VeggieTales

Last updated

VeggieTales
VeggieTales 2014 logo.png
VeggieTales logo used since 2014
Created by
Original workVeggieTales (1993 video series)
Owners
YearsDecember 21, 1993 – present (30 years) [1]
Print publications
Book(s)
Main article: List of VeggieTales books
Comics
  • VeggieTales SuperComics
Films and television
Film(s)
Animated series
Television special(s)
  • VeggieTales Christmas Spectacular (1998–2000)
  • The Star of Christmas (2002)
Direct-to-video
Main article: List of VeggieTales videos
Games
Traditional
  • 3D Trading Cards - 4 PK
  • Veggie Checkers
  • Game Wave DVD Game: Letter Zap
  • Game Wave DVD Game: Sudoku Challenge
  • Tic Tac Twice Board Game
  • Toss Across Game
  • Water Wow
Video game(s)
  • The Mystery of Veggie Island (September 3, 2002)
  • Veggie Carnival (October 15, 2002)
  • Jonah: A VeggieTales Game (October 15, 2002)
  • VeggieTales Creativity City (February 4, 2003)
  • Minnesota Cuke and the Coconut Apes (September 30, 2003)
  • VeggieTales Super Silly Fun! (December 15, 2005)
  • VeggieTales Dance Dance Dance (December 2006)
  • LarryBoy and the Bad Apple (August 1, 2006)
  • "Step-by-Story presents: The Goofy Gift" (December 28, 2011)
  • "VeggieTales Spotisodes Collection" (February 7, 2012)
  • "Step-by-Story presents: Larry's Missing Music" (March 19, 2012)
Audio
Soundtrack(s)
Main article: List of VeggieTales albums
Original music
Main article: List of VeggieTales albums
Miscellaneous
Toy(s)
  • Bob Bath Toy
  • God's Creation: Leopard
  • God's Creation: Panda
  • God's Creation: Tiger
  • Princess Petunia Magnetic Dress Up Doll
  • Slushie Bath Toy
  • LarryMobile Playset
Official website
https://www.veggietales.com

VeggieTales is an American Christian CGI-animated series and franchise for children created by Phil Vischer and Mike Nawrocki under Big Idea Entertainment. The series stars Bob the Tomato and Larry the Cucumber leading a variety of fruit and vegetable characters as they retell stories from the Bible and parody pop culture while also teaching life lessons according to a biblical world view.

Contents

It was one of the earliest computer animated franchises; [2] first released in 1993 on VHS, as a direct-to-video series, and later on DVD and Blu-ray through to 2015. The success of the videos led to multiple spin-off television series, such as VeggieTales on TV!, which ran on NBC from 2006 to 2009, two Netflix series that debuted in 2014 and 2017, and a series produced by Trinity Broadcasting Network in 2019. Two films were released: Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie (2002) and The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything: A VeggieTales Movie (2008). The success of the animations helped establish a franchise of related media, including books, music, stage productions, and video games.

The series is distinguished as the most successful Christian children's franchise of all time. It has sold over 16 million books, 7 million music CDs, and 235 million music streams.

History

VeggieTales logo used from 2009 to 2014 VeggieTales logo.svg
VeggieTales logo used from 2009 to 2014

VeggieTales was created by Phil Vischer and Mike Nawrocki through the production company Big Idea Entertainment with an overall aim to convey Christian moral themes and teach Biblical values and lessons for a child-based audience. Vischer developed the idea for VeggieTales in the early 1990s while testing animation software as a medium for children's videos. [3] Due to limitations in the Softimage 3D at the time, Vischer opted to avoid the technical production hurdle of designing characters with arms, legs, hair, and clothes. The first animation model for VeggieTales was an anthropomorphic candy bar. Further inspiration derived from Vischer's wife, Lisa, who suggested parents of the target audience might prefer a character who promoted healthier eating habits. Vischer then began to design the characters based on fruits and vegetables.

While most of the VeggieTales characters ended up being voiced by Vischer and Nawrocki, they also cast their friends and family to do voices in the early episodes. Dan Anderson (Dad Asparagus) and Jim Poole (Scooter) who collaborated with Vischer on dramas at their local church, were recruited for the cast. [4] Vischer's wife also joined the cast as Junior Asparagus, which he was adverse to, initially. [5] For the series' music, Vischer brought in Kurt Heinecke, who was the music director of his church at the time. The series' earlier animators included young college graduates Chris Olsen and Robert Ellis alongside Vischer. First offered in the direct-to-video market, the first release was the 30-minute video, Where's God When I'm S-Scared? , in December 1993. [3] [6] Softimage 3D was used to animate the characters for episodes until 1999 when it was replaced with the new animation software, Maya. [7]

In January 2002, HIT Entertainment sued Big Idea, claiming Big Idea "abruptly walked away" from a 1997 deal with Lyrick Studios, which HIT acquired in 2001. The deal intended for HIT to manufacture and distribute VeggieTales merchandise. [8] Having had no written contract with either Lyrick or HIT, Big Idea arranged a distribution deal with Warner Home Video, triggering the suit. In April 2003, a jury in Texas ruled Big Idea must pay $11 million to HIT—a decision which was overturned on appeal in 2005. [9] Due to bankruptcy concerns from the jury decision, Vischer lost control over VeggieTales in 2004. [10] Big Idea continued to produce the VeggieTales home video series until 2015.

