Will Ruby Spears cartoons such as "Alvin & The Chipmunks" & "Mr T" ever be released ?

[loveboomerang]

The title says it all.

Anybody have any info on these 2 cartoons, and their chances of release ?

[Zorak Masaki]

The ruby spears chipmunks had too much copyrighted music to be released, and Mr. T probably doesnt have much of a demand.

[John Dorian]

Well, Warner Bros. owns both shows, and they're considering a release of Alvin & The Chipmunks very soon. Mr.T: I don't know.

[Blackstar]

I heard that there may be a DVD release of the 1960s The Alvin Show (no release date has been announced as of yet), but the 80s Alvin and the Chipmunks will never see the light of day again, unless Ruby-Spears and Warner Bros. can find some way around the copyrighted music issue.

As for the Mr T. cartoon, I just don't think that there's a high enough demand for it right now.

[Old School Joe]

Not Entirely true on Alvin. There have been several DVD's released of the Ruby series in holiday type settings with 5 or 6 episodes on each.

[Doyng]

Since Hanna-Barbera now owns the majority of the early RS library, here's what Should be released (note: it'll most likely be under the Hanna-Barbera Classic Collection)

Thundarr
The Puppy's New/Further Adventures
Scruffy
Miss Switch specials
Goldie Gold and Action Jack
Centurions
Saturday Supercade (I know due to licensing of the characters,it'll be impossible, but I can hope, can I?)
Superman '88
The Horse That Played Centerfield
The Puppy's specials
Cabbage Patch Kids First Christmas
Rubik, The Amazing Cube (again, licensing due to Menudo's vocals of the opening title and the character, itself, but can I hope?)
Plastic Man
Fangface
Heathcliff and Dingbat/Marmaduke
Mr. T
Dragon's Lair
Alvin and the Chipmunks

[Hypestyle]

great list.. I'd buy the Mr. T stuff.. he's probably available to do commentary.. :)

[Tobias]

Not Entirely true on Alvin. There have been several DVD's released of the Ruby series in holiday type settings with 5 or 6 episodes on each.

If I remember correctly, the holiday episodes (With the exception of maybe the first Valentine's and Mother's Day special) were all DIC produced, and even then, the prime time specials had original music.

[John Dorian]

Since Hanna-Barbera now owns the majority of the early RS library, here's what Should be released (note: it'll most likely be under the Hanna-Barbera Classic Collection)

Thundarr
Maybe, until WB gets done with Hanna Barbera, they still have a long way to go.

The Puppy's New/Further Adventures [/quote]
They may release this with Scooby Doo.

Scruffy [/quote]
They'll release it. Someday.

Miss Switch specials [/quote]
WB doesn't own this.

Goldie Gold and Action Jack [/quote]
Well, I can wait on this WB release.

Centurions [/quote]
Maybe WB will release this with Captain Planet.

Saturday Supercade (I know due to licensing of the characters,it'll be impossible, but I can hope, can I?) [/quote]
Only the Space Ace segments is owned by WB.

Superman '88 [/quote]
A couple episodes were on DVD.

The Horse That Played Centerfield [/quote]
I don't think WB has this. Disney (ABC) may have this.

The Puppy's specials [/quote]
WB will probably release all of them under one package.

Cabbage Patch Kids First Christmas [/quote]
Probably until Christmas.

Rubik, The Amazing Cube (again, licensing due to Menudo's vocals of the opening title and the character, itself, but can I hope?) [/quote]
Does WB even own this show?

Plastic Man [/quote]
Big maybe on this show.

Fangface [/quote]
They'll probably release this soon.

Heathcliff and Dingbat/Marmaduke [/quote]
The DiC season(s) is out on DVD, so WB should release these also.

Mr. T [/quote]
like I said, not high demand.

Dragon's Lair [/quote]
I think WB doesn't even own this show.

Alvin and the Chipmunks[/quote]
Like I said, WB is in strong considerations about this show.

[Old School Joe]

Ask and ye shall recieve....

http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Alvin-Chipmunks-DVDs/8945

[John Dorian]

Actually, those are post-1987 episodes, now called The Chipmunks in 1988. WB has the Ruby-Spears seasons (1983-1987) and 11 episodes from the DiC season (1988).

[Super Leviathan]

Did Ruby-Spears do the Chuck Norris cartoon? I'd love to se that released. If only for the sheer notoreity of it.

[John Dorian]

Did Ruby-Spears do the Chuck Norris cartoon? I'd love to se that released. If only for the sheer notoreity of it.

