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Dec. 1, 2000: Special Report - What Happened to Speedy Gonzales? Speedy Gonzales is now featured on the Main Page this month, and I know many of you have been wondering why Speedy has been practically absent from Cartoon Network (now the home to all classic WB shorts). Last month, I got in contact with Cartoon Network regarding this situation and below is the reason you haven't seen Speedy in awhile.
Here is the original e-mail I sent on 11/10/00:
Hello,
Cartoon Network is now the exclusive home for all the Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies cartoons (and, for the most part, doing a terrific job of showcasing them on the three hour BUGS & DAFFY shows on the weekends). However, myself -- and a number of other fans of classic Warner cartoons -- have become concerned about the disappearance of the fastest mouse in all Mexico: Speedy Gonzales. Speedy's cartoons have been absent from CN for a long time and week after week he is the only major WB star *NOT* to be seen on any of the BUGS & DAFFY shows.
I maintain an unofficial webpage devoted to LT & MM shorts, and have got a number of e-mails from even the most casual cartoon fans asking why Speedy is now absent from the airwaves.
I hope you guys over at Cartoon Network do not consider Speedy to be an offensive character. After all, Speedy is always portrayed as the smart hero who always gets the best of the bad guys. Some of the supporting Mexican characters in the Gonzales cartoons can be a bit extreme (the Mexicali Shmoes, the Loco Crow), but that is only a small number of Gonzales' cartoons.
There certainly can't be anything wrong with cartoons like "Nuts and Volts", "The Wild Chase", "Chili Weather", "Mexican Cat Dance", "Skyscraper Caper", the Academy Award-winning "Speedy Gonzales", and dozens of others.
The character still appears on official Warner Bros. Looney Tunes merchandise at the Warner Studio Stores and Six Flag Theme Parks. A quick visit to the WB Studio Store website revealed more Speedy items than ones featuring Porky, Foghorn, or Road Runner. Speedy is also featured on the new CD "Looney Tunes' Kwazy Christmas" from Rhino Records.
I hope to someday see Speedy return to the line-up and be seen alongside his Looney Tunes co-stars. Our Saturday mornings just aren't the same without the ENTIRE Looney Tunes "family"!
Are there any plans to ever return Speedy to Cartoon Network's broadcasts of Looney Tunes? If so, it would make many classic cartoon fans very, very happy.
Thanks for your time and...
That's all, folks!
Jonathan Cooke
http://www.toonzone.net/looney/
Here is his reply I recieved on 11/15/00 from Daniel Wineman, Cartoon Network Programming:
I mostly agree with your assessment of Speedy. Originally, Cartoon Network was instructed to stop showing the Speedy cartoons (by Ted Turner, I believe) because of the racial stereotyping. Mr. Turner is really sensitive about our portrayal of foreign countries and characters (just look at Captain Planet for example). In fact, he has gone so far as to make efforts to implement the term "international" in place of "foreign", but that's another story.
As you most likely know, the problem with the Speedy's is the references to drinking, laziness, drug use and womanizing ("Speedy knows my sister, Speedy knows EVERYBODY's sister..."). This isn't worse than most any other WB character. However, since Speedy is Mexican, we've shied away from these toons. Turner Broadcasting has always been super careful not to promulgate any of these stereotypes and this case is no different.
You also know that there are a many inoffensive Speedy cartoons, although most of them are of poorer quality (later Daffy/Speedy's for example). We did not wish to run these for that very reason.
I can tell you that we are making an effort to show some Speedy cartoons in the near future. We are in the middle of re-reviewing the Speedy cartoons with the higher ups and we'll see what comes of it.
To bluntly put it: we've been directed not to play Speedy's but we're now trying to bring them back in. Especially now that we have our weekend morning blocks of Warner Bros.!
That is where we're at now. Thank you for taking the time to contact us.
