >premiere of shows [scifi.com], editing the World
      >Trade Center out [scifi.com] of the Spiderman
      >movie altogether--we are in some small sense
      >handing the terrorists a victory, acknowledging
      >that they've affected us exactly the way they
      >wanted. On the other hand, people should have a
      >right to watch TV to try to forget the tragedy
      >for a while and destress from the whole thing
      >without being reminded of it by what's on the
      >set.

      --
      Freedom is the freedom to say 2+2=4, everything else follows...
  13. Easy to Speculate, But Possibly Wrong by neema · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Hey, they just brought back Outlaw Star which has a fair amount of violence in it.

    I really think that speculation is wrong.

    1. Re:Easy to Speculate, But Possibly Wrong by LightningWolf · · Score: 1

      As long as they don't do anything to Outlaw Star, then I'm happy >_; If it comes to that, I'll have a small snitfit.. x_x;;;

      --
      The video game cliffs MOCK us with it's foul unseeable edges! >.
  14. Re:Please do not discuss Anime on Slashdot by Millennium · · Score: 3, Insightful

    I would disagree. Every time some horrible event as Tuesday's attacks happens, the bookburners try to use it as ammunition to pass their agenda. It's at the point where media companies have started to act preempttively, bowing to their sick pressure before they even place it. Yes, in this particular case it's anime that suffers (why? I very much doubt the terrorists even knew what anime was, and if they did they would certainly not watch it). But it doesn't matter what the specific victim is; what matters is that censorship is taking place.

  15. damnit by jrs · · Score: 1

    I'm getting so sick of America pussying out over this. Red Alert 2 being pulled from shelves. Rumors of Metal Gear Solid 2 being modifyed.

    America is stronger than ever... yeah, right.

    And how is it different from CNN and MSNBC showing the crash videos over and over?

    America the Pathetic.

    1. Re:damnit by crimson30 · · Score: 1

      Hear, hear! Every single citizen in America should sign up right this minute. Then we could pass out guns to some 200 million people and send them over there to kill everyone within a 200 mile radius of Bin Laden... and at the same time we could clear out some land mines AND exert some much needed population control on our own country, too. Good thinking! You'd make a good politician!

  16. Homer goes to NY by mikeboone · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Makes you wonder what they'll do to the Simpsons episode where Homer's car is parked between the WTC towers. They may never play that in syndication again.

    1. Re:Homer goes to NY by dswensen · · Score: 1

      Your post makes a lot of sense.

      Unfortunately, network execs and sponsors don't have a lot of sense.

    2. Re:Homer goes to NY by BIGJIMSLATE · · Score: 2

      Well, if Greoning was an idiot, he'd leave them out of the Simpsons DVD collection for that season. Hope he doesn't do that, since that was a funny episode.

      Klavklash?

    3. Re:Homer goes to NY by lie+as+cliche · · Score: 1

      Makes you wonder what they'll do to the Simpsons episode where Homer's car is parked between the WTC towers. They may never play that in syndication again

      Speaking of, there are actually a heck of a lot of episodes that haven't been showing for years now. I've got a few on tape that I haven't seen aired in at least two. Anybody know what's going on there?

    4. Re:Homer goes to NY by The+G+Man · · Score: 1

      Can you give me some examples of episodes that haven't been seen for a while? I know that there're a few I like that I haven't seen recently, but I'd like to hear some other examples.

      --

      Quoth the zombie, braaaaaaaains
    5. Re:Homer goes to NY by Whelkman · · Score: 2

      I don't know about entire episodes, but certain segments get deleted when episodes get into syndication.

    6. Re:Homer goes to NY by lie+as+cliche · · Score: 1

      Can you give me some examples of episodes that haven't been seen for a while? I know that there're a few I like that I haven't seen recently, but I'd like to hear some other examples.

      I can think of one off the top of my head, I've got it on tape. It's summer, and Bart and Lisa hound Homer to get a swimming pool ("Can we have a pool Dad?" "Can we have a pool Dad?" "Can we have a pool Dad?" "Can we have a pool Dad?"). When they finally get one, all the neighbor kids come around to use it until it gets so full the sides fall out. I haven't been able to find the episode in any episode guide I've seen, but I know I have a copy somewhere on tape to prove that it exists. There was nothing especially racy or disturbing about that episode, although there was a bit where all the kids do a synchronized swim and sing about the joys of summer/having a pool. Was this perhaps just a sub-plot, which would be why I can't find an episode like that?

      What about Whacking Day? All of Springfield loves Whacking Day, an eerie parallel to St. Patrick's Day when citizens get a whacking stick and drive the snakes out of Springfield. Even Mayor Quimby participated, although his aides furnished him with handfuls of pre-whacked snakes. Bart and Lisa shelter the snakes in their home, ushering them in by putting their speakers face-down on the ground and playing music with a lot of bass, which the snakes can hear. I haven't seen that episode run in years, although this one does appear on episode guides. Odd.

  17. The question is : will they be back? by Masem · · Score: 3, Insightful
    It's understandable to drop, in the short term, these shows, given the content about terrorism. But the question becomes now of how soon will they be back , if ever.

    As an example of previous CN dealings, the short-lived but excellent show Freakazoid had 4 episodes with reverences (both satire and just off the cuff) to Princess Di. When she died in the car accident, those 4 episodes were completely pulled from the schedule understandable; however, they did not return to the schedule for at least 6 months. I understand being sensitive for something recent in the current events, but that seems excessively overkill.

    What bothers me more than much else right now is that Hollywood, all aspects of it, seem to be taking steps above and beyond what ought to be done for the short-term sensitivitly. Anything involving the WTC, even if made years ago, seems to be getting some sort of post-censoring. We cannot deny that the WTC ever existed and shows were made about it, and to do so is only giving the terrorists more of a victory.

    --
    "Pinky, you've left the lens cap of your mind on again." - P&TB
    "I can see my house from here!" - ST:
    1. Re:The question is : will they be back? by tiwason · · Score: 1

      >>What bothers me more than much else right now is that Hollywood, all aspects of it, seem to be taking steps above and beyond what ought to be done for the short-term sensitivitly

      Like Starz having passenger 57 on the other night...

    2. Re:The question is : will they be back? by deathscythe257 · · Score: 1

      Freakazoid was pulled because he made fun of Princess Di... With shows that we are talking about now- they talked about how terrorism affects real people, and show people trying to fight against terrorism and evil in any form. This is what people need now. If anything these shows act as placators to a rallying point for the war. [which a rallying point, having all citizens behind a war, is the most important aspect of war- look at Korea and Viet Nahm... no rallying point. However the question is, do we want a war?]
      Should the news media all of the sudden stop coverage of the event- which i think they should... it's boring and repetitive by now- out of respect? respect is not ignoring something, but showing it, and either condemning the terrorist action or celebrating that we are survivors. This attack, while a tragedy and many people died, was an ankle bite. It was not a 'stab through the heart of america' as cnn likes to put it. It was an ankle bite. Allowing these shows to be pulled does exactly what the terrorists wanted to do.

