Is Mickey Mouse dead?

[torgospizza]

Lots of good info, guys. I don't have any kids, never watch the Disney channel, and my niece and nephew are teens, so I really have no idea what littler kids are into in the slightest. I see lots of little kids with superhero shirts and stuff, so I thought that was overshadowing the Mouse. Personally, I haven't purchased a Disney cartoon DVD since those Walt Disney Treasures DVD sets came out with The Complete Pluto, Vol. One, which was like ten years ago (and I since wish I would have gotten Davy Crockett and Zorro, instead). Still, it's good to see Mickey has some life left in him--guy's an icon.

EDIT: Correction--I forgot I purchased the animated version of The Jungle Book a couple years ago.

[cjefferys]

^Same here. My kids actually prefer Tom & Jerry (the classic HB-produced MGM toons) to Looney Tunes, and I must admit, I do too. Tom & Jerry had better wrap ups. Lots of Looney Tunes cartoons have flat endings.

Chris

Oh yeah, the 1940's MGM Tom and Jerry cartoons are the absolute best. My kids and I definitely prefer them to Looney Tunes as well.

But Donald? I'd follow that cantankerous duck anywhere.

Totally agree, Donald has been my absolute favourite Disney character since I was 2 years old. The cartoons, the Carl Barks comic books, they are just fantastic! Way better than Mickey.

[jwyblejr]

I was always a Goofy fan myself. Always loved the sports shorts with him.

[PNGwynne]

Mickey, meh.

But Donald? I'd follow that cantankerous duck anywhere.

But what do I know--I liked The Shadow & loved the Phantom--both of which were surprisingly faithful to source materials & had better casts that some recent efforts.

Of course, I champion the director's cut of Daredevil, so maybe I shouldn't comment on adaptations lol.

[Figuremod73]

I still remember my introduction to Tom and Jerry and it wasnt the classic shorts. It was this version from the '70s that I saw in re-runs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YP60kmd8fYU

Kids I know wont even watch the traditional toons. They like that Disney channel stuff...

[Earth 2 Chris]

^Same here. My kids actually prefer Tom & Jerry (the classic HB-produced MGM toons) to Looney Tunes, and I must admit, I do too. Tom & Jerry had better wrap ups. Lots of Looney Tunes cartoons have flat endings.

Chris

[cjefferys]

My kids love the classic Looney Toons and Tom & Jerry too. I'm trying to be a positive influence.

[Figuremod73]

I usually dont care much for petitions but this is the type of thing I agree with. I'm suprised this hasnt gain much traction: Repeal the Children's Television Act of 1990. http://www.gopetition.com/petition/39657.html

[palitoy]

Bugs bunny however, does seem AWOL at the moment.

Last year my kids watched that new Looney Toons show every day before school, they loved it.

[jwyblejr]

I keep thinking about things after the fact. Bugs is also getting exposure on The Hub with the episodes of Tiny Toons.

[jwyblejr]

Another thing I thought of. HBO shows the various Looney Tunes movies a lot. Whether it be the animated ones or the live action movies.

[jwyblejr]

^I think "The Looney Tunes Show" has helped, but I agree his star has fallen. Boomerang is finally airing the classic Warner shorts again, so this may help as well.

Chris

Cartoon Network airs both now back to back. They'll do classic Looney Tunes,then air the newer series.

[YoungOnce]

Yeah.... Mickey is as visible to the demographic that matters as he ever was. I have kids too and they are as familiar with Mickey as any cartoon character out there. These are just different times and nowadays, there are TONS of ways to keep the brand out there.

Think of all the cartoon characters you grew up with like the Looney Tunes characters, Tom and Jerry, Flintstones, Jetsons, Ronald McDonald even... I would say that MM has maintained his relevance over all of those and many others.

Ask yourself this question... What cartoon character that is over 80 years old is even half as relevant as that mouse?

[kingdom warrior]

You can go to Toys r us, Target, Walmart, etc. and find loads of Mickey and friends toys. Heck, this Christmas, Walgreens and CVS had plush Mickey and Minnie toys and Christmas decorations. Can't even remember the last time a saw a plush Bugs or Daffy anywhere.

I saw a whole area of Warner Looney toons plushes http://www.toysrus.com/product/index...entPage=search

[kerowack]

If you think Mickey is dead, you don't know any kids. I teach and have ten family members under the age of 9. They all love him. I love this place, but Mego museum members rarely seem to be the demographic to ask about current trends.

Bugs bunny however, does seem AWOL at the moment.