BEHIND THE STORY...
This was one of my attempts to aim a show at the (then) newly created Adult Swim block. One of the rules for the early days of Adult Swim was that new shows had to be economical. I figured a show that could utilize clips from existing animation would save money. I also thought a show that poked fun at animated characters and their world could be successful. The network was already trying to do the same with HARVEY BIRDMAN. (But that series, handled via hand animation, was taking a lot of time and money to produce.) I pitched Cartoon Casserole as a show that could be done with humor and on a limited budget. I was told the idea was funny. However, they said the series might be “too smart” for the audience. Execs thought the Adult Swim audience couldn’t follow a show that required some cartoon knowledge to understand the satire.
And now my pitch...
Cartoon Casserole
What’s Cookin’ at Cartoon Network? Tune into… Cartoon Casserole
“Hello, Dum-Dums, I, the Great Gazoo, have a new job on Earth. I have been forced to maintain watch on the programming at Cartoon Network. To hide my true mission, I have created a low-budget series that allows me to report my findings. I call it CARTOON CASSEROLE. And, irony of ironies, Cartoon Network decided to broadcast it! Unfortunately, the network feels the show needs a pretty face. Hence Penelope Pitstop has been given the role of announcer and co-host. No matter, my superior intellect is enough for two.”
A meeting of TALK SOUP and THE DAILY SHOW, each 11-minute episode will feature Gazoo’s acidic wit, Penelope’s clouded vision, and tons of clips and guests from the world of Cartoon Network. Gazoo hosts the series in front of a giant wall of TV monitors. Along with Penelope, Gazoo presents a variety of segments including…
TOON WRAP-UP - Gazoo comments on a variety of series clips as if he is doing a week in review.
GUEST TIME. – Time spent with a key animated character.
BUL (Bios of Unusual Lives) – A mini bio of a selected character.
45 SECONDS WITH… - A fast paced interview segment.
TOON SPOTTER – Gazoo points out errors in cartoons.
GUESS WHO - Gazoo must guess a character by their voice over the phone. (Mostly a Gazoo rant-a-thon)
ANIMATION SENSATIONS - a news segment in which Gazoo and Penelope comment on a variety of news stories revolving cartoon characters. (Think Saturday Night Live News)
Join Gazoo and Penelope for an irreverent look at the world of cartoons!
Episode Suggestions
DOOS ON FIRST - Gazoo tries to figure out the lineage of Scooby and his numerous relations including Scooby-Dum, Scrappy Doo, Scooby-Dee, Whoopsy-Doo, Ruby-Doo, Great Grandpa Doo, Yabba-Doo, Dooby-Dooby-Doo, Dixie-Doo, Momsy Doo and Dada Doo. It quickly devolves into a “Doo’s on First” type routine.
STAR SEARCHED - Gazoo and Penelope go stargazing and find cameos by some of Hollywood’s and TV’s greatest stars from Humphrey Bogart with Bugs Bunny to Ann Margaret with Fred Flintstone to Cher with Scooby Doo to Farrah Fawcett and Jonny Bravo.
WHIRL OF TOMORROW - Gazoo is agog when he sees how the future has been predicted in cartoons. There are space jockeys like the Galaxy Goof-ups and Duck Dodgers. Watch families like The Jetsons and Partridge Family 2200. See classic creator’s visions of devices, homes, transportation and aliens. Includes a special segment of cartoons that take place in future dates that have already passed!
GOOD SPORTS - Gazoo and Penelope watch cartoon stars compete in sporting events. Surfing, football, skateboarding, hang gliding, skiing, auto racing, dinosaur races, tennis, and more are scored.
FASHION FIASCO - Penelope takes the lead in helping Gazoo sort out the fashion scene. She starts with the hair-dos of characters from the Hair Bear Bunch to Elmer Fudd. Next it’s the best and worst dressed toons. And finally, are pants necessary?
text, image and format © John Cawley
Back To Perfect Pitch Main Page
Back To cataroo.com