What were Cartoon Cartoons, you ask? Cartoon Cartoon was a brand name that Cartoon Network used for its first original animated series. Up until 1997, the channel was widely known as the home for many classic Hannah Barbara cartoons, including, The Jetsons, Smurfs, Scooby Doo, Yogi Bear, JabberJaw and more. In 1995, the channel saw an interest in making fresh original cartoons, and with that we got "World Premiere Toons" also known as "What A Cartoon"
Many young and new animators were brought on board for the project, and
out of the many shorts, Dexter's Lab, Powerpuff Girls, Johnny Bravo , Cow and Chicken all got their start here, and would soon get their own TV series. Courage the Cowardly Dog not only started out here, but also got an academy award nomination, for the pilot short, "Chicken from Outer
Space" Dexter was the first to get his own series, thanks to the success of the pilot episode,
"Changes"
In 1997, with Dexter's lab taking the network by storm, two new Cartoon Cartoons debute that year, Johnny Bravo and Cow and Chicken, both shows were hilarious and had a bit of controversy, mainly Cow and Chicken, having a banned episode. This showed that Cartoon Cartoons were already giving Nicktoons some competition. Most of the channel at this time still was filled with classic cartoons, Toonami debuted at this time, didn't have anime yet, but just action cartoons. Cartoon Cartoons were given their own first block, which included Dexter, Johnny Bravo and Cow and Chicken,
But then in early 1999, things would change forever... Powerpuff Girls made its premiere in November 1998, the series was a massive hit right from the get-go and it would help put Cartoon Network and Cartoon Cartoons on the map! Ed, Edd n' Eddy aired in January 1999, being the first Cartoon Cartoon not to introduced in a "What A Cartoon" short, and also not made by Hannah Barbara, but a studio in Canada, A.K.A Cartoon. Ed, Edd n' Eddy was a groundbreaking show for the network. Notable for its very unique hand drawn animation, which made the show very time consuming. It became Cartoon Network's longest running show, and it grew a massive cult following, and got incredible ratings for the channel.
Now, in may of 1999, Cartoon Cartoons found their new home on non other then Cartoon Cartoon Fridays! The block featured incredible art and animation of many of your favorite characters, if you dreamed of seeing your favorite cartoons cross over as a kid, this block was for you. The block during its early days would feature both cartoon and live action bumpers, of live action humans acting like cartoon characters. By around 2000, the Cartoon Cartoons would each get a chance to host the block, such as, Edd, from Ed, Edd n' Eddy, Eustace from Courage the cowardly Dog, Bubbles, Dexter and more!!
Because this was during Cartoon Network's Powerhouse era, Primal Screen was at their best, making incredible bumpers for Cartoon Network, and the Cartoon Cartoon Fridays intro was no exception! Before each Cartoon Cartoon would it would start off with an animation of a character from the series, popping out of the logo, saying the catch phrase, "Cartoon Cartoon!"