Stegelin's cartoon

Street Artist Banksy Creates Dark Opening For 'The Simpsons'

It takes some effort for a TV series to inspire shock, amazement, and controversy in its 22nd season, but last night's episode of "The Simpsons" accomplished this apparently impossible feat.

The episode, "MoneyBART," opens with an extended "couch gag" the opening series in which the Simpson family takes its place on their sofa created by British street artist Banksy. The artist's dark vision gives viewers a horrifying look at how he envisages the hit show and its profitable merchandise are made sweatshop conditions for its animators unsafe conditions for producers of its apparel boxes sealed with the tongue of a disembodied dolphin head the center holes popped out of its DVDs with the horn of a shackled, emaciated unicorn.

According to the Guardian, Banksy's involvement marks the first time "The Simpsons" has begged the work of an artist unconnected to the show. And though "Simpsons" executive producer Al Jean's comment on the disturbing sequence was, "This is what you get when you outsource," he and his colleagues had to have known that Banksy couldn't help delivering something subversive. Banksy who recently reached a wider audience with last summer's documentary "Exit Through the Gift Shop" is known for making notorious statements with his work, which most frequently involves stenciling public buildings all over the world. Banksy even once creep into the Louvre to hang one of his paintings, which mimicked the "Mona Lisa" with a yellow smiley face in place of the original visage

The opening also joins a long tradition of "Simpsons" producers sardonic their corporate masters. There have been countless jokes over the years about the moral bankruptcy of Fox programming and the evil genius of Rupert Murdoch, founder of Fox parent company News Corp. However, this instance pushed the show's self-mockery to a new level.

Cartoon Network Arabic - launch

Cartoon Network Arabic, which will begin broadcasting on the 10th October, was launched last night at Media One in Dubai’s Media City.

The free-to-air channel will broadcast 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and will feature a mix of both imported and locally produced content. Indeed, although much of the channels initial output will be dubbed versions of its European sibling, parent company Turner Broadcasting’s VP Alan Musa was keen to point out at the event the importance the channel places on developing local content. This is a real statement of intent that we believe there are talented people in the Middle East that will help us grow.

And the network have great shows like The Powerpuff Girls that have become global franchises around the world, and those shows in Arabic will form the major part of our programming, but more important, network is partnering with local companies who are producing great shows like Freej from Lammtara group, and Rubicon with Ben and Izzy. Recognizing the talent is fundamental to our growth and success here.

Pushing the point further, Musa added that Turner itself would also be making programmes from its new Dubai HQ “I’m pleased to add that in two weeks time, Turner will be making its first ever production in the Middle East, a quiz show where kids will battle there favourite cartoon characters for prizes. We’ve got to get this channel right or the kids will go elsewhere, and we are fundamentally focussed on creating a beautiful channel called Cartoon Network Arabic.”

World's first children's story book with 3D animation

Finland has published the world's first interactive 3D animation story book to offer children a brand new experience day.

The 3D animation story book for children is just like normal fairy books, only with some special small black squares in some pages of it to point to the interactive 3D animation. Once the web camera faces toward a black square, 3D-animation cartoon figures and pictures will come into view in computer screen. This latest technology be relevant to the children's story book was uniquely developed by the Technical Research Center of Finland with many years research on "Augmented Reality" technology.


According to a researcher from the technical research center, the so-called "Augmented Reality" is to add virtual reality on top of real video. The technology, though still in the childhood phase, is believed to be widely useful for mobile devices, mobile phones and game consoles, as well as the printing media, like newspapers. However, Finnish book publishers do not see this new 3D technology would threaten the traditional children's books, rather its added value is to bring more surprises to children.

Alien incursion at children’s fair

WODONGA should brace for an alien incursion on Sunday.

The theme for this year’s Wodonga Children’s Fair is In and Out of This World, with a special live recital by characters from the Cartoon Network’s action/adventure series BEN 10.

