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Batman: Brave and the Bold coming to the Cartoon Network(2008).
© Cartoon Network

Cartoon Network Upfronts Look Promising

By: Stephen Lackey
Date: Monday, April 07, 2008

Often the Cartoon Network mistreats shows that might appeal to more than just children, other than the Adult Swim Block of shows that airs on Sunday nights. The network had a fantastic series in Justice League that could appeal to all ages, but definitely skewed a bit to the older crowd. The problem was the series jumped around in the schedule so much it was hard to follow. When it finally settled on Saturday nights, the nails were ready for the coffin.

It’s been public knowledge for some time that The Clone Wars would be returning to the network, a series that was actually better than the live action prequel films. George Lucas appeared at the upfront announcements to re-confirm that the series would be starting after a theatrical run of a film version that’s an assemblage of a few episodes. This series should be great but what also looks quite promising is a new Batman series called Batman: Brave and the Bold. Fans may recognize the title as being the same as a fantastic comic book series from DC Comics. Similar to the comics each week, Batman will be teaming with various other heroes from the DC universe to combat evil. Not only is this series based on a retro comic book series (currently reborn and fantastic featuring art by George Perez) but the art is fairly classic too, bringing back the yellow logo on Batman’s chest, something that’s been gone for years. The bad news is that the series may not be launching until next March.

This week’s must see series are Medium, a series that’s been strong since its return from strike hiatus, and the new Doctor Who spin-off Sarah Jane Adventures. The series sounds a bit formulaic, but a good formula can still go down easy with a side of sci-fi, and a little horror for desert.

Monday

NEW AMSTERDAM (FOX, 8PM EST) RECLASSIFIED

The dying wish of John's first partner (Chris Bauer), who was shot in the line of duty, brings back memories of John's early days as a detective, and even provides clues about his search for mortality. But it also leads to run-ins with the Russian mafia.

MEDIUM (NBC, 10PM EST) LADY KILLER

Rosanna Arquette (series star Patricia Arquette's sister) guest stars as an older seductress linked to the brutal murders of two younger men. Elsewhere, Allison senses Devalos is being double-crossed by a close associate as the campaign heats up.

Tuesday

SCARIEST PLACES ON EARTH (CBS, 8PM EST) CURSED ITALIAN MONASTERY

A California family attempts to spend a night on the deserted Poveglia Island located off the coast of Venice, Italy, which was once a refuge for plague victims. Linda Blair is the host. It’s a repeat but hey maybe ya missed it!

Wednesday

GHOST HUNTERS (SCI FI, 9PM EST) WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE

The team probes three buildings at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, for claims concerning phantom typists, an elevator with a mind of its own and children's laughter---sans the children.

DESTINATION TRUTH (SCI FI, 10PM EST) WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE

A search for giant anacondas puts the team in the Amazonian jungle.

Thursday

30 ROCK (NBC, PM EST) MILF ISLAND

Jack delights in the TV-programming juggernaut that is the reality show "MILF Island," but his happiness is short-lived when an unknown staffer disparages him in a gossip column. Jack, believing the public insult could threaten his push for the chairman position, sets out to identify the disloyal employee. Rob Huebel guest stars as the host of "MILF Island." Ok it’s not exactly a sci-fi series but there’s more sci-fi references in each episode of the series than in most genre shows out there.

ELI STONE (NBC, 10PM EST) PATIENCE

With an out-of-town partner (Katey Sagal) probing the firm's recent decline in prestige and loss of wealthy clients---threatening Jordan's reign---Eli picks a bad time to rely on his visions of the future and help a prisoner who has been denied parole.

Friday

GHOST WHISPERER (CBS, 8:00PM EST) THE GRAVESITTER

A series of break-ins leads Melinda to the town blogger, who knows her secret and intends to tell. Lisa Benzing: Carly Schroeder. Henry Benzing: Slade Pearce.

SARAH JANE ADVENTURES (SCIFI, 7:00PM EST) HE THAT BELIEVETH IN ME

Here’s another Doctor Who spin-off! I liked Torchwood until it moved to far into soap opera territory. Hopefully this one will be better. Sarah, the Doctor’s one time partner, now investigates alien activity as a journalist. This week she looks into the sinister dealings of a soft drink company.

BATTLESTAR GALACTICA (SCIFI, 9:00PM EST) HE THAT BELIEVETH IN ME PART 2

The comclusion of this parter probably won’t have much of a sense of finaltiy because this season is likely to be one cliffhanger after another. We will see what happens between Starbuck and the President though!

Saturday

ODYSSEUS: VOYAGE TO THE UNDERWORLD (SCIFI, 9PM EST)

The classic hero from Greece face bloodsucking monsters on an island ruled by a beautiful Goddess.

TORCHWOOD (BBC, 9PM EST) FRAGMENTS

The team members' lives flash before their eyes after an explosion knocks them unconscious, revealing how each was recruited to Torchwood.

Sunday

SIMPSONS (FOX, 80PM EST) PAPA DON’T LEECH

The Simpsons take in a country singer Homer used to manage who owes back taxes to Springfield. She is now destitute, so the family tries to help her get back on her feet. The Dixie Chicks have a voice cameo as themselves. Lurleen: Beverly D'Angelo.

