Okay, so I had wowed (to myself, anyway) to hold off from posting more updates on the new series until I could find time to finish my commentary on the World Screen clip. But the news have been piling up recently -- and this latest development is honestly just too big for me not to report, and report right away!
Briefly: According to very fresh press statements, the German channel Super RTL - which we already knew about - will premiere the new Gadget series on January 9, 2015. That's right: one month and ten days from now. Judging by this article, the part about January has apparently been known since November 19; but a couple of press statements from November 26 and 28 provides more detailed info, including the exact date. The November 28 press release seems to stem directly from Super RTL themselves, and contains a brand-new series synopis. Here it is via the News Aktuell Presseportal (followed by my and Google Translate's translation)...
Köln (ots) - In den 80er Jahren erreichte der tollpatschige Ermittler Inspector Gadget Kultstatus. Seine unkonventionellen Ermittlungsmethoden gepaart mit den hilfreichen Go-Go- Gadgetos, die ihn in jeder Situation optimal bei der Verbrechensbekämpfung unterstützen, sorgten bei Zeichentrickfans weltweit für Schmunzeln. Jetzt wurde der Schrecken aller Bösewichte vom kanadischen Lizenzgeber DHX Media in modernes CGI-Gewand gekleidet und sorgt ab dem 9. Januar für beste Unterhaltung und wohlige Erinnerungen an die eigene Kindheit. SUPER RTL zeigt die humorvolle Neuauflage Inspector Gadget (Kanada 2014) immer wochentags um 19.45 Uhr in deutscher Erstausstrahlung.
Lange Zeit versuchte er, seinen Erzfeind Dr. Kralle dingfest zu machen, doch vor einigen Jahren hat sich Inspector Gadget in den Ruhestand zurückgezogen und es wurde still um den berühmten Polizei-Detektiv. Jetzt genießt er sein Leben als Rentner, doch wird er jäh aus diesem Zustand gerissen. Die Polizei bittet ihn, sie im Kampf gegen Dr. Kralle zu unterstützen, der aus der Kältestarre befreit wurde. Die Lage ist so ernst, dass Inspector Gadget keine Wahl bleibt und er in den Polizeidienst zurückkehrt. Gemeinsam mit seiner Nichte Sophie und ihrem Hund Fino nimmt er den Kampf gegen den hinterhältigen Dr. Kralle wieder auf. Natürlich muss er dabei nicht auf seine berühmte Uniform mitsamt den genialen Go-Go-Gadgetos verzichten. Und schnell ist allen Schurken klar: Inspector Gadget ist zurück und wie früher macht er niemals halbe Sachen...
You'll notice when reading my translation that this contains some interesting info about the setup of the new series - even stating that Gadget is pulled out of retirement because Dr Claw has been "freed from hibernation" (whatever that means) and the police is begging for him to come back. This mirrors the synopsis released by DHX last January, but in more detail. On to the translated version...
Köln (ots) - In the 80s, the bumbling detective Inspector Gadget achieved cult status. His unconventional methods of investigation, coupled with the helpful gadgets which would assist him optimally in any situation in the fight against crime, made cartoon fans around the world smile. Now, the terror of all villains has been dressed in modern CGI clothes by the Canadian licensor DHX Media, and provides from January 9 first-class entertainment and pleasant memories of one's own childhood. SUPER RTL airs the humorous remake of Inspector Gadget (Canada 2014) every weekday at 19.45 in German first run broadcast.
For a long time, he tried to have his nemesis Dr. Claw arrested, but a few years ago, Inspector Gadget withdrew into retirement and there was silence around the famous police detective. Now, he enjoys his life as a retiree, but he is suddenly torn from this condition. The police begs him to help them in the fight against Dr. Claw, who has been freed from hibernation. The situation is so serious that Inspector Gadget has no choice, and he returns to the police. Together with his niece Sophie [Penny] and her dog Fino [Brain], he resumes the battle against the dastardly Dr. Claw. Of course, he couldn't do this without his famous uniform, along with the brilliant go-go gadgets. And soon, all villains are aware: Inspector Gadget is back, and as before, he never does things by halves...
The November 26 press release is quite similar to the above; except that it reads more like a standard news report and the wording of the series description is a bit different. One of the differing details is actually somewhat interesting... more on that below. First, the German quote...
Der Trend, alte Zeichentrickklassiker als CGI-Variante neu aufzulegen, greift weiter um sich. Nach "Die Biene Maja", "Wickie und die starken Männer", "Peter Pan - Neue Abenteuer", "Das Dschungelbuch", "Garfield" und"Calimero" erstrahlt demnächst auch "Inspector Gadget" in 3D-Optik. Super RTL zeigt die 26-teilige Neuauflage ab dem 9. Januar von Montag bis Freitag um 19.45 Uhr.
Die Neuauflage wurde von dem kanadischen Kindersender Teletoon anlässlich des 30-jährigen Jubiläums in Auftrag gegeben und von Cookie Jar Entertainment produziert. In der ersten Folge wird Inspector Gadget, der sich vor einigen Jahren in den Ruhestand verabschiedet hat, jäh aus seinem Rentnerdasein gerissen. Dr. Kralle ist aus der Kältestarre erwacht und gefährlicher als je zuvor. Die Polizei bittet Gadget, sie im Kampf gegen den Verbrecher und seine Handlanger zu unterstützen. Mit von der Partie sind auch wieder Gadgets Nichte Sophie und Hund Fino, die ihn allzu oft aus brenzligen Situationen retten. Außerdem hat Gadget einige neue Go-Go-Gadgetos im Gepäck.
...and then, my translation:
The trend to reissue old animated classic as new CGI versions spreads further. After "Maya the Bee", "Vicky the Viking", "Peter Pan - New Adventures", "The Jungle Book", "Garfield" and "Calimero", soon "Inspector Gadget" will also shine in 3D graphics. Super RTL airs the 26-episode remake from January 9 onwards, Monday through Friday at 19.45.
The new version was commissioned by the Canadian children's channel Teletoon on the occasion of the 30th anniversary celebration and produced by Cookie Jar Entertainment. In the first episode, Inspector Gadget, who opted several years ago to retire, is suddenly torn from his pensioned life. Dr. Claw has awakened from hibernation and is more dangerous than ever. The police begs Gadget to help them in the fight against the criminal and his henchmen. Also on board again are Gadget's niece Sophie [Penny] and dog Fino [Brain], who all too often get him out of sticky situations. In addition, Gadget has some new go-go gadgets up his sleeve.
As you can see, the above states specifically that the first episode will see Gadget step out of retirement and back into his job as an Inspector. This intrigues me because the original series never offered any detailed setup to start it off with, instead simply throwing viewers into the main storyline and leaving most background details to our imaginations. In this show, if the article has its info correct, it seems the first episode will mark an actual, new starting point. I wonder how that will work.
On a different note, one of those "new go-go gadgets" mentioned above is of course the jet pack... er, rocket pack... er, whatever that thing in the below image will be called. (In case you're wondering, both pictures seen in this post are sourced from various sites reporting the Super RTL news.)
UPDATE (December 2): As I write about here, a December 1 Facebook post from Super RTL says that the air time will actually be every Friday and Saturday at 19:45, rather than Monday through Friday as the above press releases state. This revised info seems to make sense, especially considering that the premiere day, January 9, is a Friday.
