Dilbert Vs the Network

[@mediamementosofficial]

After much research, I found out that Scott Adams was right about what happened to Dilbert on UPN…at least for the most part. The difference was that it wasn’t as (ahem) black and white as he made it out to be. It was true that UPN was cancelling shows in order to transition into minority-focused programming, but they weren’t going out of their way to cancel things purely for that sake. They did this to shows that were underperforming, and there were a lot of them considering that this is UPN we’re talking about. Dilbert was struggling due to the network’s mismanagement of the series, so it too was replaced with a show that would fit UPN’s new direction. They were more willing to do this than to save the show as not only was Dilbert not fitting in their new vision for the company, but the show was basically already dead by this point. The only exception was Nowhere Man, which had high ratings, but was cancelled purely to make room for Homeboys in Outer Space. I think we all know how that turned out. So…yeah. The truth lies somewhere in the middle with this one. Make of that what you will.

[@CosmicSponge2004]

That makes sense considering Scott Adams'... reputation

[@walidbentaher]

@@CosmicSponge2004 Wait whats wrong with him?

[@albertrobinson4576]

I’m black and I relate to Dilbert FAR more than Homeboys in Outer Space.

[@joeybaseball7352]

This aged like milk.

[@powerpuffboy901]

@@joeybaseball7352 HOW?

[@albertrobinson4576]

@@joeybaseball7352 Nope. Still love and relate to Dilbert. Homeboys was pandering trash. I can still love Dilbert and detest it’s creator.

[@neilhannan7525]

​@@joeybaseball7352 And Dilbert Aged like Fine Wine

[@spongebobplushiestuff8612]

Fun Fact: Dilbert aired reruns on Comedy Central in the early 2000s Just wanted to bring it up

[@walidbentaher]

It should have been on there or on adult swim instead..

[@HispanicToddendale]

Man. You could do a whole Vs the Network series on UPN shows alone. I looked into it more and there’s a lot of cases like these. How did they not go under in four years?

[@CJBStudios]

At last, the long awaited series of stuff getting screwed by networks has finally returned! This is actually one of my favorite series on this channel, and I’ve been dying for you guys to bring it back again. I cannot wait to check out all six episodes of Vs the Netwerk season 2! Keep up the good work, Trevor and Billy!

[@Brianna-eo8nu]

I actually vaguely remember catching an episode or two of the dilbert cartoon as a kid. Good to see a new episode from the Vs the Network show again!

[@genemelendez8157]

UPN feels way more stupid than evil Shout out to the app Tubi that has all of the episodes along with some other hidden gems like Sam and Max Freelance Police

[@justaguyproductions3673]

I remember recently seeing DAN vs. on there, if you haven't seen it I would recommend it, it is simply one of the MOST underrated shows I have ever seen.

[@genemelendez8157]

@@justaguyproductions3673 same for the Earthworm Jim cartoon, but I think it’s gone now. It’s a shame, that’s another really underrated show

[@B3fromYT]

I remember when Tubi had a bunch of Veggietales episodes on it before Yippee TV took all of it away

[@dylansmith5206]

Feels More Stupid Than Evil...... I think you just accidently described Phil Burnell (Darkside Phil).

[@devinpaul9026]

Has this series already covered The Oblongs? If not... The Oblongs...

[@Jeffy2010Official]

No I don’t think they cover oblongs

[@jaggerguth4391]

Oblongs for long.

[@ambrozmedtor5981]

Oh man I really hope he does at some point

[@devinpaul9026]

@@ambrozmedtor5981 Most prime candidate I know of.

[@matthewrohde1588]

Another interesting thing to come out of UPN was the 1996 Incredible Hulk animated series from their short-lived kids block. It was arguably one of the most underrated animated comic book adaptations of the 90s, and if were on Fox Kids it would’ve lasted a lot longer.

[@dynostretch9215]

Makes me happy to have the DVD box set of this show. I loved it back when I watched it on TV, and think it still holds up to this day. I had already known about some of UPN's idiotic decisions regarding this show, but I didn't know it went that deep. Stupid, evil? I'm going to say 'Pointy-Haired Boss' tier.

[@redben1252]

Dilbert's creator just said he's glad his son OD'd because now he can't become a shooter.

[@LowellLucasJr.]

Um...im black and loved Dilbert's animated series! I don't care the creators white! The show had hilarious satirical humor that I'd Definitely put in the same league as Duckman, The Critic, Mission Hill and Wait til your Father gets Home! Also, UPN IS STUPID!!! That Jumanji series by Klasky Csupo was all wrong!!

[@NessieNep]

I wish Dilbert's creator didn't go postal (much like Doug TenNapel did).

