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Sheep in the Big City facts for kids

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Sheep in the Big City
Sheepinthebigcity.png
Genre Comedy
Created by Mo Willems
Written by
  • Mo Willems
  • David Wain
  • Joey Mazzarino
Directed by
  • Mo Willems (supervising director)
  • Karen Villarreal
  • Maurice Joyce
  • Sue Perrotto
  • Tom Warburton
Voices of
  • Kevin Seal
  • James Godwin
  • Ken Schatz
  • Stephanie D'Abruzzo
  • Mo Willems
  • Christine Walters
  • Ruth Buzzi
  • Bradley Glenn
  • Fran Brill
  • Joey Mazzarino
  • Jerry Nelson
Narrated by Ken Schatz
Theme music composer Julian Harris
Composer(s) Julian Harris
Country of origin United States
Original language(s) English
No. of seasons 2
No. of episodes 26 (and 1 pilot) (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s)
  • Mo Willems
  • Steve Oakes
  • Susan Holden
  • David Starr
  • Richard Winkler (for Curious Pictures)
  • Linda Simensky
  • Jay Bastian
  • Khaki Jones (for Cartoon Network)
Producer(s)
  • Kris Greengrove (season 1)
  • Bruce Knapp (season 2)
Editor(s) Dave Courter
Running time 22 minutes
Production company(s)
Distributor Warner Bros. Television Distribution
Release
Original network Cartoon Network
Original release November 17, 2000 (2000-11-17) – April 7, 2002 (2002-04-07)
Chronology
Related shows The Off-Beats

Sheep in the Big City is a fun animated TV show created by Mo Willems for Cartoon Network. It was the 9th show in Cartoon Network's "Cartoon Cartoons" series. The first episode, called a "pilot," aired on August 18, 2000. The show officially started on November 17, 2000.

Before this show, Mo Willems also made The Off-Beats for Nickelodeon. Sheep in the Big City is about a sheep named Sheep. He runs away from a farm and starts a new life in a busy place called "the Big City." But he has to be careful! A secret military group is always trying to catch him.

The show also has short, funny parts that are not always connected to the main story. This is similar to old shows like The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle and Friends. The humor in Sheep in the Big City is very clever. It often uses words in a literal way, which means taking phrases exactly as they sound. It also makes jokes about how TV shows are made. When it first aired, Sheep in the Big City was the most-watched new show on Cartoon Network.

The animation for the series was done by a studio in Korea called Rough Draft Korea. This show was also the first Cartoon Network original series made by Curious Pictures. This studio later made Codename: Kids Next Door in 2002.

What Is Sheep in the Big City About?

Sheep lives a happy life on a farm with his friends. But there's a problem! A secret military group, led by General Specific, really wants Sheep. They need him for their special "Sheep-Powered Ray Gun." This ray gun even has a sheep-shaped hole!

General Specific will do anything to get Sheep. To protect his farm friends, Sheep has to leave and go to the Big City. Now, Sheep is always on the run from General Specific. The General has helpers like Private Public, the Angry Scientist, and other military people. There's also a special machine called the Plot Device that helps them.

Besides running from the military, Sheep also has to get used to city life. He tries to win the heart of a poodle named Swanky. But he also has to avoid other strange characters. These include Lisa Rental and Swanky's owner, Lady Richington. Lady Richington hates sheep and carries a strong, shiny wig she uses to hit them!

Meet the Characters

The show has many funny and unique characters.