Best wishes to you and your website,
Daniel Wineman
Cartoon Network Programming
Well, that's the story. A small update: Speedy did make an appearance on BUGS & DAFFY on Nov. 18 when CN aired "The Wild Chase" (the cartoon where Road Runner and Speedy race each other). I suggest everyone that misses Speedy's cartoons send a polite e-mail to Cartoon Network at ToonNet@aol.com and thank them for airing "The Wild Chase" and encourage them to air more Speedy cartoons in the future. Who knows? Maybe we will be able to make a difference.
You forgot to say that this was "humor". It's humor, right? Right?
I tink der iz a "bendayho" at de top
Frankly, there's a LOT of fare back on TV now that you wouldn't think could make a comeback due to our politically correct atmosphere.
Hogan's Heroes comes to mind. I'm sure others can help add to this list. Guess it's been so long since I watched Speedy that I forgot how controversial some of these shows would be considered today.
But the GOOD NEWS is that they're going to keep Pepe LePew because as we all know, the French really stink!
I bet Speedy voted with his letter from Clinton.
Someone go check if he is registered in California.
Gees. So turner will ban Chinese noodles, Italian Pizza and French wine because they all have a foreign character?
What a Nazi. This guy really goes all the way. He is the ultimate Hydra. Cut the Nazi skin oriented monster and you have Turner destroying about any character out there.
My favorite Speedy episode had the following scene (from vague memory):
Cat grabs Speedy's cousin, Jose or some such, "the slowest mouse in all Mexico".That episode became too politically incorrect YEARS agoSpeedy to cat: "I should warn you, it's a bad idea to mess with Jose"
Cat: "And WHY is THAT?"
Speedy: "Jose packs a gun"
Jose at that moment whips out BIG pistol and shoots Cat in head.
YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING!!
Is Ted now going to rid the airwaves of Foghorn Leghorn because of his stereotyping of the Southern dialect and manners? Oops, got to get rid of Porky Pig and Elmer Fudd. Don't want anyone to think you're making fun of someone who stutters or talks with a lisp. And I know vegans want to get rid of the Roadrunner show. Where can you find in cartoons a more blatant example of attempted meat-eating than Wiley Coyote? And doesn't the portrayal of Yosemite Sam degrade short people? Gotta drop him, too.
By the time Ted Turner sanitizes WB cartoons to make them acceptable, children will be staring at a blank screen. But you can bet no one will be offended anymore. One small step for a megalomaniac, one giant leap for political correctness!
His name was Slowpoke Rodriguez, and yes that was funny.
This is just sad:( Speedy's a good guy!
Next thing you know, Ted will ban Amos 'n Andy!
Ain't email great?
tallhappy, what cartoon was he referring to that had to do with drug use? ?
tallhappy, what cartoon was he referring to that had to do with drug use?
I think he was referring to Speedy Gonzales. Which one I don't know.
Ce n'est pas gentil du tout, monsieur! En garde!!!
Mais-I weel grant you a pardohn ZEES time. ;^)
Speedy forgot to show Ted his stinkin badges.
Speedy forgot to show Ted his stinkin badges.
YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING!!
Is Ted now going to rid the airwaves of Foghorn Leghorn because of his stereotyping of the Southern dialect and manners? Oops, got to get rid of Porky Pig and Elmer Fudd. Don't want anyone to think you're making fun of someone who stutters or talks with a lisp. And I know vegans want to get rid of the Roadrunner show. Where can you find in cartoons a more blatant example of attempted meat-eating than Wiley Coyote? And doesn't the portrayal of Yosemite Sam degrade short people? Gotta drop him, too.
By the time Ted Turner sanitizes WB cartoons to make them acceptable, children will be staring at a blank screen. But you can bet no one will be offended anymore. One small step for a megalomaniac, one giant leap for political correctness!
Don't forget all the cartoons referring to "Maroons": a clear reference to Moron. If I was intellectually challenged, I'd protest... Not to mention the Indian references, the military references, slurs against Texans, women.... It just goes on and on.
(1) I suppose if cartoons are still the most important thing in your life, this matters. I got over that at about age 10.
