Scooby Doo Script

Work? Perhaps. And a half-hour script at that. I've got to peruse some material, come up with ideas, and meet the story editor next week. Paid work. What a novelty!

And while nothing is certain until after the check has cleared, this has a positive feel.

I'd like to chat longer, but, you see, I must work.

Richard Stone Remembered

Paul Rugg blogs about Freakazoid scoring sessions and the magic of Richard Stone aka "Stonini."

The scoring room was on the Warner lot and had been used in such famous films as "Casablanca." They were going to tear it down at one point, but Clint Eastwood really liked scoring his films there. So the studio renovated it, putting in nifty, futuristic technical stuff and a big comfy couch.

For a time in Freakazoid Season Two, we were scoring nomads, traveling to sound stages at Paramount and Fox. But there's was nothing like the huge stage at Warners back in the day.

Director Recalls Filming Freak Season Two DVD

DVD director Troy shares his Freakazoid Season Two memories.

And remember: "Troy" spelled backwards is "Yort."

Freakazoid Season II DVD

Now available at fine DVD emporiums.

Animaniacs Salute

Keeper links to an Animaniacs salute on the piano roll, performing for a familiar audience. Apparently, these player pianos are powered by a bellows of some sort. See what you think.

Paul Rugg Farewell Party Photos

Paul's wife uncovered photos from his 1997 Warner Bros. farewell party. He left at the right time. I stayed another two and a half years. By the time my farewell party rolled around there was no one left. (Even Greg got a better job.) We held the event in Jean's office. There were two security guards and a man there to fix the air conditioning. But the cake was good and Jean let me keep a pen.

Tom and Jerry: Zionist Tools

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In the crazy world of animation, you learn something new everyday. For example, in Iran, Professor Hasan Bolkhari lectured students on how Zionists manufactured propaganda cartoons like Tom and Jerry. He also discovered through his scholarship that the characters were animated by Disney and not MGM. In later lectures, Professor Bolkhari explained why Dora The Explorer was a metaphor for Israeli Special Forces, and why lovable Doug was created in order to manipulate children into accepting Jewish/Masonic world domination. Currently, the Professor is working on a book, I Can't Wait for Iran to Have a Nuclear Weapon.

h/t: The Religion of Peace

Inaugural Talk Like William Shatner Day

Maurice "Brain" LaMarche has declared today to be the first. He . . . explains here. (Sharp inhale.)

Ruegger Storyboard Sample (In Color!)

As promised, here is sample of what Tom Ruegger is doing in the animated squirrel department. Thanks to Keeper for recalling the original post.

Growing Nuts

Back in December, Paul and I recorded voices for characters drawn by Tom Ruegger. Since then, Tom's been working on getting the characters animated. Shortly, I should have a sample from the storyboard of two squirrels whose argument on nuts soars into philosophic realms before descending to an earthier plane.

Something Old, Something New

Old for regulars, new for all my old Chicago friends.

Comic-Con 2008: Freakazoid & Tiny Toons

Noteworthy Addition

Welcome to old Warner chums (and champion composers) Steve and Julie Bernstein as they set aside their keyboards and climb aboard the blog train for hours of non-lucrative, yet stimulating, fun. You meet a better class of unemployed here.

Rich Arons Smells

But that's because he and his Gang of Seven pals have been drawing Pepe Le Pew for AT&T.

Director Nathan Ruegger

Tom's son, Nathan is one of 12 finalists in the Coca Cola college film competition. Check out his short film, "Moonlight Theater."

Freakazoid DVD Season Two Box Art

Segment director Troy has alerted me to Freakazoid! season two box art. Leonard Rhombus appears on the back cover, portraying a vapor trail. Rhombus never shied away from challenging roles, often appearing as cacti, hills, and once a stagnant pool.

Smokehouse Reunion

Yesterday, I lunched with several Warner alumni, including Tom Ruegger, Jean MacCurdy, Paul Dini, Paul Rugg, and still-Warner employed Alan Burnett. We exchanged stories about meetings gone wrong, executive blunders, and how broke we all are except for Alan Burnett. (He still has a job, did I mention that?) Jean is blissfully retired and occasionally drives to Sacramento and back for exercise.

Then, like Keyser Soze, poof, we were gone.

Freak Season Two DVD Coming April 21

Thanks to info supplied by DVD segment director Troy, I hereby post a release date for Freakazoid! season two, and that date is exactly the same as the date listed above: April 21. A Tuesday. A day like any other or is it? Will there be a Festival of Head Lice? Bobcats dancing in traditional Greek costumes? Or a Weena Mercator sighting? A Tuesday. They said on Tuesday. Hmmm, Tuesday.

So Long, My Friend

Troy has a few links up at his site saluting the late Ricardo Montalban, dead today at 88. Ricardo was another of Paul Rugg's inspired casting choices and a real gentlemen. His health wasn't the best in '95 - '97 but he hung in there and always delivered. Here's a scene with Ricardo and Craig Fergueson.


UPDATE: I think we mention this on the 2nd season DVD, but at a Freakazoid! taping, Ricardo once related that the day he became an American citizen (in '95 or '96), he was wheeled into a homicide trial where they stopped proceedings so the judge could swear him in. Then he was wheeled out. (As opposed to being left in the courtroom several days.) May he grace Heaven with the same class he showed on earth.

Animaniacs Fans on the News

Thanks to Keeper, who cameos in hat, for this history shot. What's quaint is the bemused way the host talks about people meeting "on the computer."

Hi Joe!

Somewhere on the web lurks Joe Leahy, actor and voice-over artist extraordinaire.