The nice people at Pact have created a bad ass Wombles video to illustrate the effects of American TV on our dear sweet kiddie widdies.
I have to say that the accented relentless catch-phrases near the end of this video make me want to claw off my ears with a spoon, however, I have trouble feeling passionate about this cause.
I grew up with the likes of Danger Mouse, Trapdoor, Transformers, Dungeons and Dragons, etc... In this divisively small list there is a 50%-50% UK\US split and I proclaim that where the cartoons differ is production values. The US shows looked better.
Sure, the UK ones had a homemade charm to them, but I've only really come to appreciate that since around University age.
The UK shows were more intelligent (from what I remember), have better scripts, and are frankly funnier. Kids like shiny though... so very very shiny. How else can you conceivably explain the Power Rangers and Pokemon fads.
(Japanese shows, lame dialog throughout)
How about we up the budgets a little on our home made kiddie shows. Make them flashy and clever. Problem solved, I win, break out the Mysterious Cities of Gold box set.
I digress though... with quite alot of deep seated anger I never knew I had.
Back to Wombles from the hood... with knives and lingo. Ok, no knives, but LINGO!
To sign the UK TV for UK kids petition you can head over to http://www.britishkidstv.com/
BadAss Wombles
I have to say that the accented relentless catch-phrases near the end of this video make me want to claw off my ears with a spoon, however, I have trouble feeling passionate about this cause.
I grew up with the likes of Danger Mouse, Trapdoor, Transformers, Dungeons and Dragons, etc... In this divisively small list there is a 50%-50% UK\US split and I proclaim that where the cartoons differ is production values. The US shows looked better.
Sure, the UK ones had a homemade charm to them, but I've only really come to appreciate that since around University age.
The UK shows were more intelligent (from what I remember), have better scripts, and are frankly funnier. Kids like shiny though... so very very shiny. How else can you conceivably explain the Power Rangers and Pokemon fads.
(Japanese shows, lame dialog throughout)
How about we up the budgets a little on our home made kiddie shows. Make them flashy and clever. Problem solved, I win, break out the Mysterious Cities of Gold box set.
I digress though... with quite alot of deep seated anger I never knew I had.
Back to Wombles from the hood... with knives and lingo. Ok, no knives, but LINGO!
To sign the UK TV for UK kids petition you can head over to http://www.britishkidstv.com/
BadAss Wombles
2 comments:
BUT THE VIDEO IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE
Still viewable at http://www.britishkidstv.com/ though
I agree that the slightly crappy quality of 80s kids TV is a part of the charm that you only appreciate fully as an adult, not sure that we'll be able to match the flashiness of big budget US shows though. The British animation industry is in a poor state and needs some serious reinvigoration. Cosgrove Hall FTW!
It is available according to my interwebs!
I think we can match flashy.. just look at the Clangers. They were way ahead of their time!
Post a Comment