Camp Lazlo

One of the shows Sasha used to watch on Cartoon Network was Camp Lazlo.....  it brought back memories of my time as a camper and later working as a lifeguard etc. at Camp Lackawanna.  It does seem like quite a while ago since I've seen it, which is explained by the fact that it ran only from 2005 though 2008;  see more details here  -->  Camp Lazlo.  My favorite camper is definitely Raj, the elephant (above, with the propeller fez).

The YouTube video below is the episode I happen to remember best.....  probably because I had a retainer and enjoy canoeing.  It certainly makes me laugh a lot!  Hope you too have pleasant memories of this show!!

Total Drama Island

One of Brock's favorite shows this summer has been Total Drama Revenge of the Island.  It's the latest season of the Total Drama Island series on Cartoon Network.  It really is ridiculous, and a funny spoof of reality shows in particular Survivor.  The theme song tells you exactly what to expect.....:



I learned when reading up about Total Drama Island that the series is Canadian, and set at Camp Wawanakwa on an island in Ontario.  The Revenge episodes continue to be based on team competitions & less popular/capable contestants being voted off the island.  I think the camper "de-brief's" are the absolute best part.  Interviews take place in an outhouse; each conversation is enhanced by perching on/near the toilet seat, and trying to ignore pesky bugs zooming around.  As an interesting development for this season, the island has been contaminated with nuclear waste, and has mutant inhabitants.  Some favorites to mention:

• Brock's favorite character -  Lightning

                                                   

• My favorite character - Chef Hatchet.  

                                           

• Brock's favorite mutant creature - Larry the Venus Fly Trap, a super-sized venus fly trap that walks around eating people.  

                                     

• Favorite episode - "Final 2012 season episode"  Sasha and Brock were both laughing hard at the final competition, where the audience includes Scott who has been incapacitated by Fang, a mutant walking shark.  

                                          

Assuming the series continues, I expect to hear lots more laughter!

The Avengers!

The Avengers is now playing in the movies......  I did not read comic books as a kid, so am woefully ignorant about the world of Marvel Comics.  As evidence I recently pronounced the company name as "Marv-Ehl" with emphasis on second syllable, rather than "Mar-vell" with emphasis on the first syllable.  You boys immediately corrected me.

In fact, it was only when The Avengers came out that I realized the Iron Man movies staring Robert Downey Jr. were based on a Marvel character.  Not to confuse matters further, but I can hear Bugs Bunny of Warner Bros. cartoons saying "Ehhh... Pitiful !!"

Sasha went to see The Avengers with Steve and me, while Brock went to see it with Aunt Pam.  Am sure we'll see more movies together this summer!  Last week we talked about our favorite Avengers characters, listed below:

• Sasha - Thor, based on the god Thor of Norse mythology.  Thor can command storm elements e.g., lightening and thunder, and uses a hammer "Mjolnir" as his weapon.  Since you boys are both interested in fighting "gear" of all sorts, you may be interested to read more about its powers here  -->     "That Which Smashes"

                                       

• Brock - Hawkeye, who is a master marksman and also trained in martial arts.  He uses a bow and very powerful arrows, carried in a special quiver.  In "real life", his name is Clint Barton.  Clint was trained in archery as a boy while working at a circus - by a character named Trick Shot.

                                    

• Mom - Err.....  I'm still not a comics fan.  In particular, didn't find Captain America to be appealing.  But I do like the Iron Man movies and am fond of Tony Stark's assistant Pepper Potts.  Love how Pepper usually anticipates Tony's next moves, and how she keeps him organized.  Wonder why she might appeal to me?

     
More movie posts to come!!

Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends

As promised....  another post about Cartoon Network!  Brock, you've suggested Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends this time.  This series ran from 2004-2009, in prime time for young Carroll boys....  and Brock has been able to see episodes recently via Comcast "On Demand".

What's it all about???  Well, it's about imaginary friends who were created by kids and then abandoned when their creators lost interest in them.  They live at Madame Foster's home.  (Do/did either of you have imaginary friend.....?  I don't think so....)

The Foster's series characters are wonderful.  A few we really like:

• Bloo - Brock's favorite is Bloo, because he always gets into trouble.  Per Wikipedia, we've learned that his full name is Blooregard Q. Kazoo....  Who knew??  Bloo (see right below) was created by Mac, a friend who still visits him regularly at the home.

• Eduardo - Brock also likes Eduardo, who is a large and scary-looking.  Appearances are deceiving, however, since he's actually quite timid and gets very upset when things go wrong.  

• Frankie - I can so relate with Frankie, Madame Foster's granddaughter.  She's in charge of running the entire place!!  Shopping, cooking, cleaning, and trying (with some difficulty) to keep everything in order.  She does get stressed out sometimes - I wonder why ??

I have also enjoyed Mr. Herriman, a lop-eared, British rabbit who it turns out is Madame Foster's imaginary friend.  He is very strict about house rules, and often punishes Bloo for misbehaving.  Well, Brock and Sasha.....  for some fond memories, you can watch this video of the Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends series theme low:

By Special Request - Ed, Edd n Eddy

A few days ago, Brock and I were talking about the Cartoon Network.  Ed, Edd n Eddy has been one of your favorite shows on cable TV.  To my surprise, it was produced for over 10 years!  You can read more about it here  -->  Ed, Edd n Eddy Series

Brock suggested a posting about this cartoon, which is still showing in re-runs.  The animated characters (named Ed, Edd and Eddy... of course!) are very imaginative - in a bizarre way.  Brock loves their nicknames for each other e.g., Lumpy, Sockhead and Double D.  He likes their habit of fighting over jawbreakers.  And also laughs at Eddy's ongoing attempts to make money in any way possible.

But to fully appreciate the quirkiness of Ed, Edd n Eddy, you must see the way these boys run.  It's the oddest thing.... sort of a sideways in profile.  Brock helped find this YouTube video as a demonstration:



More to come about Cartoon Network shows in futures posts !