Disney TVA

Part of the afternoon was consumed traipsing around the third floor of the Frank Wells Building, where Inspector Oso is being readied for a full launch, The Replacements is wrapping up its current season, and Phineas and Ferb is poised and ready to embark on its second season. Oh, and Yin Yang Yo is still thumping along. Sayet the artists:

"I'm supposed to swing over to the second season of Phineas and Ferb... "The producer says it's 99.9% certain to be picked up, but the Channel hasn't green lit it yet" ... "It looks like The Replacements isn't going to go beyond its current order, but I've heard from a couple people it might be renewed" ...

The corporate flow chart of which Disney TVA is a part has changed over the years. Back in the eighties, the place was a stand-alone, with the t.v. division reporting to Jeffrey Katzenberg (who headed up the whole studio operation, feature animation included.) Today, Diz Television Animation nestles beneath the sheltering wings of The Disney Channel, and that corportate subsidiary calls the shots for new and returning cartoon series.

The newest seasons of Mickey's Clubhouse and My Friends Tigger and Pooh have been in work for awhile; last week the Channel finally got around to making its public announcement:

Disney Channel has renewed Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and My Friends Tigger & Pooh for additional 35-episode seasons ... "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and My Friends Tigger & Pooh have captivated preschoolers and their parents around the globe," [said Nancy Kanter, the senior VP of Playhouse Disney Worldwide]. "Both have proven to be ratings winners from day one, and we are looking forward to successful third seasons filled with more exciting Clubhouse and Hundred Acre Wood adventures with Mickey, Pooh and all the gang."

And so on and forth.

For some artists up on the third floor of the Frank Wells Building, things are a little less upbeat, as some Replacements crew members have gotten notice that the gig is ending. "Where's the work out there?" one said to me.

"More hiring in features than television right now," I answered.

He nodded stoically. "Guess I'll just start making phone calls" ...