Of course I'm only going to address the toon portions since live TV sucks so bad nowadays ...
Teen Titans: agreed! The manga style put me off at first, but I grew to like the cartoon very fast. Shrewd move on WB's part to repurpose these characters for a modern audience this way and by pulling their ages back a smidge. Also, no mention of school or real names*. The entire show is supposed to be totally out of continuity, which means focusing on just them -- nice to have the Titans back this way. All the focus on Robin makes sense: he's the only one who has no super powers so play up his leadership, smarts and athletic skills.
The fighting and repartee are top notch. They've been borrowing and improving a lot from the comics. Deathstroke the Terminator -- pardon me, Slade -- was practically a pedophile with Terra in the comics. (It was a great story and quite the shocker back then -- but now I just go ew.)
* We've seen snippets of Starfire and Raven's backgrounds. Cyborg assumed an alias of "Stone" recently (his real last name in the comics). Robin has already made reference to being raised by the bat guy; and his own personal version of Bat-Mite/Mxyzptlk had the name "Nosyarg Kcid." (The lack of real names on the show also artfully avoids wondering whether Robin's Dick, Jason Todd or someone else.) Lord knows how they would even try to deal with Beast Boy's detailed history.
Justice League: I'm hoping it's not getting too diluted with all these extra characters, but I'm liking it. The adaptation of Alan Moore's top notch Superman annual, "For the Man Who Has Everything," was excellent. Longtime Superman friend Prof. Hamilton's actions were surprising. They could have done more with the Question. And I can think of better choices for the voice of hawk than Fred Savage. (Now I'm just griping.)
The animation style WB has been using since Batman's 1990's series has been devloping nicely, to Superman and now JL. Still sleek and powerful. And a further reminder of why I hate the new Batman series on the WB so much. Ugh! Looks way too Jackie Chan or Men in Black, and the rogue gallery jes' ain't right.
Megas XLR: Is it really that good? I watched one ep and couldn't get into it. Plus Jamie keeps reminding me of Jughead.
Simpsons: no longer what it once was, but certainly no mere shell either. Even a sucky episode beats most of everything else out there. They're like my family now, so I'll never give up on them. Funny how they set the bar on a new reality of bawdy humor until South Park and Family Guy (finally getting the recognition it deserves) came along, building upon their base.
Adult Swim: Finally got to see the Blackwatch Plaid ep of Harvey Birdman! Ohmigawd that was hilarious! It's definitely been getting better and better. Plus every time they drag out some forgotten H-B character I go into ecstasy. (And how can they get away with showing stuff like Peter Potamus screwing an intern?)
Sealab still not bad, and great anytime they use "Black" Debbie.
Aqua Teen Hunger Force has really been going for the gross outs lately -- that whole Santa thing ... But still a must see. MC Pee Pants is due for a return soon. Or has he already been? (I missed a few this season.)
Venture Brothers is great great great: with you 100% on all points. AS is really trying to push the advertising for it. I kept missing it on Sat nights but thank goodness they added that Sun night repeat. And it looks great: when was the last time AS introduced an original show with animation this full? The style and situations are right on the ball. And talk about families and dysfunction: last week we learned a whole bunch of them went to college together, good guys and bad. Very funny stuff!
The anime: I don't watch much of it, but FLCL was glorious: beautiful and odd. Also planning to check out Read or Die.
Can't wait to check out: new Family Guys, Seth Green's new project (the first clip got a great reception). Not looking forward to, but I'll keep an open mind: Squidbillies, Tom Goes to the Mayor.
Whoda thunk Cartoon Network could get this adult programming block to do so well?
no subject
Teen Titans: agreed! The manga style put me off at first, but I grew to like the cartoon very fast. Shrewd move on WB's part to repurpose these characters for a modern audience this way and by pulling their ages back a smidge. Also, no mention of school or real names*. The entire show is supposed to be totally out of continuity, which means focusing on just them -- nice to have the Titans back this way. All the focus on Robin makes sense: he's the only one who has no super powers so play up his leadership, smarts and athletic skills.
The fighting and repartee are top notch. They've been borrowing and improving a lot from the comics. Deathstroke the Terminator -- pardon me, Slade -- was practically a pedophile with Terra in the comics. (It was a great story and quite the shocker back then -- but now I just go ew.)
* We've seen snippets of Starfire and Raven's backgrounds. Cyborg assumed an alias of "Stone" recently (his real last name in the comics). Robin has already made reference to being raised by the bat guy; and his own personal version of Bat-Mite/Mxyzptlk had the name "Nosyarg Kcid." (The lack of real names on the show also artfully avoids wondering whether Robin's Dick, Jason Todd or someone else.) Lord knows how they would even try to deal with Beast Boy's detailed history.
Justice League: I'm hoping it's not getting too diluted with all these extra characters, but I'm liking it. The adaptation of Alan Moore's top notch Superman annual, "For the Man Who Has Everything," was excellent. Longtime Superman friend Prof. Hamilton's actions were surprising. They could have done more with the Question. And I can think of better choices for the voice of hawk than Fred Savage. (Now I'm just griping.)
The animation style WB has been using since Batman's 1990's series has been devloping nicely, to Superman and now JL. Still sleek and powerful. And a further reminder of why I hate the new Batman series on the WB so much. Ugh! Looks way too Jackie Chan or Men in Black, and the rogue gallery jes' ain't right.
Megas XLR: Is it really that good? I watched one ep and couldn't get into it. Plus Jamie keeps reminding me of Jughead.
Simpsons: no longer what it once was, but certainly no mere shell either. Even a sucky episode beats most of everything else out there. They're like my family now, so I'll never give up on them. Funny how they set the bar on a new reality of bawdy humor until South Park and Family Guy (finally getting the recognition it deserves) came along, building upon their base.
Adult Swim: Finally got to see the Blackwatch Plaid ep of Harvey Birdman! Ohmigawd that was hilarious! It's definitely been getting better and better. Plus every time they drag out some forgotten H-B character I go into ecstasy. (And how can they get away with showing stuff like Peter Potamus screwing an intern?)
Sealab still not bad, and great anytime they use "Black" Debbie.
Aqua Teen Hunger Force has really been going for the gross outs lately -- that whole Santa thing ... But still a must see. MC Pee Pants is due for a return soon. Or has he already been? (I missed a few this season.)
Venture Brothers is great great great: with you 100% on all points. AS is really trying to push the advertising for it. I kept missing it on Sat nights but thank goodness they added that Sun night repeat. And it looks great: when was the last time AS introduced an original show with animation this full? The style and situations are right on the ball. And talk about families and dysfunction: last week we learned a whole bunch of them went to college together, good guys and bad. Very funny stuff!
The anime: I don't watch much of it, but FLCL was glorious: beautiful and odd. Also planning to check out Read or Die.
Can't wait to check out: new Family Guys, Seth Green's new project (the first clip got a great reception). Not looking forward to, but I'll keep an open mind: Squidbillies, Tom Goes to the Mayor.
Whoda thunk Cartoon Network could get this adult programming block to do so well?
--Toonhead!