2020 TV News Archives
July 22, 2020: Exclusive Interview with "Super Friends" Animator Tom Cook
Superman Homepage's Michael Moreno caught up with retired animator Tom Cook, who worked on various incarnations of the 1970s "Super Friends" cartoons.You had worked on the animated series Super Friends and Super Friends: The Legendary Super Powers show. What was it like working on both of these series?
My IMDB page is actually incorrect... I didn't work on "The Legendary Super Powers" it was "Challenge of the Superfriends" and it was the first thing I worked on when I got my job as an assistant animator at Hanna-Barbera in 1978. I also worked on Scooby Doo, Godzilla, The New Fred and Barney Show and The Thing.
Do you have a favorite episode from these series and, if so, which episodes, and why are they your favorite?
I really don't have a favorite episode because I never really watched the show... I was 26 at the time and the cartoons were geared for kids so it really wasn't the kind of thing I would watch beyond checking it out to see how my work looked on occasion.
Were there any challenges in making any of the episodes?
The biggest challenge for me was that I was hired with no experience whatsoever so I had to learn on the job. Thankfully I was the assistant to a nice animator and he helped me learn what my job actually was because as I said... I had zero idea what I was supposed to do. They hired me because I drew well but as for the techniques of drawing animation I had to learn.
It's been some time since Super Friends and Challenge of the Superfriends shows aired. Since then, there have been other interpretations of Superman in animated form. Do you see any similarities or differences between your shows and current interpretations?
After 1981 ALL of the animation for these shows was drawn in Japan or Korea and eventually all over the world EXCEPT in the United States so the entire feel and style of the animation changed for the worse. The studios didn't care because it was all about them saving money. If not for Filmation studios keeping all of their work here in the U.S. I would have had a 3 year career in the animation industry and would have had to go back to driving a transit bus which is what I did before I got the animation job.
Given the opportunity, would you be interested in a revival of Super Friends and Challenge of the Superfriends show?
At this point I am 68 and retired so I am not interested in the revival of any show since I would not be a part of it ;) This is one of the things that people don't realize... all of our jobs were stolen from us and sent overseas so there is no work in animation any longer with very few exceptions. The greed of the heads of the studios ruined the animation industry here in the U.S. We did great work but the equally greedy unions began to demand so much money from the studios that the studios were bound to look for ways to save money and the result was to send everything out of the country. This was known at the time as "runaway animation". I ended up working at Filmation from 1981 until they closed their doors in 1989 so I am very grateful to Lou Scheimer for not being one of the greedy studio heads... without him I would have had a very short career.
Lastly, do you have any advice for those who will be working on animation and on Superman?
Any of these cartoons would be great to work on if I was in the age group looking for work but since I am retired thank goodness I don't have to scramble for work like I had to during my career. As for working on Superman specifically, if I were a studio head I would do a really well written and beautifully animated version but the difficulty back in the 70s was that all of the studio heads were older men with no real clue how to put a good superhero show together. With Super Friends... all of the stories had little to do with what the characters were doing in the comic books that they were taken from so the animated version bore very little resemblance to what us comic book fans wanted to see on screen.
The Superman Homepage would like to thank Tom Cook for agreeing to do this interview, and for fitting it into his schedule.
2020 Television News
Listed below are all the Television News items archived for 2020 organized into various categories:'Supergirl' TV Series News:
- January 2, 2020: “Crisis on Infinite Earths - Part 4” Photos
- January 3, 2020: “Supergirl” S05E10 “The Bottle Episode” Description
- January 7, 2020: The CW Renews “Supergirl” for Season 6
- January 9, 2020: “Crisis on Infinite Earths” Crossover “No Way Out” Promo
- January 11, 2020: Final Trailer for “Crisis on Infinite Earths” Conclusion
- January 11, 2020: “Supergirl” S05E11 “Back From The Future - Part 1” Description
- January 13, 2020: “Crisis on Infinite Earths - Part 5” Photos
- January 13, 2020: “Crisis on Infinite Earths” Crossover “Lex Luthor” Promo Video
- January 14, 2020: “Crisis on Infinite Earths” Crossover “Easter Eggs”
- January 14, 2020: Tonight's Final Two Episodes of the “Crisis on Infinite Earths” Crossover
- January 14, 2020: “Supergirl” S05E10 “The Bottle Episode” Photos
- January 15, 2020: The Formation of the Justice League on “Crisis on Infinite Earths”
- January 15, 2020: Movie and Television Realities Meet in “Crisis on Infinite Earths” Crossover
- January 15, 2020: “Supergirl” S05E10 “The Bottle Episode” Promo Video
- January 17, 2020: Answers to Your Burning Questions After “Crisis on Infinite Earths”
- January 19, 2020: Tonight's New Episode of “Supergirl” S05E10 “The Bottle Episode”
- January 20, 2020: “Supergirl” S05E11 “Back From The Future - Part 1” Promo
- January 22, 2020: New Look for Chyler Leigh's “Supergirl” Character - Super Alex Danvers?
