What's with Andy?

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What's with Andy?
What's with Andy? title card
Also known asSacré Andy ![1]
GenreCringe comedy
Physical comedy
Surreal humour
Slapstick
Based onJust!
by Andy Griffiths
Directed by
  • Tim Deacon and Jon Minnis (season 1)
  • Richard Paré and Gilles Dayez (season 2)
  • Nick Vallinakis (season 3)
Creative directorJon Minnis (season 2)
Voices ofIan James Corlett
Composers
Country of origin
  • Canada
  • United States (season 1)
  • France (season 2)
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons3
No. of episodes78 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
  • Jacques Pettigrew
  • Michel Lemire (seasons 1–2)
  • Andrew Makarewicz and Joe Purdy (season 1)
  • Marie-Claude Beauchamp, Jacqueline Tordjman, and Olivier Dumont (season 2)
  • Oliver Schablitzki (season 3)
Producers
  • Danièle Joubert (seasons 1–2)
  • Michel Lemire (seasons 1, 3)
  • Bruno Bianchi (season 2)
  • Sophie Chicoine (supervising producer, season 1)
Running time22 minutes
Production companies
Distributor
  • Saban International (season 1)[3]
  • Buena Vista International Television (season 2)
  • CinéGroupe (season 3)
Release
Original network
  • Teletoon (Canada)
  • Fox Kids (international, seasons 1–2)
  • Fox Family/ABC Family (United States, season 1)
  • Super RTL (Germany, seasons 2–3)
Picture format4:3 HDTV[4]
Original releaseJune 30, 2001 (2001-06-30)[5][6] –
March 4, 2007 (2007-03-04)[6]

What's with Andy? (Sacré Andy! in French[1]) is a children's animated series loosely based on the semi-autobiographical Just! book series by Australian author Andy Griffiths.[7][8] The main character is Andy Larkin, a mischievous teen and the self-proclaimed "world's greatest prankster". The show follows him as he tries to perform elaborate practical jokes, or pranks, on people in the fictional town of East Gackle.

Andy's best friend, Danny Pickett, helps him out with almost every prank. His antagonists include his older sister, Jen Larkin, and the bullies Peter Lik and Andrew Leech. Andy has a crush on a girl named Lori Mackney and usually tries to impress her. In the first season, he often breaks the fourth wall when the screen freezes in black and white – a distinctive feature of the show referred to as "Doodle Vision".[9]

Setting[]

The first season of What's with Andy? was set in the United States. In the second and third seasons, the show was relocated to Alberta. It is shown in the episode "Rhyme Time" that the characters lived in the U.S. because of the American history that Andy recited, and the second language they were taught was Spanish rather than French, which is taught as a second language in Canada. In the episode "Gnome for the Holidays", a building can be seen saying, "US Post Office". Also, an American flag can be seen in the mayor's office in the "Wag the Kid" and "Little Foot" episodes, and in the episode "It Came from East Gackle", FBI agents came to East Gackle.

Characters[]

Andrew "Andy" Larkin[]

Andy is a teenager who loves to prank people as well as annoy his friends and family (especially his sister), but often gets into trouble. His best friend is Danny and he has a crush on Lori. His catchphrase is "Check, please!". His name comes from Andy Griffiths, whom he is based on.

Daniel "Danny" Tadeus Pickett[]

Andy's best friend and right-hand man, helping him out with countless pranks. His last name has always been Pickett. The name "Danny Pickett" is derived from Jim Kjelgaard's Big Red.[citation needed]

Lori Mackney[]

Andy's crush but she is dismayed by his childishness due to his pranking. It is hinted that she returns Andy's feelings and dislikes Jen because Lori thinks that Jen abuses Andy. She wears a green tank top, blue skirt and sandals. She is known as "Lisa" in the books.

The Larkin family[]

  • Mr. Larkin: Andy and Jen's father and Freida's husband who also used to be a prankster, known as "The Mystery Prankster", aka "The Mystery Prankster of East Gackle" (he hides this fact from his family). However, he was cured of pranking by school counselor, Mrs. Murphy.
  • Mrs. Larkin: Andy and Jen's mother and Al's wife. She knows nothing about her husband's past as a prankster.
  • Jen Larkin: Andy's older sister who is always cranky and irritable. She blames her younger brother Andy for almost everything and finds his pranks childish and unfunny. She is unaware of her father's past as a prankster.
  • Spank Larkin: Andy's fat and lazy dog. Spank frequently yawns, especially after going for a walk. He also appears to have flatulence problems.
  • Norman Larkin: Andy's grandfather and Al's father who is also a prankster, implying that the male side of the Larkin family comes from a long line of pranksters (apparently with the exception of Al, but in the episode "Mind Games" it was revealed that he also used to be a prankster, possibly even greater than his son or father).

