I was thinking about my childhood watching cartoons today and I was reminded of two things that would instantly make me think I was going to be watching a bad cartoon, or at least one that was not as good:

1: If it began with the Warner Brothers / Seven Arts logo

2: Or if a Popeye cartoon didn't begin with the shipboard doors opening and closing title style.

Either of those would register instant disappointment with me. Just wondering if anyone else had any triggers that would be instant turn-offs.

1. If a cartoon began with the "Abstract WB" logo.
   
2. If a cartoon had a "Hanna-Barbera Productions" copyright and it was after 1965. (Sorry, Hanna-Barbera fans.)
   
3. "Directed by Paul J. Smith"...on a cartoon copyrighted in the 1960s or (shudder) 1970s.

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Definitely the Abstract WB opening. Also, if I see Dave Detige credited for story, nine times out of ten.

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Pretty much the Smith thing. Why Lantz himself didn't direct the last cartoons himself, I'll never know.