Hercules (1998 TV series)

Last updated

Hercules
Disney's Hercules The Animated Series logo.png
Also known asDisney's Hercules: The Animated Series
Genre
  • Comedy
  • Fantasy
  • Musical
Based on Hercules
by Walt Disney Animation Studios
Developed by Tad Stones
Directed byPhil Weinstein
Voices of
Theme music composer Alan Menken
Composers
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes65 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producerTad Stones
Producers
Running time23 minutes
Production company Walt Disney Television Animation [lower-alpha 1]
Original release
Network
ReleaseAugust 31, 1998 (1998-08-31) 
March 1, 1999 (1999-03-01)

Disney's Hercules: The Animated Series (commonly referred to as simply Hercules) is an American animated television series based on the 1997 film of the same name and the Greek myth. The series followed Hercules as a teenager, in training to be a hero, prior to the events of the film.

Contents

The series premiered in syndication on August 31, 1998, and on ABC through its Disney's One Saturday Morning block on September 12, 1998. [1] The syndicated run lasted 52 episodes, while the ABC run lasted 13 episodes. [2]

Plot

The series follows Hercules, as a teenager, training as a hero, as well as trying to adjust to life. With his free-spirited friend Icarus, his future-seeing friend Cassandra, and his trainer Philoctetes ("Phil"), he battles his evil uncle Hades. Like all teenagers, though, Hercules has to worry about peer pressure when the snobbish prince Adonis ridicules him. The series notably contradicts several events and plot points in the original film. A notable example is Hades knowing Hercules is alive when he is still a teenager, when in the film, he found out when he reached adulthood.

Episodes

SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast airedNetwork
1 52August 31, 1998 (1998-08-31)March 1, 1999 (1999-03-01) Syndicated
2 13September 12, 1998 (1998-09-12)January 16, 1999 (1999-01-16) ABC

Characters

A majority of the cast from the film reprised their roles for the series.

Production

Development

The series was produced by Tad Stones, who had previously produced and directed the animated television series Aladdin . The directors of Hercules, John Musker and Ron Clements, jokingly said to him while the film was being produced: "Hey, Tad, we're doing a pilot for a series". The producers decided that the irreverence of the movie would be captured more easily by setting it within the events of the movie, with Stones declaring that "by ignoring continuity and trying to stay true to the elements of humor and adventure in the film, we came up with a much stronger series that really stands on its own". Since James Woods signed to voice Hades again, along with most of the cast of the film, many big-name actors were interested in taking part on the show. Over 150 celebrities took a part in the series, some self-lampooning: Merv Griffin played a griffin talk show host, game show host Wink Martindale played a riddle-expert sphinx and Mike Connors, famous for Mannix , played Athenian policeman Chipacles (named after CHiPs ). [3]

Disney's revamping of Greek legend moved to the small screen in the late summer of 1998. Disney's Hercules had the Greek god still in "geek god" mode, before his "Zero to Hero" transformation. In the series, "Herc" was enrolled at Prometheus Academy, a school for both gods and mortals. Since events occur before young Herc meets and falls for the lovely Megara (Meg), he is joined by two new friends Cassandra (voiced by comedian Sandra Bernhard) and Icarus (voiced by French Stewart).

Animation

The series' episodes and the direct-to-video film Hercules: Zero to Hero were animated by Toon City Animation, Inc. and Philippine Animation Studio Inc. in the Philippines, Walt Disney Animation Australia in Australia, Walt Disney Animation (Japan), Inc., Anime Workshop Basara, Tama Production, Delta Peak Productions, Frontier Pictures, and Nakamura Productions in Japan, Win Wood Productions Company in the United Kingdom, Wang Film Productions Co., Ltd. in Taiwan, Thai Wang Film Productions Co., Ltd. in Thailand, Hanho Heung-Up Co., Ltd., Plus One Animation, Inc., Sunmin Image Pictures Co., Ltd., Sunwoo Animation, Korea, and Hana Animation in South Korea, Jade Animation in China, and S.O.B. Animation Group, Ltd. in New Zealand.

Release

Broadcast

In 2000, Hercules moved to the now-defunct channel Toon Disney, where it continued airing until 2009. Disney XD aired the series for the first time in June 2011, when the channel launched in Canada. [4]

Streaming

Currently, the entire series is available on Disney+ in the US, with all episodes being listed as one season.

