Mar 11, 2014

Cartoon Network's 2014-'15 lineup includes fantasy miniseries Over The Garden Wall.

The Cartoon Network upfront took place yesterday, and the Stu Snyder-less network announced its upcoming programming slate for the 2014-'15 season to its advertising and promotional partners.

Mixed in with staples like "Uncle Grandpa" and "Steven Universe" are Skylar Paige and Daniel Chong's "We Bare Bears" ("We Bare Bears") new show "Clarence" and imports from Canada and Japan respectively, " Numb Chucks and Beyraiderz, as well as new shows from franchises like LEGO, Sonic the Hedgehog, and Total Drama Island.

And Cartoon Network, a new digital "user experience" - Always On, a cross-device programming platform, and Cartoon, a "micro-network" that streams 15-second bits of content to mobile devices Network Anything-are being touted heavily, but perhaps the most progressive announcement in the new lineup is news of the upcoming miniseries Over the Garden Wall (above).

"Over The Garden Wall" is a fantasy miniseries that grew out of the pilot "Tome of the Unknown," created by Pat McHale for Cartoon Network Studios' short-form program, and will air for 10 episodes beginning this fall The series will air for 10 episodes beginning this fall. This type of self-contained event programming is something Cartoon Network should explore more. Not only because it gives creators a finite, whole-story opportunity, but also because viewers will not feel short-changed if a series is unexpectedly not renewed for the next season.

Also, as expected, the Scooby-Doo, Bugs Bunny, and Tom and Jerry franchises have been revived with the usual modern "twists."

Here is the complete lineup:

New original and acquired shows:

Over The Garden Wall Cartoon Network's first event miniseries, an animated comedy/fantasy about two brothers, Wart and Greg, trapped in a magical world. With help, they must travel through this strange land until they find their way home. Music plays an important role in this series, with a soundtrack of original Americana-influenced songs. Over the Garden Wall is created by Pat McHale and produced by Cartoon Network Studios.

Clarence Created by creator Skylar Paige and premiering Monday, April 14 at 7 p.m., Clarence is a new original animated series about an optimistic boy who wants to do everything. Because everything is great, "Clarence" was conceived as part of Cartoon Network Studios' prolific short film development program, which includes: "Regular Show," "Uncle Grandpa," "Steven Universe," "Clarence," Over the Garden Wall, and We Bear Bears.

We Bear BearsWe Bear Bears is a comedy about three bear brothers named Grizzly, Panda, and Ice Bear. Each episode depicts their clumsy attempts to assimilate into human society, whether it be searching for food, trying to make human friends, or scheming to become famous on the Internet. Whatever the circumstances, it's tough to be a bear in today's civilized society, but at least they have each other. Created by Annie Award winner Daniel Chong ("Toy Story of Terror"), "We Bare Bears" is produced by Cartoon Network Studios.

The Tom and Jerry Show The iconic cat-and-mouse rivalry returns in The Tom and Jerry Show. Retaining the looks, characters, and sensibility of the original, this completely new series of colorful, high-definition lenses depicts the crazed slapstick and endless battles that have made Tom and Jerry two of the most beloved characters of all time. The Tom & Jerry Show is produced by Warner Bros. Animation and premieres Wednesday, April 9 at 5:30 p.m.

Cool Scooby Doo is an all-new 22-minute animated comedy series from Warner Bros. Animation. The Scooby Gang is back with a modern comedic twist on the beloved classic. High school is over, and to survive their last summer, the gang hops aboard the Mystery Machine in pursuit of fun and adventure. But monsters and mayhem keep getting in the way.

Wabbit - Looney Tunes Productions The Bugs Bunny is back from Warner Bros. Animation. Warner Bros. Animation presents Bugs, a new comedic series starring the iconic carrot-loving bunny who pits his wits against (and comes out on top of) classic characters like Yosemite Sam and Wile E. Coyote. Along the way, Bugs encounters new enemies... And he'll have help from new friends like Bigfoot and Squeeks the Squirrel.

LEGO NINJAGO: Masters of Spinjitzu Continuing its strong partnership with the LEGO Group, Cartoon Network will once again introduce viewers to the wonderful world of NINJAGO: Masters of Spinjitzu with six half-hour animated specials in 2014.

Sonic Boom. Sonic the Hedgehog has been one of the world's biggest video game icons for over 20 years, and this year will debut a new segment of the Sonic Universe entitled "Sonic Boom™". Featuring Sonic and his friends in new guises, the franchise's first CG-animated television series is an action-packed comedy adventure that will premiere on Cartoon Network. The "Sonic Boom" television series is co-produced by SEGA® of America, Inc. and OuiDO. Productions and will debut on Cartoon Network during the 2014/2015 season.

Total Drama: Perkitee Island. New Island. New cast. Same disregard for human safety. Chris and Chef put the newest generation of contestants through their craziest challenge yet for a chance to win a million dollars. Total Drama Island is produced by Fresh TV.

Numb Chuck. The Woodchuck brothers, Dillweed and Funghi, didn't think they were mystical kung fu saviors until they came across an infomercial featuring "The Way of the Chuck," a motivational kung fu video featuring the legendary big man Woodchuck Morris' mallets. We didn't. Confidence was boundless, but brain cell supply was limited, and after watching the video countless times, the dim-witted duo morphed into THE NUMB CHUCKS.

Bay Riders. Sho, Jin, and Leon are trapped in a strange world protected by six mythical beasts who once defended justice and brought prosperity to all through the BeyRaiderz tournament. Now, Sho and his friends must discover the hidden BeyRaiderz stadium and fight to bring the Beasts back and restore prosperity to the world.

Original "always on" programming for Cartoon Network's multiple digital platforms:

Angelo Rules (season 2) For a child, life is a daily battle. Adults, siblings, teachers, and competitors tell them what to do, what not to do, and what to say. ...... Angelo observes and then devises elaborate strategies to deceive, sweet-talk, trick and outwit any adversary. Season 2 of this new series comes from TeamTo and Cake Entertainment.

Detentioneer. After being accused of a major prank and punished with a year of detention, high school student Lee Ping escapes detention to uncover the mastermind behind the prank and avoid being caught by Principal Barrage. After proving his innocence, Lee again tries to escape from Barrage's upgraded detention room, only to discover that a strange pyramid in the school's basement is connected to Lee's key, the Parent-Teacher Association, and the blue tazeworm. There is more to the school than meets the eye. Created by animators Daniel Bryan Franklin and Charles Johnston, "Detentionaire" is distributed by Nelvana.

Rocket Joe Rocket Joe is an inventor and adventurer. His unique goal is to make jetpacks work and fly forever... Ineffectively. But his valiant attempts are always a false dawn of failure, gags, explosions, and falls, much to the delight of the audience. Produced by Millimages and 2D3D, Rocket Joe works hard to make viewers, both children and parents, laugh, using every ounce of their imagination...

Resurrected Series: Adventure Time The Amazing World of Gumball Ben 10 Omniverse Globetrotters Johnny Test Legends of Chima Mixel Pokemon the Series XY Regular Show Steven Universe Teen Titans GO Knights of the Heavens Uncle Grumpa