MAN'S 1980s CARTOON SELF REPORTEDLY 'ALWAYS AVAILABLE, NEVER OFF-AIR'

Visitors to the Imaginarium report that the animated versions of Mr. Samman, drawn in the style of 1980s Saturday-morning cartoons, are the most reliable members of the family.

"They're on every Saturday at nine," said one visitor. "Same time, same channel, same heroic pose. You never have to wonder where they are."

Animation experts say this is the great advantage of cartoon characters: they show up every week whether or not anyone is throwing a party. "Consistency is the whole format," said one. "No introductions. No crash afterwards. Just the opening theme and a man in a cockpit."

Mr. Samman is said to admire his cartoon selves and to be trying to be more like them: fewer laser battles, more phone calls. Speed Racer, who returns every call from the Mach 5 within one lap, calls this "a very promising start."