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Cartoon Network Chief Quits Over Terrorist Scare

Posted Feb 9th 2007 2:55PM by TMZ Staff

The head of the Cartoon Network has resigned over the marketing stunt that turned into a terrorist scare -- and a public relations fiasco. Jim Samples, General Manager of the network, wrote in an internal memo to colleagues, "I deeply regret the negative publicity and expense caused to our company as a result of this campaign."
Cartoon Network signs.
The network had to pay $2 million in fines to the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office, and to the city of Boston. The light-board signs, placed to advertise a show in its Adult Swim block of programming, caused major traffic snarls and other disruptions when residents mistook them for explosive devices.

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1. that is so messed up. they were dumb kids but they did not have any intention to terrorize anyone. The Boston police ended up looking stupid so they are busting some totally burned out hippies. lame.
Most overblown story of the year.

Posted at 3:07PM on Feb 9th 2007 by lworth

2. and yet the phoney "orange alerts" didn't get even a slap on the wrist...

Posted at 3:26PM on Feb 9th 2007 by ding dong

3. "The network had to pay $2 million" incorrect. They OFFERED to pay 2 million. 1 millon for costs, and 1 million for "good will". They should not have payed anyting. No one, other than maybe someone in the city of Boston, should lose their job over this. btw, who wrote "THE MOON RULES #1" on my car with a key?

Posted at 3:09PM on Feb 9th 2007 by SuperD

4. Sometimes a mooninite light board is just a mooninite light board.
I guess everyone's lost their sense of humor and it is sad when the head of the cartoon network has to resign. That's just not funny.

Posted at 3:12PM on Feb 9th 2007 by monalisa13

5. I think that robot is Anna Nicholes babys Father!!

Posted at 3:54PM on Feb 9th 2007 by pbaman

6. "The network had to pay $2 million in fines to the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office, and to the city of Chicago."

Uh, I think you mean Boston, not Chicago.

Awesome editing job, TMZ.

Posted at 3:50PM on Feb 9th 2007 by KK

7. You've got to be kidding me. It was a marketing campaign. Does this mean every time I see a broken radio with wires, an antena and batteries I should call 911? The city of Boston completely over-reacted to the situation. If someone had calmly investigated it there would never have been an issue. Instead a simple marketing ploy with an artistic twist becomes a malevolent bomb. I'm sure Orson Welles is rolling in his grave laughing.

Posted at 3:47PM on Feb 23rd 2007 by Cassi

8. how could ANYONE think that is something terrorist related, truely??

oh, and superD, you are my new hero. ^_^

Posted at 3:17PM on Feb 9th 2007 by meg

9. In New York if we noticed it at all, we would have just thought it was art. Nice job coppers!

Posted at 3:31PM on Feb 9th 2007 by Nicci Zizelis

10. People are so.....ugh!

This whole thing really annoys me. He has no reason to step down. Its not his fault people are idiots and see things only on the surface and jump right to conclusions.

I really hope this doesn't affect [adult swim]

Posted at 4:31PM on Feb 9th 2007 by Samantha

11. Who goes around sticking electronic devices to infrastructure in major cities without notifying the city? This is post 911 folks and you just dont do shit like that. So, people are supposed to walk around and ignore electronic devices stuck to bridges? Wake up fuck heads. Of course heads gotta roll. The city of Boston responded as they should, and I hope my city (LA) reacts the same if something like this goes down. Yes, we know NOW that they were not bombs. What if they were?

Posted at 3:26PM on Feb 9th 2007 by Noddy

12. Sure, if this had happened in your town and partially hidden electrical boards with wires were sticking out under a bridge and your officials did NOTHING...you'd all be pissed!

It was a STUPID marketing idea to begin with, especially post 9/11. What, are you previous posters all like 12 years old and don't understand that another huge terrorist attack will most likely happen? Grow up!

And the 2 that put this shit everywhere....they were laughing and video taping. Really funny that they created havoc in the city. If not for just the fact that people lost hours of work time, picking kids up, etc. One has frickin "political asylum" so I know why he is laughing..he can kill someone, laugh about it, video tape it and can't be touched.

I hope you have electronic cartoon bomb-like items strapped to your bridges. See how funny you find it when they aren't fake....but you think they look fake so you do nothing.

You liberals.......if the city of Boston did nothing you'd be up in arms.

Posted at 3:36PM on Feb 9th 2007 by rose

13. Heads have to roll? Hahahaha...you are a moron...how does the old saying go...it's better to be mute and thought a fool than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt..yes, that was it..and Noddy..you proved it...have fun with your Terror Alert Color Scares you loser..

--Mr. DB

Posted at 3:34PM on Feb 9th 2007 by DiRTyBuNNy

14. I gotta say, I still say it was completely overblown. It was a sign with a cartoon character, JUST LIKE IT LOOKED LIKE!!! Seriously. I'm glad the city is taking things seriously enough, but chalk it up to experience and get on with things. There was no need to proceed with the fines and having the head guy resign. It's just over the top.

Posted at 3:52PM on Feb 9th 2007 by Marci

15. "post 91/1" "post 9/11" WTF does that even mean??!! the government doesnt even know. I guess "post 9/11" means be super freakin paranoid and no one is aloud to laugh.

just for that i am going to make one of those things and hang it on the front of your yard.

Posted at 3:38PM on Feb 9th 2007 by lworth

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