There wasn't much of anything of interest that happened on a particular date of October 1--unless you were a history buff, so there were a few important events that occurred on this date:
-The George Washington Bridge between New Jersey and New York opened to motorists in 1931
- NBC's iconic late-night franchise watermark The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson debuted in 1962
-Walt Disney World opened its doors for the first time in 1971 (with Epcot opening on the same date in 1982)
-Muhammad Ali whooped Joe Frazier in 1975's boxing heavyweight Thrilla in Manilla, and
-Pope John Paul II embarked on his first pastoral visit the United States in 1978.
But it was on this October 1 in 1992, when another powerful and transcendent force that changed television (and those who watched it, including this blogger) forever. This cable network had one idea and one plan only: air cartoons 24 hours a day. And for (most of) its entire history, it did so...and it is awesome.
This is Cartoon Network.
While I wasn't born to witness it's literal beginnings (I was born a year, 5 months and 5 days later), I was lucky to watch as much of it as I possibly could remember during its golden age of the still-fondlyremembered-and-grossly-reached-upon Cartoon Cartoons era. (But I'll get to that soon...)
When Cartoon Network began, it's lineup and schedule mostly relied on acquired animated series--mostly classic cartoons such as Looney Tunes, The Flintstones, The Jetsons, Tom & Jerry and Rocky & Bullwinkle among many others--and some series from its sister networks TBS (which at the time was a Superstation and wasn't always Very Funny) and TNT (which at the time didn't Know Drama)--like 2 Stupid Dogs and SWAT Kats, with a few original series in between like The Brak Show and Space Ghost: Coast to Coast.
At that time, even at the start, CN was definitely a network to watch, and as a classic cartoons fan, I would've gotten my fix at any time literally every single day I'm at home.
But it was in 1995 when Cartoon Network began to branch even more into original productions with What a Cartoon!, where animation creators can see their ideas come to life on television--with many of these shorts becoming iconic full-fledged classic Cartoon Network originals. The Powerpuff Girls, Dexter's Laboratory, Johnny Bravo, Cow and Chicken, Courage the Cowardly Dog, Mike, Lu & Og, Sheep in the Big City, Whatever Happened to... Robot Jones?, Codename: Kids Next Door, Grim and Evil and Megas XLR
all begun on What a Cartoon!, and became classics. Ed, Edd n' Eddy is also another, with all mentioned still being fondly remembered today. And all of this led up to a Golden Age--not only of CN, but also of Western animation (or the, depending on your view). I can't say everything about these series (because there are so much to say at this time), but all of them are brilliant, entertaining, funny and memorable in their own ways, and definitely hold up with the best as some of the greatest animated series of all time. I don't have to say "when I was a kid" or anything like that. Just picture those times when you watched any of them... yeah... felt like magic.
(And boy oh boy, CN's programming blocks were the stuff of legend.
especially when they came together for Cartoon Cartoon Fridays, which during its years on air was like the weekend definitely truly was here (even if literally too). And speaking of CCF, it was one of the reasons why I'm grateful for Cartoon Network in my life. Watching my favorite CN characters from my favorite CN shows converge in the same place doing random things to introduce their shows. Nothing else mattered then (except playing outside with friends and the mall of course).
And at the same time, on the other side of the spectrum, there was Toonami. The premiere destination for anime and action cartoons in the US (well, watered down to tone down violence and gore), Toonami was one of the best places for kids anywhere on TV to watch Eastern animation. Dragon Ball Z, Justice League, Naruto, Teen Titans, One Piece, Megas XLR and many others have called it home throughout it's history (and it's still on the air on Adult Swim. And speaking of...)
When the kids walk away, the grownups come and play. Adult Swim pretty much was the opposite--airing cartoons and even live-action programming for much older audiences. Watching when I was a kid I already understood it and enjoyed some of it's shows. But I also was a kid who also wished CN would come back to being 24 hours, so complex cricket am I right? But it was it's own beast back then and is clearly even bigger today with absurd but acclaimed Originals like The Eric Andre Show, Tim & Eric, Black, Jesus, The Boondocks and of course Rick and Morty. To say that Adult Swim earned its place as Cartoon Network's well-deserved counterpart is an understatement.
Other Cartoon Network blocks included Miguzi, Tickle U, CCF's rebirth Cartoon Network Fridays and numerous named spawns and respawns that either just couldn't hold up to the originals or more popular one at the cool table just didn't make sense. One of the most notable was both: CN Real. The purpose of this block was to air shows that pretty much didn't look like what should air on a network for cartoons or pretty much did live up to their name. These shows are mostly reality shows or game shows that may be perfect for other networks but definitely not this one. Dude What Would Happen, Destroy Build Destroy, Bobb'e Says and Hole in the Wall aren't bad shows but it's the stigma that comes with them that made them unmemorable or if memorable pretty much hated. And then there are live action shows like Unnatural History, Level Up, Tower Prep and-- the biggest offensive them all--Out of Jimmy's Head, that prove that the executives of the time may had forgotten what the C of Cartoon Network meant at the time. CN Real is just a stain on CN's perfect record that we'll try to make go away.
Many other original and acquired programs came along in the 90s and especially 2000s. Classics still rocked on in the mornings and a few acquired programs came in in the afternoon. Without saying names, they were a mixed bunch critically, and only a large handful are still some of my all-time favorites.
During the 2000s (the first full decade of my watching the network), CN begun to fade a bit in quality, but it still packed a wollop in originals. Shows like Ben 10, Chowder, My Gym Partner's a Monkey, HiHi Puffy AmiYumi, Juniper Lee, Secret Saturdays, Camp Lazlo, Squirrel Boy and Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends and many others were some big ticket attractions for everyone. Although they didn't hold as high as the last era, they do hold well in my mind.
During and after that time, CN began a roller coaster ride in quality and quantity, to which it is still continuing. Fortunately, most of it's originals today and during this decade so far help it ride high and keep the excitement going. Adventure Time, Regular Show, The Amazing World of Gumball, Steven Universe, Clarence, We Bare Bears, Over the Garden Wall, Mighty Magiswords and OK KO! (along with that acquired taste at best that is Teen Titans Go!) all prove that through its ups and downs, Cartoon Network still can make great, brilliant and awesome memorable animated series the world over.
And you know what, I am supremely grateful for all of it. I didn't have the best childhood, but when I needed a good time, CN was always there. Anytime something was on it, I'd tune in almost immediately. For these 23 years of my life so far, a lot of it was spent on Cartoon Network, and rarely was there a show I outright hated or felt disgusted by. And the least I can do is say, you are one awesome television network and may you continue to be as awesome for (possibly) another 25 years. And...thank you for everything.
Happy Silver Anniversary, Cartoon Network!
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