The HBO Max series will be an adult animated comedy
Scooby and Shaggy usually steal the show when it comes to any Scooby-Doo episode, but that’s about the change thanks to a new HBO series. Together with Warner Bros. Animation, the show is all about the “unsung and under appreciated brains of the Scooby-Doo Mystery Inc. gang, Velma Dinkley.”
Velma is slated to be a ten-episode series for the first season and the leading lady will be voiced by executive producer, Mindy Kaling. Before the kiddos get too excited, parents should know this is styled as an adult animated comedy series and likely won’t be appropriate for young viewers.
The first teaser trailer shows an outrage Velma sending an email to HBO Max about a new Judy Jetson show, a “genre bending comedic origin story.” It quickly transitions to a scene reminiscent of cult classic horror film, Scream, in which Velma engages in a serial killer who is inside her house about how classics should never be changed. Cue the knife!
Velma Plot
HBO Max’s logline for the show states it is an “original and humorous spin unmasks the complex and colorful past of one of America’s most beloved mystery solvers.” Viewers will notice that Scooby will actually not be a part of the series.
“It felt like what made it a kids’ show was Scooby-Doo. That coincided with Warner Bros. Animation saying, ‘Hey, you can’t use the dog,’” showrunner Charlie Grandy revealed at Comic Con. “So we were like, ‘Great, this works out well.’”
According to Variety, Kaling revealed the cast of Velma at New York Comic Con. Leads will include features Sam Richardson as Shaggy, Constance Wu as Daphne and Glenn Howerton as Fred.
Additional voices incljude Jane Lynch, Wanda Sykes, “Weird Al” Yankovic, Russell Peters, Melissa Fumero, Stephen Root, Gary Cole, Ming-Na Wen, Ken Leung, Cherry Jones, Frank Welker, Fortune Feimster, Yvonne Orji, Sarayu Blue, Nicole Byer, Shay Mitchell, Debby Ryan, Kulap Vilaysak, and Karl-Anthony Towns.
Velma Release Date
HBO Max’s Velma series will debut sometime in 2023.
The classic cat and mouse duo is coming back to TV in a whole new way! Tom and Jerry Time reinvents the original animated series for preschoolers, combining familiar fun antics with early learning concepts. It’s part of the new Cartoonito preschool programming block available now on HBO Max and Cartoon Network.
Tom and Jerry appear in a series of animated musical shorts in a cheerful spin on the cartoon character rivalry. Instead of engaging in the over-the-top violence of the past, the duo keeps it kid-friendly with chases, pranks and plenty of outsmarting. Tom represents confidence and resilience while Jerry showcases ingenuity and courage, skills that will serve your growing kid well!
“Based on the beloved classic that so many parents grew up with, Tom and Jerry Time introduces a whole new generation to these iconic characters with a fresh and original take,” said Amy Friedman, Head of Kids and Family Programming, Warner Bros. “For our youngest audience, Sam Register and his team at Warner Bros. Animation managed to keep all the playful hijinks, drop all the cartoon violence, and add the most delightful early childhood learning through song and story.”
Produced by Warner Bros. Animation, you’ll be able to watch the new show on Cartoonito through HBO Max and Cartoon Network. The preschool block features 20 new series including Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go and Batwheels. Visit Cartoonito’s official site to get more info and start watching!
He’s sharper than the average bear and he’s making a comeback after 30 years! Yogi Bear, along with Boo Boo, Cindy and a familiar crew of Hanna-Barbera characters, are returning to a screen near you. HBO Max is releasing Jellystone! a new animated comedy that reimagines the cartoons from your childhood—with a modern touch.
Season one premieres today and will follow an ensemble cast of characters as they work, play and participate in hijinks around the town. Each plays a specific role in the community, including Huckleberry Hound as the town’s mayor and the bears as the town’s medical staff. You’ll be delighted to see the gang get back together and your kids will definitely be laughing at the show’s hilarious plotlines. Watch the trailer now!
Keep an eye out for Mr. Jinks, Wally Gator, Lippy the Lion, Auggie Doggie, Jabberjaw, Snagglepuss and many more! The show is run and produced by Hollywood mainstay C.H. Greenblatt, who also voices some of the characters, plus Warner Bros. Animation. Make a nice little pic-a-nic and settle in to enjoy Jellystone! on HBO Max!
––Sarah Shebek
Featured image courtesy of Warner Bros. Animation and HBO Max
Get ready for a trip back to Bedrock! FOX Entertainment and Warner Bros. Animation recently announced the future debut of a new animated comedy for adults based on the iconic Flintstones characters.
The new primetime series, aptly titled Bedrock, is currently in development. Elizabeth Banks will produce the series pilot and voice the role of a 20-something Pebbles. Lindsay Kerns (Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous, DC Super Hero Girls, Trolls: The Beat Goes On!) will write the pilot script.
photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Entertainment/FOX
Bedrock starts two decades after the classic family show left off. In the new series, Fred is heading towards retirement, young adult Pebbles is starting a career of her own, and the Stone Age is not-so-subtly shifting into the Bronze Age.
