I mean, I can see some cases where having a show 
that works on a reset button is fun. You can get 
really wild and do anything you want every 
episode without having to worry about planning 
for the results in future episodes. Problem is, 
not many US cartoons take full advantage of that.

Overall, the reset button in US cartoons is a 
tribute to the US notion that kids aren't 
supposed to be able to remember anything or 
follow any kind of complex plotline. (A notion 
that I think is crap. >_<) The other half of this 
ridiculous notion that a running series wouldn't 
be popluar with adults either since producers 
assume they'll miss an episode, fall behind, and 
stop watching entirely. (The viewing pubic is 
assumed to be lazy, not very bright, and 
possessing of a short attention span.)

This doesn't even mention laziness on the part of 
TV stations that don't want to have to arrange to 
play the episodes in order when they go into 
reruns.

Me, I prefer an ongoing plot.

Many Sharp Smiles,
--Drac