ANIMATED SHORTS: ATHF CHARGES DROPPED, STEVE'S GUILTY PLEASURES

[MattBrady]

CHARGES DROPPED ON ATHF CREW
GUILTY PLEASURES RETURN & MORE

by Steve Fritz

NOTE: This was taken from the May 12, 2007 edition of the Boston Globe. For more, check out the URL: www.boston.com.

Two men apologized in court today as prosecutors dropped criminal charges against them for carrying out a guerrilla marketing campaign in January that triggered a wave of bomb scares.

As a part of a plea deal, Peter Berdovsky and Sean Stevens performed community service at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, where they designed a mural and helped with maintenance on the facility's sailing docks on the Charles River. After Berdovsky worked for 80 hours and Stevens for 60 hours, prosecutors agreed not to pursue charges that could have carried a sentence of up to five years in prison.

"Based upon the defendants' apologies and acceptance of responsibility for their actions in January and the attendant consequences, as well as the positive and substantial efforts at restorative justice made by both men through their community service, we believe that this was the most appropriate resolution to this case," Attorney General Martha Coakley said today in a statement.

In Charlestown Municipal Court this morning, both men read short statements:

"Last fall, I was hired to place electronic ads in and around the city of Boston as part of a marketing campaign,” said Berdovsky on Friday, May 11. “I never could have anticipated that the ads would be seen as threatening.

"However I realize the importance of being vigilant and careful in these times of global tensions. It is ever more important now to be transparent and honest with each other, keeping our community informed and safe. I deeply regret that this incident caused such anguish and disruption for so many people.

"I acknowledge responsibility for my part in that disruption, and I apologize to the residents of Boston, Cambridge, and Somerville, and everyone else affected for the hardships they've encountered. I'm happy that I've been able to offer a contribution to the city through my community service.

"I hope I will be given a chance to redeem myself in the eyes of the city by helping make it a safe, peaceful and happy place for all."

"I'm sorry it's taken me so long to say this,” said Stevens the same day. “Trying to find the words has filled me with sadness, frustration, and fear, but I feel these things need to be said.

"First off, I'd like to apologize to the people of the cities of Boston, Cambridge, Charlestown, and Somerville and their families all over the world. I never had any intention or even the slightest idea that something I thought would bring glowing smiles to the fans of the Cartoon Network show "Aqua Teen Hunger Force" would cause alarm to so many people.

"Next, I'd like to thank the authorities of the metro Boston region for doing their best to protect the public from what they believed to be a potential threat based on what they knew at the time. I had no intention of upsetting or alarming anyone.

"I've come to understand after the fact that the media coverage was global and ... worried families of many people living in the greater Boston area. I would not have placed the signs had I envisioned such a reaction and had I not believed that my employer had done what was needed to make it fully legal ...

"In the end, I simply felt this was an opportunity to provide harmless enjoyment to many people while earning a small amount of money to create my own art to share with communities I'm a part of."

Berdovsky, 27, and Stevens, 28, appeared calm and contrite, a stark change from their first appearance in February, when the two men mocked the media with a performance-art skit about the evolution of haircuts.

They told investigators they were to be paid $300 each to install battery powered light boards in 40 high visibility spots in and around Boston, such as buildings and bridges, as part of an advertising campaign for "Aqua Teen Hunger Force," an animated program on Cartoon Network. The blinking lights triggered regionwide bomb scares on Jan. 31.

The men had been charged with placing a hoax device in a way that causes panic, which carried a maximum of five years imprisonment, and a misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct.

Berdovsky and Stevens were hired by Interference Inc., a New York marketing company retained by Turner Broadcasting System, which owns the Cartoon Network. The companies apologized for the stunt and paid $2 million in restitution to local governments and law enforcement agencies.

During the fallout in February, Jim Samples resigned as general manager of the Cartoon Network. He had approved the botched marketing campaign.

"Today's hearing in Charlestown hopefully marks the conclusion of the fallout from Cartoon Network’s guerrilla marketing campaign," Mayor Thomas M. Menino said in a statement. "I hope the message goes out to all guerrilla marketers who plan on doing business in Boston that we take the public safety of those who live and work here very seriously."