[@louisvillenick3248]

UPN was stupid hands down. Who says you have to be white to relate to Dilbert? Isn’t that like saying you have to be a cat to relate to Garfield?

[@carybeweary7209]

Scott clearly was lying Even contradicts himself because in 2006 when he was asked about why the Dilbert cartoon was canceled he said it was because they kept moving it around in the schedule and they gave them a horrible lead in It was only years later he would start spouting his racist rhetoric

[@cyruskuria5165]

Or a kid to relate to Peanuts.

[@supermariof0521]

Given how Dilbert's creator, Scott Adams basically went full blown racist against the black community a few days ago, thus getting his own creation yanked off of future newspapers, the racism section of this video is the textbook definition of irony.

[@carvahaunter122]

Yeah I feel like Scott definitely blew that claim out of proportion. It’s possible UPN *was* aiming for an African American demographic and offhandedly mentioned it to him, but it’s not a direct cause of cancellation. Like the video said it was just UPN’s usual mishandling of things. (Plus the show had a co-creator too and he’s pretty much the one that made it good).

[@TheBaltimoreMovieTrailerPark]

Technically, they did run promos for the episodes with the guest stars…but they were quick 15-second promos.

[@theotakux5959]

Dilbert is the ONLY UPN show I remember watching as a kid. I didn't get into Star Trek until the last season of Enterprise was airing, and I was watching The Original Series on DVD, so I didn't see Enterprise or Voyager until after they ended.

[@SiRenfield]

I’m just happy to see Home Movies acknowledged at all on this channel…or in general because Home Movies is great

[@daelen.cclark]

Some of the Seinfeld actors came on board because of some of the writers having been part of the Seinfeld crew at the time.

[@sjmhadsock4586]

And I agree it should have been on adult swim Imagine watching this between Family Guy and Harvey Birdman

[@charlotteroot442]

UPN looks like it just felt insured and scared about having lots of failures I don't think UPN is evil or stupid Insecure

[@Sephus912]

I know people have brought this up already, but Scott Adams actually got Dilbert ( the comic) removed from papers a while back because he made racist comments. This basically means he lied to everybody about why UPN kicked him off the Dilbert cartoon. That’s hilarious.

[@HemiSlant6828]

Well, the comments were stupid to say, but it doesn't feel like he has any racist intent. But aside from that, UPN did try things out of stupidity, and their stupidity ended up with them becoming an accidentally racist channel trying to copy B.E.T. (which is always a bad idea).

[@carybeweary7209]

​@@HemiSlant6828Scott Addams was lying about his show being pulled because they wanted more black shows Hell,Adams himself even said the reason Dilbert got cancelled because they keep moving the show around in the schedule and it had a horrible lead in show in 2006 He's just a weird racist that blames all his problems on black people

[@mediamementosofficial]

@carybeweary7209 I hope the pinned comment explains things. You reminded me that I didn’t post it here, but only on the compilation version.

[@carybeweary7209]

@@mediamementosofficial 👍

[@niccage6375]

Dilbert is a great show but scott adams is a bit of a weirdo

[@billybattle]

If they would have just sold some dupey dolls we could have had like 50 seasons.

[@Krang2010]

In the Clerks the animated series DVD Kevin Smith talked about UPN offering to produce the show first but he was told by industry insiders that UPN was hard to work with and would likely be off the air soon so he went with NBC (who also screwed him over). I think Scott Adams might have simply fallen for a UPN sales pitch. Great video

[@mathieuleader8601]

Dilbert was like an animated Fraiser

[@TheManWithTheFlan]

Still genuinely amazed that the dude who created "Alienation Under Capitalism: the Comic Strip" managed to end up a hardcore Trumper. Dude that made Dilbert is fucking ride-or-die for the Pointy-Haired Boss.

[@Kilroyiii4644]

How the tables have turned, huh, Scott?

[@joshhacker8503]

I dont know if ut was the same UPN or some sistet network, but as a kid I watched UPN23 for episodes of Pokémon as well as reruns of old disney shows.

[@ExtremeWreck]

Local affiliates being local affiliates

[@DerekMcDouglas]

I also watched UPN44 (now Independent) for classic episodes of The Simpsons, King of the Hill, Sister Sister, and Disney show reruns.

[@ApocGenesis]

I've been looking for a series like this for a while!! I'm fascinated by the behind the scenes wrangling that kills great shows. Would you consider doing Animaniacs?

[@tenebrousoul9368]

Algorithm. Edit: I want to see vs Duckman. That show had potential.

[@raventai4784]

Thatd be awesome

[@goldylover1000]

At least that show had 72 episodes, Thank God cause it’s the best klasky csupo show I’ve ever seen. I wish they made more shows like that instead of making a rugrats reboot.

