Yesterday Cartoon Network’s popular adult-animation block Adult Swim held its second annual upfront presentation in New York City at the Altman Building.  Animation Insider was in attendance and has an update on what new shows were displayed.  

Some of the creative talents that were at the press junction were Seth Green (Robot Chicken), Matthew Senreich (Robot Chicken), Jackson Publick (The Venture Bros), Dave Willis (ATHF, Space Ghost), Tim Heidecker (Tom Goes to the Mayor), Eric Wareheim (Tom Goes to the Mayor), Michael Ouweleen (Harvey Birdman and Cartoon Network Senior VP, development and creative direction) and Aaron McGruder (The Boondocks).  They all spoke with the press for about an hour and half or so before the actual upfront presentation given by the network.

According to the network, beginning March 28, Adult Swim will be considered a separate network by Nielsen Media Research.  As a result of this, Adult Swim will be the number one cable network for adults aged 18 – 34 during late night, surpassing TNT, TBS and MTV.

On the programming front, Mike Lazzo, the senior vice president of Cartoon Network's Adult Swim, spoke with the press and advertisements and unveiled this year’s new schedule.  In total, five new original series will bow this September and October on the network.  

Much to the delight of those in attendance, Lazzo announced that the brand new season of Family Guy will premiere this June on Cartoon Network, following its premiere on FOX.  Twenty-two episodes of the series will air beginning this summer, with a total of thirty-five episodes ordered.  The new clips of the show were introduced via video by Seth McFarlane, the self-proclaimed “Dick Wolf of Cartoon Network.”  Based on the clips, the series looks to maintain the same humor that had been accustom on the show through its three seasons on FOX.  In other words, the show will keep entertaining fans throughout its new season and beyond.

McFarlane also introduced American Dad, which premieres this May on Cartoon Network.  Thirteen episodes have been ordered.  Under a unique licensing agreement with FOX, the show will air on the broadcast network first and then on Cartoon Network eight days later.  It will air back to back with Family Guy on Sundays and Thursdays.

Keith Crofford, Cartoon Network’s vp of production, introduced some of the exclusive shows coming to Adult Swim this fall.  First up was The Boondocks, based on the popular comic strip by Aaron McGruder.  Crofford said he was “very, very excited” about the show and thought it was by far the “best pilot we [Cartoon Network] have ever seen.”   

McGruder spoke about the show and said that he hoped to push boundaries, something that Adult Swim has been known to do.  He stated that when he developed the idea for The Boondocks in 1994, he originally conceived it as a series, so he is very happy to finally bring his characters to the small screen.  According to McGruder, the show will strive for an anime look, with people who have worked on Samurai Champloo and Akira already onboard as animators.

Fifteen episodes of The Boondocks will air this fall on Adult Swim.  Regina King, John Witherspoon, Charlie Murphy, as well as some “other big stars” will voice characters on the show.