Youth-oriented US cable network TNN has picked up the show, originally aired on kids’ channel Nickolodeon. Fifty-two original episodes have been bought by the channel, which plans to reinstate scenes cut out for being too tasteless. They'll also show the episode "Man’s Best Friend" which Nickelodeon refused to air.
The gross-out nature and relentless violence of the show often gave its original home problems, leading to a bitter split between creator John Kricfalusi and the channel’s management when Man’s Best Friend was turned down as unsuitable for family viewing. Showing Ren and Stimpy on a sadistic training course, the story ended with Ren beating the instructor into a pulp.
"It’s one of the most violent and hilarious things ever done," said Billy West, who voiced Stimpy. "Now that the show’s not on a channel aimed at kids, it may finally be seen."
TNN will also be producing new Ren and Stimpy episodes, and are reported to be in discussions with Kricfalusi, but whether he will be involved isn’t yet clear.
