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January 27

Posted on January 27, 2014 by disneydetail

January 27, 2006 – The Disney Channel Animated Series The Emperor’s New School Premieres

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“Friends? I thought this was all about me! Spell my name again!”

On January 27, 2006, the Disney Channel animated series The Emperor’s New School premiered. Based on the Disney animated feature film The Emperor’s New Groove, the series takes place right after the events of the film, with main character Kuzco being given the task of graduating from school before being able to claim the throne. Having been banished from the palace until receiving his diploma, Kuzco is sent to live with Pacha and his family. The series ran for 52 episodes in 2 seasons. The series stars JP Manoux as Kuzco, Patrick Warburton as Kronk, Eartha Kitt as Yzma, Jessica DiCicco as Malina, Wendie Malick as Chicha, Fred Tatasciore as Pacha, and Rip Taylor as the Royal Records Keeper. Through its run, the series won several awards, including two Annie Awards for Best Voice Acting for actress Eartha Kitt as Yzma, and two Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program, also for Kitt’s performance. Patrick Warburton was nominated for an Annie in 2007 for his role of Kronk, and Jessica DiCicco was nominated for a Daytime Emmy in 2008 for her role of Malina; Howy Parkins was nominated for an Annie Award in 2008 for Best Directing in an Animated Television Production.

The first episode, entitled “Rabbit Face,” begins with Kuzco having been turned into a rabbit by Yzma. Yzma plans to make Kuzco fail at school so she can become Empress. Kuzco takes the viewers to a bit earlier in the day in PE to explain what happened. The gym teacher explains that a cross country test is coming up, but Kuzco refuses to participate in any activity, bringing in yet another doctor’s note excusing himself. The gym teacher is done with Kuzco’s excuses, and tells him that not only is he running the race, he will fail PE if he doesn’t win. Kronk then meets up with Principle Amzy, who is Yzma in disguise. She is confident that Kronk will win, therefore making her Empress. Around town, everyone is placing bets on Kronk to win, as Kuzco hasn’t exercised a day in his life.

Kronk stops by to intimidate Kuzco, leading to an awkward moment between everyone

Kronk stops by to intimidate Kuzco, leading to an awkward moment between everyone

That night, Kuzco overhears Pacha’s kids Tipo and Chaca saying how there was no way Kuzco could beat Kronk, and tries to pretend he’s not worried about the race. Pacha and Chicha are unconvinced, and Pacha reassures him that all Kuzco needs to do is his best. Kronk stops by Pacha’s house to say hello as he heads out on his nightly 20 mile jog. After he leaves, it turns out he was sent by Yzma to go and intimidate Kuzco, which worked well, as Kuzco went upstairs to his room and started to wail about what a loser he was. Pacha reassures him to do the best he can, and surprises Kuzco by setting up his treadmill for him, as well as setting up a specialized exercise program for him. Kuzco then heads off to the big race at school. Yzma sees how encouraged Kuzco is, and decides she won’t take any chances. She and Kronk head to the secret lab where she gets a potion to turn Kuzco into a turtle.

At lunch, Kronk brings Kuzco some “special dipping sauce” for his lunch, which contains the potion. Kuzco refuses to eat the sauce, but Kronk forces it into Kuzco’s mouth. However, it is soon evident that Kronk grabbed the wrong potion, turning Kuzco into a rabbit instead of a turtle. He runs into Malina, and alerts him that he’s turned into a rabbit. Kuzco begins to panic, and decides to hide in the locker room, resigned to failing PE. Malina shows up in the locker room, wanting to see that he was okay. She tells him that she wanted to catch up with him earlier, but he was running so fast she couldn’t catch up. Kuzco suddenly realizes that, as a rabbit, he’s much faster than Kronk, and goes off to win the race. Yzma is shocked to see that he’s a rabbit, and decides to sabotage the race as best she can, but Kuzco is able to win it in the end. Kuzco passes PE, and Yzma blames Kronk for the failure of her plan.

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January 6

Posted on January 6, 2014 by disneydetail

January 6, 2001 – The Recess Episode “Lawson and His Crew” Premieres

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“A royal thanks to you, kid who always wins. A royal thanks to you, friend of smart girl.”

On January 6, 2001, the sixty-second episode of the animated series Recess premiered on ABC. The episode, a twenty minute special, was to serve at the series finale, with the fifth season only lasting nine episodes; however, the show would soon be renewed for a sixth and final season. The episode was written by Phil Walsh, and directed by Howy Parkins.