The animation is centered on Ben Tennyson who, during a summer vacation with his tough-as-nails grandpa Max and snooty cousin Gwen, discovers an eccentric alien device that attaches itself to his wrist.

The watch-like tool allows Ben to change into 10 different alien superheroes, each with their own unique powers.

Ben, Gwen and Ben’s alien hero Four Arms will come to life at the fair, with audience members to be given the chance to see them up close and personal at a special meet and greet sitting after the show.

Other features of the free event include a giant bungee tramp, Wild Action Backyard Biodiversity Show, nomadic entertainers and stilt-walkers and farmyard animals.

The kids have completely loved it in the past and what’s good too is that it’s a free event for the family.

The activities are great with the whole lot from the concerts to cup making.

Mickey Mouse meets Boba Fett

This one is a mix-up sandwiched between the Star Wars villain Boba Fett and the cartoon character Mickey Mouse. I don’t think their parents met in the past, but that Mickey seems tired, wanted to be neutral like Switzerland, that he put on a negative character’s outfit. Is it a good one? A bad one? Nah, it’s… Mickey Fett.
This is the work of Tom from England, a strange combo, but hilarious and cute as well. Now, a bit of a background about these two characters. I’ll start with the villain so I can create a happy ending.

Boba Fett is a character in the Star Wars fictional universe. A reward hunter hired by Darth Vader to find the Millennium Falcon; he is a major villain in Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980). Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002) sets up Boba Fett’s back story as a clone of Jango Fett, a bounty hunter who hoists Boba as a son. The Star Wars Expanded Universe expands on Fett’s origins and career as a bounty hunter. Fett’s air of danger and secrecy has created a faction following the character, which has been merchandised across multiple media. Fett might be part of the live-action Star Wars series under development.


It’s one of the top five best-selling Star Wars action figures, and Boba Fett-related products are “among the most expensive” Star Wars merchandise; one of the rocket-firing prototypes sold at auction for $16,000 in 2003.

Mickey Mouse is one of the most beloved characters created by American director and cartoonist Walt Disney. Beginning in 1928 with the animated film Plane Crazy, the mouse dressed in red pants became a symbol of American cinema and culture. It’s also the protagonist in the first cartoon that synchronized sound with animation “Steamboat Willie”, which premiered in November 1928.

Apart from impressive its animation movie, the character Mickey Mouse was made known to the public and in many countries around the world by publishing regular appearances (magazine) comic which had worn the name.

No doubt this is one of the cutest and strangest combinations I’ve seen until now, but the thing I’m curious about is what kind of character it will be when it emerges from its neutral state, and which part of the force is stronger in him.

50 th anniversary of Flinstone

Flinstone is one of the world’s most love cartoon series. It was created by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera, owners of the famed Hanna-Barbera Productions, in Sep 30, 1960. Flintstones cartoon series was one of the successful animated American sitcom and was telecasted in ABC from Sep 30, 1960 to Apr 1, 1966. With today Flinstone is celebrating 50th anniversary.

The Flintstones series portrayed a working class Stone Age man’s life with his family and his next door neighbor and best friend. Despite the show ended in 1966, Flintstones continue to be shown in various television channels. Later in 2000, based on Flintstones theme a movie
called Viva Rock Vegas was also released.

The famous characters in Flintstones, Barney, Fred, Wilma, Pebbles, and Dino are regarded as most loved cartoon characters throughout the world.

Yogi Bear – Movie Trailer

Warner Bros has released a new movie trailer for the hybrid live-action/computer animated feature adaptation Yogi Bear on IGN.The first teaser preview went online in July.

The film stars Rachel (Anna Faris), as a nature documentary filmmaker who is trying to film Yogi and Boo-Boo for her next project. Dan Aykroyd will voice the computer animated Yogi, the lovable Jellystone Park bear who is infamous for his attempts at theft picnic baskets from campers, much to the displeasure of Park Ranger Smith (Tom Carvanagh), who just also happens to be the romantic interest of Rachel. And Justin Timberlake will voice the computer animated Boo-Boo, a bow-tied bear cub who acts as Yogi’s constant companion and conscience. And Andy Daly plays Mayor Brown, who has lightheartedly run his city’s budget into the red and wants to sell Jelly Stone Park to make some cash.

