Busy Writing Week

A script for the bug show, an original sitcom, and a graphic novel outline all demand my attention. But I'd rather watch a DVD of Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. This BBC espionage tale based on the John Le Carre novel holds up well after 30 years. There's a ton of info to get out. Rather than overuse flashbacks, the show relies on good actors to convey back story in interesting ways without boring you into paying your bills — or working. Good old Netflix.

Another Freakish Plea

Bruce Timm Photo at Comicon

A Freakish Plea

They're abrupt but sincere.

Freakazoid DVD Release Info

As of this hour, the Freakazoid! DVD is . . .

* Amazon.com Sales Rank: #58 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

Popular in these categories:
#3 in Movies & TV > Animation > Kids & Family
#4 in Movies & TV > Kids & Family > Television
#25 in Movies & TV > Boxed Sets > Television

Buy so that others may be made.

Link to Freakazoid DVD Review

Seth Thrasher pens a fine review of the Freakazoid! DVD.
Note: The happy man in the suit is not Seth Thrasher. He does, however, represent positive energy and the sort of upbeat, jubilant spirit that we appreciate in Freakazoid! reviews. Please smile warmly as if it were Seth. Thank you.

Freakazoid Xbox Interviews

On the MSNBC page, there's gigabytes of Comic-Con news. Xbox features video from the panel where we shamelessly promote the DVD. Did I mention it releases on July 29?

Tiny Toons/Freakazoid! Panel

From the left: Rich Arons, Me, Bruce Timm, Sherri Stoner, Jean MacCurdy, Andrea Romano, Paul Dini and Paul Rugg.

Andrea Romano and I

WB Voice Director Andrea Romano and I yesterday

Freakazoid-Tiny Toons Panel 2008

Lots of fun with a nice turn-out. Paul Rugg rocked as MC, the clips were good, and my fellow panelists delightful. Nice to see Andrea Romano, Paul Dini and Sherri Stoner again as well as Bruce Timm and Rich Arons. Paul kept it moving and turned it over to audience questions for the last fifteen minutes.

I owe my Warner years to Sherri Stoner. In late 1990, I was working in improv with her husband, Sweeney, at the Acme Comedy Theatre. Sherri hired me to help develop a Tiny Toons spin-off starring Elmyra. The development was scrubbed and the episode I helped write folded into Tiny Toons proper. A year later, when Animaniacs was ready to crank up, Paul Rugg and I were assigned pilot episodes. (Mine was "Drac-u-lee Drac-u-la.") We were brought on staff and away we went for a long time.

"I'm Here In The Show!"

At Comic Con. For bureaucratic reasons, our stay at the hotel was reduced from four nights to a single night. But the Warner pr gal hustled and got us in to another big downtown hotel. Off to the panel in 90 minutes. More later today.

A Little Taste

Thanks to Keeper for the heads-up. Warners (I think) has uploaded two segments from the Freak DVD:

Rugg and Ruegger Report on Freakazoid DVD

Paul Rugg and Tom Ruegger have viewed the upcoming Freakazoid DVD. (I've yet to visit my mail box.) Many of the more out-there segments we filmed back in January made it in. Clearly, the director, Troy Benjamin, caught the "Hugbees" spirit.

Moon Day

A mere 39 years ago, the U.S. landed on the moon in glorious black & white. (At least at our house. We didn't get color TV until 1972.) That afternoon, I'd hitchhiked out to a Chicago Forest Preserve for a picnic with some high school friends. Holding Old Style long-neck bottles in our sophomore hands, we listened to the radio as lunar module Eagle set down in the Sea of Tranquility.

This awesome moment was soured by a massive drunken senior who began randomly kicking ass. Quickly, the mayhem spread. Big Drunk's chum threw a beer bottle, hitting me in the head. I punched him. Then Big Drunk hit me between the eyes. I went down faster than IndyMac stock. Someone carried me to a car and I was dropped off near home.

By now it was evening. Inside my house, the only light was the glow of the TV. My brother, sister and parents watched the lunar module, waiting for something to happen. I'd arrived just in time. As my bruises blossomed, I saw Neil Armstrong step onto lunar soil. Wow! Someone was up there! A man was on the moon! (It must've been even more astounding to my parents.) That night, it seemed everything I'd ever read in science fiction was possible. What couldn't Mankind do?

Sustain the space program, for one. Three years later, the last manned lunar mission returned to Earth. We'd beaten the Soviets to the moon. Why keep going? Space money was needed to solve poverty and other pressing issues that money alone can't solve. I wish we'd kept going. (The spin-off technology alone would've made it worth while. ) I wish we'd pushed on into space. There is a part of Man that yearns to step across the comfortable threshold of the known and set foot in the beyond.

I think I'll have some Tang.

Si, No Agua

For whatever reason, my building has shut off the water for a couple of hours. Now I'm dying to rinse out dishes, wash my hands, and do other water-related tasks.

In addition, two Armenian children are quarreling down the hall. One has told the other to "never even look at me again" as a response to: "I do everything for you, but you do nothing for me. I hate you."