The episode begins with the gang getting medals of royal thanks from King Bob after the gang stopped the school’s plan of making the students wear school uniforms. Amid the celebrations, fifth grader Lawson vents to his friends about how he hates that TJ and the others keep getting recognition, and how he wants some of that glory. He dumps his friends to find a new gang to help him achieve his dreams of victory. Later, TJ and the gang are asked to prevent war between the second and third graders. As they head to the battleground, they are stopped by a fifth grader, who shows them that Lawson is already accomplishing peace between the two grades. Lawson approaches the dumbstruck group and declares that he’s got everything under control with his crew, consisting of Randall, Kurst, Skeens, Swinger Girl, and Menlo.

TJ discusses with his friends the opportunities for pranks while Lawson performs the good deeds

TJ discusses with his friends the opportunities for pranks while Lawson performs the good deeds

Later, as TJ and his friends are talking, they realize that having Lawson and his crew take over would be a good thing, leaving them with the opportunity to play pranks instead of saving the students. They plan an elaborate prank including a cactus, but find that Lawson’s crew had already played the prank before them. The gang suddenly realizes that they have nothing left to do on the playground. Suddenly, they are alerted that the school has outlawed chocolate milk, and decide to go out there and picket. However, Lawson has once again beaten them to the punch. Lawson and his gang are rewarded by King Bob, and the gang sadly comes to the conclusion that they have been replaced.

As they sit behind the dumpster, a little girl goes over to the gang to ask them for help, but TJ retorts with “what’s the point?” When inspired by Mikey to help the kids of the playground, TJ has a renewed spirit, but that spirit is quickly dashed when, once again, Lawson and his crew have beaten them to the punch. As the kids once again sit dejected, they start question why they did all their good deeds in the first place, figuring that they did it for the glory. Mikey then realizes that it wasn’t for the sake of glory, but because they want to share their friendship with the rest of the kids. Lawson hears from Randall that TJ and his friends are miserable, and wants to go over to gloat. When Lawson and his crew see the gang having fun instead of being down, the crew begins to argue amongst themselves. As Lawson is sent to help the kindergarteners, the crew continues to argue, leading to their inevitable breakup. Lawson is left alone, and TJ with the gang rescuing the kindergarteners and resuming their place in the recess hierarchy. Lawson then reunites with his own friends, and TJ walks off happily with his own gang.

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November 5

Posted on November 5, 2013 by disneydetail

November 5, 2001 – The Final Episode of the Animated Series Recess Airs

500px-Recess “You know what, guys? Here we are talking about how much we need T.J., when the fact is, I think right now, T.J. needs us.”

On November 5, 2001, the 65th and final episode of the animated series Recess aired in syndication. Although a popular series, at the time, Disney had a 65-episode rule with its animated series, effectively canceling the series. It was one of the longest running shows on Disney Saturday morning programming block. The final episode was comprised of two segments: Mundy, Mundy and Lost Leader. It starred Andy Lawrence as T.J., Ricky D’Shon Collins as Vince, Pamela Segall as Spinelli, Jason Davis as Mikey, Ashely Johnson as Gretchen, Courtland Mead as Gus, April Winchell as Miss Finster, and Dabney Coleman as Principal Prickly.

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Mundy, Mundy begins with T.J. commenting that the bully Mundy and his cronies are charging kids to play in an area of the playground known as the “Cheese Box.” As Vince kicks the ball in kickball, it ends up nearly hitting a kindergartener, until Mundy catches the ball and saves her. His friends tell him to move before the word spreads that he did something nice. T.J. and his friends, however, see the whole thing, and word spreads like wildfire. Suddenly, everyone thinks he’s a hero and a saint, and they follow him around the playground. His friends threaten T.J. and his gang unless they ruin Mundy’s reputation once again. Gus then pretends to have been gravely injured by, in the hopes that everyone will turn their backs on the former bully. Unfortunately, the plan backfires, and the kids continue to follow Mundy around. Wherever Mundy goes, although he tries to bully other people, he’s seen as a great guy. T.J. has to go to Plan B, and they ask Mundy’s friends for all of the horrible things that Mundy has done through his life. The gang then prints a newspaper detailing all of his misdeeds, but it only turns the playground against T.J. and his friends, rather than against Mundy. T.J. then gets an idea for Mundy to be seen doing a misdeed, and Mundy is given a bat to destroy the Cheese Box. Mundy chickens out at the last minute, unable to destroy the Cheese Box after all. Mundy is now a reformed individual, and he thanks T.J. for his help.

