“Checkered Past” News & Discussion

[[classic swim]]

Adult Swim’s block for Cartoon Cartoons that officially launched 5PM, August 28, 2023.

[Checkered Past, Broadcast Day One]

How was it?

Partially how I expected. Networks still utterly terrified of 4:3, and you got the same crappy transparent version of Swim’s logo.

No split screen credits! The last time I watched Adult Swim, they put that lame nonsense over an Aqua Teen episode. And I would’ve expected the CN shows to receive that treatment more than anything else, especially so early in. But here they made the right call, if it’s even permanent.

Bumps were cool. The background ones are basically the nature bumps, but better. Main characters are inserted, but they’re also shot more uniquely than the typical Bing imagery [as] is known for using.

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Dexter’s Lab: Really, this isn’t even the first run-in Dexter has had with the channel. Adult Swim unearthed Rude Removal years ago on their site (should’ve been televised then), I saw an excerpt of the show at Adult Swim Fest 2019 for Genndy’s reel panel, and [as] showed Rude Removal again awhile ago on a stream promoting UWE.

But for the first time Dexter actually aired on [as] proper, they went with the basics. Mandark’s first appearance being an obvious choice. *Don’t look up what Eddie Deezen’s been up to lately!*

“Old Man Dexter” was a personal favorite of mine, plus I love all the “Dial M for Monkey” segments. For the original couple season run, sometimes the monkey would be the strongest of the show!

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Ed, Edd n Eddy: I was looking forward to this the most out of the whole rotation, but these specific cartoons they chose for this night weren’t very great. The first one was alright, but it’s a tad flavorless when the characters aren’t quite themselves just yet.

Almost any episode starring the Kanker Sisters are sure to be an instant meh. I don’t think they got any better after the first show with them. And with that being said, I did like seeing Eddy play a grouchy husband trope. I still would’ve gone with a later episode.

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Grim Adventures: I’m sure this was a show everyone was stoked to see.

I think out of all of them, I’m delighted Billy & Mandy’s receiving better treatment the most out of this. There was awhile where WB pretended this never existed, and Maxwell Atoms was even encouraging fans to just torrent the show. Can’t blame him for that, he got the worst brunt of the network decline going into the 2010s.

The selection here was good. Loved the Toadblatt cartoon, the middle one with Mindy shows the creative influence Rachael MacFarlane had before American Dad. And then the one at the end was some good Billy & Irwin hijinks.

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Courage: The Cowardly Dog!

I totally get the decision to make this the last show of the block. Even when I want more Cartoon Cartoons present.

It’s the notoriously creepy and sometimes sadistic cartoon everyone loves. I don’t even remember the shadow segment from this airing, but I do remember LeQuack.

It’d be messed up if they started Courage with the barber episode, or even the one with the mountain goat.

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Pretty decent start. Really hope those credits continue to stay as they are.


There was actually one random promo that caught my attention. It only played once after the Dexter airing, and again before KOTH started. But it basically said “Adult Swim: Mon - Sat at 7PM.”

I haven’t watched the live broadcast religiously in a long ass time, so that could just be an outdated spot. But this block is so obviously [as]. Same commercials, same labeling, it’s definitely airing on their time and dime. Adult Swim’s disclaimer was still shown at the beginning of the broadcast, and then shown again for KOTH.

But if by crazy chance that promo was actually recent, then maybe they’re really wanting to pretend that Checkered is its own entity.

Doubt that’s true but either way, Checkered Past definitely has some potential in the packaging, way more than what’s already shown. Some of those bumpers very well could’ve been a thing during the actual Cartoon Cartoon era.


A very large dealbreaker though are those timeslots. Nobody is going to have time for this block long term, and it’s already a block with very limited telling interest.

7-9 would’ve been the best possible outcome if things with CN and WBD weren’t so screwy. But then that would intrude on the FOX syndication that [as] has left and needs more to operate comfortably.

 

[Surreal Kangaroo]

I unfornatually couldn’t watch it. I was at someone’s house and I guess their cable package does not come with CN. What was it rated?

 

[[classic swim]]

I unfornatually couldn’t watch it. I was at someone’s house and I guess their cable package does not come with CN. What was it rated?

Everything was TV PG.

 

[Goldstar!]

