The Curious Case of Woody’s Disappearance from SML: Unraveling the Mystery
Woody’s removal from SuperMarioLogan (SML) wasn’t a singular event but a confluence of factors linked to Nintendo’s cease and desist order and the subsequent shift away from plush puppets. While Roy met an in-universe “end” by getting ran out of town after losing a bet, and thus was removed from the series in “PJ Crenshaw!”, Woody wasn’t given such a formal departure. He simply faded out of prominence as the channel pivoted to new characters and formats dictated by the legal limitations and evolving audience preferences. The reliance on officially licensed Nintendo plushies was the very core of many early SML narratives, but that era abruptly ended. With that, Woody became a casualty of this larger transformation, and as a consequence, his appearances dwindled to near nothing.
The Nintendo Lawsuit: A Paradigm Shift
The story of Woody’s declining role cannot be told without acknowledging the elephant in the room: Nintendo’s legal action against SML creator Logan Thirtyacre. SML’s initial success was built upon parodies of popular Nintendo characters, using plush versions of Mario, Luigi, Bowser, and others. However, Nintendo took issue with the often inappropriate and offensive content that SML produced, featuring these beloved characters in scenarios that were far from family-friendly.
In February 2021, Logan received a cease and desist order from Nintendo, forcing him to stop using their intellectual property. This marked a fundamental change in the channel’s direction. The plush puppets, once the stars of the show, were effectively retired. To continue creating content, Logan shifted to using handmade puppets, which allowed him to circumvent the copyright issues. Characters like Jeffy and Bowser Junior gained even greater prominence in this new puppet format.
Woody: A Victim of Circumstance
Woody, being associated with the Toy Story franchise (owned by Disney/Pixar), didn’t directly infringe upon Nintendo’s copyrights. However, with the shift away from plush puppets as a whole, and the re-focusing of the show on new characters and storylines, Woody’s presence on the channel started to decline. His appearances became less frequent, and eventually, he became a mostly forgotten character, except for occasional references.
With the limited space for characters, and the influx of new characters, the Toy Story inspired Woody plushy was pushed to the side and eventually forgotten altogether.
The Evolution of SML’s Content
The legal pressure from Nintendo had a profound impact on SML’s content strategy. Logan and his team had to become more creative and original, developing new characters and storylines that weren’t reliant on existing intellectual property. This resulted in a change in tone and humor. While the show still retained its characteristic raunchiness and absurd situations, the focus shifted to the antics of characters like Jeffy, Bowser Junior, and Cody, who were now portrayed using handmade puppets.
The channel had changed and adapted, and in doing so, characters like Woody fell by the wayside.
Legacy of Woody
While Woody may no longer be a prominent figure in SML videos, his presence in the channel’s history is undeniable. He was one of the characters featured early on that helped attract viewers to the content, and he continues to be remembered as a beloved part of the show. For long-time viewers of SML, Woody represents an era of simpler, more innocent parody.
His disappearance is a stark reminder of the challenges and transformations that can occur in the world of online content creation, especially when intellectual property rights are involved.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Did Disney/Pixar ever send a cease and desist to SML?
No, there’s no public information to suggest that Disney/Pixar ever sent a cease and desist order specifically targeting Woody or any other characters from the Toy Story franchise used in SML videos. The primary legal issues revolved around Nintendo’s intellectual property.
2. Could Woody return to SML in the future?
While it’s always possible, it’s highly unlikely that Woody will return as a main character. The channel’s focus has shifted to original puppets and characters. There is no definitive statement from Logan Thirtyacre as to why he might not return in the future.
3. What other characters disappeared from SML after the Nintendo lawsuit?
Besides Woody, many other Nintendo-based characters like Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and others were phased out due to the cease and desist order. Characters like Roy were removed from SML for different reasons unrelated to the lawsuit, like not being “cool” anymore.
4. What kind of disability does Jeffy have?
The text states that Jeffy has some sort of unspecified learning disability, but it is not explicitly defined within the SML universe.
5. Why did SML change its name?
SML initially stood for SuperMarioLogan. The channel changed its name as part of the rebranding effort following the Nintendo lawsuit. They needed to distance themselves from using Nintendo’s trademarked characters.
6. What are the ethical concerns surrounding SML’s content?
SML’s content has faced criticism for its inappropriate language, crude humor, and potentially negative portrayal of certain characters, especially regarding disabilities and stereotypes. This is why the series is only recommended for older audiences (17+).
7. What is Games Learning Society?
The Games Learning Society, found at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/, is an organization that supports research and innovation in the field of game-based learning. It is dedicated to understanding and promoting the effective use of games for educational purposes. You can learn more about education-oriented games at GamesLearningSociety.org.
8. Who is the oldest character in SML?
According to the text, Margaret, Bowser’s human mother, is the oldest character, with a purported birth date of 1494/1815.
9. Why is Jeffy considered a controversial character?
Jeffy is considered controversial due to his bad behavior, foul language, and the potential for children to mimic his actions.
10. Is SML suitable for kids?
Most sources suggest that SML is not suitable for kids due to its mature content, coarse language, and potentially offensive themes.
11. What happened to the original SML channel?
The original SML channel was deleted by YouTube in response to Nintendo’s request due to the channel URL still containing the name “SuperMarioLogan,” which was considered a trademark infringement.
12. Who voices Woody?
In the Toy Story films, Woody is primarily voiced by Tom Hanks. His brother, Jim Hanks, voices him in other media. However, it is important to note that whoever voiced Woody in SML videos might have been a different person, as the channel was not officially associated with Disney/Pixar.
13. Did Cody have a crush on Junior?
According to the article, it was implied that Cody may have had sexual feelings toward Junior in some earlier SML videos. However, this element has been phased out in more recent content.
14. Why did SML start using puppets instead of plushies?
SML switched to using puppets due to the cease and desist order from Nintendo, which prohibited the use of their copyrighted plush characters.
15. What does Woody from SML say about shrimp?
Woody is well known for going funny and crazy over shrimp, and he says the word “shrimp” as “shrimpo”.