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TV & Streaming: Arthur Ending, Star Trek Lower Decks, Chicago Party Aunt and More

July 29, 2021 , , , , , , , , ,

What's been going on in the world of animation TV and streaming?

 

Back in 2013, PBS children's animation Arthur made headlines by showing a same-sex wedding. As well as being applauded for being a step-forward for representation (of course there was another, less positive reaction in some circles, but let's not go there) it prompted many people asking "Wait...Arthur is still on?" And nearly a decade later, it still is. However, all good things must come to an end and PBS has finally decided it's time for the lovable aardvark to get the boot.

Created by children's author Marc Brown in 1976, the series has been airing since 1996, making it the longest-running children's animation in US TV history. The series's original developer Kathy Waugh revealed the news that the series had actually wrapped production two years ago, and that the final episodes will air in Winter 2022. In total, the show will have run for 25 seasons.

Arthur's Executive Producer Carol Greenwald said (via Variety):



Arthur is the longest-running kids animated series in history and is known for teaching kindness, empathy and inclusion through many groundbreaking moments to generations of viewers. In the winter of 2022, the 25th and final season of ‘Arthur’ will debut. ‘Arthur’ will continue to be available on PBS Kids for years to come. Producer GBH and PBS Kids are continuing to work together on additional ‘Arthur’ content, sharing the lessons of Arthur and his friends in new ways

 

Disney released a new season 3 preview of Amphibia at SDCC. The series will return on Disney Channel and Disney Now on October 3, with a special extended episode, which sees the Planters transported to the human world. Season 3 will also include a Christmas special which will feature a new song written by Steven Universe's Rebecca Sugar.  Guest stars will include Whoopi Goldberg, Jason Ritter, Kate Micucci, RuPaul, Brad Garret, Wayne Knight and creator Matt Braly's Mum (playing main character Anne's mother).

 

Gary Janetti's royal satire The Prince had its release put on hold earlier this year following the death of Prince Philip. A new release date on HBO Max had not been announced, but the adult comedy has now dropped on the streaming service, just hours after being announced. This isn't the normal way HBO Max does things, so can it be seen as them dumping it with little fanfare because they have little faith in it? Or do they think they might have a royal stinker on their hands? Check out the trailer and judge for yourself.

 

The Prince actually started life as a parody social media account from Janetti. There's a similar story behind the latest Netflix adult animated comedy to be revealed. Chicago Party Aunt is based on a comedy Twitter account of the same name from Chris Witaske, and created by Witaske, Jon Barinholtz, and Katie Rich. The series is being animated at Titmouse.


 

While some may roll their eyes at the very idea of series based on a Twitter account it's been happening for a while- TV sitcoms Sh*t My Dad Says and Don't Trust The B in Apartment 23 had similar origins and indie movie Zola is based on an infamous twitter thread. It's possible that Star Trek Lower Decks would never have existed if Mike McMahan's Star Trek Season 8 parody Twitter hadn't taken off.  Chicago Party Aunt will star Superstore star Lauren Ash as the title role, aka Diane Dunbrowski, and Rory O'Malley will play Daniel, Diane's gay nephew who shocks his family by deciding to take a 'gap year' living with his aunt in the Windy City. Diane tries to become his 'working-class fairy godmother', while Daniel in return helps his Aunt deal with the ever-changing modern world. The first eight episodes will arrive on Netflix on September 17.

Season Two of Star Trek Lower Decks beams down onto Paramount Plus in the US starting August 12. Amazon Prime has confirmed that the show will also be available to subscribers in the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and various territories the following day on August 13. New episodes will be available weekly. 


 

 

The first look at the first Star Trek series aimed at a younger audience (and centred on non-Federation members) was also revealed. Star Trek Prodigy will stream on Paramount Plus and get a broadcast airing via Nickelodeon some time this Autumn. Releases outside the US are yet to be announced.

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