  18. wtf? by Lord+Bitman · · Score: 1

    what could this concievably have to do with the attack?
    Space Ghost blew up France, they arent dropping that.
    But this definatly needs to be protested. anybody got one of those online pettition things handy?

    You Can't Cancel Bebop before showing ED damnit! I heard the voice for Ed was actually Good!
    ED ED ED ED ED ED ED ED ED ED ED ED ED ED ED ED ED ED ED ED ED ED ED ED ED ED ED ED ED ED ED ED ED ED ED ED ED ED ED ED ED ED ED ED ED ED ED ED ED ED ED ED ED ED ED ED ED ED ED ED ED ED ED ED ED ED ED ED ED ED ED ED ED ED ED ED ED ED ED ED
    DAMNIT.

    --
    -- 'The' Lord and Master Bitman On High, Master Of All
  19. Don't think to much about it by Quizme2000 · · Score: 1

    The article says, "You can see the evidence on Cartoon Network's Listings". There is not a press release saying it's a response to Tuesday's Attacks. I have really never been impressed with the decisions of the network anyway and how they decide on what should be shown and when. A lot of networks display sympathy messages in one form or another, but don't assume everyone will. But you still should check out all 4 daft punk videos on www.toonami.com click on the alliance button (requires flash and MP7)

    --
    "Get them before they get....
    1. Re:Don't think to much about it by funky+womble · · Score: 1

      And this is really all they're cutting in the US?

  20. how many fundamentalist muslims watched the show?! by fz00 · · Score: 1

    this makes no sense. it wasn't americans that bombed the place, it was foreign terrorists whose beliefs forbid the watching of this type of entertainment anyway!

  21. I just realized why Bebop may have been cut... by DragonPup · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Anyone here see Episode 22(Cowboy Funk)? While one of the funniest eps, it also has a bountyhead that's wanted for blowing up tall buildings. And he does in fact blow up some, including a pair of towers that sort of reminds me of the WTC(except with a large sky bridge thing between them). Maybe this ep prompted this? It's sad cause it's one of my favorite eps.

    -Henry

    --
    "Useless organic meatbag" -HK-47
  22. Outlaw Star by kireK · · Score: 1

    But they kept Outlaw Star? I'm not complaining, but this makes no sense?

  23. Re:Replace it with GI Joe by Kingu · · Score: 1

    and let us not forget that Cobra is an international terrorist organization!!

  24. Jumping to conclusions? by sunking2 · · Score: 1

    I mean, pointing us to a schedule listing is hardly any shred of evidence that this had anything to do with the bombings. And if it did, and the ratings were good enough, give it some time and it will be back. Perhaps they pulled it because they studied the demograph that watches and it decided maybe they should be something a little more constructive, like watching the news?

    Or, maybe possibly, its just simply part of the Fall schedule shifts that always happen. But nah, even tho we have no real reason to think it, its gotta be the man.

    1. Re:Jumping to conclusions? by Erasmus+Darwin · · Score: 2
      "Perhaps they pulled it because they studied the demograph that watches and it decided maybe they should be something a little more constructive, like watching the news?"

      It is not Cartoon Network's place to tell me what I should be watching. Futhermore, I've seen the news. The world trade centers have been hit by a terrorist attack. I know this. The pentagon has been hit by a terrorist attack. I know this, too. Another plane went down in Pennsylvania when the hostages bravely fought back. I also know this. The FBI is rounding up suspected terrorists. Yet another thing I know. Finally, rescue crews are working night and day, on little-to-no sleep, to save as many survivors from the collapsed building as possible. Like all the previous things, I know this.

      So I can tune into the news and watch the plane crash footage for the 2,749th time while analysts argue over the causes and such, or I can try and partially move on with my life. Forget what happened? Certainly not. Stop obsessing over what happened? Yes.

      Entertainment television is one of the few escapes from the non-stop barage of WTC information that I'm being hit with. Taking that away from me only serves to further my cynicism and desensitization. Thank you, mass media, for trying to turn me into a cold, unfeeling monster.

  25. Re:Please do not discuss Anime on Slashdot by haruharaharu · · Score: 1

    This has to do with the fact that 99.999% of people who read this forum do not care for Anime - especially in light of what has happened in recent days.

    What does anime the medium have to do with knocking down the twin towers? Anyway, since you apparently support book burning, what gives you the right to tell me what i can and cannot read?

    --
    Reboot macht Frei.
  26. Re:Replace it with GI Joe by secolactico · · Score: 1

    and let us not forget that Cobra is an international terrorist organization!!

    Albeit a highly inefficient one, for that matter. They didn't have a single death on their record, even tho they'd use all of their armmo in the final confrontations, nobody would die... and the planes shot down would always give the pilots a chance to bailout.

    IMHO, a cartoon for children souldn't have such militaristic orientation, even if it's watered down.

    --
    No sig
  27. Hollywood thinking about what it puts out??? by etceteral · · Score: 2

    Okay.. so this is slightly off topic. (I think Cartoon Network is doing the right thing in remaining sensitive to current events. Would you rather have them not give a damn about what's going on in the world and play it anyway because they paid for the rights of it? Would you rather CNN et al played commercials every 15 minutes on Tuesday? At least this shows the mega-corporations aren't thinking ONLY about profit any more.)

    Basically, Hollywood stands a good chance of coming out as a better group because of this. In the last 10 years, as the cultural decadence and decline of America took hold, Hollywood has been pandering to America's baser instincts at the expense of good old-fashioned American story-telling.

    Moveis have gotten more and more bland, formulaic, and irrelevent to the modern world in the past decade than ever before. The mind-numbing parade of pure crap putout by America's entertainment complex and soaked up by America's pop culture like a kid whose parents are willing to offer him nothing but candy to eat was causing serious damage to America's psyche and attitude.

    While I am deeply sorry for those who lost family members and loved ones in these horrible attacks, there is at least a little bit of a silver lining in this all. America seems to have sobered up from its drunken cultural stupor and re-discovered what's REALLY important in life. If they terrorists had waited another 10 years, I wonder if American society would be watching TRL, Survivor 12, or watching a bland violence-sex-gross-out-comedy movie to care. (Facetious)

    Hopefully America will keep the unifying and sobered spirit it has re-discovered in the aftermath for some time to come. Parents having honest discussions with their children about issues of morality, crime rates in NY at their lowest levels in the history of the city (common enemy), young people not blindly assuming the world owes them something, but being cognisant of their own morality.

