Cartoon Sunday: Beavis and Butt-Head Shorts

How's it going lurkers? I happened to find 2 Beavis And Butt-Head shorts from 1992. I had no idea until now, that Beavis And Butt-Head had any shorts.

During middle school, I was that "weird girl," who watched this controversial cartoon. It was taboo in the 1990's for any girl to watch Beavis And Butt-Head because the characters were stupid, perverted, politically incorrect, violent, disgusting, had low IQ's, etc. 

After conducting some research as a woman in her early 30's, I recently discovered that Beavis And Butt-Head was actually an adult cartoon much like Æon Flux and a few others. 

They were adult cartoons on MTV's Liquid Television Animation block. Said MTV animation block was literally a decade before the launching of Adult Swim.

In 1993, I remember Pat Robertson from The 700 Club and media watchdog groups demonizing Beavis And Butt-Head for their violent behaviors and dangerous stunts. 

Supposedly, a negligent mother used the cartoon as a scapegoat for why her 5-year-old arsonist sat their mobile home on fire. The fire resulted in his 2-year-old sister's death.

It was terrible what happened to that toddler. All the while, their neighbors said the family did NOT own any cable TV. Therefore, the dead toddler's careless mother not only smeared MTV's Beavis And Butt-Head, but she also wanted to act like she and her precious arsonist were victims.

Anytime a kindergartener intentionally sat his own house and baby sister on fire, chances were highly great, that he was NOT going to be any asset to society. 

Careless parents and media watchdog groups' tendencies to demonize MTV's adult cartoon led to 2 different TV disclaimers.

Beavis And Butt-Head Disclaimer #1 

Beavis And Butt-Head Disclaimer #2

During Beavis And Butt-Head's 5th season, the writers of the cartoon mocked media watchdog groups by making episode 114, "Lightning Strikes." 

Beavis And Butt-Head's "Lightning Strikes" illustrated exactly how media watchdog groups smear, condemn, and demonize entertainment, in order to have something newsworthy and/or "trendy."

These media watchdog groups and Christian zealots can smear, condemn, and demonize Beavis And Butt-Head all they want. 

The creator/voice actor, Mike Judge helped influence both South Park's Trey Parker and Matt Stone. Beavis And Butt-Head helped pave the way for most adult animation that exists on local AND cable networks today.

During the glory days of MTV, which was when the network still predominantly aired music television, most MTV viewers like moi LOVED Beavis And Butt-Head. 

The characters were 2 illiterate, socially incompetent, juvenile delinquents that usually sat on a couch watching TV, while criticizing music videos.

My family sometimes watched Beavis And Butt-Head and laughed at their low IQ'ed antics with me. 

There was an episode, which showed Butt-Head throwing a garbage can and it knocked Beavis unconscious, in his back yard. My mom laughed so hard, she cried tears that night. It was that hilarious.

As I became older, I met some teenagers, who sometimes made Beavis and Butt-Head look like complete geniuses. This is something appalling to believe but it is the awful truth. 

Anytime 2 stupid cartoons characters appear to have higher IQ's than real life people, we CANNOT help rolling our eyes and face palming, while simultaneously laughing at them. Even though I am a 32-year-old woman, I still enjoy Beavis And Butt-Head 2 decades later. 

If a man my age or a little older than me dares to say, "I'm so over this show. That was from years ago," you have my permission to pimp slap him across the face. That guy is acting like an absolutely pompous, piece of shit.

Beavis and Butt-Head could also out twerk Miley Cyrus. Come to think about it, Miley was only shitting in her diapers, when this adult cartoon premiered on MTV in 1993.

BTW:  Twerking was supposedly founded in 1982. It didn't become more popular, until the '90s and early 21st Century.

In the original Beavis And Butt-Head shorts from Liquid Television, there weren't any music videos. Music videos were only added to the cartoon, once it moved to MTV. 

So, here are the 2 Beavis And Butt-Head shorts, "Frog Baseball" and "Peace, Love and Understanding" for Cartoon Sunday.

1) Beavis And Butt-Head "Frog Baseball" (1992)

2) Beavis And Butt-Head "Peace, Love and Understanding" (1992)

Cartoon Sunday: Æon Flux Shorts

How's it going lurkers? Last Sunday, I mentioned all the cartoons I watched on MTV's Liquid Television Animation block during my adolescence.  

