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‘Dexter's Laboratory' & ‘The Powerpuff Girls' Creators On How They Broke The System At Cartoon Network
‘Dexter's Laboratory' & ‘The Powerpuff Girls' Creators On How They Broke The System At Cartoon Network

Yahoo

time10-06-2025

  • Entertainment
  • Yahoo

‘Dexter's Laboratory' & ‘The Powerpuff Girls' Creators On How They Broke The System At Cartoon Network

If he was starting out today, Dexter's Laboratory creator Genndy Tartakovsky would 'make cartoon after cartoon until something hits.' That was Tartakovsky's pearl of wisdom delivered to a packed Annecy audience as he celebrated 25 years of Cartoon Network Studios with a sextet of creators of some of the biggest American cartoons of all time, including The Powerpuff Girls, Adventure Time and Steven Universe. More from Deadline From Brink Of Bankruptcy, TeamTO Unveils Six New Shows & Adult Animation Push At Annecy Neil Court Joins Coolabi As Chairman Amid 'Warrior Cats' Growth Push And M&A Opportunities "Je Suis Milhouse": Matt Groening Gets Emotional At Annecy As He Reveals The Motivation Behind The 800-Episode Longevity Of 'The Simpsons' Tartakovsky, who is also in Annecy promoting Netflix's Fixed, figures it's easier than ever to get your big break because young cartoonists can flood YouTube with ideas. 'It's partly independent now because you can make it and put it on your own kind of cable channel,' he added. 'That's what I'd do [if I were starting now]. I'd work a day job and then at night I'd make cartoon after cartoon until something hits. It was more difficult when we were coming up.' Tartakovsky is enthused by the new landscape and said he 'feels like when I was younger, I feel like that energy makes me still want to do new things.' He sat next to his old friend and The Powerpuff Girls creator Craig McCracken, who concurred, saying that for his spin-off of Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, which he is making with Warner-owned Hanna Barbera Studios Europe, 'the energy is so Cartoon Network' on set. Adam Muto, showrunner of Adventure Time, was slightly more muted on the current state of things. 'We need to make sure people with idiosyncrasies get to have their own voices,' he said. 'But [commissioners] have to greenlight stuff. They have gotta greenlight.' 'We were breaking the system' Tartakovsky and McCracken walked the Annecy audience through how they broke the system at Cartoon Network Studios a quarter century ago when they were first starting out, with Tartakovsky describing the older generation of cartoonists back then as being 'beaten down' when he landed his Dexter's Laboratory greenlight as a young man. McCracken, who worked with Tartakosvky on Dexter's Laboratory, added: 'We were breaking the system and they didn't like that. They were survivalists and we had been given an opportunity they had been working their whole lives for. I felt a bit bad for them but we were given this golden opportunity, this one seven-minute show. And to be fair some of the old guard loved what we were doing.' Tartakosvky set the scene for the early days of Dexter's Lab, which went on to achieve the rare feat of being a primetime Emmy-nominated cartoon. 'Half the crew were high,' he joked. 'I felt like I was saying, 'Guys come on this is our one shot,' and then they wouldn't start working till 2 p.m.' He said he was 'so worried about getting fired' that he 'didn't have a minute to focus on anything apart from what I was doing.' Soon after, McCracken's Powerpuff Girls landed a greenlight, making him into a star of the animation world, but this wasn't plain sailing either. McCracken spoke of experiencing the worst focus group of his life with a group of 11-year-old boys, one of whom even called for the 'creator to be fired.' At the time, Cartoon Network executive Mike Lazzo convinced McCracken that it was better to have people hate the show than be indifferent, and he was told to push ahead. 'I had to get out of my own head and tell myself to stop being so arty,' said McCracken. 'We felt we could make cartoons at the time so we said let's make this the best thing it can be.' The pair were joined on stage by four younger cartoon creators including Muto, Regular Show's JG Quintel, Steven Universe creator Rebecca Sugar and Adventure Time's Pendleton Ward. This quartet, who were termed the 'second generation' of Cartoon Network voices, had an intriguing discussion around fear of failure. 'The first season we thought we'd get canned every moment,' said Muto. 'It was during a transitional moment [for Cartoon Network] and our shows had to be hits.' Quintel said creatives live in fear at the start of their journeys that 'if these are bad, then we're getting in trouble.' For Sugar, who is the first non-binary person to independently create a series for the network, it was 'less about competition and more about protection' at the start of her journey. 'I learned when showrunning that when there is something specific on a board, you have to think how to protect it,' she explained. Sugar was delighted to sit on the same stage as Tartakovsky. She recalled pitching him an early version of Steven Universe. When Tartakosvky said he'd direct an ep, 'I crashed my car into a pole on the way home,' Sugar added. The group were speaking at Annecy on the same day as Matt Groening. Best of Deadline Sean 'Diddy' Combs Sex-Trafficking Trial Updates: Cassie Ventura's Testimony, $10M Hotel Settlement, Drugs, Violence, & The Feds A Full Timeline Of Blake Lively & Justin Baldoni's 'It Ends With Us' Feud In Court, Online & In The Media Where To Watch All The 'John Wick' Movies: Streamers That Have All Four Films