Reception

Critical

CommonSenseMedia gave the series a rating of 4 stars out of 5, noting that this "better-than-average spinoff has heart and brawn." [5] Calhoun Times and Gordon County News gave the series 3 stars out of 4. [6]

Awards and nominations

YearNominee / workAwardResult
1999Jennifer E. Mertens, Robert Duran, Paca Thomas, Marc Perlman, Brian F. Mars, Melissa Ellis, Robbi Smith, Robert Poole III, Rick Hammel, Kenneth D. Young, Charles Rychwalski, Eric Hertsgaard, William Kean, David Lynch and Otis Van Osten Emmy Award for Outstanding Sound Editing – Special ClassNominated
1999Casey Stone for episode "Twilight of the Gods"Golden Reel Award for Best Sound Editing – Television Animation – MusicNominated
2000 James Woods for playing "Hades" Emmy Award for Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program Won
2000 French Stewart for playing "Icarus" Emmy Award for Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program Nominated
2000Marc S. Perlman, Robert Duran and Paca Thomas Emmy Award for Outstanding Sound Editing – Special ClassNominated
2000 Joseph LoDuca ASCAP Award for Top TV SeriesWon

Home media

Four episodes of Hercules were reformatted into the movie Hercules: Zero to Hero and released to home video in 1999. The episode "Hercules and the Yearbook" serves as the linking narrative, with random clips replaced with the episodes "Hercules and the First Day of School", "Hercules and the Grim Avenger" and "Hercules and the Visit From Zeus". Some of the dialogue between Hercules and Meg was altered to fit the episodes.

In 2003, a further VHS tape titled Hercules: TV Series was released. It contained two episodes of the series, Hercules and the World's First Doctor and Hercules and the Secret Weapon.

See also

Related Research Articles

<i>Hercules</i> (1997 film) American animated musical fantasy film

Hercules is a 1997 American animated musical fantasy comedy film produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation for Walt Disney Pictures. It is loosely based on the legendary hero Heracles, a son of Zeus in Greek mythology. The film was directed by John Musker and Ron Clements, both of whom also produced the film with Alice Dewey Goldstone. The screenplay was written by Clements, Musker, Donald McEnery, Bob Shaw, and Irene Mecchi. Featuring the voices of Tate Donovan, Danny DeVito, James Woods, and Susan Egan, the film follows the titular Hercules, a demigod with super-strength raised among mortals, who must learn to become a true hero in order to earn back his godhood and place in Mount Olympus, while his evil uncle Hades plots his downfall.

<i>Timon & Pumbaa</i> (TV series) 1995 American animated television series by Disney

The Lion King's Timon & Pumbaa is an American animated buddy comedy television series created by Walt Disney Television Animation. It was based on Disney's 1994 animated feature film The Lion King, centering on Timon the meerkat and Pumbaa the warthog as they continue to live by their problem-free philosophy hakuna matata. Compared to most other The Lion King media, the tone of the series is more slapstick comedy-oriented.

<i>The Mighty Hercules</i> Canadian TV series or program

The Mighty Hercules is an animated television series based loosely on the Greek mythology character of Heracles, under his Roman name Hercules. It debuted on television in 1963. The show ran until 1966, coinciding with the sword-and-sandal genre of films popular between 1958 and 1965. Each stand-alone episode runs 5½ minutes, and in syndication was aired either as part of a block with other cartoons, or with several episodes airing consecutively to fill 30-minute time slots.

<i>Jungle Cubs</i> American animated television series

Disney's Jungle Cubs is an American animated series produced by Walt Disney Television Animation for ABC in 1996, serving as the prequel to the 1967 film The Jungle Book as it's set in the youth of the animal characters years before the events of the film. The show was a hit, running for two seasons in syndication before its re-runs to the Disney Channel. The show was broadcast on Toon Disney, but was taken off the schedule in 2001. Re-runs aired on Disney Junior in the US from 2012 to 2013. The show also aired in the United Kingdom on Disney Cinemagic and in Latin America.

<i>Aladdin</i> (animated TV series) Animated television series made by Walt Disney Television

Aladdin: The Series is an American animated television series produced by Walt Disney Television Animation that aired from February 6, 1994, to November 25, 1995, concluding exactly three years to the day from the release of the original Disney's 1992 animated feature film of the same name on which it was based. Despite the animated television series premiering four months before the first sequel, the direct-to-video film The Return of Jafar, it takes place afterward. The second and final animated sequel was the 1996 direct-to-video film, Aladdin and the King of Thieves.

<i>101 Dalmatians: The Series</i> Television series

101 Dalmatians: The Series is an American animated television series that aired from September 1, 1997, to March 4, 1998, on the Disney-Kellogg Alliance and ABC. It is produced by Walt Disney Television Animation and Jumbo Pictures and is based on the 1961 Disney animated feature of the same name and its 1996 live-action remake. It features the voices of Pamela Adlon, Debi Mae West, Kath Soucie and Tara Strong, and is the first television series based on the 101 Dalmatians franchise; it was followed by 101 Dalmatian Street in 2019.

<i>Teachers Pet</i> (TV series) Disney animated television series

Teacher's Pet is an American animated sitcom produced by Walt Disney Television Animation and directed by Timothy Björklund.