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In Lost Leader, T.J. is the leader of a mission to retrieve the gang’s lucky bat, being held hostage by the Ashleys. Although seemingly well executed, the plan falls apart, as is the Ashleys’ clubhouse. The whole gang is given a week’s detention. T.J. is dejected, as he believes his plans keep falling apart, and he decides to give up planning for good. After his declaration, Lawson challenges T.J. and the gang to a baseball game, but T.J. still refuses to come up with a plan, still wallowing in his failures. The gang attempts to come up with plans individually and compare, but the gang can’t even agree on how to run a meeting. Gretchen’s plan is to come up with robot versions of the Ashleys, Gus suggests they use his dad and his army contacts, Mikey wants to throw the Ashleys a picnic, Spinelli isn’t sure her plan is legal, and Vince refuses to share his plan. The gang realizes that T.J. needs them more than they need him, and decide to work to make T.J. less angry at himself. The group pretends to come up with a plan that won’t involve him. T.J. confronts Gretchen, angered that they called him out as a bad leader, and takes over the plan completely. Once T.J. takes over again, the gang is able to retrieve the lucky bat, and admit to T.J. that their horrible plan was a ruse to get him back in the game again. The gang wins the game against Lawson, and the episode ends with T.J. coming up with another plan.

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October 24

Posted on October 24, 2013 by disneydetail

October 24, 1994 – The Animated Series Gargoyles Premieres in Disney Afternoon

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“One thousand years ago, superstition and the sword rules. It was a time of darkness. It was a world of fear. It was the age of gargoyles.”

On October 24, 1994, the animated series Gargoyles premiered on television in the Disney Afternoon programming block. The series was about a clan of nocturnal creatures known as gargoyles, who turn to stone during the day. After being betrayed, members of the clan are cursed to stay in stone until the castle “rises above the clouds.” In present day, the gargoyles are reawakened when the castle they live is taken to New York and reconstructed atop a billionaire’s skyscraper. The six remaining gargoyles try to adjust to life in modern New York, aided by NYPD detective Elisa Maza, and come into conflict with David Xanatos. 3 seasons, with 78 episodes, aired overall, with the first two seasons airing in the Disney Afternoon, and the third and final season airing on ABC’s One Saturday Morning. The cast included Keith David as Goliath, Edward Asner as Hudson, Salli Richardson as Elisa Maza, Jonathan Frakes as David Xanatos, Marina Sirtis as Demona, and Bill Fagerbakke as Broadway.

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October 4

Posted on October 4, 2013 by disneydetail

October 4, 1998 – The Animated Series Rolie Polie Olie Premieres on Disney Channel

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“He’s Rolie Polie Olie, he’s small and smart and round, and in the land of curves and curls, he’s the swellest kid around.”

On October 4, 1998, the animated series Rolie Polie Olie premiered on the Disney Channel. The series, distributed by Disney, was created by William Joyce, Maggie Swanson, and Anne Wood; it ran for 74 episodes in 6 seasons. It tells the story of a robotic child named Olie (voiced by Cole Caplan) who lives with his family on Planet Polie, a place entirely populated by geometric robot characters. The show was known as the first CGI animated series for children, and one of the first shows fully animated in CGI. It won several awards, including two Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Special Class Animated Program.

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September 18

Posted on September 18, 2013 by disneydetail

September 18, 1989 – The Animated Series Chip ‘n’ Dale: Rescue Rangers Airs in Syndication

ChipnDale

“There’s no case too big, no case too small, when you need help just call!”

On September 18, 1989, the animated series Chip ‘n’ Dale: Rescue Rangers began to be aired in syndication. The series first premiered on March 4, 1989, and proved to be one of the more popular shows of the Disney Afternoon programming block. The series itself was originally created to be a companion show to the popular DuckTales series, with no mention of the famous chipmunk duo. The pair was added to bring back some established Disney characters, as was also seen in TaleSpin. The first episode to show in syndication was a television film called “To The Rescue,” which gave the story of how the Rescue Rangers became a team; it was later split into five parts when shown in the weekday run. The series ran as part of the Disney Afternoon until September 3, 1993.

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September 14

Posted on September 14, 2013 by disneydetail

September 14, 1985 – The Animated Series Disney’s Adventures of the Gummi Bears Premieres on NBC

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“Gummi Bears, bouncing here and there and everywhere, high adventure that’s beyond compare, they are the Gummi Bears.”

