I remember seeing the first Johnny Bravo episode when it aired. It was a segment called Cartoon Cartoons (cartoons made by Cartoon Network) where they ran various pilots to see what went well with the public. So it was basically the viewers who decided what will be made into a full show. Dexter's Laboratory also started there, Powerpuff Girls too. There was also a pilot for what later became Family Guy.
I remember this as well! Family guy was "Larry and Steve", different names but clearly the same show. There was also cow and chicken, which I wasn't a fan of but the rest of the shows you mentioned were great.
Until this exact moment Johnny Bravo and so many characters from my childhood were "older than me" in my head because they were older than me last time I saw them. Now what used to be a grown ass man to me is just a kid in his 20s. Ooof. That one stings for some reason.
I think no one who watched Johnny Bravo wanted to be like him, he was a good example of how not to be. Definitely taught me (cis female) that all attention from men is not good, and women are within rights to respond negatively to what they think is inappropriate behavior. If you can’t tell, I am a bit autistic, and grew up in a conservative household that expected “good girl” behavior. It’s not as bad as it sounds, my parents are nice, though misguided at times lol
The pilot was on the same show that had the banned Cow and Chicken pilot where Red Guy, as the Devil, tricks Chicken into taking a cigarette so he can drag him down to Hell.
It really does feel like you could get away with so much more back in the 90s.
Funny thing is I think they actually confirmed he does actually get play sometimes, we just never see it because it's funnier watching him strike out like a moron