On June 29, 2021, Vischer stated in a series of posts on his Twitter account that his wife, Nawrocki and Heinecke had left Big Idea, who intended to recast the voices for their respective characters. He also stated that Nawrocki and Heinecke had been let go from the series several years beforehand for budgetary reasons, being demoted solely to freelance work. They had asked to have a bigger role in the franchise following their involvement in The VeggieTales Show and the company refused, resulting in their complete departure as a result of their layoffs when Big Idea Entertainment shut down completely. [11]

Characters

The VeggieTales episodes are teleplays performed by the various vegetables and produce that reside on a kitchen countertop. Most of these characters have "real names", and take on various roles in the teleplays. Most of these "series regulars", such as Bob, Larry, Junior Asparagus, Laura Carrot, Archibald Asparagus, Pa Grape, and Jimmy and Jerry Gourd were established in the earliest videos.

Video series

Show format

The videos generally present a moral idea or ethical issue in the opening countertop segment, either through a viewer question or a conflict brought up by Bob or Larry. Usually this is followed by one or more "films" performed by the VeggieTales characters that teach a lesson addressing said issue, with Silly Songs with Larry in the middle.

Silly Songs are generally introduced with a title card and a voice-over saying, "And now it's time for Silly Songs with Larry, the part of the show where Larry comes out and sings a silly song." Some Silly Songs have alternate titles, such as "Love Songs with Mr. Lunt", or "Ukulele Karaoke with Bob", where another character sings the song instead. [12] The Silly Song, if one appears, is usually in the middle of the program, often at a cliffhanger moment or in between two stories (although the LarryBoy videos, in particular, often lack this segment).

At the end, there is a closing countertop segment where Bob and Larry discuss the lesson and receive a Bible verse from Qwerty the Computer to provide a biblical reference for the viewer. This is concluded with the program's signature sign-off: "Remember kids, God made you special and He loves you very much." [13]

Re-issues and re-releases

Big Idea has released a few "special edition" DVDs which consist of remastered videos and additional features not on the original DVD.

  1. Lyle the Kindly Viking Special Edition (also includes 3–2–1 Penguins! Trouble on Planet Wait-Your-Turn) [14]
  2. King George and the Ducky Special Edition (also includes 3–2–1 Penguins! Runaway Pride at Lightstation Kilowatt) [15]
  3. Where's God When I'm S-Scared? 15th Anniversary Collector's Edition (also includes 3–2–1 Penguins! Trouble on Planet Wait-Your-Turn) [16]

Compilation videos

Various VeggieTales videos were bundled into collections. The collections ranged in size from double features to a boxed collection of the first 30 VeggieTales videos. Compilation videos of only the Silly Songs were also released. Several video collections have the songs in "sing along" format and The Ultimate Silly Song Countdown [17] video included the most popular Silly Songs as voted by fans of the show.

Television

VeggieTales on TV! (2006–2009)

For three seasons, VeggieTales on TV! ran on NBC, Telemundo, and Ion Television as part of the Qubo children's programming block from 2006 to 2009. [18] The television show altered the general format by opening at the front gate of Bob the Tomato's house. Bob, Larry the Cucumber, and other Veggie characters then sing the show's theme song as they hop to Bob's front door. The theme song ends with Pa Grape making a random comment on Archibald's new sweater. Bob and Larry then wait for the mailman, Jimmy Gourd, to deliver a letter. When Jimmy comes, he happily sings his Mail Song, which either Bob, Larry or both find tedious at times. Similar to the opening countertop sequence of the VeggieTales videos, either Bob, Larry or both read the letter and the cast tries to decide how to solve the viewer's problem through one of three regular segments: Archibald reads a story from his Big Book of Oddities, Pa Grape shows an old film, or Mr. Lunt appears with his stick puppet (Paco the Storytelling Mule) and tells a story. The result always proves disastrous, as the story or film makes no sense. Bob and Larry then intervene with a story from a VeggieTales video. The show ends with Bob and Larry wrapping things up by reiterating the story's lesson and Bob thanking the kids for coming over to his house. NBC episodes end with characters bidding the audience a simple "Good-bye".

According to the Los Angeles Times , "VeggieTales has been very successful for NBC in a Saturday morning time slot that has traditionally been difficult for the networks". NBC saw its biggest ratings jump in Saturday morning children's programming since 2003." [19] As a result, ratings on NBC's Saturday morning program had grown from an average Nielsen Rating of 0.5 between 2003 and 2005 to an average Nielsen Rating of 0.95 between 2006 and 2008, with an average of 430,000 children watching each weekend. [18] [20]

After NBC aired the first few episodes of the first season in September 2006, [21] the company chose to edit the episodes to remove religious messages, including references to God. The original sign-off message—"And remember kids, God made you special and He loves you very much! Good-bye!"—was replaced by "Thanks for coming to my house today, kids. See you next week! Good-bye!". The changes were made at the request of the network's standards and practices department to enforce compliance with network policies regarding religious neutrality. The original dialogue remained viewable by users of the network's closed-caption feature. [22]

