Sun Oct 12, 2008 — by Robert Greenberger

Pink Panther, Collected and Reimagined

New Cartoon Series plus Classics Boxed

Pink Panther & Pals will be a new 26-episode animated series for the Cartoon Network, airing in fall 2009.  The deal between Turner Broadcasting and MGM Worldwide Television sees production in Los Angeles and Amman, Jordan, jointly produced by MGM and Jordan-based Rubicon according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The new half-hour series will depict a teenage Pink Panther as he and his peers get into all sorts of trouble. Ant and Aardvark will be back in addition to new characters. The Henry Mancini musical score and comedy themes will be reprised since after all, that’s what we all love best about the property.

"The character is drawn a little younger to depict the Pink Panther as a teenager, although he will be instantly recognizable with his signature walk and devil-may-care attitude," executive producer David Corbett told the paper.

Meantime, TV on DVD is reporting that The Pink Panther and Friends Classic Cartoon Collection will be out January 27, 2009. All nine volumes of Pink Panther shorts, totaling 190, will be collected for the first time for a retail price of $69.98.  For live action fans, MGM will be releasing The Pink Panther Ultimate Collection on November 25. The box set will contain the live action Inspector Clouseau films (including 2006’s Steve Martin rendition), in addition to the nine volumes animated theatrical shorts.

The animated volumes not only include The Pink Panther series of shorts, but also The Ant and the Aardvark, The Inspector, and Roland and Ratfink. The collection also includes Jerry Beck’s Pink Panther, The Ultimate Guide to the Coolest Cat in Town! The collection will retail for $199.98.
 

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