TVSquad

While this news doesn't only affect television, it does affect the industry enough to warrant a mention since both companies have historically had a television presence. Disney has purchased Marvel Entertainment for about $4 billion.

So does this mean we'll be seeing Spider-Mickey cartoons in the near future? Beats me. There are certainly benefits to Disney's acquisition. Marvel is predominately known as a comic book company and that market has been shrinking. However, the visibility of its characters has been growing due to the myriad of Marvel movies out there.

I'm sure words like 'synergy' and 'downsizing' are going to be used when describing this situation in the future. Will there be layoffs at Marvel? Should editor-in-chief Joe Quesada fear for his job?

My biggest concern is content interference on the part of Disney and the "toning down" of the more adult storylines and characters at Marvel in an effort to maintain the corporate image of its new parent. One can only hope that Disney lets Marvel be Marvel.

Being a big fan of Cartoon Network's goofy Batman: The Brave and the Bold, I'm really looking forward to the debut of Marvel's Super Hero Squad. The show premieres Sept. 19 on Cartoon Network, and Marvel has already launched a teaser site featuring a fun video preview that could turn out to be the show's opening montage.

Super Hero Squad is based on the toy line and video game of the same name. It features cute and cuddly versions of Marvel heroes, like Wolverine, Iron Man, and the Hulk, protecting Super Hero City from a pint-sized Dr. Doom and other baby baddies. Judging by the preview video, the show will even make room for kid-sized versions of more obscure characters like Fing Fang Foom and MODOK.

Outside of art school, I'm not sure how many people are really into both Project Runway and comic books. Marvel, however, seems determined to tap into that audience by including the ever-popular Tim Gunn in its upcoming mini-series, Models, Inc., which features some of the finest ladies in the Marvel Universe taking on the catwalk. I guess if you really think about it, it's not really straying too far from comics about chicks with Gunns.

Ha! Yes! I'm just gonna pat myself on the back for that one because I know no one else will.

It's not enough to have Spider-Man on The CW, Wolverine and the X-Men on Nicktoons and the upcoming Black Panther on BET. Marvel Comics is now creating a new series for Cartoon Network called the Marvel Super Hero Squad.

Obviously, the show is marketed towards the very young viewer who is first being introduced to the Marvel super hero characters. That way, the company can indoctrinate new zombies into its empire. The cartoon is based on Hasbro's anime-like action figure series of the same name.

I can't help but wonder if Marvel is spreading itself too thin with so many movies and cartoon series. On the other hand, rival DC Comics is already marketing to the kiddies with their Brave and the Bold series on Cartoon Network and one cannot help but wonder if Marvel simply doesn't want to be outdone in that demographic.

In any case, kids watching the show will buy the toys and vice-versa. Marvel is learning the lesson of Disney.

Saturday -- a time of rest and relaxation. A time to put your feet up, grab a lemonade, open a book, and let the cool, summer breezes gently rock your hammock as a lazy July day passes. Of course, that's if you aren't attending the San Diego Comic-Con. Then, it's out of your bed, quick shower (if any), breakfast-on-the-go, and right back into the queues to see your particular favorites talking about their television shows.

Like Friday, Saturday at Comic-Con will be packed with television goodness. This is the day that many of the big guns come to play. Shows like The Office, Lost, Battlestar Galactica will be making appearances. They will be joined by newcomers Chuck, Dollhouse, and Pushing Daisies. There will even be an appearance by the recently single Sarah Silverman. There's also a good bit of television animation being featured, particularly by Nicktoons and B.E.T. Animation.

In order to make sure you get the most out of the money you paid to get into the convention, we here at TV Squad are providing you with a complete list of television-related panels for that day. If you are interested in seeing what else is going on July 25th you can review the official full schedule at the Comic-Con website. Remember, times and appearances are subject to change and seating in all event rooms is on a first-come, first-serve basis.

(S07E42) Forty-two episodes later we're finally ready to find out who is going to take home the crown of the next American Idol. Look at all those faces up there, and now it's all come down to the Davids. The lingering question is if they're going to be Idols the likes of Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson; sales in the millions with mantles full of awards; or will they find mainstream success more of a challenge, like Taylor Hicks or Justin Guarini (I know he came in second but let's face it, at this point first and second are almost interchangeable as far as getting a shot at a career)? The show's an hour early and an hour longer, clocking in from 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM Eastern Time. That means you have two hours to chat live right here with your friends and frenemies about which David should win and how stupid they are for disagreeing with you.

You can join the chat by following this link. Look for the full episode review right here later tonight.

Since I have kids and a job, I don't get to see many movies in the theaters these days unless it's a crappy kids movie. Generally if I want to see grown up movie I have to rent the DVD. In some cases, the movie is such a blockbuster that watching it at home defeats the purpose.

Luckily once in a while a film is released that I want to see and I can also take my kids. Iron Man is one of those films.

Back in June I mentioned that cartoons were being developed based on Marvel characters Spider-Man, Wolverine, Iron Man and The Fantastic Four. At the time, there was not a lot of information available, but a friend of mine sent me a link to Dark Horizons, which gives us just a smidgen more info on these series. Well, if you're a fan of Fantastic Four you know that series hit Cartoon Network a couple months ago, but Wolverine and Ironman are both still in development, and there doesn't seem to be any mention of the new Spider-Man cartoon. However, just because it's not mentioned doesn't mean it's not going to happen. They might have just pushed it back while Marvel works on the plethora of TV, film and straight-to-video projects it has cooking right now. Still, out of all these upcoming cartoons, I was most excited about Spider-Man. I just loves me lonely teenage mutant boys. You know, as friends. Seriously.

Also, if cartoons are too bright and colorful for you, Marvel is also developing three live-action series based on Alter Ego, Moon Knight and Skrll Kill Krew.

Fans of The Amazing Race should be happy to know that Peter and Sarah have broken up. IGN has a question-and-answer with the duo, who were eliminated from the competition last Sunday. They don't say much about why they broke up -- uh, I think we can guess that Sarah did the dumping -- but they do talk about their behavior on the show, especially Peter. When he's asked about why he kept wanting to quit during challenges, he gives a bullshit answer, saying "I'm going to quit" is a motivator to him. Whatever, pal. He also accuses the producers of editing out his good moments and only focusing on his bad ones. Racers Tom and Terry did an interview when they were eliminated and they said the producers portrayed them and everyone else accurately and fairly-- and I trust those two more than I trust Peter. The couple also talk about their high and low moments, other racers, and Sarah's climbing challenges.

(S01E01)

Kevin Beekin (interviewing a bodybuilder at Gold's Gym): Statistics have shown that high percentage of bodybuilders are bisexual.

Bodybuilder: I've heard that, yeah.

Beekin: Most bodybuilders are bisexual, which you just agreed to. What do you spend most of your time doing?

Bodybuilder: First of all, I didn't agree that most bodybuilders are bisexual. I've heard through the grapevine, and the world --

Beekin: Is the "Grapevine" the name of a gay bar?

Comedy Central's new improv series, Dog Bites Man, premiered last night. While it's comparable to Reno 911! in it's use of improv, there is one significant difference. Rather than having comedians riff off one another, the "KHBX news team" actually goes out among regular people, leading to some hilarious moments like the one above.