The conservative watch group Parents Television Council complained to NBC about the changes. [23] L. Brent Bozell, president of the group, complained of the network "ripping the heart and soul out of a successful product". His argument was that if NBC was concerned about references to God, they should not have taken the series. Bozell stated "This just documents the disconnect between Hollywood and the real world." [23]

The response from NBC stated the editing now conformed to the network's broadcast standards, which direct producers "not to advocate any one religious point of view." NBC spokeswoman Rebecca Marks said "Our goal is to reach as broad an audience as possible with these positive messages while being careful not to advocate any one religious point of view." [23]

Vischer expressed disappointment with these edits, stating that he was not informed that religious content would be removed from the series, and that he could have refused to sign a contract with Qubo if he had known of the decision beforehand. He said, "I would have declined partly because I knew a lot of fans would feel like it was a sellout or it was done for money." [23] Still, Vischer said he understood NBC's wish to remain religiously neutral, and he said, "VeggieTales is religious, NBC is not. I want to focus people more on 'Isn't it cool that Bob and Larry are on television." [24]

In The House and In the City (2014–2017)

A new series, [25] VeggieTales in the House, premiered on Netflix as an original series in Thanksgiving 2014. [26] The series lead is Doug TenNapel and features a theme song by independent studio musician and frequent TenNapel collaborator Terry Scott Taylor. The deal between current VeggieTales owner DreamWorks Animation and Netflix calls for the release of 75 episodes over a three-year period with each episode featuring two 11-minute stories. [27]

Mike Nawrocki and Phil Vischer continue to voice their characters, [28] but the rest of the original video cast has been replaced by veteran voice actors Tress MacNeille and Rob Paulsen. [29] The series is an expansion of the kitchen counter top segments of the original videos to include a full city which the characters live in. Bob and Larry live as roommates in an apartment on the kitchen counter. Several stories revolve around a general store built into an adjacent kitchen island which is run by Pa Grape. The cast of characters from the original videos remains the same aside from the absence of Mr. Nezzer, who has been replaced by a similar looking character named Ichabeezer (voiced by Paulsen). Themes in each episode relate to Biblical principles such as forgiveness, compassion and generosity. [30]

In 2017, VeggieTales in the House ended, and a new series was developed, to continue VeggieTales on Netflix. The series was called VeggieTales in the City. [31] [32]

The VeggieTales Show (2019–2022)

In March 2019, it was announced that the Trinity Broadcasting Network was to inherit the broadcasting rights to air a new VeggieTales series on their networks. [33] Vischer confirmed via Twitter, he and Nawrocki were to return to Big Idea Entertainment as full-time staff to work on the series, tentatively titled The VeggieTales Show. [34] [ non-primary source needed ]

On April 24, 2019, the VeggieTales Official YouTube channel published a video called "VeggieTales is Back: Brand New VeggieTales Show Trailer" [35] which provided information about The VeggieTales Show. The show started airing on TBN in 2019. This version of the show focuses on the VeggieTales characters acting in on shows of Bible stories in a theater. The series brought back Mr. Nezzer (albeit with voice actor David Mann), as the owner of the theater in which the show takes place. The first episode was a Christmas special called The Best Christmas Gift. This premiered on TBN Christmas Day 2019 and was distributed on DVD and Digital by Universal Pictures Home Entertainment.

In 2019, Yippee TV became the exclusive streaming service of The VeggieTales Show and released new episodes monthly from 2019 to 2022. [36] The series has since been added to the streaming services Minno and Pureflix, though Yippee TV continues to feature more episodes than any other platform. [37] [38]

Films

Mr. Lunt, Pa Grape, and Larry the Cucumber at the Celebrate Freedom 2007 concert Veggie Tales - Conyers.jpg
Mr. Lunt, Pa Grape, and Larry the Cucumber at the Celebrate Freedom 2007 concert

Other media

Stage production

VeggieTales Live is a series of stage shows based on the VeggieTales videos that toured across the U.S. The first-stage series was part of a two-year agreement with Clear Channel in 2002. [46] The shows were notable for featuring large inflatable VeggieTales character costumes designed by Michael Curry. [47] Six versions of the shows have been staged through the years, with the last version touring in 2015. Exclusive theme park stage shows were also produced for Dollywood and Silver Dollar City. [48]

Video games

Big Idea, and its successors, have released VeggieTales themed games on various platforms including PC, Macintosh, iOS, and Android. Applications include games revolving around specific VeggieTales episodes (such as the PlayStation 2 release of LarryBoy and the Bad Apple) to new content revolving around various VeggieTales characters.

PC

Console

Android and iOS

Music

There have been over 45 musical albums released that tie into either VeggieTales characters or videos. Some albums are compilations of songs from the videos, such as Larry-Boy: The Soundtrack and the VeggieTunes series. Others contain completely original material and public domain songs not found in the videos, such as the holiday albums A Very Veggie Christmas and A Very Veggie Easter, in addition to sing-along albums like Bob and Larry's Campfire Songs and Junior's Bedtime Songs. Worship albums were also released, such as Christian Hit Music and Here I Am To Worship, as well as albums covering popular music, such as Bob and Larry Sing the 70's and Bob and Larry Sing the 80's.