ELI STONE (NBC, 10PM EST) WAITING FOR THAT DAY

Eli becomes convinced that his earlier visions of an earthquake in San Francisco will come true, so he takes matters into his own hands in an effort to save the city.

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Comments/Responses

hanso • Apr 07, 2008, 05:43am •

Sweet, I didn't even know they were working on a new Batman series. 2 bad it might be in March when it finally airs. Looking foward to it, there can never be 2 much Batman in my opinion, unless it's Batman by Shumacher that I can do without.

Rumpledforeskin • Apr 07, 2008, 06:17am •

I realize the whole intent of recreating these DC icon's respective series is first and foremost about "Action Figures" I wish they would find a way to continue the slightly adult themed series like Justice League Unlimited.

It was a fine series that stands up well. I think the key was that it wasn't helmed by "create new heroes/monsters so we can get a new toy line out" executives. It was almost like the cartoon was made by people I grew up with in that they realized "its just a cartoon" but knew "This can be fun and taken seriously at the same time" The moment I realized that was when Wonder Woman spun in circle to change from civilian clothes into her uniform. They didnt have to do that but it was something we all wanted to see and they did it. I had to laugh because it was a very sweet moment, akin to a tipping of the hat or a knowing wink between strangers who shared the same upbringing.

alphan • Apr 07, 2008, 06:42am •

If that is the praised new "classic" Batman artwork for the series... no, thanks! I can hear the music already. dada dada dada dada... Baaaatmaaan!
They should do something like Jim Aparo or Dick Giordano classic like stuff.
But really... no! I don't even love that yellow sign. I mean, why sould Batman wear something like a bullseye on his chest in the night? That's a stupid idea for a new series.
Until now, nothing was better than Batman animated: Gotham Knights!

Jakester • Apr 07, 2008, 07:11am •

Stevie, As Torchwood is skewed towards the older segment of Who fandom, Sarah Jane is skewed towards the younger set.
The first episode is fun, but in retrospect, makes me think of Slusho.

Torchwood is amazing, btw.

WISEGUY562 • Apr 07, 2008, 07:23am •

I thought The Batman series was going to naturally evolve into The Brave and the Bold. At least that's what I thought was happening with all the team ups they were having.

mbeckham1 • Apr 07, 2008, 08:12am •

I actually thought this season of torchwood was an improvement over the first. The characters are more defined, the series seems to be goin somewhere instead of out of nowhere crisis of the week.

Also, with the characters being more developed their actions right or wrong have context. A lot of the things the main characters did last season seemed a bit forced, Gwen and Owen's fling being first among them. Tosh's decision to hide the telepathy device being another.

The problem wasn't that a person in general wouldn't have done these things, o even that they went against Tosh's professional veneer or Gwen's sensitivity. It's that we hadn't gotten far enough beneath those surface impressions to make sense of why they broke character when they did.

It just seemed like they did these things to give the writers something to write about. Now, they have pasts and more complicated priorities. Their actions or deviations don't have to appear from a vacuum. I'll definitely check out Sarah Jane Adventures, great actress and great character and I've loved Torchwood and the new Doctor Who so this should be good too.

BTW if you liked JLU, which I loved and totally agree we should have more of that type, you should check out the direct to DVD Justice League: New Frontiers it was done in much the same spirit as JLU. Superman: Doomsday also follows that more adult themes DCU.

mbeckham1 • Apr 07, 2008, 08:23am •

I also agree about you take on what made JLU work. The way it could be taken seriously on a character level, but also nodded to the fun and humor to be found in the convensions of the genre. In that way it sort of reminded me of buffy and Angel. Glamour Slam was one of the funnest funniest half hour I've seen on television. Train Job with Lex and Flash was another.

mbeckham1 • Apr 07, 2008, 08:46am •

BTW speaking of Daytime Soaps and laughter. Anyone else read the title "Brave and the Bold" and think cue elevator music and voice over. That has to be a little bit intentional.

dwanderer • Apr 07, 2008, 08:52am •

:( Is that to be the look of the show, then? Like the new take on Spider-Man, I'll give this a look, but just from the 'Retro' look, I don't think I'll follow it as much as I did the Justice League. Oh, and... I have not bothered to continue with the Spectacular Spider-Man either. Personally, I thought it was too soon since we had what...? TWO other versions BEFORE this one in the last few years? ...... Meh. Anyhoo... that's my two cents (Oh, and if it passes with our gov't, we Canucks may have to start saying: Our Ten Cents if they decide to do away with the 1 cent penny). Adeus!

daforce • Apr 07, 2008, 09:17am •

For those in the know, WB has only themselves to blame for their animated programming. The execs at WB will not let an animated show run past five seasons. This why The Batman was canceled after this last season (season 5).

Also, the WB execs don't realize that by delving into the DC comics lore for animated shows for children, that most of that lore has very dark undertones that you're going to have to touch on sooner or later for any of the classic stories to make sense. This is the reason why Legion of Superheroes was canceled after only two seasons.

Both shows pulled in respectable numbers, but the WB execs want something that's mindless and harmless (see the majority of Cartoon Network's daytime programming for reference) so they can run more commercials.

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Cartoon Network Upfronts Look Promising

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