LEE WILKIE: Why is Dundee keeper Jon McCracken not in Scotland squad?
LEE WILKIE: Why is Dundee keeper Jon McCracken not in Scotland squad?

The Courier

time09-06-2025

  • Sport
  • The Courier

LEE WILKIE: Why is Dundee keeper Jon McCracken not in Scotland squad?

A penny for Jon McCracken's thoughts when watching Scotland over the past few days. The Scotland goalkeeping situation is a complete mess right now. I feel for the Dundee goalie because he must be hugely frustrated when a player who has played nine minutes of first-team football in the past season gets in ahead of him. Yes, McCracken has been out of the Dundee team for a while but he played 16 Premiership matches for the Dark Blues last season. That's more than all three goalkeepers in the squad for the Liechtenstein game. And he did well enough to earn a call-up to the Scotland squad in September. He's not become a bad keeper since then – if he was good enough then, he's good enough now to be in the squad ahead of the younger guys. It must be a massive frustration for players pushing to get into the international setup to see players called up by Steve Clarke even if they aren't playing at club level. It's clear Clarke is annoyed by the lack of options in goal. What is also clear is there are opportunities for guys like McCracken to force their way in. This will be a pivotal season for the young Dundee goalie.

Steve Clarke's Scotland goalkeeper options laid bare as 3 potential solutions for Liechtenstein emerge
Steve Clarke's Scotland goalkeeper options laid bare as 3 potential solutions for Liechtenstein emerge

Daily Record

time07-06-2025

  • Sport
  • Daily Record

Steve Clarke's Scotland goalkeeper options laid bare as 3 potential solutions for Liechtenstein emerge

The national team are without Craig Gordon, Liam Kelly, Zander Clark, Angus Gunn and Robby McCrorie through injury Scotland boss Steve Clarke faces a goalkeeping crisis ahead of the trip to Liechtenstein. The national coach goes into Monday's friendly without five goalkeepers. ‌ Craig Gordon, Liam Kelly and Zander Clark missed this squad through injury and then Angus Gunn and Robby McCrorie were injured in Friday's defeat to Iceland. ‌ Young Cieran Slicker came on and made his international debut, despite only making six club appearances, but struggled badly with Clarke admitting he had to throw him in too early. Slicker remains in the squad and young Bournemouth keeper Callan McKenna has also been called up. The former Queen's Park youngster has been training with Clarke's squad all week. Clarke is still looking to call up another goalkeeper and joked on Friday night that it will depend on who is not on the beach. Jon McCracken (Dundee) The Dundee keeper has already been in Scotland squads previously. ‌ The 25-year-old started the season brightly and was named in Clarke's squad for the Nations League double header with Poland and Portugal He knows what it is all about and wouldn't be fazed. McCracken has had decent Scottish Premiership exposure one the last couple of seasons. ‌ The only issue is McCracken's lack of recent game time in the last couple of months of the season. He finished the season on the bench as Tony Docherty went for Trevor Carson but still made 20 top team appearances. Nicky Hogarth (Falkirk) The Falkirk keeper would certainly be full of confidence. The 23-year-old has just come off back-to-back promotions with the Bairns and helped them into the Premiership. He has been a key for John McGlynn's side and played every league game in their Championship-winning charge. ‌ Hogarth has also had spells at Nottingham Forest and Rangers and has that big time mentality that would be required. The keeper is a reliable shot stopper. He is back in the country and has never hidden his desire to try and play for his country. ‌ Ross Doohan (Just left Aberdeen) The keeper has just left Aberdeen and is expected to return to first club Celtic this summer. The 27-year-old did make 18 appearances for the Dons as he filled in for the injured Dimitar Mitov. Doohan has the experience of being at Celtic and has had a lot of first-team action at the likes of Ross County, Dundee United, Tranmere, Ayr United, Forest Green Rovers and Pittodrie. ‌ He has also played for Scotland previously at under-21 level. Doohan is similar to McCracken as he didn't get much first-team football in the final month of the season because of Mitov's return. Also picked up a Scottish Cup winner's medal and played his part in the opening two rounds.

