Disney is Killing the Ducktales Revival Or The Quack is Back! Then it’s Not…Then it is… Then Not… Then Maybe?

Although it seems cartoons run forever, they usually only have 2-3 years where new episodes are created. The run of a show like Spongebob, which has been around for 20 years, or even an adult cartoon, like the Simpsons* are the exceptions to the rule. The reason cartoons feel like they run forever is because they’re replayed consistently. Try spending a week watching Nickelodeon, or have a glance at the TV guide, and you’ll see a scary amount of episodes for particular shows, and an even scarier amount of the same episode being shown.

TV networks used to love loading up on a new cartoon early. In the first season or two, networks would prepare upwards of 65 episodes if the first 10 episodes were pulling in viewers. Then, they were make small seasons with a handful of episodes to make sure there the show qualified for syndication, the sweetest four words for a network. As soon as they hit the magic number (usually 100, but sometimes less), new episodes ceased and shameless replays began. These would stay in the rotation until kids got sick of seeing the same characters go on the same adventure upwards of three times a day. Then, the show is removed from TV never to be seen again until the unoriginal idiots running TV channels decide to reboot the show decades later. Rehashes are how executives keep their channels fresh.

The idea behind keeping shows on short seasons is because kids have short attention spans. Popular shows become fads, and lose their buzz as quickly as they gain it. In the 80s and 90s, this was definitely the case. Knowing shows would lose popularity, the networks put their best cartoons on as much as possible, and only pulled it when people felt ill when they saw it. Today, networks are much crueler, choosing to never retire their most popular shows. Instead, they squeeze every ounce of a show’s magic, until there’s none left, and then leave the show running for 7 years too long. People end up hating a show they love. See: Squarepants, Spongebob or Simpsons, The

I know you did buddy. I know you did

One of the shows that suffered through the format of cartoons back in the late 80s was Ducktales, one of my favorite cartoons of all time. Ducktales only aired from 1987-1990, but managed to pump up that magical 100 episodes number. There was also a movie made but it’s locked deep in the Disney vault, likely never to see the light of day**. Throughout its first run, Ducktales was beloved by anyone with a soul, and a good amount of Gingers. Combining humor and adventure, Ducktales had a great mix that appeals to kids. It became one of Disney’s pillar cartoons, and led to a full block of afternoons cartoons on ABC, including the birth of the semi spin-off, Darkwing Duck. Maybe you’ve heard of him.

He is the milk that curdled a day early

The original Ducktales wasn’t perfect; its flaws are clear on a rewatch as the pretend adult I am. Huey, Dewey and Louie are in essence, one character. Other than the color they wear, there is no difference between the three, including their voices. Sure, the kids were beloved, but not because of their personalities. They were the avatar for the viewers, but they might as well have said on their action figures personalities were not included. In addition to the 3 main kids, Webby was an add-on only for cast diversity – they needed a girl. Other than her bow and doll, she was indistinguishable from the main kids.

Of course, the positives greatly outweighed the flaws. The show’s true star is Scrooge, who, while a greedy treasure hog, is still heroic, cares about his family, and kicks all sorts of ass. The villains were diverse, and some of the strongest characters on the shows, even if Flintheart Glomgold is just evil Scrooge in appearance and personality. Launchpad crashing everything under the sun was always a treat and he helped made Darkwing Duck possible. But this isn’t about Darkwing,*** this is about another classic duck cartoon.

Not that it should matter, but Ducktales also has one of the best video games of the Nintendo era. The game captures the show very well considering the technology. It gave Scrooge creatives uses for his cane. He could pogo hop around the stage to attack, or swing his cane to toss blocks. The stages were diverse, brimming with treasure in exotic, legendary areas. You also fought the main villains from the show. It was as good of any licensed game made at that point, and this isn’t an insult. Back on the Nintendo, license games were not a money grab disgrace; there was a lot of care in the product. It might be the best licensed game ever made. Seriously, it holds up incredibly well today. This shouldn’t affect a show’s standing, but being able to pay as one of your favorite characters certain adds to the connection.

