Halloween: The Loud House: Close Encounters of the Nerd Kind

Halloween 

           Lincoln and his friends are  going together for "tricks or treats" (we use Peanuts lingo around here)  as a unified costume theme from an old movie they've been watching called  "Planet Protection Patrol" which I'm sure will not come into play at all in this 44 minute long episode, nope. ---Fast forwards----well never mind. 

        The Loud sisters have another haunted house has part of their traditions, but it's not scary. Honestly, the real Mr. Coconuts is scarier than Luan wearing a mask of him.  It's so no scary, that a five-year-old girl , Darcy, wasn't scared by it, it's so not scary that it made Charlie Brown actually want to get rocks, it's not scary that Jack Skellington decided to quit being the king of Halloween of disgust. (Doing this long joke huh?) 

       Clyde, Zach, Rusty, Stella, and Liam show up all of them also dressed up their costumes. Oh yeah Lincoln is commander because he's the leader. [ Also minus 1pt for that you know what that was] The Planet Protection Patrol is supposed to be some parody of  I guess "Star Trek" maybe? I don't know, but also has a tree character because uhh I don't know. The Loud sisters lurk in the background as they think the group is acting too "geeky" or something. My question is where have they been? Have they've never seen these people before ever.  Also are Zach's parents right?  Is Halloween a conspiracy by big candy? Then again, it might be a conspiracy by both big candy , dentists, and Disney.  [That last one isn't even a joke ] (you learn things in this post)  

              Zach has brought weapons that apparently his parents built and actually work.  Is this how the Gurdles make their money? I'm sure these also will not come into play in the plot at all, nope. (don't do this twice) While Lynn's backhanded concern is nice, does she know that people dress in all sorts of costumes on Halloween? If anything any bullies coming by would really be trying anyone just to get the candy, that's why someone would bully on Halloween. (probably)   

          There's a trick or treat scene , then Chandler and Trent show up to be a fake scare out. (cat jump scare would be more purrfect)  Do they serve a purpose? Yes, they are there to get the plot. One of the devices Zach brought was  a communicator that can broadcast to space. Now, this thing will actually work, get that out here now. But (big but), Since thing works, why did it work here?  Has it done any communicating before? Why did Zach bring this, it's not even a weapon? He did promise his parents not to turn it on, but why that thing? Besides plot. Chandler decides to mess with the thing and sends a message to random aliens.  Then two girls see something strange hovering and run. Hmm.... 

        

          The group goes to see Sheryl and Meryl for candy, but they aren't there, which is strange. They don't seem to mind too much, as they take some candy and leave. Liam also eats some lemon gelatin. [I'm mentioning this for later effect]  

      [end of part One] 

                Flip's is open.  I don't know why anyone would go to Flip's for free candy, Flip for free don't match. (I don't why anyone goes there anyway) .  This scene mostly exists so Flip can get abducted.  I will say this episode is really good at setting up the mystery of what's going on and we don't see the figures that take Flip. The group shows up and notices that Flip isn't there it's strange. They grab his candy which is older  than American politicians by a few years.  I'm sure that candy will not come into play later. 

            Lincoln feels something is off, but he's not sure why.  There's more of that yellow stuff from before. They see Trent and that's to Clyde staying on character  he wants to help and wonders where Chandler is. Chandler has also disappeared.  Also random interrupting Mrs. Bernardo.  Also she's littering.  Randomly there for some reason. 

             They find Trent's boots but no Trent.  There's also the same yellow stuff that was found at Flips and the stuff Liam ate. Great, Liam is going to die. Zach does a quick test and the yellow stuff is alien.  Rita calls and says she needs Lincoln to come home, Lucy needs someone to play a "dead body". Lincoln warns them about aliens but they don't believe him. Then they get abducted.  And that's the Louds out of the way for awhile. 

            

         [End of Part 2]

         The group goes to the police, but *spins wheel* they don't believe them. Kind of sad we didn't get a Zach's parents part to come in they would have loved this.  [minus 0.1 pts]  The aliens return Flip, because they have taste. (And they needed someone for plot exposition)   [minus 0.1pts for underwear Flip]  The aliens are looking for one more human, thankfully it has to be a frequent character and thankfully they can use one who is voiced by the same person as Flip.  

            The group stops at Mr. Grouse's house to see the alien.  We get to see the alien design, the yellow stuff, is the clue... also Liam ate that...  it's an alright design. Nothing that really stands out with it. Also apparently, alien rays are weak towards metal trash cans. They try and take down an alien.  I like how the alien has the power to use anything broken off from it to still attack. Also, never do a celebrate it's premature and yeah.

        Lincoln gives up his shield and helps Clyde, but then he gets zapped away.  There's only a brief bit of mourning as a fun part comes up.  Zach decides there's something that can be done. I do think this turnaround was a little too fast. I think there should have been a slightly longer mourn then Zach gets the idea and brings in the optimism. Only a small pick though. 

        Zach's parents made a teleportation device, randomly for this plot. Also, they are somewhat on par with being as smart as Lisa.  The alien spaceship looks like a CD player.  Also they transport to the space ship in the photo booth thing. The group starts fighting the aliens. Some one (sickos) might complain that this is just children beating up aliens  and wondering hmmm... as if that's not something done in any movie ever when it's been done many times in movies and shows. So yeah, have some fun.  [minus 0.1pts for the elevator having music, that's a dead joke let it go] 

             We see all the people who've been abducted and somehow everyone is able to breath and talk normally in this liquid.  Chandler still can be insulting while trapped as a prisoner. Also Lola can be mean while still trapped as prisoner. (I'd leave)  They are trying their best, Lola, you allowed yourself to get abducted so... yeah. With everyone free the ship is starting to crash because they were being used as batteries. What?  

            [end of part three] 

            Lincoln is going to use the movie to trave a spaceship because... sure alright.  If that part bothers you, why aren't you bothered about the part where Liam ate some alien goo, why aren't you concerned?! The plan to land is now to use the Loud House front yard which has a giant spider web  to stop it, don't question it, there's aliens and a waffle phone. 

         The family apologizes for making fun of Lincoln and his friends earlier, I guess that was a thing.  Oh the aliens easily could have explained this earlier able to talk , they could have easily just explained things earlier.  Also, Chandler's call comes back to haunt him. (Idiot)  Also the reason was , again, human batteries. [It's true though] The aliens accept their fate, and want to get vaporized, but sadly, this show doesn't have that kind of rating so they get forgiven and Lisa finds a way to help the fly back home without human power but first they have to work at the haunted house. (Still choosing death)  Why does Darcy re-show up? Is she greedy?   

