Chosen by premium Patreon subscriber Professor Gascan, it's our first-ever podcast on the controversial Butch Hartman and his sophomore series, Danny Phantom! How did this action series make it onto Nick in 2004? What is its online legacy with fans? And what about mocking vegetarians? All of that in one big podcast, so go ghost and listen now! Support this podcast and get dozens of bonus episodes by visiting Patreon.com/TalkingSimpsons and becoming a patron! And please follow our official Twitte...
Oct 11, 2021•2 hr 9 min
Another month has passed at the Talking Simpsons Network , and that means we've got another awesome podcast about an animated feature film! This month, our $10+ Patreon subscribers get to hear us talk about 2000's The Road to El Dorado! Listen now to this free extended preview, and then subscribe at the $10 level (or up your current pledge to $10) to hear the whole thing and all of our previous What A Cartoon Movie podcasts. Sign up today !...
Oct 04, 2021•55 min
The day long promised by our guest (and one of our top Patreon supporters), Devin, has finally arrived! We cover one of the silliest and most banal animated shows of all time, Hanna-Barbera's adaptation of the Gary Marshall classic, Laverne & Shirley. We chart how the success of the Happy Days universe of shows in the 1970s led to this Saturday morning cartoon in 1981, plus some interesting facts about how this odd show came to be. So get ready to enlist alongside a pig in this week's podcas...
Sep 27, 2021•2 hr 6 min
Chosen by premium Patreon subscriber Royce, we're covering perhaps the worst cartoon we've ever seen, with special guest expert, the fantastic Matt McMuscles ! How did this super crappy first Mortal Kombat cartoon arrive alongside the 1995 movie? How was this marketed to kids? How well did early digital animation and motion capture age? The answers won't surprise you, so test your might with this week's podcast! Support this podcast and get dozens of bonus episodes by visiting Patreon.com/Talkin...
Sep 13, 2021•2 hr 21 min
The Talking Simpsons Network ends its summer of Disney Renaissance films in stirring fashion with the biggest film of that era, The Lion King. In this extended preview, we dig into how this film came to be over a veeeerry complicated development, how it is entwined with the career of Jeffrey Katzenberg, and much more. Listen now to this free extended preview, and then subscribe at the $10 level (or up your current pledge to $10) to hear the whole thing and all of our previous What A Cartoon Movi...
Sep 06, 2021•48 min
Adam Reed and Matt Thompson have been living large thanks to 11 seasons of Archer, but it all started nearly a decade before that with their inaugural Adult Swim show, Sealab 2021. With its absurdist, Gen X remix of a "classic" Hanna-Barbera series, Sealab fit perfectly into the original lineup of Adult Swim, entertaining both stoned and non-stoned college students alike for 52 episodes. On this installment of What A Cartoon, we examine one of the most popular and self-indulgent episodes of Seal...
Aug 23, 2021•1 hr 33 min
Chosen by premium Patreon subscriber Phil, we're breaking format to talk about a show that we love that may as well have been animated, The Muppet Show! We reflect on a childhood love of Muppets, the career of Jim Henson that led to the creation of the biggest show in the world (for the time), and then look at the now-eerie Star Wars tie-in episode with special guest star, Mr. Mark Hamill, yaaaay!!! Support this podcast and get dozens of bonus episodes by visiting Patreon.com/TalkingSimpsons and...
Aug 09, 2021•2 hr 20 min
Another month has passed at the Talking Simpsons Network , and that means we've got another awesome podcast about an animated feature film! This month, our $10+ Patreon subscribers get to hear us talk about 1996's The Hunchback of Notre Dame! Listen now to this free extended preview, and then subscribe at the $10 level (or up your current pledge to $10) to hear the whole thing and all of our previous What A Cartoon Movie podcasts. Sign up today !...
Aug 02, 2021•52 min
Thanks to the generous patronage of James Eldred, we're taking a look at the cartoon that defined stop-motion animation on TV: Gumby! Art Clokey's animated chunk of clay delighted Baby Boomers during the earliest decades of TV, and returned in the late '80s to delight their children before completely dropping off the face of the earth. This week, listen in as we explore the truly interesting life of Gumby's creator, and dig into one of his earliest, trippiest shorts. Why should you care? He's Gu...
Jul 26, 2021•1 hr 44 min
This week we've got two huge guests: Returning favorite (and creator of OK K.O.) Ian Jones-Quartey along with new guest (and creator of Steven Universe) Rebecca Sugar ! And they're joining us to talk about one of their all-time favorite cartoons, Future Boy Conan! How did Hayao Miyazaki get to direct his first series? How many artists did it influence globally for the last four decades? Why is it so hard to see in the US? We discuss all that plus the second episode "The Journey" all on this week...