On September 14, 1985, the animated series Disney’s Adventures of the Gummi Bears premiered on NBC. The series was Disney’s first major serialized animated series, setting a precedent for later animated series, including those of the Disney Afternoon lineup. The show was very popular, spanning 65 episodes over 6 seasons. Overall, the series tells the story of the Gummi Bears, a mythical, long-running family that lives in Gummi Glen in the time of the Middle Ages. The bears work to protect the secret of their Gummiberry Juice from Duke Igthorn and his army of ogres, and are assisted in this by Princess Calla and her page Cavin. The series was created by Jymn Magon and Art Vitello, and stars Bill Scott as Gruffi Gummi (replaced by Corey Burton after Scott passed away),  Paul Winchell as Zummi Gummi (replaced by Jim Cummings in the final season), June Foray as Grammi Gummi, Lorenzo Music as Tummi Gummi, Katie Leigh as Sunni Gummi, Noelle North as Cubbi Gummi and Princess Calla, Rob Paulsen as Gusto Gummi, and Michael Rye as Duke Igthorn. Cavin had several voice actors through the show’s run, with Christian Jacobs for Season 1, Brett Johnson for Season 2, David Faustino for Season 3, Jason Marsden for Seasons 4 and 5, and R.J. Williams for Season 6.

The first episode, “A New Beginning,” begins with Duke Igthorn preparing to destroy the Castle Dunwyn with his ogre army. Meanwhile, Cavin sets out to bring lunch to the woodcutters with Unwin, who would rather practice his swordplay. Unwin bullies Cavin, who belittles him for his belief in Gummi Bears, as they are seen as just a fairy tale. Cavin doesn’t realize that he’s being watched by someone. When ogres attack the woodcutters, Cavin is rescued by a mysterious group. He falls off the side of a cliff and is left unconscious. Back at the castle, Princess Calla tries to escape from the castle for some adventure, and finds that Cavin has been left behind.

The Gummis have found Cavin, and while Sunni wants to help him, Gruffi refuses, saying that they’ve already done enough. Zummi realizes that Cavin is wearing a Great Gummi Medallion, and Grammi wonders where a human boy would get such an important medallion. Cavin wakes up and is happily surprised to find that Gummi Bears do exist. The bears flee, but Cavin follows them. The bears once again have to flee from an ogre, and Cavin accidentally ends up in the Gummi Bear house. The bears soon tie Cavin up and plan on interrogating him. They ask where he got the medallion, and when he asks for something to drink, Tummi accidentally gives him Gummiberry Juice. For a short time, Cavin displays great strength, scaring the bears, but once it wears off, the start to talk and become friends. Zummi then takes Cavin to the Great Book of Gummi, and makes him swear on it that he will never tell a living soul about the existence of the Gummi Bears. Sunni and Cubbi then take Cavin exploring with them.

Sunni, Cubbi, and Cavin stumble over Duke Igthorn’s plan to destroy the castle, and Cavin tries to convince the Gummi’s to help rescue the King. Cavin is disappointed that the bears refuse to help, and throws down his medallion in disgust. When Zummi wears it, it begins to glow and drags him to the Great Book of Gummi. The medallion opens the long sealed book and, after reading some of the pages, decide that they should help Cavin in his quest to protect the castle. Cavin is quickly captured by the ogres. Zummi uses an invisibility spell on Gruffi to get Gummiberry juice to Cavin, but the spell begins to wear off. Fortunately, he is able to throw the juice to Cavin, who uses his strength to beat up the ogres. The King is alerted to Igthorn’s scheme, and sends his knights to stop the Duke. The bears and Cavin work together to destroy the catapult and keep the ogres busy. Igthorn manages to intercept the Gummiberry juice from Gavin, and marvels at his strength. The bears and Cavin roll the catapult away, but while Igthorn boasts he doesn’t need the catapult anymore, he is squashed by the boulder once the juice wears off, and is sent flying through the castle. Cavin’s sleeve is caught in the catapult as it rolls towards the castle, but manages to remain unharmed after it crashes into the castle. Calla congratulates Cavin for his bravery, and Cavin almost gives away the secret of the Gummi Bears, but Zummi is relieved to find that Cavin keeps their secret safe. The bears return home, and enter in their brave deed in the Great Book of Gummi.

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September 13

Posted on September 13, 2013 by disneydetail

September 13, 1997 – The Programming Block One Saturday Morning Premieres on ABC

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“What would make you feel real fine? One Saturday Morning!”

On September 13, 1997, the programming block One Saturday Morning premiered on ABC network’s ABC Saturday Morning lineup. The block, advertised as “five hours of summer, once a week,” consisted of a variety of programming, which included the shows Doug (acquired from Nickelodeon), Pepper Ann, and Recess. Interspersed in the broadcasts were short segments from a roving reporter named Manny the Uncanny, The Monkey Boys, and Mrs. Munger’s Class. One segment, entitled Great Minds Think for Themselves, featured the character of the Genie, voiced by Robin Williams, who gave viewers a look at great figures in history, including Jackie Robinson and Clara Barton. The Great Minds segments received two Emmy nominations during its run. The programming block ended its run on September 7, 2002.

