Hanna Barbera is known for ripping stuff off, so of course they tried to rip off the Muppet Show. How did it? Ehhhhhhhhhh...

Did you know that cartooning is a waste of time and paper? Janet from Three' Company sure thinks so as a reporter assigned to interview veteran cartoonist Ted Knight in this attempt to get kids to watch Saturday morning cartoons!

LIVE from BABScon 2025! We attended the final Bay Area Brony Spectacular, where we ran a panel comparing Hasbro's 1986 box office bombs -- My Little Pony the movie, GI Joe the movie, and Transformers the movie. Were they as bad as 1986 critics thought? The answer is maybe.

We're back on our bullshit with another look at Nathan Mazri, the legendary entergagpreneur behind Garfield Eats. This week, we talk about Nathan's newest venture: a three episode podcast called Natefield that is "sponsored" by his "app" Egeez. Also a large digression about racist food.

We're back on our bullshit with another look at Nathan Mazri, the legendary entergagpreneur behind Garfield Eats. This week, we talk about Nathan's newest venture: a three episode podcast called Natefield that is "sponsored" by his "app" Egeez. Also a large digression about racist food.

200 episodes!! We've got 200 episodes! It's time to go back to our roots and look at the very first Garfield special... it's "Here Comes Garfield!" Here he comes! Also here comes a weird Jon. Not the Jon we know and love though!

This is NOT a Special Presentation episode! Scheduling conflicts prevented Mike and Ethan from bringing you the conclusion of Japan Month, for which we’re very sorry. In its place we’d like to present the first episode of Ethan’s new podcast, Biopsy of an Ogre! A podcast for kids who read the Xanth books, loved them, devoured them, and then grew up and were like “wait, that was really messed up!” For the first episode, longtime friend of the pod and children’s writer Steph Cherrywell joins Ethan to discuss the seventh book, Dragon on a Pedestal, which begins a new generation in Xanth while still dragging along the previous generation’s baggage.

They say that Dragon Half is the funniest anime ever made. Is it? We investigate. It's, of course, based on the manga of the same name about a girl who is half dragon as evidenced by her sexy sexy tail. We're getting super deformed in this one!

Are you extremely online? If so, then you've probably seen the shenanigans of Pop Team Epic, the Japanese webcomic about two school girls being random. But is it TOO random for those not steeped in online irony? Let's find out!

Let's get out of Australia -- now we're going to Japan! It's time to meet my neighbors... The Yamadas! It's a cute little comic strip about a family, like many comic strips, and here's a movie that really captures the vibe of a cute little comic strip about a family. It's by Studio Ghibli!

G'day, mate!!! We're back down under!!! In Australia!!!! This week, we're looking at Australia's favorite little battler, Ginger Meggs. Who's Ginger Meggs? Well, you'd know if you were Australian, maybe. It's another gang of kids movie, but this one has a bangin' rock soundtrack!

We're continuing our down under theme this week! Fatty Finn was Australia's best beloved newspaper comic (citation needed), so of course this ersatz Little Rascals escapade would eventually make it to the silver screen. Let's look at Fatty Finn (who is not fat), his sleazeball dad, his way too sympathetic bully, and a whole cast of corrupt cops and gangster molls set against the backdrop of 1930s Australia.

We're continuing our down under theme this week! Fatty Finn was Australia's best beloved newspaper comic (citation needed), so of course this ersatz Little Rascals escapade would eventually make it to the silver screen. Let's look at Fatty Finn (who is not fat), his sleazeball dad, his way too sympathetic bully, and a whole cast of corrupt cops and gangster molls set against the backdrop of 1930s Australia.

This is the first time that we've looked at an AWARD WINNING comic adaptation... it's Ghost World, starring a young Scarlet Jo Hansen, a young Thora Birch, and a young Stephen Buschemi. Come for the Ghost World, stay for the UN-PC ranting about rude tourists!

Did you know that it's always been Snoopy's dream to be in a musical on ice? Neither did we! But apparently it was, so this week we continued our investigation into the strange link between Peanuts and ice skating. What's the deal with that!? Also, we talk about what colossal nerds everyone in 1980s TV commercials were.

Did you know that it's always been Snoopy's dream to be in a musical on ice? Neither did we! But apparently it was, so this week we continued our investigation into the strange link between Peanuts and ice skating. What's the deal with that!? Also, we talk about what colossal nerds everyone in 1980s TV commercials were.

Last week, we learned that Charles Schultz was a huge fan and admirer of the New Zealand comic strip Footrot Flats. We're yanks so we had never heard of it. but turns out there's a movie! We look at the most New Zealand thing ever.

These are the last two Peanuts specials that Charles Schulz did and, boy, they're some weird ones! It's the Bestest Birthday Ever, Charlie Brown! and It's the Pied Piper, Charlie Brown! And technically he's an accordionist. For reasons.

Popeye's back! And this time, he's got a son! In the 80s, they gave everyone a kid... even Popeye! This attempt to update Popeye for a new generation isn't as bad as you might expect. We investigate further.