The big screen 3D movie is being directed by Eric Brevig (Journey to the Center of the Earth), from a screenplay by Brad Copeland (Wild Hogs). The film is currently filming in New Zealand Warner Bros is aiming for a December 17th 2010 release.

Welcome back Wile.E

Cartoons are making a small but hopeful comeback in theaters this year. If you should happen to see Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’hoole, you’ll be treated to the second of Warner Bros.’ new Road Runner cartoons, Fur of Flying. (The first, titled Coyote Falls, played with Cats and Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore, and the third, called Rabid Rider, will appear at the head of Yogi Bear in December.) These new widescreen films bring two classic Warner Bros. cartoon stars back to life, and while they convert the graphic characters and backgrounds into sculpted CGI form they remain absolutely true to the spirit of Chuck Jones’ vintage shorts.

That is no accident. Everyone at the refreshed Warner Bros. animation section took their mission seriously. They wanted to “do right” by these great cartoon characters, and realized they were in for a thrashing if they messed up. Thanks to staff producer Katherine Concepion, I was lucky to attend a special studio screening arranged for Chuck Jones’ daughter Linda and her son Craig. There, Register reported that senior Warners management was excited about the prospect of reviving their sidelined stars, and is so happy with the results that they have commissioned more new shorts with other members of the Looney Tunes cast.

O’Callaghan, who has several decades of animation experience behind him, starting at Disney in the 1980s, and two feature films under his belt as director approached the new Road Runner cartoons with a keen sense of what made them tick, and what challenges he faced. First, he was told the new films couldn’t run more than three minutes—about the same as a preview trailer—or theater owners would rebel. That meant readjusting the formula that Chuck Jones and writer Michael Maltese worked out so well: no time to freeze-frame and identify the characters in bogus Latin, only one chance to see the Coyote’s new scheme fizzle at first, etc. To inspire and guide his animators, O’Callaghan made frame enlargements of key drawings in old Road Runner cartoons.



His next hurdle was dealing with 3-D, and to my delight, he decided to use every trick in the book—like forced perspective—to exaggerate gags for dimensional effect. When Wile E. Coyote stretches his arms in a desperate attempt to reach something, and we see the action from his point-of-view, his limbs are falsely prolonged to boost the impact of the shot.

Most important, these new three-minute shorts are quite funny—and I’m sure they play as well “flat” as they do in 3-D. Young viewers who haven’t seen the old Road Runner shorts may have to acclimate to their modus operandi, but I’m sure it won’t take them long to catch on. The cartoons not only look good—they sound good, too. Warner Bros. encouraged the animation team to score them just like the old days, so that’s a sixty-piece orchestra playing Christopher Lennertz’s music on the soundtrack, including the “Merrily We Roll Along” theme.

I wish there were some easy way to see all three Road Runner cartoons without having to sit through those family-friendly features…but for now, that’s your only option. Still, if you love cartoons, and appreciate ingenious use of 3-D, I’d say they’re worth the price of admission.

The Alarming Truth About Your Favorite Cartoon Animals

Usually depicted as loyal and imaginative companions

In reality they're reckoning and manipulative parasites. Cats have been known to gather in the homes of older single women, where they join forces to infect their hosts with the shocking brain disease dementia felinus, or “cat lady syndrome.” Early symptoms of the disease include lax grooming habits, slurring and incoherent speech, and chronic crankiness. Eventually, victims withdraw from society completely, emerging from shelter only to berate the occasional solicitor.














Usually depicted as brave and earnest dreamers.

Certainly they’re disease-ridden sociopaths. After nearly wiping out the whole of Europe in the middle ages with a particularly menacing germ warfare campaign dubbed the "Black Plague," rats went global with their war on humanity, displaying a particular affection for the insolvent peoples of the world. According to the Centers for Disease Control, the hairy rodents are responsible for “perpetuating a cycle of poverty and disease” in developing nations via their vast munitions store of deadly diseases. Forget ratatouille; the only dishes these genocidal fiends are fit to serve are a heaping bowl of slow, agonizing death.