Main Characters

  • Sheep (voiced by Kevin Seal) is the main hero of the show. He is an animal that acts like a human sheep. His owner, Farmer John, named him Sheep because he was a brave little sheep. Sheep has a tough life! He's chased by the military and tries to see Swanky the Poodle. He also has to avoid getting hit by Lady Richington's wig. Even with all that, he finds time to be in commercials, travel through time, and work at a cool club. He even helps people fall asleep by jumping over fences! Sheep only makes "bleating" sounds and does not speak human words. He's a normal sheep, so he sometimes can't help but eat grass, even when he's being chased!
  • General Specific (voiced by Kevin Seal) is the main bad guy. He is the determined leader of the Secret Military Organization. General Specific tries his best to catch Sheep for his Sheep-Powered Ray Gun. He never gives up, even when he fails many times. Specific always speaks with his teeth clenched. In one episode, he says he has a metal plate in his head. He also likes to drop his helpers into "The Pit," which is a trapdoor that appears out of nowhere! His name, "General Specific," is a funny oxymoron because "general" means broad, and "specific" means exact.
  • Farmer John (voiced by James Edmund Godwin) is Sheep's first owner. He also wants Sheep back, but in a much calmer way than General Specific. In one episode, we learn that "Far" and "Mer" are actually his first and middle names, not just his job! Farmer John often talks in a very boring, fake-psychology way. This makes other characters stop listening to him. He sometimes calls Sheep "Sheepie."
  • Ben Plotz (voiced by Ken Schatz) is the show's narrator. He often complains about the show's writing. But overall, he likes the actors. Sometimes, he even changes the story if he doesn't like how it ends! Other times, he has to change things because Irv, the accountant, wants to save money.
  • Private Public (voiced by James Edmund Godwin) is General Specific's main helper. He is always right behind the General. Even though he is much smarter, he prefers to follow orders instead of giving them. His name is also an oxymoron, like General Specific's.
  • The Angry Scientist (voiced by Mo Willems) is the smart one behind the military group. He often gets upset when people call him "Mad Scientist" instead of "Angry Scientist." He has trouble with English, saying things like, "Why are you not my Englishness be understanding?" He invented the Sheep-Powered Ray Gun and a Time-Travel Bicycle. He once opened a center to teach people how to get angrier!
  • The Plot Device (voiced by Stephanie D'Abruzzo) is a machine that helps General Specific come up with plans. For example, it suggested disguising a sleep potion as water soup. Her name is a joke because her job in the stories is to be a plot device, which is something that moves the story forward.
  • Lady Virginia Richington (voiced by Ruth Buzzi in the pilot and Stephanie D'Abruzzo in the series) owns Swanky the Poodle. She is very rich and owns most of the city. She always wears fancy jewelry and clothes. Lady Richington looks harmless, but she really hates sheep! She will hit them with her stainless steel wig if they get too close.
  • Lisa Rental (voiced by Stephanie D'Abruzzo) is a mean little girl. She thinks Sheep is a "cutesy wootsey dog" and desperately wants him as a pet. She calls Sheep "Doggy Woggy Smoggy Foggy Loggy Toggy Doggy." Her name is a play on the words "lease a rental."

Other Notable Characters

  • X Agent is a black sheep hired by General Specific. He becomes good friends with Sheep. He feels bad for betraying Sheep and then turns against General Specific. He becomes a Batman-like superhero! Like Sheep, X Agent only bleats.
  • Oxymoron is an ox who appears in funny commercials for the "Oxymoron" company. His name is a joke about the word oxymoron, which is a phrase with words that mean the opposite, like "planned coincidence."
  • Victor (voiced by Ken Schatz) is a loud salesman in the Oxymoron commercials. He sells products that are usually bad or cause pain.
  • Jay (voiced by Ken Schatz) is a man who loves to read signs out loud. When a character turns to him, he lifts his glasses and says, "I like to read" or "Reading is funducational."
  • Swanky the Poodle (voiced by Stephanie D'Abruzzo) is a poodle and Sheep's girlfriend. She is owned by Lady Richington.
  • Great Scott (voiced by Ken Schatz) is a Scotsman who appears and says "EEE-Yeeeeeeeeesssss?" whenever someone says the phrase "Great Scott!"
  • News Announcers are a duo: Hank (voiced by Ken Schatz) is a nervous, angry man, and Betsy (voiced by Stephanie D'Abruzzo) is a ditzy blonde woman. They always say unrelated things are "related stories."
  • Irv, the Studio Accountant (voiced by Joey Mazzarino) tries to save money for the show. He makes the narrator do sound effects himself!
  • The Sombrero Brothers are two untalented performers in Mexican clothes. Their act, "Flying Sombrero Brothers," involves flying on a plane.
  • The Ranting Swede (voiced by Kevin Seal) is a Swedish man who complains about many things at the end of almost every episode.
  • The Ranting Norwegian (voiced by Kevin Seal) replaces the Ranting Swede in one episode. He talks softly about his new car and appreciates things instead of complaining.
  • General Public (voiced by Jerry Nelson) is Private Public's father.

Show Style and Humor

Sheep in the Big City has a very unique and funny style.

How Episodes Begin

Each episode usually starts with a clip that seems unrelated. It turns out Sheep is just watching TV! Sheep then presses a button on his remote to change the channel, and the show's theme song begins.

