Media and its changing target/demographic/age.

[flojocabron]

I've had this in my head for a while. And seeing the SIYAN thread and hearing people talk nostalgia of DBZ, it makes me wonder..

Once a show is past its prime, and not as relavant as the first time it came out. Who is the show targeted to?

Theres always new fans for old shows, but Companies still have to market their product to get some revenue.

I'll start with a classic 90's property that still exists now, but has nothing on its heyday. Its POWER RANGERS.

Everyone saw this show and they made tons money and ratings were good. But now its owned by Disney(?) and shown off on their channels. Toys do come out, but to me it seems that its targeted to preschoolers. When we saw it back then were we those preschoolers? I was 11 when it came out so it seemed really relevant to me. But now the same episodes/formula still exists. I've seen the toys at the store, and there exists clothes for kids, and they are wearing them. But other than the nostalgic fanboy, no one over 7 wears anything power rangers. Let alone talk about the show outside of elementary school.

The same thing happens with YU-GI-OH. The show has changed over time and fans grew out of it. Its still popular somewhat, but I've noticed the same demographic change. A few years back, when my local comic store was still open, we had tournaments and card days and games were played. The same 8 teens (including me) were surprized by this cute 4 year old kid. He had the clothing, a binder full of cards and an eagerness to play the game with the big kids. It was cute seeing him and trying to learn what we were all doing. He was a big fan. But what about now? Did he outgrow it? or is he still playing the game somewhere?

So now when we talk about Dragonball Z and its new show. Who are its targets? We still watch it anyways, the anime fans. But what about little kids now? Have you seen little Bobby in first grade imitating Goku in recess? Are they watching it because they are fans or because its the only thing on? Will there be enough clamor for their parents to buy the game? Is the company that makes it just milking their already dried cash cow? Will people still buy it now that its popularity has waned?

I dont have any kids so you parents here probably see this and think nothing of it.

But what other shows do you think have gone this way? Programs that you enjoyed and now make you wonder? Who is this show made for now?

[BoringSupreez]

Well, I can tell you that Spongebob's audience has become younger. It's too stupid these days to appeal to anyone older than 10, whereas the old episodes are funny even to adults.

[Menegrothx]

Well, I can tell you that Spongebob's audience has become younger. It's too stupid these days to appeal to anyone older than 10, whereas the old episodes are funny even to adults.

From what I have read, censorship has become a lot more strict in America. Many cartoons from the "second Golden age of American cartoon", 1990s and maybe a few from early 2000s, had a lot of jokes that only adults and teenagers understood simply because the creators of those shows were given a lot more artistic freedom. Ren&Stimpy, Cow and Chicken, Animaniacs, Earthworm Jim and that sort of stuff. And then there were the cartoons that were directly aimed at teenagers and young adults like Duckman, South Park, The Critic, Daria, Downtown etc.

[BoringSupreez]

Well, I can tell you that Spongebob's audience has become younger. It's too stupid these days to appeal to anyone older than 10, whereas the old episodes are funny even to adults.

From what I have read, censorship has become a lot more strict in America. Many cartoons from the "second Golden age of American cartoon", 1990s and maybe a few from early 2000s, had a lot of jokes that only adults and teenagers understood simply because the creators of those shows were given a lot more artistic freedom. Ren&Stimpy, Cow and Chicken, Animaniacs, Earthworm Jim and that sort of stuff.

I don't think censorship is responsible. I mean, look at Regular Show. There's a show that wouldn't have aired 10 or 15 years ago. The reason Spongebob sucks now is that all the people who made it any good have either left or stopped caring.

[o.pwuaioc]

11 was a bit old for Power Rangers. 11 was when most kids I knew stopped liking them and started liking Dragon Ball Z.

[Menegrothx]

I don't think censorship is responsible. I mean, look at Regular Show. There's a show that wouldn't have aired 10 or 15 years ago. .

What's so special about Regular Show? Isnt its time slot like 8 pm, just before Adult Swim?
I mean its obivous that Regular Show is aimed at young adults. The subjects in that show arent exactly ones young kids can relate to - slacking at work, trying to get a girlfriend etc. I like Regular Show but it doesnt really compare.

The cartoons Im talking about were normal cartoons aimed at kids that had a lot of hidden sexual innuendos, downright disgusting/disturbing stuff (Ren and Stimpy, Im looking at you!) and GTA-esque satire (political jokes, making fun of different groups and views, criticizing society etc).
Nostalgia Critic actually interviewed the creators of Animaniacs and they discussed this issue. Maybe censorship itself hasnt increased, it might be that more stuff just slipped past the censors in the 1990s. A lot more

The reason Spongebob sucks now is that all the people who made it any good have either left or stopped caring.

Well my guess would be that if there indeed is more censorship these days, the creative people got frustrated and left the industry.

[flojocabron]

11 was a bit old for Power Rangers. 11 was when most kids I knew stopped liking them and started liking Dragon Ball Z.

I saw the first run of power rangers back in 1993. I only wish DBZ existed back then. Technically it did, but it didnt air in the US into the early 2000's

I did see the show for a few years, but other interests came around and I promptly forgot about it. Not untill a few years ago when I saw Power Rangers SPD, (in espanol!) which was an okay show. Not the greatest, but it got the job done. Everything was self contained in half an hour. But as much as the show is still around, its not the same.

The same can be said about Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. I was also a big fan of the classic 90's property. But the mid 2000's show wasnt for me. I didnt have enough time to properly enjoy it, with work and all. But was this second series meant for the kiiddies?

So even if a show may no longer get its target audience. theres always someone new out there to make a fan.

[Menegrothx]

The same can be said about Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. I was also a big fan of the classic 90's property. But the mid 2000's show wasnt for me. I didnt have enough time to properly enjoy it, with work and all. But was this second series meant for the kiiddies?

So even if a show may no longer get its target audience. theres always someone new out there to make a fan.

The original TMNT comic was actually a lot more dark and mature than the first cartoon. The second version of the comic that was based on the cartoon at first had the same visual look but it was also more dark/mature. And I think that the new 2000s version of TMNT tried atleast in the beginning to be more dark and serious than the 1980s/1990s version, but I havent seen much of it. Now they are actually in the future in that new TMNT cartoon.

[AppleQueso]

I saw the first season or so of the 2003 TMNT, it was definitely a lot darker and more mature. Kinda surprised me really, was a much better show than I expected.

[sabrage]

I think we can all agree: Batman is universally loved by badasses.