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Post by Paws on Oct 9, 2010 22:29:48 GMT -5
Okay, tomorrow at 2. I'll hopefully be at my grandparents' house, and they get Discover Kids/The Hub, so it should be all good. ... .... .....
*prays that we stay after Hebrew School tomorrow*
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Post by RaceFanX on Oct 10, 2010 17:34:08 GMT -5
I caught the premiere (well most of it, prerace stuff for a NASCAR race was on at the same time) and its a pretty interesting show. Even though its aimed at kids I enjoyed it.
Some notes about it... The show is created by Paul Germain and Joe Ansolabehere, the "Paul and Joe" behind Recess and Lloyd in Space. Given the success of the first that's a good sign.
The Pound Puppies crew is bigger this time. There are the main characters who are described on the website but there are also a bunch of other canines, it's pretty much all the dogs in the pound plus some others. The "once your a pound puppy you always are" motto is user a little straighter as even already-adopted members remain actively involved (the boxer "Cookie" is this).
They avert the "Pounds are Doggy Prisons" trope the original was known for, Shelter 17 is just their HQ and where people come to adopt. The dogs are well cared for while there (the plot of the first episode involved the owner putting a fancy new state-of-the-art food dispencer in trying to improve it for instance) and since this is a kids' show its a lock its "no kill" (fridge brillance hits when the premise implies they likely have a high turnover for adoptions).
Even with the different angle the dogs can still talk to humans, they just don't "unless its really neccessary." In the pilot that's just used for a throwaway gag in the first act (as they introduce the premise and characters) and forgotten for the rest of the episode.
The show's not edgey at all but its not totally kiddy either. The pup they help in the first episode got a "what the heck?" past the radar when he's first introduced to the concept of their liar.
As expected none of the original characters are back (someone thought that might be rights issues, Cooler and co. may belong to the makers of the old cartoon) and we get a new set who are interesting in their own way. Lucky does have that same level-headed leader attitude though. The others are new personalities; the wiener dog is basically their tech gal, the boxer is some sassy muscle and the sheepdog...well he's an idiot (and the chihuahua even refers to him as such!) but kind-hearted and probably the most "canine" of them.
Katrina Stoneheart and Holly are history, the new "owner of the pound" character is a balding white guy named McLeash. He's not really a villain either, he may not always do the right thing but he's not mean-spirited and by no means is he out to hurt or even lock up the dogs, it's just his job. In the first episode he makes a mistake when he gets busy trying to get media exposure but eventually corrects it on his own and actually gets to achieve his goal because of it. He has a lackey in an animal control officer but he's also good natured and wants the best for the canines so as such is rather competent.
They don't make pop culture references like the first show did but they'll sneak one in if the plot allows, the first episode featured a callback to Mission: Impossible with the sheepdog decending from the ceiling wired in a harness ala Tom Cruise.
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Post by Bishop on Oct 10, 2010 17:49:11 GMT -5
Nice review, Race, it sounds interesting. I hope I can find it on the internet, since we don't have The Hub here. -.-
Off topic and since I can't really ask you any other way; have you seen the latest episode of South Park? It's about NASCAR.
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Post by Nemo on Oct 10, 2010 17:50:21 GMT -5
I'm with you on that, we don't have The Hub either
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Post by Paws on Oct 10, 2010 19:40:11 GMT -5
I was actually watching a little bit of "The Hub" earlier; well, two of their other shows that is. That channel is great stuff. Seriously, they've got a great show lineup. An adult block at night? Reruns of "Meerkat Manor"? I wish I got it at my regular house. =tries to find the new "Pound Puppies" online=
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Post by xardas on Oct 12, 2010 6:00:20 GMT -5
The show's voice acting is top notch. I really liked the scene at the end, when the kid chose to name Yipper "Bob". The reaction of the dogs was priceless. I suppose it would be awkward; they have their own names, but when they get a person, they get a new one and have no input on what that new one is.
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Post by Flying Ace SnoopyX on Oct 12, 2010 11:02:15 GMT -5
I figured they were just light-hearted spoofing the way the human by some cosmic quirk of fate usually decides to name the dog exactly what they have been called the whole time anyway (Angel in Lady and the Tramp II springs to mind).