          I really loved some of the background music used in this. It has the electronic synth sound like it's Stranger Things  or an 80's kids adventure film where the it's real PG and kid gets to say one swear word, sadly not here in this episode. It fit the vibe of the special having some of that feeling.  It was really a fun aspect of the special, also fitting in an almost cinematic feel and the music was really a good touch to it. 

              I liked the Halloween evening setting it felt very eerie and daunting.  There was a good mixture of color as well to balance it out. I liked the character costume designs as well.  The pacing was generally good, though there are some things that I think going a little slower on would have been better, but nothing too bad. I think the first 3/4ths were the strongest. 

        Though, the alien bit was a little weak,  as they seemingly yes, were easily defeated, but there's only so much that could be done with a show with this rating. The alien motive was slightly done and seemingly could have been handled better by them talking in  the first place instead of snatching people.  The  haunted house part was unnecessary, overall, as it only seemed to exist to later have the aliens do a job I guess as TV-Y7 payback for kidnapping them. Otherwise, it wasn't much to that part of the plot. 

         I don't mind that the Loud family, beyond Lincoln, were sidelined. The friends put on a strong performance. I think Zach should have had a larger lead role than he got, because aliens are his thing. The show should be a little more confident in him to use him that way.  I am glad he did get a part. Mrs Bernardo's part really served nothing but to be funny, I guess. The opening establishment part was a little weak, but not bad. That's the only weaknesses I found to this episode.  

       Overall, the length of time was well used, and story beats were clean and well done. I liked how it didn't drag things out. The only conflict was the aliens and that kept it easy and not too over done with unnecessary stuff. I really liked how it kept the aliens unknown for a large chunk and set the atmosphere well. The episode doesn't go for the normal traditional Halloween horror of things like vampires, ghosts, monsters, or zombies; that's fine to a point. This show-yes this show- has done things with ghosts, zombies, possibly monsters, and fake vampires, so might as well not draw from that well. The idea of being abducted by other worldly beings can be horror too.  This also gives the episode a little stronger rerun ,not holiday value, and if The Simpsons can do Halloween with aliens than so can "The Loud House" 

         I think this was a really fun episode, the most fun in a long while.  I think there's  a lot of fun to this episode. I think a real problem for the episode is comparing it to the rest of the series, as it does go wacky and bring in real aliens. I think it slightly has worked better here than their past strange effort of trying to bring in non realistic things.  The execution works here since it's an interesting story and beats well versus it going weird or losing steam, or trying to force something supernatural in a plot that didn't need it.  Would the episode have been as fun as if the aliens weren't real?  Probably not.  I'm glad they aren't trying to force the show into doing episodes with lesson beats all the time now. 

       It was a fun episode. I give it (calculating) 8.4/10.   That's it for now, tune in next time when we find out that Zach and his family are aliens. 

One Shot Posts: As Told By Ginger Does a Death

Nickelodeon   One Shot Posts

 

        As Told By Ginger  has got to be one of my personal top favorite Nicktoon series, and Nickelodeon overall. Not number 1, but not below number 5 either. It's an interesting cartoon that ran from well that's kind of iffy in how it broadcast but it did kick off in the year 2000. It's a great series created by  Emily Kapnek and yes done by the animation studio Klasky Csupó, and the animation style probably filtered the weak out from a great show.  

     I'm not going to be writing about the whole show here, I'm instead taking a look at one episode. This one is called "Carl and Maude" it's the second episode of the entire series.  As Told By Ginger was slightly different than many other animated shows in a few ways. It offered a realism its world-even characters change clothes- the show has funny moments, but it's not a full 100% comedy series. The characters age, and the show holds a continuity and can be kind of considered somewhat story driven in the sense that episodes are driven more by their story and that a plot might not even finish in one episode.  It also would be hard to take a random episode of the show and talk about it since so many key points might have come before it. With episode 2 , it's not too far in.

         This is also where even episode 2 has stuff that carries over from episode 1 where Ginger and her friends Jodie and Macie, have to go to the retirement home to do community service because they stole a sign from the bank. Ginger's younger brother, Carl, is there with them - he didn't do anything with the sign; she just has to watch him. 

 

                                  Don't forget to spay and neuter ...wait a minute/ Copyright Paramount
 

           Episode 2 taking something from episode 1 where the trio ended up getting in trouble for stealing a sign carried over here is an example of how this show was different to other cartoon shows on Nickelodeon and other cartoons on other networks.  It didn't end up as an off thing where they contained it into one episode.  This will be important for this episode too. 

         There's an older woman named Maude that Carl hears about it and finds here fascinating.  He's a mischievous person himself.  He and her quickly hit it off and become good friends, which is sweet in its own gross way. 

        Ginger's plot isn't about her working at the retirement home, it's actually about Courtney Gripling deciding to invite herself over to Ginger's house for dinner.  Courtney Gripling is a girl in school, the popular rich one. In fact, the reason Ginger stole a sign in the first place was to impress Courtney. She ended up falling into a trap set by Courtney's friend Miranda. Courtney is a great character, she takes an interest in Ginger , even though they aren't the same "social class" or  income class. It's something different from other shows. 

                                        The cordless home phone was the status symbol / Copyright Paramount
 

        Anyway, Courtney has decided to the fun thing of inviting herself to Ginger's house for dinner, which is a bold step. Ginger wants to make her home look cool enough for Courtney and wants the dinner to go well. which would mean uh-oh.  Carl has decided to invite Maude for dinner.  

      

   More after the jump 

Rugrats: This episode is just called Baseball

Rugrats

         Season 1 "Rugrats" is a strange beast and really was it's own thing to what the show would do in peak seasons 2 and 3.  One of the episode formats that seemed to die after season 1 was the ones where Tommy would be somewhere, go off on his own and random stuff just happens. Tommy goes to a restaurant, causes chaos, nobody notices and then he goes home.  Tommy goes inside a mail bag causes chaos at  the post office then goes home,  Grandpa Lou takes Tommy to the grocery store, Tommy has a goal to get Reptar cereal, causes havoc and leaves with the cereal.  That kind of goes away after season 1.  