- January 23, 2020: “Supergirl” S05E11 “Back From The Future - Part 1” Photos
- January 23, 2020: Fan Ratings for “Crisis on Infinite Earths” - Poll Results
- January 26, 2020: Tonight's New Episode of “Supergirl” S05E11 “Back From The Future - Part 1”
- January 27, 2020: “Supergirl” S05E12 “Back From The Future - Part 2” Promo Video
- February 5, 2020: “Supergirl” S05E12 “Back From The Future - Part 2” Description
- February 7, 2020: “Supergirl” S05E12 “Back From The Future - Part 2” Photos
- February 7, 2020: “Supergirl” S05E13 “It's a Super Life” Description - 100th Episode!
- February 14, 2020: Mon-El Returning to “Supergirl”
- February 14, 2020: “Supergirl” S05E13 “It's a Super Life” Photos
- February 16, 2020: Tonight's New Episode of “Supergirl” S05E12 “Back From The Future - Part 2”
- February 17, 2020: “Supergirl” S05E13 “It's a Super Life” Promo Trailer
- February 19, 2020: Tom Welling Talks About “Crisis on Infinite Earths”
- February 21, 2020: “Supergirl” 100th Episode Celebration Photos
- February 21, 2020: “Supergirl” S05E14 “The Bodyguard” Description
- February 23, 2020: Tonight's New Episode of “Supergirl” S05E13 “It's a Super Life”
- February 24, 2020: “Supergirl” S05E14 “The Bodyguard” Promo Trailer
- February 25, 2020: “Supergirl” 100th Episode Celebration Featurette Video
- February 26, 2020: “Supergirl” 100th Episode “Super Moments” Video
- February 28, 2020: “Supergirl” S05E14 “The Bodyguard” Photos
- February 29, 2020: “Supergirl” S05E15 “Reality Bytes” Description
- March 2, 2020: “Supergirl” S05E14 “The Bodyguard” Extended Promo Trailer
- March 4, 2020: Melissa Benoist and Chris Wood Expecting First Child
- March 6, 2020: “Supergirl” S05E16 “Alex in Wonderland” Description
- March 8, 2020: “Supergirl” S05E14 “The Bodyguard” Sneak Peek
- March 8, 2020: Tonight's New Episode of “Supergirl” S05E14 “The Bodyguard”
- March 9, 2020: “Supergirl” S05E15 “Reality Bytes” Promo Trailer
- March 13, 2020: “Supergirl” S05E17 “Deus Lex Machina” Description
- March 13, 2020: “Supergirl” S05E15 “Reality Bytes” Photos
- March 15, 2020: “Supergirl” S05E16 “Alex in Wonderland” Promo Trailer
- March 15, 2020: “Supergirl” S05E15 “Reality Bytes” Preview Clip
- March 15, 2020: Tonight's New Episode of “Supergirl” S05E15 “Reality Bytes”
- March 17, 2020: “Supergirl” Episode Review - S05E15 “Reality Bytes”
- March 18, 2020: “Supergirl” S05E16 “Alex in Wonderland” Photos
- March 22, 2020: Tonight's New Episode of “Supergirl” S05E16 “Alex in Wonderland”
- March 25, 2020: The CW Announces “Supergirl” Episode Delay
- April 4, 2020: “Supergirl” S05E17 “Deus Lex Machina” Promo Trailer
- April 9, 2020: Update: The CW Reschedules New “Supergirl” Episode
- April 21, 2020: Jon Cryer Talks About Changes to “Supergirl” Season 5 Finale
- April 25, 2020: “Supergirl” S05E17 “Deus Lex Machina” Photos