I'm subscribed to Max (formerly HBO Max) and have Amazon Prime Video, so Checkered Past isn't a huge deal for deal for me (although David "The Grim Reaper" Zazlav had Dexter's Laboratory and The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack removed form Max shortly before the renaming, which I'm not happy about. ). However, I hope that the fans who can't stream these old Cartoon Network shows for whatever reason will get a kick out of it.

If Adult Swim wants to impress me, they can bring back Space Ghost: Coast to Coast and start airing Close Enough, both of which were also removed Max.

 

[JMTV]

I didn't have the time to watch Checkered Past when it first came out because I had to go watch Haunted Mansion with my family (I thought that movie was boring BTW). For what little what I've seen, it didn't really catch my interest. I already had my fill with classic CN shows, so I'm not even gonna bother watching it.

But hey, if you guys love Checkered Past for what it was, then have at it.

 

[Perla Magica]

Here’s the continuity from yesterday with very creative bumpers and promo:

I love those bumpers, they're very CN City-inspired.

 

[Trueblade74]

Glad to see the place back, and a bit of old CN coming back with it.

Shame the circumstances seem so dire. Losing several hours of regular primetime programming that probably could've gone to some new shows.

 

[Silverstar]

Glad to see the place back, and a bit of old CN coming back with it.

Shame the circumstances seem so dire. Losing several hours of regular primetime programming that probably could've gone to some new shows.

Thank you. I thought I was the only one who felt this way. When the site was down, I spent a lot more time on YouTube and I felt like I was the only one who wasn't over the moon about this block.

I don't necessarily have a problem with Checkered Past in and of itself, but launching it this way and giving Adult Swim more airtime at the expense of Cartoon Network just seems wrong somehow. If WBD weren't pinching pennies right now, they could use the 5PM to 9PM hours to spotlight new and original shows, then run Checkered Past for an hour or two (maybe toss some older Boomerang era shows in there as well), then go into Adult Swim. I'm happy that WBD hasn't forgotten about 90's to 00's Cartoon Network or the viewers who grew up watching it, but neglecting CN in order to prop up AS just because of higher ratings and the ability to run more ads comes off as them cutting off their nose to spite their face and it doesn't sit right with me. I'm all for exploiting one half of the channel, but it shouldn't be at the expense of the other, especially since it was the popularity of Cartoon Network that led to the creation of Adult Swim in the first place.

 

[Golden Geek]

Omelette du fromage episode is on right now.

Dexter's lab self-destructing is an early form of those memes where a kid gets ahead of an iPhone and manages to lock it for 4,596,223 minutes.

Yesterday it seemed like the promos were limited to general/the tamest AS promos, but today we've had an American Dad! one that said "son of a b*tch." They might as well promote all of AS if they're going to run the disclaimer.

 

[Trueblade74]

Condom commercial at 5:30PM EST. Guess this really is Adult Swim.

 

[Surreal Kangaroo]

Condom commercial at 5:30PM EST. Guess this really is Adult Swim.

That’s disturbing.

 

[CartoonLover2604]

I have Courage and most of the Eds on DVD (referring to how the complete series lacks the specials and Big Picture Show), so I'll mostly be watching for Dexter and Billy & Mandy. I did catch the premiere yesterday and while disappointing that the shows are stretched, the bumpers are creative and I like the advertising. I only hope they rotate shows every now and then.

 

[CNFan1995]

Here's the bumps that aired today

 

[[classic swim]]

[Broadcast Day Two]

The CN City/Nature bump hybrids are still all the rave, but today we also got some even more interesting ID animations!

On top of that, they gave a bump to VAAALLLLLL HALLEN... as the Justice Friends first appeared.

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Dexter’s Lab: Doll House Drama/ Krunk’s Date/ Big Cheese

This was the only show from today’s lineup I recognized from the CN 30th broadcast awhile ago. But as mentioned by another user, everyone loves the omelette show. While I liked the first segment more, they’re both fun.

The Justice Friends are cool. They just don’t compare to the monkey.

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Ed, Edd n Eddy: Is There an Ed in The House/ An Ed is Born

“Why do you keep a camera in your dryer, Ed?”

“What?”

Nicer selection for the Ed boys this time around. The trio has their more defined personalities, and the slapstick was much better. (Ed taking a whole vacuum to Sarah’s nose, all of episode B, etc.)

Eddy having a little album on his floor simply titled “Barry White” is more funny than it should be.