<i>Mickeys House of Villains</i> 2002 film

Mickey's House of Villains is a 2002 American direct-to-video animated comedy-horror film produced by Walt Disney Television Animation. It is based on the animated television series House of Mouse and serves as a stand-alone sequel to the direct-to-video animated film Mickey's Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of Mouse, starring Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Daisy Duck, and Disney Villains that appeared in past Disney productions. It was released on both VHS and DVD by Walt Disney Home Entertainment on September 3, 2002.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heracles in popular culture</span> Mythological hero

Heracles, also known as Hercules, is a Greek and Roman mythological hero known for his strength and far-ranging adventures. He is one of the most commonly portrayed figures from classical mythology in the popular culture of the 20th and 21st centuries.

<i>Hercules: Zero to Hero</i> 1999 television film directed by Bob Kline

Hercules: Zero to Hero is a 1999 American animated fantasy film produced by Walt Disney Television Animation. The film is a direct-to-video follow-up to 1997 animated feature Hercules. It was released on August 17, 1999. The film serves as a package film combining three episodes of Hercules: The Animated Series as flashback segments.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nik Ranieri</span>

Nik Ranieri is a character animator who is primarily known for his work at Walt Disney Animation Studios. He has been supervising animator of many characters and remained so until his layoff in 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Muses in popular culture</span>

Representations or analogues of one or more of the nine Muses of Greek mythology have appeared in many different modern fictional works.

Meg (<i>Hercules</i>) Fictional character from Disneys Hercules

Megara, commonly known simply as Meg, is a fictional character who appears in the Walt Disney Pictures animated film Hercules (1997). Voiced by actress Susan Egan, Meg is introduced as a cynical young woman enslaved by Hades, god of the underworld. Hades forces Meg to uncover Hercules' weaknesses by seducing him in return for her freedom, only to develop genuine feelings for the hero instead. Loosely based on Megara and Deianira, Hercules' first and second wives in Greek mythology, directors Ron Clements and John Musker adapted Meg into a morally conflicted con artist, while basing her role and personality on 1940s screwball comediennes, particularly actress Barbara Stanwyck's performance in The Lady Eve (1941).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hades in popular culture</span> Depictions of the Greek god

The mythological Greek deity Hades often appears in popular culture. In spite of his present neutrality and lack of bad deeds, he is often portrayed as a villain due to his association with death and the underworld.

Events in 1963 in animation.

Hercules is a Disney media franchise comprising a film series and additional merchandise, starting with the 1997 animated Disney feature of the same name, directed by Ron Clements and John Musker.

Mission Odyssey is a French-German animated TV series about the adventures of the ancient Greek hero Ulysses. The series is a production of BAF Berlin Animation Film GmbH & Co. Productions KG, Marathon Filmproduction, Marathon Animation, and M6 Metropole Television. Character design was created by David Gilson. Distributional rights were acquired in 2009 by the Your Family Entertainment AG, which is now holding indefinite broadcast rights including ancillary rights for almost all countries. Its global premiere took place on the French network M6 on 6 September 2002. In Germany, the show was launched on 22 February 2008 on KIKA.

<i>Hercules</i> (musical) 2019 musical by Kristoffer Diaz

Hercules is a musical based on the Walt Disney Animation Studios 1997 film of the same name. The music and lyrics were written by Alan Menken and David Zippel, with a book by Kristoffer Diaz and Robert Horn. The production is also loosely based on the legendary hero of the same name, the son of Zeus, in Greek mythology.

References

  1. Perlmutter, David (2018). The Encyclopedia of American Animated Television Shows. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 278. ISBN   978-1538103739.
  2. Erickson, Hal (2005). Television Cartoon Shows: An Illustrated Encyclopedia, 1949 Through 2003 (2nd ed.). McFarland & Co. pp. 260–261. ISBN   978-1476665993.
  3. Lyons, Mike (September 1, 1998). "Disney's Little Big Screen: Turning Animated Features Into TV Series". Animation World Network. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
  4. Disney XD Canada
  5. "Hercules - TV Review". Common Sense Media. October 23, 2006.
  6. "Video Views: 'Hercules' thunders on screen". Calhoun Times and Gordon County News via Google News Archive.
  1. Animation outsourced to Toon City, Walt Disney Animation Japan, Jade Animation, Sunwoo Entertainment, Plus One Animation, Sunmin Image Pictures, Slightly Off Beat Productions, Walt Disney Animation Australia, Wang Film Productions, Hanho Heung-Up, Hana Animation and Tama Production with additional production outsourced to Thai Wang Film Productions, Frontier Pictures, Studio Basara, Win Wood Productions, Nakamura Production, Delta Peak Production and Philippine Animation Studio.