(2) Who still patronizes anything owned by Ted Turner, with the possible exception of watching Commie News Network to document the propaganda?
tallhappy, what cartoon was he referring to that had to do with drug use?
Actually, I think that would be "Mighty Mouse" who had to take his "magic powder"...
That's a start.
Now Ted needs to ban his other offensive cartoon characters - Judy Woodruff, Bill Schneider, Bernie Shaw and Christiane Amanpour.
I suppose if cartoons are still the most important thing in your life, this matters. I got over that at about age 10.
Don't get snippy!
Easy fix, T. We just convince Ted Turner that since Speedy is a Mexican mouse, he's most likely a Catholic mouse, as well. And since he's a Catholic, Mr. Turner will have no problem with any stereotyping and slurs - and we'll have Speedy in prime time - maybe even a movie deal in the works...
Yeah, the Speedys will be back alright. They'll run about three minutes each.
(As Bugs would say, Mr. Turner, "What a maroon!")
Now Ted needs to ban his other offensive cartoon characters - Judy Woodruff, Bill Schneider, Bernie Shaw and Christiane Amanpour.
Trade Speedy for them any time.
Funny comment. Made me laugh.
I agree. How can anyone say he's a negative stereotype. He protects his fellow mice from Sylvester, he displays courage in taking on opponents much bigger than him (although it does help to have the scriptwriter on your side!), the ladies find him attractive and desirable, he's shown generosity in sharing the cheese he steals from Daffy with his fellow rodents, and no one can doubt his superior athleticism. Someone tell me how this cartoon character makes fun of anyone, besides the other cartoon characters who try to shoot, hit, blow up, grab, etc. him. SHEESH!
I got the complete set of original "Little Rascal" shows on video for my kids when they went on sale, and they really enjoy watching them. BUT when they tried to bring one of them in to school, having been invited to bring in their favorites for the other kids to watch, they were told that they were banned as politically incorrect.
A real pity.
Is the Tazmanian Devil next?
"Now Ted needs to ban his other offensive cartoon characters - Judy Woodruff, Bill Schneider, Bernie Shaw and Christiane Amanpour."
ROTFLMAO!!! LOL!!
Cartoon Network is now the exclusive home for all the Looney Tunes...
No way! There's still a bunch of 'em on CNN.
That episode became too politically incorrect YEARS ago
The most politically incorrect one of all was when Yosemite Sam was a confederate soldier, and Bugs Bunny had to dress up as a freeman to get past him. As he walked pass Sam, Sam said, "It's one of OUR boys!" I'm not kidding!
MINE, TOO!
A favorite of poor oppressed Mexican provinces.
From the Dallas Morning News, Zapatistas choose words over arms in Chiapas fight :The "bumper-music" that Subcomandante Marcos would lead-in his radio dispatches with was the high-pitched energetic Speedy Gonzales' "Arriba! Arriba! Arriba!"Subcomandante Marcos, the charismatic Zapatista leader, also compared himself to Speedy Gonzalez, the Mexican mouse cartoon character who runs circles around his stronger opponents.
I remember this incident. One year Ralph Bakshi revived the Mighty Mouse series with both new animation and clips from previous cartoons. During one episode MM snifs what appears to be a flower of some kind. Donald Wildmon, a self-appointed guardian of the airwaves from Tupelo, Ms., decided that Bakshi's cartoon character was snorting cocaine! He created such a uproar over this that CBS backed down and edited out the supposedly offending second of animation, and the series folded after only one year.
Just goes to show that no one political ideology has a monopoly on correctness!
I think Turner also owns the rights to, "It's a Wonderful Life". If he ever sobers up and realizes the anti-abortion overtones of that movie, you can bet you'll never see it again.
Is nothing sacred anymore? This annoys me to no end.
Don't you remember the big "media flap" about the "Frito Bandito" character several years ago?
This is just the latest episode.
It isn't just the Speedy cartoons. What else do you suppose they want to shove in the memory hole? The Bible? Maybe just the New Testament... or perhaps only Paul's epistles. Surely no one will miss A Rifleman went to War or Im Stahlgewittern if we keep all the copies from the public?