                As I want to write about a baseball theme at the start of baseball season (when this is being published) I  wanted to write about  season 1, Episode 5b : Baseball. I like the title, it's simple, snappy, easy on eyes.  I will write about it's more famous partner episode in the future. This episode aired on September 8, 1991. 

            I do love how Rugrats episodes could start with something looks totally like something else then becomes what it really is. A pretty much small example of how the show was about imagination of the babies as they saw the world then the world itself being shown.  Also that Tommy's toy boat is a Gillian's Island reference. Grandpa Loud is listening to K-OLD radio, because old people like radio or something.  He wins a phone in radio contest with the best question I've ever heard. The prize is tickets to a baseball game.  He's going to take Tommy and Stu to the game. 

          Because of the episode's format and like many season 1 episodes, it's very simple in what it's doing.  I do wonder if Lou and or Stu decided to buy Tommy teamwear, or they already had that stuff. Tommy has a balloon with the team mascot on it, and he's not interested in the sport of baseball.  (Darn youth of Today, focused on their fancy balloons instead of baseball, sad)  He saves it from floating away. That was once just to make sure that the episode is messing with us.  

         There's also the baseball from the radio contest named Bucky Majors. He has heavy bats , this is to show that he's either very strong or pumped full of steroids, it is 1991. He also batted hard enough to shred a baseball. Tommy's balloon ,this time does float away and Tommy has one mission.  I do like the timing of the baseball announcer with the balloon. Tommy goes to see the mascot, maybe he has a new balloon and ends up on the baseball field. Stu and Lou are distracted and think a stuffed bear is Tommy. (Typical) 

         He ends up in a popcorn thing and funny enough the man doesn't notice his thing is heavier. I do admire that they didn't so a silly score on the baseball game and kept it 1-0 through before the 9th inning.  Tommy's balloon apparently doesn't want to go in the sky so he's able to follow it around and not really being noticed. If Tommy was a spy he could take 3 governments in a day. Stu and Lou fell asleep and were awakened by Tommy pressing an organ's peddle. 

          Didi comes home and she gets the note that the guy are the game, to turn on Channel 2 to see the game to hope to see them in the stands.  Well she gets a different viewing as Tommy grabs his balloon but then falls, he ditches the balloon for the baseball that was hit and Bucky Majors ends up catching a baby and a ball. (It's out!)  Didi faints. Stu and Lou realize that the baby he caught was Tommy. Spike has my favorite reaction to seeing Tommy, he licks the TV screen. Then it ends with press stuff and Lou talking to Bucky about real baseball and stuff. 

            This episode doesn't have much Tommy talking, it's very light on him saying anything. He says bear alot, some mutterings, some woah, and ahs, but nothing really being said from him. He doesn't even say balloon.  He also doesn't go around and unintentionally mess up anything this episode either. The only real chaotic thing was walking on the peddles. The biggest thing in the episode is Tommy falling from the sky and thankfully being caught. 

It's OUT!  Copyright Paramount

          I do like the depiction of a baseball game here. There's the announcers who do seem to have to find ways to fill time, but aren't really there for the show to make any out loud funny jokes. I do like their interaction and slight awkwardness. Bucky Majors is a straight forward baseball player, but he does seem humble if only slightly exaggerated.   The idea of a baseball game going innings without a run is a thing that happens. That is pretty fun.  

        Stu and Lou really only lose attention of Tommy because they assumed he was still there, but they kind of forgot he had a bear with him? Where'd they think the bear went?  Later they fell asleep at the game, so yeah. There's actually not a lot of Stu and Lou talking this episode either.  Lou gets the most lines, but yeah our main characters don't talk much here. The best part was when they wake up and Stu asks questions and Lou's reaction.  It's a very watch and look at it episode to see stuff. Tommy and Spike's connection is shown at the start in the bath and later at the end where Spike likes the TV. Didi faints he's like hey it's Tommy and likes the TV. I also liked when Didi comes home he was rolling around on the floor waiting for Tommy to return. 

            It's a fun, simple episode.  They made a light plot work very well here, and it's a fun baseball episode.   

        That's it for now, tune in next time when we try to reenact this episode, hmmm going to be hard. 

                

        

Oh Yeah! Cartoons : #36: Hobart

Nickelodeon 

Previously, too age old enemies  continue their fight [here] 

#36.1  Hobart: The Weedkeeper

Season 1, Episode 3c

        Hobart  is another two short series, so I will be covering both in this post.  This also happens to be another  Bill Burnett affair this time co-made with Greg Emison whom you also will remember worked together in  Jelly's Day   . So these two seem to be pitching machines. (Can they play for the Rockies?) Anyway, let's start with "Hobart: The WeedKeeper" 

                 Hobart is voiced by John Kassir who has a very long list of voicing credits He was the voice of the Cryptkeeper in the HBO series. For Nickelodeon he was Winston on "As Told by Ginger", Ray on "Rocket Power" and again he does alot.  

             Hobart is going to his girlfriend, Okra's, place to give her a puppy as a gift. So that she won't have to walk her toaster anymore. If that doesn't tell you what kind of short you're getting then nothing else will. Also, Hobart does kind of look like an adult Eugene from "Hey Arnold". He tries to put a ribbon the pup, but the dog wants to play and then flushes himself down the toilet. Then Hobart jumps down to help save the dog.  

            We meet the weedkeeper and who really wants a puppy and guess what falls on him? (a hamster?)  The puppy falls down on him  and he's happy, but then  Hobart falls on him.  They get into a fight over the puppy as he gets away. This cause the two of them to go on the chase.  

  

             The Weedkeeper has some interesting tools  and ends up being able to cage the puppy but has to work to capture the dog, but Hobart stops him and ends up chasing the dog.   Eventually he's able to give his girlfriend the puppy and she punctuates  the ending asking where do you put the toast. 

 More after the jump 

Oh Yeah! Cartoons! #35: Cat & Milk-Man

Nickelodeon 

         Previously, a company that gets it's kicks from taking down villains [here] 

#35 Cat & Milk-Man

Season 1, Episode 2c

            Cat and Milk-Man is a short created by Miles Thompson.  We've covered another work by him in Oh Yeah! Cartoons before.  This would be the first short that he did that came out for this series. 