    Hell, if the last traces of the ugly racism popping up against Arab-American can be eradicated.... America stands a great chance to come out of this a more responsible, more caring, more serious, more compassionate, more focused, more dedicated, and more selfless nation.

    The point? Hopefully Hollywood will follow and put out entertainment that's more meaningful than another episode of Friends, a pointless prurient movie about sex and violence, or another dumb series about beautiful young 20-somethings whining about nothing.

    --

    ------------
    "...and Maddest of all, to see Life as it Is, and not as it Should Be."

    1. Re:Hollywood thinking about what it puts out??? by jpatters · · Score: 1

      Okay.. so this is slightly off topic. (I think Cartoon Network is doing the right thing in remaining sensitive to current events. Would you rather have them not give a damn about what's going on in the world and play it anyway because they paid for the rights of it? Would you rather CNN et al played commercials every 15 minutes on Tuesday? At least this shows the mega-corporations aren't thinking ONLY about profit any more.)

      Bah! Humans are a violent species, as the violent response by the USA to the terrorist attack will prove. Sex and violence have been an integral part of our entertainment since before Homer.

      Basically, Hollywood stands a good chance of coming out as a better group because of this. In the last 10 years, as the cultural decadence and decline of America took hold, Hollywood has been pandering to America's baser instincts at the expense of good old-fashioned American story-telling.

      What, you mean like _Birth of a Nation_?

      Moveis have gotten more and more bland, formulaic, and irrelevent to the modern world in the past decade than ever before.

      No, they have not, you silly little reactionary. You are simply filtering the bad movies from yesteryear out of your memory.

      Hopefully America will keep the unifying and sobered spirit it has re-discovered in the aftermath for some time to come. Parents having honest discussions with their children about issues of morality, crime rates in NY at their lowest levels in the history of the city (common enemy), young people not blindly assuming the world owes them something, but being cognisant of their own morality.

      Crime rates in NYC (and the nation as a whole) have been on their way down for quite some time.

      Hell, if the last traces of the ugly racism popping up against Arab-American can be eradicated.... America stands a great chance to come out of this a more responsible, more caring, more serious, more compassionate, more focused, more dedicated, and more selfless nation.

      Fallwell has found it easier to assign blame to gays, lesbians, bisexuals, pagans, and the ACLU.

      The point? Hopefully Hollywood will follow and put out entertainment that's more meaningful than another episode of Friends, a pointless prurient movie about sex and violence, or another dumb series about beautiful young 20-somethings whining about nothing.

      So you are saying they should replace _Friends_ with _Leave it to Beaver_? Meaningless entertainment is not a recent development, nor has it recently increased in magnitude. Tex Avery's work is pretty cool, but hardly more meaningfull then Cowboy Bebop.

      --
      I am Jake, artist and geek. check out my photos from diver cité!

      --
      "Remember, there never were pineapple-almond cookies here."
  28. Gundam gone because of poor ratings. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

    From what I've been hearing Mobile Suit Gundam wasn't getting very good ratings, and was being considered for cancellation anyway. Perhaps this was simply a coincidence, or maybe all this just accelerated its cancellation.

  29. Cartoon Network by Greyfox · · Score: 2
    I don't tend to view the Cartoon Network as a place for "Adult" cartoons anyway and the Anime I grew up with (The first 10 years of my life were spent in Okinawa and Hawaii) would make today's Pokemon and Mr Rogers watching youth cry and wet themselves. Though if it makes it onto a US Network, it's not nearly as hardcore as the stuff you could find in Japan in the 1970's (And THEY considered it Children's programming.)

    It'd be nice to see a network devoted specifically to such things but I doubt there'd be enough demand in the US to keep it going. Too bad you can't just get a video feed off the net. I'd love to be able to watch Anime being aired on Japanese TV and catch undubbed episodes of Iron Chef if that's still playing there (Speaking of which, does anyone else thing that dubbing Kaga-san is just WRONG?)

    --

    I'm trying to teach myself to set people on fire with my mind... Is it hot in here?

    1. Re:Cartoon Network by Maserati · · Score: 1

      The Gundam Project is reporting that the change is due to lower ratings for the original series. And, unless its a WTC reaction, they'll start running The 08th Mobile Suit Team (a pretty good wartime romance) in the Gundam slot.

      If you're into Gundam, the gundamproject.com site is very good.

      --
      Veteran, Bermuda Triangle Expeditionary Force, 1992-1951
    2. Re:Cartoon Network by ProfBooty · · Score: 1

      Chairman Kaga isn't dubbed in the US release. I thought that was one of his conditions in airing it in the US. I always find it amusing during the judging poriton where he speaks Japanese and everyone else replies in english.

      WMBC TV(channel 63), a korean station in new jersey, or channel 24(Which had some of US Nippon's programs like Abarenbou Shogun) used to show Iron Chef undubbed. I don't think they do anymore though.

      --
      Bring back the old version of slashdot.
  30. The Seinfeld Postulate by KingJawa · · Score: 1

    Expect them to be gone forever, if they involve violence _and_ the WTC.

    The second to last Seinfeld episode, it is rumored, to not be available for syndication. During the episode, Kramer (I think) accidentally burns a Puerto Rican flag during the Puerto Rican Day parade in NYC, to the dismay (if not horror) of many viewers.

    During the same episode, Elaine, during some rant, complains that she "went to Tufts [University]" and that it was her "safety." At the time it first aired, I was at Tufts (as a student), watching the episode with about 100 others in an on-campus eatery. Suffice it to say that I would love to see that episode again, and, given a few minutes notice, would tape it.

    But the sensitivities of others have seemingly denied me that opportunity. A local station here claims to be airing "every" episode, from the beginning, starting either this week or next. Will they show the PRDP episode? We'll see.

    The WTC attack is extremely more difficult for a much larger audience. If a show that pulled no punches could be offed by a six minute segment, don't be surprised if network executives choose, for the "greater good," to throw sightings of the WTC down the Orwellian Memory Hole.

  31. I saw it last night. by J.C.B. · · Score: 1

    At least I think I did, I'm not really in to anime. It was some episode about some kind of race, where the guys in the red ship took some kind of hyperspace stream because thier engines were knocked out.

  32. Re:Scooby by underivy · · Score: 1

    lol

    soon it will be the scooby network.

    ^__^

  33. Cowboy Bebop has the same voices as Outlaw Star by Shanoyu · · Score: 2

    Don't get too excited. =P

    The english voice acting cast for Cowboy Bebop is pretty much the same as outlaws. You aren't missing a great voice actor that you haven't heard before.