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Grim Adventures: My Fair Mandy

Billy & Mandy altered the Space-Time Continuum so the Powerpuff Girls could be on Checkered Past.

Had its moments. It’s a single story episode that’s hinged on Mandy smiling at the end.

Speaking of, I had no idea Mandy sang “Somewhere Over The Rainbow.” That’s amazing lol.

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Courage: Demon in The Mattress/ Freaky Fred

When I mentioned the freaky barber episode earlier (first posted yesterday elsewhere heheh) I had no idea they were airing it the next day.

I was never too shocked by Courage at all, but simply shaving the dog like that was what I found most disturbing, oddly enough. Oh, and there’s possessed Muriel too.

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I didn’t get a condom commercial. I’m jealous.

 

[19MagiswordLane]

Over in my area (HST timezone) the block starts at 2pm. So, right when all schools are out. That's WAY early to see the network bug onscreen. That also means that kids will miss out on the entirety of CN unless they catch it in the morning (if most are still watching TV, that is).

 

[[classic swim]]

When the site was down, I spent a lot more time on YouTube and I felt like I was the only one who wasn't over the moon about this block.

I don't necessarily have a problem with Checkered Past in and of itself, but launching it this way and giving Adult Swim more airtime at the expense of Cartoon Network just seems wrong somehow. If WBD weren't pinching pennies right now, they could use the 5PM to 9PM hours to spotlight new and original shows, then run Checkered Past for an hour or two (maybe toss some older Boomerang era shows in there as well), then go into Adult Swim. I'm happy that WBD hasn't forgotten about 90's to 00's Cartoon Network or the viewers who grew up watching it, but neglecting CN in order to prop up AS just because of higher ratings and the ability to run more ads comes off as them cutting off their nose to spite their face and it doesn't sit right with me. I'm all for exploiting one half of the channel, but it shouldn't be at the expense of the other, especially since it was the popularity of Cartoon Network that led to the creation of Adult Swim in the first place.

Wanted to say this is all valid and justifiable reasoning to not approve of the block.

I don’t wanna seem overzealous when I already know the morbid timeframe will be the death of this block eventually. People have schooled me on CN’s previous re-running methods *2016 fandom whining was inescapable* but I also know that department has been hit hard. The iconic “SKULL” logo revised for this block originates from CN Studios that’s now just a mere shortened down WB division. And all CN can do is twiddle their thumbs around and tell people on socials to watch Adult Swim instead. It’s really not a pretty sight but their situation feels far gone at this point.

 

[Tweetie Pie 2000]

Oh hey so glad to see that this site is up and running again! I also really love Checkered Past and the new bumpers that come along with it. I can also see why some might not be in favor of this block since these are CN classics airing on [as], but I feel it's also a silver lining compared to what has been going on with animation as of late. I hope this block lasts a long time because it takes me right back to childhood.

 

[Tweetie Pie 2000]

Here's the bumps that aired today

ABSOLUTE WIN they made even more than just the characters on realistic backgrounds with recycled animatons...this is awesome. Just wait til more get to be on the block!

 

[Golden Geek]

I am happy to have a reason to turn my TV on again, though I don't know how long I'll be at it. The last time I actively watched Adult Swim was rewatching Assassination Classroom on Toonami.

Dexter's Lab is the show I remember watching the most as a kid. Ed, Edd n' Eddy was one I really tried not to watch as a kid - I could say I was just averted to the style, but part of me wonders if it's just because it was my dad's favorite, and my dad is not a very good guy, to put it lightly. The two episodes I've seen on Checkered Past have been pretty good.

I watched Billy & Mandy on rare occasion, and one of the episodes I remember was Mandy's smile tearing apart the universe - yet I didn't remember "WILL MANDY WIN THE PAGEANT? WILL SHE EVER SMILE? I DON'T CARE!", which is remarkably funny today for whatever reason and seems like one of those lines I would have looped on the DVR as a kid.

Courage is good, of course, though my viewing got disrupted today as I put away groceries.

 

[Francisque]

Personally, I find it a rather good usage of the frequency.

Whether I would have preferred it on CN all together, making CN more flexible to alterations and so on, it's another story.

Having "no CN" at 5pm seems excessive to me.

Probably they're also using it as a loophole for more advertising (by American FCC rules) by moving it to Adult Swim.