Widget (TV series) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Widget |
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Widget
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| Genre | Animated comedy |
| Created by | Peter Keefe |
| Directed by | Tom Burton |
| Presented by | Calico Creations Zodiac Entertainment |
| Voices of | Russi Taylor Jim Cummings Kath Soucie Dana Hill |
| Theme music composer | Dale Schacker |
| Country of origin | United States South Korea |
| Original language(s) | English Korean |
| No. of seasons | 2 |
| No. of episodes | 65 |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) | Peter Keefe |
| Producer(s) | Tom Burton |
| Running time | 30 minutes per episode (approx.) |
| Production company(s) | Calico Creations Zodiac Entertainment |
| Distributor | Zodiac Entertainment |
| Release | |
| Original network | Syndication, USA Network (USA) KBS (South Korea) |
| Picture format | Color |
| First shown in | 1990 |
| Original release | 29 September 1990 – 12 December 1991 |
Widget (also known as Widget the World Watcher) is an animated TV show. It was created by Peter Keefe, who also created Voltron. The show first aired on September 29, 1990. It ran for two seasons with 65 episodes. The series teaches kids about protecting the environment. The National Education Association even recommended it for children to watch.
About the Show
The show is about Widget, a small purple alien from the planet Widget. He can change his shape by spinning like a top. Widget and his human friends work together to protect nature. His friends are two brothers, Kevin and Brian, and their older sister Kristine.
Later, Widget's cousin, Half-Pint, joins them. Half-Pint is also a shapeshifter. Widget is often with Mega Brain, a smart but clumsy floating head with hands.
The show was made by Calico Creations. Its main goal was to teach children about pollution and its dangers. In each episode, Widget fights villains from Earth or space. These villains want to harm Earth's environment or steal its natural resources. Some of these bad guys include Dr. Dante and Mega Slank. Widget also has an evil twin named Ratchet.
Like other shows such as Captain Planet and the Planeteers, Widget tries to save Earth from environmental problems. Sometimes, he even fights against creatures made from pollution. For example, in one episode, Widget battled a living toxic goo. This goo was polluting Earth's beaches and oceans.
Meet the Characters
- Widget the World Watcher (voiced by Russi Taylor): He is the main hero. Widget is a brave, coral-colored alien who can change his shape.
- Mega Brain (voiced by Jim Cummings): Mega Brain is Widget's helper. He is a floating creature with a pink head and hands.
- Half-Pint (voiced by Cree Summer): Half-Pint is Widget's cousin. He is a sky-blue alien who can also change his shape. He is known for being playful and very curious.
- Kevin (voiced by Dana Hill): He is Brian's older brother and a good friend to Widget.
- Brian (voiced by Kath Soucie): A young boy who is also a friend of Widget.
- Kristine (voiced by Kath Soucie): She is the older sister of Brian and Kevin.
- Ratchet (voiced by Tress MacNeille): Ratchet is Widget's evil twin. He lives in another dimension. While Widget saves the world, Ratchet tries to pollute it.
- Dr. Dante (voiced by Jim Cummings): He is a human villain. Dr. Dante is a tricky scientist who often causes trouble.
- Mega Slank (voiced by Pat Fraley): An alien villain from outer space. He seems to dislike Widget's kind.
- Flim Flam McSham: A two-headed ringmaster. He captures creatures from all over the universe.
- Gyp: She works with Flim Flam.
- Crocorillagator: A creature that is part crocodile, part gorilla, and part alligator. He is one of Ratchet's helpers.
- Elewolf: A creature that is part elephant and part wolf. He is another one of Ratchet's helpers.
- Duckster: A creature that is part duck and part rooster. He works for Ratchet.
- Piglion: A creature that is part pig and part lion. He is also one of Ratchet's helpers.
Video Games
The Widget TV series also inspired two video games.