Dundee's biggest transfer needs in summer rebuild
Dundee's biggest transfer needs in summer rebuild

The Courier

time07-06-2025

  • Sport
  • The Courier

Dundee's biggest transfer needs in summer rebuild

Dundee have a major summer rebuild in front of them. Off the field that has already begun with the new-look structure seeing Steven Pressley take over as head coach. Backroom changes will take place behind the scenes. The rebuild on the field, though, will be front and centre for the club's fans to assess. So what can we expect from Dundee's summer transfer business? Dundee have a small squad as it is with just 12 players signed up for the new season. Talks are under way with Joe Shaughnessy and two other out-of-contract stars. But with any new managerial team arriving there is likely to be movements in both directions. The squad has a lot of central defenders in it right now – five of the 12 signed players play there and Shaughnessy could join them. Pressley was a former centre-back himself and will know exactly what he wants from that part of the pitch. After last season's atrocious defensive record, the club will certainly want improvements in that position. If new players are to come in, current players will need to leave permanently or on loan. The other part of the squad where Dundee are strong is in the goalkeeping department with Trevor Carson, Jon McCracken and Harry Sharp on the books. McCracken will want to be playing next season, however. After the taste of a Scotland call-up last term and national team boss Steve Clarke admitting a lack of goalkeeping options, the door is open for McCracken at international level. It won't stay open if he's on the bench again. If Pressley goes with Carson as his No 1, McCracken may look elsewhere. Dundee had one of the youngest squads in the Premiership last season. Of the seven defenders currently signed, six are 23 or under. Youth is a virtue but experience is crucial in a defence. Last season the absence of that was clear with Shaughnessy out long term and Clark Robertson struggling at times. One of the most experienced and dependable players has also left in Jordan McGhee. Adding more know-how at the back is required. Drey Wright is a player expected to arrive ahead of pre-season and will help to bring some of that to the squad. He's also versatile like McGhee and can play full-back, wing-back and in midfield. Dundee also need to add some muscle. As much as the defence was at fault last term, defensively the midfield was an issue. In some games overpowered, in others there was just too much open space to cover. The latter can be solved through tactics and training, the former needs additions. St Mirren should be an example to follow with Stephen Robinson keeping them in the top six season after season. Their entire team is big but the midfield in particular is strong and athletic. Ex-Dee Mark O'Hara and Killian Phillips are perfect for the Premiership. Dundee haven't had anything like that for years with Mo Sylla the only one bringing a physical edge to the middle of the park over the past two seasons. Josh Mulligan brought running power but he is expected to depart this summer. At one point last term they fielded a midfield three of Lyall Cameron, Fin Robertson and Cesar Garza. All have their qualities but are not physically imposing. Adding some physicality to the middle of the park will be required. Last season's squad was one built to play in a back-three formation, hence the number of centre-back options. When the 3-4-1-2 that Tony Docherty wanted to play failed to yield results, the switch to 4-3-3 eventually saw the team safe. However, the imbalance in the squad was clear with too many defenders and not enough wing options. Being able to switch between systems smoothly is a must going forward. Dundee have a star striker in their squad. But he needs help. Murray is the only frontman currently on the books, he was the only No 9 fit and available for chunks of last season, too. He still has plenty of gas left in the tank but he's also a year older. Dundee need to find a foil for Murray. Whether that is a striker who drops deep or a forward who can play multiple attacking positions. Again, a physical presence would make sense. Curtis Main left in January and was never replaced. The Dee have been linked with interest in Ross County star Ronan Hale which shows the level of player they want to attract. The numbers are clear, though. Cameron, Main, Seun Adewumi and Seb Palmer-Houlden scored 34 goals between them last season. None will be at the club next term – goals are the most important asset to find in this summer's transfer frenzy. Jon McCracken, Trevor Carson, Harry Sharp Ethan Ingram, Clark Robertson, Ryan Astley, Imari Samuels, Billy Koumetio, Luke Graham, Aaron Donnelly. Fin Robertson, Cesar Garza (loan until January), Victor Lopez (loan until January). Simon Murray Joe Shaughnessy, Antonio Portales Josh Mulligan, Scott Fraser, Mo Sylla Scott Tiffoney, Charlie Reilly

