Willow the truth is. Cartoons are run by SUITS/Executives, non-creative people who make the decisions. Usually they take the safe bets, same old formulas. The animators on cartoons today are in other countries like India, Korea, South America. Every episode of Air Bender is made in Korea. I don't really think they care about what they are animating because they are working on some American show, not their own country show.
Usually when a cartoonist or creator makes a cartoon, networks buy it and run it. The creator rarely gets full ownership of his creations because that was the price to pay to get their idea on tv or theater.
I think even Adventure Time is outsourced overseas for peanuts. I hope to change all this with my cartoons. :)
This is the problem with this business, it's really just rude and punishes creativity and anyone who takes chances.
For me, I am a full blood american animator with TONS of cartoons online! One day I will create my own Spongebob or Mickey Mouse who knows maybe I have already. Superman took 5 years to become famous. Ren and Stimpy was 10 years before it got on Nick!