The interNazionals like Ted and those to whom he gives the reins have no problem with banning and burning what THEY consider subversive or offensive, while Larry Flynt gets feted. The selective use of the 1st Amendment is a great tool for this set.
Hypocrites.
BTW, I never found Speedy Gonzales all that funny, but if we don't stand up for the mouse, who will help us when they come for Rocky and Mugsy? They will look in the stove.
Ed
Don't get snippy!
Hey, if Gov. Bush is "snippy", I take that as a compliment!
What of Heckle and Jeckle? Professor Peabody and his pet boy Sherman?
Hey tallhappy, you wouldn't happen to own any of those Speedy Gonzalez collectible cells, would you? Perhaps trying to move them on E-BAY?
Actually... I ate Speedy! Ted's just trying to show how powerful he is...
Let's ban Speedy; but it's alright to have druggies, rapes, murder, sex, all kinds of violence and just about every disease of the week known to man according to Ted Turner.
Next they will ban, Peppie-La-Pew because everyone Runs away from him, Next they will Ban Fred Flintstone, for being not only from the stone-age but not all of his lights are on either, The poor guy isn't even drawn with shoes on. Bugs bunny is Obnoxious, Tom and Jerry aren't treated equal. Where's MR. Magoo that makes fun of Blind people? Santa isn't fair either, he only brings things to kids, Where are the adults rights?
What about all the other reindeers that didn't get to lead Santa sleigh?
I wonder if Captain Planet is on his list for the Big AX? NO? I didn't think so!!!
This is beyond Pathetic!!!!! God save our nation!!!
This is TOO good. Ted Turner bans Speedy Gonzales because he's a racial stereotype? How about banning your very good friend, that massa-shuffling House-"N-" Jesse Jackson from CNN? Is HE not a racial sterotype, Mr. Turner?
You mention Hogan's Heroes. Did y'all see last week that Werner Klemperer (Col. Klink) died of cancer? I felt kind of sad.
I'm a big fan of Andy Griffith, and even though it is a morally upstanding show, when I see scenes where Andy has a cigarette or Opie playing with a toy gun, I wonder how long it will be before some liberal idiot throws a fit....
It's sad how far we have sunk....
How about banning your very good friend, that massa-shuffling House-"N-" Jesse Jackson from CNN? Is HE not a racial sterotype, Mr. Turner?
JJ is the biggest piece of $#!t on the face of the earth and i hope we have a holiday commerating him soon- ( death by drug OD of course)
I never much cared for Speedy, but this political correctness is offensive. It's a CARTOON! I like "Late Night Black & White" best.
Elmer Fudd is verbally challenged!
And don't forget Tom and Jerry and the 'mammy' that owns their house.
The most politically incorrect one of all was when Yosemite Sam was a confederate soldier, and Bugs Bunny had to dress up as a freeman to get past him. As he walked pass Sam, Sam said, "It's one of OUR boys!" I'm not kidding!
Hey, I remember that! Rivaling it for "Most Politically Incorrect" might be the Bugs Bunny cartoon in which Bugs, in fighting against the evil Axis powers, ends up on a Pacific island with a heavily-stereotyped Japanese soldier. Bright yellow skin, buck teeth, and squinty eyes behind Coke-bottle eyeglasses, the works. As I recall, Bugs "does him in" by disguising himself as the "Good Rumor" ice cream man and giving the little yellow guy a fudgesicle with a hand grenade inside.
Strangely enough, I don't ever remember thinking about that cartoon when I saw an Asian schoolmate, or anything of that sort. I must be immune to the evil powers of the television broadcasts!
There were some of the "Wartime Cartoons" released a few years ago on VHS, but the one I described failed to make the cut.
NOW I AM CERTAIN that old Teddy T. bought the documentary of Hanoi-Jane, sitting in the VC tank, aiming a anti-aircraft machine gun into the sky and vocalizing her ultimate wish of a US-fly-over just so the babe could kill a few of OUR brothers/fathers/sons. THAT B*TCH IS A B*TCH!!!!