        This one goes for a classic cartoon thing of having two different things against each other like Bugs vs. Daffy,   Tom vs. Jerry, etc. so is cat vs. a milk man fitting and interesting?   I do have to knock something off with this short, as yeah cats shouldn't be drinking milk, especially cow's milk. It's some weird thing that seem/s/ed to exist in cartoons especially.  I will not be taking it to seriously here though , just like to point that out at times when I need too.  

            Anyway, a cat who I guess is called Cat is looking for food in a trash can and throws a lid that causes a milkman who I guess is called Milk-Man to crash.  The cat sees the milk and wants some but the Milk-Man  doesn't want to give him any.  He goes on his route and gets loved on by an old lady and leaves, but Cat shows up to take her milk and he helps her.  Again I think most of this could be avoided if he gave the cat some milk. (He doesn't negotiate with terrorists) 

   

             He goes to the next house and give a military man some milk and Cat shows up again and the cat makes the man mad because he caused him to wet the flag.  You can guess where this cartoon short goes where it's pretty much Milk-Man does his thing, Cat shows up to try and take the milk and things go south.    Eventually, Cat takes Milk-Man's truck. and more chaos ensues. 

              Milk-Man gets squished and ends up in the hospital, and apparently his mother's name is Mrs. Milk-Man (family name power) and she's told he might not make it.  He runs away when he sees the cat though, because sure. 

             Very simple mostly goofy cartoon where most of the action is gag based and pretty much at Tom and Jerry like action of two characters going head to head to fight each other.   Though, the idea of him getting crushed and injured  was the darkest part but ends with him being able to run in a full body cast, so the short knows what humor it wants.  You can tell by the animation style and story that it was inspired by old time cartoons, there's even a Popeye like reference, but kind of constrained by it being 1998 and can't go as off the wall as it could have with some violence or something.   I do like the animation style and character designs are nice, 

         Do I think this could have been a full series, not for 1990's early 2000's. I think the full gag type cartoons were kind of not in the wanting at the time and I think in this mode it would have had a harder time.  I can see why a network didn't pick this up. This doesn't mean I think it's bad, because it could have been a series of shorts and would have worked, but it was just not the right time period.  

  That's it for now, tune in next time when ... why is there cat pointing a...  

Oh Yeah! Cartoons! #34: APEX Cartoon Props & Novelties

Nickelodeon 

            Previously,  Losing your brain is a difficult thing to deal with, find out how to get it treated [HERE] 

  #34 APEX Cartoon Props & Novelties

Season 1, Episode 7a

           We have a cartoon created Larry Huber, whose other project he co-worked on "ChalkZone" was the lucky one to get a few shorts and a full series.  Let's take a look at a solo work he did. 

            You know the Acme company that supplies Will-e Coyote with his stuff that doesn't seem to work out for him?  This is a short about a company like that called as the title says APEX Cartoon Props & Novelties, which helps cartoon characters get rid of villains that bother them.  A fox and opossum are cartoon villains who don't like the company.  They decide to go on a tour to stop the company. 

            What is funny is the things the company makes that takes all the stuff you've seen in cartoons like the fake wall that characters run into, it even does the joke of how sometimes one can run into one too. Then some gag doors, getting runover by a train.  There's lots of anvils. 

            The fox and opossum don't have the best time a and then even get exploded.  I will say that this one doesn't have a lot to write about of what's going on, it's more an endless amount of classic cartoon gags all stuffed together in a short amount of time. It's things you'd see in classic cartoons though slightly toned down because 90's.  The main characters are not really interesting even as villains there's not much to them. It's not really anything too funny either.  

             The concept of a store that helps characters with villains and pests is an interesting one and could make for an interesting series. Here it was more like a cartoon commercial with some gags thrown in then even a looped back around start.  It's not a strong short, not awful though.    

        That's it for now, tune in next time, when we send a package to some road runner. 

Oh Yeah! Cartoons: #33: Max (a double bill)

Nickelodeon 

Previously,  A monster can really cook [Here] 

#33.1 Max and His Special Problem 

Season 1, episode 5a 

          Max has a pair of shorts and that means  I will be covering both.  This was created by Dave Wasson , whom you might know if you know about Time Squad. He also worked on The Buzz on Maggie.  This short about Max won him an Emmy. 

            So what is Max's special problem?  He works in a office space and doesn't seem to the most productive worker.  He also has comically large pencils. Anyway, he sneezes and sneezes so hard his brain has popped out. I like how his reaction is that "uh-oh".  Max's boss seems to understand some what and has him take care of it.  There's some dark moments int his too, like touching his brain hurts him, and I think he killed a guy with a pencil.  

            He goes to the doctor to get this taken care of, but then leaves his brain on top of a taxi which drives off then a dog takes it around town. (Dog takes a guy's brain for a walk, interesting) Thankfully Max finds his brain in a shop and goes to the doctor's office.  He now has to sign dreaded forms. This surgery has an audience to see this amazing marvel. The surgeons do some math and tic-tac-toe to figure out his payment. (this really something about our society) They find the best way to get the brain in there is to have have him un-sneeze it back into his head.  Back to normal day and this time he's able to keep his brain in his head when he sneezes, but burps his heart instead. 

             This short is very sound induced.  Only a few lines are spoken, so it's very much carried by sounds including the music and Max making screams, grunts, etc. It's an interesting direction that gives this short a distinctness to it.  The music itself is very jazzy. The montage of Max's brain being carried by a dog, being fed to by a kid, doing poetry, and being punched has a nice score.  The other sounds work to fill in the space like the sound of a pencil being taken out of a guys' head going 'pop' , the lights turning on in the operating theater. How the surgeons dampen the sounds. 

            The running gag of the guy that got an errant pencil stuck in his head shows up twice it's a nice carry over to connect back to Max.  There are little things that are fun to notice in rewatching. Pretty fun short and it was a very special problem indeed. 

More after the jump 

Halloween: A Really Haunted Loud House

Halloween  

        Back in 2021, I wrote about a live-action Christmas movie adaptation of  The Loud House series. I thought it was really enjoyable and pretty good.  At the end of that post I wrote,   " I think I'd like to see them make more Loud House live-action stuff."  Well they did, they made a live-action series under the name "The Really Loud House"  Which began in November 2022. Now, we're back here with a different holiday movie, for Halloween and from 2023, it's  A Really Haunted Loud House 

        This movie starts the day before Halloween with Lincoln and Clyde planning out their Halloween tricks or treats plans. [ I speak in the language of Peanuts]  This movie has lot of stuff thrown at the viewer to set up but it uses it ALL later, everything in first part is used later for the rest of the movie.  The family has made their house really spooky and ready for Halloween. Something from the animated series them multiplied by 100.   

