Mike Lazzo
Encyclopedia
Michael Lazzo, is a television producer
and the senior executive vice president
in charge of Adult Swim
at Williams Street Studios.
After he dropped out of High School at age 16, Mike Lazzo was roommates with Barry Mills
, the creator of TNT
's The Rudy and Gogo World Famous Cartoon Show
. Mike Lazzo began his career working in the mailroom of TBS
. In 1994 he helped create the first animated late night talk show
Space Ghost Coast to Coast
for the Cartoon Network
. Then in 1995, Lazzo's newly-named production company, Ghost Planet Industries, produced the first spin off
from Space Ghost: Coast to Coast, Cartoon Planet
which debuted on TBS
, but later moved to Cartoon Network
the following year.
In 1997, Lazzo and GPI began production on Toonami
, an afternoon block of action cartoons on Cartoon Network. In 2004, he served as the producer for Miguzi, another afternoon block of action programming, this time aimed at a younger audience.
In 1999, Ghost Planet Industries changed its name to Williams Street and the following year the studio started developing more non-Space Ghost-related comedy cartoons aimed at adult audiences. The Brak Show
, Sealab 2021
, and Aqua Teen Hunger Force
all premiered on Cartoon Network unannounced in the early mornings of December 2000, almost a year before [adult swim
] officially premiered in September 2001. Keith Crofford
has served as Lazzo's co-executive producer since 1994.
Television producer
The primary role of a television Producer is to allow all aspects of video production, ranging from show idea development and cast hiring to shoot supervision and fact-checking...
and the senior executive vice president
Vice president
A vice president is an officer in government or business who is below a president in rank. The name comes from the Latin vice meaning 'in place of'. In some countries, the vice president is called the deputy president...
in charge of Adult Swim
Adult Swim
Adult Swim is an adult-oriented Cable network that shares channel space with Cartoon Network from 9:00 pm until 6:00 am ET/PT in the United States, and broadcasts in countries such as Australia and New Zealand...
at Williams Street Studios.
After he dropped out of High School at age 16, Mike Lazzo was roommates with Barry Mills
Barry Mills (producer)
Barry Mills is an American film producer, director, and writer.He started his career by writing and producing promos and bumpers for TBS and TNT in the early 1990s. In 1995 Barry and his friend, author Jack Pendarvis, created the TV show The Rudy and Gogo World Famous Cartoon Show for TBS, but...
, the creator of TNT
Turner Network Television
Turner Network Television is an American cable television channel created by media mogul Ted Turner and currently owned by the Turner Broadcasting System division of Time Warner...
's The Rudy and Gogo World Famous Cartoon Show
The Rudy and Gogo World Famous Cartoon Show
The Rudy and GoGo World Famous Cartoon Show was a programming block of cartoons for TNT during the mid 1990s. Hosted by "Rowdy" Rudy R. Moore , and his pet goat Gogo , the show featured a variety of cartoon short subjects from Turner Entertainment's library, including pre-July 1948...
. Mike Lazzo began his career working in the mailroom of TBS
Turner Broadcasting System
Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. is the Time Warner subsidiary managing the collection of cable networks and properties started and acquired by Robert Edward "Ted" Turner starting in the mid-1970s. The company has its headquarters in the CNN Center in Atlanta, Georgia. TBS, Inc...
. In 1994 he helped create the first animated late night talk show
Talk show
A talk show or chat show is a television program or radio program where one person discuss various topics put forth by a talk show host....
Space Ghost Coast to Coast
Space Ghost Coast to Coast
Space Ghost Coast to Coast is an American animated parody talk show hosted by the 60s Hanna-Barbera cartoon character Space Ghost. The show premiered on April 15, 1994 on Cartoon Network...
for the Cartoon Network
Cartoon Network
Cartoon Network is a name of television channels worldwide created by Turner Broadcasting which used to primarily show animated programming. The channel began broadcasting on October 1, 1992 in the United States....
. Then in 1995, Lazzo's newly-named production company, Ghost Planet Industries, produced the first spin off
Spin-off (media)
In media, a spin-off is a radio program, television program, video game, or any narrative work, derived from one or more already existing works, that focuses, in particular, in more detail on one aspect of that original work...
from Space Ghost: Coast to Coast, Cartoon Planet
Cartoon Planet
Cartoon Planet is an animated variety show that premiered in 1995 on Superstation TBS, and ran afterward from 1996 to 1997 on Cartoon Network....
which debuted on TBS
Turner Broadcasting System
Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. is the Time Warner subsidiary managing the collection of cable networks and properties started and acquired by Robert Edward "Ted" Turner starting in the mid-1970s. The company has its headquarters in the CNN Center in Atlanta, Georgia. TBS, Inc...
, but later moved to Cartoon Network
Cartoon Network
Cartoon Network is a name of television channels worldwide created by Turner Broadcasting which used to primarily show animated programming. The channel began broadcasting on October 1, 1992 in the United States....
the following year.
In 1997, Lazzo and GPI began production on Toonami
Toonami
Toonami was a registered trademark of Cartoon Network, used initially for action-oriented programming blocks on Cartoon Network television channels worldwide, mostly showing American cartoons and Japanese anime, originating in the United States on March 17, 1997 and ended on September 20, 2008.The...
, an afternoon block of action cartoons on Cartoon Network. In 2004, he served as the producer for Miguzi, another afternoon block of action programming, this time aimed at a younger audience.
In 1999, Ghost Planet Industries changed its name to Williams Street and the following year the studio started developing more non-Space Ghost-related comedy cartoons aimed at adult audiences. The Brak Show
The Brak Show
The Brak Show is an animated television series that aired on Cartoon Network's late night programming block, Adult Swim. The Brak Show is a spin-off of the animated television series, Space Ghost Coast to Coast, and featured recurring characters from Space Ghost Coast to Coast and Cartoon Planet...
, Sealab 2021
Sealab 2021
Sealab 2021 is an American animated television series. It was shown on Cartoon Network's adult-oriented programming block, Adult Swim. It premiered on November 23, 2000 and the final episode aired on April 25, 2005...
, and Aqua Teen Hunger Force
Aqua Teen Hunger Force
Aqua Teen Hunger Force , retitled Aqua Unit Patrol Squad 1 in 2011, is an American animated television series on Cartoon Network late night programing block, Adult Swim, as well as Teletoon's Teletoon at Night block and later G4 Canada's ADd block in Canada...
all premiered on Cartoon Network unannounced in the early mornings of December 2000, almost a year before [adult swim
Adult Swim
Adult Swim is an adult-oriented Cable network that shares channel space with Cartoon Network from 9:00 pm until 6:00 am ET/PT in the United States, and broadcasts in countries such as Australia and New Zealand...
] officially premiered in September 2001. Keith Crofford
Keith Crofford
Keith Crofford is an executive vice president of Adult Swim, the adult-oriented block of programming on Cartoon Network. He is executive producer for several Williams Street in-house productions such as Space Ghost Coast to Coast, Aqua Teen Hunger Force, The Brak Show, and Squidbillies...
has served as Lazzo's co-executive producer since 1994.
External links
- The edge of night: Adult Swim draws youth by breaking rules - YoungMoney article on The Boondocks (TV series)The Boondocks (TV series)The Boondocks is an American animated series created by Aaron McGruder on Cartoon Network's late night programing block, Adult Swim, based on McGruder's comic strip of the same name...
and Lazzo - Swimming Against The Tide - FastCompany article about Lazzo
- An Interview with Mike Lazzo - IGN interview of Mike Lazzo
- Roadtrip Nation: Mike Lazzo - Roadtrip Nation interviews Mike Lazzo