The Simpsons Renewed Through Season 30!

An article written for Farm Dog

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The Simpsons is setting records yet again by signing a deal that will secure at least two more seasons of the series in their contract. The confirmation of seasons 29 and 30 will set the show at a record breaking 669 episodes. Even prior to this news the series has dominated all other shows with their 28 season-long run. The next runners up are the Western series Gunsmoke and Law & Order, with 20 seasons each under their belts.

The Simpsons debuted back on December 17, 1989, on the then renegade Fox network and it had remained a staple in the lives of many of us since that time. I was ten years old when the show debuted and at the time It was ground-breaking and edgy…at least to me. Fair warning to those that haven’t relived the past recently, those first episodes can be a dangerous trek down the nostalgia rabbit hole. They’re choppy, sloppy and a bit mundane by today’s standards, but with shows like South Park and Archer its any wonder that we’ve grown past comedy that’s almost three decades old. Bartmania soon took hold of the country and The Simpsons were officially a symbol of our collective childhoods.

Those original episodes were a great launching point for a series that has consistantly reinvented itself in all ways necessary, while still keeping the important core of the series the same. This delicate balance is rarely struck well and is one of the driving forces behind the longevity of The Simpsons. In a time when everything seem to be getting a reboot or a revival and nostalgia is king, The Simpsons is one of the few things that have never left us or let us down. Here’s to two more years and hopefully many, many more!

Golderg Dominated At WWE Survivor Series - So Who's Next?

 Originally written for Farm Dog on 11/26/16

by Matt MacNabb

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The WWE has had a great year, bringing a lot of their storylines out of the gutter and salvaging so much of their lost programming opportunities with the brand split between Raw and Smackdown this past summer. The move provided a creative shift that was desperately needed to spice up what had become very redundant programming. Add in the long anticipated return of Bill Goldberg, most famous for his run in WCW, and 2016 has shaped-up nicely. WWE immediately pitted Goldberg in a one-match deal at Survivor Series to rekindle and resolve his last match, which was back at Wrestlemania 21 against Brock Lesnar. Lesnar has been built as a tough competitor the past few years in WWE, after he beat the Undertaker's famed undefeated Wrestlemania streak at Wrestlemania 30. Fans were all expecting a brutal battle between the two giants, but instead what we got was a squash match lasting only 1:24, with Goldberg destroying Lesnar.

Our family, and millions others, were gathered live in front of the television to watch the spectacle. The chants of GOLDBERG, GOLDBERG ran wild through the audience and I could feel my own excitement build as his music hit. I spent a lot of my later teenage years watching Goldberg plow through the ranks at WCW and I was a big fan of his back then. I discovered quickly that I still am today. I was literally on my feet, hands in the air when Goldberg delivered two vicious spears and then jackhammered Lesnar for the quick win. It was unexpected, but glorious to see. A fantastic moment in wrestling history. It opened up Goldberg for more returns and we found out the next night on Monday Night RAW that's exactly what was going to happen! Goldberg's music hit as the show opened and the man himself came down to the ring to deafening cheers to let us all know that he has another title run left in him and that he would be the very first entrant into the 2017 Royal Rumble match!

It remains to be seen what plans the WWE has for Goldberg. Its being circulated on the dirt sheets (Wrestling Rumor Websites) that Lesnar wanted to do a number of matches with Goldberg, culminating at Wrestlemania 33. Goldberg currently enjoys a 2-0 record over Lesnar, so for WWE to come out in Lesnar's favor, we need at least three more matches. It would be possible if they had another confrontation at Royal Rumble, which could lead to one at Fast Lane and then at Wrestlemania...maybe a special RAW thrown in or Payback after Wrestlemania. The details remain to be seen, but this will be one of the most must-see rivalries in WWE for a long time!

Code Geass Returning in New Anime Series and Recap Film Trilogy

Originally Written for Screen Rant in November 2016

by Matt MacNabb

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Tokyo-based anime production firm Sunrise has been contributing to anime in a major way since 1972. The notable works they have produced include the various Mobile Suit Gundam and The Ultraman. Sunrise is responsible for bringing fans the 2006 anime series Code Geass, and plans to celebrate the franchises’ 10th anniversary with the recently announced “Kiseki no Anniversary”, which also includes several new Code Geass projects currently in development, as well as a new series and a film trilogy.

It’s an early holiday gift for anime fans, as the announcement brings about a third Code Geass series, titled Code Geass: Fakkatsu no Lelouch (translated: Code Geass: Lelouch of the Ressurrection). There hasn’t been new Code Geass since the series ended in 2008. While it is known that the new series will have a time jump of several years after the events of the last series (Zero Requiem), there are few details beyond that.

Adding to the excitement is the announcement that there will also be a trilogy of films recapping the entire series next year. The films are set to compile a comprehensive overview of the 25 episodes from the original series, Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion and the 25-episode sequel series Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2. The original voice cast is even looking to return to the franchise to re-record their roles. The film trilogy series is a great way for new fans to get caught up on the series without investing the time into 50 episodes.

Code Geass found a home on Adult Swim in the United States for a time, but can be more difficult to come by today. The complete series will be getting a DVD and Blu-ray release by Funimation next April, so you can delve into the entire show if you want. The Funimation release will also include the five-part spinoff series, Code Geass: Akito the Exiled, which is set between the events of season 1 and season 2.

If you want to watch the anniversary event, you can watch it on Bandai’s Anime Channel beginning December 23 at noon. The franchise has also found its way into the pages of manga, novels and in games. You may or may not have heard of Code Geass, but its sure to make a comeback now in a major way with these new productions under development.

The first film in the Code Geass trilogy is set to release in 2017. Stay tuned to Screen Rant for the lastest on the Code Geass franchise.

Young Justice Cartoon Revived For A Season 3

Written for Farm Dog

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A press release was sent out this past week that confirmed to fans what they’d hoped for so long, that the DC Comics based Young Justice cartoon was being brought back for a season three! “The affection that fans have had for ‘Young Justice,’ and their rallying cry for more episodes, has always resonated with us,” said Sam Register, President, Warner Bros. Animation and Warner Digital Series. “We are excited to bring the show back for this loyal fanbase and to provide an opportunity for new viewers to discover this excellent series.”

Warner Brothers Animation has yet to announce an expected release or network partner for the series. There is much speculation that Netflix may be the home for the series. When fans were clammoring for a third season the show creators encouraged us all to watch the first two seasons on Netflix when they arrived there. If we watched it enough and showed enough demand, the idea was that Netflix may commission a third season. That appears to be what happened here.

The show left off with the twenty episode second season, dubbed “Invasion”, which saw earth invaded by the wicked aliens called “The Reach”. The team was also battling the mysterious illuminati-esque group of villains called “The Light”. When we last saw the team (Spoilers Ahead!) we experienced some serious loss with regard to fan favorite Kid Flash. There is no word on any plot points or who to expect on the team moving forward. The changes from season one to two were very drastic, so we may see a lot of changes this time around, as well. Producers Greg Weisman and Brandon Vietti are back on-board, so the ship is at least being helmed by the same creative minds.

I speak for a lot of fans when I say that this is excellent news. The quality of Batman related cartoons since the Bruce Timm era has been underwhelming, for the most part. Young Justice was a ray of light in a series of failed shows, both in animation and storytelling. If Netflix is the one bringing back the show, then it also represents a new era in streaming media and the reach it can have for the fans moving forward.