Duck Dodgers (TV series) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Duck Dodgers |
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| Genre |
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| Based on | Duck Dodgers in the 24½th Century by Michael Maltese |
| Developed by | Spike Brandt Tony Cervone Paul Dini Tom Minton |
| Directed by | Spike Brandt Tony Cervone |
| Voices of |
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| Theme music composer | Wayne Coyne Steven Drozd |
| Opening theme | "Duck Dodgers", performed by Tom Jones and The Flaming Lips |
| Ending theme | "Duck Dodgers" (Instrumental) |
| Composer(s) | Robert Kral Douglas Romayne |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language(s) | English |
| No. of seasons | 3 |
| No. of episodes | 39 (list of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) |
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| Producer(s) |
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| Editor(s) | Rob Desales |
| Running time | 22 minutes |
| Production company(s) | Warner Bros. Animation |
| Distributor | Warner Bros. Television Distribution |
| Release | |
| Original network | Cartoon Network |
| Audio format | Dolby Digital 5.1 |
| Original release | August 23, 2003 – November 11, 2005 |
Duck Dodgers is an American animated TV show. It is based on a classic 1953 cartoon called Duck Dodgers in the 24½th Century. Warner Bros. Animation made the series from 2003 to 2005.
The show is a comic science fiction story. This means it's a funny space adventure. It stars famous Looney Tunes characters. Daffy Duck plays the main hero, Duck Dodgers. The show first aired on Cartoon Network and Boomerang.
Contents
What the Show is About
The Duck Dodgers TV show is mostly based on the old Duck Dodgers cartoon. That cartoon was set around the year 2350. But the TV series also uses ideas and looks from other Looney Tunes cartoons. These are cartoons that don't usually feature Duck Dodgers or space.
Many familiar Looney Tunes characters appear in the show. They often get new roles to fit into the Duck Dodgers world. For example, Yosemite Sam becomes "K'chutha Sa'am." This is a funny version of the Klingons from Star Trek. Elmer Fudd turns into a mind-controlling alien sickness called "the Fudd." This is like the Flood and the Borg from other sci-fi stories.
Witch Hazel was "Leezah the Wicked" in one episode. Count Bloodcount was "Count Muerte" in two episodes. Wile E. Coyote became an alien hunter, like the Predator. Gophers Mac and Tosh appeared as Martian gophers on a golf course. Other characters like Nasty Canasta, Taz, Rocky and Mugsy, and the Crusher also showed up.
In a two-part episode, the "Shropshire Slasher" was a bad guy named the Andromeda Annihilator. Michigan J. Frog hosted a talent show. Ralph Phillips played Babyface Moonbeam. Egghead Junior also appeared.
Theme Songs
The show's theme song is very cool. It was put together by the Flaming Lips. The famous singer Tom Jones sings it. The song sounds a bit like the theme from the James Bond movie Thunderball.
Tom Jones even appeared in the show as a cartoon version of himself. He sang his famous song, "It's Not Unusual." Dave Mustaine from the band Megadeth was also in an episode. His band played their song "Back in the Day."
Awards and Recognition
Duck Dodgers was nominated for several awards. In 2004, it was nominated for four Annie Awards. These awards celebrate excellence in animation. It won an Annie Award for its music, composed by Robert J. Kral.
The show was also nominated for an Emmy Award in 2004 and 2005. Emmy Awards recognize great TV shows. In 2005, the show won an Emmy for Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program. This award went to Joe Alaskey, who voiced many characters. The show stopped making new episodes in 2005 after its third season.
Characters
Galactic Protectorate
- Duck Dodgers (voiced by Joe Alaskey) – Dodgers is a clumsy hero. He was accidentally frozen for over 300 years. Dr. I.Q. Hi brought him back to life in the 25th century. Dodgers is often proud, lazy, and not very smart. But sometimes, he shows he can be very brave and capable. He usually succeeds because of good luck and the help of his Cadet. Even though he often makes fun of his Cadet, Dodgers really cares about him. He is played by Daffy Duck.
- The Eager Young Space Cadet (voiced by Bob Bergen) – The Cadet looks up to Dodgers a lot. He sees Dodgers almost like a father. He is very loyal and believes everything Dodgers says. The Cadet is much smarter than Dodgers. But he lets Dodgers give all the orders. Dodgers relies on the Cadet's help for almost every mission. The Cadet is also good at charming ladies. He is played by Porky Pig.
- Dr. I.Q. Hi (voiced by Richard McGonagle) – He is the scientist who woke Dodgers up. Dr. I.Q. Hi is serious and works very hard. He often gets annoyed by Dodgers' mistakes. He doubts that Dodgers was a real hero from the 21st century.
- Captain Star Johnson (voiced by John O'Hurley) – Johnson is another captain in the Galactic Protectorate. He is very smart and acts like a classic hero, similar to Flash Gordon. He once took Dodgers to court because Dodgers was so bad at his job. Johnson has helped free Mars and searched for criminals.
- Bigfoot (voiced by Michael Patrick McGill) – In one episode, Bigfoot worked for the Protectorate. He was a maintenance supervisor. He was also the first to get special robot parts in his body. These parts made him stronger in fights. He mostly says "Duck" and "Stereo."
The Martian Empire
- Queen Tyr'ahnee (voiced by Tia Carrere) – She is the ruler of Mars. She is the main enemy in the show. But she really likes Dodgers and thinks he is a true hero. Her clothes look like Martian princesses from old books. Her name sounds like "tyranny."
- Martian Commander X-2 (voiced by Joe Alaskey) – He is the confident leader of the Martian army. He is Dodgers' biggest enemy. He also really likes the Martian Queen. He sees Dodgers more as an annoyance than a real threat. He is played by Marvin the Martian.
- K-9 (voiced by Frank Welker) – K-9 is Martian Commander X-2's loyal dog.
- Centurion Robots (voiced by Michael Dorn) – These are the loyal robot helpers of the Mars Empire. They seem to be able to think for themselves. They make up most of the Martian army. This is a nod to the Cylon Centurions from Battlestar Galactica.
- Instant Martians – These are strange, bird-like Martian creatures with purple hair. Commander X-2 used them to escape once. They grow from tiny seeds when they touch water. They first appeared in an old 1958 cartoon.
Episode list
List of Duck Dodgers episodes
Voice cast
- Joe Alaskey – (Daffy Duck as) Duck Dodgers, (Marvin the Martian as) Martian Commander X-2, Beaky Buzzard, Drake Darkstar, Hubie and Bertie, Rocky, Muttley
- Bob Bergen – (Porky Pig as) the Eager, Young Space Cadet
- Richard McGonagle – Dr. I.Q. Hi
- Tia Carrere – Queen Tyr'ahnee
- Michael Dorn – Centurion Robots, Captain Long, Klunkin Warrior
- John O'Hurley – Captain Star Johnson
See also
In Spanish: Duck Dodgers (serie de televisión) para niños