Æon Flux was a Liquid Television Animation favorite of mine. In 1991, Æon Flux originally began as a 6-episode animated short created by Korean American animator, Peter Chung.

It wasn't until 7th grade, nearly 20 years ago, that I began watching Æon Flux. Yes, I know I'm dating myself by telling you this, but I don't care. Besides, we are in the middle of Mercury Retrograde right now. Therefore, I'm bound to feel somewhat nostalgic.

As I was saying, Æon Flux is an Avant-Garde Science Fiction Animation that aired on MTV, during the early to mid-90's.   

Since the mid-90's, I was never really sure if Æon Flux was an Anime or simply a cartoon with abstract illustrations. 

Recently, I checked Anime News Network to see if it was listed as an Anime. Sure enough, it is!

Anime in Japanese means Japanese Animation. Even though Japan has their own style of animation, the same can especially be said about China and Korea. However, their style of animation looks MUCH like Japan's.

In addition, Chung created the character designs for the animated series, Phantom 2040, which used a similar animation style as Æon Flux. Æon Flux did not become a complete series until 1995, which was also the same year the series ended.

In 2003, there was a Hollywood film adaptation in production for the live action version of Æon Flux. I remember it being temporarily delayed because Charlize Theron injured herself, while doing her own stunts for the character, Æon Flux.

Then, in December 2005, the movie released in theaters. I didn't get a chance to go see the Æon Flux film. During that time, I was in the last semester of my college senior year and at my sickest in life with a severe health scare. 

For years, I really wanted to see the movie because the media kept praising Charlize Theron in it. 

It was not until several years ago, that I finally watched the Æon Flux movie. Wow! That was an absolute disappointment. Talk about the media overhyping a movie.

Anytime Peter Chung called the movie, which was supposed to be based on Æon Flux's animation a "travesty," it's THAT  bad. In fact, he expressed more in detail:

"I was unhappy when I read the script four years ago; seeing it projected larger than life in a crowded theatre made me feel helpless, humiliated, and sad. ... [The movie's creators] claim to love the original version; yet they do not extend that faith to their audience. No, they will soften it for the public, which isn't hip enough to appreciate the raw, pure, unadulterated source like they do."

The movie sparked a lot of controversy because we as fans of the Æon Flux animation HATED the film. The Æon Flux movie physically beared very little resemblance to the cartoon, when it came to casting characters and the overall script.

Because the creators of the animated short and series had zero involvement with the movie, it was like having to endure someone's shitty fan fiction.

It's not that Charlize Theron is a terrible actress. Hollywood filmmakers white washing and re-writing the histories of each character and the overall story received the MOST complaints. 

For example, the character Una was NOT Æon's sister in the series. Una was her old friend. 

Also, Trevor Goodchild did NOT  have a long lost brother named Oren, and Trevor was NOT  married to the protagonist, Æon.

Æon and Trevor always had a love/hate relationship in the animation. It's unclear in the animated shorts. However, in the cartoon, their relationship is better explained. It is best to watch the entire Æon Flux animation than the movie.

Since there is no dialogue in the 6 shorts, I have a highly graphic and detailed summary for you. The story begins with the famous scene where Æon catches a fly with her eyelashes.

Then, there is a war between Monican agents and Breen forces. Meanwhile, Æon massacres dozens of soldiers on her quest to assassinate a Breen Official. 

Most of the soldiers are already sick and dying from a strange disease carried by an Azure Beetle. 

As hundreds of soldiers die in the sewers, Trevor Goodchild finds and carries 1 of the beetles, hides it in his finger, and carries it with his "lover" to the rooftop.

The rooftop is also around the same area where Æon’s target is sleeping. While going that direction, Æon sees Trevor and his so-called "lover" engaged in some kinky ear foreplay and more. 

As Æon retreats, Trevor uses the infectious toxin from the Azure Beetle to create an antidote.

First, he uses it on himself and his lover. Next, Æon goes to the rooftop, while being oblivious to acquiring a thumb tack. The thumb tack in the sole of her boot is from a loose cable fastening.

While Æon prepares to muder her victim, she unknowingly stabs her foot with the tack, and falls off the building to her death. The Monican authorities destroy Æon's body and burn her apartment. 

Then, Trevor Goodchild is hailed as a "hero" for developing a cure for the virus.

In the season finale, a boy buys a foot fetish magazine with Æon on the cover tickling her own foot. 