- April 30, 2020: “Supergirl” S05E18 “The Missing Link” Description
- May 2, 2020: “Supergirl” S05E17 “Deus Lex Machina” Preview Clips
- May 3, 2020: “Supergirl” S05E18 “The Missing Link” Promo Trailer
- May 3, 2020: Tonight's New Episode of “Supergirl” S05E17 “Deus Lex Machina”
- May 4, 2020: Melissa Benoist Talks About Her “Supergirl” Directorial Debut
- May 6, 2020: “Supergirl” S05E18 “The Missing Link” Photos
- August 12, 2020: New Character Posters for Season 6 of “Supergirl”
- September 8, 2020: “Supergirl: The Complete Fifth Season” Now Available on Blu-ray/DVD
- September 9, 2020: “Supergirl” Season 5 Gag Reel
- September 12, 2020: Video - The SUPERGIRL Stunt Team's Fitness Routine
- September 17, 2020: Buying “Supergirl: The Complete Fifth Season” - Poll Results
- September 20, 2020: “Supergirl” Season 5 Bloopers
- September 22, 2020: “Supergirl” to End with Season 6
- October 1, 2020: Fan Thoughts on “Supergirl” Ending with Season 6 Ð Poll Results
- November 19, 2020: “Supergirl” Cast “Choose Your Fighter” TikTok Video
- December 27, 2020: Concept Art of Never-Used Kryptonian Costumes from “Supergirl”
- January 14, 2020: The CW Orders “Superman and Lois” Straight to Series
- January 21, 2020: Tyler Hoechlin - Not My Superman (The S Files)
- February 5, 2020: “Superman and Lois” TV Series Character Breakdowns
- February 5, 2020: Kent Twins Cast for “Superman and Lois” TV Series
- February 25, 2020: Jordan Elsass Talks About “Superman and Lois”
- March 26, 2020: More Casting Breakdowns for “Superman and Lois” TV Series
- April 3, 2020: Dylan Walsh Cast as Series Regular for “Superman and Lois”
- April 7, 2020: Emmanuelle Chriqui Cast as Lana Lang for “Superman and Lois”
- April 8, 2020: Erik Valdez Cast as Lana Lang's Husband for “Superman and Lois”
- April 23, 2020: Lana Lang's Hair Color - Poll Results
- May 29, 2020: Kristin Kreuk on Lana Lang Appearing in “Superman and Lois”
- June 16, 2020: Elizabeth Tulloch Talks About Becoming Lois Lane
- July 11, 2020: Filming to Start on “Superman and Lois” in September
- August 12, 2020: New Lois Lane Poster Image for “Superman & Lois”
- August 13, 2020: New Superman Poster Image for “Superman & Lois”
- September 1, 2020: “Superman & Lois” Teaser
- September 15, 2020: “Superman and Lois” TV Series to Film in Cloverdale
- September 16, 2020: DC FanDome Report - “Superman and Lois” Panel
- October 2, 2020: Cast of “Superman and Lois” Arrive for Filming
- October 7, 2020: The CW Releases Updated “Superman & Lois” Promo Art
- October 15, 2020: Sofia Hasmik Cast as Chrissy Beppo for “Superman & Lois”
- October 21, 2020: “Superman and Lois” Starts First Day of Filming
- October 22, 2020: Stacey Farber Joins Cast of “Superman & Lois”
- October 29, 2020: Official Premiere Date Set for “Superman and Lois”
- November 5, 2020: Is this the “S” Shield for Superman's Costume on “Superman and Lois”?
