Grab a Vine!!! ``Disney's The Legend of Tarzan'' Swings Onto Toon Disney; Toon Disney's First Original Series Premieres Fall 2001

Business Wire, Jan 18, 2001

Entertainment Editors & Television/Cable Writers

BURBANK, Calif.--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--Jan. 18, 2001

Tarzan will make Toon Disney his new home beginning in fall 2001. Produced by Walt Disney Television Animation, "Disney's The Legend of Tarzan" is the first all-new original animated series to debut on Toon Disney since the network's debut in 1998. The series is inspired by the blockbuster animated feature, "Disney's Tarzan."

Picking up where The Walt Disney Studios box-office smash left off, Tarzan is reunited with his animal family while assuming greater responsibilities as the successor to the strong and noble Kerchak. As King of the Beasts, a more mature Tarzan (Michael T. Weiss, "The Pretender") realizes that he must protect and defend not only the wildlife, but also the jungle itself, from the encroachments of the human world. Tarzan continues to branch out by learning about and deciphering humans through the teachings of the independent-spirited Jane (Olivia d' Abo, "Party of Five," "The Wonder Years").

Also along for more jungle adventure are Jane's father, Professor Porter (Jeff Glen Bennett, "Disney's The Weekenders"), the bumbling, absent-minded, insightful, frenetic bundle of scientific curiosity who teaches Tarzan and learns from him as well; the well-meaning ape Terk (April Winchell, "Disney's Recess," "Disney's Pepper Ann"), whose advice usually leads Tarzan to do exactly what he should not do; and Tantor the elephant (Jim Cummings, "The Tigger Movie"), who's not only the largest of the jungle beasts but the biggest hypochondriac of all.

"Since its debut in April 1998, Toon Disney has grown significantly and has received tremendous praise from kids and parents alike," said Anne Sweeney, president, ABC Cable Networks Group. "The network's outstanding growth and performance has led us to introduce `The Legend of Tarzan' as Toon Disney's first all-new original animated series."

"The new series holds true to the film in that it is visually stunning, tells a great story, and is packed with action, adventure and comedy," said Barry Blumberg, executive vice president, Walt Disney Television Animation.

"We've pulled together some of the most creative talent in the business to create a show that is sure to have broad appeal to all generations," added David Stainton, executive vice president, Walt Disney Television Animation.

"Disney's The Legend of Tarzan" is a production of Walt Disney Television Animation. Executive Producers are Bill Motz and Bob Roth. Steve Loter is producer and supervising director. Barry Blumberg and David Stainton are executive vice presidents, Walt Disney Television Animation.

Toon Disney, the 24-hour all-animation basic cable network, showcases Disney's vast library of animation from seven decades of magic with series and specials to shorts and movies, as well as a variety of acquired animated programs.

Toon Disney is a division of ABC Cable Networks Group, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Co.