Ok let's clear it up. Saddle in for a good one.??
The creators have said numerous times since the beginning that despite being on Nick, the writing of Avatar can be enjoyed by all ages. Yes I know you've heard it before but its true this time. Granted the kids were the first to see it (which is why the 6-14 ratings is so strong now), be then I'm guessin some guy over 15 saw it and then I don't talked about it in a board or something and lo, the older Avatar audience was born. Which by the way makes up a large portion of the viewers as well as dominates??the fans consisted on the web and the Avatar fandom in general. Never really liked that word, "fandom", kinda like otuko or whatever. Some would compare this to certain shows on cartoon network, I wouldn't. The thing is, like Avatar some of them contain strong older viewership, but overall most of their shows (non-imported and imported) are directed towards the younger demographic. Lets take Teen Titan for example, I nearly crapped my pants??when I read this,
"Despite being popular with many viewers, some fans of the comics criticized the series for having a "childish nature". Some cartoon fans disliked the series for its hybrid of western and Japanese-style animation.
The series' creators stated that younger children were the intended audience for the series. Executive Producer and Cartoon Network V.P. Sam Register responded to such criticism:
"Justice League is awesome and Samurai Jack is awesome and we buy a lot of anime shows that're great, but those shows really are directed more towards the nine to fourteen age group and the six and seven and eight year olds, were not gelling with the Justice League and some of the more of the fanboy shows... The main mission was making a good superhero show for kids. Now if the fanboys happen to like the Teen Titans also, that's great, but that was not our mission."
??? Sam Register, CBR News interview May 8, 2003"
Freakin-hilarious . Basically they were saying, "Yeah guys we appreciate how much you love the show ...really??but uh see the thing is, Justice League, Samurai Jack, us, yeah they're all great shows and all, but comon, like it or not they're for kids man. Of course??they're??gonna be cartoony a bunchof times, deal with it.??I know its hard but its the truth; dude you guys nothing but a bunch of fanboys." "
Talk about a kick in the balls. Knew there was a reason I got off that show quick. It is the truth...
I instead would compare Avatar to something like, oh say Xena (it was with an X right?).??There were times??where they would laugh and play and go crazy with those stupid cheap sound effects, then there were times when??Lucy was graphically chopping off??heads.??Some parts for the younger guys, some??parts for the not.??But??overall, the show made sure there was something??for everyone rather than just focusing on??one specific audience. Avatar does the exact same thing. That's the true reason behind all those let-slow-it-down, cartoony instances, and the filler-ish eps??(only like two overall though).??I mean comon, u really believe the creators think that a 6 year old??comprehends and can automatcially identify??the symbolic purpose behind cutting off topknots? Think man.
So to wrap all this crap up, its all up to the creators, and??they consider the whole??group. While we may??not enjoy nor require all those??cartoony, tries-way-too-hard-to-be-funny??instances (can't stand em myself), the kids do??so??we'll just have to wait our turn. ...Can't get any simpler.??Luckily, unlike other shows which generally focus on the kids and have a basic??throw-and-we-just-might-happen-to-hit-something-else??relationship with their older audience, if we're patient we'll be greatly rewarded (example: great divide-siege of the north). After how incredibly crappy Avatar Day was who knows how kickass this season's finale will be? ?? Logic by-atch.
Well anyway lets give it some time and see how it goes. Oh and plus, like it or not, it is??you'know still a cartoon on Nick. ....Yeah.
Edited on 09/16/2006 3:16pm