Plus the moon level with lit fam

And, of course, we’re not going to talk about Ducktales without mentioning the best theme song of all time. This is not a debate. There is no argument. The Ducktales theme is the most catchy song you can imagine, and if you don’t think it’s the best theme ever made, you should lose your rights to vote, procreate, and possibly breathe.

Anyone who was questioning my opinion probably feels awfully stupid now. Please leave your procreation parts with your doctor on your next visit.

Even though I am 30, I was naturally excited to hear that Ducktales was coming back. Sure, I probably shouldn’t be sitting around, watching Ducktales at my age, but what would have been the harm in it? I mean, there’s middle age men who watch Hannah Montana without pants. Certainly tuning in to the new series would be innocent.

When I saw the new art style, I was concerned. It looked, well, weird. Here’s a preview if you haven’t watched yet (And shame on you if you haven’t).

It’s not the classic look, that’s for sure

I didn’t have high expectations, but the cast was pretty impressive. Now, I wanted the show to succeed, and not just for me. My godson is 2 today, and he needs good shows to watch, unlike Peppa Pig’s judgmental ass. Why not some wholesome duck related adventures? The fact that Darkwing Duck was announced to make an appearance, and has the potential to also be rebooted had nothing to do with this.**** When the series premiered, I gave it a shot. It wasn’t like I had anything productive to do anyway.

I have to say, I was legitimately impressed, and it wasn’t just a rush of nostalgia. The writing on the show is clever, and there’s honest to goodness funny lines. Probably the best improvement from the original is the treatment of the kids. Huey, Dewey and Louie are all distinct, unique characters. Each has their own traits and motivations. When an episode focuses on one of them, it’s not picking based on color (Something they actually mocked by the show), but giving each their own character development. The fact that they don’t all wear the same outfit in a different shade is a small tweak, but helps make a world of difference. Even more importantly, Webby gets to play a vital role and stands out on her own. She saves the cast multiple times, and while she’s certainly awkward, her story arc gives her justified reason to be. Webby gets some of the best lines in the series, and gives girls a character to root for in a series dominated by male ducks.

For the villains, few have been revealed thus far, but the clear series MVP is Flintheart Glomgold. The former cut and paste evil Scrooge is a nefarious goof and has been the best part of any episode he’s been in. He’s not incompetent, but his shortcomings are played up, and for a Saturday Morning Cartoon, that’s totally fine. I don’t need full on danger – I want entertainment. Similarly, the new characters introduced in the show have been all good. The classic Duktales characters have all been revamped for modern times, and I don’t have issue with any of the chances. Characterization is the series’ strong point.

At 9 episodes in so far, the main critique I have about the show itself is the use of Scrooge. The series is still young, but he’s been missing all together in several episodes, and takes a backseat in others. I know all the characters need screen time, but this is a Scrooge show – he shouldn’t be a complimentary piece, or altogether missing often. Still, while he’s on screen, he’s been great, evolved from a greedy penny pincher to an adventure junkie (Another great change). Similarly, Launchpad has lacked screen time, though he’s been his old weird self when giving lines. There’s also been a lack of adventure in the first 6 or 7 episodes, though that has changed as well.

Finally, since he have to talk about it, the new version of the theme song is good, but doesn’t top the original. That still makes it the second best theme song of all time.

Still really good. Why are the writer’s of this theme song not writing pop music today? Someone needs to hook them up with Carly Rae Jepsen.

Honestly, other than the minor complaints, it’s a very, very good show that should only improve after the set up episodes complete. However there is one, tiny, small, show ruining problem.

The network has no frigging clue what it’s doing with Ducktales, and might end up killing it due to sheer incompetence. I’m not even kidding about this. Disney seems to be going out of their way to create a great show and then sabotage it. It’s like a scientist creating a new species, and then killing it just because he or she can. That scientist shouldn’t be playing god and neither should Disney. Let Ducktales live damn it. Live!

I’m sure you think this is the ramblings of a man-child, and to be fair, it is, but I have actual facts. You don’t get that often on this website, so enjoy while you can.