  34. umm.. check it.. at www.animenewsnetwork.com by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Informative

    Cowboy Bebop Off Adult Swim? (2001-09-15 22:47:12)
    According to the Cartoon Network web page, Cowboy Bebop will not be shown for at least the next two weeks (as far the the website lists). See here and here. Toonheads and the Bob Clampett Show will be shown in its place. One Cartoon Network representative has told us that Cowboy Bebop has not been cancelled. However, we've had some conflicting information in this story. We'll continue to update as we receive information from CN and Bandai. [ No More ]

  35. Only good thing on the network by LazyBoy · · Score: 1

    Cowboy bebop brought me to the Cartoon Network
    when nothing else it had could. I just couldn't
    get into DBZ or even Outlaw Star.

    Is there somewhere to send e-mail?

    --

    If Chaos Theory has taught us anything, it's that we must kill all the butterflies.

  36. Who cares about that anime stuff? by J.C.B. · · Score: 1

    Just as long as they give me more Dexter's Laboratory, Power Puff Girls, and Spaceghost.
    Although, I did like Gundum Wing, but it could have been better if they *animated* it a bit more.

  37. Cowboy Bebop still on by istewart · · Score: 1

    DirecTV's program guide shows that CN is still airing 2 episodes of Cowboy Bebop tonight at the usual time (midnight EST). I didn't expect it to be canceled, since they showed last week's episodes again on Thursday, after the attacks occured. I heard that Mobile Suit Gundam was dropped because of low ratings, not because it was excessively violent. Besides, like other people are saying, if they're dropping violent shows, why aren't they getting rid of Dragonball Z and Outlaw Star? Those two are aimed at children, while CB isn't. (However, DBZ is Cartoon Network's biggest ratings grabber, sooo...)

  38. Re:Please do not discuss Anime on Slashdot by haruharaharu · · Score: 1

    If you don't like anime, then don't read Anime stories. Duh...

    --
    Reboot macht Frei.
  39. They should rebuild the World Trade Center by LordNimon · · Score: 1, Offtopic
    I know a lot of people would be nervous about entering them again, but I think it would be a huge victory for the U.S. if the WTC were to be rebuilt and looked the same as it used to. Think of the moral boost it would bring, "Ha, you stupid terrorists, we're back!" Well, maybe something more inspirational than that.

    Anyway, it would also allow us to preserve our history, both in our hearts and in our "visual arts". People will be able to look at images of the WTC without being so despondent.

    Of course, the new WTC should be designed to handle a similar attack, and should have better escape routes, but otherwise it should look the same.

    --
    And the men who hold high places must be the ones who start
    To mold a new reality... closer to the heart
  40. invader zim? by Jburkholder · · Score: 1

    Did Nickelodeon pull "Invader Zim" episodes as well? Supposed to show new episodes Friday nights but another show was on instead.

    Reruns of the previous "season" are shown Sunday mornings but again was not aired today. I had assumed they just changed the schedule until I saw this blurb about Gundam and Bebop. Zim has had scenes of descruction like the giant hamster stepping on buildings, so it might not be too much of a stretch that they pulled this show for the same reasons.

    1. Re:invader zim? by sspiff · · Score: 1

      Yes they did. There was something in the preview blurb about Zim getting paranoid after seeing the FBI warning on a videotape.

      Guess what adult network execs? Kids know the difference between cartoons and reality.

      I also noticed lots of other self censorship on the movie channels. You'll never see Fight Club air on TV ever again. Deterrence, a movie about a U.S.-Iraqi conflict (where Bagdad gets nuked at the end) was pulled as was Showtime's version of On the Beach.

      All of this is just cover your ass Hollywood hypocrisy at it's finest. I'm sure next summer's movie lineup will include the usual number of explosions, because that's what sells and money is what it's all about.

    2. Re:invader zim? by Bogatyr · · Score: 1

      I did catch Fight Club on showtime (or hbo2, forget right now) about 1am on Wednesday night/Thursday morning - channel flipping about 2:30am and cut into the finale. It was surrealistic to see the financial district blow up on film after seeing it all week in live television.

    3. Re:invader zim? by Erasmus+Darwin · · Score: 2
      "There was something in the preview blurb about Zim getting paranoid after seeing the FBI warning on a videotape."

      That seemed to be everyone's first thoughts on another message board where this was discussed. The odd thing is that they also preempted the showing earlier today (Sunday, 1pm) -- it was supposed to be the "Parent Teacher Night; Walk of Doom". The latter part does involve Zim wandering around a large city (and even going up in one of the skyscrapers), but I don't see any reason to pull it.

      "I also noticed lots of other self censorship on the movie channels. You'll never see Fight Club air on TV ever again. Deterrence, a movie about a U.S.-Iraqi conflict (where Bagdad gets nuked at the end) was pulled as was Showtime's version of On the Beach."

      That really, really sucks. Deterrence was a great movie that makes you think about a number of the issues. Several times, during discussions on the WTC issue, it would come up as a movie that should be watched.

    4. Re:invader zim? by Jburkholder · · Score: 1

      >the "Parent Teacher Night" ...

      This episode has Dib's father (Dr. Membrane, is it?) accidentally unleashing an explosion that results in a large mushroom cloud presumably leveling a large portion of the nearby city.

      >"Walk of Doom". ...involve(s) Zim wandering around a large city (and even going up in one of the skyscrapers), but I don't see any reason to pull it

      IIRC, Zim is mistaken for a bank robber and flees the SWAT team to the top of the building where he evades a circling helicopter. If I was a Nickelodeon exec, I probably would hesitate to air stuff like this right now too.

      I love this show and I wouldn't personally think any of it was in poor taste just now, but probably there are those who would be bothered by images of explosions, police swarming over a skyscraper and the like. I think the execs would rather be criticised for being overly cautious in what they air right now than getting flak for not being sensitive enough.

  41. Re:Schwarztanegger movie stalled as well by sunking2 · · Score: 1

    The fact that they are seperated is the difference between real and fantasy. Why is it ok to go and cheer on mel gibson in leathal weapon? Because it is so unbelievable and fantastic that that it can't be true, so you can enjoy the carnage.

    In indepence day when the aliens zap all of those buildings, people were in awe, enjoyed it, and in some cases cheered. Of course, this was ok to do, why because it could never happen.

    However, just a few days ago we saw that 2 of the tallest, amazing structures in the world could be taken down. Nobody enjoyed or cheered about that, but the end result was the same, a huge pile of rubble.

    Seperation between the medias is essential sometimes. If a movie that just happened to show a large building being destroyed were released today, it would completely have a different effect on people than it was intended. The creators are looking to entertain, and awe people. They aren't looking to bring people to tears in the theaters.

    The movies that they have postponed are meant to be fun, not stir terrible memories.