All the while, she goes into this bizarre heaven where a spirit tickles her feet as seen on the magazine cover. 

After explaining everything for YOUR understanding, simply click on the following link.

Æon Flux: Season 1 Pilot "N/A" (1991)

Cartoon Sunday: Anna H's Gateway To Anime (Robotech)

How's it going lurkers? Last week, I learned that Swimnami acquired the rights to Dragon Ball Kai. Most DBZ sycophants and zealots are surely rejoicing, while some of us Swimnami viewers cringe.

When Toonami originally launched on Cartoon Network in 1997, I refused to watch Dragon Ball Z. In 1997, I was 15 years old.

Most animation I watched, during the 1990's as a teenage girl were a part of MTV's Liquid Television Animation and Cartoon Sushi blocks. The blocks consisted of Beavis And Butt-Head, MTV's Celebrity Deathmatch, Downtown, Daria, Æon Flux, The Maxx, and MTV's Oddities: The Head.

It really was not until Cartoon Network premiered Sailor Moon, that I started watching the Toonami block. I was originally exposed to Anime in the 1980's as a toddler, when Robotech premiered on local TV networks.

Robotech In Japan (1982-1984)

During the 1980's, Cartoon Network never existed. Millennials and Xennials my age, as well as Gen Xers WERE exposed to Japanese animation years before the Dragon Ball franchise. 

Of all the franchises, Adult Swim chose to placate the Dragon Ball fanbase and fandom by purchasing Dragon Ball Kai. 

Buying Dragon Ball Kai was the only way to stop nostalgic zealots from throwing their toddler tantrums. The portions I have seen of Dragon Ball are racist and generic-looking in illustration. The franchise is also just as obnoxious as its zealots and sycophants.

Most DBZ zealots have this tendency to hold that franchise on a pedestal, as if it's the best Anime to ever exist. 

The zealots from the Dragon Ball franchise don't seem to grasp that they make some other Dragon Ball fans feel ashamed to be fans of the franchise and Anime in general.

I understand that DBZ was their so-called "Gateway to Anime." Meanwhile, there are adults like me, who watched other Anime long before the Dragon Ball franchise existed. As I already said, Robotech was my "Gateway to Anime" during the 1980's.

In fact, Robotech was originally 1 of very few Mecha Space Opera Science Fiction Romance Anime to be televised in America. 

Once Sailor Moon premiered on Toonami, that was when I became more invested in Cartoon Network and its Action Animation block. Otherwise, I didn't care about Toonami.

Before watching Sailor Moon and the Toonami block, I watched The Sci Fi Channel (before it became The Syfylis Channel). 

The Sci Fi Channel aired Anime films such as Akira and Project A-ko, for examples.

It was not until my college junior year that I started watching more Anime, which was mostly on Adult Swim. 

Throughout the rest of my 20's, I watched and streamed 100's of Anime both on TV and online. 

Cartoon Network and Adult Swim typically overlook better Anime. Even though I still watch Anime in my early 30's, I don't watch nearly as much anymore.

Nowadays, most of my time is spent on juggling social media sites, blogging, watching other shows outside of Japanese animation (not that I did not already), and of course managing It's Not All Gumdrops & Unicorns, when I am not sleeping and job hunting.

Last week, I located Jason DeMarco on Stalkbook Facebook. I personally sent him a message about potential Anime that are worth premiering on Adult Swim's so-called Toonami block. Did he get my message or not is the burning question.

The following are 8 Anime that I suggested to Jason DeMarco:

1) Ghost Hunt (Supernatural Shojo)

2) Hell Girl [all 3 seasons] (Horror Shojo)

3) Vampire Knight (Horror/Romance Shojo)

4) Black Butler (Historical/Dark Humor Seinen Action)

5) The Hellsing franchise [both Anime series and OVA's] (Seinen Horror Action)

6) Kaze no Stigma (Shonen Action)

7) Tenjho Tenge [including the last 2 episodes] (Seinen Action)

8) Another (Seinen Horror Mystery)

Speaking of Robotech, I happened to find the series online. If Robotech wasn't such a complex Mecha Anime, I would explain more about it. Rather than me explaining the series, you can read about it for yourself. Anyway, this Cartoon Sunday, I present to you Robotech.

Robotech: The Macross Saga "Booby Trap" (Pilot)

So, what was your so-called "Gateway to Anime"?