Alvin and the Chipmunks

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Alvin and the Chipmunks
Alvin and the chipmunks1958.jpg
Official logo
Background information
OriginCalifornia, United States
Genres
Years active1958–present
Labels
Spinoffs The Chipettes
MembersAlvin Seville
Simon Seville
Theodore Seville
Website Official website

Alvin and the Chipmunks, originally David Seville and the Chipmunks and billed for their first two decades as the Chipmunks, are an American animated virtual band and media franchise first created by Ross Bagdasarian for Novelty records in 1958. The group consists of three singing animated anthropomorphic chipmunks named Alvin, Simon, and Theodore. The characters have since featured in several television series and films, as well as other media.

Contents

Bagdasarian provided the group's voices by producing sped-up recordings of his own, a technique pioneered on the successful "Witch Doctor". Later in 1958, Bagdasarian released the similarly engineered "The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)" for which he came up with the chipmunk characters and their human father, attributing the track to them. The Chipmunks were first depicted in animated form in The Alvin Show (1961). David Seville and the Chipmunks released several more records over the following decade until Bagdasarian's death in 1972. The franchise was revived in 1973, with the characters' voices provided by his son Ross Bagdasarian Jr. and the latter's wife Janice Karman.

Through the successful franchise, the Chipmunks have become one of the most successful children's artists of all time. It has garnered two number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100 and won five Grammy Awards, having four Top 10 albums on the Billboard 200 and three certified platinum albums. "The Chipmunk Song" became one of the best-selling singles of all time at 5 million physical copies sold. In 2019, The Chipmunks received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. [1] [2]

History

"Witch Doctor"

In 1958, Ross Bagdasarian Sr. released a novelty song (as David Seville) about being unsuccessful at love until he found a witch doctor who told him how to woo his woman. Seville had bought a tape recorder and he experimented recording himself at different speeds to create a duet between him and the witch doctor. The voice of the witch doctor was in fact Seville's own voice, sung slowly but recorded at half speed on the tape recorder, then played back at normal speed, thereby speeding up the voice into a high-pitched squeaky one. [3] [4] [5]

The song was a hit, holding number one for three weeks in the Billboard Hot 100 chart, [6] [7] ranked by Billboard as the No. 4 song for 1958. [8] Bagdasarian re-recorded the song for the second Chipmunks album, Sing Again with the Chipmunks , in 1960.

Bagdasarian (again as Seville) recorded a follow-up song, "The Bird on My Head", singing a duet with his own sped-up voice as the bird. It also reached the Top 40, peaking at No. 34. [9] While driving in Sequoia National Park, Bagdasarian saw a chipmunk dash in front of him. That moment inspired him to create his chipmunk characters. [10] He again used the same technique to pitch up the voice to create the chipmunks.

"The Chipmunk Song"

After the success of "Witch Doctor", Liberty Records asked Bagdasarian to create another successful novelty record. He then came up with three singing chipmunks who were named after executives at Liberty Records: Alvin (named after Al Bennett), Simon (named after Simon Waronker), and Theodore (Ted Keep). [11] [12] [13] [14] The Chipmunks first officially appeared on the scene in a novelty record released in late fall 1958 by Bagdasarian. The song, originally listed on the record label (Liberty F-55168) as "The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)", featured the singing skills of the chipmunk trio. [15] The novelty record was highly successful, selling 4.5 million copies in seven weeks, [12] eventually selling 12 million copies. [16] The song launched the careers of its chipmunk stars. [17] [18] [19] The song won three Grammy Awards in 1958 [20] and was nominated for Record of the Year. [21] [22] [23] [24] "The Chipmunk Song" appeared on the Chipmunks' debut album, Let's All Sing with the Chipmunks, in 1959, and was repeated on Christmas with the Chipmunks, released in 1962. [25]

The Alvin Show (1961-1962)

The first television series to feature the characters was The Alvin Show. The series ran from 1961 to 1962 [26] and was one of a small number of animated series to be shown in prime time on CBS. It was not a prime-time ratings success and was subsequently canceled after one season. Ratings improved significantly in syndication. The television series was produced by Format Films for Bagdasarian Film Corporation. Although the series was broadcast in black and white, it was produced and later re-run in color. [27] [28] This show also introduced David Seville as an animated caricature. [29]

New albums and A Chipmunk Christmas (1969–1982)

Ross Bagdasarian in 1972. He was the creator of the Chipmunks. Ross Bagdasarian 1972.jpg
Ross Bagdasarian in 1972. He was the creator of the Chipmunks.