Big Spider/ Copyright Paramount 

         The details in the movie are things like Lisa has grown a giant pumpkin named Esmeralda, that she seemingly had  been talking to so much that she's grown (heh) attached to it.  It's also nice to see it more than just Lucy putting together the house celebration. They also do a nice twist on Lucy doing a scare, and even having Lynn trying to take the role is fitting because she's competitive. 

          Rita has been in control of candy. Lynn Sr. has been so bothered by Lynn Jr.'s scaring is that he's beginning to lose it. There's a Lana candy shooter, Luan made a giant Franken-Coconuts.   There's a dentist appointment scene, this also fits into the plot to move it along. Even Lynn Jr's scaring thing comes to play when she accidently scares the nurse and causes the nurse to inject the dentist with Novocain.  Lisa is able to finish the stuff and tells everyone they have tons of cavities. 

You are the weakest link/ Copyright Paramount 

        That's when Lincoln gets to introduce us to Xander,. Who's Xander? (Who is Xander, I need to know!) Xander is a character they made up for this movie. (oh) He seems to be new but has gained popularity because *checks notes* plot reasons.  He seems to be one of those internet influencer kids, because that's  how you do fellow kids? 

Join our coat gang, we wear coats even in summer/ copyright Paramount 

            Xander Cottington (no offence to the real  Xanders out there) is having a party. (I  should have read what he was going to write, oh well, Xander is cool name) Lincoln wants to go instead of tricks or treats.  Clyde thinks he's gone mad, and tries to change his mind with Ace Savvy  costumes. Then Lincoln tells him that he spoke to Xander.   Since Lincoln took the idea that they are too old to trick or treat seriously.  Then Xander shows up and invites Lincoln and Clyde.  Whatever they paid the kid playing Xander, it wasn't enough to make him say "Hashtag" in a sentence,  I don't think kids speak like that. 

One Shot Posts: Hey Arnold: Heat/Snow

One Shot Posts  The Flashback  Nickelodeon 

          Here we are it's summer time, and it's hot? I'm writing this post in advance I'm going to assume it's hot, maybe it's not... eh anyway, I've decided to write about two Hey Arnold episodes that ended up being together like perfect contrast to complete each other, opposites attract, like the kid who wears shorts in the winter and kid wearing a coat in the summer falling in love.  (Coming to Disney Channel)   This is an episode set from  Hey Arnold from the very first season , the 6th episode combo. Funny enough it aired in fall 1996, no fall vs spring war though. 

           Starting with Heat, because that's the first. I'm not fan hot weather, myself, more of a cold fan. But heat, like extremely hot days, and even more if they are in a wave (3 or more days in a row of above 90) can be exhausting and annoying. That's kind of what Arnold is going through, he was dreaming of climbing up ice cream for the coolness only to wake up in his bleak hot air world.  I like how the episode, and how Hey Arnold in general sets up things and this one is really laying on how hot it is. It's apparently 106 degrees (or 41.1 C)  the city has an orange glow, miserable people and people doing strange things to find cool relief. 

           It does kind  of lay on thick, how hot and how annoying the heat has pretty much drove people mad. Arnold and Gerald do things that typically fit hot/summer moments, where the two of them try to turn  a fire hydrant on (don't do this yourself) for the water, they try a cool move theater which is apparently playing ironic movies.  They quit because of the line, then they go to the pool where it's crowded and pool's not even cold. Even Arnold starts to lose it. 

            The ice cream man has decided to price gouge his ice cream because of the heat.  (Though in current times, Ice cream truck wouldn't have any thing for 78 cents either) A hot, tired, and annoyed Arnold decides to tell off the guy and starts a riot. (I hate when that happens)  To be more exact, his words start  a chant and Helga starts the riot.  Arnold feels regret that he kind of caused this.  Though I do like how the episode doesn't play a moral black and white  where it's someone right and wrong, both sides were wrong here, but at least Arnold feels regret.  It's a good showing of heat driving people mad, and that people kind of become unhinged under pressure. 

            Arnold decides to stop this mess before someone gets hurt or something (and before the truck gets tipped over)   That didn't work as the kids work to push the truck over again. Then it automatically starts to rain. (timing) Hope it's not humid.  

         This episode is simple and not really presenting a moral in a direct way. It's more showing we should control ourselves in a time of turmoil, but that'd be a little too much to read into an episode, that's only guess.  Very much  an episode to watch for the experience of what is going on, it descends into madness then cools itself down. 

         Now, for someone is a fan of cold weather and does appreciate snow a little time for the other episode to really cool things down.  I think snow in TV episodes are fun, but the hard part is a lot of shows save their snow for Christmas, which is funny to me because I'm from an area that has more snow on Halloween day than Christmas day.  I do like when it's snow and not a Christmas episode. 

      The music contrast between these episodes are pretty nice as well, where the show's normal jazz did come in to play in the first episode and here they have a little kind of "frosty" I can describe start music, as it shows up to Arnold's house. 

                This episode starts with Arnold , again comparing to the last segment, this one is  Arnold is happy about what he wakes up to see, the snowy day. This episode gives the charm of what a snowy day is in childhood as it's an amazing thing to see. He waits by the the radio hear the school closings and hopes his is closed, that urgent feeling of wanting a school closing for school day.  He makes a list of fun things he wants to do. It's also an interesting contrast showing how an adult like Grandpa Phil might feel about snow  as he sees it as more tedious and unnecessary. He makes his own list of practical things he wants to do for the day.   This will play well into the episode. 

            Grandpa has Arnold doing things like shoveling the snow, which isn't fun for Arnold, or me, or the snow. (or really anyone)  It's also fun to see the other kids, and other people in the city doing snow activities as well.  The episode shows a good contrast between the freedom of childhood and things adults do in this case having to tend to snow issues. In some areas there are laws that sidewalks have to be cleared for snow, and a snowy sidewalk could be a hazard later on. (There are people who live in places where the day after it snows it doesn't go 50 degrees? ) The mailman still has to do his job of brining mail. (I like how he's in both episodes too)  

          I also think it did a good job of showing that Granpa wasn't being unreasonable  in a sense, since he keep his word that when they were finished shoveling Arnold could go play. Then of course other things show up, and again Grandpa does have things he has to do as the I guess landlord of a boarding house, to keep the renters happy. One can also feel for Arnold too, and even Grandpa does when he hears Arnold repeating his line about "no work ethic society"  and he remembers how he had some snow fun too as a younger person.  So he decides to let loose  a bit and allows some fun. He also sprays the street with water (Don't do this either) He made an ice rink and let's everyone have some fun. 