Episode Structure

Every episode is split into three parts, called "chapters." The narrator often jokes that each chapter title is "some pun on the word 'sheep' or something." For example, in one episode, a chapter was actually named "Some Pun on the Word 'Sheep'!"

Between the chapters, there are fake commercials and short skits, like those with the Sombrero Brothers. The fake commercials often feature products from "Oxymoron" with Victor as the spokesperson. These products are usually bad quality or cause pain!

Breaking the Fourth Wall

One of the most special things about the show is how often it "breaks the fourth wall." This means characters know they are in a TV show! They often talk about the show's script, how it's made, or even its main idea. For example, in one episode, General Specific finally catches Sheep. But the Angry Scientist says he didn't have the Ray Gun ready. He thought they would never catch Sheep because it would go against "the set-up of the show"!

The Narrator is also a very important character. He often talks to the characters through his voice-over. Sometimes, characters even show up in his studio! He also criticizes TV shows in general and the script itself. If the script doesn't make sense, he sometimes makes up his own lines. He also tells the audience to "just go with it" if things get too silly.

Literal Humor

The show also uses a lot of "literal humor." This means that common phrases or expressions are taken exactly as they sound. For example, if someone says "Hold the phone!" the show might cut to a picture of someone literally holding a phone. A running joke in the show is that whenever a character exclaims "Great Scott!" a Scotsman appears out of nowhere and says, "Yes?"

Episodes List

Season Episodes Originally aired
First aired Last aired
Pilot August 18, 2000 (2000-08-18)
1 13 November 17, 2000 (2000-11-17) July 29, 2001 (2001-07-29)
2 13 December 2, 2001 (2001-12-02) April 7, 2002 (2002-04-07)

Pilot (2000)

No. Title Directed & Written by Original air date Prod.
code
0 "In the Baa-ginning" Mo Willems August 18, 2000 (2000-08-18) 000

Sheep leaves Farmer John's farm to find a happy life in the big city.

Guest Stars: Christine Walters

Season 1 (2000–01)

No. Title Directed by Written by Original air date Prod.
code
1 "Be Still My Bleat-ing Heart!" Karen Villarreal Mo Willems November 17, 2000 (2000-11-17) 101

Sheep falls in love with a poodle named Swanky. But Swanky's owner hates sheep!

Guest Stars: Christine Walters
2 "To Bleat or Not to Bleat!" Mike de Seve Mo Willems November 24, 2000 (2000-11-24) 102
A girl named Lisa Rental saves Sheep from General Specific. She wants to keep him as a pet.
3 "Belle of the Baaaah!" Maurice Joyce David Wain December 1, 2000 (2000-12-01) 103
Sheep accidentally swallows a diamond. Now, everyone in town loves and pays attention to him!
4 "Going Off the Sheep End!" Sue Perrotto Joey Mazzarino December 8, 2000 (2000-12-08) 104
Sheep tries to get Swanky's attention by changing how he looks and acts.
5 "Home for the Baaa-lidays!" Karen Villarreal Mo Willems December 29, 2000 (2000-12-29) 106
Sheep goes back to the farm for the holidays.
6 "Can't Live Without Ewe!" Karen Villarreal Mo Willems January 12, 2001 (2001-01-12) 105
Sheep goes to a fake sheep convention set up by the military. Farmer John misses him and hires a German Shepherd to bring Sheep home.
7 "15 Muttons of Fame!" Maurice Joyce Mo Willems January 26, 2001 (2001-01-26) 107
An agent for a dishwashing commercial finds Sheep. Sheep decides to become a model to avoid General Specific. But he might have to leave his friends behind.
8 "The Agony of De-Bleat!" Sue Perrotto Mo Willems March 2, 2001 (2001-03-02) 108
General Specific actually catches Sheep! He fires everyone at the Secret Military Base. But the workers decide to free Sheep to get their jobs back.
9 "Baaa-ck in Time!" Karen Villarreal Joey Mazzarino March 23, 2001 (2001-03-23) 109
Sheep escapes through time, hoping to find a better life.
10 "Fleeced to Meet You!" Maurice Joyce Mo Willems June 10, 2001 (2001-06-10) 110
General Specific hires X-Agent to become Sheep's friend and trap him. X-Agent succeeds but then changes his mind, realizing friendship with Sheep is more important.
11 "A Star Is Shorn!" Maurice Joyce David Wain June 24, 2001 (2001-06-24) 111
Sheep gets a job as a waiter at a cool club. General Specific finds him and almost knocks over the plates Sheep is carrying. Sheep catches the plates and starts spinning them, hypnotizing General Specific. Farmer John then appears and convinces Sheep to become a professional plate spinner.
12 "Mistaken Identi-Sheep!" Sue Perrotto Joey Mazzarino July 8, 2001 (2001-07-08) 112
A creature that looks like a sheep robs the town, and Sheep gets blamed.
13 "To Sheep, Perchance to Dream!" Karen Villarreal Mo Willems July 29, 2001 (2001-07-29) 113
This episode is all about the nightmares of people living in the Big City.

