As a kid of the ’90s, I vividly remember the wild and wacky adventures of Ren & Stimpy, a cartoon duo that pushed the boundaries of what was considered acceptable for Saturday morning TV. The anarchic humor, the adult themes, and the sheer absurdity of it all made me feel like I was part of some secret club, even though I was just a child.
During a time when mature films such as “Police Academy,” “Rambo,” and “The Toxic Avenger” found their way onto Saturday morning TV with kid-friendly adaptations, it’s not surprising that some original shows from Nickelodeon’s early days were adventurous too. Shows like “Rugrats” and “Doug” catered to a wide range of viewers, while “Rocco’s Modern Life” targeted an older demographic. However, the audacious and outrageously funny “The Ren & Stimpy Show” stood out, as it seemed devoid of any moral guidance or adult oversight. Despite its inappropriate content for children, the show struck a chord with both kids and adults from its debut in 1991, becoming incredibly popular across age groups.
Unconventional, insightful, occasionally brutal, slightly twisted, and forever irrational, “Ren & Stimpy” managed to stay on air despite numerous parental complaints. One episode was even barred, certain religious symbols were altered in subsequent episodes, and certain dialogue lines were modified before broadcast. However, even a show as iconic as this one could eventually lose its luster. In 1996, the series concluded following a series of executive changes that affected the final seasons.
1993 saw Nickelodeon ending John Kricfalusi’s contract as series creator due to a prolonged conflict between them. This dispute, which necessitated Kricfalusi to work alongside one of Nickelodeon’s story editors, led to a series of mishaps. Kricfalusi’s slow pace in delivering episodes escalated the show’s production costs. On the other hand, Nickelodeon’s propensity for control and censorship infuriated Kricfalusi. By the time the show continued under a new producer, Bob Camp, who was previously Kricfalusi’s partner, there was no communication between the two parties.
Nickelodeon took over the production of the show itself, leading to a noticeable change in quality across seasons. Some viewers even accused Billy West, who replaced John Kricfalusi as the voice of Ren, of ruining the show. However, “Ren & Stimpy” has continued to thrive beyond this period and has been revived for another run – with a new batch of episodes on the horizon that promise to make a big comeback.
Ren & Stimpy was revived for adults
The iconic cartoon series “Ren & Stimpy” has proven to be remarkably resilient, much like the creatures inhabiting Ren Hoek’s nose. Over the years, it has maintained its popularity among college students, prompting Viacom to air reruns on channels favored by teenagers and young adults. Initially, “Ren & Stimpy” found a suitable second home on MTV, where viewers could enjoy multiple episodes of the show amidst broadcasts of “Beavis and Butt-Head.” However, by 2003, it was time for a complete revival.
The adult-oriented revival of “Ren & Stimpy,” titled “Ren & Stimpy ‘Adult Party Cartoon,'” was developed to offer a more liberated, uncensored take on the original series aimed at its adult fans. In this new rendition, Ren (John Kricfalusi) and Stimpy (Eric Bauza) are depicted as an unsatisfied married couple, with Stimpy frequently pleading for affection from Ren.
Originally planned to kick off an animation block on Spike TV, “Ren & Stimpy Adult Party Cartoon” met the same fate as shows like “Stripparella” and “Gary the Rat”, getting swiftly canceled and fading from public consciousness. Despite this, the original “Ren & Stimpy” has become a legend, with its reputation remaining intact even after this setback. As of early 2024, reruns are still being broadcast in some Comedy Central markets overseas. Additionally, plans for a second sequel are already underway.
A second reboot is somewhere in the development stage
Despite the flop of “Ren & Stimpy: Adult Party Cartoon,” it seems that the original “Ren & Stimpy” is in line for a revival, following the success of Beavis and Butt-Head’s comeback on Paramount+. A number of ’90s cartoons, including Ren & Stimpy, are now being remade. Announced in 2020, this new series is set to air on Comedy Central, unlike the Daria spinoff “Jodie,” which was initially greenlit at the same time but later dropped by the network after being turned into a TV movie. The future of the new Ren & Stimpy is less clear-cut.
Changes are coming once more at the helm of the production hierarchy, as a result of sexual harassment and grooming accusations against John Kricfalusi. He will no longer be involved with the show in any capacity. Instead, Billy West, a former employee of “The Howard Stern Show” and a renowned voiceover artist, is returning to lend his voice to both Ren and Stimpy, much like he did during the later seasons following Kricfalusi’s departure in 1993. The show has experienced a brief delay in production, but West assures it will continue. Despite the uncertainty surrounding its start date, it seems to be lingering in limbo – similar to one of Stimpy’s ethereal farts. Here’s hoping the aftermath is more pleasant than the residual odor left by “Adult Cartoon Party.
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2024-09-08 15:00