            This is a good one, probably a bit stronger than "Heat" just like how... edited...  and it presents a good idea of balance. There is some work that has to be done, but it also alright to add in some fun and  play. Grandpa got a little lost on that, but he did get to remember that and sometimes that happens, a generational disconnect.  

          Would have been funny if these segments took part a day apart, but nah. Anyway, I think these weather themed episodes were fun , I'm going to give "Snow" a little more in the lean , but I think both were good. I love how both segments feel I get the sense of the heat and how it uncomfortable it is and how Arnold is feeling drained from it. The other one I get the wintery feelings and see how much fun snow can be, though cartoon snow is always better than real snow in that it always seems light, easy to move and use, so hmmm.  

             That's it for now, tune in next time when the kid of the kid who wears shorts in the winter and the kid who wears a coat in the summer, wears shorts in the winter, and a coat in the summer, that's how DNA works.  

        

The Flashback: Rugrats Mother's Day

Rugrats   The Flashback 

            There really aren't that many Mother's Day themed specials, but at the same time it's not un common for a series to do an episode about the holiday. It's not  really a big let's gather around the TV holiday compared to what it really is for. (Same with Father's Day, which seems to have a harder time, in cases because of how TV is done in terms of seasons) 

             One hard of this holiday is those who don't have a mother for any such reason that arises. It can be hard, especially in terms if a mother has died.  There's a strangeness about that day for those in that situation. It especially can feel like a loneliness, but for a kid,  a lost parent is a big thing. That's probably why a lot of media - insert Disney joke about killing off the mom here- works that in such away.   

        So, let's talk about Rugrats. Again, I've said before this is one of my favorite animated series, and top Nicktoon. My favorite Rugrat character has always been Chuckie.  When you watch some of the first few seasons [ I have to clarify here that I'm talking about Rugrats and not Rugrats 2021, I'm not calling the original version Rugrats 1991, because no]  a viewer could notice that Chuckie didn't seem to have a mother character. It was him and his dad for the most part. It was never really addressed in the episodes. There's only an oft mention in season 1, when Didi says to Chuckie, his Mom and Dad will pick him up in the morning.  Chuckie's Dad, Chaz, works and that's the reason why Chuckie would be over at Tommy's house a lot more than even the twins, might have been the single father. 

            Rugrats ended in 1994, but the reruns were very popular and Nickelodeon decided "eh, let's bring it back" and there were two specials devoted to the holidays of Passover and Chanukah   In continuation this special is counted as part of season 4, a revival season of sorts.  Originally aired on May 6, 1997.  The episode is simply called "Mother's Day". 

            Rugrats being a show with babies/toddlers as main characters (Chuckie and Angelica would be more toddler, they toddle ;p ) it puts an interesting view on how they view the holiday. Angelica being Angelica is the one making her mother a gift. She's the one, like usual, who tells Tommy, Phil, and Lil  that it's Mother's Day and what the holiday is for. She's at least not lying to them this time.  

                This inspires them to want to give their own mothers some gifts. Rugrats being Rugrats, also gives the adults story arc and plot. Didi wants to take her mother out for a good day, Stu is trying to make an invention, which goes wrong, of course. (You have to love his quirks and Didi's patience) Which will later become a plot where Betty helps him by trying to train his robot to be a good mother.

  

        Chaz comes over to the Pickles' family home with Chuckie. He has something he wants to talk about something with Didi. He has a box of stuff that belong to Chuckie's mom and doesn't want Chuckie to find it. Chuckie goes to be with his friends and they tell him they are looking for gifts for Mother's Day, and mentions he doesn't have one. The way it's said by Christine Cavanaugh, the voice of Chuckie, really makes it impactful. It's said softly with confidence and you can also hear how it kind of breaks a bit. He also decides not to go looking for gifts with his friends, "it's for kids with moms." 

Copyright Paramount 

  

        That and it going back to Chaz seeing his usual awkward self, but can also see how he misses his late wife it's something else and can tell he doesn't want the stuff around because it makes him miss his wife. The episode doesn't say death outright, which is interesting, because this show had said it before, there's a whole episode where Chuckie (interesting) is sad a bug died, and it says death. But networks S&P are weird.

           It's a really emotional thing for this kind of show to do, it's not even laid on think or melodramatic, it just kind of feels oft from the show's normalcy but it's not being overly focused on it in some strange way that it works. [ I tear up]  The episode puts in levity and  fun, as well, like Stu is getting attacked by his robot. 

            Tommy, Phil, and Lil's search for Mother's Day gifts is sweet. Again, it's working with their young age as they try to find something around the house and yard that they think their mothers would like. It's also sweet where they have memories about their mother like Phil and Lil giving their Mom, their first laugh and Tommy first seeing his mom.  Chuckie says he doesn't remember much, but a scene he has in a dream.  "You can't give presents to dream." This special  does get to me, it always has, which is actually why  I've had this on the list to write about for years, but never did.  

Copyright Paramount 

         I like how the trio want to help Chuckie by finding him a mom, It's sweet and kind of funny at the same time. (And the plot of the second movie)  The suggestions are , again, fitting for them like Spike, the dog. (woof) Chuckie working along with it is kind of fun too.  (Lil pretending to be Chuckie's Mom is someone's fanfiction, you're going to leave this in when you post it, aren't you?) 

            It's kind of funny how much the episode lacked Angelia until she wonders what the babies are doing. Angelica decides to be Chuckie's "Mommy" (Uhhh) which since she's Angelica means she just wants something done for her. I mean, if she was going to really be his mom, she would be on the phone all the time, and then gives him almost anything he wants. I do feel bad for Chuckie, he was so happy that Angelica wanted to be his mom. It's thing the show does where the babies forget Angelica does things. 

I don't trust her/ copyright Paramount 

            She has him doing her work of making her Mother's day gift. (Grandma?)  She also renamed Chuckie, Blaine. (The heck?)  She's right Blaine is a TV name. No offense to people really named Blaine, you just live in TV Land... (after the Everybody Loves Raymond reruns)  I kind of feel bad for Chuckie because he's so happy.  It is kind of cute that Angelia acts her like mother a bit. 

