Tuesday, August 14

Child Versions of Popular Characters



 Muppet Babies
The first of these, inspired by a sequence in the movie Muppets in Manhattan. It aired from September 15, 1984 to November 2, 1991 on CBS and was extremely popular. The series is arguably one of the best and many fans wanted it on DVD but because the show used copyrighted movies and clips, it makes it difficult. Some episodes have been released. They took seven characters from The Muppet Show, added Skeeter as Skooter's sister to have another female. Other Muppets would appear from time to time like Dr. Bunsen, Beaker, Janice, Bean Bunny, Stalter and Waldof.

 Flintstones Kids
It aired from 1986 to 1988 on ABC, and was produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions. It was sort of popular and spun off Captain Caveman. I liked watching it. Unlike Muppet Babies, it didn't really have educational basis. Before Pebbles and Bam-Bam, Fred, Barney, Wilma and Betty were school mates. Fred somehow owned baby Dino.

A Pup Named Scooby-Doo
This show ran for three seasons from 1988 to 1991, funny enough it premiered after Flintstones Kids ended. Following the show's first season, much of Hanna-Barbera's production staff, including Tom Ruegger, left the studio, and helped to revive the Warner Bros. Animation studio, beginning with Tiny Toon Adventures. Tom Ruegger's style used in this series carried on to the first season of Tiny Toons.

 Yo Yogi!
 Yo Yogi! is an animated series first aired on NBC on Saturday mornings during the 1991-92 season. Taking place in Jellystone Town, it features Yogi Bear and the other popular Hanna-Barbera characters including Huckleberry Hound, Snagglepuss, Yogi's own sidekick, Boo-Boo Bear and Yogi's Girlfriend, Cindy Bear depicted as 14-year-old adolescent children and were crime fighters. This series was not successful, only lasted a year.

 Disney Babies
Even though there has been no series, there has been no cartoon series with this. It has been an merchandise line since the late 80's. I am not sure which date but it has spawn off into Baby Winnie the Pooh and Baby Princesses. Disney Babies have had storylines in books where they are all in the same house similar to Muppet Babies.

 Tom & Jerry Kids Show
The show premiered in 1990 and continued airing until 1994 on Fox Kids. The series is about the adventures of Tom Cat and Jerry Mouse in their childhood and their friends Droopy and Dripple and Spike and Tyke. The series is somewhat similar to the "older" version of the original 114 H-B theatricals, partly akin to being produced by Tom and Jerry creators William Hanna and Joseph Barbera. In terms of violence level, they are far closer to the classic cartoons than previous television adaptions such as The Tom and Jerry Comedy Show although somewhat milder than Hanna and Barbera's original series.


 Jungle Cubs
 Jungle Cubs is an animated series produced by Disney for ABC in 1996. It was based on their 1967 feature film The Jungle Book, but set in the youth of the animal characters. The show was a hit, running for two seasons in syndication before moving its re-runs to the Disney Channel. I liked this one too. Jungle Cubs suggested that when they were younger, both the good and evil animals lived together in relative peace.


James Bond Jr
James Bond Jr. is described as the nephew of Ian Fleming’s masterspy James Bond. The name “James Bond Junior” was first used in 1967 for an unsuccessful spinoff novel. In this animated series, the character defeats threats to the safety of the free world. Produced by Murakami-Wolf-Swenson and United Artists Corporation, debuted on September 30, 1991 and a total of 65 half-hour episodes were produced syndicated. It lasted one year.

Baby Looney Tunes
The idea of baby Looney Tunes is rather older than the actual series. There was a lot of merchandise before the series aired. The show premiered on WB stations usually before or after the Kids' WB! block on September 7, 2002 and continued to air on Cartoon Network until 2006. The show is similar to Muppet Babies, with the main characters taken care of by Granny.