[@tenebrousoul9368]

@@goldylover1000 They'd fit with Adult Swim so well.

[@goldylover1000]

@@tenebrousoul9368 I honestly think their gritty art style fits better with adult cartoons than kids cartoons Hell, the wild thornberrys was supposed to be a adult cartoon, about Nigel thornberry I’m not joking It’s was going to be called Nigel thornberrys animal world. it’s real the script got leaked We were robbed.

[@tenebrousoul9368]

@@goldylover1000 That would have been amazing. Just brilliant. See, their kids' cartoons were great, when they were fledgling, but the acerbic humor of the scripts with that art style of Duckman, I'm kinda pissed we don't get them as an adult animation studio. It's a travesty.

[@aaronsarchive82]

Dilbert was my favorite show when it first aired. I remember none of thr other shows resembled it. All the ads were for edgy thrillers or sitcoms. I remember Home Movies premiered not longer after, but UPN canceled it after one season. Dilbert is still one of my favorite animated sitcoms, though. Incredibly well done for a show that barely was given a chance.

[@elguero281]

Home Movies when graphic presented, the 1st season seemed like a rough watch. The jokes & stories it told was OK, but UPN hardly treated good with cartoons on the network, Adult Swim as it started to become a thing in 2000, picked Home Movies up, aired the remaining episodes UPN never aired & got a season 2 with changes in animation style

[@228-n6f]

This is an awesome video! For a comic strip based animated series, it was lucky enough to get two seasons. Can you do Mission Hill next for VS The Network series? It’s such an underrated show that was created by former showrunners of the Simpsons.

[@berniedavis6676]

I was a fan of Dilbert. I also like how UPN had celebrity death match for a while on the network. there was another stop-motion series from the same studio as CDM but I can't remember its name.

[@DoraemonFan-ww3jm]

So, UPN was a bad network all along? That's sad. I liked that channel due to the obscure and/or syndicated shows they aired. :(

[@joshuagoforth1658]

So after watching the video I decided to give the show a chance and omg it’s hilarious I love it 😂

[@ConquestOfJustice]

Came here after finding out what his creator did on Twitter

[@daelen.cclark]

Scott Adams may not be a good person, but this show still holds up for the most part.

[@daddy-odizzy5180]

How is he not a good person exactly…?

[@seventeenseventythirteen7465]

@@daddy-odizzy5180 Racist and generally bigoted psycho alt-Right Trump dude who believes in A LOT of conspiracies like the "election fraud" and all that COVID shit.

[@daelen.cclark]

@@daddy-odizzy5180 Racist. There’s a two-part “Behind the Bastards” podcast about it.

[@daddy-odizzy5180]

@@daelen.cclark I'd argue Adams wasn't racist but extremely stupid in how he responded to a poll.

[@eatatjoes6751]

Dang it. I binge watched Dilbert once and it's still my second favorite show. They sounded stupid.

[@Dragoon1809]

4:46, although having him make an appearance is always awesome!

[@carybeweary7209]

Cross promotion of SmackDown! maybe?

[@mathieuleader8601]

Speaking of UPN shows I like the Jumanji cartoon very underated in my view

[@carybeweary7209]

It was pretty good I watched the entire show a few years ago again for the first time since the 90s Still holds up pretty well

[@Gigas0101]

Evil and stupid go hand in hand.

[@oscarangel2989]

I didnt know about the guest stars. I watched the Latin American Spanish version back at the day. It was a pretty good show.

[@franf.4479]

In the Animation Cell Collection video of TASProductions, Trevor shows that he has a Dilbert animation cell, lol.

[@JuanGomez-ke5py]

Friday night smackdowner

[@CBelmont73]

You should cover MTVs Undergrads WWF Raw and Smackdown did more to promote the stone cold episode than UPN did.

[@cyrilthewonders9458]

I remember watching all of dilbert on Netflix when i was what like 12 or 11

[@pointless529]

funny enough, home movies also used to air on UPN until it moved to adult swim

[@redrasegarden]

Personally I think upn was more desperate than either stupid or evil. They had some stiff competition for there time and likely were more prone to do the network equivalent of throwing clay on the wall to see if it would stick.

[@thatguynobodywants3716]

Wait, you didn't had a pshychic link with the UPN Network to know which is the next celebrity on and when the new episode of Dilbert was being reschedlued? Are you even a true UPN fan?

[@The_Immortal_]

This is a great well thought out video, but there was just one small thing that irked me a little, the are about Scott Adams and the racism. While UPN did have its problems I don't think Scott Adams was entirely innocent either. If you take a look at his Twitter account and his newer Dilbert strips you can see some... Off putting jokes and takes, specifically things like the May 2nd 2022 comic where he introduces a person of color for the first time, only to make a transphobic joke with them "identifying as white". Not saying Scott Adams is some huge racist that needs to be taken down or anything, but that neither him or the UPN might have been all that innocent when it came to racism.

