Vintage Cartoon Network . . .

Development and Production:

• "Top Cat" was created by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera, the founders of Hanna-Barbera Productions.
  
  
  
• The show was developed in response to the success of "The Flintstones," which was the first prime-time animated television series.
• The character designs were done by Arnold Stang, who also provided the voice for Top Cat.
  
  
  
• The animation was done by the Hanna-Barbera studio, with many talented animators contributing to the production, including Iwao Takamoto, Jerry Eisenberg, and Carlo Vinci.

Plot:

• The show is set in a fictional Manhattan alleyway called Hoagy's Alley, where Top Cat and his gang reside.
• Top Cat, along with his loyal friends Benny the Ball, Choo-Choo, Brain, Fancy-Fancy, and Spook, constantly scheme to outwit Officer Dibble, the long-suffering beat cop who patrols their territory.
• Each episode typically revolves around the gang's various get-rich-quick schemes or attempts to avoid trouble with Officer Dibble.

Legacy:

• Despite its relatively short original run, "Top Cat" has endured as a beloved classic, particularly in Latin America and Europe, where it gained a significant following.
• The show has been syndicated and rerun numerous times since its original airing, introducing it to new generations of viewers.
• "Top Cat" has also spawned various merchandise, including toys, comic books, and even a feature film in 2011.

Writers:

• The primary writers for "Top Cat" included Arnold Stang, who provided the voice for the titular character, and legendary Hanna-Barbera scribes like Warren Foster, Kin Platt, and Barry E. Blitzer.
• These writers were responsible for crafting the witty dialogue and clever plots that became synonymous with the show's charm and humor.

In summary, "Top Cat" remains a beloved classic in the realm of animated television, thanks to its memorable characters, sharp writing, and enduring appeal. Created by the legendary team of Hanna-Barbera, the show continues to entertain audiences around the world with its timeless humor and clever storytelling.

Jay Ward, the creator of the show, was

The animation for "The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show" and its segments, including "Aesop and Son," was handled by a studio called Gamma Productions. Alex Anderson, Bill Scott, and Jay Ward formed Gamma Productions to produce the show. The team employed a limited animation style, which was cost-effective while still delivering a distinctive and entertaining product.

The characters in "Aesop and Son" were not anthropomorphic animals, much like the other segments of "The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show." Aesop's son served as the central character, engaging in humorous situations that conveyed moral lessons inspired by Aesop's Fables.

In summary, "Aesop and Son" was part of the larger "The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show," created by Jay Ward Productions in the 1960s. The show's distinctive animation style, clever writing, and satirical humor contributed to its lasting popularity and influence on animated television.

Now Here We Go....

"Blank on Blank" is a web series that started in 2012 that features animated versions of lost interviews with cultural icons and notable figures. The series was created by David Gerlach. Gerlach is a journalist, producer, and founder of Quoted Studios, the organization responsible for producing "Blank on Blank."

"Blank on Blank" takes audio interviews with various personalities, ranging from musicians and writers to actors and cultural figures, and animates them, bringing the conversations to life in a visually engaging way. The animation adds a unique and creative element to the archival interviews, making them more accessible to a contemporary audience.

The series has covered a wide range of interviews with individuals such as Jim Morrison, David Bowie, Jane Goodall, and many others. David Gerlach and Quoted Studios have played a key role in preserving and presenting these insightful conversations through the medium of animation.

Wimpy's character was conceived as a hamburger-loving, somewhat lazy, and highly opportunistic individual with a penchant for negotiation. His full name, J. Wellington Wimpy, suggests a certain level of sophistication and possibly a higher social standing compared to some of the other characters in the strip. From the very beginning, Wimpy's defining characteristic was his famous catchphrase, "I'll gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today." This line became synonymous with the character and contributed significantly to his popularity.

The character's transition from the comic strip to animated cartoons occurred shortly after his debut in "Thimble Theatre." Wimpy made his first animated appearance in the Popeye cartoon series produced by Fleischer Studios. The first Popeye animated short featuring Wimpy was titled "Popeye the Sailor Meets Sindbad the Sailor," which was released in 1936.(cartoon below).. This marked the beginning of Wimpy's animated journey and solidified his status as a mainstay in the Popeye universe.

Throughout the years, Wimpy continued to be a regular character in the animated adaptations of Popeye. Fleischer Studios and later Famous Studios produced numerous Popeye cartoons in which Wimpy played a prominent role. His insatiable appetite for hamburgers and his humorous interactions with other characters, especially his attempts to obtain food without paying for it immediately, became recurring themes in these animated shorts.

Wimpy's popularity transcended the realm of comics and cartoons, leading to his inclusion in various Popeye feature films, television shows, and other media adaptations. His character retained the essence of the original creation by E.C. Segar, captivating audiences with his unique personality and love for hamburgers.

Over the years, Wimpy's design and characterization evolved with different animation studios and artists, but the core elements of his personality remained consistent. Whether in comic strips or animated cartoons, J. Wellington Wimpy has left an indelible mark on popular culture, becoming one of the most memorable and beloved characters in the world of cartoons.