Tara Strong has relayed the news that the last recording session for Chowder has been completed.
In a May 18th post on his blog, show creator C.H. Greenblatt stated, “We don’t know if there’ll be any more Chowders after this one, so we have to assume this is the end until we hear otherwise. As I was told, CN doesn’t cancel shows, they just don’t renew them. This summer could change things if ratings are really good. We premiere in June, and I was told there’ll be minimal advertising before the re-launch. If we do well, it’ll be thanks to the dedicated fans, not the network.”
Greenblatt added that the final episode will be a “special half-hour story set twenty years in the future [showing] how everyone’s lives ended up,” including the introduction of Chowder’s own apprentice.
Many thanks to Greenblatt, the voice cast and production staff and everyone else involved in Chowder for giving animation fans a show that was fresh, original, and very entertaining. Here’s hoping that the ratings will be a summer sleeper smash and get the show renewed over the live-action tween programming that “Cartoon” Network has resorted to airing to boost ratings instead of their network’s namesake.
Or perhaps the voice cast can host another car wash to raise money like they did when they appeared in episode 26 (“The Hot Date”), as seen in this clip on YouTube.
Tara encourages all Chowder fans to “send letters to Cartoon Network” to show their support for renewing the show:
Cartoon Network
1050 Techwood Drive
Atlanta, GA 30318
You could also post your support on CN’s official Facebook page, and send feedback via CartoonNetwork.com.
Update: 7.08.2009 — Well, perhaps CN hasn’t completely abandoned Chowder in regards to promotion… at least through the upcoming San Diego Comic-Con. According to a Cartoon Network press release (via Movieweb.com) there will be a panel presentation with autograph session to follow on Thursday, July 23 for Chowder and The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack in Comic-Con’s with guests C.H. Greenblatt, Tara Strong, Dana Snyder, Thurop Van Orman, and Steve Little.
Those of you Chowder fans attending the con, this is your opportunity to show your support for the show and let Cartoon Network know directly that you want to see the series continue.
(And thanks again to Tara for the photo.)