Popples (1986 TV series)

Last updated

Popples
Popples.jpg
The show's logo with Party Popple
Created byMarie Cisterino
Janet Jones
Fran Kariotakis
Janet Redding
Susan Trentel
StarringBarbara Redpath
Noam Zylberman
Louise Vallance
Hadley Kay
Diane Fabian
Jazmin Lausanne
Dan Hennessey
Linda Sorensen
Len Carlson
Valri Bromfield
Sharon Noble
Jeannie Elias
Donna Christie
Blake Hauser
Danny Mann
Maurice LaMarche
Country of originUnited States
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes23
Production
Production companies American Greetings
DIC Enterprises
The Maltese Companies
Original release
Network Syndication ( Kideo TV )
ReleaseApril 5, 1986 (1986-04-05) 
June 6, 1987 (1987-06-06) [1] [2]

Popples is an animated series, based on the Popples toys, created by Marie Cisterino, Janet Jones, Fran Kariotakis, Janet Redding, and Susan Trentel, that aired in syndication in the United States from 1986 to 1987 and Sky Channel in the United Kingdom from 1987 to 1988. [3] The cartoon was produced by DIC Enterprises and LBS Communications in association with The Maltese Companies.

Contents

Like the toys which they are based on, the Popples resemble colorful teddy bears/rabbits with long, pompom-tipped tails, and they have pouches on their backs that allow them to curl into a fuzzy ball. All the Popples stutter when they say words with the letter "P" in them. The name "Popple" is a reference to the popping sound they make when unfolding themselves from such a ball, or pulling objects from their pouches. [4] In the cartoon Popples commonly pull large items from their pouches that could not possibly fit inside, which come from hammerspace; in "Popples Alley", one of the Popples' human friends looks inside one of their pouches and sees numerous objects floating in a void.

Plot

Nine of the Popples live with a human brother and sister, Billy and Bonnie Wagner. Billy and Bonnie think they are the only kids who have Popples until a neighbor family moves in and they have their own Popples — the Rock Stars, Pufflings, and Babies.

The Popples tend to make the kids' activities go out of hand, but with beneficial results by the end. The plot revolved around the children's efforts to hide the existence of the Popples from the adults around them, although their existence is found out by the Wagner parents in the pilot and not in the cartoons.

Spin-offs

The Popples also had a comic book series from Star Comics (an imprint of Marvel Comics).

A new Netflix series based on the characters premiered in October 2015. [5] [6]

Characters

The humans

Bonnie & Billy's Popples

Mike & Penny's Popples

Sports Popples

This was a group of six sports-themed Popples who appeared in only two episodes: "Decatha-Pop-A-Lon Popples" (in which all six appeared) and "Popple Cheer" (in which all but Cuester appeared). The only previously established character they ever make contact with is Bonnie, in the latter cartoon, where they explain they're "new in the neighbourhood". They are both played by Danny Mann.

The Sports Popples each specialize in one sport, wears an outfit based on that sport, and folds into an appropriate type of ball. Even their tails are shaped like sports balls:

Voice Cast

CharacterSeason 1Season 2
BonnieBarbara Redpath Valri Bromfield
Billy Noam Zylberman
MomDiane FabianN/A
MikeN/AValri Bromfield
PennyJeannie Elias
Party Louise Vallance
PC Hadley Kay Danny Mann
Pancake Pauline Rennie Sharon Noble
PrizeLouise Vallance
PuffballLouise Vallance
Puzzle Dan Hennessey Maurice LaMarche
Pretty Bit Linda Sorenson Donna Christie
Putter Len Carlson Danny Mann
Potato ChipJazmin LausanneDonna Christie
PunksterN/ADanny Mann
PunkityLouise Vallance

Episodes

Popples broadcast 44 episodes, including the pilot, with two segments contained in each half-hour show. Both of the season's intros and endings are different.

TV film (1986)

TitleOriginal air date
Popples: The MovieMarch 7, 1986 (1986-03-07) [7]
A two-reel live action movie stars Brady Bluhm as Billy, Kamie Harper as Bonnie, and Nancy Lenehan and Jim Staahl as their parents. In this spectacular movie, Billy and Bonnie must rescue the Popples when their parents accidentally send them to Goodwill, which follows a surprise remodel of the family's attic. This film marks the first appearance of Billy, Bonnie, their parents and the Popples.