Rabobank: Tariffs disrupt global pork trade
Rabobank: Tariffs disrupt global pork trade

Agriland

time23-05-2025

  • Business
  • Agriland

Rabobank: Tariffs disrupt global pork trade

According to a recent RaboResearch report, pork prices have rebounded and remain strong despite shifting trade flows and growing economic and consumer uncertainties. Rising tensions between the US and China are creating opportunities for other suppliers, particularly the EU and Latin America with Brazilian and European pork likely to benefit from the US-China trade disruption. So far, rising geopolitical tensions have had limited impact on global pork markets, but they are likely to redirect global trade volumes in the coming months. Despite the agreement between the US and China to reduce tariffs substantially for 90 days, the added tariffs on US pork could still curtail trade according to RaboResearch. Senior analyst – Animal Protein for RaboResearch, Christine McCracken said: 'For China's swine sector, this development is likely to be price supportive, while alternative suppliers like the EU, Chile, and Brazil may also benefit. 'Chinese importers that previously relied on US pork are likely to face margin pressure, while US pork exporters will likely see weaker offal values. 'With China's market largely out of reach, alternative markets will absorb exports at reduced prices. Heightened US-China trade tensions could also affect feedstocks, particularly soymeal. 'Slower US oilseed exports may reduce feed costs for US hog producers, partially offsetting export losses,' she added. Given the uncertainty surrounding future US trade policy, investment in US pork sector expansion is expected to slow, while other regions may see slightly faster growth according to the research. Pork price rebound Pork prices have rebounded, driven by tighter hog supplies due to limited growth in the sow herd and ongoing health and productivity challenges, according to the analysis by RaboResearch. The slow production response also reflects growing market uncertainty resulting from weaker economic growth prospects and the risk of trade disruptions from rising geopolitical tensions. 'We expect limited demand improvement for the rest of the year. High beef and poultry prices, along with the expected shift in consumer spending from foodservice to retail (where pork tends to perform better) may offer support,' McCracken continued. However, potential export disruptions in the US and China, combined with slower economic growth and consumer spending pressures, are likely to cap additional improvement. Despite these headwinds, the industry remains relatively well-balanced, as limited sow herd growth is expected to constrain global pork supply. Disease challenges linger Herd health challenges continue to constrain production in several key regions and, in some cases, are also dampening demand. The most significant development in Q1 2025 was the reappearance of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in the EU – marking the first outbreak in decades – and new cases in pigs in South Korea. To control the disease, authorities in the EU established containment zones, increased surveillance, and imposed transport restrictions. Although several trade restrictions were put in place, they are gradually being lifted due to the absence of further outbreaks. Across much of Asia and parts of Europe, producers are also battling African swine fever. New cases and challenges in controlling the spread among wild boar populations are contributing to ongoing production losses and trade disruptions, the research indicates. Additionally, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome is negatively impacting pork production in parts of North America and Europe. South American harvest Expectations for a strong South American harvest and good planting progress for corn and oilseeds in the northern hemisphere are providing tailwinds for feed cost. However, geopolitical disruptions continue to impact global grain and oilseed trade. Factors such as US dollar volatility, rising geopolitical tensions, ongoing US-China trade disruptions, and signs of a potential resolution to the Russia-Ukraine war are all influencing short-term market dynamics. Larger grain supplies and rising stock levels should help keep feed costs manageable. 'Our base case scenario for commodity prices suggests relatively flat feed costs for the remainder of 2025. However, geopolitical developments and weather-related uncertainties remain key risks,' McCracken concluded.

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