Tracy Butler's webcomic Lackadaisy Cats got a cartoon pilot, so that makes it fair game for us, right? We derail A LOT to discuss the eternal question: What makes something furry? Get the answer right here.

Sony really wanted Genndy Tartakovsky to direct Hotel Transylvania so they said they'd let him direct a Popeye movie if he did that for them. Would it surprise you that they didn't hold to their word? The only evidence of Tartakovsky's (possible) "vision" is this strange animatic illegally leaked from the studio, which, if you watch it, makes you a felon. How much does it reflect Tartakovsky's vision and how much does it reflect meddling by studio stooges? Cartoonist ⁠Ryan Estrada⁠ joins us to look at the Popeye animatic!

Sony really wanted Genndy Tartakovsky to direct Hotel Transylvania so they said they'd let him direct a Popeye movie if he did that for them. Would it surprise you that they didn't hold to their word? The only evidence of Tartakovsky's (possible) "vision" is this strange animatic illegally leaked from the studio, which, if you watch it, makes you a felon. How much does it reflect Tartakovsky's vision and how much does it reflect meddling by studio stooges? Cartoonist Ryan Estrada joins us to look at the Popeye animatic!

Did you know that Popeye used to be a comic strip? Who knew! Popeye may be the world's most successful comic strip to cartoon transition, such that no one remembers the original comic strips anymore. This week, we look at the GOOD Popeye cartoons, the ones that the Fleischers made back in the 30s.

It's the Muppet Babies -- they're like the regular Muppets but babies. You might not know that the Muppet Babies first premiered in the Muppets newspaper comic strip, but also this is an episode that specifically looks at newspaper strips -- including that "funny comic [citation needed] about soldiers in the desert!" Join us as we look at the Muppets and the babies who grew up to be Muppets!

We're going back to the 80s to visit the last gasp of the classic Garfield TV specials -- Garfield's Feline Fantasies. What Garfield had an active imagination and imagined that he was James Bond and Indiana Jones at the same time? It would be kind of like this.

You all know Blondie, right? You should, it's only been in the newspaper  for 100 years! This week, we look at two late 80s Blondie specials --  Blondie and Dagwood (1989) and Blondie and Dagwood's Second Wedding  (1989). For the first time ever, we learn the personalities of Blondie's  kids and also go on a big rant about Dilbert.

You all know Blondie, right? You should, it's only been in the newspaper for 100 years! This week, we look at two late 80s Blondie specials -- Blondie and Dagwood (1989) and Blondie and Dagwood's Second Wedding (1989). For the first time ever, we learn the personalities of Blondie's kids and also go on a big rant about Dilbert. 

Everyone loves Calvin and Hobbes, the comic strip that everyone loves! Bill Watterson is famously reclusive, so he doesn't appear in this documentary which delivers approximately 0 new information but still manages to feel worthwhile.

Everyone loves Calvin and Hobbes, the comic strip that everyone loves! Bill Watterson is famously reclusive, so he doesn't appear in this documentary which delivers approximately 0 new information but still manages to feel worthwhile. 

We talk about the history of Garfield and Friends, including the born-on-third-base story of US Acres, but then we digress into talking about Bill Watterson's comic opinions and the Garfield musical. And other stuff. We all miss Lorenzo Music and also... Thom Huge! Did you know it's pronounced Hoogie? Who knew???

All children of the 80s remember Heathcliff! Or, at least, they remember this version: the one where's he's paired with the Cadillac Cats. Heathcliff was originally a comic strip but the Cadillac Cats are a wholly original invention of this series... do they hold up? Are they a worthy pairing with Heathcliff? It turns out... not so much. Some REAL spicy hot takes about Riff Raff in this one, folks! Prepare yourselves!

Everyone knows Heathcliff and the Cadillac Cats, but Heathcliff has a long history of getting paired with random other cartoons for reasons. First they paired him with a bunch of Halloween monsters (???) and of course eventually they paired him with Riff Raff. But between those attempts, Heathcliff shared the screen with another funny pages staple: Marmaduke. Why not?

Ethan has long been recognized as the world's foremost Transformers maniac. This week, he shares with us WHAT makes Transformers transform and proves that, indeed, they are more than meets the eye. Mike encounters Transformers in their native habitat for the first time. We also compare a typical Transformers episode, "The Desertion of the Dinobots," and the show's big screen adaptation Transformers: The Movie (1986).

Ethan has long been recognized as the world's foremost Transformers maniac. This week, he shares with us WHAT makes Transformers transform and proves that, indeed, they are more than meets the eye. Mike encounters Transformers in their native habitat for the first time. We also compare a typical Transformers episode, "The Desertion of the Dinobots," and the show's big screen adaptation Transformers: The Movie (1986). (NOTE: Mike screwed up the audio so that's why it sounds like we're interrupting each other here. It's not because we're being rude!!! XP)

It's Sweden's favorite son, Peter No tail! The story of a cat with no  tail and a harrowing parable about the dangerous rise of nazism, Peter  No Tail has been a picture book, a comic, a stage play, an asteroid and  now... an animated film! Join us for discussions of gormless cats and  the confusion about what you call that genre of story featuring rabbits  in waistcoats.