After Ducktales officially premiered, which was roughly a month after a special preview episode (It ran for 24 hours straight. The network was back to its own tricks), a new episode premiered for eight consecutive Saturdays. The episodes were shown about five times on the premier day, keeping the tradition of cartoon over saturation. The series was met was critical acclaim and positive reviews. And then, poof. Without any warning, the show disappeared from the airwaves without any explanation. I of course, solved the issue in the only way I know how. Google. My research brought more surprisingly facts.

Firstly, the episodes shown were completely out-of-order. This explains so many odd choices in the series run. Webby as the focus of two consecutive episodes while Huey did not get an episode focused on him until the end of the eight episodes, and was completely absence from an early episode. This was a very odd choice for a series developing its characters. Scrooges barely made a cameo in two straight episodes and Launchpad was forgetting about until episode five. When you find out the episodes were inexcusably played out-of-order, it makes the direction of the show make a bit more sense. Unfortunately, we won’t know the true order until the full first season will be released. When it is, I imagine things will flow better, and the absences of main characters will be paced better.

Sadly, that full release might not be until I’m dead. The show was supposed to return from a month-long hiatus in December, which it did. However, after a December 2^nd episode, the Ducktales “Christmas episode”***** it disappeared again. There wasn’t a mention of why, or an update to the schedule anywhere. Even Google, America’s greatest detective, failed to bring up anything. Only through Twitter did I find several random people mentioning the show would be back in February. I have no idea if this information is correct, but since Disney is mum on the show, hopefully this is the case. The show is still in production, and the twitter account is active, but without any official word, I’m concerned there’s more going on than just a break. God forbid Disney tell us their plans.

And that’s the biggest issue in all of this. Sure, TV shows now a days take a hiatus all the time. Series have winter finales, and spring premiers, if only to drum up ratings. Networks believe the absence makes the heart grow fonder. You know what also makes the heart grow fonder? Showing your God damn series and building a loyal fan base.

My biggest question is, what purpose does going mute on a series that was pushed heavily do for the network? Are they trying to create buzz by not discussing the show? That doesn’t work. I know I’m 30, but the show is targeted for children.****** We’ve already discussed their short attention spans. By the time Ducktales returns, they might already have moved on to the next show. They haven’t cut their marketing, and are currently pushing DVDs. Are we expected to be buying products to support the show?

For shame Disney. I thought you were in the entertainment business. How dare you try to make a profit from a show people enjoy.

Yes, that last line was sarcasm.

Disney needs to get their act together. Maybe instead of spending their time buying Fox, they can focus on the Ducks. This show could, and honestly should, be huge with the resources put into it. Instead, it could crumble due to mismanagement the Wilpons would blush at. They need to finish this season and fast.

Ok fine, I’ll admit it. I have a slight selfish reason for this. It’s not that I don’t love Ducktales – I truly do. It’s just that Darkwing Duck is supposed to appear at the end of the season, likely the finale. Darkwing is my favorite character of all time, and I know I’m not alone. If something happens to the show, or if interest falls, the finale may lose ratings, or God forbid, never be aired. That could mean no appearance, and therefore, no revival. That would be an honest tragedy. Disney, don’t you realize the duck power hour is at risk here? The marketing writes itself.

Do we want our youth to be deprived of a potential Ducktales, Darkwing Duck power hour? There’s too much evil in the world. Why not prevent some by allowing this to happen? Please Disney, I implore you, stop messing with Ducktales. I don’t want my life to have another what if.

PS, please air Darkwing in prime time on ABC. They need the help.

*I use adult loosely. Also, adult doesn’t mean like a porno. That would be weird.

**Until it gets released in 15 years as “Ducktales: The Lost Footage”. Mickey is a evil, evil genius.

***I mean, not yet at least.

****I mean, not yet at least, again.

*****It was Christmas in the sense that Louie mentioned Santa, and Scrooge took a shot at him. Half referencing a Christmas Tale, and half just making a decent joke.

******And man children, like me