Duchovny Gets Pilot at Cartoon Network

Monday, September 17, 2007
By: Ryan Ball

In a move that is sure to have animation bloggers fuming, Cartoon Network has ordered a pilot for another live action series, this time from X Files star David Duchovny. The actor, who currently stars in and exec produces the Showtime series Californication, teamed with Even Stevens creator Matt Dearborn and Robert Mora to pitch the untitled project set in a junior high school, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Dearborn scripted the pilot, which apparently revolves around a junior high school student with a news pedigree who turns his school AV Club into a hard-hitting local news station. Duchovny, Dearborn and Mora will serve as exec producers if the show gets picked up. Mora was a producer on Disney Channel's Phil of the Future and Nickelodeon's The Secret Life of Alex Mack.

Once dedicated solely to animation, Cartoon Network has been gradually adding more and more live-action to its lineup. In addition to airing reruns of ’90s tween hit Saved by the Bell and introducing Saul of the Mole Men and Tim & Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! to Adult Swim viewers, the network recently launched Out of Jimmy's Head, which features live actors mixing it up with cartoon characters.

Reader Comments

• Ira Harmon : Principal : Harmonart Studio

  Tuesday, September 18, 2007

  This is either a smart move (not likely) or a mis-step in programming a channel supposedly devoted to animation. The market will prove this development right or wrong. Is there going to be a name change in the near future from Cartoon Network to Live Action Network with Cartoons? This opens up a slot for a competitor to move in and scoop up the animation audience, and maybe do a better job of programming animated entertainment in the bargain. Remember, K-Mart got into big trouble trying to be all things to all people. There is a business lesson to be learned here. I\\\'ll be watching, or not!

• Anonymous : Disney

  Friday, September 28, 2007

  No more is it about what a company stands for. Now its money and ratings. The geniuses at Cartoon Networks Corporate offices in Atlanta, GA. have been comparing ratings from shows like Billy and Mandy to shows like DIsneys Thats so Raven. Cartoon Network considers itself in 3rd place when lined against Disney and Nickelodeon. Well let me tell you something. Cartoon Network had been in first place.
  It was original, inspirational, and a trend setter. The cartoons on Disney and NIckelodeon seemed to be photocopies of the \\\"new look\\\" Cartoon Network was bringing back to TV Animation. Now the insecurities of the Executives has ruined the network. Cartoon Network is now trying to copy Nick. and Disney\\\'s ways which in turn is creating photocopies of photocopies of photocopies.
  Cartoon Network never should have been compared to these studios. They were what they said. Cartoons. And thats it. But once you \\\"think\\\" youre on the same level as a bland life action after-school sitcom, something a Mother is most likely going to turn on in the background as she makes dinner, then youve opened up a whole new can or worms.
  Now its not about entertainment. Its about money. Execs still made money on the cartoons. But they get greedy. And then the trickle down effect happens and everyone underneath that pyramid is in trouble.
  Cartoon Networks ratings are bad because everyone expects more from them. You take Thats So Raven and put it on Cartoon Network and it would flop. Shows like that aren\\\'t why people turn the channel on. And with the kind of decisions that are being made now I am glad that I am now not part of the comany.
  Sure working at Disney may be watered down and soft. But atleast they know who they are.