Yes.

[Zorak Masaki]

Actually, didnt the chipmunks series just do parodies of popular songs, rather than licensed music? I remember the charlies angels spoof (with the chippettes as the angels) had a parody version of "eye of the tiger". If they did stuff like that it may be possible to release as parody of public figures is protected by law.

[Silverstar]

Actually, didnt the chipmunks series just do parodies of popular songs, rather than licensed music? I remember the charlies angels spoof (with the chippettes as the angels) had a parody version of "eye of the tiger". If they did stuff like that it may be possible to release as parody of public figures is protected by law.

I'm not sure about the schematics, but I think a song only counts as a parody if the lyrics and subject matter are changed (i.e., the stuff that 'Weird Al' Yankovic does). Otherwise, I think it's just considered a cover. But don't quote me on that.

I do that the 60's Alvin Show songs are safe since most of them are public domain or were written by Dave Seville himself (e.g. "The Witch Doctor").

[DrTooth]

I'm not sure about the schematics, but I think a song only counts as a parody if the lyrics and subject matter are changed (i.e., the stuff that 'Weird Al' Yankovic does). Otherwise, I think it's just considered a cover. But don't quote me on that.

It's complicated if you give an ultralitteral translation of the word "Parody." To me, you can legally get away with it if you change the lyrics and the music to be soundalikes. Either way, Weird Al isn't really a good example to use, as he actually has to get permission to use the real tunes in his parodies (as examples, I bring up John Melloncamp not giving him permission to satirize Jack and Dianne for "Buckingham Blues," And the miscommunication between him and a representitive of Coolio's vis a vis "Amish Paradise).

Which is why Sesame Street never came under fire for These (http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/Sesame_Road)Two (http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/Born_to_Add_%28album%29) albums (which feature mostly soundalike song parodies, and never had to ask for permission either.

So episodes that use original music should be fine. Like the Chipettes episode where they don;t use the real "We got the Beat" song. So if they have at least one season full of soundalike songs, they can release it.

[dth1971]

Did Ruby-Spears do the Chuck Norris cartoon? I'd love to se that released. If only for the sheer notoreity of it.

The last time the Chuck Norris cartoon miniseries was shown was a few years ago on April Fool's Day 2006 (I think) during Cartoon Network's Adult Swim.

[Silverstar]

The last time the Chuck Norris cartoon miniseries was shown was a few years ago on April Fool's Day 2006 (I think) during Cartoon Network's Adult Swim.


'Kay, but what does that have to do with the question of Mr. T and Alvin & The Chipmunks coming to DVD?

[Knightmare]

Actually, didnt the chipmunks series just do parodies of popular songs, rather than licensed music? I remember the charlies angels spoof (with the chippettes as the angels) had a parody version of "eye of the tiger". If they did stuff like that it may be possible to release as parody of public figures is protected by law.

Most of the time the episodes from Alvin & the Chipmunks featured cover versions of popular songs, while they wouldn't have the headache that a series like WKRP in Cincinnati had; they would still have to get the rights to some of the songs. More then likely what will happen with the Ruby-Spears Chipmunk series is that it'll be released in best of collections similar to what has been done with the DiC series. That way they'd only have to work on getting the rights to certain songs.

[Tobias]

It's complicated if you give an ultralitteral translation of the word "Parody." To me, you can legally get away with it if you change the lyrics and the music to be soundalikes. Either way, Weird Al isn't really a good example to use, as he actually has to get permission to use the real tunes in his parodies (as examples, I bring up John Melloncamp not giving him permission to satirize Jack and Dianne for "Buckingham Blues," And the miscommunication between him and a representitive of Coolio's vis a vis "Amish Paradise).



Weird Al doesn't have to get permission to parody any of the songs he does, he only does so out of courtesy because he doesn't want to burn any bridges or make any enemies. He could have easily done parodies of Mellencamp's and Prince's songs and they wouldn't be able to touch him, he's just being respectful of their wishes.

Back on topic, I don't remember ever seeing the original Christmas special from 81 that was mentioned. They added the Mother's Day and Valentine's Day prime time specials to the syndicated package, so why not that one?

[DrTooth]

Weird Al doesn't have to get permission to parody any of the songs he does, he only does so out of courtesy because he doesn't want to burn any bridges or make any enemies. He could have easily done parodies of Mellencamp's and Prince's songs and they wouldn't be able to touch him, he's just being respectful of their wishes.

