30 Years Ago Today, Cartoon Network Debuted Its First Major Hit (& Its Creator Will Never Revive It)

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Thirty years ago today, Cartoon Network launched one of its first truly successful original series. Sadly, the show’s creator isn’t interested in revisiting it, even though it’s become a classic. Cartoon Network began as a channel mostly showing older cartoons from Hanna-Barbera. However, starting in the late 1990s and early 2000s, the channel began to change, boosted by exciting new shows from now-famous animators.

Today marks the 30th anniversary of the premiere of Dexter’s Laboratory, a show that helped launch Cartoon Network’s iconic Cartoon Cartoons era. It was the network’s first big original hit and remains a beloved classic. However, the show’s creator has stated he doesn’t want to revive it, and for a good reason.

Dexter’s Laboratory Premiered 30 Years Ago Today

Dexter’s Laboratory began in a unique way on Cartoon Network. It started as a pilot episode within the ‘What a Cartoon!’ showcase, a program where Cartoon Network Studios tested out ideas from various creators – many of whom, like Craig McCracken and Seth MacFarlane, later became very successful. The Dexter’s Laboratory pilot, titled ‘Changes,’ received the highest ratings of any pilot in the series and was quickly greenlit for a full season.

The premiere of Dexter’s Laboratory had a funny twist that many fans have likely forgotten. For a few weeks, new episodes actually aired on TNT a day before they appeared on Cartoon Network. So, while the show celebrated its 30th anniversary today, its very first episode technically premiered on TNT. Dexter’s Laboratory was also the first show to launch the iconic “Cartoon Cartoons” branding, which would later be used for other popular series like Johnny Bravo, The Powerpuff Girls, Ed, Edd n Eddy, and many more. It spearheaded a whole new wave of hits that would shape the channel for the next ten years.

Like many shows on Cartoon Network, Dexter’s Laboratory had an interesting history. The first two seasons were the last ones Genndy Tartakovsky worked on, and the show was originally intended to conclude with the TV movie Dexter’s Laboratory: Ego Trip. However, it was brought back for two more seasons, but with a new creative team. These later seasons looked and felt very different – with new art styles, voice acting, and character designs – that many fans consider them to be a separate show altogether. This significant change is a major reason why a revival of the original Dexter’s Laboratory is unlikely.

Don’t Expect a Dexter’s Laboratory Revival

Although Cartoon Network has been successfully reviving classic shows like The Powerpuff Girls, Adventure Time, Regular Show, and The Amazing World of Gumball, a comeback for Dexter’s Laboratory seems unlikely. Despite Genndy Tartakovsky continuing to work with Warner Bros. on new projects, a revival of Dexter’s Laboratory isn’t in the plans, even though there’s been interest in bringing it back.

In a 2023 interview with ComicBook, Genndy Tartakovsky explained why a revival of Dexter’s Laboratory is unlikely. He said it’s largely because the original voice actress, Christine Cavanaugh, has passed away, and she was so central to the character that he doesn’t feel comfortable recasting the role. He also feels the show had a good run and doesn’t see a need to revisit it.

He’s expressed this view consistently over the past few years. The creator prefers to focus on new projects and will only return to older ones if a truly compelling idea emerges, as was the case with the latest season of Primal. While this might disappoint fans of Dexter’s Laboratory who’ve hoped for a revival, it’s probably a good thing. Trying to recreate the show after so long likely wouldn’t recapture the original magic that made it popular three decades ago.

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2026-04-27 20:15