SHORT TAKES : Film Roman to Do Mandel Series

Film Roman, the animation studio that produces the “Garfield” projects and other TV series, will make the new Howie Mandel half-hour animated strip series “Bobby’s World.” The show, ordered by Fox Broadcasting’s Fox Children’s Network, is being produced in conjunction with comedian Mandel, whose fictional 4-year-old Bobby character has been a standard in his stand-up comedy routine.

The network has ordered 13 half-hour episodes to begin broadcasting Saturdays in mid-September. The show features Mandel introducing his alter ego Bobby, his dog Roger and his stuffed toy spider Webbly.