Guest Blogger: Stephen Worth

Hiya, I'm Stephen Worth. For the past thirty years, I've been lucky enough to earn a living as a cartoon producer for Ralph Bakshi and John Kricfalusi, among others. I've worked on a lot of stuff... Alvin & the Chipmunks, Cool World, Ren & Stimpy: Adult Party Cartoon, Bjork's "I Miss You" video, the infamous "Boo Boo Runs Wild" special... and no matter if the show turned out good or bad, I can honestly say that I've always had fun.

Currently, I'm the Director of the ASIFA-Hollywood Animation Archive, a museum, library and digital archive devoted to the use of professional artists and students. I'm bound and determined to help cartoonists rebuild their artform so it can go beyond what was achieved in the golden age of cartooning. It's a lot of work, but cartoonists all over the world have been pitching in to help create an amazing resource. Hopefully, it will make a difference and act as a catalyst for change.

I have too many passions in life to count them all, but I particularly love music- from country & western to 50s pop vocals to jump blues to grand opera. I live in LA in a house full of records and videos and toys with my pomchi, Schlitzee. I spend most of my time hanging out with people who are much more brilliant and creative than I am. What more could a person ask for? I have a million theories on all kinds of subjects and I love to tell stories. I'll try to share some of this stuff with you in my time here as Boing Boing guestblogger.

• [ArtF]

  Woot! Great to see you on Boing Boing Steve!!!

• [Anonymous]

  Awesome! Stephen is absolutely tireless in his efforts for animation, and incredibly knowledgable. What a treat! Look out boing boingers, here comes the good stuff :)

• [GrymRpr]

  Wow… Stephen Worth As Guest Blogger! Whatta Catch for BB!

  First I wish to say Thanks Steve! Not only for putting a smile on my face with your art but, for your work with ASIFA-Hollywood Animation Archive.

  Two questions for ya ( Hope you can answer them )

  1: The building the ASIFA-Hollywood Animation Archive is now in looks like an Old Bank Branch Office. ( ie. Quite small ) Do you fine folks have enough room?

  2: Every single Day I kick myself. Reason? I Met Ralph Bakshi Back in the late 80′s and even got a chance to talk with him for a few Min’s. I was, of course blinded by the chance run-in with him & I forgot to ask the one Important question I had for him.
  Here’s hoping you can shed some light on it.

  From My understanding, Ralph Outright owns “The Mighty Hero’s” Cartoon series. If True, Any Idea why it’s not been released?

• [Bray_beast]

  Ooh ooh ooh! You seem like one of the better people to ask a question that has been bothering me for years. What was the first instance of “boioioioing” being used as innuendo or shorthand for an erection? I’m guessing it was in cartoons, though I don’t know.

  • [Ian70]

    Wow, great question, I also want to know. Tell us, Jesus Tell us! :) :)

• [dole]

  Love Bakshi and John K., much respeck. Welcome and really looking forward to reading your posts.

• [Stefan Jones]

  “Boo Boo Runs Wild” was wonderfully transgressive.

  @Anonymous #7: Fox TV ran some very odd ‘toons in its Saturday morning spot, circa late 80s/early 90s. Like Nightmare Ned and Zazu U. It’s almost impossible to find information on the latter.

• [Anonymous]

  I am in heaven. So glad Stephen Worth is guestblogging here (:

• [andrew brandou]

  Welcome Steve!!!

  I had the great pleasure to work with Steve at Spumco for a bit – his animation knowledge and archiving skills are incredible. the work he does with ASIFA and the treasure trove that has become are invaluable.

  and hes one of the all time great flea market companions :)

  boingboing’s lucky to have you around!

• [Anonymous]

  In my old age (37), I find myself yearning to see again the most intriguing cartoons of my youth. A steady exposure to TVOntario means there are quite a few, and international, no less.

  Few are available, at any price, with notable exceptions like Doctor Snuggles, whose creator has a website where he’ll ship any dub you want internationally.

  A friend of mine made a decent vhs-rip of A Cosmic Christmas and donated it to the intarwebs.

  The ones I enjoyed most almost all turned out to be Soyuzmultfilm! (Russian government-run)

  Also, I’d love to get a copy of the Secret Railroad (local english-dub of french-canadian lsd-trip)