The Banana Splits are Back! Warner Bros. Consumer Products Serves Up Four Scoops of Hilarity with Relaunch

The Banana Splits are Back! Warner Bros. Consumer Products Serves Up Four Scoops of Hilarity with Relaunch

Classic '60s TV and Music Icons Return With New Comedy Shorts on Cartoon Network and Boomerang, Music Videos, Website and Live Entertainment

BURBANK, Calif., Aug. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- The Banana Splits, fondly remembered by Baby Boomers for their unique combination of kid-style comedy and contemporary music -- including one of the catchiest theme songs in television history -- are back. Starting Tuesday, September 2, The Banana Splits can be viewed in all-new comedy shorts and music videos on Cartoon Network and Boomerang as step one of a multi-platform effort that includes a new website, DVDs, live entertainment and music CDs.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080815/NYF051 )

"Everything that made The Banana Splits hugely popular in the '60s is back, including the group's terrific humor and hit music," said Jordan Sollitto, Executive Vice President of New Business Initiatives and International Licensing, Warner Bros. Consumer Products. "We take great pride in having carefully updated the look and feel of the original show for today's kids while retaining all of the elements that made the original Banana Splits such a hit."

The Banana Splits are a costumed rock band made up of Fleegle (a dog), Drooper (a lion), Bingo (a gorilla) and Snorky (an elephant) who hang out in their Banana Pad while tinkering with their music and telling eye-rolling jokes. They came onto the scene in 1968 as hosts of "The Banana Splits Adventure Hour," a show created by Hanna-Barbera airing on NBC that featured comedy and music videos. The popular show generated loyal fans, a multitude of consumer products, numerous albums and a theme song -- The Tra La La Song -- that became one of the most covered songs by other popular bands in the history of contemporary music.

" ... the Banana Splits are here!" -- New Comedy Shorts

With interest in The Banana Splits on the upswing, a key element of the group's return will be as many as 130, 1 1/2-to-2 1/2-minute comedy shorts appearing on Cartoon Network, Monday through Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. The new shorts, filled with unique, kid-focused comedy, share the same "groovy" look of the original television series. The Banana Splits will also appear on Boomerang, beginning September 2.

"The Banana Splits is a classic that has been entertaining kids for years," said Stuart Snyder, President and COO, Turner Animation, Young Adults and Kids Media. "We're thrilled to have this new version on Cartoon Network for our kids to enjoy today."

"Go Bananas your way" -- New Music from The Banana Splits

Additionally, Universal Records will debut a CD and DVD featuring 13 new Banana Splits pop and rock songs and music videos. Intended to appeal to kids and parents, the music and music videos will be offered online and incorporated in the Cartoon Network comedy shorts.

"The songs made famous by the original Banana Splits hold a special place in music history and were ahead of their time for young audiences," said Doug Morris, Chairman and CEO, Universal Music Group. "Universal is excited to debut the new Banana Splits kids' album and help introduce them to a whole new generation of music fans."

Universal Records will make The Banana Splits music and music videos available on www.bananasplits.com, iTunes and amazon.com.

"Bananas every night, Bananas every day" -- The Banana Splits Website

In addition to comedy shorts and music, Warner Bros. Consumer Products will launch the all-new The Banana Splits website, www.bananasplits.com, where boys and girls ages 4-7 can access Banana Splits entertainment. The site will enable kids to view the comedy shorts and hear the new Banana Splits songs prior to the release of the album. Visitors will also be able to decode secret messages, join The Banana Splits Club, attend virtual meetings, hear Banana Splits jokes and play exclusive games.

"Ready to Rock?" -- Banana Splitsville at Hard Rock Park

"Go Bananas" took on a new dimension with the June announcement from Hard Rock Park, which teamed up with Warner Bros. Consumer Products to produce a live show and play-land -- Banana Splitsville -- featuring the beloved characters, Bingo, Drooper, Fleegle and Snorky. Located in the Born in the USA environ, Banana Splitsville features rides designed for children, including the popular "Sole Train" and "Dune Boogie," as well as Mount Splitsville, a sand sculpture play area.

The fast-paced kids' concert, "The Banana Splits Live," is performed multiple times per day filled with rockin' music, silly gags and nutty jokes. The Banana Splits are available to pose with guests for photos and sign autographs after each show. Hard Rock Park is based in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

The Banana Splits will also be seen in concert tours, other live appearances, and a wide range of exclusive merchandise including toys, games, books and apparel.

About Warner Bros. Consumer Products

Warner Bros. Consumer Products, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, is one of the leading licensing and retail merchandising organizations in the world.

About Cartoon Network

Cartoon Network (CartoonNetwork.com), currently seen in 91 million U.S. homes and 160 countries around the world, is Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.'s ad-supported cable service offering the best in original, acquired and classic animated entertainment for kids and families. Overnight from 11 p.m.-6 a.m. (ET, PT), Cartoon Network shares its channel space with Adult Swim, a late-night destination showcasing original and acquired animation for young adults 18-34.

THE BANANA SPLITS and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and (C) Hanna-Barbera. (s08)

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Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080815/NYF051
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN3
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Warner Bros. Consumer Products

CONTACT: Sara Stern Levin, sl@childsplaypr.com, or Sarah Fraser,
sf@childsplaypr.com, both of Child's Play Communications, +1-212-488-2060, for
Warner Bros. Consumer Products; Kerstine Johnson of Warner Bros. Consumer
Products, +1-818-954-7307, kerstine.johnson@warnerbros.com

Web site: http://www.bananasplits.com/
http://www.cartoonnetwork.com/

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