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September 8

Posted on September 8, 2013 by disneydetail

September 8, 2006 – The Disney Channel Animated Series The Replacements Premieres

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“They sent away $1.98, got a superspy mom and a daredevil dude of a dad.”

On September 8, 2006, the Disney Channel animated series The Replacements officially premiered, after a sneak peek on July 28. The series tells the story of orphan siblings Todd and Riley who, after reading an ad in a comic book, sent away for new parents. Their mother is a British superspy named Agent K, while their father is a professional daredevil named Dick Daring. The two are also given a phone to contact Conrad Fleem, who will replace any adult that the kids wish to someone more of their liking. The show lasted for 52 episodes in 2 seasons, ending its run on March 30, 2009. Reruns still show on Disney XD in Canada. It was created by Dan Santat, and stars Nancy Cartwright as Todd, Grey DeLisle as Riley, Daran Norris as Dick Daring, and Kath Soucie as Agent K.

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September 3

Posted on September 3, 2013 by disneydetail

September 3, 1996 – The Animated Series Quack Pack Premieres

QuackPack

“I feel like quacking so I think I will. I’m gonna quack quack quack until I get my fill.”

On September 3, 1996, the animated series Quack Pack made its debut in the Disney Afternoon lineup. The series centered around Donald Duck and his nephews, who are now teenagers, and given their own personalities, as opposed to how they were portrayed in the DuckTales series. The series itself was considered an extension of the Donald Duck short film series rather than the DuckTales series and comics, with Donald interacting with humans rather than with other anthropomorphic animals. It lasted one season, with only thirty-nine episodes; reruns eventually ran on Toon Disney, but were taken off the air in 2004. Quack Pack starred Tony Anselmo as Donald, Jeannie Elias as Huey, Pamela Adlon as Dewey, E. G. Daily as Louie, Kath Soucie as Daisy, and Roger Rose as Kent Powers.

The first episode, “The Really Mighty Ducks,” begins in the very messy room of the nephews, who sit around reading comic books. Donald stumbles into the room and is amazed at the filth, and demands they make it spotless. The nephews make excuses to not clean up, but Donald, who has been trapped in part of the mess, demands that they clean or else. They stop by Professor Ludwig von Drake’s lab, and ask him for something that will clean the room for them. The three find that he has a “superhero machine,” and decide to use it. The trio emerges as Brain Boy (Dewey), Captain Muscle (Louie), and The Really Incredibly Fast Guy (Huey). The Professor tells them to step back in and return to normal, but the boys refuse, stating that Donald can’t make them do anything anymore, since they have powers and he is “mere mortal.”

The Professor soon receives a call from the President of the International Organization of United Neighbors (IOUN), who asks if he knows of any superheroes. The boys soon volunteer, and the President dubs them the Tremendously Talented Trio of Truly Trusted Troubleshooters, or the T-Squad, for short. The three then go save the world with great fanfare, and are given an outer space station as their headquarters. However, their tasks to save the world are rather mundane, which include retrieving a kite from a tree and finding a man’s lost sock. Back in the boys’ room, Donald is still fuming about the mess they left behind. He then heads to Professor von Drake’s and finds the superhero machine. When he is inside, he is turned into a supervillain named The Duck of Doom, and vows to make the boys clean their room.

Donald flies out and finds the T-Squad’s headquarters, attacking them with a boulder, then a plane. The boys find a note attached to the plane: “Clean your room, or else. Love and kisses, your uncle, the Duck of Doom.” Huey declares that they must fight the Duck of Doom, and sends a note back: “No way, Jose!” The battle rages on, with Donald playing pranks, but the T-Squad doesn’t take him seriously. In a fit of rage, Donald gathers all the televisions in the world and threatens to destroy them all unless the boys clean their room. Daisy, who has a job as a television reporter, appears on the scene to narrate the story, but decides to play the bagpipes when she realizes that she’s not broadcasting to anyone. The head of the IOUN tells the T-Squad they must do something, and the T-Squad decides they have to declare war. Donald then smashes the televisions with a giant hammer when the boys refuse to clean, and when they try to fight their uncle, they are easily defeated.

When they reach their headquarters to find something to defeat him, they realize that they can’t find what they’re looking for, as they’ve left it in a huge mess. The boys soon decide that their uncle may be right, and head back to the Professor’s lab for help. The Professor fixes the machine to make it seem like the entire debacle never happened, and the boys rush home to clean their room, much to Donald’s surprise.

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