JOHNNY BRAVO

 

JOHNNY BRAVO
(Cartoon Network, July 14, 1997-August 27, 2004)
 
Cartoon Network Studios
 
 

            Van Partible, born Efrem Giovanni Bravo Partible, attended Loyola Marymount University. His senior thesis project was an animated short film about an Elvis Presley impersonator called Mess O’ Blues. The short ended up becoming quite the spectacle and a source of pride for the university as, when Partible accidentally destroyed the soundtrack during editing, LMU graduate, writer, producer and voice over artist Lee J. Bognar assembled the cast and musicians to perform the soundtrack live when it was presented. Partible’s animation professor showed the film to a friend at Hanna-Barbera and Partible was asked to submit a pitch for their upcoming anthology showcase, What a Cartoon!

The proto-Johnny.

            Partible revised the main character from Mess O’ Blues. He took inspiration from James Dean, giving the character large blonde hair, a t-shirt with rolled-up cuffs and jeans rather than black hair and an Evils suit, as well as a top-heavy muscular build. He was inspired by Michael Jackson’s use of whip snaps and cracks whenever he struck a pose, which the character would do often to show off. Finally, he would be renamed “Johnny Bravo”, a play on Partible’s middle name and inspired by the alias Greg Brady (Barry Williams) used to secure a record deal on The Brady Bunch.

Johnny attempting to woo a woman by showing off.

            After the first three segments debuted as World Premiere Toons, Johnny Bravo became a series on July 14, 1997 with those original segments comprising its first episode. The series centered on Johnny (Jeff Bennett, continuing the Elvis impersonation), a narcissist and dimwitted self-proclaimed ladies’ man from Aron City (a nod to Elvis’ middle name). Johnny spent all of his time trying to impress a woman enough to go on a date with him (and who always rejected him in a comedically violent manner). Johnny lived with his mother, “Momma” Bravo (Brenda Vaccaro). Other characters included Little Suzy (Mae Whitman), a talkative and intelligent young girl that liked to agitate him; Carl Chryniszzswics (Tom Kenny), a geek that idolized him despite Johnny always bullying him; Master Hamma (Brain Tochi), a martial arts instructor that taught Johnny, but considered him weak and stupid; Pops (Larry Drake), the unscrupulous owner of the local diner that made food with strange ingredients and often advised Johnny; Donny Osmond, playing a version of himself that always irritated Johnny; and Jungle Boy (Cody Dorkin), a feral boy with super strength and the ability to talk to animals.

Johnny showing off for Daphne and the Scooby gang.

            Much of the series’ humor came from pop culture references and celebrity guest stars that included Adam West, Shaquille O’Neal, Seth Green and more, as well as other Hanna-Barbera characters such as the cast of Scooby-Doo, Speed Buggy, Jabberjaw and others. Partible had intended for the middle segment to be a parody of The New Scooby-Doo Movies with celebrity appearances, but ultimately guest stars were used informally. Johnny Bravo was put on hiatus before being renewed for a second season; during which time Warner Bros. took over Turner Broadcasting and fired Partible due to his inexperience. He was replaced by Kirk Tingblad for the next two seasons, who retooled the show’s look, tone and humor. Partible, on the basis of a new pitch he attempted with WB, was rehired and oversaw the final season of Johnny Bravo, which undid a lot of the changes made. Johnny Bravo proved a hit for the network, received numerous award nominations, and continues to be fondly regarded in cartoon retrospective articles and lists.