THE SON OF GUILTY PLEASURES

Last Fall I was feeling a tad guilty and pensive. There were more than a few things I wanted to write about, but those were the bad old days when I was doing one column a week. I just didn’t have the time or space to cover everything I wanted to do.

So I did a column called “Secret Vices.” I extolled on various projects I meant to extol on, and then went back to business as usual.

Then the powers that be decided one column per week wasn’t enough. I couldn’t agree with Matt more. But guess what? Even though Animated Shorts’s output is doubled, there are still items I wish I devoted editorial space too (or more).

But Secret Vices isn’t the right name for this. Never was, really. Time to give someone, namely Yami Ash, the credit for what I always meant to call this, Guilty Pleasures. So here are some items I think deserve more exposure than I’ve currently given them.

• EVERYONE’S HERO DVD (Fox)

When this movie came out last year, I tried my hardest not to be too harsh on the project. The reason being it was the last project the late Christopher and Dana Reeves worked on. Due to some bureaucratic misinformation, the DVD only arrived at my door in the last two weeks, even though it came out last March. I’m glad it did.

Yes, the ending still stretches and offends the baseball fanatic in me (there is just NO WAY a kid gets to bat in the World Series…even if Babe Ruth says so). Also, Carl Reiner’s Screwie The Baseballand Whoopi Goldberg’s Darlin’ The Bat say some of the schmaltz-iest homilies found outside a kosher deli. On the other hand, these end up being minor carps when one reviews the final product a few more times.

For starters, while the character action is still a bit stiff, there’s still some good animation going down. The first is that this film blessed us fans by not being another funny animal story and concentrate primarily on humans, relatively believable humans too. Yes, the main villains were a bit too cartoony for me, but the hero, Yankee Irving, his family, even the New York Yankees come off pretty good. I was also particularly impressed with Brian Dennehy’s turn as the Babe, who really was a big kid at heart.

There are also some solid animated action sequences going down. The sequences where Yankee is trying to escape from Lefty in the train was exceptional, particularly the scenes where he’s running inside the train while the villain is chasing him from the roof of a train running parallel to his. The angle of sight, where the p.o.v. starts from the floor through the train windows and on to Lefty, was particularly well done. I also loved the “shadow ball” sequence on the bus with the Cincinnati black baseball team. Animation directors Dan St. Pierre and Colin Brady deserve kudos for those sequences.

Also, if you are a fan of Depression era family stories, this one really isn’t too bad. Outside the ending, the stealing of Babe’s bat and the Herculean effort Yankee undertakes to return it and get it back to Ruth is something I would expect from a Capra or maybe even a Wilder film of the day.

So is this a perfect film? No. But would I feel bad recommending this film to families and/or baseball fans? Again, no. In all, this is one film that’s I’m giving more and more props to with each viewing. Don’t be surprised if you do the same.

• JANE AND THE DRAGON & JACOB TWO-TWO – Currently airing on qubo.

For those are not familiar with qubo, it’s the latest collaborative effort of NBC, Telemundo, ION Media and Scholastic Entertainment to capture some of the Saturday morning market. It’s main effort to get our kids to watch Veggie Tales, but honestly these two shows make puree out of these morally correct cabbages.

Jane is set in a fantasy medieval Europe. It tells the tale of a young girl out to make it as a knight. Aiding and abetting her is a rather remarkable dragon, voiced by Adrian Truss, an incredibly free spirit who’s general good nature is refreshingly funny yet insightful. For that matter, Jane (Taija Isen), is a character that, if I had a daughter, wouldn’t mind seeing as a role model. She’s a smart kid who is bucking the odds primarily through pluck and courage.

The animation, a warm and fuzzy CGI, is also fairly easy on the eye and fairly expressive. I’m not sure of the final fate of this New Zealand/Canadian import, but I’m hoping it also bucks the odds and runs for a few more seasons.

As for Jacob? It’s a nicely done traditional animation put together by Nelvana and based on a trilogy of books by Mordecai Richler. Jacob’s an eccentric kid from an eccentric family, but doesn’t strain my sense of disbelief. I’ve known kids who will emphasize a statement by saying it twice, can’t seem to do a single errand without it turning into a fiasco or in general be as cheery and otherwise solid as the lead. Yes, the situations are overall cartoonish, but what do you expect? In general, the show makes me smile, something I usually have a difficult time getting out of most kids programming. For that alone I think I’ll keep on watching.