Recurring/minor characters[]

  • Teri: Jen's best friend.
  • Jervis Coltrane: A French snob who has a crush on Lori Mackney and dreams of being the Prime Minister of Canada.
  • Peter Lik and Andrew Leech: Peter and Andrew are Andy's and Danny's nemeses. They are usually referred to as Lik and Leech.
  • Craig Bennett: Jen's crush and one of the best athletes of East Gackle.
  • Martin Bonwick: He is a stereotypically nervous nerd who very often gets bullied.
  • Victor "Vic" Muskowitz (Mush): The pizza delivery man of East Gackle who is a good friend of Andy and Danny and he sometimes helps them with pranks.
  • Steve Rowgee Jr.: A dumb police officer who is the incompetent son of Steve Rowgee Sr.
  • Steve Rowgee Sr.: A police officer who is an old man, who always commands Steve Rowgee Jr. (his son) and is nicknamed the Iron Fisted Maniac.
  • Principal DeRosa: He is the bad-tempered principal of the school in East Gackle and the main antagonist who is obsessed with punishing Andy.
  • Mr. Hutchins: One of the many teachers at East Gackle school, Andy likes to prank him more than the other teachers.
  • Mayor Henry K. Roth: The mayor of East Gackle.
  • Mayor Simms: Mayor of West Gackle and Mayor Henry K. Roth's rival.
  • Clyde: The janitor of the school.
  • Hazel Strinner: She has a crush on Andy and Lori's protecting friend.
  • Louella Berman: Frieda's best friend.
  • Mrs. Wibbles: Principal DeRosa's secretary.

Voice actors[]

Name Season 1 VA Season 2 VA Season 3 VA
Andy Larkin Ian James Corlett
Danny Pickett Bumper Robinson Daniel Brochu
Lori Mackney Colleen O'Shaughnessey Jaclyn Linetsky Eleanor Noble
Jen Larkin Jenna von Oÿ Jessica Kardos
Al Larkin Dee Bradley Baker Arthur Holden
Freida Larkin Cathy Cavadini Susan Glover
Teri Holly Gauthier-Frankel
Jervis Coltrane Dee Bradley Baker Bruce Dinsmore
Peter Lik Danny Cooksey Mark Hauser
Andrew Leech Scott Parkin Craig Francis
Craig Bennett Carlos Alazraqui Matt Holland
Martin Bonwick Dee Bradley Baker Michael Yarmush
Mush Mushond Lee Mathew Mackay
Steve Rowgee Sr. Dee Bradley Baker Terrence Scammell
Steve Rowgee Jr. Tom Kenny Craig Francis
Mr. Hutchins Dee Bradley Baker Bruce Dinsmore
Principal DeRosa Terrence Scammell
Mayor Roth Tom Kenny Rick Jones

Additional voices (first season only)[]

Episodes[]

Main article: List of What's with Andy? episodes
SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
126CanadaJune 30, 2001 (2001-06-30)April 7, 2002 (2002-04-07)
U.S.September 22, 2001July 21, 2002
226September 3, 2003 (2003-09-03)April 11, 2004 (2004-04-11)
326September 3, 2006 (2006-09-03)March 4, 2007 (2007-03-04)

Production[]

The show is based on Andy Griffiths' children's series of Just! books (which were illustrated by Terry Denton), although many episodes are not directly based on the books. Changes from the books to the TV series include Andy's last name, which was originally that of his creator, and other minor name changes, such as Lori's name being Lisa in the books. The book series was based on the early life of Andy Griffiths.[7]

It was originally an interactive Flash movie with completely different voice actors and a promotion for Fox Kids.[citation needed] Shortly after, a TV series was developed with new voice actors, and it aired on Teletoon. The first season was produced by CinéGroupe, with the participation of Saban Entertainment in production[2][3] and distribution (Saban International).[3]

The main production of the series moved to Canada in season 2, which was co-produced with the French studio SIP Animation (itself split from Saban Entertainment) and in association with German channel Super RTL. All the voice cast had to be replaced with this move with the exception of Andy Larkin's voice actor Ian James Corlett, as he was Canadian himself. As Saban Entertainment had by then been acquired by Disney, distribution of this season was handled by Disney subsidiary Buena Vista International Television.

Jaclyn Linetsky, who voiced Lori in Season 2, had died in a traffic collision during production. She had managed to finish all of Season 2 prior to her death, but for the following season she was replaced by Eleanor Noble.

Season 3 was a collaboration between CinéGroupe and Super RTL, and distributed by the production company directly. The whole series was later added to CinéGroupe distribution partner HG Distribution's catalogue.[4]

Release[]

Broadcast[]

What's with Andy? originally aired on Teletoon in Canada.[10] In Australia, where the books originated, it was broadcast on Fox Kids.[11]

In the United States, the series was first shown on September 22, 2001[12][13] on Fox Family Channel,[14] later ABC Family.[15] On January 17, 2005, it premiered on Toon Disney,[16] which also had rights to the second but not the third season.[17]

In Europe, the show aired on Fox Kids,[18] later known as Jetix.[19] In France, it was also broadcast on TF1,[20] while in Germany it aired on Super RTL.[21]

Home media[]

VHS[]

On April 8, 2003, CinéGroupe Star released a set of three VHS tapes called "Double Trouble"/"Sacré Délire", which featured an episode each from this show and The Kids from Room 402, alongside a music video from the Pig City tie-in album "Reggie and the Rashers".[22] Volume 1 featured the episode "It Came from East Gackle", Volume 2 featured the episode "Just Stuffing", and Volume 3 featured the episode "Rhyme Time". The releases were sold in separate English[23][24][25] and French versions,[26][27][28] respectively.

