What A Cartoon!

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From the creators of Talking Simpsons comes What A Cartoon!, an audio exploration of every cartoon ever! Join hosts Henry Gilbert and Bob Mackey (as well as several guests) for an in-depth look at a different episode of a different cartoon every week! read less

Our Editor's Take

For cartoon fans, the What A Cartoon! podcast could be all they need to keep up with new shows and reminisce about old ones. The podcast offers a detailed exploration of cartoons, from Dumbo to Sailor Moon. While remaining fun, this podcast has a formidable inventory of cartoon-related history. It explores nostalgic Saturday Morning cartoons, anime, live-action, and animated movies. The show features an eclectic mix of guests, including listeners and creators. The title is a reference to the famous "What a maroon" Bugs Bunny line.

The first episode of What A Cartoon! debuted in March 2018. Bob Mackey and Henry Gilbert have been hosting the podcast since then. The hosts are writers and gaming experts with years of experience. The cartoon enthusiasts started hosting the Talking Simpsons series before this podcast. Henry also cohosts Pokemon Monday, while Bob serves as cohost on Retronauts.

Guests from different backgrounds join the duo on the podcast. They analyze cartoon episodes, series, and movies. They go over plotlines, aesthetics, history, and concepts with care and insight. One discussion about Sailor Moon details the rise of the anime genre in the US. The hosts and returnee guest, Mick Circo, discuss "Japanimation," now called anime. Their discussion reveals how companies repackaged Japanese anime for US audiences.

Animator Ian Jones-Quartey is also a multi-episode guest on What A Cartoon! Ian, the OK K.O.! creator, and the hosts discuss Future Boy Conan alongside another guest. Their discussion has many interesting facts and lots of humor. The hosts explore audience-selected animated films on the last Monday of each month. These longer episodes examine movies like ParaNorman, Batman/Superman, and Toy Story 4.

Discussions about classic or newer toons, genres, or series offer listeners exciting factoids. Humor, knowledge, and great conversations are the hallmarks of the show. Whether listeners are Disney toons or Cartoon Network buffs, the What A Cartoon! podcast is fun for fans.

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TV & FilmTV & Film
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A Preview of What A Cartoon Movie for Chicken Little
Apr 1 2024
A Preview of What A Cartoon Movie for Chicken Little
Another month has passed at the Talking Simpsons Network, and that means we've got another awesome podcast about an animated feature film! This month, our $10+ Patreon subscribers get to hear us talk about 2005's Chicken Little! Listen now to this free extended preview, and then subscribe at the $10 level (or up your current pledge to $10) to hear the whole thing and all of our previous What A Cartoon Movie podcasts. Sign up today!