Michael Thorn, President, Entertainment, FOX Entertainment, said in a press release, “Long before the Simpsons and Springfield, the Griffins and Quahog or even when the Belchers started serving burgers on Ocean Avenue, there were the Flintstones and Bedrock.” Thorn continued, ““Their imprint on the animation universe is undeniable and the idea of adapting it for today’s audience is a challenge we here at FOX are very much looking forward to taking on with Warner Bros., Elizabeth and Lindsay. No pressure whatsoever, really.”
Peter Girardi, Executive Vice President, Alternative Programming at Warner Bros. Animation, said, “The Flintstones are the first family of primetime animation.” Girardi added, “Elizabeth and Lindsay have a brilliant take on these characters, and FOX and Brownstone are the perfect partners to bring them back to primetime. This is going to rock (sorry).”
As the entertainment capital of the world, Los Angeles has played a starring role in plenty of movies. If you’re wondering what to screen on next family movie night, let the city be your inspiration. Read on for 9 kid-friendly flicks that capture LA, from the glamour of Hollywood to the suburbs of the San Fernando Valley.
LEGO Scooby-Doo: Haunted Hollywood
Warner Bros. Animation
Scoob and the gang win a trip to Hollywood, complete with a VIP tour of one of the big studios, which—you guessed it—ends up being haunted. The film was direct-to-video, but don't let that discourage you, especially if you've got a LEGO-loving kid at home. In terms of the scare factor, there's a zombie and a pumpkin-headed horseman, which might frighten little ones. Though, of course, by the end, it's revealed that they're not monsters at all, just scheming tricksters who would've gotten away with it if it weren't for those meddling kids.
The 1982 classic is a must-watch for its story of friendship, family and wonder. But we also love the suburban LA setting, with its wide streets and sprawling 1970s tract housing. Much of the neighborhood scenes in the film were shot in Tujunga and Porter Ranch, at the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains.
Make a “rainbow connection” while Kermit the Frog, Fozzie Bear, Miss Piggy, and Rowlf the Dog hit the road to find success in Hollywood in this 1979 film. Fans of Jim Henson's iconic puppets will love watching this origin story, which features hilarious cameos from Steve Martin, Mel Brooks, Elliot Gould and more. Sure, the plot is a little outrageous, but the writing is fun and clever and immerses you in the Muppet-filled world. And we don't want to give away the ending, but it involves a Hollywood studio and a "standard 'rich and famous' contract."
Make it a double feature and follow the original Muppets movie with this 2010 installment. Long past their prime in Hollywood, Kermit, Miss Piggy, Beaker, Fozzie Bear and the rest of the crew are reuniting to stage their comeback and save LA's Muppet Theater. The film has plenty of insider industry jokes and references (like Kermit being mistaken for a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle). You'll also recognize LA landmarks including Pink's Hotdogs, Mel's Drive-in and El Capitan Theatre.
This often overlooked animated musical is a sweet story set during the Golden Age of Hollywood. The film, released in 1997, follows aspiring performer Danny the Song and Dance Cat, from Kokomo, Ind., to Tinseltown, where he hopes to make it on the big screen. The film may not be as impressive as Disney hits (like Beauty & the Beast, which came out the same year), but the music by Randy Newman and old Hollywood vibe should be enough to keep everyone engaged.
Where to watch: Available to rent on various streaming services (including Amazon Prime, Google Play and iTunes)
Who Framed Roger Rabbit?
Walt Disney Studios
If your kids have been on Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin at Disneyland, then it may be time to introduce them to the film that inspired the ride. The live-action-meets-animated movie is a visual treat—who doesn't love seeing cartoons and real people interact? The noir-inspired film is set during the 1940s in Toontown, a suburb of Hollywood, that's about to be destroyed to build a massive freeway. (There's a reference to the freeway putting an end to traffic jams, a joke Angelenos will surely appreciate.)
A word of warning: Though it's rated PG, the movie does contain harsh language (like, ahem, bastard) and cartoon violence (think a vat of acid that melts animated characters). Most parents agree it's best suited to children age 10 and up.
Set in the San Fernando Valley during the 1960s (though actually made in the '90s), this PG-rated nostalgic baseball film will teach kids about the value of friendship and teamwork. Although the film was actually shot in Salt Lake City, the setting is a dead ringer for nabes like Pacoima and Sylmar. And the real Dodgers stadium even makes an appearance.
With a sequel to the film in the works, now's the perfect time to revisit this comedy, starring Shelley Long and a cast of then unknowns. Just spotting a young Tori Spelling, Carla Gugino or singer Jenny Lewis is half the fun. Sure, the movie and its Beverly Hills setting are a bit over the top. But this was the '80s—what wasn't over the top then? The film is a fun escape, and you'll also learn to "Do the Freddie," which is sure to come in handy for years.
Eh, what’s up doc? The new Looney Tunes Cartoons on HBO Max!
Your favorite childhood classic is returning to television with brand new episodes starting this Weds., May 27. With modern animation that still pays homage to the cartoons of your childhood, the HBO Max reboot is fun for kids and parents alike.