The truth is, most kids shows today tend to look at our spawn as something we must tolerate for the first 10-12 years of their lives. What makes both Jane and Jacob exceptional is neither make it look like they are “stooping down” to the kids levels. Sure, we all have plans as parents of seeing our kids growing up into mature adults, but these shows prove to me that the best way of doing it is to make kids want to rise up to the levels these shows present. They do it with some imagination and a touch of challenge. Let’s hope both shows continue to do so for some time.

• LAW OF UEKI

Directed by Hiroshi Watanabe (Oh! My Goddess, Tactics, Mythical Detective Loki Ragnarok) and produced by Studio Deen (Kyo Kara Maoh, R.O.D. OVA, Rurouni Kenshin), this series has its flaws, but it also has its positives.

The flaws are a character design reminds just a bit too much of One Piece and similar shows for my liking. The plot also sounds a tad familiar; a bunch of kids are granted some pretty amazing powers, and then must duke it out until only one is left. Each kid has also has someone who works with them as a partner.

Then things get interesting. The further you get into this 52-episode series, the more cynical it gets.

For starters, the powers border on the absurd. Ueki’s is the power to turn trash into trees. His rivals have abilities such as kicking dirt and turning them into cannon balls, turning shadows into clay men or swabs of cotton into steel. Ueki himself is an odd duck, initially a very apathetic and cavalier sort of guy who doesn’t want to be involved until enough people go after him.

Then the real cynicism sets in. While all the kids are fighting for a wish that will grant them anything they want, Ueki really doesn’t have one. He’s actually trying to win on the grounds that no one else gets their wish. If that isn’t enough, the wish isn’t the real prize. What the kids don’t know is the King of the Universe has set this whole thing up to find a replacement for himself. The Celestial King says the beings that chose the kids will become the new King.

But the current King keeps saying this universe deserves to be ruled by a junior high school student.

At the moment, volume seven of this DVD series is about to be released. Things are really starting to get interesting, too.

• LIL’ BUSH

All I can say is it’s about time. This new series posits our current Commander in Chief as an eight year-old, flanked by Lil’ Cheney and Lil’ Rummy, with Lil’ Condi dutifully following a respectful few steps behind. The creation of Simpsons writer Donick Cary, this is a co-production of Comedy Central and Amp’d Mobile. For all y’all who have Cingular or some other mobile phone service, relax, CC will be airing six episodes starting this June.

And believe me when I say it’s your patriotic duty to watch this show. Cary’s humor is as brutal and as pointed as a cat-o-nine tails. The second episode, entitled ‘Hot Dog Day,’ had me rolling on the floor and it will do the same to you. I also love the rival “gangs” headed by Lil’ Kim (no, not the rapper) and Lil’ Osama. It gives a whole new definition to the term playground wars.

Just get ready for it. A new animation phenomenon is about to be unleashed on us, one we all deserve.

• CRAYON SHIN CHAN

Yes, the animation here is as ugly as yesterday’s roadkill. It tells the tale of a boy whose face should probably be seen on the inside of the back end of a pair of Levis. But it isn’t the visuals that make this FUNimation distributed series so good.

It’s the dialogue. Basically what sets Shin Chan apart is when they brought in the translation/ ADR team they realized what the Japanese call funny wouldn’t necessarily work on this side of the Atlantic. So while I’m pretty sure the basic animation is used as a guide line, from that point on they threw the script out the window and went buck wild.

And while the humor is gross, potty-mouthed and generally exceedingly strange, it’s also damn funny. One moment the narrator is griping about his pay not being enough for him to even get an adult massage. The next, the weasily little “good boy” character Georgie is trolling up and down the neighborhood needing a bathroom in the worst way by saying that “General Colon Bowel” is having a war inside his gut. Then there’s Shin Chan himself. This monkey boy is an avatar of chaos in the best way. The way he disrupts anything and everything he’s involved in makes the series a true hoot. Also, the idea that it’s broken down into little five minute segments makes it even more fun. Each shtick never goes on long enough to end up boring.