Episodes

What A Cartoon! - The Kids in the Hall "Season 3, Episode 14"
Apr 8 2024
What A Cartoon! - The Kids in the Hall "Season 3, Episode 14"
Welcome once again to live-action month on What A Cartoon, where YOU are the fool. (An April Fool, if you will...) In our sixth podcast about a live-action show that has very cartoony qualities, we're digging into the classic Canadian sketch comedy program, Kids in the Hall. This collection of maple-leaf misfits helped define alternative comedy in just five short years and a surprising amount of episodes. And, thanks to frequent Comedy Central reruns, their cult show gradually built up enough of a fanbase to go on regular tours, produce new shows, and even reboot their old series 25 years after the original run reached its natural conclusion. So sit back and recall your last average weekend as we explore this highly influential comedy series that both delighted and warped us throughout the '90s. Support this podcast and get 150+ bonus episodes by visiting Patreon.com/TalkingSimpsons and becoming a patron! And please follow the official Twitter, @TalkSimpsonsPod!
A Preview of What A Cartoon Movie for Chicken Little
Apr 1 2024
A Preview of What A Cartoon Movie for Chicken Little
Another month has passed at the Talking Simpsons Network, and that means we've got another awesome podcast about an animated feature film! This month, our $10+ Patreon subscribers get to hear us talk about 2005's Chicken Little! Listen now to this free extended preview, and then subscribe at the $10 level (or up your current pledge to $10) to hear the whole thing and all of our previous What A Cartoon Movie podcasts. Sign up today!
What A Cartoon! - Invincible - "It's About Time"
Mar 11 2024
What A Cartoon! - Invincible - "It's About Time"
Chosen by premium patron Andrew, we're covering the modern hit comic book adaptation, Invincible! Learn why it took almost 20 years for Robert Kirkman, Cory Walker, and Ryan Ottley's super series to get a cartoon, how it changed from page to screen, and more about how it pioneered in both style and format. Then hear us chat about the hourlong first episode (including the shocking twist) on a podcast that really is Invincible (imagine the title card just splashed on your screen)! Support this podcast, hear this ad-free, and get 150+ bonus episodes by visiting Patreon.com/TalkingSimpsons and becoming a patron! And please follow the official Twitter, @TalkSimpsonsPod!
A Preview of What A Cartoon Movie for Porco Rosso
Mar 4 2024
A Preview of What A Cartoon Movie for Porco Rosso
Another month has passed at the Talking Simpsons Network, and that means we've got another awesome podcast about an animated feature film! This month, our $10+ Patreon subscribers get to hear us talk about 1992's Porco Rosso! Listen now to this free extended preview, and then subscribe at the $10 level (or up your current pledge to $10) to hear the whole thing and all of our previous What A Cartoon Movie podcasts. Sign up today!
Rebecca Sugar Bonus Interview
Mar 1 2024
Rebecca Sugar Bonus Interview
We hope you enjoyed our recent Selma's Choice podcast as much as we did, and we decided to share even more of our chat with our amazing guest, the creator of Steven Universe, Rebecca Sugar! Hear almost 20 more minutes of conversation with Rebecca about her new album, Spiral Bound, (out now!), as well as some new details on how some Simpsons productions compared to Steven Universe, what classic Simpsons says about gender, more of Sugar's thoughts on her Simpsons-inspired comic "Don't Cry For Me, I'm Already Dead," and so much more! Support this podcast and get over 150 bonus episodes by visiting Patreon.com/TalkingSimpsons and becoming a patron! And please follow the official Twitter, @TalkSimpsonsPod!
What A Cartoon! - Avatar: The Last Airbender - "The Blind Bandit"
Feb 12 2024
What A Cartoon! - Avatar: The Last Airbender - "The Blind Bandit"
Chosen by premium patron ToonJay, it's time for us to cover one of the most influential animated series of the last 20 years, Avatar: The Last Airbender! When it debuted on Nick in 2005, it introduced a whole generation of kids to anime-style action, a lore-filled linear adventure, and enough ships to drown the internet. All that, plus a discussion of a fan-favorite story that's full of pro wrestling references. So grab a cabbage and listen! Support this podcast and get 100+ bonus episodes by visiting Patreon.com/TalkingSimpsons and becoming a patron! And please follow the official Twitter, @TalkSimpsonsPod!
A Preview of What A Cartoon Movie for Bambi
Feb 5 2024
A Preview of What A Cartoon Movie for Bambi
Another month has passed at the Talking Simpsons Network, and that means we've got another awesome podcast about an animated feature film! This month, our $10+ Patreon subscribers get to hear us talk about 1942's Bambi! Listen now to this free extended preview, and then subscribe at the $10 level (or up your current pledge to $10) to hear the whole thing and all of our previous What A Cartoon Movie podcasts. Sign up today!