Season 1 (1986)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleOriginal air date
1a1a"Popples Panic at the Library"April 5, 1986 (1986-04-05)
The Popples help Bonnie choose a book to take home. This episode marks the first appearance of Bonnie, Party, P.C., Potato Chip, Puzzle and the librarian.
1b1b"Cooking Up a Storm"April 5, 1986 (1986-04-05)
The Popples get up to some cooking antics. This episode marks the first appearance of Billy, Putter, Pancake and Pretty Bit.
2a2a"Molars, Bicuspids and Popples"April 12, 1986 (1986-04-12)
Billy goes to the dentist for a check-up. This episode marks the first appearance of Prize, Billy's mom and the dentist.
2b2b"The Treasure of Popple Beach"April 12, 1986 (1986-04-12)
The Popples are trying to find the treasure of Popple Beach. This episode marks the first appearance of Puffball.
3a3a"Poppin' at the Car Wash"April 19, 1986 (1986-04-19)
Billy, Bonnie and the Popples are visiting the car wash.
3b3b"Springtime's a Poppin'"April 19, 1986 (1986-04-19)
The Popples help Billy and Bonnie plant a garden.
4a4a"Popples Play Pee Wee Golf"April 26, 1986 (1986-04-26)
Billy, Bonnie and the Popples are playing a game of Pee Wee Golf when they're about to get a hole in one, and get $25 to buy their mother a present.
4b4b"Popples Flood the Fluff 'n' Fold"April 26, 1986 (1986-04-26)
When Billy gets his mouse costume for the school play dirty, he and the Popples head to the laundrette, where the Popples cause a very big flood.
5a5a"Clean Sweep of Things"May 3, 1986 (1986-05-03)
Billy enlists the help of the Popples to clean up his bedroom.
5b5b"Poppin' Wheelies"May 3, 1986 (1986-05-03)
Billy, Bonnie and the Popples are visiting a roller rink to try out their skates, eventually the Popples decided to go skating too.
6a6a"Bonnie's Popple Party"May 10, 1986 (1986-05-10)
When Bonnie's birthday plans get put on hold, Billy and the Popples decide to throw their own surprise party for her.
6b6b"Aisles of Trouble"May 10, 1986 (1986-05-10)
When Billy and Bonnie discover that there isn't any food to eat at their house, the Popples sneak off the grocery store on their own.
7a7a"Popples' Paint Party"May 17, 1986 (1986-05-17)
Billy is making a science project at school and the Popples are helping him too. Meanwhile, Prize turns into a statue.
7b7b"Pop-Paring for Bed"May 17, 1986 (1986-05-17)
When the Popples decide to help Billy and Bonnie get ready for bed, they accidentally turned the bathroom into a big giant mess. Luckily, Puffball is there to help sort it out, with a ukulele.
8a8a"Poppolympics"May 24, 1986 (1986-05-24)
When Billy and Bonnie were away to the junior Olympics, the Popples hold their own annual Poppolympics, and despite not having a gold medal like the others, Pretty Bit is determined to win it. This is the first episode with all the Popples.
8b8b"Sports Shop Pop"May 24, 1986 (1986-05-24)
The Popples follow Billy and Bonnie to a sports shop where they try out different sports.
9a9a"Takin' Out the Trash"May 31, 1986 (1986-05-31)
The Popples try several plans to help Billy take out the trash, but with each plan the mess seems to get even worse.
9b9b"A Hair Raising Experience"May 31, 1986 (1986-05-31)
The Popples are causing mayhem at the hairdressers.
10a10a"Pop Goes the Radio"June 7, 1986 (1986-06-07)
Going head to head with Tommy, Billy is entering his plane to a plane flying competition, with Putter riding on it.
10b10b"Poppin' Pillow Talk"June 7, 1986 (1986-06-07)
Bonnie, Party, Potato Chip and Prize are having a pillow talk. Meanwhile, Billy and P.C. have other plans to stop them.
11a11a"Popples' Alley"June 14, 1986 (1986-06-14)
Bonnie are at a bowling alley, with the other Popples causing mayhem at every turn.
11b11b"Where the Pop Flies"June 14, 1986 (1986-06-14)
It's the day of the baseball game, and Billy is about to hit the home run, but not with the Popples, because they'll ruin the game.
12a12a"Hooray for Hollywood Popples!"June 21, 1986 (1986-06-21)
Billy and Bonnie are visiting the movie studios in Hollywood. Meanwhile, the Popples tag along and decide to make their own movie.
12b12b"Backyard Bigtop"June 21, 1986 (1986-06-21)
When Billy and Bonnie are feeling sick and can't go to the circus, the Popples had to make their own circus for them. This is the second episode with all the Popples.
13a13a"Backyard Adventure"June 28, 1986 (1986-06-28)
Billy, Bonnie and the Popples are going camping together. But when the wind tries to blow the tent, the Popples have to build a brick wall to stop the wind blowing the tent.
13b13b"Poppin' at the Drive In"June 28, 1986 (1986-06-28)
Billy, Bonnie and the Popples are at a drive-in cinema, where the Popples cause much fun on the big screen.

