The show will return without original creator John Kricfalusi, who was accused of sexual misconduct in 2018
The classic Nickelodeon cartoon Ren & Stimpy is being revived by Comedy Central.
According to Hollywood Reporter, the show will return in a “reimagined” new take, with a new creative team. It is just the latest classic animation to be resurrected by ViacomCBS Entertainment, alongside Beavis & Butthead, Clone High and Daria spin-off Jodie.
“We are excited to reinvent this iconic franchise with a new creative team and our partners at the Nickelodeon Animation Studio,” ViacomCBS Entertainment & Youth Group president Chris McCarthy said. “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.”
The move is not without controversy, however – in 2018, Ren & Stimpy‘s creator John Kricfalusi was accused of sexually harassing and grooming underage girls in a report from Buzzfeed News. “A lawyer acting on behalf of Kricfalusi acknowledged the accusations in a statement, saying that “for a brief time… he had a 16-year-old girlfriend,” but denied “avid pursuit” of the teenage cited in the article.
A source for Variety has stated that Kricfalusi “will have no creative input into and will receive no financial remuneration from the new series.”
Yet despite this, the announcement of the new series has been criticised by many on social media, particularly in the animation industry. They have questioned the decision to constantly revive dated properties as opposed to creating new things for a new generation – especially when the property is synonymous with a creator accused of sexual misconduct.
ViacomCBS, please spend the money on making a new cartoon created by a non-sexual predator. It's not that hard. I swear. https://t.co/HtXLby7WM3
— skeet’s springtime flingtime (@dumbbitchskeet) August 5, 2020
This was posted on a privated account so I'm reposting w permission pic.twitter.com/EWLr155xtE
— Jenny Nicholson (@JennyENicholson) August 5, 2020
Ren+Stimpy doesn't need to be brought back. Beavis n Butthead doesn't need to be brought back. Even Clone High doesn't need to be brought back. They had their chances and are interesting relics of the past. There's so many people who have so many new and better ideas for today.
— kc gr ee n (@kcgreenn) August 5, 2020
Ren & Stimpy debuted on Nickelodeon in 1991, running for six seasons and 52 episodes. John Kricfalusi was removed from his position in 1992, after multiple delays and a breakdown in his relationship with Nickelodeon.
The show was briefly resurrected as Ren & Stimpy “Adult Party Cartoon” in 2004, with Kricfalusi returning and now aimed at adults. It was quickly cancelled and is widely derided by fans.