Warner Bros. Animation is bringing Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Elmer Fudd, Porky Pig and the rest of the gang in their traditional pairings, which means lots of funny stories with plenty of practical jokes––but with the best technology-driven animation of today.
The new series is made up of 80 11-minute episodes, each with varied length shorts. Viewers will also get holiday-themed specials throughout the year!
Stream the entire show starting May 27 only on HBO Max.
Thanks to Netflix, we’ll take a second helping of “Green Eggs and Ham.” The streaming service announced that it is renewing the animated series for a second season titled, “Green Eggs and Ham: The Second Serving.”
The Netflix adaptation of Dr. Seuss’ classic children’s book brings the viewer along on the escapades of Sam (Adam DeVine) and Guy (Michael Douglas.) Netflix states that second season will find the characters in a series of adventures that “takes them around the globe and outside their comfort zones as they get caught between two sides of a delicious conflict.”
Season 1 featured many talented voice actors, including Keegan-Michael Key, Eddie Izzard, Jillian Bell, Diane Keaton, Jeffrey Wright, Ilana Glazer, Tracy Morgan, Daveed Diggs, John Turturro, and Billy Eichner.
“Green Eggs and Ham” the series is created by Jared Stern, and executive produced by Stern, Ellen DeGeneres, Sam Register, Mike Karz, David Dobkin and Jeff Kleeman, and produced by Helen Kalafatic.
The second season will be produced by Warner Bros. Animation, and is comprised of ten half-hour episodes of hand-drawn 2D animation.
At the launch of Season 1, DeGeneres spoke about partnering with Netflix and her impression of Dr. Seuss. She said, “Dr. Seuss was the first rapper. I think it’s his simplicity…It reminds everybody of their childhood so these are feel-good stories,” the talk-show host said. “It’s the kind of thing that parents are going to want to watch with their kids because it makes them feel good, too. Nobody’s singing baby shark do-do-do, either.”
Netflix recently announced a debut date for its new Seuss-tastic series—Green Eggs and Ham!
The streaming service teased the all-star series last spring, only saying it had a fall start. Now that fall is in full force, Netflix has a launch date: Nov. 8.
Produced by Warner Bros. Animation, the series based on the Dr. Seuss classic stars Adam Devine, Michael Douglas, Ilana Glazer, Diane Keaton, Keegan-Michael Key, Eddie Izzard, Jeffrey Wright, Jillian Bell, John Turturro, Tracy Morgan and Daveed Diggs.
If you’re wondering if the series will follow the beloved book, Netflix describes the animated adventure as, “The story of Green Eggs and Ham is like a postmodern Planes, Trains and Automobiles through the whimsical world of Dr. Seuss.” The series centers around Sam and his attempt to rescue the rare Chickeraffe from the Glurfsburg Zoo. What follows is a chance meetup with Guy, a not-so-successful inventor, and plenty of adventure-filled awesomeness.
Green Eggs and Ham is only available to stream on Netflix, starting Nov. 8.
Scooby-Doo is celebrating a big bday on Friday, Sep. 13! The iconic animated pup and his pals have spent the past 50 years solving mysteries—and now there’s a new a new film and plenty of merch to make this half-century milestone.
Scooby-Doo! Return to Zombie Island is an all-new animated adventure produced by Warner Bros. Animation and is available on Amazon, FandangoNOW, iTunes, PlayStation, Vudu, Xbox and select Video On Demand services. You can also buy the DVD right now exclusively in Walmart stores and at other retailers starting Oct. 1. Along with with new animated flick, you can also check out some some of the super Scooby products available for the character’s 50th anniversary.
Scooby-Doo Munchies Run Puzzle
Solve mysteries—and this puzzle! Available on Amazon for $19.
Scooby-Doo Clue
Solve mysteries with this Scooby-Doo twist in the classic board game ($38 on Amazon).
Scooby-Doo Flip Top Water Bottle
This BPA-free pick is perfect for your Scooby fan. Find it on Amazon for $11.
Imaginext Toys
Your kiddo can act out their fave film or TV episode with the cute characters. Find this pick at Target or Walmart for $19.95.
Monopoly Scooby-Doo
Your fam's fave game gets a new twist with the Scooby-Doo version ($38.87 on Amazon).
—Erica Loop
Photos: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Consumer Products
Your childhood is calling! According to recent reports, the Flintstones are making a small-screen comeback—and this new show is all for the grown-ups.
The still-in-the-works collab between actress Elizabeth Banks’s production company, Brownstone Productions and Warner Bros. Animation is in the early development phase. However, plenty of rumors are swirling about this original comedy series.
This isn’t exactly the first time a Flintstones reboot was supposedly in the works. In 2011 Seth MacFarlane was in talks with Fox to develop a remake of the beloved show. After the deal fell through the Flintstones reboot was sent back to the stone age. That is until now.
While there are no specifics, Banks’ Brownstone Production did recently ink a new deal with Warner Bros. Television. The deal reportedly includes several different projects across a variety of the company’s networks.
As of now, neither Banks or Warner Bros. have announced information on the yet-to-be titled Flintstones remake, when it will begin production or what network in will land on.