It’s no wonder Adult Swim now runs this series just about every night of the week. Here’s to hoping this goes on for some time to come.

F4 RETURNS THIS JUNE

No, I’m not talking about the live action feature with Silver Surfer. Cartoon Network announced that the animated Fantastic Four series is coming back on Saturday, June 9 at 8:00 p.m. There’s no word if they will start at the beginning of the series and run it all over again or just start with new episodes.

As it stands, the word is F4 has been a hit in just about every other part of the world, particularly Europe and Latin America. 26 episodes were produced and apparently Taffy Entertainment has the green light for more.

All I’m wondering about is why CN took the series off the air to begin with.

[durkadurka]

That ATHF/bomb scare thing was a shame. I can understand why people were so alarmed, though. If terrorists were smart, they would use 2-D characters giving the bird to terrorize. IF.

[MadBandit]

I already read about the two guys getting cleared of all charges in the NY Times. They had to apologize for causing the panic, but I don't think they should. It only proves some US law enforcement agencies are still inept to deal with. Good thing the Fort Dix thing wasn't so dumb.

"Jane" and "Jacob Two-Two" are decent. Even the reruns of "Babar" from HBO, but the rest of qubo should be flushed like my last bowel movement.

[DreamKing]

Re: the Aqua Teen issue

I always blamed the powers that be in Boston for overreacting to the situation moreso than the two men who placed the devices around the town.

I'm glad they managed to stay out of jail. It's a shame they had to apologize though, as I feel they did nothing wrong.

[NightRiver]

im really glad FF cartoon is back. The writers had so much planned for the series, like introducing She-hulk.

[MattBrady]

Originally Posted by DreamKing

I'm glad they managed to stay out of jail. It's a shame they had to apologize though, as I feel they did nothing wrong.

I'd bet dollars to donuts that one is connected to the other.

MattB

[MadBandit]

Originally Posted by MattBrady

I'd bet dollars to donuts that one is connected to the other.

MattB

Absolutely. Either way, the cops in Boston would still look like dopes.

[JimmyKitty]

"The men had been charged with placing a hoax device in a way that causes panic..."

I'm still at a loss how this was a "hoax device" when it was clearly an ad promotion - which was working. If it looked like a bomb... sure. But it's a lite-bright of a popular animated character. Where's the hoax?

Oh... my bad.... the authorities call it a hoax, thus it is.
I need to remember that whatever my government tells me is the truth.

[Brian Garside]

This is ridiculous. America has become such a paranoid parody of itself.

What ever happened to "freedom of expression"? What happened to the bold America that said that "The well of freedom has to be replenished from time to time with the blood of patriots?"

Freedom isn't just a buzzword that you see on the evening news, it's a concept, and even animals understand its value.

Chain a dog to a tree and the dog will jump and leap and struggle to get free. Let him free of the tree and invariably he will circle the spot he was just trying to escape, lay down, and fall asleep.

The country has an illusion of security recently, but by and large everyone is chained to a tree now.

[dkc_2001]

All I’m wondering about is why CN took the series off the air to begin with.

Who the hell knows why CN does ANYTHING?

[sfritz]

Originally Posted by MattBrady

I'd bet dollars to donuts that one is connected to the other.

MattB

If they're Krispy Kremes w/Dunkin' Donut coffee, I'm in on this bet. -s

[MrNEWZ]

Originally Posted by sfritz

If they're Krispy Kremes w/Dunkin' Donut coffee, I'm in on this bet. -s

mmmmmmm. Krispy Kreme....

In other news: The FF series was very good. It's a shame we only got 6-7 episodes. And hey, they never ran it at the same time. Some weeks they didn't even repeat some episodes. The first run episode (episode 3 in production, iirc) aired a few times, but some didn't even get the Saturday morning repeat. Here's hoping Round 2 lasts longer than Round 1.

On the ATHF issue: I love the message from the police to guerilla marketers. Yes, they are the *REAL* terrorists here. Boston takes their public safety seriously! We're coming after you next iPod poster!

[DreamKing]

Originally Posted by MattBrady

I'd bet dollars to donuts that one is connected to the other.

