The WB network, which launched in 1995 using the
Looney Tunes cartoon character, Michigan J. Frog,
as its mascot, has announced it will cease using
the frog this fall. The network is focusing efforts
on shedding its image as a "teens-only" network.
"The frog was a symbol that--especially in the extensive testing that we did--perpetuated the young teen feel of the network, and that is not the image we want to put to our audience," said WB entertainment president David Janollari. He added that the network wants to target the lucrative 25- to 34-year-old market.
Michigan J. Frog was "born" in 1955, when the legendary animator Chuck Jones created the singing, dancing, tuxedo-and-top-hat-clad amphibian for the short "One Froggy Evening." In the cartoon, the frog sang "The Michigan Rag," but only when nobody was looking--as soon as he had an audience, he clammed up. Michigan J. Frog never was as popular as fellow Jones creations Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, but he remained a fan favorite. In 1995, The WB network launched using Michigan as its mascot.
Look for The WB's new logo--an edgy, cool splotch.
Comments (16)
Even though this was a long time ago,that was the worst move the wb did
psh, how is an 'edgy cool splotch' not targeted towards teens? and how the heck is michigan targeted towards teens.... these people arent making any sense
The frog is the best thing the WB has going for it.
that ***s<br />
I think their new logo should be a turd. That would be more accurate.
Truth be told, I never really noticed the Frog that much. It seemed like more and more each year they were cutting the appearances out of WB promos. I only really saw him briefly in their promos with the stars of their major shows walking around.
I am not surprised that the frog is being dumped. After all, how much respect can the WB really get (especially from Emmy voters who fail to recongnize Gilmore Girls for the good show it is) when it's constantly being stigmitized as that "Frog network".
This is a really weird move by them to say the least. But hey... The 'splotch' has been working for Nick for a while... I think somebody may get sued over this.<br />
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I like the frog and there's no reason to remove him. I mean this is about as siginificant as them saying that Warner Brothers will no longer be using the famous WB shield.
Why did you take Michigan J. Frog off for? He was the best of the betwork. Now the the network is jinxed because of that.
Michigan J. Frog is a golden god. He is the only thing that makes the WB semi-enjoyable. Their programming is crap.
"An edgy, cool splotch" is going to help them "shed" the teens only image? How? Blech. I watch Smallville and I'm apparently not in any of their supposed demographics. Too bad. Maybe I'll have to give up watching the WB to make them happy/successful/whatever.
Yes, the frog! That's what's keeping ratings down and a "teen" image. Has nothing to do with shows like One Tree Hill, it's all the frog.
Actually skyvolt2000, The WB has been using the Michigan J. Frog on-and-off since 1999. He was a part of The WB's "Watch the Frog" campaign last year where the network's stars were shown walking around the Warner Bros. backlot and then when they would come across Michigan one of them would say, "Watch the Frog".
Ah-ha, a cunning idea. No longer eschewing the small, yet significant, frog-phobia crowd. I'm sure those ratings will turn around immediately...
almost no one watched WB before they removed the frog, and now that they got rid of the frog, not a single person will watch the network.
I thought he was already gone. I haven't seen him on the WB since 1999.