Season 2 (2001–02)

No. Title Directed by Written by Original air date Prod.
code
14 "Wish You Were Shear!" Karen Villarreal Story by: Mo Willems
Weird Bits by: Joey Mazzarino
December 2, 2001 (2001-12-02) 201

Sheep gets adopted by Lisa Rental. Meanwhile, Lady Richington takes Swanky to the Greyhound Race Track.

Guest Stars: Fran Brill, Christine Walters
15 "Baah-Dern Times" Sue Perrotto Mo Willems December 9, 2001 (2001-12-09) 202

The whole cast of "Sheep in the Big City" gets sick. So, the audience watches an old black-and-white silent film instead, featuring the ancestors of the cast.

Guest Stars: Fran Brill
16 "Flock Up in the Sky!" Mr. Warburton Mo Willems December 16, 2001 (2001-12-16) 203

X-Agent returns and promises to protect Sheep from General Specific.

Guest Stars: Christine Walters
17 "My, How Ewe Have Changed!" Karen Villarreal Mo Willems December 23, 2001 (2001-12-23) 204
Sheep is invited back to Farmer John's farm for a reunion.
18 "Party of the Shear!" Sue Perrotto Mo Willems February 10, 2002 (2002-02-10) 206
To escape the secret military organization, Sheep goes into a dance club that General Specific is not cool enough to enter.
19 "The Wool of the People" Mr. Warburton Mo Willems February 17, 2002 (2002-02-17) 205
General Specific cannot capture Sheep because of a new law made by the mayor of the Big City.
20 "Daddy Shear-est!" Karen Villarreal Mo Willems February 24, 2002 (2002-02-24) 207

Private Public gets a visit from his dad, General Public.

Guest Stars: Jerry L. Nelson
21 "The Wool Is Not Enough!" Sue Perrotto Story by: Mo Willems
Weird Bits by: David Wain
March 3, 2002 (2002-03-03) 208
General Specific is tired of the Angry Scientist's failures. He hires Doctor Oh No No No to help him catch Sheep. But the Doctor has his own secret plans.
22 "Beauty and the Bleats!" Mr. Warburton Mo Willems March 10, 2002 (2002-03-10) 209
A Genie turns Sheep into a human-sheep mix so he can get into Swanky's new apartment.
23 "An Officer and a Gentle-lamb!" Karen Villarreal Mo Willems March 17, 2002 (2002-03-17) 210

Sheep can't keep a steady job because the Top Secret Military Organization is always chasing him.

Guest Stars: Ruth Buzzi, Christine Walters
24 "Oh, the Ewe-manity!" Sue Perrotto Story by: Mo Willems
Weird Bits by: Joey Mazzarino
March 24, 2002 (2002-03-24) 211
General Specific can't catch Sheep because he's too small for his net. So, he uses an enlarging ray to make him bigger.
25 "Here Goes Mutton!" Mr. Warburton Story by: Mo Willems
Weird Bits by: Joey Mazzarino & Mo Willems
March 31, 2002 (2002-03-31) 212
Farmer John becomes a football player. Meanwhile, Sheep gets amnesia (loses his memory) after being hit on the head.
26 "Baa-hind the Scenes!" Karen Villarreal Mo Willems April 7, 2002 (2002-04-07) 213

The cast finishes filming an episode. Sheep and his manager have a lunch meeting with the head of the TV network. General Specific doesn't like this and tries to ruin the meeting. In the end, because of him (and the Angry Scientist's new invention), Sheep turns pink with big eyes and is perfect for another show!

Guest Stars: Christine Walters

Other Appearances

Sheep also made a quick appearance in the OK K.O.! Let's Be Heroes special episode "Crossover Nexus." He was one of many Cartoon Network heroes who were called to fight and were defeated by a character named Strike.

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Sheep in the big city para niños

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