Television networks 'toon up with animation

by Adam Greenberg assistant a&e editor

Television stars are in danger of losing their jobs to more animated performers.

Prime-time animation has experienced a boom over the last few years, and with the additions of Fox's "The Pjs" and UPN's "Dilbert," it looks certain to continue in the years to come.

While one of Fox's • other animated shows is called ''King of the Hill," it is "The Simpsons" that rules the roost.

Debuting as a regular series in 1990, "The Simpsons" paved the way for the current crop of cartoons illuminating television screens across the nation.

Fueled by a seemmgly endless supply of creativity and cleverness, "The Simpsons" now reigns as the longest-running primetime animated series in television history.

Based on its success with ''The Simpsons" and "King of the Hill," Fox has recently launched ''The Pjs."

The Eddie Murphy-backed production takes place in an urban housing project with the characters brought to life by puppets.

Fox hopes to continue its successful track record 1n animated television with two more upcoming series.

"The Family Guy" premiered in the coveted post-Super Bowl slot, demonstrating Fox's commitment to animation, and is scheduled to begin its regular run in the spring.

"Simpsons" creator and executive producer Matt Groening looks to expand his success with "Futurama," a comedy set in the year 3000.

Elsewhere on the dial, the UPN is giving animation a try with "Dilbert," a series based on the wildly popular Scott Adams comic strip, which chronicles the daily ups and downs of life in a cubicle.

Also riding this highly successful trend are MTV's "Daria" and Comedy Central's "South Park.''

While producing animation is costly and time consuming, there are many benefits.

Unlike live-action series, animated shows do not have to deal with the aging process.

Many sitcoms have faltered in their later years because the kids had to move out and go to college. Meanwhile, Bart has been in the fourth grade throughout the entire run of "The Simpsons."

Logistical and budgetary restraints that other shows have to contend with do not hinder animated series. They are only limited by the imagination of the writers.

Perhaps the biggest benefit is the lucrative merchandising that goes hand-in-hand with animation

There are not too many kids clamoring for toy manufacturers to produce "NYPD Blue'' action figures, but "South Park'' has proven to be a merchandising juggernaut with everything from talking mugs to key chains to T-shirts.

A couple of years ago, a similar tidal wave of animated series resulted in flops such as "Fish Police" and "The Critic."

However, with several blockbuster hits on the air, animation looks certain to draw more and more success in the future.

Whento Watch

• ·The Simpsons," Sundays at 8 p.m. (Fox)

• "Dilbert." Mondays at 8 p.m. (UPN)

• "King of the Hill."Tuesdays at 8 p.m. (Fox)

• "The Pjs,• Tuesdays at 8:30 p.m. (Fox)

• ·south Park." Wednesdays at 10 p.m. (Comedy Central)

•·Daria." Wednes-doys at 10 p.m. (MTV)

• "The Family Guy· and "Futurama· are coming soon to Fox. - images obtained from the Internet.

News And Notes

The following movies will be opening this Friday, Feb. 26:

• "8 MM,"starring Nicholas Cage;

• "200 Cigarettes," starring Christina Ricci, Courtney Love and Ben Affleck.

The following movies will be opening on Friday, March 5:

• "Cruel Intentions," starring Ryan Phillippe, Sarah Michelle Gellar and Reese Witherspoon;

_