DVD[]

All 26 episodes from season 1, as well as the first 7 episodes of season 2, were released on 10 DVD volumes with English audio in the Czech Republic in 2010.[29][30]

The show was also released on DVD in other European countries, but only in the respective languages (i.e. without the original English audio). All of season 2 (and most of season 1) was released on DVD in Germany,[31] and the entirety of season 1 was released on 5 DVD volumes in Russia.[32]

Reception[]

What's with Andy? received very high ratings in a number of countries.

On Teletoon in Canada, it was reported to be the second highest-rated original production as of October 2007.[33] It also had about 40% market share in France (Fox Kids/TF1) and Germany as of 2003.[21] The show won a fall 2002 Super RTL cartoon election poll with 60% of the vote,[21] and obtained the second-highest ratings on the channel in July 2006.[34]

References[]

  1. ^ a b "www.teletoon.com". Archived from the original on 2001-11-20.
  2. ^ a b c "Casablanca Media Publishing - Search Results". Casablancamediapublishing.com.
  3. ^ a b c d "TELETOON: New Shows: Braceface". August 14, 2001. Archived from the original on 2001-08-14.
  4. ^ a b "What's With Andy?". HG Distribution. August 6, 2015.
  5. ^ "The Vancouver Sun from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada on June 29, 2001 · 85". Newspapers.com. 2001-06-29. Retrieved 2019-11-22.
  6. ^ a b "Television Program Logs". Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission. 2016-03-02.[dead link] Alt URL
  7. ^ a b "FAQ".
  8. ^ Erickson, Hal (2005). Television Cartoon Shows: An Illustrated Encyclopedia, 1949 Through 2003 (2nd ed.). McFarland & Co. p. 900. ISBN 978-1476665993.
  9. ^ "New Cinegroupe Series Coming To Teletoon And Fox Family Channel". Animation World Network.
  10. ^ "Cinegroupe shoots What's With Andy?".
  11. ^ "Welcome To Foxkids.com.au". February 5, 2003. Archived from the original on 2003-02-05.
  12. ^ Margulies, Lee (18 September 2001). "Pop/rock" – via LA Times.
  13. ^ Maynard, John (September 22, 2001). "SATURDAY". The Washington Post.
  14. ^ Bernstein, Paula (29 March 2001). "Fox in a family way".
  15. ^ "Holiday helping: The season burns bright with television specials". old.post-gazette.com.
  16. ^ "The Cable Forum - Toon Disney January Highlights". cabletvt.powerrangermail.net.
  17. ^ https://www.crb.gov/proceedings/2008-2/WD/WDS.pdf
  18. ^ "It's all Greek to Fox Kids". 2001-10-03.
  19. ^ "Jetix localises in Bulgaria".
  20. ^ "Whats with Andy licensing". Jetix Europe. 2003-06-09. Archived from the original on 2017-08-20. Retrieved 2019-07-08.
  21. ^ a b c "What's With Andy? at Licensing 2003". www.toymania.com.
  22. ^ "Sacré Délire - Volume 1". 6 May 2003. Archived from the original on 6 May 2003. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
  23. ^ "Double Trouble: What's with Andy? / The kids from room 40". Retrieved 24 August 2018 – via Amazon.
  24. ^ "Double Trouble: What's with Andy? / The kids from room 40 - vol :2". Retrieved 24 August 2018 – via Amazon.
  25. ^ "Double Trouble: What's with Andy? / The kids from room 40 - vol :3". Retrieved 24 August 2018 – via Amazon.
  26. ^ "Sacré Délire - Volume 1". 6 May 2003. Archived from the original on 6 May 2003. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
  27. ^ "Sacré Délire - Volume 2". 6 May 2003. Archived from the original on 6 May 2003. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
  28. ^ "Sacré Délire - Volume 2". 8 May 2003. Archived from the original on 8 May 2003. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
  29. ^ Tvorbawww.cz. "Co je Andy? 01 (DVD)". Filmarena.cz. Retrieved 2019-11-05.
  30. ^ Tvorbawww.cz. "Co je Andy? 10 (DVD)". Filmarena.cz. Retrieved 2019-11-05.
  31. ^ "Typisch Andy! | Zeichentrickserien auf DVD". Zeichentrickserien.de. Retrieved 2019-11-05.
  32. ^ "Что с Энди? Правила маскарада (DVD) - купить мультфильм /What's with Andy?/ на DVD с доставкой. GoldDisk - Интернет-магазин Лицензионных DVD" (in Russian). Golddisk.ru. Retrieved 2019-10-27.
  33. ^ October 29, Playback Staff; 2007. "Tops with Teletoon".CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  34. ^ "Euro airwave toppers" (PDF). KidScreen. Vol. 11 no. 7. Toronto: Brunico Communications. September 2006. p. 32.

External links[]

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