Seven Little Monsters, or 7 Little Monsters, is a Canadian animated children's television series about a family of seven monsters and their mother.[1] It is based on the book of the same name by Maurice Sendak and directed by Neil Affleck, Lynn Reist, and Glenn Sylvester. It was co-produced by Nelvana Limited, Suzhou Hong Ying Animation Corporation Limited for the first two seasons and Philippine Animation Studio Inc. for the third season, produced in association with Treehouse TV and PBS.
| Seven Little Monsters | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Fantasy Comedy |
| Based on | Seven Little Monsters by Maurice Sendak |
| Directed by | Neil Affleck Lynn Reist Glenn Sylvester |
| Voices of | Joanne Vannicola Colin Mochrie Dwayne Hill Seán Cullen Michele Scarabelli Debra McGrath |
| Theme music composer | Barenaked Ladies |
| Opening theme | "Seven Little Monsters" |
| Composer | Lesley Barber |
| Country of origin | Canada China (S1–2) Philippines (S3) |
| Original languages | English Chinese Filipino |
| No. of seasons | 3 |
| No. of episodes | 40 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
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| Producers |
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| Running time | 26 minutes |
| Production companies | