Writers Get Animated

Yes, they are creepy and kooky, but they're also one of the most beloved families ever, it's The Addams Family! We take a look at what needs to be included in any Addams Family film, what stories are told, what themes are explored. How does the newest film both pay off and play against our expectations? 

• The Addams Family Clips and Trailers

It's the time of year when we look at the new animated shows that came out for the year, so you can find out what you should be watching! There are so many new shows that came out, and more new shows are still on the way! Looking for a show for your young kids to watch? Something for the whole family? Or want something that is strictly for adults? There's something for everyone this year!

• Sweet, Sweet Fantasy: Amphibia

On this episode, we're coming up short! It's the Short Form Animated Program Emmy nominees! Robot Chicken! Teen Titans GO! Steven Universe! Love, Death & Robots! Spongebob Squarepants! Who won? Why were these stories nominated? What makes them special? What makes them unique?

• 2019 Best Animated Program Emmy Nominees

• Watch The Witness on Netflix

In this episode, we look at the nominees for this year's Emmy Awards: Big Mouth “The Planned Parenthood Show”, Bob’s Burgers “Just One Of The Boyz 4 Now For Now”, BoJack Horseman “Free Churro”, Adventure Time “Come Along With Me”, and The Simpsons “Mad About The Toy.” In what ways is storytelling shifting? Is animation for kids and adults now? What stories are being told and who is telling them?

• Cartoon Brew: 2019 Emmy Nominations: ‘BoJack Horseman’ Joins Race For Best Animated Program

Hop in the slingshot, we're flinging ourselves to Bird Island to talk Angry Birds 2! How do you craft a story when there's so little plot from source material? How do you take a video game movie franchise to the... next level? What are the different ways you take take comedy beyond audience expectations?

• 089 - Ready Player Dracula: Castlevania

• Cartoon Brew Interview with the Director and Producer of Angry Birds 2

This week, we're looking at crafting a fantasy world! What are the different types of fantasy sub-genres out there? We explore the realm of Amphibia to see how it fits into and subverts various fantasy rules! What adventures does Anne have in store? How do you build a mythical world?

• Watch the first two episodes of Amphibia

Hakuna Matata! We're traveling to Pride Rock for this episode! Guest Rebecca Myers helps us investigate how the new photorealistic Lion King fits into the great Disney Circle of Remakes. How is this version different from the original animated film? What story changes are made? Does the remake become something new?

• 066 - Disynergy: Doc McStuffins, Pooh, and Lion Guard, Too

• LA Times: 'The Lion King': Is it animated or live-action? It's complicated

For this episode, we take a look at the current state of LGBTQ representation in animation and see how thet plays in two recent, animated gay weddings! What was all the fuss about in the Arthur episode "Mr. Ratburn and the Special Someone?" What's really going on in the episode "Reunion" from Steven Universe? What does representation look like now? Whose stories are getting told and who is doing the telling? How far have we come?

• The Complete History of Queer Characters in Cartoon Shows

Woody and Buzz are back for another round of Toy Story adventures! We take a look at how this film fits into the Toy Story franchise. Is Toy Story 4 essential? Who is the main character of the Toy Story films? Is this the last Toy Story?

• Insider: How Pixar's Animation Has Evolved...

In this episode, we climb our way into the DuckTales episode Nothing Can Stop Della Duck! We go beat by beat, seeing how it gives us character relationships and subverts expectations. And now, we have more questions!

• 090 - DuckTales! Woo-oo!

• Watch Nothing Can Stop Della Duck! on DisneyNOW