The Internet is home to many embarassing animation “contests” nowadays, but none moreso than this new one called “Animation Procreation” sponsored by Dailymotion and Animation Magazine. When I saw the above banner plastered on the homepage of videosharing site DailyMotion last week, I immediately thought two things: “Who the hell is Loren Bouchard?” and “Why would I want a development deal with him?”

I originally assumed he’s just the latest two-bit development exec at some TV network. But as it turns out, he’s not even that. He’s a show creator: one-half the creator of Home Movies and solo creator of another awful looking and sounding “Adult Swim” series I’ve never heard of, Lucy, Daughter of the Devil.

Perhaps the contest organizers can explain what a four-month “development deal” entails with a guy who himself is at the mercy of producers and networks, who has no production resources, and who has no money to invest in your project. Add a dollar to this stunning prize package and it still won’t buy you a cup of coffee at Starbucks. Then again, maybe getting advice from the person who’s responsible for this is reward enough:

The Dailymotion contest page offers this gem: “Loren Bouchard will watch all the videos and judge based on originality, animation style and potential for development.” Because if there’s anybody who’s qualified to judge originality and style it’s an artist whose own work exhibits neither traits. After this, you may as well have your parenting skills judged by Britney Spears.

Why would any half competent artist who aspires to create quality work want to receive advice from the creator of some of the most embarassing work this medium has ever seen? If DailyMotion and Animation Magazine had any true desire or intent to encourage new talent, then they would have offered a prize that was meaningful and relevant to creators. As it is, this “contest” is a slap in the face to animation artists everywhere.

Billed as “home to the world’s largest online archive of vintage illustration, animation, comics and cartoons,” Cartoon Retro is the creation of character designer Shane Glines (Spumco, Batman Beyond, Superman). With over two years of daily updates, the site now boasts thousands of images that are guaranteed to inspire and educate any artist. Best of all, a mere $5 a month offers access to all the material, while a year-long subscription runs $50. More details at CartoonRetro.com.

Sometimes it’s better to just let the pictures do the talking so here’s a small selection of artwork recently posted to the site:

Just when you thought it was safe to travel with a big, blue, hammer-wielding maniac…

If you haven’t been doing it already, check out Xeth (Bulbo) Feinberg’s new internet cartoon series PAPU. This is an unabashed plug - but a sincere one, as I am a big fan of Feinberg’s little Flash cartoons. And don’t forget to shop for Bulbo and Papu products, and ask Papu a question on his Blog!

On Wednesday Stu Shostack celebrates the one year anniversary of his internet radio show with a return visit by his inaugural (and frequent) guest Mark Evanier. Mark and Stu will discuss the new Schulz book and why the family is upset about it - Monte Schulz will be calling in to discuss his point of view. They’ll also be talking about the writer’s strike and Mark’s producing and writing of Garfield and Friends. Sevreral other special guests who are VERY big in the animation and comic strip world will be calling in to join the discussion. It’s broadcast live tomorrow, (Wednesday 12/5) from 7-9pm (Eastern)/4-6 pm (Pacific), with taped rebroadcasts each day following, at the same hours. Click Here to Listen.

Oh, and in two weeks (on Dec. 19th), I’ll be on again with another open forum to discuss classic cartoons.

Check out the Christmas issue of Flip. This month features stuff to buy from FLIP artists, and articles by Nancy Beiman, Signe Baumane, Tina Price, Dave Pruiksma, Sarah and Carolyn Bates, and special feature: a rare video, and behind the scenes story, of the annual live Disney staff Christmas “special” (performed in the windows and on the roof of Disney’s animation building in 1982), The Eddie Show!

My old pal Ron Hall has started writing a blog in conjunction with a revival of Matinee at the Bijou.

Apparently new episodes of this classic movie showcase, which was one of the most popular programs on PBS in the 1980s, are back in production - with a new celebrity host, Debbie Reynolds. Ron Hall, who runs Festival Films and was the publisher of the pioneering animation fanzine Mindrot, is actively involved with providing classic movie material for the show. On his new blog, he’s posting about the classic shorts and cartoons - his latest post promotes an upcoming Bijou program which features a bunch of vintage Paramount Screen Songs. I’m not sure what the status of the show is, but they’ve been feeding their content to You Tube, and set up a fun informative website worth checking out.

Animator Matt Taylor informs me of an innovative exhibition he’s taking part in at Australia’s National Portrait Gallery. The show, “Animated”, takes a detour from conventional self-portraiture and offers fourteen animated portraits made specifically for the exhibition by Australian animators, including Anthony Lucas (The Mysterious Geographic Explorations of Jasper Morello), Jonathan Daw (currently working on Adam Elliot’s new stop motion feature), Rick Bull, Anita Fontaine, Troy Innocent and Arlene TextaQueen. The show takes place entirely online and the pieces can be viewed on the gallery website through December 2008. It is curated by Michael Desmond and Gillian Raymond.

This week’s special guest on Stu Shostack’s internet radio broadcast is actress/cartoon voiceover leading lady, Janet Waldo (Judy Jetson, Penelope Pitstop, etc.). She’ll join Hanna Barbera cartoon expert Earl Kress and Stu to discuss her experiences as a Hanna Barbera super star. She and Earl will also take questions from callers. Here’s your chance to talk to a living legend. Tune into Stu’s Show starting at 4pm, Wednesday (11/7).