Disney teams up with ‘Simpsons’ creators in new animation series

The L.A. native was enjoying his first visit to Taiwan in between meetings and a press conference for the top children’s TV network debut of “Phineas and Ferb” on Feb. 1, which Marsh says is “probably the funniest, smartest animated series to come out in the last five or 10 years.”

“The creators were alumni of ‘The Simpsons,’ and it has the same wit and smarts of those shows, but with stories that are more appropriate for our audience in the 4-16 age group,” he explained, adding that “we think parents will be equally engaged,” and “at our weekly development meetings (at Disney in California), screenings of that show invariably get the loudest laughs.”

The animated comedy series was the brainchild of Dan Povenmire of “Family Guy” fame, and Jeff “Swampy” Marsh (“The Simpsons” and “Rocko’s Modern Life”). They had worked on the idea four years before pitching it to Marsh, who is in charge of the Disney Channel’s original programming worldwide.

“Bells went off, and I got it completely,” Marsh said of the meeting.

“Phineas and Ferbruary,” as the series is called in Asia, is about two stepbrothers who decide to do something spectacular every day of their summer vacation — in their backyard. A sister tries to “rat them out, but they just miss getting caught, every time,” Marsh explains.

The series comes hot on the heels of halcyon days for the Disney Channel. With programming such as “The Suite Life of Zack & Cody,” and “Hannah Montana,” the Disney Channel has managed to jockey into the top spot for young viewership. In 2005-6, nine of the top 10 most-watched cable programs among 6- to 14-year-olds were from the Disney Channel, whereas five years ago Nickelodeon dominated the Top 10 for this age group, according to Nielsen Media Research.

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