Bringing Back an Old Friend: Ginger Foutley

During the summer of 2000, I fell head over heels with a cartoon character. This girl, someone from Connecticut, was struggling to fit in, much like myself. Since then, Ginger Foutley has been one of my fictional heroes, someone who can beat the odds . Now I still don't get how a member of this family, or even a distant relative became the (I hate saying this) angelic voice behind such a sweet and sassy cartoon character. But I could never, thanks to network execs, get to constantly watch the show thanks to changing time slots. (NOT a great way to build an audience). I forget if I watched the first episode but on at least one occasion I did watch an episode the first time it aired. For me, ATBG was one of the few aspects of my pre-adolescence that I loved.

It's been nearly a decade since the last As Told By Ginger episode was produced and after watching all the episodes that have been released, I can say that the "series finale" leaves more questions than answers. How do the characters get to where they are at the end of the series. Even the creators, if I recall correctly, we're imagining a fourth season, but Nickelodeon (and the idiots at Viacomm) pulled the plug on a show that had some breakthroughs for a show. It was more like a tradition coming of age show than let's say, Family Guy. The characters don't where the same outfits every day and every episode. The world around Ginger changes, and that extends to the characters themselves. Episodes had references to prior episodes. To make a long story short, it was groundbreaking for a cartoon series, or at least not your average cartoon series.

The ending of the show shows Ginger suffering from depression, part caused by a breakup with her and ex-boyfriend Darren struggling with new relationships, her mom's remarriage, the beginnings of high school and how her friends are coming in to their own during that transition period. There is, and here's a name for a first new episode, unfinished business. ATBG is not the only show that has this issue, but it's a show close to me. And I'd watch ATBG over South Park any day, and I'm a die hard fan of the show about four boys from a small mountain town in Colorado.

If I were to bring back the series, I'd have some discontinuities from the original series. One would be that Ginger's grandparents would be alive, and the extended families of the character's would be explored. Dr. Dave's last name would not be his first. Real communities in Western Connecticut (yes, Fairfield County, which borders show creator Emily Kapnek's native Westchester County, which coincidentally borders my native Putnam County, which borders Fairfield County as well. Ginger and her friends would make trips into New York City. Big names in the tri-state area, whether it be politicians like Jodi Rell or newscasters like Chuck Scarborough would make cameo appearances. There might even be a crossover with Kapnek's current show, Suburgatory. Yes, the genius behind As Told By Ginger is still relevant.

I agree with this blogger that the show deserves more love. All the shows this blogger have all seen the wrath of Viacomm's piss poor management. But I disagree that the show had a beginning, a middle and an end. It was more like a series of middles. But this I agree with: it was definitely way ahead of its time. The show was nominated for three Emmy awards. Didn't win, but a nomination in itself is an honor in a genre dominated by South Park and whatever Fox has. But could a show like As Told By Ginger work today, as 3D animation, if I am not mistaken, has cut costs?

And to make this hit closer to home, one of the characters in the show was named Sasha, and was, yes, a guy! Even better yet, a love interest of Ginger's. To add icing to the cake, Sasha was the reason behind an episode.

There was something else I was going to say, but I forgot what that was. But I hope I've given a show I grew up with an argument behind/for its resurrection.

I'd discuss some spoilers but I'll let you guys do the research. And for those interested why I'm so nutsy about this show, here you go?

Any questions?