Merchandise

Toys

On August 7, 1998, Fisher Price introduced several VeggieTales products, including the "Bounce N Talk Veggies", "Sing N Dance Bob and Larry", "Junior Asparagus Bedtime Friend", "Veggie Bunch", "Talking Clip Ons", "Dress Up Mix Up Larry", an interactive "LarryBoy" doll, "Larrymobile", and a "Figure Pack" play-set. [67] The Fisher Price products were sold at Walmart, Kmart, Toys "R" Us and Target stores until the end of 2004. Blue Box Toys also produced many VeggieTales products from 2002 until 2009. On January 1, 2005, the rights to VeggieTales were exclusively held to Blue Box Toys.[ citation needed ] On February 10, 2011, Big Idea Entertainment announced several new product promotions, including partnerships with Chick-fil-A (kids' meal promotions), American Puzzle Company (wooden puzzles and trains), CTI Industries (mylar and latex balloons), Tabbies (index tabs, stickers, temporary tattoos and wall clings), Victory Designs (children's guitars), and Zoobies (plush pillows and blankets). [68]

Books and comics

In June 2014, B&H Kids announced plans to produce a VeggieTales comic series with Big Idea Productions and DreamWorks Animation. [69]

Podcast

On May 17, 2022, a new weekly audio podcast series based around the VeggieTales characters was announced and released on multiple digital platforms. [70] Titled Very Veggie Silly Stories, it centers on Bob and Larry hosting a podcast with their friends. It features original stories, interviews with special guests, and past songs from the VeggieTales musical library. The podcast also features a new voice cast replacing Phil Vischer, Lisa Vischer and Mike Nawrocki. The podcast received mixed to negative reception from fans who criticized the recasting of voice actors, performances, and writing. [71]

Documentary

A TBN exclusive feature and documentary called VeggieTales: Behind the Scenes aired on TBN on August 19, 2022. [72] It featured past interviews with Phil Vischer and Mike Nawrocki as well as highlighting The VeggieTales Show and Yippee TV.

Reception and awards

VeggieTales has been nominated for three Emmy Awards, [73] four Annie Awards, [74] thirteen GMA Dove Awards, [75] six Parents' Choice Awards, [76] two Chicago Film Festival Awards, [76] one Movieguide Award, [76] one Golden Reel Award, [77] and one International World Animation Celebration Festival Award. [78] It was one of the earliest computer-animated franchises, predating both ReBoot and Toy Story .[ citation needed ]

As of 2019, VeggieTales has sold 75 million videos (VHS, DVD, and Blu-ray), 16 million books, 7 million music albums, and 235 million music streams. [79] The revenue for Big Idea grew between 1996 and 1999 by 3300% from $1.3 million to over $44 million as the moral tales and off-beat humor proved popular with parents. [3] : 54  According to Phil Vischer's book, Me, Myself, and Bob, "one third of American homes owned a Veggietales video by the year 2000". [80] The Wall Street Journal commented on the franchise's success that "VeggieTales is the Barney of the group. Its simple characters, bright colors and catchy tunes sweeten the Christian message...The real appeal of the veggies is their wackiness. Like Bugs Bunny, the cartoons contain a multitude of adult jokes, and like a sanitized version of South Park , Comedy Central's raunchy cartoon, they rely on gross-out humor. Among evangelical Christian young adults, the veggies have a cult following, analogous to the adult audience of South Park. [81]

Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie currently holds a 65% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 55 reviews from critics, with an average score of 5.8 out of 10. [82] The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything received a 39% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 33 reviews, with an average rating of 4.7/10. [83] Their summary of critical consensus was, "This Veggietale should please the youngest crowds, but the silly script will tire the more discerning viewer."