Usually depicted as playful and fun-loving clowns.

In reality they’re droopy gluttons. Experts in evolutionary biology will tell you that penguins were once graceful flyers. But centuries of overindulging on Antarctica’s vast seafood buffet, combined with a primarily inactive lifestyle, caused their wings to atrophy and their waistlines to expand, turning them into flightless, waddling tubs of glop. Nowadays, they have barely enough energy to stuff their fat faces, let by you participate in such tiring activities as dancing or surfing. In a nation grappling with a childhood obesity epidemic, are these the kinds of responsibility we want our pre-diabetic young people to follow?















In the new animated film Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole, owls are portrayed mostly as noble creatures who sashay majestically through the air while clad in ornate headgear. But even the most casual observer of the animal kingdom knows that this portrayal couldn’t be further from reality. In truth, owls are vicious predators whose reputation for savagery is such that National Geographic nicknamed them “the bastards of the forest.” They’re far too busy horrifying the cuter animals of the forest, like bunny rabbits and baby ducklings, to care about funny metal helmets or other superfluous fashion accessories.

Best toys of 2010

Lalaloopsy Doll

While they look like regular rag dolls, every Lalaloopsy character comes with its own special history, including the day it was sewn, what it was sewn from (painter’s smock, clown costume, baker’s apron), and how that history has infused the doll with a special personality—artist, goofball, sugar-lover, you get the idea.

Disney Princess And Me Dolls

Princess Dolls will always be a hit among the princess crowd, and these 18-inch Disney wonders—including Ariel, Aurora, Belle, Cinderella or Tiana—come with tiaras, signature gowns, and invitations to become part of the Princess & Me Royal Family.

Pillow Pets

A pillow that converts into a stuffed animal and back again? Genius and useful! We like the bee, but the ladybug, unicorn, monkey and puppy version are cute, too.

Calico Critters Luxury Town House

Calico Critters and the Cloverleaf Corner friends live it up in style with this four-room, two-story house. With a movable staircase and lights that turn on and off, we just wish it came in human size.

Bigfoot The Monster

This is a plastic toddler, but with the ability to talk, walks, chew, burp and throw a ball, this remote control could be an instant hit to your kid.

Large Zoo Set

An instant hit with any animal lovers, this plastic menagerie comes with multiple animal enclosures for the elephants, giraffes, zebras, and lion family, as well as a ticket counter and a souvenir shop.

Sing-A-Ma-Jigs

There’s more to these tiny, plush critters than dates the eye. Press their bellies and you’ll divulge a tiny singing mouth, press their hands and you’ll hear a range of singing options. Sing-A-Ma-Jigs can sing tunes, babble away or even sing in harmony with each other.

The world’s most famous cartoonist

Hanna and Barbare are the two renowned cartoonist who are best known for their world famous cartoons like Scooby-Doo, Top Cat, Tom and Jerry etc.

Hanna-Barbera Cartoons, Inc. (previously Hanna-Barbera Productions, Inc., and at first H-B Enterprises, Inc.) was an American animation studio that dominated North American television animation during the second half of the 20th century. The company was originally formed in 1957 by former Metro Goldwyn Mayer animation directors William Hanna and Joseph Barbera in partnership with Columbia Pictures' Screen Gems television division, as H-B Enterprises, Inc.




















Over the few decades H-B produced many successful cartoon shows like The Flintstones, Scooby-Doo, Where Are You?, Jonny Quest, The Yogi Bear Show, The Jetsons, The Huckleberry Hound Show, Top Cat, Wacky Races, The Quick Draw McGraw Show, Space Ghost, The Smurfs and The Magilla Gorilla Show.

The characters they created with his partner, William Hanna, are not only animated superstars but also a very beloved part of American pop culture.