  42. Perhaps they dropped the shows... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful
    ...because nobody watched them? The same reason most shows are canceled?


    Blaming everything on the terrorist attack of Tuesday does nothing but increase the already-insane media-induced frenzy among the people. Please stop reciprocating it.

  43. Oddly enough... by schwunger · · Score: 1

    Cowboy Bebop still shows up on the Adult Swim website, which is the official site for the programming block run by cartoon network; Cowboy Bebop is also still showing on all the Internet television programming guides as well.

  44. Send feedback to dragonball z network! by soccerfreak · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Send Feedback

    Stand up and make yourself heard. If you are upset about this then you should use the feedback link and let dragonball z network er, I mean cartoon network know exactly how you feel. The only reason I ever tune into that network is to watch mobile suite gundam and cowboy bebop. Cowboy Bebop is brilliant! I've only seen three episoeds to date but each one was amazing. Just my luck, as soon as I start to like something the network drops it. I with I had bland tastes so I could be part of the majority and not have to deal with this stuff.

    The only way dragonball z network will make a change for the better is if everyone uses the feedback link so we can send the message loud and clear that we are pissed off. Adult swim is great but after a bonehead programming move like this I won't be at all surprised to see them drop space ghost next.

    Send Feedback

    The year is Universal Century 0079. The One Year War between the Earth Federation and the Prinicipality of Zeon has deadlocked. Unbeknown to Zeon, the Federation has been working on building its own ultimate weapon: Gundam. The new prototype is to be shipped to Earth from its home on the space colony Side 7. But a surprise attack puts the mobile suit into the hands of a teenager who just might save the world.

  45. AOLTW is cutting costs to save jobs by ssb · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Cartoon network drops anime at the drop of a hat regardless of world events. I can't even remember all of the different series that they have put out there only to drop 2-3 months later.

    I suppose that they have to pay a royalty for each episode they air and if the ratings aren't high enough they may not get enough ad revenue to at least break even.

    CN is a AOLTW network and I work for AOLTW (not at CN, but close).
    AOLTW missed their projected earnings by a long shot and have been laying off and cutting costs like crazy all year. I don't blame CN for sticking to what is safe and making a profit for now till the next earning report comes out. The more money they save, the less layoffs happen.

    To make matters worse, sponsors have actually dropped from the CNN agencies so there product doesn't get unconsciously associated with it. ("this updated death count brought to you by Acme, the leader in so and so") So Cnn loses money, aoltw tells the other networks to play it safe with sponsor revenue.

    This is all an educated guess mind you, based on what I have heard from different sources.

    1. Re:AOLTW is cutting costs to save jobs by BigFire · · Score: 1


      They've already paid for Cowboy Bebop. Dropping them does not save them any money. In this case, it's more likely that the show was suspended for content reason.

      Episode 5, "Ballad of the Fallen Angel" opens with a mobster singing a peace treaty with his enemy, boarding a plane that's promptly blown up. Episode 6 "Sympathy for the Devil" features a long flashback sequence where the 1/4 Moon was accidentally blown up 70 years prior to the show.

    2. Re:AOLTW is cutting costs to save jobs by Exatron · · Score: 1
      Cartoon network drops anime at the drop of a hat regardless of world events. I can't even remember all of the different series that they have put out there only to drop 2-3 months later."

      Cartoon Network doesn't exactly "drop" anime for frivolous reasons. Most of the anime they replaced had too few episodes to sustain interest over repeated airings, and often return at a later date. It's easy to keep airing shows like Dragonball Z and Sailor Moon because they have well over a hundred episodes each. Shorter series, like the Big O and Outlaw Star, don't have enough episodes to justify airing them five days per week for extended periods of time.

      --
      "I think so, Brain, but 'instant karma' always gets so lumpy." - Pinky
      "Decepticons FOREVER!!!" - Ravage
    3. Re:AOLTW is cutting costs to save jobs by ssb · · Score: 1

      True, but even when there are enough episodes, they still drop it. Sailor moon and all of the Gundams had plenty. Dispite the short number of episodes, Outlaw Star has been played 5 days per week for a long time now. I think its going to go back on at 12:30 after dbz every night. As much as I like db+dbz I would really like to see something different.

      I suggest people use the feedback form here I really like the Adult Swim idea and think that many dubbed Anime's would go great there.

    4. Re:AOLTW is cutting costs to save jobs by Exatron · · Score: 1
      This situation is a bit different because the series that are being removed haven't even finished their first run. Prior to the events on Tuesday Cartoon Network had never cancelled any anime before the series had completed its first run. Sailor Moon was removed from the block when it was cut by an hour, but it has returned on the Kids WB version of Toonami. Cartoon Network prefers to air shows that it owns outright, which is why they air Scooby Doo and Cartoon Cartoons frequently.

      I do agree that two and a half hours of Dragonball or Dragonball Z per weekday is incrdibly silly, however; especially when series like Batman, Superman, and ReBoot are available.

      --
      "I think so, Brain, but 'instant karma' always gets so lumpy." - Pinky
      "Decepticons FOREVER!!!" - Ravage
  46. Re:Bebop by NMerriam · · Score: 2

    PLEASE mod the parent down, someone -- he's ruining the ending of the entire series for someone who hasn't seen it!

    --
    Recursive: Adj. See Recursive.
  47. Re:Invader Zim by Archfeld · · Score: 1

    is really funny and one of the best new shows.
    check it out if you get a chance :)

    --
    errr....umm...*whooosh* *whoosh* Is this thing on ?
  48. Re:Please do not discuss Anime on Slashdot by fenix+down · · Score: 1

    The most recent polls indicate 6%, (+-2%).

    The percentage might seem large, but compared to other communities, such as CS majors at 9%, LNUX stockholders at 23%, and BSD users at 88%, it's really not that bad.

  49. yup. by fenix+down · · Score: 1

    I turned on episode 3 last week during Jet's explaination of the chip, and thought it was an Outlaw opening for a second. I guess his monologue was too long and he slipped into narrator mode.

  50. Gundam may be violent but ... by finalrain · · Score: 2, Informative

    Well, I don't know about Bebop, but Gundam (at least 08th MS Team and Wing) doesn't have any sex in it. Violence, yes, but mostly "big metal robots." Besides, from what I've seen, Gundam always shows just how real war is. There's a strong pacifistic message in Gundam Wing, and Shiro Amada (of 08th) doesn't enjoy killing either. It would be really disappointing to me if CN cancelled its airing of these shows for such shallow reasons.

    --
    -- It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society.
  51. Yup by Pope · · Score: 2

    A post on alt.tv.family-guy said that Fox had *permanantly* pulled "The City of New York Vs. Homer Simpson (4F22)" from syndication.
    This, to me, reeks of a Stalinist purge. I can see pulling the show out for a couple of months, like the WB did with the Buffy season finale and the "Earshot" episode after Columbine, but to take it out forever is complete and utter overkill.