YearAwardNominated workResultRef
1997 Chicago International Film Festival: Children's Jury Award for Best Animated Short Film VeggieTales: Very Silly Songs! Won [84]
GMA Dove Award: Children's Music Album of the Year
A Very Veggie ChristmasWon [84]
1998 GMA Dove Award: Long Form Music Video of the Year VeggieTales: Very Silly Songs! Won [84]
1999 GMA Dove Award: Long Form Music Video of the Year VeggieTales: The End of Silliness? Nominated
AdQ Design Award: Outstanding Advertising Print AdVeggieTales: What's The Big Idea MagazineWon [85]
2000 GMA Dove Award: Children's Music Album of the Year Larry-Boy: The SoundtrackWon [84]
2001 GMA Dove Award: Children's Music Album of the YearVeggieTunes 3: A Queen, A King, and A Very Blue BerryWon [84]
Parents' Choice Award: Season's Best Family Home Entertainment Veggietales: Lyle the Kindly Viking Won [76]
World Animation Celebration Festival: Best Animated Home Entertainment VeggieTales: Lyle the Kindly Viking Won [76]
2002 Annie Award: Best Animated Home Entertainment VeggieTales: Lyle the Kindly Viking Nominated[ citation needed ]
2003 Annie Award: Best Animated Home Entertainment VeggieTales: The Star of Christmas Nominated [74]
Annie Award: Best Voice Acting in an Animated Feature Production Tim Hodge as the Voice of Khalil in Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie Nominated [74]
Golden Reel Award: Best Sound Editing in Television Direct to Video Larryboy: The Cartoon Adventures ‘Angry Eyebrows' Nominated [77]
The Movieguide Awards: Best Family Movie of the Year Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie Won [73]
GMA Dove Award: Children's Music Album of the YearJonah: A Veggie Tales Movie Original SoundtrackWon [84]
2004 Annie Award: Best Animated Short Subject"Belly Button" from Veggietales: The Ballad of Little Joe Nominated [74]
Chicago International Children's Film Festival: Children's Jury Award for Animated Short Film"Belly Button" from Veggietales: The Ballad of Little Joe Won[ citation needed ]
GMA Dove Award: Music Video of the Year"Belly Button" from Veggietales: The Ballad of Little Joe Nominated [84]
2005 Parents' Choice Award: Season's Best Family Home Entertainment VeggieTales: Duke and the Great Pie War Won [85]
2006 Parents' Choice Award: Season's Best Family Home Entertainment VeggieTales: Sheerluck Holmes and the Golden Ruler Won [85]
2007 GMA Dove Award: Children's Music Album of the YearVeggieTales Worship SongsWon [84]
Parents' Choice Award: Season's Best Family Home Entertainment VeggieTales: Larryboy and the Bad Apple Won [85]
2008 GMA Dove Award: Children's Music Album of the YearVeggieTales Christian HitsWon
Parents' Choice Award: Season's Best Family Home Entertainment VeggieTales: Tomato Sawyer's and Huckleberry Larry's Big River Rescue Won [85]
Robert A. Briner Impact Award Phil Vischer for his 15 years of work on VeggieTalesWon [86]
2010 GMA Dove Award: Children's Music Album of the YearVeggietales: Here I Am to WorshipWon
2011 GMA Dove Award: Children's Music Album of the YearSweetpea's Songs for GirlsNominated
Parents' Choice Award: Seasons Best Family GameVeggieTales: Find It!Won [85]
2012 GMA Dove Award: Children's Music Album of the YearHosanna! Today Top Worship Songs for KidsNominated
2014 GMA Dove Award: Children's Music Album of the YearVeggieTales 25 Favorite Bible SongsWon [75]
2015 Emmy Award: Outstanding Animated Program VeggieTales in the House Season OneNominated [73]
2017 Emmy Award: Outstanding Sound Editing VeggieTales in the House Season FourNominated [87]
The Tennessee State House Resolution 68 Award: Life Time Achievement in Children's Entertainment Mike Nawrocki for his 25 years of work on VeggieTalesWon [88]
2018 Emmy Award: Best Performer in an Animated Program Tress MacNeille in VeggieTales in the City Nominated [89]

Related Research Articles

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3-2-1 Penguins! is an American science fiction computer-animated Christian children's television series, initially launched on November 14, 2000 as a direct-to-video episode by Big Idea Entertainment with videos released between 2000 and 2003. The direct-to-video series held the top spot on the Soundscan kid video sales charts for its first 18 weeks of release, was the #1 seller on Christian Booksellers Association's video list in 2001, and had sold 1.5 million videos as of February 2009.

Phillip Roger Vischer is an American filmmaker, animator, author, puppeteer, and voice actor. He is the creator of the animated video series VeggieTales alongside Mike Nawrocki. He provided the voice of Bob the Tomato and about half of the other characters in the series. Currently, he owns a small film business, Jellyfish Labs, based in Wheaton, Illinois.

Silly Songs with Larry is a regular feature segment in Big Idea's CGI cartoon series, VeggieTales. Often secular, they generally consist of Larry the Cucumber singing a humorous child's novelty song either alone or with some of the other Veggie characters. Occasionally, another character, like Mr. Lunt, Bob the Tomato, Junior Asparagus, Laura Carrot, Archibald Asparagus, Oscar the Polish Caterer, and the French Peas Jean-Claude and Philippe, or an ensemble is featured in Larry's place. The Silly Songs have proven to be a very popular part of the show and have also prompted the release of several "sing-along" and compilation videos of these segments, some wrapped with new material that threads them into a fresh context. Some of the silly songs have been nominated for a GMA Dove Award.

<i>The Pirates Who Dont Do Anything: A VeggieTales Movie</i> 2008 American film

The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything: A VeggieTales Movie is a 2008 American animated family adventure comedy film directed by Mike Nawrocki, written by Phil Vischer, produced by Big Idea and distributed by Universal Pictures. It is the second of the two theatrical films to feature characters from the VeggieTales video series following Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie in 2002, and is the only VeggieTales media that does not explicitly mention God or Biblical morals. However, several scenes parallel Scripture, such as characters not knowing when the King will return.

<i>Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie</i> 2002 American film

Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie is a 2002 American animated Christian musical comedy adventure film produced by Big Idea Productions and released by Artisan Entertainment through its F·H·E Pictures label. Written and directed by Phil Vischer and Mike Nawrocki in their feature directorial debuts, it is the first of the two theatrical feature films in the VeggieTales series, before The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything: A VeggieTales Movie (2008).

