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Checkered Past was a 1-hour programming block on Adult Swim featuring classic Cartoon Network shows weekdays from 5:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. It was a retro block that showcased the Cartoon Cartoons such as Courage the Cowardly Dog, Ed, Edd n Eddy, Dexter's Laboratory and The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy. The block launched on August 28th, 2023 at 5:00 P.M. Every Friday, one of the show would air a marathon; this ended after until February 23, 2024.
History[]
Adult Swim made a profit with the hour-long expansion of May 2023's daily lineup and continued to add programming real estate with the launch of the Nostalgia block Checkered Past. It gained enough traction with viewers that the Warner Bros. Discovery network added another 2 hours to its lineup heading into the fall.
The new block, Checkered Past, debuted under the Adult Swim banner on Cartoon Network, starting August 28, Monday through Friday at 5:00 P.M. through 7:00 P.M. It aired old Cartoon Network titles like Dexter's Laboratory, The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy, Courage the Cowardly Dog and Ed, Edd n Eddy, replacing a rotation of animated shows like Teen Titans Go!
The change at 5:00 P.M. to Adult Swim came after the first two weeks of its new 7:00 P.M. timeslot increased viewership among viewers 18-49 by 24%, with a 38% increase in the 18-34 demo, compared to previous Cartoon Network-branded programming. Gains in the 18-49 age group peaked at 66% on Monday and 87% on Tuesday, with overall gains at 7:00 P.M. having carried over to 8:00 P.M. The network rose to sixth among networks with primetime advertising, up from 12th in the weeks prior to the expansion.
Michael Ouweleen said the new nostalgia block tapped into the inherent strengths of this art form. Animation can target multiple age groups at the moment and also find new audiences across decades, he said in a statement provided to Deadline. Early Cartoon Network Originals, like Dexter's Laboratory or Courage the Cowardly Dog, are examples of shows that do both.[1]
On August 28th, 2023, Checkered Past launched with the shows Dexter's Laboratory, Ed, Edd n Eddy, The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy and Courage the Cowardly Dog. The lineup would air Monday-Thursday and on Fridays a marathon of one of the shows would air.
On October 2, 2023, Adult Swim accidentally aired Grim and Evil, instead of the usual The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy in the latter's timeslot. The episode aired was Mandy the Merciless/Go Spork/The Really Odd Couple. The episode Creating Chaos was supposed to air in place of Go Spork. This is so far the only time Grim & Evil aired on the block.
On October 31, 2023, Checkered Past launched in Latin America on the 24 hour Adult Swim channel. Courage the Cowardly Dog, Cow and Chicken, Dexter's Laboratory, Ed, Edd n Eddy, The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy and I Am Weasel have aired on the block.
On November 2023, Michael Ouweleen said that if people tuned in to the block, more shows would be added.
On December 1, 2023, Cow and Chicken, I Am Weasel, and Evil Con Carne were added to the block. The lineup that day was Ed, Edd n Eddy, Cow and Chicken, I Am Weasel and Evil Con Carne.
On March 4, 2024, the block was reduced to two shows a day. On May 10, 2024, Samurai Jack was added to the block.
On May 17, 2024, it was announced that the block would be reduced to Monday-Thursday, in favor of a new block called Toonami Rewind, airing on Fridays. It made its debut on May 31st.
On July 11, 2024, Andy Merrill announced that a puppet version of Brak would appear on Checkered Past in 2024.[2]
On July 29, 2024, What a Cartoon! joined Checkered Past, replacing Courage the Cowardly Dog on Mondays.
On September 16, 2024, Cartoon Planet joined Checkered Past replacing What a Cartoon! on Mondays. The puppet version of Brak appeared in bumpers.
On October 31, 2024, Checkered Past aired its first movie, Underfist: Halloween Bash.
On December 30, 2024, Checkered Past was reduced to one hour a day. As a result, King of the Hill gained the 6:00 P.M. hour weekdays, which was also due to Family Guy returning (Not only for its 3 day marathon on January 1-3 at 7:00 P.M.-5:00 A.M., but to make room for the show after AS regained its rights to the series starting at Season 5). Overall, the main Adult Swim signed on at 6:00 P.M., lasting for 12 hours for weekdays and 13 hours of weekends (As Checkered Past didn't air on weekends).
On January 3, 2025, Checkered Past returned to Fridays.
On February 17, 2025, The Cartoon Cartoon Show aired on Checkered Past all week for the 30th anniversary of What a Cartoon!.
On June 27, 2025, Checkered Past went defunct.
Programming[]
- Dexter's Laboratory (August 28th, 2023-March 3rd, 2025)
- Ed, Edd n Eddy (August 28th, 2023-June 20th, 2025)
- Courage the Cowardly Dog (August 28th, 2023-June 27th, 2025)
- The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy (August 28th, 2023-June 27, 2025)
- Grim & Evil (October 2nd, 2023) *Note: It Aired On Accident*
- Cow and Chicken (December 1st, 2023-December 19th, 2024)
- I Am Weasel (December 1st, 2023-February 9th, 2024)
- Evil Con Carne (December 1st, 2023-December 19th, 2024)
- Samurai Jack (May 10th, 2024-May 30th, 2024)
- What a Cartoon! (July 29th, 2024-February 21st, 2025)
- Johnny Bravo (July 29th, 2024-February 20th, 2025)
- Cartoon Planet (September 16th, 2024-May 9th, 2025)
- The Cartoon Cartoon Show (February 17th, 2025-February 21st, 2025)
Schedules[]
Trivia[]
- This is the first programming block for classic shows since the 2012 revival of Cartoon Planet.
- The block was originally meant to start at 6:00 P.M., but for unknown reasons, it was changed to 5:00 P.M.
- According to Cartoon Network CEO, Michael Ouweleen, Cartoon Network's 30th anniversary's success led the block to be made.
Gallery[]