They're drowning out the leaf blowers.

Many Fine Thoughts and Prayers

for longtime Team in Training runner, David, who went in today for cancer surgery. Additional fine thoughts and prayers for his speedy recovery. Hopefully, he'll soon be dashing around the Rose Bowl again in his khaki hiking shorts.

Freakazoid DVD Amazon Update

Product Details

* Actors: Freakazoid
* Format: Animated, Box set, Color, DVD-Video, NTSC
* Language: English, Portuguese
* Region: All Regions
* Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
* Number of discs: 4
* Rating:
* Studio: Warner Home Video
* DVD Release Date: July 29, 2008
* Average Customer Review:

9 Reviews
5 star: 66% (6)
4 star: 11% (1)
3 star: 22% (2)
2 star: (0)
1 star: (0)

See all 9 customer reviews...
4.4 out of 5 stars (9 customer reviews)
* ASIN: B0017INRG8
* Amazon.com Sales Rank: #459 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

Popular in these categories: (What's this?)
#19 in Movies & TV > Kids & Family > Television
#39 in Movies & TV > Animation > Kids & Family
#86 in Movies & TV > Boxed Sets > Television

In addition, Paul Rugg will be moderating our panel discussion. Talk about home-town refereeing.

From the Comic Con Website

For Thursday, July 24 and it says:
10:30-11:30 Freaks, Geeks, and Tiny Toons— Warner Home Video brings the hit animated television series Tiny Toon Adventures and Freakazoid! to DVD on July 29. This panel features Bruce Timm (storyboard artist, character designer), John McCann (Douglas Douglas, Hero Boy story editor), Paul Rugg (Freakazoid writer), Sherri Stoner (writer, producer, story editor), Paul Dini (writer, story editor), Jean MacCurdy (executive producer), Rich Arons (producer, writer, director) and Andrea Romano (voice director). They're tiny, they're toony, they're all a little loony! Executive produced by Steven Spielberg, Tiny Toon Adventures is a Daytime Emmy Award animated series that spawned a whole new generation of madcap Looney Toons characters, including Buster Bunny, Babs Bunny, Plucky Duck, and Hamton J. Pig, among others. Freakazoid! aired for two seasons. Also executive produced by Spielberg, this Daytime Emmy Award–winning series chronicles the adventures of Freakazoid, a manic, insane superhero who battles a vast array of supervillains. Room 6A
Categories: Animation | Humor & Satire | Television

Jamie Weinman Opines on Freakazoid

Critic Jamie Weinman weighs in on why certain animation fans find Freakazoid! less objectionable than Animaniacs.

In Freak's second season, the popularity issue was explored in the following manner:
"

News From the Big "C" Front

Ten days before running the San Diego Marathon, TNT teammate Stacy got walloped with a breast cancer diagnosis. She chronicles her journey here. Stop by and lend your support to a brave gal.

Training in the Heat

An accurate description of yesterday's late afternoon run at a balmy 95 degrees. I took it easy and neither quit nor forced my training schedule into unfavorable conditions. A maturing runner's approach, if I do say so.

With multiple writing projects, I've been devoting small amounts of time to each over the last few weeks. I've noticed a tipping point. After a certain period, the subconscious has digested the material and suddenly answers pour forth. It doesn't write itself, but the road opens before you. Like much in life, the key seems to be consistency.

Powerful in small amounts, like compound interest or laxatives.

27 Years Ago

In Hollywood, at the Chula Arms Apartments, on July 5, 1981, the tenants decided to throw a party. Among them were the Dutchman and myself. We took a Sparkletts water bottle and filled it full of white wine, bought a ton of beer, and invited thirsty friends. We even hung out a banner facing the next door apartment. The banner suggested our neighbors alert the police and complain about the noise. Helpfully, it listed a number to call. (Though the number was for the Griffith Park Pony Rides.) In any case, the Dutchman and I started out in the afternoon, drank into the evening, walked to a nearby bar and closed it, then stopped off for a night cap in the apartment of an 88-year-old World War I veteran. After singing a rousing medley of "Over There," "It's A Long Way to Tipperary," and other period songs, the police finally showed up. They politely applauded our choral efforts, then asked us to hold it down. We did as the Dutchman and I passed out and didn't wake up until August.

Just remembering all that makes me grab for the Alka Seltzer.

Pursuit of Happiness

Chase well!

Lost and Binary

My data, that is. Now the tech guy is saying lots of info has turned to hash. Fortunately, most of my writing is backed up. But all my financial stuff for the last three years hangs in the balance. Everything was fine until I installed Leopard back in May. Then the crashings commenced.

MDW points out that between the two of us, we've bought nine Macs over the years. They sort of owe us . . . you'd think.

Freakazoid DVD Update

Tom Ruegger investigated further and learned there are issues with music clearance. ("We'll Meet Again" could be a big fat headache.) Rumor now is that interviews will be shot this fall with the second-season DVD slated to"street" in 2009.

But Comic Con is still a go.