<i>The Star of Christmas</i> 2002 film

The Star of Christmas is a 2002 American animated film and is the eighteenth episode of the VeggieTales animated series and the second holiday special. It was released on October 26, 2002 and re-released on October 5, 2004, in Holiday Double Feature with its earlier episode The Toy that Saved Christmas. Like the other holiday episodes, it has no usual ”A Lesson in...” subtitle and the countertops. The film's message is that the true Star of Christmas is Jesus Christ. The movie emphasizes that the tale of Jesus Christ's birth is the epitome of real love and should, therefore, serve as society's model for how to love others.

Kurt Henry Heinecke is an American composer, musician, songwriter, photographer, and voice actor. He was the music director at Big Idea Entertainment, creators of the animated VeggieTales. He is the Assistant Artistic Director at Music City Strings.

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Boyz in the Sink is a fictional band of VeggieTales characters who first appeared in the 2003 Silly Songs with Larry segment of The Ballad of Little Joe. The band subsequently appeared in 2007's Moe and the Big Exit and 2012's If I Sang A Silly Song and Robin Good and The Not-So-Merry Men.

Minno is an online subscription-based streaming media provider created by Erick Goss and Dan Raines. It specializes in Christian programming for children. Subscribers have access to over 2,300 episodes from 130 shows. Video is made available through applications for smartphones, tablets, and popular streaming devices such as Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV and Chromecast.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Big Idea Entertainment</span> American Christian animation production company

Big Idea Productions, LLC was an American animation production company and is currently an in-name only unit, best known for its animated VeggieTales series of Christian-themed home videos.

<i>Larryboy: The Cartoon Adventures</i> Animated series

Larryboy: The Cartoon Adventures is an American direct-to-video animated children’s series developed by Tom Bancroft as a spin-off of the VeggieTales franchise created by Big Idea Entertainment. The first video titled "Larryboy and the Angry Eyebrows", was released on March 16, 2002. The videos came to an end with "The Good, The Bad and the Eggly!", released on June 10, 2003, due to Big Idea's bankruptcy. Unlike its predecessor VeggieTales, which was animated in CGI using Softimage 3D and later Autodesk Maya, LarryBoy was animated in 2D animation using Adobe Flash. From September 2006 to November 2009, NBC aired the content of all four videos on its Qubo block alongside airings of VeggieTales videos. LarryBoy also currently streams on Yippee TV, a Christian-based American children’s subscription video on-demand over-the-top streaming service. Each video contains two segments, a twenty-minute long segment and a seven-minute short segment.

<i>VeggieTales in the House</i> American animated childrens television series

VeggieTales in the House is an American animated comedy Christian television series developed by Doug TenNapel and produced by Big Idea Entertainment, and animated by Bardel Entertainment. It picks up after the original series, VeggieTales and stars many of the same cast members as in the first series, with additional ones such as Tress MacNeille, Rob Paulsen, Kel Mitchell, China Anne McClain, Maurice LaMarche, Tony Hale, and Jon Heder.

Michael Louis Nawrocki is an American animator, filmmaker, teacher, and voice actor best known as the co-creator of the Christian video series, VeggieTales where he voiced Larry the Cucumber. He voiced many other main characters on the show, including Jerry Gourd, and Jean-Claude Pea, and other various characters, is the co-founder of Big Idea Entertainment alongside Phil Vischer, and currently serves as the Executive Vice President of the company. He has directed several of their productions, including the award-winning Silly Songs with Larry segments from VeggieTales.

<i>VeggieTales in the City</i> 2017 American television series

VeggieTales in the City is an American animated comedy Christian television series produced by Big Idea Entertainment. The series is a sequel to VeggieTales in the House and it premiered on Netflix on June 15, 2017 with the release of 13 episodes. A second season was released on December 30, 2017. The series was removed by Netflix on July 3, 2022.

<i>The VeggieTales Show</i> Television series

The VeggieTales Show is an American Christian computer-animated television series created by Phil Vischer and Mike Nawrocki. The series served as a revival and sequel of the American Christian computer-animated franchise VeggieTales. It was produced through the partnerships of TBN, NBCUniversal, Big Idea Entertainment, and Trilogy Animation, and ran from October 22, 2019, to April 1, 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yippee TV</span> American subscription video streaming service

Yippee TV is a Christian-based American children’s subscription video on-demand over-the-top streaming service, founded in December 2019 and is based in Los Angeles, California. Through a partnership with NBCUniversal and Big Idea Entertainment, Yippee TV became one of the few streaming services offering the Christian computer generated musical children's animation series The VeggieTales Show in 2019.