- November 6, 2020: “Superman and Lois” Stars to Promote Pandemic Health to Youth
- November 6, 2020: “Superman and Lois” Set Construction Photos
- November 7, 2020: Behind-the-Scenes Photos from the “Superman and Lois” Set
- Leaked Superman Costume Photos for “Superman and Lois”
- November 14, 2020: Kirk Alyn Honored on “Superman and Lois” Sound Stage
- November 26, 2020: Behind-the-Scenes Photo of Clark Kent and Sons on “Superman & Lois”
- December 4, 2020: Noel Neill Honored on “Superman and Lois” Stage Door
- December 8, 2020: Elizabeth Tulloch Receives Signed Margot Kidder “Lois Lane” Gift
- December 9, 2020: First Look at Tyler Hoechlin's New Superman Costume
- December 10, 2020: Joselyn Picard Cast as Sophie Cushing for “Superman and Lois”
- December 11, 2020: Episode Titles and Air Dates for “Superman and Lois”
- December 11, 2020: First Look at Clark Kent and Lois Lane for “Superman and Lois”
- December 11, 2020: Behind-The-Scenes Photos of Tyler Hoechlin in New Superman Costume
- December 17, 2020: Adam Rayner Cast as Morgan Edge for “Superman and Lois”
- December 17, 2020: Bitsie Tulloch Poses with Lois Lane Stunt Double
- December 17, 2020: Tyler Hoechlin's New Superman Costume - Poll Results
- December 29, 2020: “Superman and Lois” Trailer - “Family Crest”
- September 2, 2020: Young Justice - Outsiders: Limited Edition (2-CD Set)
- September 12, 2020: Warner Bros. Animation Announces “Young Justice: Phantoms”
- January 23, 2020: Superman Content Available on DC Universe This February
- February 24, 2020: Superman Content Available on DC Universe This March
- March 18, 2020: Superman Content Available on DC Universe This April
- June 18, 2020: Superman Content Available on DC Universe This July
- July 22, 2020: Superman Content Available on DC Universe This August
- January 30, 2020: Best Superman TV Show of the Past Decade - Poll Results
- February 12, 2020: “Smallville” Reunion at Wizard World St. Louis
- February 13, 2020: Favorite Live-Action Lex Luthor - Poll Results
- February 27, 2020: Interview with “DC Super Hero Girls” Sound Mixer Brittany Ellis
- March 19, 2020: Favorite Mxyzptlk Live-Action Actor - Poll Results
- March 21, 2020: A Guide to Every Actor Who Has Played Superman
- April 3, 2020: Tom Welling's Clark Kent Becomes Superman in New Deep Fake Video
- April 3, 2020: Julie Bennett, Lois Lane Voice Actor, Dies
- April 13, 2020: Tom Welling's Clark Kent Becomes Superman in Deep Fake Video Part 2
- April 23, 2020: Superman Included on HBO Max Billboard
- April 28, 2020: Omaze Announces Virtual “Smallville” Reunion
- April 29, 2020: Top 5 Supergirl Moments From “DC Super Hero Girls”
- May 6, 2020: Howie Mandel Talks About Playing Mr. Mxyzptlk
- May 25, 2020: Watch “Justice League's Next Top Talent Idol Star” from “Teen Titans GO!”
- May 27, 2020: Dean Cain Talks “Lois & Clark” Revival
- May 28, 2020: What Can Superman Fans Watch on HBO Max?
- June 4, 2020: What Superman TV Series Do Fans Want? - Poll Results
- June 17, 2020: Pre-Order “Legion of Superheroes: The Complete Series” on Blu-ray
- July 3, 2020: Dean Cain Claims Superman Can't Say “Truth, Justice and The American Way” Anymore
- July 16, 2020: FanExpo Canada Announces Free “Smallville” Virtual Experience
- July 22, 2020: Exclusive Interview with “Super Friends” Animator Tom Cook
- August 2, 2020: Watch FanExpo Canada's “Smallville” Virtual Experience
- August 3, 2020: The CW Releases “Real Heroes Wear Masks” Posters
- August 6, 2020: Video: “Krypton” Season 3 - What Could Have Been
- August 9, 2020: Wizard World to Host Virtual “Smallville” Experience
- August 20, 2020: Interview - The Voice of Superman - George Newbern
- August 24, 2020: “Smallville” Virtual Reunion Panel - Wizard World Virtual Experiences 2020
- September 10, 2020: Tim Daly Talks About Voicing Superman Again
- September 18, 2020: “Smallville” Cast Reunion at NYCC Metaverse
- September 18, 2020: DC Universe Becomes DC Universe Infinite Comic Book Subscription Service
- September 20, 2020: DC Super Hero Girls - “The Best of Superman”
- October 13, 2020: Watch the “Smallville” Cast Reunion from New York Comic Con 2020
- October 15, 2020: Best Superman Animated Series - Poll Results
- November 10, 2020: Michael Rosenbaum Chats with the Cast of the Animated “Justice League”
- November 12, 2020: Is Tom Welling Considered a Superman Actor? - Poll Results
- November 26, 2020: Genndy Tartakovsky Reveals Drawings From Never-Made Superman Cartoon
Back to the News Archive Contents page.
Back to the Latest News page.