Rugrats

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Rugrats is an American animated television series that ran on Nickelodeon and was one of the first three Nicktoons, beginning in 1991.

[edit] Premise

The show revolves around four toddlers: Tommy Pickles; Chuckie Finster; and twins Phillip (Phil) and Lillian (Lil) DeVille, who are able to communicate to each other in baby-speak (although viewers can understand them because it is supposedly 'translated'). Often, they mispronounce words or use poor grammar. Despite the toddlers' inability and lack of desire to communicate with adults, they can understand their parents' speaking, although they often misunderstand what they hear, usually by taking metaphors literally and speaking in malapropisms. Angelica Pickles, at age three, is able to communicate with and understand language from both the toddlers and the adults, which she often uses to her advantage when she wants to manipulate either party.

[edit] Setting

The Rugrats is set in a seemingly everyday American community. However, it is never specifically stated which state they live in, probably due to the fact that the show is seen through the eyes of naive toddlers. In the early episodes Stu's brother Drew mentions Stu and Didi having just moved from Akron, Ohio to their present home somewhere in California

Several instances do, however, point out that the show is set somewhere in California. In one episode, Grandpa is seen driving the children to the museum in his car, which we see has California plates. Another episode shows the children at the library, which has the state of California's flag outside. Grandpa also has a bad dream, in which he says he isn't moving to California because of the Dust Bowl. Another episode shows two "valley dude" teenagers wanting to paint the Pickles' house "silver and black - Raiders Colors!" In one of the Rugrats comic books, Didi states that she talked to Mrs. Stimpleton (of Rocket Power) and was convinced that Reggie Rocket would make a good babysitter. Rocket Power made no attempt to hide that it took place in California, so this could be further evidence of Rugrats' setting, though the comics may not be canon.

This is contradicted during "The Rugrats Movie" when Mr. Finster states, "I just saw the kids heading north on I-99." That is because I-99 is a route mainly in central Pennsylvania, with some exits in New York and Maryland. Another contradiction features the fathers getting excited, and choosing sides, for a Dallas vs. Houston football game, suggesting a Texas setting (although artistic license may be a factor here).

[edit] Production

It was the network's second Nicktoon. Klasky-Csupo was still working on The Simpsons when they started this show. The series was in production from 1991 to 1994, and again from 1996 to 2004. It aired in Nickelodeon's Snick block from 1997-2000, and it also aired on Nick Jr.'s block. It is the longest lasting Nicktoon to date, at thirteen years of longevity. Rugrats received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on June 28, 2001. Rugrats and Hey Arnold! also hold the record of longest Nicktoons, having its own movie and at least 100 episodes. Rugrats is Show on "Nicktoons Network" Everyday Monday- Friday 7:00am and 7:30am, and Saturday and Sunday 5:00am and 5:30am.

The show airs in the UK on CITV and Nickelodeon UK as well as in Canada on YTV. In Australia, it can be seen on Nickelodeon Australia.

After the introduction of SpongeBob SquarePants, popularity for Rugrats declined. The Rugrats never had a rival this strong in popularity (many shows were produced during "Rugrats"' lifetime, but none were as successful as SpongeBob SquarePants). In order to keep its popularity, the studios released several movies and specials, such as the introduction of Dil Pickles and Kimi Finster. Ironically, after these introductions, fans determined that Rugrats jumped the shark.

When Nickelodeon declined to renew any more new episodes of Rugrats and All Grown Up, Klasky-Csupo (the studios responsible for Rugrats) closed down most of its operations. At the time of their cancellation, those series were the only Klasky-Csupo series on the Nickelodeon schedule.

[edit] Films

• The Rugrats Movie (1998)
• Rugrats in Paris: The Movie (2000)
• Rugrats Go Wild (2003)

[edit] Spin-offs

• All Grown Up!
• Angelica and Susie's Pre-School Daze
• The Carmichaels was a spin-off planned to see Susie move away from California to Atlanta, where she apparently has relatives. However, it never made it beyond the pre-production stage.

[edit] See also

• List of Rugrats characters
• List of Rugrats episodes
• Klasky-Csupo

There are also various computer games involving the rugrats including: Rugrats in Paris, Rugrats Adventure Game and Rugrats Activity Challenge.

[edit] External links

• Official site
• Rugrats at the Big Cartoon DataBase
• Rugrats at the Internet Movie Database
• Rugrats at TV.com

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