The final Chipmunks album in the project's original incarnation, The Chipmunks Go to the Movies , was released in 1969. After Bagdasarian's death in 1972, the Chipmunks' careers stalled until NBC showed interest in the original show (the network carried Saturday morning reruns of The Alvin Show as a midseason replacement in 1973) and the following year, Excelsior Records released a new album of contemporary songs performed by the Chipmunks. That album, Chipmunk Punk , featured Bagdasarian's son, Ross Bagdasarian Jr., doing the voices of the characters. That album and the continued reruns of the series proved to be popular enough to warrant further new records as well as new television productions, and on December 14, 1981, the Chipmunks and Seville returned to television in the NBC Christmas special A Chipmunk Christmas , produced by the Bagdasarians with Chuck Jones as a creative consultant. It also inspired a companion record album. The following year, two more albums were released ( Chipmunk Rock and The Chipmunks Go Hollywood ).

Alvin and the Chipmunks (1983–1990)

The group's name changed from "the Chipmunks" to "Alvin and the Chipmunks". [30] In 1983, a second animated television series for the group, titled Alvin and the Chipmunks, was produced by Ruby-Spears Productions and released. The first season introduced The Chipettes (three female versions of the Chipmunks). The show's success led to the release of a soundtrack album in 1984, Songs from Our TV Shows. After 1988, the show was renamed just the Chipmunks. In 1985, the Chipmunks, along with the Chipettes, were featured in the live stage show, Alvin and the Chipmunks and the Amazing Computer. In 1987, during the fifth season of the television show, the Chipmunks had their first animated feature film, The Chipmunk Adventure , directed by Janice Karman and Ross Bagdasarian Jr. and released to theaters by The Samuel Goldwyn Company.

In the 1988–89 season, the show switched production companies to DIC Entertainment (1988–1990) and Murakami Wolf Swenson (1988). In 1990, the show switched titles again to The Chipmunks Go to the Movies . In 1990, a documentary was produced about the show entitled Alvin and the Chipmunks/Five Decades with the Chipmunks. In that year, the Chipmunks teamed up with other famous cartoon stars for the drug abuse-prevention special Cartoon All-Stars to the Rescue . [31]

Music releases and Universal acquisition (1991–2002)

On January 18, 1991, NBC aired a television special starring the Chipmunks entitled Rockin' Through the Decades . The same year, the band released the album The Chipmunks Rock the House . In 1992, the group released the country album Chipmunks in Low Places . Released on September 29, 1992, the album was certified platinum by the RIAA, becoming the group's first platinum record and making it the Chipmunks' best-selling album followed by a greatest hits release and a reissue of 1981's A Chipmunk Christmas. By 1993, Urban Chipmunk was re-released as a compilation album The Chipmunks' 35th Birthday Party with a double album, called The Chipmunks Sing-Alongs. Their fourth Christmas album, A Very Merry Chipmunk , saw a release in 1994, then When You Wish Upon a Chipmunk in 1995, and Club Chipmunk: The Dance Mixes in 1996 which peaked in the Top 10 on Billboard's Top Kid Audio.

In 1996, Universal Studios purchased the rights to the characters. In 1998, Sony Wonder and Columbia Records released The A-Files: Alien Songs and Greatest Hits: Still Squeaky After All These Years on September 21, 1999. The purchase of the rights to the characters by Universal resulted in the Chipmunks' 1999 reappearance, in the form of the direct-to-video movie Alvin and the Chipmunks Meet Frankenstein , released on September 28, 1999. Five new songs were composed for the film and were made available via a soundtrack released by MCA Records. Later that year, The Chipmunks' Greatest Christmas Hits was released. The movie was successful enough to spark interest in a sequel, and in 2000, Alvin and the Chipmunks Meet the Wolfman appeared. Three new songs were composed for the film, that were also made available on a soundtrack by MCA. Both movies featured the original cast of the second series reprising their roles as the tone was very similar to the series. Universal lost the rights to the characters in 2002 due to a breach of contract with Bagdasarian Productions. [32] [33]

Return to independency, movies and merchandise (2003–present)

Bus promoting Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip in London Arriva London Enviro 400 LJ60 AVZ T152, London Bridge 20.2.16 (25402826418).jpg
Bus promoting Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip in London