    Oh, there's also a bin Laden reference in one of last year's Family Guy episodes which I'm sure will be obliterated. Thankfully I have that one on tape!

    --
    It doesn't mean much now, it's built for the future.
    1. Re:Yup by LazyBoy · · Score: 1
      A post on alt.tv.family-guy said that Fox had *permanantly* pulled "The City of New York Vs. Homer Simpson (4F22)" from syndication.
      What are we going to do, pretend they never existed?

      Tonight on a rerun of "That 70's Show", the words "blows up" were dubbed out. The quote is something like

      Is it firecrackers? 'Cause anything that blows up, I'm in for halfsies.
      --

      If Chaos Theory has taught us anything, it's that we must kill all the butterflies.

  52. All too obvious & lame by Lord+Vipor+Scorpion · · Score: 2, Insightful

    The funny thing is that all of these TV shows & movies aren't being pulled to show sensitivity to the victims or the viewers, but for two more primary reasons: 1. Americans don't want to see the ways in which we portray the kind of violence that occurred last Tuesday in our cultural expressions all the time, so the media is white-washing itself. You would think there'd be no better time to put out a Swartzenneger movie about a firefighter who avenges the killing of his family by terrorists, but no... (This is because)... 2. History has shown that Americans want the blandest sh!t possible after major tragedies. For instance, after Kennedy was assassinated, TV turned heavily toward shows like Gilligan's Island & The Munsters. Ironically, before Kennedy's assassination there were many movies that foreshadowed it, like "Suddenly" (1954), where Frank Sinatra is intent on assassinating the president.

    I used to watch Space Ghost & then Insomniac on Sunday nights, but Comedy Central fûcked up & they were both on at the same time. So I stayed with Cartoon Network & watched Cowboy BeBop, which was really cool. That was just last week, too. At least I saw it before they pulled it, now at least I can go rent it--and go to bed earlier. Subtitles are probably better than dubbing, anyway, as it was kind of disturbing to see anime that was so thoroughly white (after Akira & Ghost in the Shell). Was Battletech that white?

    1. Re:All too obvious & lame by BlueJay465 · · Score: 1
      Subtitles are probably better than dubbing, anyway

      I too thought that the dubbing would not bring justice to the original seiyuu*, but I am thoroughly impressed with the quality of Spike and Faye's 'Engrish' voice acting. Bandai cast those two roles well IMHO. After comparing both last week's ep.4 in both languages, I must concede that the English version is better than the original Japanese in this particular series.

      (the only other show I would consider debating sub-vs-dub would be Ranma ½)

  53. Re:how many fundamentalist muslims watched the sho by fz00 · · Score: 1

    actually it's the taliban whose beliefs are taken to the letter and have forbidden things like television, flying kites?!?!, and any form of print other than the quran. the "good muslims" as you call them are generally less strict.

  54. Re:Please do not discuss Anime on Slashdot by ssb · · Score: 1

    As of a few seconds ago there were ~190 replies to this story, most having to do with Anime. It seems the masses of Nerds who want news have spoken. Maybe you should go somewhere else then, or get an account and filter out anything you don't want.

  55. Re:What's it about exactly? by John+Harrison · · Score: 1

    The series finale is named "Unmasked" and is about how in the past Terry revealed his identity to a boy (possibly his brother?) and that led to a terrorist group taking the boy hostage.

  56. DBZ by NitsujTPU · · Score: 2

    Nah, they just wanna be able to run DragonBall Z 4 times a day, like they are now. After all. If they did that, they could run through the whole series something like 1.5 Billion times in a year.

    No offense, but just how damn often can you show DBZ? I enjoy the series, but after the hundred millionth running on Cartoon Network, I'd like to see something different. I understand that the lineup is set to market to the kids who are at home at that hour, who would watch that show ad infinitum and never watch another happilly, but there's a lotta geeks like me who just happen to be able to watch TV from 5-7.

    1. Re:DBZ by adavidw · · Score: 1

      Once again, the magic word is TiVo

      -Aaron

    2. Re:DBZ by esper_child · · Score: 1

      actually there are an insane number of DBZ episodes and they would probly like to run through the series about 6-8 times a year. However i would like to catch DBGT instead, as i don't think i caught that whole thing.

  57. The real reason Gundam is being dropped by EchidnaMan · · Score: 2, Informative

    Hey there, folks. I can't speak about Cowboy Bebop, but the original Gundam series is being dropped, but not for any reasons having to do with the attacks.

    According to Ain't It Cool, it's being dropped for the simple reaon of low ratings. It may a very important anime historically, but visually, compared to, say, Gundam Wing, and 8th MS Team (which is replacing MS Gundam in its time slot) is really dated.

    So, please, stop spreading FUD, people.

    --

    Ian Fay (echidnaguy@cs.com), Geek, Gamer, Evil Overlord, DNRC Member
    "Oh, what a goofy work is man."
  58. I wouldn't worry about it by ColGraff · · Score: 2

    "Maybe this ep prompted this?"

    I kinda doubt Bin Laden watches the Cartoon Network.

    --
    I'm the stranger...posting to /.
  59. What is it about Sept. 11? by tb3 · · Score: 2

    Somebody on an anime message board pointed out that September 11 is also the date of Second Impact. Is there some kind of religious significance to that particular day?

    --

    www.lucernesys.comHorizon: Calendar-based personal finance

    1. Re:What is it about Sept. 11? by SenshiNeko · · Score: 1

      Second Impact was supposed to be September 13 last year. (Unfortunately, nothing happened). ^_-

    2. Re:What is it about Sept. 11? by tb3 · · Score: 1

      I know it was last year, but I thought it was Sept 11. Oh well.

      --

      www.lucernesys.comHorizon: Calendar-based personal finance

  60. Every time its Anime by Zombie_Magick · · Score: 1

    Why is it everytime something big about anime is posted some moron goes: "Why is this news? I don't see how this is news for nerds or stuff that matters". Why can't people accept that sometimes there are different types of geeks out there? I may not like the articles about Online Privacy when they are only about the US (being that I'm Canadian) but I don't care that they are there. Maybe its something people haven't learned: IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT, DON'T READ IT MORON! Why on earth would you take the time out of your day to write some lame response to a submission you didn't like anyway?

    On another note, does anyone find it ironic that the series play might be cancelled because of unrelated violence? Being that it wasn't aired entirely the first time in Japan owing partially to violence. Apparently a bunch of students brought knives to school and stabbed their teacher "because" of something they saw in anime. I watched the series on DVD under violence: drove like a maniac to buy it and threatened to hurt my room-mate if he got in the way of the TV.