Did enjoy that bit were they hint McLeash is going down the list calling every media outlet in town and its implied none of them think that is actual news. Working in media, I can say that would be the accurate response most of the time unless it is a really slow news day or some other quirk like that, which explains why some reporter eventually does so up...and why he's probably so willing to go with the flow.
Overall a good start, it's for kids but not overly kiddy. It's not Aseop heavy and the voice acting was strong with likable characters. I'm wondering if they finished this show late as very little in the way of clips from it was used to promote the channel's launch.
(And yeah Bishop I saw that South Park, didn't really impress me. Some parts were funny but Cartman's stick got real old real fast. The racing was inaccurate but it was a spoof and it would be insane to expect it would be)
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Post by xardas on Oct 14, 2010 13:43:11 GMT -5
It ain't a full episode, but you can see an animatic of an upcoming "Pound Puppies" episode by clicking on this link and going down to where it says "The Hub Preview" and clicking on "Pound Puppies". An animatic is basically storyboard panels shown back to back with the recorded dialogue.
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Post by Belchic on Oct 14, 2010 15:49:11 GMT -5
I'll check my listings to see if I have "The Hub", and if not...oh, well.
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Post by xardas on Oct 14, 2010 17:25:24 GMT -5
I'll check my listings to see if I have "The Hub", and if not...oh, well. They may always upload episodes on their website, in time, but the series doesn't even premiere properly until next week. Regardless, did you watch that animatic?
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Post by Belchic on Oct 16, 2010 23:06:00 GMT -5
Well, I did a search, and I hate to say this, but I do not have the Hub. Well, I technically do have it, but it's one of those stations that I have to buy. This means that I won't be able to see this series afterall.
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Post by Flying Ace SnoopyX on Oct 17, 2010 0:23:49 GMT -5
*Watches animatic* How did I know they'd do a Halloween episode. Launch in October and that's almost a given. I figured out Michael Rappaport is the chihuahua "Squirt." Didn't pick up on that while watching, makes sense given the snarky attitude Rappaport is known for in his comedy (see The War at Home, www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmV-x5tcPkA)
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Post by Belchic on Oct 17, 2010 10:17:07 GMT -5
*Watches animatic* How did I know they'd do a Halloween episode. Launch in October and that's almost a given. I figured out Michael Rappaport is the chihuahua "Squirt." Didn't pick up on that while watching, makes sense given the snarky attitude Rappaport is known for in his comedy (see The War at Home, www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmV-x5tcPkA)That's very nice of someone who IS able to watch the show! Instead of trying to cheer me up, you're just continuing to rub my nose in it! Some help you are.
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The RaceFanX Strikes Back
Guest
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Post by The RaceFanX Strikes Back on Oct 17, 2010 12:23:12 GMT -5
Take off Cali boy, this is a post for discussing the show and I'm discussing the show! There's no reason to snap at me.
Everything these days ends up on the internet with YouTube or Hulu. The Hub has a video player on their site with full episodes (currently just Transformers G1 and G.I. Joe: Real American Hero) and no doubt they will eventually be put there. Or call and talk to your cable provider.
Given that they have aired all of one episode and the show isn't even in the Hub's regular rotation yet it isn't like you missed a lot. And even if you did SOFA KING WHAT? This show is better than expected but its still just a cartoon largely aimed at selling stuffed animals to 6-year-olds.
Don't **** at me because I ignored your little (and constant) pity party. You wanta rant about how your life sucks (and here's a hint pal, it doesn't. You live in the USA so good safe food is still going to be on the table tonight, you know how to read and there's a roof over your head. That's better than most people on this Earth are doing) do it somewhere and at someone who cares.
Sorry about that guys, it's Belchic so what do expect. Hopefully this post will stay on topic in the future. Still cool show, can't wait to see it start proper although I probably won't be able to catch it regularly because I usually work mid-afternoon through prime time.
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Post by Pawsie on Oct 17, 2010 12:58:08 GMT -5
What I'm wondering is which character Betty White voices. They hired her, so surely, she's voicing one of the dogs. I suspected Strudel (the Dachshund), but I honestly have no clue. XD Do you know who she's voicing, Race?
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