Animation & Cartoons

John Lasseter, Executive Vice President of Creative for Pixar, Inc. Lasseter was one of the founding members of the computer-animated filmmaking company. He served as director and animator of the feature films Toy Story, Toy Story 2 and A Bug's Life. Lasseter also directed a number of shorts for Pixar, including Tin Toy, Red's Dream and Luxo, Jr. Lasseter joined Lucas film's Computer Division in 1984, and then helped create Pixar in 1986. He previously worked as an animator for Walt Disney. This interview first aired February 27, 2002.

Adults who like to watch cartoons are tuning into the late-night block on the Cartoon Network to watch the Japanese adventure series Cowboy Bebop. Critic Milo Miles says there are lots of reasons to like the show.

John Lasseter, Executive Vice President of Creative for Pixar, Inc. Lasseter was one of the founding members of the computer animated filmmaking company. He served as Director and Animator of the feature films Toy Story, Toy Story 2 and A Bugs Life. He was also Executive Producer of Monsters, Inc. Toy Story was the first computer-animated feature film. Lasseter also directed a number of shorts for Pixar, including Tin Toy, Reds Dream and Luxo, Jr. Tin Toy won an Oscar in 1988 for Best Animated Short Film.

John Lithgow is one of the stars of the animated hit movie, Shrek. His comedy TV series Third Rock From the Sun just finished its run on NBC. Lithgow also writes children's books. He's just published the book Marsupial Sue (Simon and Schuster), and he has released a new CD of music for children called Farkle and Friends (Watershed Records). Lithgow is currently performing his children's material live in concert.

Film critic Henry Sheehan reviews Monkey Bones the new part animated/part live-action film starring Brendan Fraiser.

Film critic Henry Sheehan reviews “The Emperor’s New Groove,” an animated feature from Disney.

Director/producer Nick Park is the academy award- winning creator of the much-loved animated British characters Wallace & Gromit. Director/producer Peter Lord is Chairman and co-founder of the clay animation studios Aardman, where PARK created his short films featuring Wallace & Gromit (“A Grand Day Out,” “The Wrong Trousers” and “A Close Shave.”) They’ve just collaborated on their first full-length feature film, “Chicken Run” an animated escape film with chickens as the escapers.

Critic Ken Tucker reviews the new animated film "The Iron Giant" from Warner Bros.

Film critic John Powers reviews "Antz," the new animation film by Disney's Dreamworks.

Saturday Night Live cartoonist Robert Smigel. He’s created such popular segments as The Ambiguously Gay Duo, and Fun with Real Audio. Smigel is no stranger to SNL or comedy TV. He was a writer for Saturday Night Live from 1985-93.

Ken Tucker reviews the new Wallace and Gromit animated film.

Film critic Stephen Schiff reviews "Toy Story."

Film critic Stephen Schiff reviews the new Disney animated feature "Pocahontas."

Stephen Schiff reviews Tim Burton's "Nightmare Before Christmas."

Terry talks with film critic Stephen Schiff about his favorite ten movies from the year.

Film critic Maureen Corrigan reviews the new Disney animated film "Beauty and the Beast."

The head animator for the character of the Beast in the new Disney film "Beauty and the Beast," Glen Keane. Keane stated at Disney Studios in 1974. He's worked on "The Fox and the Hound" and "The Little Mermaid." (Interview by Marty Moss-Coane)

Animator John Canemaker's new book is "Felix: The Twisted Tale of the World's Most Famous Cat." The cartoon character was well known on television, but was as famous as Charlie Chaplain during the silent film era.

Animator Paul Fierlinger (FEAR-ling-er). His animated documentary film, "And Then I'll Stop" won the best film award from the International Association of Animators. It's the first animated documentary to explore the issue of alcoholism. (Interview by Marty Moss-Coane)