[@HispanicToddendale]

A few things. Those are the newer strips, not the ones of the time. I don’t see how poking fun at that makes him evil. I personally don’t believe in a protected class of comedy. Like South Park says, either all of it is ok, or none of it is. But overall, with UPN’s track record, they aren’t exactly fighters of equality.

[@SleeperInTravel]

How is that a "transphobic" joke? Seriously, people are so brainwashed by the media.

[@seventeenseventythirteen7465]

@@SleeperInTravel Because it's the "lol these transes so crazy thinkin' the can identify as anything they want. I identify as toaster because they're crazy." It's making fun of them and calling them crazy. It's the ONE JOKE that people use over and over, "I identify as (blank)" and it's never funny.

[@SleeperInTravel]

@@seventeenseventythirteen7465 yeah but people literally do that now...

[@seventeenseventythirteen7465]

@@SleeperInTravel Do what, identify as toasters? Dawg, no one ACTUALLY does that. It's a stupid Right wing "joke" that's only used to mock trans people. You'll get a few generally oddball people who identify as demi-horse gods, but those are usually just Tumblr teenage furies that run around the woods howling at the moon. Other than that, trans people aren't doing this out of some irony, they are born that way. If you ever see someone actually say "I identify as toast", just assume they're a transphobic jackass thinking a joke made in like, 2015 is still funny, when in reality it never was funny to begin with.

[@Average_Guardian]

who would win in a fight of making their coworkers Lifes hell: Dogbert or Cat Bert

[@KENNYTHEGHOST777]

I love dilbert

[@jaggerguth4391]

They do made Pointy Haired Boss a Bit nicer though.

[@ZyxthePest]

THIS VIDEO HAS AGED POORLY LOL

[@B3fromYT]

I mean, both sides were racist so...

[@ZyxthePest]

@ B3 Your going by Scott Adam's account of UPN being racist, so, kind of a bias.

[@B3fromYT]

​@ZyxthePest I don't know dude. UPN fired Dilbert for being, "too white" but IDK. At this point he might be lying

[@ZyxthePest]

@@B3fromYT Scott Adams is absolutely lying.

[@DrewtheStew1999]

@@ZyxthePestHe was actually mostly right. He just left out a couple of key details.

[@Kyle-td4bh]

well...this aged horribly

[@dustinsimoneau4780]

Dilbert to me is a case of "Enjoy the content, not the creator" due to the.......ideologies accepted by the creator some time ago (similar cases can be made for the works of Chiaki J. Konaka with series he wrote for like Digimon Tamers, Ultraman Tiga, Serial Experiments Lain, and The Big O which Shinta Reviews covered recently that I think you two might be interested in viewing). As for my favorite UPN show, easy choice with Star Trek Voyager, the show that basically kept the network afloat in the early days before the rise of shows like Everyone Hates Chris, America's Next Top Model, Veronica Mars and what was Friday Night Smackdown

[@BossManBlaine2245]

What because he’s a Republican?

[@dustinsimoneau4780]

@@BossManBlaine2245 More so because they fell down the crackpot conspiracy theory rabbit hole and never came back to their senses, especially Konaka

[@connorbeith3232]

@@dustinsimoneau4780 And just now there's that whole thing about him being glad his son died of an overdose.

[@laurenregnier3710]

All I know is UPN showed Digimon Frontier . Remember that ?

[@DerekMcDouglas]

Yes!

[@JudahDeNose]

Woooo

[@TheSmokefan14TS]

Well Scott Adam is 2000% too white. He’s a trumpet for crying out loud. And upn actually used to give black shoes a spot. That’s why Chris Rock turned down major networks to put everybody hates Chris, a show way too good for UPN it.

[@Dogman2605]

I know the upn it’s the black man’s friend

[@tssteelx]

Wait... newmans real name is Wayne knight? And he lost his parents when he was a kid?

[@aaronlaughter6471]

UPN- Lets fight racism, with racism.

[@carybeweary7209]

If you believe a lying racist like Scott Adams,sure

[@masterseal0418]

UPN deserved to be on the Terrible TV Shows Wiki(Miraheze). They make so many dick moves that the only good shows available on the network gets mistreated in a worse way; and the network went into obscurity.

[@malajuntaofficial4719]

I'd like to argue that it's not a case of Dumb or Evil. But instead should be measured in a gradient from dumb to evil. Yes they are very stupid but firing someone because "they are too white" sounds like something evil AND stupid since it's pretty much a horrible excuse to dump someone you don't deem useful anymore

[@carybeweary7209]

It was a lie