Season 2 (1987)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleWritten byOriginal air date
14a1a"Popplin' Around the Block"Jack Hanrahan and Eleanor Burian-MohrApril 4, 1987 (1987-04-04)
The Popples are going around the block with their new friends and discover new things.
14b1b"Moving Day"Jack Hanrahan and Eleanor Burian-MohrApril 4, 1987 (1987-04-04)
It's Moving Day and Billy and Bonnie meet their new neighbors and friends Mike and Penny. Meanwhile, all the Popples meet Mike and Penny's new popples and hold a very special parade at their house. This episode marks the first appearance of Mike, Penny, Punkster, Punkity, Bibsy, Cribsy and the Pufflings and the last appearance of Pancake. This episode is also the season premiere.
15a2a"Treehouse Capers"Jack Hanrahan and Eleanor Burian-MohrApril 11, 1987 (1987-04-11)
When Billy, Bonnie, Mike and Penny have an argument when they build their treehouse, the Popples help build it themselves.
15b2b"No Bizness Like Popple Bizness"Jack Hanrahan and Eleanor Burian-MohrApril 11, 1987 (1987-04-11)
When the kids were away, the Popples decide to make a video for them.
16a3a"Museum Peace"George EdwardsApril 18, 1987 (1987-04-18)
The museum is closed, and there's no way Billy and Bonnie can't get in. Meanwhile, inside the museum, the Popples are taking the fun out of it.
16b3b"Lemonade Stand-Off"Bob LoganApril 18, 1987 (1987-04-18)
Billy and Mike are holding a lemonade stand for everyone, but there was no one there. Meanwhile, the Popples tried to help them.
17a4a"Popple Post Office"Bob LoganApril 25, 1987 (1987-04-25)
Billy and Bonnie are taking a letter to the post office, but the Popples are too cheeky to join in as well.
17b4b"Funhouse Folly"George EdwardsApril 25, 1987 (1987-04-25)
The fairground is closed, and there's no way Billy and Bonnie can't go. Meanwhile, the Popples are taking the fun in the hall of mirrors and loads of other things.
18a5a"Fixer Upper Popples"Jack Hanrahan and Eleanor Burian-MohrMay 2, 1987 (1987-05-02)
The Popples are trying to fix things, but the things they tried isn't getting too well.
18b5b"Rock Around the Popples"Jack Hanrahan and Eleanor Burian-MohrMay 2, 1987 (1987-05-02)
Mike is taking his tuba to a music store, when out of the blue, the Popples are joining him too.
19a6a"The College of Popple Knowledge"Jack Hanrahan and Eleanor Burian-MohrMay 9, 1987 (1987-05-09)
When Penny meets Bonnie on their bikes, Bibsy and Cribsy head off to school, but there was no school left for them. Luckily, the other Popples are planning their own college, starting with Puzzle for maths.
19b6b"Popple Cheer"Jody Miles ConnerMay 9, 1987 (1987-05-09)
Bonnie is on cheerleading duty, when out of the blue, the Sports Popples are there to give her a hand. This episode marks the first appearance of the Sports Popples, but this episode only features T.D., Big Kick, Dunker, Net Set and Pitcher.
20a7a"Barn Hoopla"Jody Miles ConnerMay 16, 1987 (1987-05-16)
Bonnie is visiting a farm. Meanwhile, the Popples are having fun in it, causing madness and mayhem at every turn. This episode marks the last appearance of Prize.
20b7b"The Jellybean Jamboree"Jody Miles ConnerMay 16, 1987 (1987-05-16)
It's the Jellybean Jamboree at school, and Billy and Mike are going too, while the Popples are joining in as well. This episode marks the last appearance of Billy.
21a8a"Private Eye Popples"Jack Hanrahan and Eleanor Burian-MohrMay 23, 1987 (1987-05-23)
The Popples are pretending to be detectives, and things were very wonky here, but it was sure fun, until Mike and Penny returned.
21b8b"The Repair Shop"Jody Miles ConnerMay 23, 1987 (1987-05-23)
Bonnie is taking the doll to the repair shop, but the Popples are visiting too. This episode marks the last appearance of Puffball and Potato Chip.
22a9a"Decatha-Pop-a-Lon Popples"Jack Hanrahan and Eleanor Burian-MohrMay 30, 1987 (1987-05-30)
The Sports Popples are holding their very own sporting events. This marks the only appearance of Cuester, since he was the only Sports Popple left and the last appearance of the Sports Popples.
22b9b"Cuckoo Choo Choo"Jack Hanrahan and Eleanor Burian-MohrMay 30, 1987 (1987-05-30)
The Popples are making a train station. This marks the last appearance of Mike and Putter.
23a10a"The Popple Fashion Parade"Jody Miles ConnerJune 6, 1987 (1987-06-06)
Bonnie and the Popples are holding a show in the night, but when morning came, Penny appeared and tells Bonnie, she is having too much fun with the Popples. This marks the last appearance of Bonnie and Pretty Bit.
23b10b"Poppin' at the Zoo"Jody Miles ConnerJune 6, 1987 (1987-06-06)
Penny and the Popples are visiting the zoo. The Popples are having so much fun, causing madness and mayhem at every turn, meeting animals and playing. This marks the last appearance of Penny, Party, P.C., Puzzle, Punkster, Punkitty, Bibsy, Cribsy and the Pufflings. This is also the final episode of the series.

