Anvils, Cartoons’ Answer to Oscars

Splashy music, schmaltzy tributes, rambling speeches from two-dimensional characters.

Yep, it’s Oscar weekend, but think of this as a warmup for Sunday’s extravaganza: The Cartoon Network presents a slightly tongue-in-cheek praise-fest of its own tonight at 7, the “1st 13th Annual Fancy Anvil Award Show Program Special ... Live! ... In Stereo.”

Part Hollywood sendup and part promotional vehicle for the Cartoon Network, the pre-produced show has its amusing moments, although much of the inside humor might be lost on newcomers to the network.

Host Johnny Bravo and other animated presenters schmooze onstage with real celebrities, “Roger Rabbit” style, as classic cartoons compete with the network’s new shows for prizes recently voted on by viewers.

The format might raise a few eyebrows among purists from the older demographic. The best cartoon category, for example, pits the Bugs Bunny-Elmer Fudd classic “What’s Opera Doc?” against such nominees as an episode of “The Powerpuff Girls.”

High points include a salute to lifetime achievement winner Scooby-Doo, with commentary from a droll-as-ever Tim Conway; a revved-up Robin Williams introducing one of the nominees; and a gag that has Plank, the scrap of wood from “Ed, Edd and Eddy,” stoically and silently accepting his award for best performance by an inanimate object in a dramatic role.

Best of all, tonight the musical numbers are nice and short.