The Smoggies facts for kids

The Smoggies is a fun animated TV show from Canada and France. It first aired between 1988 and 1991. The show teaches us about protecting our planet. It arrived in the United States in 1991.

The story takes place on a beautiful place called Coral Island. This island is home to friendly people known as the Suntots. They love nature and keep their island clean. But there are also three bad guys called the Smoggies. They are always trying to find treasure and don't care about polluting everything.

The Smoggies live on a dirty coal-powered ship called the SS Stinky Poo. This ship makes the air and water around Coral Island very dirty. The Suntots spend most of their time trying to stop the Smoggies. They always find clever ways to outsmart the Smoggies' plans.

About The Smoggies Show

The show often explains why it's important to protect the environment. The Smoggies constantly try to ruin the Suntots' home for their own gain. They often try to steal the island's "magic coral." The Smoggies believe this coral can make them young forever.

However, the show often hints that the magic coral isn't real. It suggests that the Smoggies' desire for it comes from their greed. Especially Emma, who is very vain and wants to stay young.

Show History and Names

After its first run, the show was shown again in different countries. In 1994, HBO in the United States showed it as Stop the Smoggies. In France, it was known as SOS Polluards. People in Quebec called it Touftoufs et Polluards. The show was also broadcast in Ireland on RTÉ2. In the United Kingdom, the BBC aired it with its original name, The Smoggies.

Who Are The Smoggies?

The Smoggies are the main villains of the show. They are a small group of treasure hunters. They cause pollution and trouble wherever they go.

• Emma: She is the boss of the Smoggies. Emma has a very short temper. She is also very afraid of getting old. She is always thinking up new ways to get what she wants. Emma constantly orders her two helpers around. She is obsessed with finding the magic coral. She truly believes it keeps the Suntots young. Polluto calls her "Miss Emma." Emma is a bully and will lie to get her way.

• Clarence: He is Emma's husband. Clarence is also the captain of the polluting ship, the Stinky-Poo. He likes to invent things and is a scientist. But his inventions usually don't work as planned. Clarence is often afraid to stand up to Emma. He can get frustrated when things go wrong. Polluto calls him "the Captain" or "Captain Clarence."

• Polluto: He is Clarence's only crew member. Polluto is not very smart, as Emma often points out. But he is the most practical Smoggie. He takes care of the ship's engine room. He even eats coal and oil! Polluto also works as a cook, pilot, mechanic, and cleaner. He often shows a kind heart. His polluting actions are usually because he doesn't know better. Sometimes he is friendly with the Suntots. But he quickly turns against them when Emma tells him to.

Meet The Suntots

The Suntots are the good guys in the show. They are island dwellers who care deeply about their home and the environment. They are always ready to protect Coral Island from the Smoggies.

Main Suntot Characters

• Princess Lila: She is taller than the other Suntots. Her body looks more like a human's. She has unique red hair. The other Suntots look up to her as their leader. Emma sees her as a problem. But Princess Lila keeps trying to tell Emma that the magic coral isn't real.

• Speed: He is brave and speaks his mind. Speed is known for being a very fast swimmer. He often comes up with solutions to the Suntots' problems. He has bright blue hair. Speed and Princess Lila often work together on adventures. They are the true heroes of the show.

• Chip: He is the clever engineer for the Suntots. Chip has bright orange hair. He invents and builds many things. He always uses methods that are good for the environment. Chip is quieter than Speed or Princess Lila. He often joins them on their adventures. He is more of a helper and rarely takes charge.

• Uncle Boom: He is the oldest Suntot. Uncle Boom is the only one with white hair. He calls himself the mayor of Suntot Town. He loves to make speeches whenever he can. But he can be a bit forgetful and clumsy.

Other Suntot Friends

Besides the main characters, there are other Suntots who appear often. Each one is named after a main trait or their job.

• Sport: He has yellow hair and is a great athlete. Sport wears a sweatband and a number 8 shirt. He sometimes likes to show off. He can act before thinking.
• Little: The youngest Suntot. He has bluish-green hair. Little is playful, curious, and short. He sometimes feels like he's not as good as others.
• Cool: A relaxed musician with light blue hair and sunglasses. He prefers making songs over other work. He often asks if something is "cool."
• Miss Doctor: The Suntots' doctor and animal expert. She has pale green hair and glasses. She is calm, logical, and caring.
• Gardener: The Suntots' expert on plants and farming. He has dark green hair. He spends his time growing food in his greenhouse or on his farm.
• Cookie: She has pink hair. All the Suntots love her cooking. Sometimes she focuses so much on cooking that she forgets other things.
• Sailor: The best boat sailor among the Suntots. He has navy blue hair and a mustache. He speaks with a sailor's accent and slang.
• Scaredy: An orange-haired Suntot who gets frightened very easily. But deep down, he is brave. He and Sport are best friends.
• Choo-Choo: The orange-haired driver of the "No. 9" steam locomotive. He is very sentimental.
• Tricks: A practical joker with orange hair. He sometimes likes to scare Scaredy.
• Choosy: A yellow-haired Suntot who finds it hard to make decisions.
• Lumber: The Suntots' expert on trees and conservation. He has pink hair. He can tell any tree by its wood.
• Hobo: A purple-haired Suntot who dislikes baths. He is one of the few Suntots with facial hair.
• Town Crier: A purple-haired Suntot whose job is to announce "Big meeting in the town square!"

Animal Friends

The Suntots also have several animal friends who help them.

• Turtle Tom: A sea turtle who is a friend to the Suntots. He doesn't talk. The top of his shell opens up so Suntots can ride him. He helps move heavy things on land.
• Pelican Pete: A pelican who helps the Suntots travel through the air.
• Arnold: A friendly great white shark. He helps the Suntots with transport and tasks underwater. Polluto is very scared of him.
• Winston: A white sperm whale. He talks using sonar. His enemy is a giant squid called Old One-Eye.
• Ralph Robin: Polluto’s pet bird. He is a yellow bird, not a robin. He sits on Polluto’s head. He only makes bird sounds, but Polluto seems to understand him.

Voice Actors

Here are some of the talented people who gave voices to the characters:

• Stephanie Morgenstern: Emma, Princess Lila
• Rick Jones: Captain Clarence (voice 1), Uncle Boom (voice 1), Sport (voice 1), Scaredy (voice 1), Sailor (voice 1), Choo-Choo (voice 1), Tricks (voice 1), Cool (voice 1)
• Walter Massey: Polluto
• Terrence Scammell: Speed (voice 1), Gardener (voice 1)
• Teddy Lee Dillon: Chip, Additional voices
• Joan Orenstein: Miss Doctor
• Karen Marginson: Cookie, Little, Choosy, Additional voices
• Pier Paquette: Speed (voice 2), Gardener (voice 2), Sport (voice 2), Cool (voice 2)
• Harvey Berger: Captain Clarence (voice 2), Uncle Boom (voice 2), Scaredy (voice 2), Sailor (voice 2), Choo-Choo (voice 2), Tricks (voice 2)

Episodes

The show had a total of 52 episodes. Each episode showed the Suntots working together to protect their island. They always found ways to stop the Smoggies' latest polluting scheme. The first US broadcasts started in September 1991.

Opening Credits

The main theme song for the English version was written by Joe Raposo. He also wrote music for other famous shows like Sesame Street and The Electric Company. Judy Henderson also helped compose this song. She also worked on themes for shows like Arthur.