On September 17, 2004, Fox 2000 Pictures, Regency Enterprises, and Bagdasarian Productions announced a live-action animated film starring Alvin and the Chipmunks. [34] Tim Hill [35] directed the 2007 adaption Alvin and the Chipmunks , with voices by Justin Long, Matthew Gray Gubler, and Jesse McCartney. Further live-action installments were The Squeakquel (2009), Chipwrecked (2011), and The Road Chip (2015). The projects have achieved commercial success, grossing over a billion dollars collectively. [36] [37] Accolades received include five Grammy awards, an American Music Award, a Golden Reel Award, three Kids' Choice Awards, and Emmy nominations.[ citation needed ]

A television series, Alvinnn!!! and the Chipmunks was created by Janice Karman and produced by Bagdasarian Productions and Technicolor Animation Productions. [38] [39]

Main characters

Dave Seville

Dave Seville is the adoptive father, manager, and caretaker of Alvin, Simon, and Theodore in the franchise. Created by Ross Bagdasarian Sr. in 1958, Dave is portrayed as a compassionate yet often exasperated figure, trying to balance his career as a songwriter with raising the mischievous Chipmunks. His iconic catchphrase, "ALVIN!", shouted in frustration at Alvin's antics, has become a signature element of the franchise. In the live-action/CGI films, Dave is portrayed by Jason Lee, [40] appearing as a loving but strict father figure who helps guide the Chipmunks through their music career.

The Chipmunks

In the 1980s media Alvin, Simon, and Theodore are about eight to nine years old and triplets, as they celebrate their birthday together in "A Chipmunk Reunion" (Alvin stating to be born five minutes before Simon). The 1983 series revealed that the boys' mother, Vinnie, is a similarly anthropomorphic chipmunk living in a nearby forest. One year a particularly harsh winter had caused a nut shortage. Vinnie realized that her newborn children would likely not survive the winter, so she anonymously left them on Dave's doorstep. She returned briefly to see what happened years later. Dave and the boys were unaware of their origins until they asked him during an argument over the exact date of their birthday. Vinnie had never revealed herself to him, but the boys investigated and eventually tracked her down.

While never mentioned, in the CGI movies and 2015 series, the chipmunks are no longer triplets and celebrate different birthdays; but seem to be around the same school age. In the 2007 feature film, the chipmunks lived in a tree, fending for themselves as their parents had taken off to join a hippie commune and had problems gathering nuts for the winter. Their tree is cut down and carted off to grace the entrance lobby of a city office building, with them in it. They eventually wind up in Dave's home, where they wreak havoc. After being thrown out, Dave notices how well they can sing, making them famous. They eventually win his heart.

Ian Hawke

Ian Hawke is a recurring character in the Alvin and the Chipmunks franchise, first appearing in the 2007 live-action/CGI film. Portrayed by actor David Cross, [41] Ian is introduced as an ambitious and unscrupulous record executive for JETT Records. He initially discovers the Chipmunks and helps launch their music career but quickly becomes their adversary due to his greed and manipulative behavior. Throughout the series, Ian repeatedly schemes to exploit the Chipmunks and other characters, including the Chipettes, for his personal gain. His character often serves as a foil to the more well-meaning and protective David Seville. Over the course of the series, Ian softens and shows redeeming qualities. By the end of Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked, he reconciles with the Chipmunks and ultimately aids in their rescue, becoming a more supportive character.

The Chipettes

The Chipettes are a female counterpart to the Chipmunks, introduced in the Alvin and the Chipmunks franchise as their singing rivals and later close friends. Consisting of Brittany, Jeanette, and Eleanor, the trio is known for their distinctive personalities and vocal talents. They first appeared in the 1983 animated series Alvin and the Chipmunks, and were later featured in various films and media adaptations. In the live-action/CGI film series, the Chipettes make their debut in Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel (2009) as performers managed by Ian Hawke, who attempts to use them to overshadow the Chipmunks. The Chipettes eventually break free from Ian’s control and join forces with the Chipmunks, becoming both their romantic interests and musical collaborators. Throughout the franchise, they remain popular characters, often involved in comedic and musical adventures alongside the Chipmunks.

