It's time for all the 90s kids out there to rejoice or despair, depending on how they feel about revisiting their childhoods . The Nickelodeon classic The Ren & Stimpy Show is officially set to be revived by Comedy Central with an all new creative team. What that means for the show is anyone's guess, but with few other details given, speculation is driving the discussion.
The show joins several of its cartoon peers such as Beavis & Butt-Head and Clone High in an effort by ViacomCBS to reboot or revive fan favorite cartoons from the 90s and early 00s. Joining their ranks as well is Jodie, a spinoff of the show Daria (which was, itself, a spinoff of Beavis & Butt-Head).
The Ren & Stimpy Show (often shortened by fans to simply Ren & Stimpy) ran from 1991 to 1995 on Nickelodeon, though the cultural impact the show had on its generation of viewers may lead some to be surprised at its relatively short run. When one thinks of "the 90s," the imagery and aesthetic that typically springs to mind partially came from shows like Ren & Stimpy, with their exaggerated animations, bold color palettes, and penchant for gross-out humor and "attitude." It's also memorable for having several segments pulled from the airwaves due to objectionable content, a heck of an accomplishment for a show about a psychotic chihuahua and a dimwitted cat.
It wasn't just a generational beacon, however. Several years ago, series creator John Kricfalusi was faced with credible accusations of grooming and sexual harassment from former employees who were confirmed to be underage during their time with him. Unfortunately, by the time the allegations came out, the statute of limitations had passed, so police were unable to investigate the charges or make any arrests. Kricfalusi's lawyer released a statement attempting to explain his behavior at the time, but the damage appeared to have been done. His reputation among his peers and fans was tainted, and for many, that stain ruined their fond memories of the show itself.
Perhaps as a positive result of that situation, the revival of The Ren & Stimpy Show is set to be launched by an entirely new team behind it. No other information has been revealed concerning the creative team, cast (though the New York Post claims voice actor Billy West is expected to return), or release date, but the lack of mention of Kricfalusi's name anywhere in the official announcements hopefully speaks volumes. Chris McCarthy, who is heading ViacomCBS's endeavor to bring back these shows, made it a point to focus on the future in his announcement statement, saying "Ren & Stimpy joins our rapidly expanding roster of adult animation including South Park, Beavis and Butt-Head and Clone High. as we continue to reimagine our treasure chest of beloved IP for new generations."
It will be interesting to see where this revival goes with the source material. Will it play things safer for the sake of modern sensibilities? That may frustrate fans looking for more of the show they grew up with. Of course, attempting to retain the irreverent style of the original could also backfire and draw plenty of criticism. Either way, it seems the entertainment industry's love of reboots is still alive and well.
Sources: The Hollywood Reporter, The New York Post, The New York Times