Bonus Holiday Podcast: What A Cartoon Movie! - The Incredibles
Jan 8 2024
Bonus Holiday Podcast: What A Cartoon Movie! - The Incredibles
Happy New Year! In case you didn't know, every month we release the premium podcast, What A Cartoon Movie. And, as we take a week off to rest and recharge, we're giving all of our listeners a chance to hear a free sample of this Patreon-exclusive series. So please, enjoy our ultra-long look at Pixar's The Incredibles! And if you'd like to hear 60 more episodes of What A Cartoon Movie—with a new one to come every month—simply head on over to the Talking Simpsons Network and sign up at the $10 level. If you enjoy hearing us talk about cartoons, you'll be glad you did!
Bonus New Year's Episode - Talking Futurama "Where No Fan Has Gone Before" With Andrew Jupin
Jan 8 2024
Bonus New Year's Episode - Talking Futurama "Where No Fan Has Gone Before" With Andrew Jupin
The Talking Simpsons Network is taking a week off for the holiday season, so to fill the content gap, we've decided to post an episode of our Patreon-exclusive Talking Futurama podcast miniseries! If you like this episode and want to hear the rest (with more to come every month), head over to Patreon.com/TalkingSimpsons and sign up at the $5 level. Once you do, you'll have immediate access to all of our limited miniseries, covering animated shows like King of the Hill, Mission Hill, The Critic, and Batman: The Animated Series. So visit Patreon.com/TalkingSimpsons and sign up today!
A Preview of What A Cartoon Movie for The Emperor's New Groove
Jan 1 2024
A Preview of What A Cartoon Movie for The Emperor's New Groove
Another month (and YEAR) has passed at the Talking Simpsons Network, and that means we've got another awesome podcast about an animated feature film! This month, our $10+ Patreon subscribers get to hear us talk about 2000's The Emperor's New Groove! Listen now to this free extended preview, and then subscribe at the $10 level (or up your current pledge to $10) to hear the whole thing and all of our previous What A Cartoon Movie podcasts. Sign up today!
What A Cartoon! - TV Funhouse - "Christmas Day"
Dec 11 2023
What A Cartoon! - TV Funhouse - "Christmas Day"
Our holiday cartoon podcast tradition continues, and this time we're covering one of the cult classics of pre-9/11 Comedy Central. Not only do we go into the career of Robert Smigel that led to his unlikely position as a big-time animation writer, but we also show how one cheap dog puppet led to an empire of TV Funhouse. Then learn about the many holiday classics parodied in this 2000-era sketch show full of filth and Jesus Christ, along with a healthy dose of Christmas tension. So grab your tail and listen! Support this podcast and get 150+ bonus episodes by visiting Patreon.com/TalkingSimpsons and becoming a patron! And please follow the official Twitter, @TalkSimpsonsPod!
A Preview of What A Cartoon Movie for The Muppet Christmas Carol
Dec 4 2023
A Preview of What A Cartoon Movie for The Muppet Christmas Carol
Another month has passed at the Talking Simpsons Network, and that means we've got another awesome podcast about an animated feature film! This month, our $10+ Patreon subscribers get to hear us talk about 1992's The Muppet Christmas Carol! Listen now to this free extended preview, and then subscribe at the $10 level (or up your current pledge to $10) to hear the whole thing and all of our previous What A Cartoon Movie podcasts. Sign up today!
What A Cartoon! - SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron - "A Bright And Shiny Future"
Nov 13 2023
What A Cartoon! - SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron - "A Bright And Shiny Future"
Chosen by premium patron Andrew, we're returning to the '90s for a furry cult classic, SWAT Kats! Created in Montreal, developed in Burbank, and animated in Tokyo, it's an international action toon about a pair of vigilantes in a jet, and we explore how it burned brightly if briefly. Then we discuss the second season ep about a dark future, all with hot hairy characters to entertain anyone in this high-speed, explosive Hanna-Barbera hit! Support this podcast and get 150+ bonus episodes by visiting Patreon.com/TalkingSimpsons and becoming a patron! And please follow the official Twitter, @TalkSimpsonsPod!
A Preview of What A Cartoon Movie for Project A-ko
Nov 6 2023
A Preview of What A Cartoon Movie for Project A-ko
Another month has passed at the Talking Simpsons Network, and that means we've got another awesome podcast about an animated feature film! This month, our $10+ Patreon subscribers get to hear us talk about 1986's Project A-ko! Listen now to this free extended preview, and then subscribe at the $10 level (or up your current pledge to $10) to hear the whole thing and all of our previous What A Cartoon Movie podcasts. Sign up today!
