Family Dog (TV series) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Family Dog |
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| Genre | |
| Created by | Brad Bird |
| Directed by | Chris Buck |
| Voices of |
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| Theme music composer | Danny Elfman |
| Composer(s) | Steve Bartek |
| Country of origin | United States Canada |
| Original language(s) | English |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 10 (list of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) |
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| Producer(s) | Chuck Richardson |
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| Distributor |
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| Release | |
| Original network | CBS |
| Original release | June 23 – July 28, 1993 |
| Chronology | |
| Related shows | Amazing Stories |
Family Dog is an animated TV show that first appeared as a special episode of Amazing Stories in 1987. It was created by Brad Bird. Later, it became its own TV series, airing on CBS from June 23 to July 28, 1993.
The show tells the story of an ordinary family, the Binsfords, but from the point of view of their dog, Jonah. This series was the first time famous producers Steven Spielberg and Tim Burton worked together. Even with such big names involved, the TV series faced many delays and didn't get good reviews. Some critics felt the Binsford family was too selfish, which made it hard for viewers to care about their adventures.
Contents
Meet the Characters
This section introduces the main characters and the actors who voiced them.
The 1987 Short Episode
The first version of Family Dog was a short episode. Here are the voices from that original show:
- Stan Freberg as Skip Binsford, the dad.
- Annie Potts as Bev Binsford, the mom.
- Brad Bird as Jonah, the family's Bull Terrier dog.
- Scott Menville as Billy Binsford, the son.
- Brooke Ashley as Buffy Binsford, the daughter.
- Mercedes McCambridge as Miss Lestrange.
- Marshall Efron as a Burglar.
- Stanley Ralph Ross as another Burglar.
- Jack Angel as a Security Guard.
The 1993 TV Series
When Family Dog became a full TV series, some of the voice actors changed:
- Martin Mull as Skip Binsford, the dad.
- Molly Cheek as Bev Binsford, the mom.
- Danny Mann as Jonah, the Bull Terrier family dog.
- Zak Huxtable Epstein as Billy Binsford, the son.
- Cassie Cole as Buffy Binsford, the daughter.
Other Characters
These characters appeared in more than one episode of the series:
- Bruce McGill as Martin Mahoney.
- Deanna Oliver as Trish Mahoney.
- Mary Kay Bergman as Katie, a female Chihuahua who is a neighbor's dog.
Episode Guide
The Family Dog TV series had 10 episodes. Here's a quick look at each one:
| No. | Title | Directed by | Original air date | |
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| 1 | "Show Dog" | Chris Buck, Clive A. Smith | June 23, 1993 | |
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The Binsfords think Jonah is super talented and enter him in a dog show. But all Jonah really wants is a drink of water!
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| 2 | "Hot Dog at the Zoo" | Clive A. Smith | June 23, 1993 | |
| 3 | "Doggone Girl Is Mine" | Clive A. Smith | June 30, 1993 | |
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Jonah falls in love with a neighbor's pet. Meanwhile, Skip worries that Bev might leave him.
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| 4 | "Enemy Dog" | Clive A. Smith | July 7, 1993 | |
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The Binsfords' neighbors, the Mahoneys, get a strong police dog. The Binsfords try to make Jonah play with it.
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| 5 | "Eye on the Sparrow" | Chris Buck, Clive A. Smith | July 7, 1993 | |
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Jonah takes care of a baby sparrow that cannot fly.
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| 6 | "Call of the Mild" | Chris Buck, Clive A. Smith | July 14, 1993 | |
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Jonah dreams of running free with the stray dogs in the neighborhood. But he soon learns he's not quite ready for that kind of life.
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| 7 | "Dog Days of Summer" | Chris Buck, Clive A. Smith | July 21, 1993 | |
| 8 | "Party Animal" | Chris Buck, Clive A. Smith | July 21, 1993 | |
| 9 | "Family Dog Goes Homeless" | Klay Hall | July 28, 1993 | |
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Jonah, the family dog, makes friends with a homeless woman.
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| 10 | "Family Dog Gets Good and Sick" | Becky Bristow | July 28, 1993 | |
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Jonah gets sick after a mosquito bites him. The mosquito had been near toxic waste. In the same episode, another neighborhood dog is hit by a car.
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Video Game Fun
Family Dog was also made into a Super NES video game. In the game, you play as an everyday family dog. You travel to three different places: the dog's home, a dog pound, and the woods. Your goal is to get past common obstacles and enemies, like a dog catcher or a cat.
Images for kids
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An old advertisement for the original TV Guide episode.
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The cover of the LaserDisc set for the complete series.
See also
In Spanish: Family Dog para niños
