I read in the trivia that the creators were trying to get this on television for 16 years. So if this had been aired in 1991 (16 years before 2007 when it started) how do you think it would have been different? (Other than obvious things) When do you think it would have ended?
shareGood question! It definitely would have been on Nickelodeon. Back then, Nick was the main channel for kid programming, especially cartoons. Disney didn't gain popularity until the late '90s/early '00s. Shows like Even Stevens and then Lizzie McGuire three years later were Disney's first mega-hits. (Though back then I preferred So Weird and The Jersey.)
That said, I'm not sure how long it would have lasted. Who knows, it could have been like Rugrats and gone on for ten years. Or the subtle humor could have gone over the younger audience's heads and it might have fizzled out after two seasons. There was no iCarly or Victorious to draw in older viewers, so Nick's main demographic might not have been ready for Phineas & Ferb.
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Rugrats(which I also loved) had 9 seasons, not 10 seasons. Though, I wish that it would have gotten a tenth season.
But yeah, this show does remind me alot of Rugrats. Both great shows.
Some of the current jokes would of been different but I do think it would of been popular as so many 90's kids these days like it
http://www.imdb.com/list/dYMsIIbM9bk/
I was wondering the about the same thing as well. As much as I love the show and think that it is brilliant and a cut above the other children's programs today. I wonder how it would fare up against better competition in what some consider(myself included) the golden age of cartoons.
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How do you think the casting would be different since many of the current actors would have been very young at the time.
shareHow do you think the casting would be different since many of the current actors would have been very young at the time.
In my opinion, the reason this show works is because it didn't air back then when animation was at its peak.
Shows like "The Simpsons" and others were also just getting started and while it may have rode the wave a bit, it might have also gotten lost among it, too.
P&F stands out because it is a throw back to intelligently written cartoons that adults can also enjoy vs. now where most animated shows are either a) Imports (Anime), or b) standard fare that is geared toward little kids like "Fish Hooks" that use recycled story lines & characters.
I was a 90's kid and all of my friends as well as a good chunk of kids in my college watch Phineas and Ferb Religiously. I heard people talking about the movie today.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4385660/ -> This girl is going places
I'm right there with you. I'm a college student and many of my friends are big fans. We watch it now and would have watched it then. I think that because of its appeal to people both young and old, guys and girls it would be just as successful. Those are the traits of things that last.
shareYeah, it would have been lost in the shuffle in the 90's. Nowadays childrens' animation is horrid and nearly non-existent, which is why an actual quality show like Phineas and Ferb hit, it hit big. It's extremely 90's-esque, but ironically I couldn't see it lasting long back then.
At least Dan and Swampy missed the times when Disney would just cancel shows at 65 episodes.
My thoughts exactly. It's a great show and it's a great throwback to the 90s (in terms of cerativity)
shareNot that different. A bit rougher due to the lack of modern technology. It might have lasted two seasons and disappeared.
sharemakes me wonder if Phineas and Ferb was done in 1991 it would probalay be on Nickelodeon and get 5 seasons most likely or it could get 10 seasons like Rugrats. It makes me now wonder how would Fish hooks be like in 1991?
shareOne thing I feel that makes this show the success that it is, is something we fans take for granted, but coincidentally fits in with the current corporate culture of Disney and that is...
Phineas & Ferb is chock full of catchy music.
For those who haven't figured it out yet, "Hannah Montana" (2006) marked a shift in Disney's shows as well as kids entertainment in general. The music sales generated by Miley Cyrus raked in more millions than ever before, so now the focus is on music. This applies to both Disney, and Nickelodeon with shows like "Austin & Ally" and "Victorious".
So, we have to consider that 21 years ago, this show may or may not have had as much musical content as it does today, for better or for worse... And that may be one big reason why it is so successful in 2012.
I would certainly consider it for worse. Obviously the creators agree to a certain degree, since they remade the pilot episode as a musical. Some of the best lines are inserted into the songs. I'm fairly certain that had I started with the pilot I would've easily overlooked it.
As for the rest, I can't help but feel that it would've been a very different show in 1991. I'm certain that in 20 years the concept evolved, as did the production team's writing and art styles. The casting would've been very different and would've deprived me at least of some entertainment (like that the actors who play Ferb and Vanessa played love interests in Love Actually...).
"But does he like me like me like I like him?" - Avenue Q
The closest thing that Nickelodeon (or anyone else) came to this was Ren & Stimpy, which was a few years before then. And Ren & Stimpy was my favorite from that era when Nickelodeon dominated cartoons (first six episodes only). However, I will assert that Phineas & Ferb is oodles better.
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