  61. Re:what losers by gamgee5273 · · Score: 1

    No, it isn't a flame. It's a troll. I think the argument that this is a "technology site" is a little out of gas. As the blurb says, this is "News for Nerds. Stuff that matters." to its commmunity. A lot of us who work in the tech field happen to enjoy movies and music and toys and books, etc. I can go from reading The Sandman to 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea just as easily as I can go from watching Cowboy Bebop to Citizen Kane or listening to Bizet and then Limp Bizkit. It's all entertainment and art on some level. Maybe you don't like it. That's your opinion. However, passing judgement on others, calling us "losers," for watching/listening/reading/etc. >place your variable here and wanting to discuss it isn't exactly the most mature or intelligent way to get your point across, bridge dweller.

  62. oops by gamgee5273 · · Score: 1

    Oops...not paying attention to my tags (I should "preview" more). It should read: However, passing judgement on others, calling us "losers," for watching/listening/reading/etc. **place your variable here** and wanting to discuss it isn't exactly the most mature or intelligent way to get your point across, bridge dweller.

  63. Re:Bebop by Hays · · Score: 1

    yeah, he ruined it for me, thanks jerk. I really, really hate that.

  64. The Die Hard connection.. by KFury · · Score: 3, Funny

    Anyone else notice that the whole thing sounds like a plot hatched from watching all three Die Hard movies in one night?

    You've got your big tall building blowing up from DH1.

    You've got your airplane hijacking and deliberate crashes in DH2.

    You've got exploding everything (including the subway under the WTC) in DH3.

    And of course, as has been reported (too lazy to find the link) there's still several tons of gold buried underneath the WTC rubble, just like in DH3...

    I'm not trying to make light of anything. It's just interesting how Hollywood and terrorism follow similar paths, with Hollywood leading the curve.

    1. Re:The Die Hard connection.. by gamgee5273 · · Score: 1

      And you know what? The Best Buy near my house has pulled all three movies. You have to ask for them now. The silliness is getting to be too much.

  65. Gundam and war... by Skwirl · · Score: 1

    >It's easy to speculate that Mobile Suit Gundam >and Cowboy Bebop were dropped because of
    >Tuesday's terrorist attacks since each show has a >fair amount of violence,
    I hope not. I've noticed that the overlying theme for the Mobile Suit Gundam series is the need for empathy with one's enemies, the dehumanizing effects of war, and the moral dilemmas soldiers face. In fact, it gets quite blatant at times, such as the plot for 08th MS Team, where the protagonist falls in love with an enemy soldier. Also, in Mobile Suit Gundam, Amuro Ray is always desserting to run off and sulk about having to kill people. Soldiers conidering their morality before following orders? Talk about a threat to national security.

  66. Terrorists became violent WHY? by samdu · · Score: 1

    Ohhhhh, now I get it. The terrorists would have been pacifists were they not watching too much Gundam.

  67. Re:Invader Zim by tauntalum · · Score: 1
    I listen to National Public Radio News every morning, but the hell if Im not going to enjoy the rest of my life!


    YOU INSENSITIVE DISSIDENT COMMIE PIG!!! :)

  68. This is not a troll by mttlg · · Score: 1

    Whoever modded this "Troll" should learn what a troll is before moderating. My post clearly stated my feeelings on the topics being discussed and was not meant to infuriate others or start a flame war. Last I checked, having an opinion does not make one a troll.

  69. and fight club by tregoweth · · Score: 1

    I also noticed lots of other self censorship on the movie channels. You'll never see Fight Club air on TV ever again.

    It was on HBO a day or two after the attacks. It certainly surprised me...

  70. Bye Bye Robotech by SecretAsianMan · · Score: 2

    Well, if all this is happening, then I can kiss my beloved Robotech bye-bye. Why, in one episode alone ("Force of Arms"), the death toll is in the tens or hundreds of billions. In that episode, both Earth and the Zentraedi Main Fleet (4.8 million ships) are destroyed. How this can inspire terrorism is beyond me, but now I'm waiting for the shit to hit the fan...

    --

    Washington, DC: It's like Hollywood for ugly people.

  71. Re:Schwarztanegger movie stalled as well by AndyChrist · · Score: 1

    Isn't that reason to wish that aliens HAD attacked?

  72. It's still on... by rubberpants · · Score: 1

    I'm not sure what all the fuss is - its still on according to my TiVo lineup. (It's just listed by individual shows instead of "Adult Swim".)

    *shrug*

    http://www.rubberpants.com

  73. Pissing me off. by PhilosopherKing · · Score: 1

    All of this editing out of the WTC from media and not showing episodes that contain the WTC is really, really pissing me off. I am overjoyed that JFK, WWII, MLK, Vietnam, Challenger, etc. all happend before this infuriating Second Age Political Correctness set in or they too would be edited out of history.

    --

    USA-Democracy is 270 million YESes and NOes a day, not one every four years.
  74. Here's more on the CB cancellation from Jerry Beck by MsGeek · · Score: 1

    http://www.cartoonresearch.com/comments.html

    Posting this as a text link for the sake of the Goatsex traumatized.

    --
    Knowledge is power. Knowledge shared is power multiplied.
  75. A matter of taste by Watts · · Score: 1

    Do you like episodic sci-fi novels? I mean, there are parallels in several media, but I really think most anime series aren't that off the wall. I think it's pretty pathetic that we don't judge things on a level playing field. It might be poorly animated, but aren't the camera angles and lighting crap on "Friends"? And do you really think the writing on "Suddenly Susan" was better than some anime series?

    Pretty one-sided, man.

  76. Cancelled after all by ttyRazor · · Score: 2

    Yep, they cancelled it, and we now get "Toonheads". The first cartoon in the show just happened to be some musical thing where a skyscraper gets built, and at the end a door gets closed too hard and the whole thing comes crashing down. Yeah, real good move on their part.

    1. Re:Cancelled after all by librarygeek · · Score: 1

      Yeah, I thought that was absoluty rude on their part. If they truly canceled Beebop due to Tuesday, then WHY on earth would they be so stupid as to air that cartoon in its place. I stayed up specifically to watch Beebop as I had enjoyed it last week. Instead I'm insulted with "Rhaposdy in Rivits" or what ever it was. BAD MOVE CN!

  77. You know, I don't get it. by Chillywang · · Score: 1

    Well, it's Midnight in ol' EST and no Cowboy Bebop... It's still in their TV listing on the site and was still on the TV Ad for the Adult Swim this Thursday. Hopefully they haven't pulled it for good.

    Even though they had to butcher it severely to put it on TV, it's still too much?? It's midnight for christ's sake... This is rig-godern-diculous!