References

  1. ↑ Vischer, Phil (2008). Me, Myself, and Bob: A True Story about Dreams, God, and Talking Vegetables. Thomas Nelson Inc. p. 97. ISBN   978-1-59555-122-1.
  2. ↑ "Secret DIY Origins of 'VeggieTales' Success". Yahoo News . January 15, 2015. Retrieved September 17, 2023.
  3. 1 2 3 Vischer, Phil (2008). Me, Myself, & Bob: A True Story About God, Dreams, and Talking Vegetables. Nashville, Tenn.: T. Nelson. ISBN   978-1595551221.
  4. ↑ Vischer, Phil (May 10, 2016). "Episode 200: THE BIG 2-0-0!". Archived from the original on November 13, 2021. Retrieved January 22, 2017– via YouTube.
  5. ↑ VeggieTales Where's God When I'm Scared Complete Behind the Scenes, January 3, 2022, retrieved July 7, 2023
  6. ↑ "VeggieTales award-winning musical composer Kurt Heinecke to visit Wallace State on April 21 as part of Arts in April festivities". Wallace State News. April 15, 2014. Retrieved June 9, 2015.
  7. ↑ Evans, Noell Wolfgram (2003). "VeggieTales: What's the Big Idea?". Digital Media FX. Retrieved January 6, 2018.
  8. ↑ Patrick, Stephanie (January 20, 2002). "Lawsuit over verbal pact pits Lyrick Studios, VeggieTales". Dallas Business Journal . Retrieved October 24, 2019.
  9. ↑ Hertz, Todd (July 1, 2003). "Big Idea Loses Suit". Christianity Today . Retrieved October 24, 2019.
  10. ↑ Parke, Caleb (October 22, 2019). "'VeggieTales' creator Phil Vischer says show's comeback has 'classic' feel with new Bible stories". Fox News . Retrieved October 24, 2019.
  11. ↑ "Phil Vischer on Twitter: "(Because this tweet confused people… Mike and Kurt were fired 5-7 years ago to save $. Mike and I recently asked to have a larger role in VT - other than freelance voice talent. We were told "no," and our voices are now being recast. Hence the bittersweet theme song tweet.)"". twitter.com. Archived from the original on June 29, 2021. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  12. ↑ VeggieTales Official (April 30, 2019), VeggieTales | Monkey Silly Song | Silly Songs With Larry | Kids Cartoon | Kids Videos | Kids Movies , retrieved May 1, 2019
  13. ↑ Ultrocraze (December 17, 2016), From Veggietales- God made you special!, archived from the original on November 13, 2021, retrieved May 1, 2019
  14. ↑ "VeggieTales: Lyle the Kindly Viking / 3–2–1 Penguins Double Feature (DVD)". Amazon. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
  15. ↑ "VeggieTales: King George & The Ducky + Bonus 3–2–1 Penguins Episode". Amazon. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
  16. ↑ "Where's God When I'm S-Scared (15th Anniversary) – DVD". Amazon. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
  17. ↑ "Veggie Tales - Ultimate Silly Song Countdown". Amazon. February 10, 2004.
  18. 1 2 "Bob and Larry Are Off and Running! - Phil Vischer - Official Blog of VeggieTales Creator". Phil Vischer. September 15, 2006. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
  19. ↑ "NBC Issues New Explanation for 'VeggieTales' Cuts". Los Angeles Times. September 23, 2006. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
  20. ↑ "'VeggieTales' stirs up a religious controversy". TODAY.com. September 22, 2006. Retrieved August 9, 2019.[ verification needed ]
  21. ↑ DeMott, Rick (August 24, 2006). "Qubo To Launch on NBC, Telemundo & The i Network This September". Animation World Network. Retrieved May 20, 2016.
  22. ↑ Wesbury, Joe (September 28, 2006). "NBC chooses family values over spiritual values in VeggieTales Saturday morning line-up". The Muslim Index. Retrieved January 22, 2017.
  23. 1 2 3 4 "Talking Veggies Stir Controversy at NBC". Fox News Channel. Associated Press. September 22, 2006. Archived from the original on June 29, 2011. Retrieved January 22, 2017.
  24. ↑ Parker, Jenni (December 6, 2006). "PTC Applauds NBC's Airing of VeggieTales, Religious Content Intact". Agape Press. Archived from the original on December 7, 2006. Retrieved January 22, 2017.
  25. ↑ Hearn, Samantha. Nolensville - Home for the Holidays, September 15, 2016, "Women in Business to hear from VeggieTales president". Retrieved December 29, 2017.
  26. ↑ Dickson, Jeremy (November 20, 2014). "VeggieTales Q&A: Off the counter and onto Netflix". Kidscreen. Archived from the original on December 5, 2014. Retrieved December 5, 2014.
  27. ↑ "Veggie Tales hops to Netflix, is God in it?". christianexaminer.com. November 24, 2014. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
  28. ↑ Martin, Sami K. (December 4, 2014). "'VeggieTales in the House' Co-Creator Tells History of Popular Series". The Muslim Post. Retrieved January 22, 2017.
  29. ↑ "Veggietales in the House (Season 3, Episode 1)". British Board of Film Classification. Retrieved January 22, 2017.
  30. ↑ Klett, Leah Marieann (September 24, 2015). "Exclusive: 'VeggieTales in the House' Season 2 on Netflix Sneak Preview". The Gospel Herald. Retrieved January 22, 2017.
  31. ↑ Hartropp, Joseph (February 23, 2017). "Brand New VeggieTales Brings Godly Vegetables Back To Netflix: Exclusive Clips". christiantoday.com. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
  32. ↑ "VeggieTales in the City - Netflix Official Site". netflix.com.
  33. ↑ "TBN And Big Idea Content Group Partner To Produce All-New "VeggieTales" Episodes". TBN.com.
