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CN Real | |
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Launched |
June 17, 2009 |
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Defunct |
2013 |
CN Real is a former Cartoon Network programing block featuring live-action reality shows usually on Wednesdays and Saturdays that premiered on June 17, 2009, promoted by rock musician Andrew W.K.. It featured live-action shows such as The Othersiders, Bobb'e Says, Dude, What Would Happen, Level Up, BrainRush, and Destroy Build Destroy, along with the acquired series Survive This. The block was the result of Cartoon Network's stint with live-action through Re-Animated and Out of Jimmy's Head so the network could more effectively compete with Nickelodeon and Disney Channel, both of which had a large number of live-action programming.
Network executives and critics expressed concern about alienating Cartoon Network's core audience with this block, which heavily promoted live-action programming over cartoons. The concerns were well-founded, as none of the shows ended up building any ratings momentum, not even breaking the top ten programs aired on the network. Common complaints included the shows being ripoffs of established shows (such as Survive This being similar to Survivor, Bobb'e Says being similar to Tosh.0, and Dude, What Would Happen combining elements of MythBusters and Jackass), and the fact that the shows were being heavily advertised, while animated series were effectively pushed to the side. The Othersiders and Survive This premiered on Wednesdays, while BrainRush and W.K.'s own Destroy Build Destroy premiered on Saturdays. On July 10, 2009, the network announced that CN Real would be consolidated into one Wednesday night block from July 15th onwards. Due to overwhelmingly poor reception, many shows in the block were prematurely canceled, except for Dude, What Would Happen and Destroy Build Destroy.
The block ended in May 28, 2010. Although Destroy Build Destroy and Dude, What Would Happen would still air new episodes until 2011 and new live-action shows were produced, the CN Real block was ultimately dropped after deeming the block a critical failure. Following this, it was also considered an inappropriate idea for the network as Cartoon Network has since been classified as a cartoon channel.
Programming[]
- The Othersiders (premiered June 17, 2009 and ended October 30, 2009)
- Survive This (premiered June 17, 2009 and ended August 19, 2009)
- BrainRush (premiered June 20, 2009 and ended July 22, 2009)
- Destroy Build Destroy (premiered June 20, 2009 and ended September 21, 2011)
- Bobb'e Says (premiered August 19, 2009 and ended September 23, 2009)
- Dude, What Would Happen (premiered August 19, 2009 and ended September 21, 2011)
Trivia[]
- Even if CN Real was the first block to air live-action shows, Big Bag was the first Cartoon Network original series to have live-action hosts.
- On top of this, live-action content was no stranger to Cartoon Network as they have previously aired live-action movies and reruns of Goosebumps, plus, Out of Jimmy's Head was already airing two years prior to the block's formation.
- Also, starting with this block, Cartoon Network had made an update with the network, changing their logo from white to black, and giving them a mini-rebrand, giving Har Har Tharsdays and You Are Here several changes to their bumpers and logos. The only thing that remained the same was the Next Noods credits and bumpers.
- Around this time, there were no new Cartoon Network animated series outside of Ben 10: Alien Force, Chowder, The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack and The Secret Saturdays, as Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends and Ed, Edd, n Eddy had ended in 2009 and only focused on Canadian cartoons, such as Total Drama Action, 6teen and Johnny Test.
- Dude, What Would Happen? and Destroy Build Destroy were the only two CN Real shows to air during the CHECK it era. Despite this, Cartoon Network would air several other live-action shows during this era, including originals Level Up and Incredible Crew and the acquired series Hole in the Wall, as the live action shows would continue to air until April 2013.