Jul 12, 2021•2 hr 19 min
We're starting our summer of Disney Renaissance films with 1997's Hercules! And this is your sample of June's premium podcast for the Talking Simpsons Network ! Meanwhile, our $10+ Patreon subscribers get to go the distance and hear the full thing! After you hear this free extended preview of the tale of Zeus' famous son, consider subscribing at the $10 level (or up your current pledge to $10) to hear the whole thing and all of our previous What A Cartoon Movie podcasts! Sign up today !...
Jul 05, 2021•48 min
Chosen by premium Patreon subscriber Alex, we're returning to the one named Sailor Moon, only this time we're focusing on the North American English dub of the '90s. We're digging deep into the Canadian accents of Serena, Amy, Raye, Lita, Mina and the rest. Then we discuss the fun and silly episode Mirror Mirror On The Wall. Fight evil by moonlight and listen now! Support this podcast and get dozens of bonus episodes by visiting Patreon.com/TalkingSimpsons and becoming a patron! And please follo...
Jun 28, 2021•1 hr 50 min
Chosen by premium Patreon subscriber Professor Gascan, this week we're covering one of the infamous prime time toons that came out in the wake of Bartmania, Capitol Critters! How did Hanna-Barbera combine with the Hill Street Blues creators to try and fail to make a politics-meets-talking-animals toon? How quickly was it canceled? We'll cover all of that and more with this forgotten piece of pop culture! Support this podcast and get dozens of bonus episodes by visiting Patreon.com/TalkingSimpson...
Jun 21, 2021•2 hr 7 min
Chosen by premium Patreon subscriber Loki, we're approaching a very historically important but controversial cartoon starring Donald Duck (and if you're not in the mood to hear about nazi atrocities, we understand). First, we explore Donald's 1934 debut, how he was at the height of his popularity just as global war was breaking out. Then we talk about Disney's WWII propaganda, this Oscar-winning attack on history's greatest monster, the long legacy since its release in 1943, and more! Support th...
Jun 14, 2021•1 hr 23 min
Another month has passed at the Talking Simpsons Network , and that means we've got another awesome podcast about an animated feature film! This month, our $10+ Patreon subscribers get to hear us talk about 1992's Cool World! Listen now to this free extended preview, and then subscribe at the $10 level (or up your current pledge to $10) to hear the whole thing and all of our previous What A Cartoon Movie podcasts. Sign up today !...
Jun 07, 2021•47 min
Chosen by premium Patreon subscriber Duckmeat, we're chatting about one of Disney's best recent cartoons, The Owl House! We first cover the career of series creator Dana Terrace and the show's many interesting inspirations. Then we cover the fourth episode of the series which is full of excitement and lore. So give a hoot and listen! Support this podcast and get dozens of bonus episodes by visiting Patreon.com/TalkingSimpsons and becoming a patron! And please follow our official Twitter account,...
May 31, 2021•1 hr 38 min
CHOCOLATE! And by that we mean, we're returning to SpongeBob this week at the request of our guest (and one of our top Patreon supporters), Devin! First, we delve into the careers of a few unsung artists in the world of Bikini Bottom. Then we cover two of the best episodes ever from the end of the third season, so grab your candy bar bags and get ready for some fancy living! Support this podcast and get dozens of bonus episodes by visiting Patreon.com/TalkingSimpsons and becoming a patron! And p...
May 24, 2021•2 hr 5 min
Hokey smokes! Chosen by premium Patreon subscriber Phil, it's time to cover one of the most important (and best) TV cartoons ever made, Rocky And Bullwinkle! We delve deep into Cold War history to chart how this show blazed a trail for smart writing in kids TV, its crossover appeal to adults, its enduring legacy, and so much more. Then we discuss the finale of the season 2 classic "Rue Britannia" ( freely available on YouTube ), so listen and enjoy our friends Moose and Squirrel! Support this po...
May 17, 2021•2 hr 21 min
Chosen by premium Patreon subscriber Royce, we're returning to Marvel's merry mutants and their Kids' WB incarnation! Yes, it's time for the often overlooked X-Men: Evolution, a show with ups and downs but far better than most people expected. Learn how the series came to be, the surprisingly strong animation it had by TV standards, and a good deal about Captain America and WWII in this week's early '00s appreciation podcast! Support this podcast and get dozens of bonus episodes by visiting Patr...
May 10, 2021•1 hr 50 min
Hey now, it's a preview, of a podcast, 'bout Shrek! Yes, this month's premium podcast for the Talking Simpsons Network is about the 20th anniversary of one of the most influential (and memed) films of the millennium! This month our $10+ Patreon subscribers get to hear us talk about 2001's Shrek! Listen now to this free extended preview of the adventures of an ogre, a donkey, and a princess. Then subscribe at the $10 level (or up your current pledge to $10) to hear the whole thing and all of our ...