We're continuing out look at adaptations of 1960s Underground comix with a look at this attempt to update Gilbert Shelton's Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers to this modern, cell-phone-having world of 2020. The brothers are no longer furry or fabulous, they're just the Freak Brothers. Wow, I guess you can't even be fabulous or furry anymore because of WOKE. Makes you think.

It's Sweden's favorite son, Peter No tail! The story of a cat with no tail and a harrowing parable about the dangerous rise of nazism, Peter No Tail has been a picture book, a comic, a stage play, an asteroid and now... an animated film! Join us for discussions of gormless cats and the confusion about what you call that genre of story featuring rabbits in waistcoats.

It's the new year! Welcome to 2023! No flying cars, but, here, have a new episode of A Special Presentation as compensation! This week, Ethan wanted to look at not just the 1986 Peanuts new year special "Happy New Years, Charlie Brown!" but also 1981’s "Someday You'll Find Her, Charlie Brown," because of a certain interesting thematic correlation: Linus being a complete pimp. You can learn more from this excellent video: https://youtu.be/IbHPpTmCgd4

Netflix made an adaptation of Little Nemo in Slumberland. In that, it's about someone named Nemo and it happens in Slumberland. Jason Momoa stars as Flip (not a racist clown this time) and takes us on a merry adventure through the world of shiny shiny doorknobs!

I ran to the kitchen, what did I see? A Christmas podcast, from Mike and Ethan to ME! Our war on Christmas continues with a five-special marathon, all about Christmas and all involving BEARS! Christmas seems to have a lot more to do with bears than you’d think, huh? Our partygoers are subjected to The Twelve Days of Christmas, Why The Bears Dance At Christmas, Santabear’s High Flying Adventure, Snowden’s Christmas, and even Koopa Klaus is coming to town— with a bear! (The bear is “Captain” Lou Albano.)

After looking at Heavy Metal, the adult cartoon for 13 year olds, we  look at Robot Carnival, the adult cartoon for adults! It's a feast for  the eyes with every kind of robot story that Japan has to offer!

After looking at Heavy Metal, the adult cartoon for 13 year olds, we look at Robot Carnival, the adult cartoon for adults! It's a feast for the eyes with every kind of robot story that Japan has to offer!

Heavy Metal magazine, the magazine for everything cool when you're 13,  was adapted into a film that's everything cool when you're 13! Mike's  old friend Puppers, a connoisseur of both Heavy Metal the magazine and  Heavy Metal the movie AND the Heavy Metal's original soundtrack pick  Blue Oyster Cult, joins us to ROCK ON!!!

Heavy Metal magazine, the magazine for everything cool when you're 13, was adapted into a film that's everything cool when you're 13! Mike's old friend Puppers, a connoisseur of both Heavy Metal the magazine and Heavy Metal the movie AND the Heavy Metal's original soundtrack pick Blue Oyster Cult, joins us to ROCK ON!!!

This week, Ethan found some comics that no longer exist, obscure failures from the backwaters of long ago... can Mike recognize any of these unknowns? Join us for this little guessing game and then stick around for some babble about the comics in the US military newspaper The Stars and Stripes.

Can’t get enough Annie? Are you an Annie-maniac, zany to the max? Well, you’re in luck, because they finally made a sequel to the beloved 1982 musical! Except the whole cast is different. And we skipped WWII entirely. And it’s in England. And there’s a mad scientist, a fortune teller, a suspicious man with an eye patch, the Lost Boys, drugged milk, an explosive rocket, a plan to blow up Buckingham Palace, and a plastic substitute that can be used for evil… a lot goes on! And then they sing Tomorrow!

We're continuing out look at adaptations of 1960s Underground comix with a look at this attempt to update Gilbert Shelton's Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers to this modern, cell-phone-having world of 2020. The brothers are no longer furry or fabulous, they're just the Freak Brothers. Wow, I guess you can't even be fabulous or furry anymore because of WOKE. Makes you think.

Did you ever watch a movie and think “They should have just published a ‘The Art Of…’ book and not finished the movie”? That’s Felix all over! Although Mike was unable to join for this podcast, he did thankfully cry a magical golden jellybean that summoned Glumdrop, whose bag of tricks includes the webcomic Pizzadventures and the creepypasta novel Joy Traveler, to help Ethan tread water through a sea of really good goobs and remarkably little story continuity.

BOO! The crowd is back, bigger and spookier than ever! Morbiose, Rocketshark, Poundforpoundcake, Fattyatomicmutant are back, plus first-timer Glumdrop, to once again simulate the beloved post-trick-or-treat tradition of sorting candy on the sofa while you watch a whole night of Halloween specials! We’ve got The New Misadventures of Ichabod Crane (1972), Follow That Goblin (1992), Legend of Sleepy Hollow (1972), The Maker (2020), and A Claymation Comedy of Horrors (1988), plus bonus featurette The Wizard of Oz (1934)!

We're looking at another Annie this week, this time it's the 2014 version with Quvenzhane Wallis, Jamie Foxx, and Cameron Diaz. Annie's been updated for 2014! And only for 2014. It's the most 2014 movie ever made... and it was made in... 2014!!!