        That goes south, because we can't have nice things, when she wants him to get a hat for her sculpture and  oops, because she changed her mind to a flower, and she wants one where a bee flies on it. Chuckie respects and fears the bee and really wants to get the flower, but his friends think its insane. They stand up for him and she uses fake guilt on him. Chuckie ticked off that be and then it flew into his mouth. That was something. 

Chuckie's war cry/ Copyright Peanuts 

            She decides to disown him. She throws the babies into a closet, for time out. Chuckie says doesn't deserve a mom. I love how his friends help him and they mention that Angelia sucked as a mom. (Our fact checkers say: true)  I also like how the friends  saying what a Mom is, helps him decided that his Dad is a good choice.  Chuckie's Dad of any of the parental figures on the show, I've always felt was the best of the parents on the show, he cares heavily about his son and even understands his fears. There's a whole episode where he tries to break into the Pickles' house when he wanted to be with Chuckie in a black out.  I do remember there being posts about the parents on this show being "bad parents" but that's never been my thought- maybe Angelica's sometimes.   Stu and Didi care for their son and later sons, they seem to be a new parenting couple and the mom uses books to help her, she wants to do the best, as an example. I mean, you kind of need the parents to not be hovering over the kids for the episodes to work anyway.  

            Chuckie and friends find the box Chaz had given to Didi to hide. (good work, Didi, didn't even try to put that somewhere) Chuckie finds a picture that's the lady from his dreams- his mother. He grabs the picture. I like how Angelica's  mom  appreciates her daughter's gift,  Didi's plot, remember she had a plot?, works out Everything culminates well.  

Oh great, you made dinner!/ Copyright Paramount 

             The episode then hits you. Chuckie runs over to his father and presents him the picture. There's a dead silence [sorry for the term here] even the music gives up. You see a smiling Chuckie presenting this picture to his father as a gift.  It even pans around the room a bit (also close that door, you're letting the angry bees who want Chuckie's blood for trying to eat their own in).  His father deflects it, because again you can see he's not wanting to talk about with Chuckie  and his own sadness comes into it. Chuckie thinks his father didn't like the gift.  

copyright Paramount

         This special presents everything well. Didi talks to Chaz and says maybe he should talk to Chuckie about the stuff in the box. I like the line of  missing her together. Chaz agrees and starts to talk to him about the stuff in the box.  The episode also implied she got some sort of sickness that probably caused her death.  There's a poem. This whole part of the special always gets to me.  

            The ending is also optimistic, Chuckie shows his friends' his backyard and telling them his mother is in the flowers, clouds, grass, sun, and wind.  It's a sweet ending. 

        It's a finely crafted special that Rugrats hit out of the park well. The idea that Mother's Day doesn't have to be over the top and grand, just a showing of appreciation and care is fine. Simple things are worth value. Charlotte loves the work Angelica put into her sculpture for her , doesn't care if it's broken. Didi' s mother loves being with her daughter and doesn't need fancy $80 mud. Stu didn't have to give his wife a fancy invention gift, she loves the simple flowers both her son and husband give. Betty's part where she tires to program the robot to be motherly, shows her dedication and how much work she loves being a mother. She loved their gift of a plunger. Chuckie realizes his Dad pretty much fills the a role of both a father and mother to him, and he loves his father. Then he and father have both lost someone close, and the last minutes are a well done thing. 

            It can be a hard time for those who might not have a mother to share it with, for any reason. For those that do, don't sweat it, the simple things and just showing love and care is good.  This is a great episode of Rugrats. Even if it goes off the model of the imagination of other episode[meaning, where the Rugrats pretend something is something else] and uses it's groundedness well.  I can't help but tear up watching this episode, and it's not even melodramatic, and I think that's why it works. 

        It was nominated for an Emmy though it lost to "The Simpsons" , but  (big but) this episode should have won.  It's a great episode from a great series.  Mother's Day, the episode, is the idea of relationships that can be had with a mother and shows that some don't have that. Chuckie realizing that his father does everything for him was a good showing in how he has something to appreciate even if his mother is gone.  It can be a hard holiday for some,  for any reason, but it's also good to be able to value in the simplest ways. It also shows that losing someone special is hard and getting those thoughts out can be hard. It's something you don't see much in these kind of shows, but glad they did it.   

   

        That's it for now.  Happy Mother's Day. 

One Shot Posts: Rugrats: Cuffed/ The Blizzard

One Shot Posts  Rugrats Nickelodeon 

            This time in One Shot Post: Rugrats again.  We dip into a pair of season 3 segments from episode 12.  Season 3 was the last season of Rugrats, back when Nickelodeon was using the syndication model amount and really only needed 65 episodes. Rugrats would be the only of the first three Nicktoons to come back... on Nickelodeon...  that's right I stopped you from saying what about...?  Season 3 of the Rugrats was pretty strong  had some really memorable episodes. 

           I picked this one because well I like it, and this pairing happens to be one of my favorites of the series.  This episode aired on December 12, 1993. Let's get started.

    Cuffed 

         My favorite Rugrat is Chuckie Finster, but even going beyond that I like how this episode really only has two characters being Chuckie and Angelica, besides having Drew there, but from the main younger cast it's just those two. That's more unusual. Chuckie appearing without Tommy is even more rare. It makes for a tight and interesting story. 

         Drew is wrapping up gifts for poor kids in the orphanage because Rugrats apparently takes place with orphanages around. Unless they still exist and I'm the confused one, leave me alone.  Anyway, Angelica sees some toy handcuffs and wants them. (Drew is some random kids without parents, handcuffs, what'd he mean by that?)  He says no.  Also Chuckie is coming later and Angelia is annoyed because she called him boring, and Drew says don't be mean to him after calling him her little friend. (Drew is confusing) 

             Chuckie says he'll just sit there and be quiet until his Dad comes back, which off all the Rugrats, I think that is something he'd do.  Oh yeah, the handcuffs, Angelica wants Chuckie's help to get handcuffs.  Poor Chuckie his life his him being told to random stuff by someone with the last name Pickles.  Angelica gets the handcuffs. 