Personnel

Recording technique

The Chipmunks' voices were recorded at half the normal tape speed on audiotape by voice talent (on the 1960s records, generally Ross Bagdasarian's own voice overdubbed three times, on the post-1980s records, studio singers) talking or singing at half the normal speaking rate. When the tape was played back at normal speed, they would sound a full octave higher in pitch, at normal tempo. The use of this technique with the Chipmunks linked this technique to them, with the term chipmunk-voiced entering the American vernacular to describe any artificially high-pitched voice. Bagdasarian recorded vocals and music at different speeds to combine properly on his recording. Guitarist Les Paul said he visited Bagdasarian's studio in 1958 and helped with the recording. [42] The early Hip hop production style of artist Kanye West involved sped-up, high-pitch vocal samples from classic Soul music records incorporated with his own (additional) instrumentation, a style that was to become known as chipmunk soul . [43] [44] Due in part to the acclaim of his debut album The College Dropout , such sampling techniques subsequently became much copied by myriad of other hip-hop producers. [45]

Guest appearances

The Chipmunks made their first guest appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show on December 13, 1959, when they performed "The Chipmunk Song". They were portrayed by puppets.

In 1968, the Chipmunks appeared in an Italian commercial TV program Carosello , in their sponsorship of Prealpi, a cheese-maker in Varese, Italy.

The Chipmunks appeared in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade twice; 1983 and 1986. In the 1983 parade, they performed "Tomorrow". In 1986, they performed "The Girls of Rock and Roll" with The Chipettes as a way to promote their film, The Chipmunk Adventure , which was released six months later.

The Chipmunks performed with Canned Heat on the band's interpretation of "The Chipmunk Song", which is sufficiently derivative of the Chipmunk's 1958 hit that Ross Bagdasarian Sr. gets sole writing credit. It was featured as the flip-side of the band's Christmas Blues single released in late 2009. [46]

The Chipmunks made a guest appearance on Xuxa in 1993, where they performed "Country Pride" from their album, Chipmunks in Low Places .

They also appeared on the FOX NFL Sunday intro (which premiered on December 20, 2009) with the cameo character, Digger (the mascot for NASCAR on Fox ).

The Chipmunks made an appearance at a Los Angeles Dodgers preseason game on April 3, 2010, when the Dodgers squared off against their rivals, the Los Angeles Angels. The group performed, "America the Beautiful" with a group of children prior to the game. Also, Simon Seville wore a wig of Manny Ramirez's dreadlocks. Ross Bagdasarian Jr. made the opening ceremonial pitch for that game. [47]

The Chipmunks made multiple appearances on ads for food safety to help kids learn safe food practices.

Discography

Merchandise

Evergreen Concepts produced merchandise based on the property. [48]

Video games

Concert tours

Awards and nominations

Further reading

See also

Related Research Articles

The 1st Annual Grammy Awards were held on May 4, 1959. They recognized musical accomplishments by performers for the year 1958. Two separate ceremonies were held simultaneously on the same day: one in the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, and the other in the Park Sheraton Hotel in New York City. Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie, Domenico Modugno, Ross Bagdasarian, and Henry Mancini, each won 2 awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Chipettes</span> Fictional girl group from Alvin and the Chipmunks

The Chipettes are a fictional girl group from the Alvin and the Chipmunks franchise consisting of three female anthropomorphic chipmunk singers: Brittany, Jeanette, and Eleanor, alongside their adoptive human mother, Beatrice Miller. They first appeared in the animated television series Alvin and the Chipmunks in 1983. In this and related materials, the Chipettes served as female featured characters in their own right, starring in numerous episodes. The title of the show was changed from Alvin and the Chipmunks to simply The Chipmunks in 1988 to reflect this. In the animated television series and the 1987 animated film The Chipmunk Adventure, all of the Chipettes were voiced by their creator, Janice Karman, the wife of Ross Bagdasarian Jr.. Karman also wrote and voiced the Chipettes' dialogue on their studio albums, while studio singers Susan Boyd, Shelby Daniel and Katherine Coon provided their singing voices. In the animated television series Alvinnn!!! and the Chipmunks, Eleanor is voiced by Vanessa Bagdasarian, the daughter of Ross Bagdasarian Jr. and Janice Karman.

David "Dave" Seville is a fictional character, the adoptive father and producer and manager of the fictional singing group Alvin and the Chipmunks. The character was created by Ross Bagdasarian, who had used the name "David Seville" as his stage name prior to the creation of the Chipmunks, while writing and recording novelty records in the 1950s. One of the records, recorded in 1958 under the David Seville stage name, was "Witch Doctor", featuring a sped-up high-pitched vocal technique. Bagdasarian would later use that technique in "The Chipmunk Song ", which would introduce both Alvin and the Chipmunks as a singing group and Bagdasarian's music producer "Dave". Bagdasarian would go on to create The Alvin Show, based on the Alvin and the Chipmunks group, where he voiced the semi-fictional character David Seville, based largely on himself, with Alvin based on Ross's sometimes rebellious son Adam.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ross Bagdasarian</span> American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actor (1919-1972)

Ross S. Bagdasarian, known professionally by his stage name David "Dave" Seville, was an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and actor of Armenian descent best known for creating the cartoon band Alvin and the Chipmunks. Initially a stage and film actor, he rose to prominence in 1958 with the songs "Witch Doctor" and "The Chipmunk Song ", which both became Billboard number-one singles. He produced and directed The Alvin Show, which aired on CBS in 1961–62.

