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Author Topic: Season 16  (Read 13038 times)

Snowth Woogle

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Re: Season 16
« Reply #30 on: October 16, 2012, 04:44:12 pm »
You know what the funny this is about Brain? He only sounds like Brain like every other time they recast him... they got a decent Brain after the original (Luke Reid I believe his name was) grew into his voice around Season Three or so, then they got a Brain who was way too high for Seasons Seven and Eight, then he sounded like Brain again, etc... that kind of pattern.

But anyway, I was going to watch today's new episode out of curiosity, however, I had some errands to run this afternoon, so I kind of missed it... looking at the synopsis for today's episode though, it sounds like more, "We're looking UNDER the barrel now because that's how desperately out of ideas we are" stories.  :-\
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Re: Season 16
« Reply #31 on: October 16, 2012, 06:06:10 pm »
The first half of today's was actually pretty good and original seeming. Good messages also.

As for the second half, it seemed to be bits and pieces of things that happened in previous episodes. Like, it seemed like the aspect of "Muffy's Art Attack" was involved in some way with Ed Crosswire being Bailey, however this time the outcome was a bit different, and it seemed that the daughter/father thing going on between Muffy and Ed was reminiscent of "Muffy's Soccer Shocker."

Snowth Woogle

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Re: Season 16
« Reply #32 on: October 16, 2012, 07:50:10 pm »
I don't believe I've seen "Muffy's Soccer Shocker"... I may have, but I probably dont' remember it... believe it or not, for some reason, my PBS affiliate always used to skip Season Six altogether, so I never got to see any of it until about 2005 or so when my PBS conformed to a national schedule (beforehand, the station had a lot more individuality to it, but then once the whole PBS Kids Go concept came into the picture, that's when they started following everybody else), and honestly, from what I remember seeing, I remember thinking, "Gee, I really didn't miss much."

Granted, there were some good moments I enjoyed: Buster trying to make his own chocolates; Arthur seemingly happy he'll never have to play piano again, but goes through like a cold turkey spell; Binky going bad... again ("Guess you better do something about it then, lady!"). Also, finally showing Season Six filled in some gaps, such as I had no idea who these Alberto or Vecita characters were or where they came from, or what this Frensky Star business was, etc. So yeah, miss a little miss a lot.

But I digress, does anyone know why they air the new seasons the way they do? I mean, to play one half in October, and the other half in like March or April or whenever is extremely confusing, it's almost as if we have twice as many seasons that are half the length they used to be.
I stretch like a snake, and I shimmy and shake, and I bounce like a ball, and I say something cute when you give me a squeeze!

Muppetfan

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Re: Season 16
« Reply #33 on: October 16, 2012, 09:03:39 pm »
See, for me, "Muffy's Soccer Shocker" was an episode that I have seen a million times, mainly because before the age of YouTube, it was one of the only episodes I had on VHS.

As for your season question, I'm not entirely sure. My best guess is that because the seasons are so short (rather than 20 or 30 episodes), they want to try to stretch out new episodes further, so that all the episodes for the new year aren't done in two weeks.

Snowth Woogle

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Re: Season 16
« Reply #34 on: October 17, 2012, 04:44:04 pm »
Okay, I saw today's new episode, and here are my thoughts about it:

First of all, I'm surprised nobody has said anything about the new titles, both main and end titles (BTW, is Arthur's interruption during the end titles actually part of it, or was it an advertisement super imposed during the end like other networks do to their shows sometimes?) Also, did I imagine things, or did they actually list that Amanda girl in D.W.'s class at the top of the cast list? The end titles were a little on the quick side, so I may have looked at it wrong.

I can see what you're saying about Arthur sounding like Brain, but I've noticed something else too, it's almost as if Arthur is going in and out of some kind of really noticable accent, it's hard to determine what, because he's inconsistent with it (sometimes the accent is heavy, other times it's not). At least it's an improvement from how high he was sounding for years and years and YEARS. D.W. sounds pretty good too, but Mrs. Read actually sounds a little different this season, like her voice seems a little deeper. Speaking of whom, why are her ears suddenly bigger?

I really can't get past the animation... I'm sorry, but it's just way too stiff, and like it's been said before, there's too much reliance on motion tweens as shortcuts. It also distorts the character designs as well: Arthur looks off-model no matter what angle we see him from, and D.W. actually looked like she had sharp edges in certain scenes.

As for the stories though, they were interesting to say the least... "All About D.W." was a little cliche obviously, but "Blockheads" was actually quite enjoyable. One thing I couldn't help but notice, though, was Emily seemed a little out of character in this one... when she and D.W. are paired up, she's usually the more reasonable and logical one, but here, she seemed almost similar to D.W. in personality, and even in mindframe, as opposed to being more don't be silly, or you're overreacting, like she normally would. But still, it was enjoyable.

So, yeah, after seeing only one episode, I guess I really can't be too objective in my opinion, but my feelings on the new season are mixed thus far... there are some improvements (better voice actors for Arthur and D.W. despite Arthur sounding like Brain), but there are some sour notes (the stiff and shoutcut animation), so I guess I'll just have to continue watching to really base an opinion on it.
I stretch like a snake, and I shimmy and shake, and I bounce like a ball, and I say something cute when you give me a squeeze!