  34. ↑ "Phil Vischer on Twitter: "Correction - TBN is licensing VT from Universal... they didn't buy it. Bob and Larry still live with Shrek and Donkey and Minions. BUT... TBN is producing new eps and Mike and I are writing!"". Twitter.
  35. ↑ VeggieTales Official (April 24, 2019), VeggieTales is Back: Brand New VeggieTales Show Trailer, archived from the original on November 13, 2021, retrieved April 25, 2019
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  37. ↑ "New VeggieTales – Minno Kids". www.gominno.com. Retrieved July 14, 2023.
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  40. ↑ "The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything: A VeggieTales Movie". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Retrieved August 18, 2019.
  41. ↑ "New VeggieTales Feature Film Announced for 2026" (Press release). Jesus Freak Hideout. February 5, 2024.
  42. ↑ Klett, Leah MarieAnn (February 6, 2024). "VeggieTales' cucumber star LarryBoy to get his own faith-based feature film in 2026". Christian Post . Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  43. ↑ "What Happened to Big Idea? (Part 1) - Phil Vischer - Official Blog of VeggieTales Creator". Phil Vischer. November 15, 2004. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
  44. 1 2 Hertz, Todd (January 8, 2008). "The More You Preach, the Fewer You Reach". ChristianityToday.com. Retrieved March 16, 2019.
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  46. ↑ Hettrick, Scott (July 18, 2001). "'VeggieTales' hit the stage". Variety. Retrieved October 16, 2017.
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  49. 1 2 "Veggie Tales Headed for CD-ROM". hive4media.com . February 19, 2002. Archived from the original on March 5, 2002. Retrieved September 21, 2019.
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  52. ↑ "Veggie Tales Creativity City (PC Game): Video Games". Amazon. Retrieved January 22, 2014.
  53. ↑ "Veggie Tales: Minnesota Cuke and the Coconut Apes (Jewel Case): Video Games". Amazon. Retrieved January 22, 2014.
  54. ↑ ValuSoft (August 13, 2008). "Veggie Tales Super Silly Fun! Cd-rom: Video Games". Amazon. Retrieved January 22, 2014.
  55. ↑ "Bigideas's Veggietales Dance Dance Dance Dance Pad Game: Video Games". Amazon. Retrieved April 27, 2019.
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  61. ↑ "Watch and Find – VeggieTales Games and Video Clips – A Fingerprint Network App on the App Store on iTunes". iTunes Store. December 7, 2013. Retrieved January 22, 2014.
  62. ↑ Veggie Tales - Larry's Missing Music, December 17, 2012, retrieved July 7, 2023
  63. ↑ Veggie Tales-Thanks for the Franks, December 17, 2012, retrieved July 7, 2023
  64. ↑ Scribble My VeggieTales Story - A Step-by-Story App by Fingerprint, April 23, 2013, retrieved July 7, 2023
  65. ↑ "Veggie Tales: It's a Very Merry Larry ChristmasCupcake Digital". March 19, 2015. Archived from the original on March 19, 2015. Retrieved July 7, 2023.
  66. ↑ "VeggieTales Animated Devotional by DreamWorks Animation S.K.G." AppAdvice. Retrieved July 7, 2023.
  67. ↑ "VeggieTales Fisher-Price Pamphlet (2000) : Big Idea Productions, Fisher-Price : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming". Internet Archive. Retrieved July 7, 2023.
  68. ↑ "Big Idea Grows VeggieTales Brand". License! Global. February 10, 2011. Retrieved October 9, 2011.
  69. ↑ B&H Kids (June 2, 2014). "B&H Kids and VeggieTales Team to Create New Line of Comic Books" (Press release). B&H Publishing Group. Retrieved January 22, 2017.
  70. ↑ Very Veggie Silly Stories Podcast Trailer, May 17, 2022, retrieved July 7, 2023
  71. ↑ "Bob the Tomato and Larry the Cucumber Voices Recast in New VeggieTales Podcast". May 18, 2022.
  72. ↑ "Introducing the Next Chapter of VeggieTales Fun!". Trinity Broadcasting Network | TBN.org. Retrieved July 7, 2023.
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  74. 1 2 3 4 "46th Annual Annie Awards". annieawards.org. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
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  80. ↑ Vischer, Phil (2008). Me, myself, & Bob : a true story about God, dreams, and talking vegetables. T. Nelson. ISBN   9781595551221. OCLC   799058621.
  81. ↑ Miller, Lisa (September 1, 1998). "They Look Ripe for Stardom: Christian Videos of Cartoon Cukes". The Wall Street Journal. ISSN   0099-9660. Archived from the original on October 21, 2019. Retrieved August 8, 2019.
  82. ↑ "Jonah – A VeggieTales Movie (2002)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved December 27, 2013.
  83. ↑ "The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything: A VeggieTales Movie". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
  84. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Past Winners | The 49th Annual GMA Dove Awards" . Retrieved March 17, 2019.
  85. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Parents' Choice Advanced Search". parents-choice.org. Retrieved March 18, 2019.
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  87. ↑ VeggieTales in the House - IMDb , retrieved March 17, 2019
  88. ↑ "Mike Nawrocki – Chief Creative – Mike Nawrocki Creative, LLC | LinkedIn" . Retrieved July 1, 2018.
  89. ↑ Montgomery, Daniel (April 28, 2018). "2018 Daytime Emmy winners: Full list of Creative Arts Awards winners and nominees". GoldDerby. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
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