<i>The Alvin Show</i> American animated TV series

The Alvin Show is an American animated television series that aired on CBS in the early 1960s. This was the first series to feature the singing characters Alvin and the Chipmunks. The Alvin Show aired for one season, from October 4, 1961, to September 12, 1962 and was originally sponsored by General Foods through its Jell-O gelatin and Post Cereal brands. Although the series was created in color, it was initially telecast in black and white. It was later rebroadcast in color from 1962-65 for Saturday mornings on CBS and again Saturday mornings on NBC in 1979.

Ross Dickran Bagdasarian is an American actor, singer, animator, and record producer, known for his work on the Alvin and the Chipmunks franchise. He is the son of the franchise's creator, Ross Bagdasarian.

<i>The Chipmunk Adventure</i> 1987 animated film by Janice Karman

The Chipmunk Adventure is a 1987 American animated musical-adventure comedy film based on the Saturday-morning cartoon series Alvin and the Chipmunks and the Alvin and the Chipmunks virtual band and media franchise created by Ross Bagdasarian Sr.. The film was directed by Janice Karman and written by Karman and Ross Bagdasarian Jr.. The plot follows the Chipmunks and the Chipettes as they go on a hot air balloon race around the world while their guardian David is out on a trip, not knowing that it is a cover for a diamond smuggling ring. The chipmunks travel through a series of adventures in different countries while being hunted down by the diamond smugglers, Claudia and Klaus Furschtein.

<i>Alvin and the Chipmunks</i> (1983 TV series) American animated television series

Alvin and the Chipmunks is an American animated television series featuring the Chipmunks, which was produced by Bagdasarian Productions in association with Ruby-Spears Enterprises from 1983 to 1987, Murakami-Wolf-Swenson in 1988 and DIC Enterprises from 1988 to 1990.

A Chipmunk Christmas is a 1981 animated Christmas television special based on characters from Alvin and the Chipmunks. Produced by Bagdasarian Productions in association with Chuck Jones Enterprises, it first aired on NBC December 14, 1981, nine years after the death of Alvin and the Chipmunks creator Ross Bagdasarian Sr.. This was the first time that Alvin, Simon and David Seville were voiced by Ross Bagdasarian Jr. and the first time that Theodore was voiced by Janice Karman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Witch Doctor (song)</span> Single by Ross Bagdasarian

"Witch Doctor" is a 1958 American novelty song written and recorded by Ross Bagdasarian. Bagdasarian sang the song, varying the tape speeds to produce high-pitched voices. The technique developed for the voice of the witch doctor was later used for the creation of the voices of Bagdasarian's virtual band Alvin and the Chipmunks. It became a number one hit and rescued Liberty Records from near-bankruptcy.

<i>Lets All Sing with The Chipmunks</i> 1959 studio album by Ross Bagdasarian and Alvin and the Chipmunks

Let's All Sing With the Chipmunks is the debut album of Alvin and the Chipmunks. It is a children's novelty album. The songs on the record are a mixture between cover versions of children's songs in the public domain and customized original musical material. It contains the A-sides of the Chipmunks' first three singles: "The Chipmunk Song ", "Alvin's Harmonica" and "Ragtime Cowboy Joe". The artist credit on the original release was listed as Ross Bagdasarian.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)</span> 1958 novelty song by Ross Bagdasarian

"The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)" is a 1958 novelty Christmas song written and recorded by Ross Bagdasarian (under the stage name of David Seville). Bagdasarian sang the song, varying the tape speeds to produce high-pitched "chipmunk" voices, with the vocals credited to Alvin and the Chipmunks, Seville's cartoon virtual band and later media franchise. The song was nominated for Record of the Year in the 1st Annual Grammy Awards, where it also won three Awards.