Release

Home media

A single-disc DVD of the series was released in the UK by Maximum Entertainment in 2004, containing 10 segments.

Streaming

As of 2020, the show can be found on Pluto TV and on demand at Paramount+.

VHS UK history

UK VHS releases
VHS titleVHS StudiosRelease DateEpisodesNotes
Popples – Popples Panic At The LibraryTempo Video (MSD Video)1987Popples Panic At The Library, Cookin' Up A Storm, Molars Bicuspids and Popples, The Tresure Of Popple Beach
Popples – Popples Play Pee Wee GolfTempo Video (MSD Video)1988Popples Play Pee Wee Golf, Popples Flood the Fluff 'n' Fold, Clean Sweep of Things, Poppin' Wheelies
Children's Cartoon FavouritesTempo Video (MSD Video)1988Popples Panic At The Library, Popple Flood The Fluff 'n' Fold (compilation VHS with Care Bears and Sylvanian Families)
Popples – Popples Panic At The Library and Cookin' Up A StormTempo Video (MSD Video)1988Popples Panic At The Library, Cookin' Up A Storm
Popples PartytimeTempo Video (MSD Video)1988A Clean Sweep Of Things, Poppin' Wheelies, Bonnie's Popple Party, Aisles Of Trouble

Broadcast UK history

See also

Related Research Articles

<i>The Wuzzles</i> American television series

The Wuzzles is an American short-lived animated television series created by Fred Wolf and produced by Disney Television Animation in their first of two productions. The series was broadcast from September 14 to December 7, 1985, on CBS. An idea pitched by Michael Eisner for his new Disney television animation studio, the premise is that the main characters are hybrids of two different animals. The series ran for one season of 13 episodes.

Popples is a toy and television franchise created by Those Characters From Cleveland (TCFC), a subsidiary of American Greetings. Popples resemble brightly colored marsupial teddy bears with long tails ending in a pom-pom. Each Popple character transforms to resemble a brightly colored ball. In 2018, Popples was sold to Hasbro.

The Story Makers is an educational children's television programme that was broadcast on the BBC's pre-school digital television network, CBeebies as well as being one of the launch programmes for the channel. The Story Makers is set in a children's library, and encourages literacy and creativity.

<i>The Poddington Peas</i> British animated television series (1989)

The Poddington Peas is a British animated television series that was created by Paul Needs and Colin Wyatt of Cairnvale Productions for Poddington PLC; it has thirteen five-minute episodes, and was aired on BBC One as part of the Children's BBC strand from 14 September to 22 December 1989. The series was regularly repeated throughout the 90s and early 00s until 2002. The series' theme song, composed by Geoff Stephens, describes the eponymous group of Peas living "down at the bottom of the garden". Human-sized garden objects, enormous in size to the Peas, are often seen, such as upturned flowerpots which serve as most of their buildings. Humans themselves are never seen or mentioned. All thirteen episodes were released on VHS by Palace Video in 1990 (HPV0018), but this is now out of print. As with the majority of other older BBC children's series, it has also never made it to DVD.

