Continuing the grandma theme from my last post, here is an article from the New York Times entitled "Beloved Characters as Reimagined for the 21st Century."
The accompanying pictures, copyrighted by TCFC, show how American Greeting Properties, owner of the Strawberry Shortcake franchise, plan to update her image from 1980 bloomers to 2008 sleek.
And she’s not the only one who’s in for a makeover, According to the article, “Warner Brothers hopes to ‘reinvigorate and reimagine' Bugs Bunny and Scooby-Doo.” And Disney is taking another look at Mickey Mouse.
Industry bigwigs justify their intent with terms like “heritage and innovation” and “modern parents are trying to cocoon their kids . . .” The industry is only thinking of ways to help the consumer. (I chortle at the thought.)
You won’t be surprised that this article appears in the Media and Advertising section of The Times. After all, isn’t that what cartoon characters are all about—making money? And you thought the industry was dedicated to entertaining kids! Silly!
The accompanying pictures, copyrighted by TCFC, show how American Greeting Properties, owner of the Strawberry Shortcake franchise, plan to update her image from 1980 bloomers to 2008 sleek.
And she’s not the only one who’s in for a makeover, According to the article, “Warner Brothers hopes to ‘reinvigorate and reimagine' Bugs Bunny and Scooby-Doo.” And Disney is taking another look at Mickey Mouse.
Industry bigwigs justify their intent with terms like “heritage and innovation” and “modern parents are trying to cocoon their kids . . .” The industry is only thinking of ways to help the consumer. (I chortle at the thought.)
You won’t be surprised that this article appears in the Media and Advertising section of The Times. After all, isn’t that what cartoon characters are all about—making money? And you thought the industry was dedicated to entertaining kids! Silly!
Terrie
Posts
13 comments:
Cartooning is definitely a business.
If you follow the Mickey and Donald over the years, you see how they evolved. The early characters were rounded over the years and in the 70s, they were given a little more texture. Did you even notice no matter how Mickey is positioned, his hears are never seen edge on?
Think of Betty Crocker. She's been "reimagined" a number of times over the years. (Yes, I know she's not a children's cartoon character.)
Leigh,
As a grandma, formerly known as mom, the one thing I am sure of is that if it has to do with kids it will cost me money.
Never noticed that about Mickey's ears.
When he and Donald and the troop changed a bit now and again through the years I chalked it up to advancing technology. It never occurred to me that it had to do with increasing attractiveness to draw in the customers.
Terrie
Elaine,
Right you are.
Modernizing is an advertizing industry standard. I am sappy to think kids stuff should be exempt, especially when kids are the biggest market around.
Terrie
I actually don't think kids' stuff should be exempt, but I think of it from a different point of view than a marketing one....
if the idea of these cartoons is not sales but fun, then the characters should entertain kids, and not in the finger-pointing, "look at that kid dressed in her mother's curtains" way the old Strawberry Shortcake would probably entertain today's kids. I quite like the new version. The clothes they have her in look as if they could be bought at Goodwill. Granted, her hair would cost a small fortune to maintain, but the rest isn't too bad.
Now, a mouse...I don't see a whole lot of reason to mess with Mickey. My five-year-old god-daughter watches ancient episodes of Tom and Jerry without batting an eye.
Mickey, who falls somewhere between human and mouse, walks a difficult line, but I don't think she'd have a problem with older depictions of Mickey, though the older strips, with the lack of glitzy animation, that's another matter entirely.
Maybe I'll start telling people, "No I'm not getting fat. I'm just redeveloping myself for the new millenium."
Go for it, Travis! And let me know how it works.
No. No. No. Not Bugs Bunny. I can put up with a lot, but no messing with Bugs.
That said, it's a business and must keep up with the times and be relevant and...oh, hell... Not. Bugs. Bunny.
Laura,
I do get your point, but for me it's not about the new version. I do like it; it's just not the Strawberry Shortcake we all know. I guess I am a traditionalist. I started reading my aunt's original Nancy Drew books from the 1930s and each time they up date the "look" of the series, I cringe.
We will have to see what happens with Mickey.
Terrie
Travis,
I agree with Elaine, go for it! I could use the "redeveloped" me to explain away so many many things.
Leah,
Some things are just sooooo wrong!
Terrie
Terrie- you're right about the kids market. People spend more than ever on their kids, and kids themselves control big, disposable dollars. I'm overwhelmed by the number of fads and mercantile trends supported by purchases they'll ignore in a week. I didn't even know there was such a herd when I was 6.
I don't mind the new S.S., even if I feel more affection for the old. I guess I'm so grateful she isn't in a belly shirt and platforms!
I liked how the Nancy Drew movie handled it. They let her be anachronistically "vintage" in the modern world, and she ended up seeming quite self-possessed, brave, and independent-minded in her twinsets and headbands. It was a nice character choice, and she looked adorable. I nearly had to go buy some argyle myself.
I just saw the latest pre-teen/tween singing sensations on Today, and all the makeup, tight clothes, and platinum dye-jobs made me think I was watching Brooke Shields in Pretty Baby, her movie about a 13 year-old prostitute. Quite controversial at the time. Nowadays, I think it's an accepted stepping stone. You think the celebutards get that trashy and vacuous overnight? It takes years of ignorant debasement and fawning syncophants to produce something with that much nothing. Someone's gotta keep the rehabs and tabloids in business.
I've got 3 beloved nieces from 7-9. More Nancy Drew for me, less Hannah Montana, Cheetah Girls, and fashion-centric boy-craziness. Saddle Club's okay.
I'm wondering if Scoobee Doo will be left alone, since he's a thin dog.
Next thing you know, Santa's diet plan will be hitting the store shelves to keep us Christmas Elves aware of the pounds of chocolate we should be avoiding! Bah, Humbug!!!
Clare,
Excellent point. If there is no belly shirt and platforms, then the change is not a bad thing.
It is very hard to help little girls stay little when there is so much commercialism pointing them to the trashy side of town.
Nan,
Maybe they will fatten up Scooby.
Terrie
Post a Comment