                The Chuckie and Angelica interactions in this episode are also a great treat. Chuckie, of course, is the cautious nervous one, especially with Angelica. When he has to look out for her parents while she's trying to get the handcuffs he screams thinking a sock a mouse is a sock and then asks if she needs help because he was lonely. 

              The episode also uses where Angelica tears into the package moment for a nice recall later. Chuckie asks what are they for and she decides to handcuff herself to Chuckie, "like the police do," then she finds out she can't find the key.  You can see when she tore in the package the key flew off the back... more on that soon.   Angelica can't find the key in the pack and thinks they made handcuffs without keys.   She gets mad at Chuckie and blames him for the fact they are stuck together. 

            Honestly, being stuck to Angelica is worse for Chuckie than Chuckie being stuck to Angelica.   

 She tries to get every single she can find around the house but none of them work.  (I'm happy that the 90's handcuff toys are were built to last) Angelica trying different things like her toy blow torch kit (what?) and plastic hammer don't work.   Drew comes into to say Chuckie's Dad is on his way and this causes her to worry.  Her later attempts are even funnier. 

            Chaz is at the door and this means Angelica has to hide the handcuffs, now she's going to find away to figure something out and Chuckie has something to tell her, but she's not listening. The true moral is: Angelica should have listened in the first place.  She's able to convince Chaz and her dad to let Chuckie stay over.  She'd rather make up a story than tell her father is very in character for her.  Chaz agrees to let Chuckie stay over. 

            Chuckie thought she was telling the truth and is happy to be with her too, it's sweet, but also sad because she was lying. Chuckie was willing to be Angelica's friend and be happy.  Anyway, Chuckie finally gets to say what he was trying to say: he found the key. They are free. Angelica decides to tell Chuckie to stay away from her and never speak to her, no matter what she says or does, he agrees and  walks away.  Just to make sure that was a stupid thing for her to do: she gets looped on to her bed's rail and can't reach the key.  She calls Chuckie. He was standing outside the room and hears her but says nope, he's listening to what she just said, and walks away. 

    

            It's a great character dynamic episode. Angelica of course would not listen to her father when she wants something and especially when she many times gets what she wants. Chuckie has that fear of Angelica but he's also friendly and kind and was happy to think Angelica would want to be his friend. He also listened to her when she said don't talk to her, no matter what she says and she's now locked to her bed until her father finds her. Though, I guess he's still staying the night or something. 

             The episode is funny too, I like how Angelica tries to get out of the handcuffs, and the little jokes were fun.   It's a fun episode. It's one of my favorites because of how the setup works and the way Chuckie's little win works without him directly doing it or knowing is a nice way to do it. 

More after the jump

Valentine's Day: Arnold's Valentine

Valentines Day  The Flashback  Nickelodeon 

          It's another holiday. That's right it's President... sorry it's Valentine's Day.  (Great, I thought we were doing a President's Day special, boo!)  I haven't done anything with Hey Arnold  in some time and it does have a Valentine's day half hour (with ads) special just laying around so let's go!

        This episode came out on February 12, 1997 . meaning once again I've missed a big 0 or 5 anniversary moment (par for course here).  This is from season 1 of the series, unless you find this on Paramount Plus they stuck it in season 2, Wikipedia says this episode episode is from season 1 and is episode 20, the production code says it's season 1 episode 24,  I've seen it called Season 1, episode 25, Hulu calls it season 1 episode 20, so things are going great.  It's an episode , it exists. 

         

           Hey Arnold is a series where romance does have its place, especially Arnold who has shown crushes and Helga being madly in love with Arnold. A Valentine's day episode seems to be fitting.  This is from the period of the show where 4th grader Arnold has a crush on a 6th grader named Ruth McDougal.  The class is making valentines because it's the day and it's something to do. (like sleeping) Arnold makes one for Ruth -signed anonymous because he is a coward.  Helga works on making one for Arnold which is hard. She overhears that Arnold wants to give on to Ruth and gets jealous.

     The teacher gives out the plot device to the episode, letters from their foreign pen pals.  Arnold has a pen pal from France named Cecile and Helga decides to commit mail crimes by opening his letter to read it and add a line to the letter where Cecile  says she's coming for one night only.  (Good thing the letter came the same date she was coming or that'd be odd)   Arnold sees the letter and is anxious, but he's also made a date with Ruth, so... oh no it's a dual date episode.  

He likes they have same head/ Copyright Paramount 

        Time for one of my silly tangents (oh great!).  I like how in  Arnold's city they have two French restaurants right next to each other.  There's Chez Pierre and Chez  Paris, they were also used a later plot because they similar naming.  So for some reason someone made a French restaurant then someone else decided to also make one - have it be next door to the other one and have a similar name because what? Sounds like bad business.  Back to the episode, Arnold is going on a date with Ruth at Chez Pierre and Cecile or I mean ' Cecile' wants to meet with him at Chez Paris. Good thing they are next to each other.  (We don't ask if he an Italian pen pal) 

It's a war!  Copyright Paramount

        So the plan, of course, is Arnold runs back and forth like a mad man.  I'm also glad a 9 year old has money for a French restaurant or wants to to go to one.  

            Helga continues her plan of whatever this plan is supposed to do, by pretending to be the French girl Cecile.  She does quick French learning, so it won't be very good.  Then she does a make over, which I mean I'm glad Arnold won't be able to tell.  This  episode has some funny moments in it, but have to laugh that Helga is so pushy that she won't let the man  at the salon tell her that it's a dog salon and makes him do a haircut.  (a bark life) 

Ruff hair cut/ Copyright Paramount 

            Gerald helps Arnold with the Ruth part of the date by trying to give him pointers.  It's funny how Gerald pretends he knows all this stuff.  Ruth as a character isn't very interesting, but that's not really matters; Arnold like her mostly because he likes how she looks. This special does a good job at pointing out that Arnold really doesn't know anything about her.  

        That's the first half. It is all set up for what the 2nd half will do. While the idea of having two dates and going back and forth is old, and was old when this episode was made, it does set up something funny for this show to do. The little jokes so far were great. It's also doing some good things with characterization like  how Helga just can't tell Arnold how she feels so she'll do an elaborate plan to do it instead. Arnold wanting to go on a date with a girl he doesn't know really, probably doesn't have a chance with, while he also wants to meet a pen pal. Gerald being his best friend and doing things to help prep his friend and also pretending to be a ladies man, even when some ladies tell him to leave them alone, all works together well.