    I guess I'll just have to shell out and buy it on DVD...
    Anyone got fifty bucks? $-)

    --
    See you space cowboy...
  78. Just watched CN! by gamgee5273 · · Score: 1
    Okay, I just watched CN and nope, no "Bebop." Instead it was "Toonheads" - which is a strong show that my girlfriend and I enjoy watching. But this show is exploring Friz Freleng's "musical" shorts, and the first short was "Rhapsody in Rivets."

    Normally I would think nothing about it, until I watched it: the music follows a construction crew building an impossibly tall building called the "Umpire State" building, which cracks and crumbles in the end falling sown on top of the foreman and one of his workers.

    Of course, it's a cartoon, and the two come out of the rubble alive. But it strikes me as odd, and hypocritcal, that CN pulled "Bebop" because it is too voilent, but then showed this instead. I think the Freleng short would do more to remind people of the attack than if Spike gets into a fight....

  79. Re:Please do not discuss Anime on Slashdot by esper_child · · Score: 1

    you know, if you don't want to read about anime on slashdot you can get yourself an account (like most of us here) and make it so that anything in the anime catagory doesn't appear. as an added bonus you will post at score: 1 instead of 0 as you do now being the AC that you are. You honestly don't think that a group is going to change what it does simply because you don't like do you, now that is just poor thinking.

  80. They do to have Cowboy Bebop! Different Name! by silentdragonX · · Score: 1

    Cowboy Bebop was called Outlaw Star when aired in Japan. Why Cartoon Network retained this stupid a$$'d name is beyond me. Shows how much you guys know your anime ;-). But never fear they probably only exempted it temporarily cuz of the diaster. It airs 11:30 on monday the 17th, 2.5 hours Eastern time away as of this writing.

    1. Re:They do to have Cowboy Bebop! Different Name! by Da_Monk · · Score: 1

      uhm. no. outlaw star is another series. it is currently on the midnight run after DBZ. Trust me, I have imports of the music, it is called cowboy bebop everywhere, mainly as the ship is called the bebop (watch the raw untranslated version, they still say it.) Bounty hunters are cowboys. geez.

  81. Check the listing yourself.... by silentdragonX · · Score: 1

    Check the listing yourself.... It's there. I guess they made the schedule oriented around central time. http://alt.cartoonnetwork.com/Schedule/0,3671,CTN% 7C0%7C%7CCentral,00.html?time_zones=Central&date_p ick=0

  82. One of the episodes they were going to show... by prodos · · Score: 1

    If CN was following the natural progression of the series, the first episode they would have shown was Ballad of the Fallen Angels. Among other things, this ep. featured a church getting blown up, perhaps not the greatest thing to show on a Sunday after this week.

  83. Rhapsody in Rivets by LazyBoy · · Score: 1
    I hope Cowboy Bebop wasn't cancelled because of the recent terrorist attacks!

    Instead of CB, my Tivo caught a WWII era Merrie Melodies cartoon last night at mignight. It's titled Rhapsody in Rivets and involves building the "Umpire State" building to music. At the end, someone closes the door and it comes crashing down!

    Maybe someone with a sense of humor didn't like pulling CB??

    --

    If Chaos Theory has taught us anything, it's that we must kill all the butterflies.

  84. They won't sensor the Afghan violence by Slugba · · Score: 1

    The first piece of futage showing pay-back-time will get plenty of coverage.

  85. http://www.cartoonnetwork.com/feedback/ by oghmagod · · Score: 1

    Go here and write some feedback. Here is what I wrote:

    Your marketing is great! I can't wait to see Justice League...as long as you don't pull it off the network! What the hell happened to Cowboy Bebop? How about Gundam? Are you bowing to terrorist activities? Cowboy Bebop is one of the best stories every shown and you yank it off your adult show just because you are afraid of terrorists. Its un-American. You changed the lives of thousands of people by altering your programming and you aid the terrorists activities.

    Bring Cowboy Bebop back to Adult Swim. DBZ is great, but you've got to get more Anime in to maximize your potential. Don't be afraid of terrorists or the backlash it creates. The best thing we can do is go about our normal lives.

    The only way to get more Anime is to let the know. I just hope we don't have to kill trees to do it.

    Remember The Tick.

    1. Re:http://www.cartoonnetwork.com/feedback/ by oghmagod · · Score: 1

      Its Back. I wrote this to CT to let them know I was sorry. I won't be so quick to be so harsh in the future:

      I must apologize for my recent comments accusing CT of doing something bad. I though you were bowing to terrorism by pulling Cowboy Bebop, but I see CB is back on the play chart tonight. Second, Adult Swim kicks so much ass it isn't even funny. I called my buddy, Nate, at the start of Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law and all I said was "tell me you are watching this." He was able to reply with "Watching it, hell I'm taping it!" "ME to I laughed," and then we both laughed at the antics of the courtroom sideshow for the next seven minutes. Nate lives in another state, so the phone call wasn't free, but it was well worth it. I've already written six mails to other friends making sure they saw it. Space Ghost was just on, and it was another great episode. Its nice that you've finally given the creators of these shows a forum to allow their full talents to be shown.

      Lastly, I'm going to try and make it clear that the people who actually watch CT support the current direction of your marketing and programming departments. You know that the critics will try and deter and censor your programming in the future as you progress to meet the wants of your market -(17 - 50 year old technology lovers.) They will make the argument that you are the Cartoon Network and you shouldn't have "Adult" programming because it is assumed by these ignorant people that cartoons are for kids. This narrow minded traditionalism is the root of the terrorist problem and is the only true evil in the world. Hold fast to your current line and direction of programming. Be progressive. Be bold. Animation is truly a medium only bound by the creativity of its creators. Cartoon Network, I implore you to be strong enough to withstand the attacks and further the art, not only for the success of your business, but also for the society as a whole.

      MORE BIRDMAN!

  86. Hey it's back (maybe) by Steve+The+Avenger · · Score: 1

    Check out the listings here:

    http://alt.cartoonnetwork.com/Schedule/0,3671,CT N| 2||Central,00.html?time_zones=Central&date_pick=2

    It looks like they might be showing it again. Maybe all the whining paid off! :)

  87. Re:Your smoking good sh-t by oghmagod · · Score: 1

    I totally agree. Censorship is the enemy of the masses. Without free speech and a fourm to speak, terrorism will continue from the illogical hard line traditionalists.

    Actions speak louder than words, but words aren't without power.

  88. Re:Bebop by ffatTony · · Score: 2

    Sorry guys. I, wrongfully, assumed most people had already seen CB and wanted to start a thread about its future. In the future I will include the words *SPOILER* (or something to that effect) in the subject line. Again, please forgive my blunder.