Blogging NYT: Beloved Characters as Reimagined for the 21st Century

While perusing the pages of the New York Times the other day, we happened upon a most unfortunate sight. It was Strawberry Shortcake -- a childhood favorite -- staring back at us from the newsprint paper. Only, there was something off about her.

Well for starters, the Strawberry Shortcake we knew and loved never had long flowing long hair or a Rudy cap. Nor was she ever this modern. It was another classic case of fixing something when it wasn't broken...

Brooks Barnes writes about the makeover many characters are getting in order to keep up with the times. For instance, American Greetings Properties spent an entire year working on Strawberry Shortcake’s new look which now includes lipstick, fresh fruit and a cell phone.

Among the other cartoon characters that are scheduled for face lifts are the Care Bears, Bugs Bunny, Scooby-Doo, Angelina Ballerina and Mickey Mouse. And what is the motivation behind all of the revamping? Well, Barnes explains, "Reinventing these beloved characters without inflicting indelible damage is one of the entertainment industry’s trickiest maneuvers...Done correctly, it can be incredibly lucrative. Mickey Mouse produces an estimated $5 billion in merchandise sales every year. Strawberry Shortcake, even in her diminished state, has generated $2.5 billion in revenue since 2003, according to American Greetings."

So everything old is new again to make a few bucks. And while part of us is glad to see many childhood friends coming back for a second round, the other part just wants to scream, "Leave our childhood alone!"

What do you think of all this? Is it fun nostalgia or does it leave a bad taste in your mouth?

To read the complete article, visit the New York Times' Web site.

Comments (14)

It does make me a little sad... the strawberry short cake character looks so much more grown-up now... not so much like a "sweet child" but more like a teenager.

Strawberry Shortcake looks "Disney-fied" to me. She has a giant head, huge eyes, and an itty-bitty waist and spindly little arms. Strawberry Shortcake has gone from doll-like and sweet to sexy with anorexic-like proportions. And, the thing I liked most about Angelina Ballerina was that she looked like a furry mouse. She doesn't look furry anymore, or as mouse-like for that matter.

One thing I've noticed is that Angelina no longer is on pointe--which is much, much more realistic for little girls. On another blog I read people complained that she was a lot thinner--they're also making the Care Bears thinner--but the point is that she doesn't look like a mouse anymore, she looks like a human with a mouse head and tail. Which I think is kinda creepy.

oy. strawberry shortcake looks a bit too kinderwhore for me.

She's not a little girl any more :( I LOVED strawberry shortcake when I was younger. This is clearly "tween" marketing. But why can't little girls just be little girls any more *sigh*

I gotta say, I hate most "modern" re-imaginings. Look up the "modern" Betty and Veronica if you want to see the true face of horror. Ironically, in their case the attempt at modern settled more in an ugly early 90's illustration style - so much for being up to date!

But somehow... I really like this version of strawberry short cake. She's cute and adorable, with a more human face, and that hat is the bees knees. Speaking of knees, looks like they still kept her great strippy socks as well.

Hey, don't get me wrong, I was a fan of strawberry shortcake - I must have read my favorite strawberry shortcake cookbook a million times. But this one is just darn *cute,* even if she is different.

And besides, change isn't always horrible. Look at Mickey Mouse, for instance - his steamboat willy is somewhat different from the very iconic form he's evolved into today.

I like the new strawberry shortcake. The Care Bears have already been redesigned and I prefer the old ones.

I think there's something so beautiful about seeing the original artist's pencil/pen strokes in the final drawing, as is the case in the classic characters. I don't understand why marketing folks think that everything needs to be glossed over and 3D-fied...

Meanwhile, the "new Looney Tunes", or the "Loonatics" they discuss in the NYTimes article linked is seriously disturbing.

wrong. wrong. wrong. The endearing characteristics are gone: red ringlets, white pinnafore, eyelet bloomers, childlike face, innocent expressions and down-to-earth style. What next? Hollie Hobbie inspired by Paris Hilton? Ugh! Let's put some innocence back in our toys! A 5 year old need not be inspired to be a 16 year old materialistic pop icon!

Oh, sassypiggy. Hold on to your pants when you see this:
The New Holly Hobbie.

:(

Hmm. White tee-shirt. Sleeves. Capri pants. Socks. Face, has eyes. Hat.

Whore... PROJECTING much?

Rayna, we encourage all of our readers to express their opinions -- but I think the "Whore... PROJECTING much?" comment is uncalled for. Let's keep this civil, please.

Alex
Editor, Ohdeedoh.

No, I agree with Rayna. If somebody sees something whorish about the new Strawberry Shortcake, it will be because of something inside themselves (ie the "projecting much?") since she is lacking anything you can genuinely point out as whorish. She just looks like a cartoon version of any little girl.

I find the old Strawberry Shortcake to look creepy. Something about her cheeks? She looks clownish.