What A Cartoon! - Phineas And Ferb - "Dude, We're Getting the Band Back Together"
Oct 9 2023
What A Cartoon! - Phineas And Ferb - "Dude, We're Getting the Band Back Together"
Chosen by premium patron ToonJay, it's time for us elder millennials to learn about Gen Z's favorite cartoon stepbrothers, Phineas and Ferb! Yes, we dig into the history of the 104 days of summer vacation and the careers of the show's creators. Then, it's time for some rock history as we discuss one of the most beloved eps, Dude, We're Getting The Band Back Together. Do get ready for a mix of backyard adventures and platypus spy action in this week's podcast! Support this podcast and get 150+ bonus episodes by visiting Patreon.com/TalkingSimpsons and becoming a patron! And please follow the official Twitter, @TalkSimpsonsPod!
A Preview of What A Cartoon Movie for Corpse Bride
Oct 2 2023
A Preview of What A Cartoon Movie for Corpse Bride
Another month has passed at the Talking Simpsons Network, and that means we've got another awesome podcast about an animated feature film! This month, our $10+ Patreon subscribers get to hear us talk about 2005's Corpse Bride! Listen now to this free extended preview, and then subscribe at the $10 level (or up your current pledge to $10) to hear the whole thing and all of our previous What A Cartoon Movie podcasts. Sign up today!
What A Cartoon! - Daria "Fire!"
Sep 11 2023
What A Cartoon! - Daria "Fire!"
It's been over five years since we last covered Daria, and while little has happened in terms of the show's potential reboot, that doesn't mean we've expended all of our possible thoughts on this beloved MTV cartoon. (Which may be why this podcast is nearly three hours long.) Last time, we examined an episode where the series outgrew its "Daria owns the normies" formula, and this time, we're looking at the show evolve into something with a lot more continuity, as the love triangle plot kicks off and threatens to tear Daria and Jane apart. So listen in, and join us as we embrace the apathy of the '90s and discuss our favorite cynical teens of the era! Support this podcast and get 150+ bonus episodes by visiting Patreon.com/TalkingSimpsons and becoming a patron! And please follow the official Twitter, @TalkSimpsonsPod!
A Preview of What A Cartoon Movie for Cars
Sep 4 2023
A Preview of What A Cartoon Movie for Cars
Another month has passed at the Talking Simpsons Network, and that means we've got another awesome podcast about an animated feature film! This month, our $10+ Patreon subscribers get to hear us talk about 2006's Cars! Listen now to this free extended preview, and then subscribe at the $10 level (or up your current pledge to $10) to hear the whole thing and all of our previous What A Cartoon Movie podcasts. Sign up today!
See Us LIVE at PAX West 2023!
Aug 14 2023
See Us LIVE at PAX West 2023!
It might be hard to believe, but we haven't had a live show at PAX in four years. Why? We honestly couldn't say. But in 2023, we're making our grand return to the famed video game convention to celebrate the 28th anniversary of Mortal Kombat: The Journey Begins! And frankly, we'd love to see you there. Check out the details below: When: Saturday, September 2nd at 7:00pm  Where: PAX West, The Monarch Theatre And here's the panel description, straight from the PAX website: Shortly before the first Mortal Kombat movie violenced its way into theaters the world got a brief preview of this cinematic event with The Journey Begins. This direct-to-video commercial gave fans a taste of the upcoming film's first act rendered in cut-rate 2D animation and CGI scenes that make Reboot look like Pixar. And it only cost $19.99! On this panel, join your pals at the What A Cartoon podcast as they give you a tour of the highs and lows of this piece of MK media so you don't have to suffer through the whole thing yourself. As a new Mortal Kombat looms ever closer GET OVER HERE and see how far we've truly come!
What A Cartoon! - Spider-Man 1994 "Mutant's Revenge"
Aug 14 2023
What A Cartoon! - Spider-Man 1994 "Mutant's Revenge"
In the year of the wonderous webcrawler's return to the Spider-Verse, we're also returning to his classic Saturday morning TV series for the second half of the epic two-parter meeting mutants. Yes, we're returning to the second season of the 1994 Spider-Man Animated Series for his crossover with the X-Men, which has origins in both comic books and newspaper pages. Learn all about that, Henry's love for Hank McCoy, a whole bunch of silly voice acting over budget-minded animation, and tons more on the spider-sensible podcast! Support this podcast and get 150+ bonus episodes by visiting Patreon.com/TalkingSimpsons and becoming a patron! And please follow the official Twitter, @TalkSimpsonsPod!