Space Ghost
Cartoon network goes coast-to-coast with popular show, characters

By CHERYL YANKOLONIS
Collegian Staff Writer

George Lowe thinks he has the best job in the world: he doesn't have to shave, can always have a bad hair day and gets to act like a superhero.

"It is the first cool job I have had in broadcasting," he said.

The show, in its fifth season on the Cartoon Network, appears on the network every Friday at 11:30 p.m. "Space Ghost" takes pride in being "the universe's only animated talk show hosted by a superhero and set in deep space."

It is a talk show with a twist. Cartoon characters, rather than live human beings, provide the witty humor and outrageous comedy for the show.

These characters include the main host, Space Ghost, voiced by Lowe; the preying-mantis bandleader, Zorak; the director, Moltar; and the alien, Brak, who speaks as though he just hit puberty.

All are characters modeled after the original "Space Ghost" cartoon, which debuted on TV in the 1960s.

The modern Space Ghost has interviewed celebrities such as Ashley Judd, Adam West, Charlton Heston and Lassie.

The interviews are conducted in advance, and the final product is a selection of clips from these interviews with the addition of Space Ghost's unique questions. Lowe said the one celebrity he would like to appear on the show is fellow talk show host David Letterman.

Even though Letterman has not yet been featured on "Space Ghost," Penn State students have still become dedicated fans of the program.

Scott Rongione (sophomore-division of undergraduate studies) watches Space Ghost religiously.

"I think 'Space Ghost Coast to Coast' is very funny and I like the new humor that has been added since the old show," Rongione said.

But students aren't the only ones succumbing to "Space Ghost" madness.

Fans can find information about the superhero or even how to play the Space Ghost drinking game on various personal World Wide Web sites.

Fans can also visit the Cartoon Network's site (www.cartoonnetwork.com), which features letters to celebrities from Zorak, movie and album reviews by Space Ghost and information about the show.

"Space Ghost Coast to Coast" has inspired two albums: Space Ghost's Musical Bar-B-Que and Space Ghost's Surf and Turf, featuring songs from the show and its spin-off sketch comedy, "Cartoon Planet." The albums also include other original compositions ranging from songs about mashed potatoes to bologna sandwiches.

"Space Ghost Coast to Coast" got its start in April 1994 when Michael Lazzo, then-vice president of programming, decided to create a show modeled after his childhood hero, Space Ghost.

At the same time Lowe was working for Turner Broadcasting System.

"I would roam the halls pestering producers for work," Lowe said. "Finally, I got the opportunity to read the script -- it went well."

Lowe started his career at age 15 as a disc jockey for a local radio station in Florida. He then moved on to morning radio and naturally progressed into television as a news anchor.

"News was too serious for me. I knew it was a sign from God (to get into another field) when my ear piece kept popping out during tapings."

Despite the tough climb to the top and the long work days, Lowe said he feels very fortunate to be where he is now.

"I would be living under an overpass if it wasn't for loyal college viewers," he said. "We owe a lot to them."