MCCJ

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Re: Season 16
« Reply #35 on: October 17, 2012, 04:58:58 pm »
Seeing Amanda getting her own voice actor caught me by surprise, cause up until now they never listed any voice actors for a good bulk of the minor characters (there are some exceptions). Amanda being first on the cast is expected since the cast is listed in alphabetical order.

Amanda herself has been around for a while (since D.W. All Wet to be exact), so it was only a matter of time before she started interacting with D.W. and the other main characters once again. Most likely we are going to see more of what I said in future episodes with other characters at both the preschool and Lakewood. Other then that I liked Blockheads the most (not to take anything away from All About D.W.). Also did anyone else notice Chiekh and his parents in All About D.W.?

Now to respond to Snowth Woogle. Since this is a first timer for 9 Story I'm not too shocked the animation has some errors and irregulars here and there, although in time they should improve either late in the season or the next season. Though I am curious as to why they went to 2D digital flash animation instead of keeping the original 2D. 9 Story isn't really that strapped for cash, is it?

Snowth Woogle

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Re: Season 16
« Reply #36 on: October 17, 2012, 05:31:02 pm »
So why is the cast listed alphabetically now? I'm curious, did one or more of the voice actors start complaining about billing, so they decided to list them alphabetically so there wouldn't be any reason for complaints or something?

As for 9 Story, I wouldn't bet that they're strapped for cash, but rather, they're just trying to make sure they have to do as little work as possible: when it comes to animation, most animation companies do CGI or computer animation because it's quicker, easier, and cheaper, so they're going to take that route over producing anything of quality.
I stretch like a snake, and I shimmy and shake, and I bounce like a ball, and I say something cute when you give me a squeeze!

MCCJ

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Re: Season 16
« Reply #37 on: October 17, 2012, 06:16:31 pm »
So why is the cast listed alphabetically now? I'm curious, did one or more of the voice actors start complaining about billing, so they decided to list them alphabetically so there wouldn't be any reason for complaints or something?

As for 9 Story, I wouldn't bet that they're strapped for cash, but rather, they're just trying to make sure they have to do as little work as possible: when it comes to animation, most animation companies do CGI or computer animation because it's quicker, easier, and cheaper, so they're going to take that route over producing anything of quality.

No one complained as far as we know. As for your second sentence there is only one way to find out. We contact them or send messages to them.

Snowth Woogle

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Re: Season 16
« Reply #38 on: October 17, 2012, 11:20:51 pm »
Heh, I've just realized I've gotten so used to Emily's redesign after all this time, that any time I see an older, classic episode with her, it seems strange.
I stretch like a snake, and I shimmy and shake, and I bounce like a ball, and I say something cute when you give me a squeeze!

Snowth Woogle

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Re: Season 16
« Reply #39 on: October 18, 2012, 04:34:17 pm »
Okay, watched part of today's new episode... one thing I've noticed is that Arthur didn't sound so much like Brain today... he sounded like he kept slipping in an out of sounding a little like Brain, and back to sounding like D.W. like he has been since Season Nine. I also noticed that both Mr. Haney and Miss Turner sound like they're losing their voices, it was a lot more noticable with Miss Turner, she sounded extremely hoarse, while Mr. Haney sounded a little more like an old man. I see as well that Mr. Haney is wearing a green suit now as opposed to his blue one (but then again, I've noticed a lot of coloring changes this season, I'm not sure, but I think Amanda's entire color scheme changed).

Anyway, the episode with HUGO reminded me a LOT of the Recess episode "School World", where they had a very similar computer device, SAL-3000, installed in all of Third Street School, the only difference is SAL was rather evil and went rogue, whereas HUGO was simply seemingly antagonistic toward Mr. Ratburn, who hates being proven wrong. Forgive me too if this may come off as offensive, but I know a lot of fans out there have speculated that Mr. Ratburn is "in the closet", and seeing him in that long night shirt of his when he was plotting his revenge against HUGO kind of makes me wonder it now too. While I didn't find "Get Smart" to be entirely original, I did like the little hidden message in it that in this computer age, libraries are suffering terribly... it's gotten to the point where libraries in general don't enforce any rules anymore, because that's how desperate they are to get people to come in (believe me, you go to my public library, you'll find people talking on their cellphones, little kids running around and screaming, people standing around and talking out loud to each other, etc).

"Baby Steps" looked like it was going to start off pretty well, loved that odd little reference to that Andy show from "The Contest" (even though they changed it to look just like a copy of Arthur when it used to be a mashup of both Arthur and Little Lulu), but the second I saw Mei Lin, and heard Baby Kate talk, I changed the channel, I can't stand those Adventures Of Talking Baby Kate And Talking Pal And Now Talking Mei Lin episodes.

STILL can't quite get past the stiff, shortcut animation... it really shows when a character shakes his or her head, it doesn't look like a natural shake, you can tell they just simply transform the entire head every other frame to try to create a poor illusion of head shaking.

