This Week in TV News: Howard the Duck and Jesse Pinkman Return

This week, we’re talking about Howard the Duck, the ad guy responsible for Apple’s “Think Different” campaign and new Mattel shows.

Howard the Duck returns. It’s true. Hulu and Marvel Television are partnering on four adult animated shows, including one with Howard the Duck. The George Lucas “Howard the Duck” film of the 80s was widely panned (the Chicago Tribune said Howard was about as lovable as a dishwasher) eventually reaching cult status. (Variety)

Lee Clow, ad legend, retires. And he announced it with a “love note to advertising” on Valentine’s Day. Clow is responsible for Apple’s “Think Different” and Adidas’ “Impossible is Nothing.” He joined Chiat/Day in its early days and was most recently chairman at TBWA/Media Arts Lab and director of Media Arts at TBWA/Worldwide. Read the love note in Ad Age.

The “Breaking Bad” movie is on its way to Netflix and AMC. Aaron Paul will come back as Jesse Pinkman, and as we talked about before, Vince Gilligan will be involved. The film will “follow the escape of a kidnapped man and his quest for freedom,” according to The Hollywood Reporter. The movie is the first part of Gilligan’s deal he signed with Sony TV last year.

Mattel has 22 original TV shows in the works. The shows will include action-adventure, humor, game shows, and music shows (both animated and live-action) made for multi-platform distribution. The toy and entertainment company, whose brands include Barbie, Hot Wheels and Monster High, is also said to be making an American Doll movie with MGM. Mattel’s chairman and CEO Ynon Kreiz said the content creation is an important step in the company becoming “an IP-driven, high-performing toy company.” (Hollywood Reporter)

Read last week’s TV trends.