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New 'George Of The Jungle' Cartoon Is Not As Strong As It Could Be

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 17, 2008

The best thing about the original "George of the Jungle" was the theme song:

"George, George, George of the jungle. Strong as he can be. Watch out for that tree!"

Almost every baby boomer remembers that line.

The 1967 cartoon hero swings back into action at 7:30 p.m. Friday on The Cartoon Network.

Overhauled for a new generation, this spoof of Tarzan is aimed at viewers ages 6 to 11. It's cute but not clever. Still, parents may want to watch it with their kids.

The original, created by eccentric animator Jay Ward, was aimed at young adults, college kids and people who liked Mad Magazine.

Ward also created Rocky and Bullwinkle, Mr. Peabody and Sherman, and Dudley Do-Right. All of Ward's creations were cheaply animated cartoons that relied on puns, cultural barbs and the personalities of the characters.

The new George will still be a klutz. But he's a teenager, not an adult. He still has a pet elephant named Shep; a chimp pal, Ape the Ape; and a girlfriend, Ursula.

The first "George of the Jungle" wasn't a hit. There were only 17 episodes before it was canceled. It was Ward's last series. There are already 26 episodes of the new series in the can.

A DVD collection of the original episodes will be released Feb. 2.

JESSICA'S PAIN: On tonight's episode of "Celebrity Rehab," at 10 on VH1, Tampa's Jessica Sierra has an emotional meltdown during a group therapy session.

Therapist Drew Pinsky urges her to face up to her repressed anger over her mother, who died of a drug overdose. It's painful and powerful stuff. Is it exploitation or enlightenment? You be the judge.

BRING IT ON: Although it's not in the same league as, say, "High School Musical," the teen comedy film "Bring It On" does have a large cult following.

Released in 2000, this film about the Rancho Carne High School cheerleading squad ("I'm sexy. I'm cute. I'm popular to boot!") has spawned three straight-to-video sequels.

Thanks to repeated showings on cable, the "Bring It On" legacy lives on. The ABC Family network has a "Bring It On" marathon this weekend.

It begins at 7 p.m. Friday with the original, starring Kirsten Dunst and Eliza Dushku (with repeats at 4 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday).

The sequel "Bring It On: Again" shows at 9 p.m. Friday and 6 p.m. Saturday.

"Bring It On: All or Nothing," with "Heroes" star Hayden Panettiere, shows at 8 and 10 p.m. Saturday and 6 p.m. Sunday.

The fourth film, "Bring It On: In It to Win It," debuts at 8 p.m. Sunday and repeats at 10 p.m.

HERE'S STEVE: Steve Wilkos, Jerry Springer's former head of security and host of his own talk show, is scheduled to be in Tampa today on a goodwill mission.

Wilkos is on a multicity tour in a special bus bringing a helping hand to children, families, schools and veterans.

The former Marine and ex-Chicago cop is scheduled to visit Tampa's Francis House, a facility for people infected with or at risk for HIV/AIDS and their families. He plans to serve barbecue, bring gifts for the home and host a special concert.

"The Steve Wilkos Show" airs at 3 p.m. weekdays on WTTA, Channel 38.

IN MEMORIAM: A moment of silence, please, for the passing of Maila Nurmi, better known as Vampira. She died in Los Angeles last week at age 85.

She played the sexy, Gothic late-night movie host for only one season in 1954 on a Los Angeles TV station, but she made a lasting impression. She also appeared as a sexy ghoul in Ed Wood's 1959 clunker classic, "Plan 9 From Outer Space," endearing because it's so bad that it's good.

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