September 2022

This image of the logo was drawn by hand with my tablet and stylus. Drawn in MS Paint.

Posted: 4 September 2022

SLAM! Block (US Version Only) / Nickelodeon / 25 August 2002 – March 2003

Imagine you’re watching Nickelodeon in May of 2002. Promos previewing their summer programming get shown during every commercial break. In one promo, Dave Aizer tells you that if “you want action…you got action.” You’re under the assumption that Nick is just emphasizing they’ll be playing some action programming that will soon be forgotten.

Many haters have forgotten it but I never will!

The Nickelodeon SLAM block began airing on Sunday afternoons in August 2002. The block ran for 2 hours from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm (later 1:00pm-3:00pm, all times Central) and played action-oriented programming (a la Cartoon Network’s Toonami). I’ll tell ya, looking at the promos will NOT tell you what this block is about yet it will make you want to find out more.

What is SLAM?

I never really questioned it. I figured it was going to be another Nicktoon about a skateboarder boy and his dog in a grunge/mid-1900s art-style setting. Then again, there would be flashes of Invader Zim, Butt-Ugly Martians, and Robot Wars clips during the promos. I wasn’t using the internet at the time and Twitter wasn’t a thing yet so I just had to use my assumptions. Because it was new and on Nickelodeon, I was so excited. When first discreetly announced in May 2002, SLAM had different on-air graphics than what was officially used. 

It was that day on August 25th I found out what SLAM! Really was…an action block. I wasn’t expecting Speed Racer 1997 (Speed Racer X) to start the block as it was not flashed in the promos. I was busy with a church event that day then I went to the swimming pool. From what I remember, I only taped the Speed Racer episode as I seriously thought SLAM was going to be a regular series.

What SLAM Turned out to Be

SLAM was an action block. The promos failed to properly communicate that. Either that or it just was the way my brain processed information at the time. I probably missed some important information. All you’d see is a short scribbled kid running/skateboarding around with his dog and causing mischief in a scenery combining a vintage style and early 2000s grunge. Nickelodeon Magazine announced it as a block but I didn’t notice that announcement until much later. The magazine announcement also mentioned that SLAM stands for “Super Large Action Madness,” also not mentioned in the on-air promos. 

Regardless, all information should have been communicated in the promos. Here’s how they should have done it (written by yours truly):

Need more action for your weekends? Tune in to SLAM! A 2-hour block of Super Large Action Madness with shows that will rock your Sunday afternoon. 

Speed Racer speeds your way at 4:00

Invader Zim invades your TV at 4:30

Prepare to kick some butt with the Butt Ugly Martians at 5

Then witness some extreme robot action with Nickelodeon Robot Wars at 5:30

Slam into SLAM! Every Sunday starting August 25th at 4/3 central on Nickelodeon!

One Thing’s for Sure…

That SLAM character and his dog were so cute. It’s a shame it wasn’t a series. If it was a series then there would be sneak peeks that Nick would have shown. I’m also attracted by the vintage graphics in the promos. It’s like looking through my grandmother’s high school yearbooks. The edgy grunge and vintage graphics could have been used for something amazing. Now it’s all a missed opportunity.

Could Have Been Big

I fondly remember this premiere. This was from a time I began to show more interest in action-oriented programming that sold toys and video games. This block has assisted me with that transition and still resonates with me today. I can’t believe it’s been 20 years. The aesthetic may seem outdated by today’s design standards but it still holds a place in my memories. Had this block/SLAM character been better promoted, there would be at least a cult following. 

Quick fact: on the last week of SLAM in March 2003, the idents and logo bugs for the block were not being used. I taped the Invader Zim episode they were playing that day. After that Sunday, the block was no more.

Shows Shown on SLAM and Some Quick Thoughts

Speed Racer X – Gave me an introduction to the Speed Racer franchise

Invader Zim – I was lucky when Nick showed this. There were periods where they wouldn’t show it at all on this block

Butt Ugly Martians – Previously shown on main Nick. I was fine with it when I was younger, but cringe a bit when I watch it now, especially that animation.

Nickelodeon Robot Wars – Seemed interesting but wasn’t really my cup of tea at the time.

Men In Black: The Series – Yes, Nickelodeon played this, too. I didn’t watch Kids WB so Nickelodeon brought this show to me. It was fine. It was an introduction to the Men In Black franchise for me. I felt like a cool kid watching this.

Super Duper Sumos – Practically dominated the block for many weeks (bookended by episodes of Speed Racer). Not a great show and definitely one of DIC’s later not-so-great shows. 

Also, I noticed only during the block, they occasionally played some early animated shorts of The Amazing Adrenalini Brothers during commercial breaks. These shorts originated in the UK and Canada. They began as 10 two-and-a-half-minute shorts for the CBBC website in the early 2000s then became a full show in 2006. The Adrenalini brothers are 3 showmen from the fictional land of Réndøosîa who tour around the world performing hazardous stunts, often succeeding out of luck. You may not remember this as these were rarely played. I had the tail-end of an episode on tape. These shorts and episodes are available to watch online. Click here to find out more information about these shorts. I don’t know why these were played but, as I’ve been saying about the other shows on this block, it was how I discovered this show.