Have you seen Black Sheep Squadron on the History Channel? If that isn't an unPC show, nothing is.
No, you see Ted will never get rid of Foghorn Leghorn or Yosemite Sam, because stereotypes and slurs against Southerners and gun owners are okay to these socialist slimeballs. I think both characters are absolutely hilarious (even though I'm a Southerner and an NRA member), but I'm just pointing out the fact that these people have no problem propagating such sterotypes against us. I wish they'd keep all of the Looney Tunes characters. I think they're all funny!
Sigh. I just wish Ted would sell the Atlanta Braves. I've been a big fan for years, but I hate supporting anything he does. And while he's at it, he ought to sell the Hawks too (my favorite NBA team).
Hey, he's very anti-Catholic too. Remember his famous so-called joke about the Polish mine-field detector, stamping one foot, when he was talking about John Paul II. He has also donated 1 billion to the UN population control fund. Know your enemies.
His cousin was named Slow Poke Rodriguez
Ted Turner..prepairing the USA for the NWO.
You mention Hogan's Heroes. Did y'all see last week that Werner Klemperer (Col. Klink) died of cancer? I felt kind of sad.
So did I. TV Land has been running blocks of "Hogan's Heroes" in the evening in honor of Klemperer.
Anyone who thinks Hogan's Heroes is politically incorrect needs to spend some time learning about the people who made it a success:
Hogan's Heroes was political satire at its best: exposing evil while entertaining people, so that they didn't tune it out. After many years, the show has finally become popular in Germany -- although the German dialogue that was dubbed in didn't exactly follow the original script... it reportedly makes Klink and company look even MORE like buffoons.
No, no, by the time Turner sanitizes cartoons kids won't be watching a blank screen they'll be watching "Captain Planet". They'll prefer a blank screen though.
Subcomandante Marcos, the charismatic Zapatista leader, also compared himself to Speedy Gonzalez, the Mexican mouse cartoon character who runs circles around his stronger opponents.
You hit on it. If Ted finds this out he will make them show only Speedy Gonzales.
It shows what an idiot Turner is.
Enough red text.
Now I did it. Any smaller text?
I should have just kept my keyboard shut.
But that conniving shiftless stealing leprechaun with a brogue keeps selling Lucky Charms.
You know why? Because we Irishman don't give a crap! We are confident enough not to whine and complain about our stereotypes. We drink, we fight, we connive and we don't care how anybody portrays us, because you're all our lessers. I believe I'll have another drink to toast my superior ancestors.
I have always hated Pepe Lepeu. Hated. Always.
My mother loves the little sh*t
I've seen that thinly veiled pile of animated propaganda masquerading as children's entertainment and you're right, a blank screen would be better!
Like blue better?:D!
What's next?! Banning cartoons with caricatures of Jimmy Durante because of the "Jewish people have big noses" stereotype?
What the hell is it about women and cartoons? Women and the Stooges? We can't help that it goes over their heads!
Irishman .. don't care how anybody portrays us, because you're all our lessers. I believe I'll have another drink to toast my superior ancestors.
Jameson and Guinness dittos!
Hey, I'm glad Speedy is banned. I love cartoons, but the speedy Gonzalez cartoons are among the most insipid and poorly animated and just plain boring cartoons ever made.
I see.. because YOU think they are insipid and poorly animated, then those of us who disagree are just plain wrong and can be denied the opportunity to watch them. Interesting worldview, Ms. Ireland.
We can't help that it goes over their heads!
Some foolish women just think it's beneath their notice.
But I'm not one of them.
"I'm trying to think of something, but nothing happens." -Curly. Pure genius.
Daniel sounds like a straight up guy, tired of TT's nonsense.
"Actually, I think that would be "Mighty Mouse" who had to take his "magic powder"..."
Or perhaps Underdog, with his "Super Energy Pill" ????
IIRC, Speedy's actual words were:
Hosay, hee pahk a gohwnnnn ...