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| Fan art from Max Gilardi, not real art for reboot |
Let's go over what we covered previously, ViacomCBS said it's gonna reboot Ren & Stimpy for Comedy Central and Nick Cartoon Studios will make it. No one involved with the original show nor anyone else has been named working on it. It seems like it hasn't even started production. John K, the original creator of Ren & Stimpy. had an article come out about him on Buzzfeed in 2018 showing he allegedly preyed on three young girls. Even though it doesn't make much sense, Rolling Stone reports John K won't make any money from the reboot show, but I assume will still get a created by credit.
Now we have the documentary about the show coming out on VOD and iTunes today titled Happy Happy Joy Joy - The Ren & Stimpy Story. And one of those girls, that John K allegedly preyed upon reacted to the doc and just started a petition for the reboot not to come out.
I urge the same.
— Robyn *did a triumph* Byrd (@TopographicFish) August 14, 2020
When John K. says, "she was so convincing," he's not even talking about a 16 yr old. He's talking about a 13 yr old. https://t.co/g180dOhQWC
Viacom: Don't Reboot Ren & Stimpy: It will cause trauma and endanger fans and crew - Sign the Petition! https://t.co/kvxK5TQZxX via @Change
— Robyn *did a triumph* Byrd (@TopographicFish) August 14, 2020
The petition if you're browser blocks Twitter.
As I've written about it before, this is an incredibly bad move by ViacomCBS that shows either incompetence or an attitude that just doesn't care about others. During the ongoing #MeToo movement it makes little sense to do this and I suspect a blow-black resulting with the show never being made or having to retract it being made.
Social media has multiple examples of animators not being cool with this and knowing this as a very tight industry community, as everyone knows each other, it's crazy to think who would even want to be associated with the reboot.
We'll keep you updated as the show probably gets cancelled.