The way I understand it, it’s the late Jim Henson that we really should blame for this toon baby thing.
By that I mean: Henson’s the guy who basically invented this genre back in 1984, when he introduced the Muppet Babies in “The Muppets Take Manhattan” (FYI: Don’t confuse the Muppet Babies [left] with Sesame Workshop‘s newest product line, “Sesame Beginnings” [right]).
Photos courtesy of Google Images
And when the “Muppets Babies” proved to be a popular (more importantly, profitable) addition to the Muppet franchise … Well, the Mouse decided that it wanted in on the fun too. Which is why — in the late 1980s — the Walt Disney Company launched its “Disney Babies” product line.
Copyright 1992 The Walt Disney Company
Which should not to be confused with Disney Consumer Products’ recent riff on the “Hello, Kitty” line, Disney Cuties.
Copyright 2005 Disney Enterprises, Inc.
And given all of the money that Henson & Disney were making off of their “Muppet Babies” & “Disney Babies” lines, it was only a matter of time before Warner Bros. made a move on this same market. First by launching “Tiny Toons Adventures ” (left) in 1990, and then — in 2002 — by following that effort up with the “Baby Looney Tunes” line.
Photos courtesy of Google Images
By then, Hanna-Barbera had also begun cashing in on this new toon trend by launching (among other animated TV series) “The Flintstone Kids” and “A Pup Named Scooby Doo” …
Photos courtesy of Google Images
So — at this point in the game — it’s pretty clear that there’s some serious money to be made off of juvenilizing a set of classic cartoon characters. Which is perhaps why Larry Harmon Pictures Corp. is now trying to relaunch its once popular Bozo the Clown franchise by introducing Bozo’s Clown Babies and Bozoo Animals.
Photo by Jeff Lange
Mind you, Bozo’s not the only slapstick superstar who’s looking to make a comeback by getting kiddie-fied. Check out the latest incarnation of Moe, Larry & Curly below. That’s right. The Baby Stooges. Reportedly coming to a crib near you in 2008.
Photo by Jeff Lange
And speaking of cribs … Remember how the “Bratz” product line began seriously cutting in on “Barbie” ‘s retail turf a few years back by bringing a streetwise sensibility to the doll aisle? Well, MGA Entertainment Inc. is no longer content with owning the 8-year-old girl market. They’re now looking to lay claim to the 3-year-olds too by launching a “Bratz Babyz” product line. Which officially debuts next month with the release of that Fox Home Entertainment premiere, “Bratz Babyz: The Movie.”
Photo by Jeff Lange
And MGA isn’t the only production company that hopes that a young, urban, hip feel will help lure viewers to their new animated project. Check out what Wayan Bros. Entertainment just produced: “Thugaboo.” Reportedly based on adventures that Shawn, Marlon & Keenan Ivory Wayans had while growing up in the inner city, the first installment of this series — “Sneaker Madness” — premiered on the Nicktoons Network earlier this month. While a DVD version of “Thugaboo” ‘s debut just went on sale yesterday.
Photo by Jeff Lange
I’m not sure if the world is actually ready for a show that reportedly plays like a combination of Fat Albert, Charlie Brown and “Family Guy.” But — like it or not — “Thugaboo” is here. With a soundtrack CD already up for sale over on the official “Thugaboo” website as well as a new Christmas-themed episode due to hit the Nicktoons Network sometime after Thanksgiving.
And speaking of things that the world is probably not ready for … I give you the Marvel Babies!
Photo by Jeff Lange
Before you ask: No, this is not fan art or some “Saturday Night Live” spoof. This kiddie-fied set of classic comic book characters is actually Marvel’s latest attempt to expand its audience. Evidently, the battle plan here is (literally) to “get ’em while they’re young.” Have future comic book buyers bond with these characters when they’re just infants. With the hope that these kids will still be fans once they’re actually old enough to read (More importantly, buy) comic books.
Well, I don’t know about you folks. But there isn’t enough money in the world to ever get me to change the Baby Hulk’s diaper.
And speaking of things that involve money …
In addition to being JHM’s official photographer & archvist, Jeff Lange also produces a best-selling series of Disney theme park DVDs. His most recent title is a disc that commemorates Walt Disney World’s 20th anniversary celebration. For further information on this DVD as well as all of the other titles in Jeff’s catalog, please follow this link.