MattB

Dollars to donuts, eh? I pick donuts! (maple frosted, please)

[benavery]

Originally Posted by MadBandit

"Jane" and "Jacob Two-Two" are decent. Even the reruns of "Babar" from HBO, but the rest of qubo should be flushed like my last bowel movement.

Actually, my kids and I regularly enjoy Dragon. It's a charming little show that engages my kids, my wife, and I. My kids tallk about the show and the gentle jokes and oddball strangeness throughout the day after watching. The Veggietales stuff, which of course brings with it preconcieved notions since it was created by evangelical Christians, also has a charm and offbeat, sometimes edgy, sense of humor. Give it a chance, keep an open mind, and try enjoying it for what it is.

Same for all of qubo, really. Remember what they intend it to be: preschool entertainment. None of qubo that I've seen "talks down" to children, but all of it seems to be fun, well made, and enjoyable to my children.

Ben Avery

[BlueThunderArmy]

Sometimes I feel like America needs a backrub and a long bath.

[Cray_ws]

Originally Posted by DreamKing

Re: the Aqua Teen issue

I always blamed the powers that be in Boston for overreacting to the situation moreso than the two men who placed the devices around the town.

I'm glad they managed to stay out of jail. It's a shame they had to apologize though, as I feel they did nothing wrong.

So if the Boston Police didn't overr-react and it turned out to be a bomb threat, what do you suppose the reaction what be from the people of Boston after a bomb decimated it's downtown area?

There's no shame in Police being overly cautious, its their job to do so. But it isn't their job to watch trendy cartoon shows and be aware of juvenile advertising tactics.

The people behind the advertising were intending to "surprise" the public with these ATHF ad placements that were odd but highly visible places. These were by no means normal ads nor were they in typical spots like billboards or banners on buses.

While the reaction was harsh to the ATHF crew, and they had no malicious intent, they probably could've planned it better to prevent the paranoid reaction.

[sfritz]

Originally Posted by BlueThunderArmy

Sometimes I feel like America needs a backrub and a long bath.

IF Kelly Hu is in the bathtub giving me the backrub, then I'm all for it. -s

[vbartilucci]

("I Started a Joke" plays in background...)

This falls under the old "Fire in a crowded theater" limitation of Freedom of Speech.

If you play a prank, and everyone laughs, you played a prank. If you play a prank and people mistake it for something else, you've created a nuisance. If you're filming a movie, and shoot off firearms, and some old biddy thinks the Nazis are coming back and has a heart attack, she was an idiot, but you're no less "responsible".

Add that to the elevated level of awareness (read as "rampant paranoia") that people are living in, and the litigious attitude of many people, and it's very dangerous to be funny nowadays.

A few examples:

There was a hidden camera show in Japan that played all sorts of pranks on people. In one recurring bit, a man would be carrying a briefcase or satchel. He'd stand in a crowd, set the bag down, and then run away VERY quickly. If you tried that today, they'd set you on fire.

I recall an artist created a series of boxes that looked like 1-up blocks from Super Mario Brothers, and put them in parks and such, hanging from trees. Sure enough, people assumed that the brightly colored boxes with question marks on them were bombs, and the guy got in trouble.

Here in my area a kid showed up at his High School in a gorilla suit (and a school T-shirt) for his last day of senior year. Up through the authority grapevine the news went, until the police were called about "An unknown person wearing a mask". They damn near shot him.

Alas, nowadays it's safer (in the eyes of the government) to overreact than to do nothing. The one time they mis-read what looks like a joke and something bad happens, and the people will be all over them.

The apology read by the pair could be translated from legalese as "I'm sorry everybody got so upset, if I'da known you'd all go this crazy, I wouldn't have done it." And that's exactly all they should have apologized for.

"You're a jerk"
"Hey, apologize"
"Okay, I'm sorry you're a jerk"
"Thank you...wha?"

Again, lots of other cities got the signs and had no reaction. Opie and Anthony offered a tidy bounty for one of the signs on the air, and a guy from Boston made a quick $500 by bringing one in. He was not arrested at the door of the station for carrying a bomb.