I'm still confused about that. Though, I would say he must at least have to have someone pay or credit the original song writers if you use the same tune. He does unofficial song parodies at concerts, but I don't think he can commercially release them.

On the subject , think Keeper said that the Macadamia Nut (from Animaniacs) actually has the real tune to the song, and it's causing WB some headache clearing it, if it will be on vol4.

Anyway, I still think with soundalikes you can get off scott free (dispite the fact that the When you wish upon a Star people still want to sue Family Guy by using the ultraliteral definition of "parody") using soundalikes. Look at Captain N. DIC used the real songs for the first season of Captain N, but could not clear them past that season (Syndicated and DVD prints use generic music dubbed over), but the second season featured Soundalikes. In fact, I'm surprised they even got away with it, since the soundalikes of half the songs (Especially the "Do the Freak" number from the Gameboy episode) sounded like dead on copies.

[dtemplar]

I think Thundarr, Plastic Man, and 88 Superman would get DVD releases. Alvin Show may get DVD, but I don't think Alvin & the Chipmunks would get DVD because of music issues.

[thundarr82]

Mr T would possibly get a dvd release when John Singletons...The A-Team arrives in theaters in 2009.

[Silverstar]

Mr T would possibly get a dvd release when John Singletons...The A-Team arrives in theaters in 2009.

Provided that T's going to be featured in the movie, that is. Otherwise, that's iffy, since the Mr. T cartoon wasn't an adaptation of The A-Team.

-Wait, there's going to be an A-Team movie???

[DrTooth]

Provided that T's going to be featured in the movie, that is. Otherwise, that's iffy, since the Mr. T cartoon wasn't an adaptation of The A-Team.


It actually doesn't have to be an A-Team adaption for it to be relevant to being released when the film comes out. Half of everyone probably just called A-Team "Mr. T" to begin with. As cool as Murdock was, I doubt people watched the show because of him. Even still, it's a small minority.

[thundarr82]

Silverstar, Yes, John Singleton will direct The A-Team now that the writers strike is over. UGO.com has a script review on The A-Team film as well.

[hobbyfan]

The Mr. T toon wasn't a spin-off from A-Team per se, but it debuted 8 months after A-Team did. I would assume NBC-Universal might have rights, or that T himself does.

Meanwhile, if enough people ask, maybe WB will issue DVD's for Superman '88 and the Plastic Man series.

[John Dorian]

The Mr. T toon wasn't a spin-off from A-Team per se, but it debuted 8 months after A-Team did. I would assume NBC-Universal might have rights, or that T himself does.

Meanwhile, if enough people ask, maybe WB will issue DVD's for Superman '88 and the Plastic Man series.



WB/Turner Entertainment owns the show outright.

[Tobias]

WB/Turner Entertainment owns the show outright.

Yep, and Boomerang even aired a marathon of the show on April Fool's Day a few years back before voting it off the channel for good. It then enjoyed a brief run on Adult Swim's retro hour and hasn't been seen since.

I'd assume with all the 80's nostalgia, a DVD release wouldn't be *completely* out of the question. There were only a handful of episodes made (30 I believe), so it'd only take one set to finish the series, maybe package it with a bonus disc with the Chuck Norris Karate Commandoes 5 part mini-series.

[loveboomerang]

[quote=Tobias;2782483]Yep, and Boomerang even aired a marathon of the show on April Fool's Day a few years back before voting it off the channel for good. It then enjoyed a brief run on Adult Swim's retro hour and hasn't been seen since.quote]

I remember that. It was about 2 years ago. I taped all the episodes shown that day, and I'm still kicking myself that I didnt know they were airing the show on adult swim after the marathon.

Its not the greatest cartoon, but i think it's one of those that either you really like it or you just pass on it.

I would LOVE a dvd release, so i can get other half of the episodes that i am missing

[Tobias]

[quote=Tobias;2782483]Yep, and Boomerang even aired a marathon of the show on April Fool's Day a few years back before voting it off the channel for good. It then enjoyed a brief run on Adult Swim's retro hour and hasn't been seen since.quote]

I remember that. It was about 2 years ago. I taped all the episodes shown that day, and I'm still kicking myself that I didnt know they were airing the show on adult swim after the marathon.

Its not the greatest cartoon, but i think it's one of those that either you really like it or you just pass on it.

I would LOVE a dvd release, so i can get other half of the episodes that i am missing

I'm only missing one episode from Adult Swim's run, so I'm hoping for a DVD release myself. I've got all of them on my DVR, including the 'special' episode where Spike is kidnapped.