At the Ebb

Talked to an executive at one of the t.v. animation studios today. She told me that her perception was that things are slow just now:

"They're doing some focus groups and trying to figure out what they should greenlight next. The Disney Channel is having good ratings with their new live-action shows and movies."

"So now other studios and cable networks are doing live action shows. Problem is, live-action is real expensive. And who knows how successful other players are going to be with it?"...

I allowed as how it seemed like a risky proposition to me, especially with the WGA and SAG threatening to go on strike in the next few (or several) months. She agreed that there were potential problems.

* * * * * * *

I take the long view regarding live-action horning in on kid television. It's just one more fad that will crest, have its crowd of imitators, then recede.

Think about it. When Hanna-Barbera was hot, competitors' shows looked like H-B. When Disney hand-drawn features exploded in the early 1990s, other studios mimicked their style and approach.

In the 21st century, a whole flock of television cartoons have followed the Nicktoons model.

It's like that radio wit Fred Allen said fifty-two years ago:

"Imitation is the sincerest form of television."