EDIT: Actually, there's one thing that bothered me about "Get Smart"... how is it the class didn't know anything about the history of Elwood City, or that the area where the city now is used to be marshland, or who Jacob Katzenellenbogen even was? They did a freakin' musical about all of that!
« Last Edit: October 18, 2012, 11:36:56 pm by Snowth Woogle »
I stretch like a snake, and I shimmy and shake, and I bounce like a ball, and I say something cute when you give me a squeeze!

MCCJ

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Re: Season 16
« Reply #40 on: October 19, 2012, 07:49:22 am »
Hi everyone, I'm new here and didn't know where to introduce myself! :) With that said...I watched today's new episode and thought it was the first good episode I've seen SO FAR (haven't seen the Ladonna and DW episodes yet).

BTW, how does Arthur sound like Brain? ??? I don't really hear it.

A couple things. First welcome to the site. We hope you enjoy your stay here. Second PBS is uploading the first episode of Season 16 on their site today, so I think you can catch it. Finally some people do sound a like these days. Can never discredit that.

Snowth Woogle

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Re: Season 16
« Reply #41 on: October 19, 2012, 04:41:50 pm »
I honestly didn't really think much of the first half of today's new episode, but "Read and Flumbergast" was enjoyable... it starts off as very interesting, it really speaks to little kids, because who among us, as a little kid, HASN'T taken a large, empty, cardboard box, and pretended it was an office, or a spaceship, or anything like that? I like the way D.W. ran her "office", it was cute and amusing (and her method of writing out checks... literally, that was clever in its childlike whimsy)... but, once it became a kangaroo court episode... meh, that's been done to death in kid cartoons... heck, they already did this on the show, remember "Sick as a Dog"? Arthur "sued" D.W. because he claimed she made Pal sick because she didn't like him, Brain served as the judge, Francine was her lawyer, and Buster was the jury. So yeah, "Read and Flumbergast" was off to a great start, but it ended on a sour note. It was also interesting that after all these years, we learn that Nadine's last name is Flumbergast... I was wondering just what in the world Flumbergast was supposed to mean with the episode title.

So... when exactly did James come out of his shell? D.W. and Emily, at one point, remark about how quiet he had been that day (after he caved in to accepting the Tibbles' invitation to their sleep over), but wasn't he ALWAYS quiet? So yeah, I don't get it...

As for the animation today, Arthur looks a little more on-model today, but D.W. on the other hand, maybe I didn't notice until now, but her eyes seem a little too big.
I stretch like a snake, and I shimmy and shake, and I bounce like a ball, and I say something cute when you give me a squeeze!

MCCJ

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Re: Season 16
« Reply #42 on: October 19, 2012, 05:54:09 pm »
I honestly didn't really think much of the first half of today's new episode, but "Read and Flumbergast" was enjoyable... it starts off as very interesting, it really speaks to little kids, because who among us, as a little kid, HASN'T taken a large, empty, cardboard box, and pretended it was an office, or a spaceship, or anything like that? I like the way D.W. ran her "office", it was cute and amusing (and her method of writing out checks... literally, that was clever in its childlike whimsy)... but, once it became a kangaroo court episode... meh, that's been done to death in kid cartoons... heck, they already did this on the show, remember "Sick as a Dog"? Arthur "sued" D.W. because he claimed she made Pal sick because she didn't like him, Brain served as the judge, Francine was her lawyer, and Buster was the jury. So yeah, "Read and Flumbergast" was off to a great start, but it ended on a sour note. It was also interesting that after all these years, we learn that Nadine's last name is Flumbergast... I was wondering just what in the world Flumbergast was supposed to mean with the episode title.

So... when exactly did James come out of his shell? D.W. and Emily, at one point, remark about how quiet he had been that day (after he caved in to accepting the Tibbles' invitation to their sleep over), but wasn't he ALWAYS quiet? So yeah, I don't get it...

As for the animation today, Arthur looks a little more on-model today, but D.W. on the other hand, maybe I didn't notice until now, but her eyes seem a little too big.

I did notice animation improvements in these two episodes today. I guess that is a sign of better things to come.

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Re: Season 16
« Reply #43 on: October 19, 2012, 08:31:53 pm »
Hi everyone, I'm new here and didn't know where to introduce myself! :) With that said...I watched today's new episode and thought it was the first good episode I've seen SO FAR (haven't seen the Ladonna and DW episodes yet).

BTW, how does Arthur sound like Brain? ??? I don't really hear it.

I just wanted to first take the opportunity to welcome you to the forum. If you have any problems or need any help, don't hesitate to contact me.

Also, I dunno, I guess I'm just the only one who is really noticing the Arthur/Brain thing. However I do have to note here that I have to agree with what Snowthy said earlier on in the thread regarding how Arthur's voice seems to change a bit throughout each episode, as if sometimes the voice is slightly different. Sometimes I find a Brain comparison, and other times I do not really.

raidpirate52

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Re: Season 16
« Reply #44 on: October 20, 2012, 12:13:37 pm »
Anyone else notice not one episode had Arthur as a prominent character? I mean I'm all for focusing on other characters, but he's been pretty much second banana for while now. Also I agree with Snowth...I hate the Kate and Pal episodes.