The Flashback Cartoon Network
I'm not asking you whatever happened to Robot Jones? Unless you know, then please tell me. This is about the early 2000's Cartoon Network series with that title. (So funny, I'm sure nobody else has made this joke at all) Whatever Happened to Robot Jones? was created by Greg Miller whom worked on a few other Cartoon Network shows as a writer, storyboard artist, animation layout-ist, and more.
The original pilot aired in 2000 as part of a "Voice your Choice Weekend" where 11 pilots were featured and viewers could vote for their favorites. (There were other factors right, right?) (
Source) The pilot got second place after "Grim and Evil" which would become it's own series, but am I just talking about a random pilot then? Well, yes, I'm going to start with that first.
The basic concept is that there are robots (duh) and there's apparently a robot child with robot parents, because that's how that works. The "parents" now want the younger robot to go to a human middle school and learn about humans. (To doom us all?) Robot ,which I think is his first name, doesn't want to go because humans are inefficient (it's because we sleep, isn't it). Robot already acts like a human in some ways so maybe oh my. This begins the plot of what the series would be about a robot "child" going to human middle school to learn about humans through the eyes of our middle schoolers. (Which I'm not sure is the best idea) So the pilot goes through Robot annoying the math teacher because he's a smart robot. (compared to a dumb robot) Robot is in the principal's office and if he slips up again , he gets detention. (That'll teach the robot) Tha to doesn't go well since he gets it anyway and this makes Robot mad, because he has a mood device inside for some reason. Anyway, he doesn't get detention. He doesn't want to see another human again, until he sees a girl with braces, head gear and a prosthetic leg and falls in love. (Robot love the purest love?)
He's been programmed to love/ Copyright Warner
The first thing that gets me is the animation style. It's very dirty not bad, but meaning that it's not what you'd see in the later cartoons even the ones on Cartoon Network at the time, where it has a messier animation style, kind of matching up to the School House Rock cartoons. It was also a hand drawn traditional cell animated series when cartoons had gone more to digital ink and paint. Characters are in full color and so are some objects, but you'll notice the backgrounds are simple back and white, which gives everything else a way to pop out. When Robot goes to the bus, the entire outside is black and white sketches, but the bus and Robot are in full color it really is kind of interesting and unique style. I like it. It also fits its setting since the show also takes place in the 80's, which is interesting, but it was about the time for 80's nostalgia to show up.
Life feels so bleak to me for some reason/Copyright Warner
There are two versions of the pilot, I'll get to that when I talk more about the show. The pilot didn't win, but it did get second and well, and Cartoon Network went, I guess we should make this a series too.
The full series premiered on July 19, 2002.
The first episode I'm looking at has two segments, the standard of these shows, of course. Robot has a mission from his mother to figure out a way to make a friend. That's right Robot has to make a friend. Now, this would be easier, but apparently the kids in the school don't want to befriend a robot (Why not?) Robot finds two guys playing video games and he likes video games too. (Who knew?) Oh there are also two bullies because children's show. They are called the Yogmen twins named Lenny and Denny who I don't think Robot should trust. They are also dressed like Devo, so whip it good. (whoa whoa time out for fun there)
Devo were such mean kids/ Copyright Warner
Robot is convinced to follow them because he's an empty vessel robot. They trick Robot to scan the girl's changing room and wow I'm surprised that made into an episode, Cartoon Network early 2000's was on it's on edge there. Of course, Robot gets in trouble They also make Robot get sprayed with pop which causes him to break dance. The two boys Robot met earlier are bothered by this and go to help Robot. There's another thing to this show that's also fun, there's the homages to comic strips with the big lettering and pop quotes when needed that's a nice addition.
Yougmens also state they want Robot's brain and get Robot away from the two boys. (Ironic, humans want the Robot's brain) It was actually easy to get his "brain" ( a light bulb like thing) Then he later goes to them and finds out they made a robot with his brain to be evil. Poor Robot, even cries. The boys from earlier come back and help him by programming him with a fighting game and is able to fight the other robot to get his "brain" back.
The episode ends with Robot doing a data log segment about what he learned. This episode expands upon the pilot, giving Robot some friends, who's names weren't mentioned in this episode but the named Cubey and Mitch. For note, I looked at Episode 5a here, it feels more like a starting point than episode 1a
Weird way to spell friends/ Copyright Warner
More after the jump