<i>The Alvin Show</i> (album) 1961 soundtrack album by David Seville and Alvin and the Chipmunks

The Alvin Show is a music album by Alvin and the Chipmunks. It is the soundtrack album to the Chipmunks' first animated television series The Alvin Show. Upon the release of the album, the Chipmunks' first three albums were reissued with revised album cover art that utilized the cartoon redesigns of the characters.

<i>Alvin and the Chipmunks</i> (film) 2007 live-action animated film by Tim Hill

Alvin and the Chipmunks is a 2007 American live-action/animated jukebox musical comedy film directed by Tim Hill from a screenplay by Jon Vitti and the writing team of Will McRobb and Chris Viscardi. It is the first installment in the live-action film series of Alvin and the Chipmunks. The plot follows chipmunks Alvin, Simon, and Theodore, who move in with struggling songwriter Dave Seville after losing their home. When Dave discovers their rare singing talent, he introduces them to JETT Records executive Ian Hawke, whose plans threaten the chipmunks' newfound family dynamic. The cast includes Jason Lee, David Cross, and Cameron Richardson, with voices by Justin Long, Matthew Gray Gubler and Jesse McCartney.

Rockin' Through the Decades is a live-action/animated TV special based on characters from Alvin and the Chipmunks. It was directed by Steve Karman, produced by Bagdasarian Productions, and premiered on NBC on December 9, 1990.

<i>Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel</i> 2009 film by Betty Thomas

Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel is a 2009 American live-action/animated jukebox musical comedy film directed by Betty Thomas and written by Jon Vitti and the writing team of Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger. It is based on Alvin and the Chipmunks and The Chipettes. It is the sequel to Alvin and the Chipmunks (2007) and the second installment in the live-action Alvin and the Chipmunks film series. The film stars Zachary Levi, David Cross and Jason Lee, with voices by Justin Long, Matthew Gray Gubler and Jesse McCartney. Christina Applegate, Anna Faris and Amy Poehler voice the new characters. The film sees the Chipmunks entering high school under the care of Dave Seville's cousin, Toby. Meanwhile, Ian Hawke recruits the Chipettes to restore his career.

<i>Alvin and the Chipmunks</i> in film Theatrical appearances of fictional animated singing group

The fictional animated singing group Alvin and the Chipmunks created by Ross Bagdasarian have appeared in eight feature-length films since their debut.

<i>Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked</i> 2011 film by Mike Mitchell

Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked is a 2011 American live-action/animated jukebox musical adventure comedy film directed by Mike Mitchell and written by the writing team of Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger, based on the characters Alvin and the Chipmunks created by Ross Bagdasarian Sr. and the Chipettes created by Janice Karman. It is the third installment in the live-action Alvin and the Chipmunks film series following the first from 2007, and the second from 2009. The film stars Jason Lee, David Cross and Jenny Slate. Justin Long, Matthew Gray Gubler, Jesse McCartney, Amy Poehler, Anna Faris and Christina Applegate return to voice the Chipmunks and the Chipettes, respectively. In the film, playing around while aboard a cruise ship, the Chipmunks and the Chipettes go overboard and end up marooned in a tropical island, where they discover their new turf is not as deserted as it seems.

<i>Alvinnn!!! and the Chipmunks</i> French-American animated television sitcom series started in 2015

Alvinnn!!! and the Chipmunks is a French-American animated musical comedy television series created by Janice Karman. Produced by Bagdasarian Productions and Technicolor Animation Productions with the participation of M6, it features Alvin and the Chipmunks and the Chipettes and marks their first television appearance together since 1990. First announced by Bagdasarian Productions in 2010, a promotional trailer for the series was posted on YouTube.

<i>Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip</i> 2015 film by Walt Becker

Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip is a 2015 American live-action/animated jukebox musical comedy film directed by Walt Becker and written by Randi Mayem Singer and Adam Sztykiel. It is based on the characters Alvin and the Chipmunks created by Ross Bagdasarian Sr. and the Chipettes created by Janice Karman. It is the fourth and final installment in the live-action Alvin and the Chipmunks film series and the sequel to Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked (2011). The ensemble cast includes Jason Lee, Tony Hale, Kimberly Williams-Paisley and Josh Green. Justin Long, Matthew Gray Gubler and Jesse McCartney all reprise their roles as the Chipmunks, while Kaley Cuoco, Anna Faris and Christina Applegate voices the Chipettes. Cuoco replaced Amy Poehler as the voice of Eleanor in the film. The plot centers on the Chipmunks as they head to Miami after believing that Dave Seville will propose to his girlfriend Samantha, who has a son who bullies the Chipmunks.

References

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