May 03, 2021•50 min
Chosen by premium Patreon subscriber James, we're exploring both the edgy comics of the '90s and the USA Network in the forgotten Savage Dragon adaptation! The series resurfaced unexpectedly on Peacock's streaming service, so we dive into its strange creation, the early '90s comic boom, as well as some tangents about the weirdest stuff that's happened in Savage Dragon comics. Listen now for a ride on the Cartoon Express! Support this podcast and get dozens of bonus episodes by visiting Patreon.c...
Apr 26, 2021•1 hr 52 min
Hey everyone, the podcast embedded in this post provides an audio version of this update, but if you want a text-based version that's easier to reference, we're more than happy to provide it below. Starting in July of 2021, we're changing the What A Cartoon schedule a bit—and don't worry, the PTA has not disbanded. As we did at the start of 2020, we're scaling back What A Cartoon a bit to better suit our production pipeline, and because of that we'll soon be producing two episodes of What A Cart...
Apr 24, 2021•10 min
This week, we're covering a crossover anime hit sponsored by premium patron Loki! On the surface, the premise for Death Note sounds absurd: a magical notebook that kills someone if you write their name in it. Despite the outlandish premise, this hit manga series captured the attention of readers worldwide with its cat-and-mouse psychological thriller antics—all built on the foundation of very sound internal logic. And thankfully, the anime version adapts this compelling story as faithfully as po...
Apr 19, 2021•1 hr 51 min
Happy April Fools 2021 as we continue our podcast tradition of covering a live-action cartoon, and we've got a real cult classic for you! Created by Chris Elliott, Adam Resnick, and David Mirkin, Get A Life was a weird and transgressive Fox sitcom from 1990, and it has grown as a cult icon in the years since AND had immense influence on some of the best years of Simpsons. Listen now to learn how to stand in the place where you live! Support this podcast and get dozens of bonus episodes by visiti...
Apr 12, 2021•2 hr 6 min
Another month has passed at the Talking Simpsons Network , and that means we've got another awesome podcast about an animated feature film! This month, our $10+ Patreon subscribers get to hear us talk about 1990's DuckTales the Movie: Treasure of the Lost Lamp! Listen now to this free extended preview, and then subscribe at the $10 level (or up your current pledge to $10) to hear the whole thing and all of our previous What A Cartoon Movie podcasts. Sign up today !...
Apr 05, 2021•39 min
Chosen by premium Patreon subscriber Alex, we explore some defining works of Golden Age animation from UPA. We cover the complex history of UPA and its two best directors, and then explore two of their most beloved cartoons, the original Gerald McBoing Boing and the jazzy Rooty Toot Toot! Listen now before HUAC makes us name names! Support this podcast and get dozens of bonus episodes by visiting Patreon.com/TalkingSimpsons and becoming a patron! And please follow our official Twitter account, @...
Mar 29, 2021•1 hr 43 min
We're heading back to the DCAU for one of the most successful creations ever born out of a stupid executive's idea! Yes, it's the teen Caped Crusader of the future show, or Batman-meets-Spider-Man-meets-Akira, all in one shiny package. We revisit this retro-future, dig into its history, and discuss the third episode, Black Out! Listen now, it's totally schway! Support this podcast and get dozens of bonus episodes by visiting Patreon.com/TalkingSimpsons and becoming a patron! And please follow ou...
Mar 22, 2021•2 hr 3 min
After interviewing co-creator Bill Kopp last year, it was only a matter of time before we covered the overlooked Fox Kids classic, Eek! The Cat!! We cover the history of Kopp and creative partner Savage Steve Holland as they brought the unlucky purple cat to life. Then we cover the first season favorite of ours that is slathered in Elvis references. So listen along, because it never hurts to help! Support this podcast and get dozens of bonus episodes by visiting Patreon.com/TalkingSimpsons and b...
Mar 15, 2021•2 hr 5 min
More than two years after we last covered it, we're returning to Freakazoid! The second season of the cult classic was full of subversive and indulgent moments, and that's certainly true for the season premiere. A regular date turns into a shot-for-shot parody of Hello, Dolly in this beloved episode of the series, so listen along, it's a textbook case for Sigmund Freud! Support this podcast and get dozens of bonus episodes by visiting Patreon.com/TalkingSimpsons and becoming a patron! And please...
Mar 08, 2021•1 hr 46 min
Once more it's time for the Talking Simpsons Network to cover a Studio Ghibli film, and this time it's one of their best but also most underrated! This month our $10+ Patreon subscribers get to hear us talk about 1995's Whisper of the Heart! Listen now to this free extended preview of Yoshifumi Kondo's film, and then subscribe at the $10 level (or up your current pledge to $10) to hear the whole thing and all of our previous What A Cartoon Movie podcasts! Sign up today !...
Mar 01, 2021•49 min
