Cartoons: the retrospective.

Over the last week or so, I waxed nostalgic on cartoons of my youth and blasted the ills of cartoons today. What's left to do?

Well, I did mention that there are some truly worthwhile cartoons on today:

From "Weekenders" creator Doug Langdale came the grab-your-sides hilarity of "Dave the Barbarian". I use the past tense of 'come' as the show enjoyed a healthy run on The Disney Channel, then Toon Disney, before disappearing. However, rumor has it that reruns can be found in the jungles of weekend late night programming on the former network.

Based on the Italian comic, "W.I.T.C.H." is an entertaining program, blessed with exciting storytelling and a strong sense of humor. It can be found weekend mornings on Toon Disney.

While not as dynamic as his "Rocko's Modern Life", Joe Murray's "Camp Lazlo" (airing on Cartoon Network) features the same kind of absurd humor and laughs of that great show. Though it has been relegated to weekend mornings, Nickelodeon's "Catscratch" is a delightful show.

Speaking of Nickelodeon, they briefly acquired the Canadian (you have no idea how lucky you lot are, eh?) series "6teen", one of the funniest and freshest shows I've ever seen. Whether it was because of poor ratings or the fact that it kicked the crap out of the net's original programming (sad, but true), no one knows for sure.

"Shin-Chan" was acquired by Funimation (the dub studio behind "Dragonball Z" and, more encouragingly, "Yu Yu Hakusho") and even if you didn't blink, you most likely missed its Adult Swim run. Achingly hilarious, it merits re-discovery. (Hint: *coughYouTubecough*)

Speaking of anime, it's kind of nice when a show sneaks up on you and takes you by surprise. "Vandread", formerly of EncoreWAM, is such a show. An exceptional series with exciting action and a broad cast of interesting characters. Thank God it's on DVD.

Two more shows that I hope nothing but good things for are Disney's "The Replacements" and Cartoon Network's "Class of 3000". Both make the most of their talented voice casts with bright animation and unconventional humor. These shows feel like they could have been produced during my golden age.

And what of the shows mentioned in the first column? Well, "Looney Tunes" (the pre-1948 ones, anyway) can be found on Boomerang, which my cable system has recently acquired (to which I say, 'freakin' finally!'). "Garfield and Friends", albeit in that silly, half-hour syndicated format, can be found on the same channel, and the whole series is on DVD (one reason to be grateful for the live-action movies).

"Ren and Stimpy" is now on DVD, or, if you prefer, Nicktoons Network, as is "Rugrats". "The Angry Beavers" was gone from that channel for a time, but it returned, though there are episodes missing from the rotation (what I wouldn't give to see "Utter Nonsense" again). "Animaniacs" and "Pinky and the Brain" recently hit DVD (again, I say, 'freakin' finally!'). The complete runs of "Clone High" and "Undergrads" are also on the medium (the benefits of Canadian blood; would that the same be done for "6teen"...). The shows I mentioned in the primetime boom (save "The PJs" and "Baby Blues") are all on DVD. Reruns of same can be found periodically on Adult Swim. "X-Men: Evolution" was released and "Tenchi Muyo" had box sets before I'd even discovered it.

There are several programs I'd love to see again. Whether on DVD or television hardly matters. Quality shows can't be kept down for very long.