<i>Oggy and the Cockroaches</i> French animated comedy series

Oggy and the Cockroaches is a French animated television series created by Jean-Yves Raimbaud and produced by Gaumont Multimedia for seasons 1–2 and Xilam Animation for seasons 3–7. The series chronicles the exploits and adventures of Oggy, a blue cat whose life is constantly interrupted by three cockroaches – Dee Dee, Marky, and Joey respectively – who love to cause mischief within his home. The show employs silent comedy: characters either do not speak or use unintelligible vocalizations and gestures. The show premiered in September 1998 on France 3, and later expanded internationally. The series ended in January 2019, having released seven seasons in over two decades. The cartoon also relies on slapstick humour much like its inspiration and spiritual predecessor "Tom and Jerry". only amplifying the level of extremities up a notch; while "traditional" slapstick cartoon characters prefer dropping anvils and pianos on each other, this show sometimes uses atomic bombs or submarines.

<i>Pink Panther and Sons</i> 1984 American animated television series

Pink Panther and Sons is an American animated television series produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions and Mirisch-Geoffrey-DePatie-Freleng. The series was originally broadcast on NBC from 1984 to 1985 and moved to ABC in 1986. Friz Freleng served as creative producer for the series as his and David H. DePatie's production company, DePatie–Freleng Enterprises, existed as an in-name-only enterprise by this time, as its operations were absorbed by Marvel Productions in 1981. The show is based on the Pink Panther, a character created in 1963.

BB3B is a British animated series produced by Tell-Tale Productions in 2005. The entire series consists of thirteen episodes of twenty minutes each. It was shown on CBBC in the UK and ABC Kids in Australia. It first went on air in 2005.

<i>Lady Lovely Locks</i> American animated television series

Lady Lovely Locks and the Pixietails is a character property created by American Greetings subsidiary Those Characters from Cleveland in the mid-1980s which soon expanded into a toyline by Mattel. An animated television series produced by DIC Animation City was produced in 1987, running for a single series of ten half-hour episodes ; and was syndicated by LBS Communications on the Kideo TV strand.

<i>Care Bears: Adventures in Care-a-lot</i> 2007 American TV series or program

Care Bears: Adventures in Care-a-Lot is an American animated television series based on the Care Bears franchise produced by American Greetings and AG Properties with animation provided by SD Entertainment. The series functions as part of the fourth incarnation of the franchise, and centers on the adventures and escapades of the titular Care Bears - Cheer, Share, Grumpy, Funshine, and Oopsy, as they help their fellow Care Bear friends and battle against the main antagonist Grizzle.

<i>The Amazing Spiez!</i> 2009 multi-national TV series or program

The Amazing Spiez is a Canadian-French animated television series created by Vincent Chalvon-Demersay and David Michel. It was co-produced by Marathon Media, Image Entertainment Corporation and Canal J. The series is a spin-off of Totally Spies! another series from Marathon Media. In France, the series debuted on TF1 on April 1, 2009. Its final episode was broadcast on May 25, 2012.

<i>Lilpri</i> Japanese media franchise

Hime Chen! Otogi Chikku Idol Lilpri, also known as Lilpri, is a Japanese anime television series directed by Makoto Moriwaki. It was adapted from the Sega arcade game of the same name. It was also adapted into two manga series by Mai Jinna.

<i>Poppy Cat</i> (TV series) British television series

Poppy Cat is a British preschool animated television series, which first aired on 2 May 2011 and last aired on 31 October 2015. It is based on a series of books created by British illustrator and writer Lara Jones, and is a co-production of King Rollo Films, Coolabi Productions, Cake Entertainment and Ingenious Media for Nick Jr. in the UK and Sprout in the U.S.

<i>Harry & Bunnie</i> 2016 Malaysian TV series or program

Harry & Bunnie is a Malaysian animated television series created by the Malaysian-based company, Animasia Studio. It follows young wannabe magician Harry who invents magical tricks to impress his friends, but always in vain. Meanwhile, his mischievous stage rabbit Bunnie always ends up stealing the limelight with his ongoing mission to steal Harry's magic wand. Harry always creates elaborate plans to take back his wand but always fails in the end.

References

  1. "New York Magazine". April 7, 1986.
  2. "New York Magazine". June 8, 1987.
  3. Perlmutter, David (2018). The Encyclopedia of American Animated Television Shows. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 474. ISBN   978-1538103739.
  4. Erickson, Hal (2005). Television Cartoon Shows: An Illustrated Encyclopedia, 1949 Through 2003 (2nd ed.). McFarland & Co. pp. 471–472. ISBN   978-1476665993.
  5. Blake, Emily (September 24, 2014). "Popples are getting their own original Netflix series" . Retrieved October 28, 2014.
  6. "Everything coming to Netflix and Amazon Prime this October". September 30, 2015.
  7. "New York Magazine". March 10, 1986.