[DreamKing]

Originally Posted by Cray_ws

So if the Boston Police didn't overr-react and it turned out to be a bomb threat, what do you suppose the reaction what be from the people of Boston after a bomb decimated it's downtown area?

There's no shame in Police being overly cautious, its their job to do so. But it isn't their job to watch trendy cartoon shows and be aware of juvenile advertising tactics.

The people behind the advertising were intending to "surprise" the public with these ATHF ad placements that were odd but highly visible places. These were by no means normal ads nor were they in typical spots like billboards or banners on buses.

While the reaction was harsh to the ATHF crew, and they had no malicious intent, they probably could've planned it better to prevent the paranoid reaction.

I did not say that I fault the police for over-reacting; I stated that I faulted the "powers that be" (i.e. the Boston mayor) for over-reacting.

I do agree with you that the people behind the advertising could have prepared the scheme better.

[Dalarsco]

Originally Posted by Cray_ws

So if the Boston Police didn't overr-react and it turned out to be a bomb threat, what do you suppose the reaction what be from the people of Boston after a bomb decimated it's downtown area?

The entire thing could have been over with in just a few minutes had the police checked out the sites, saw that it really wasn't a bomb, and announced for everyone to remain calm. The guys who placed them were completely in the right. The ones at fault were the people who see any sort of LED light and instantly think bomb without looking at it, and the authorities for scapegoating these guys instead of just telling the public to remain calm and be more observant.

[Prozac Man]

Originally Posted by BlueThunderArmy

Sometimes I feel like America needs a backrub and a long bath.

Are you kidding? America needs a the massage that involves a happy ending

[Scavenger]

All I’m wondering about is why CN took the series off the air to begin with.

Might as well ask why they keep putting garbage like Bobobobo with more mature fare like JLU or IGPX then wondering why there doesn't seem to be carry over ratings.

[emerald archer]

Here is an op/ed from the Boston Herald

"When clowns grow up
By Boston Herald editorial staff
Saturday, May 12, 2007

OK, so the buffoons who planted those Cartoon Network light boxes aren’t exactly Public Enemy Numbers 1 and 2.

In the intervening months since the devices came close to bringing this town to a screeching halt on Jan. 31, Peter Berdovsky, 27, and Sean Stevens, 28, have cleaned up their act. Yesterday they apologized in court, Stevens adding that he had no intention of “upsetting or alarming anyone.”

In fact, the perfect storm created on that day involved not just the three dozen cartoon devices they planted but a couple of unrelated fake bombs too, which Berdovsky and Stevens had nothing to do with. That the devices were planted in nine other cities without causing panic is evidence of the unique nature of those circumstances.



And, of course, they didn’t originate the idea; they merely carried out a guerrilla marketing concept bought and paid for by Turner Broadcasting, which paid a hefty price for inconveniencing the city and wasting its law enforcement resources.

So Attorney General Martha Coakley opted to make the best of a bad situation. With little likelihood of being able to prove an intent to cause public panic, she agreed to drop the criminal charges against the two men in return for their public apologies and community service - already completed.

Berdovsky did 80 hours and Stevens completed 60 hours of service at the Spaulding Rehabilitation Center in Boston - some of it basic cleanup chores, but some of it putting to use their artistic talents.

They designed a cartoon mural to be painted in a waiting room used by children undergoing physical therapy and they produced a DVD in which patients talked about their physical therapy.

In the process we can only hope that they grew up - and smartened up a little too. Maybe they can have a little chat with the two geniuses from Boston College who decided it would be really cool to take some farewell photos from atop the State House."

[Vlad]

Seriously Boston? Seriously?

ehn. you could put a empty box on the corner and people would flip nowadays.

[grphxkindaguy]

Originally Posted by JimmyKitty

I'm still at a loss how this was a "hoax device" when it was clearly an ad promotion - which was working. If it looked like a bomb... sure. But it's a lite-bright of a popular animated character. Where's the hoax?

Oh... my bad.... the authorities call it a hoax, thus it is.
I need to remember that whatever my government tells me is the truth.

I like how Boston was the ONLY city to panic at the sight of these contraptions.

Nice to know that the authorities there are as big a bunch of tools as I've heard (to match the Red Sox fans)...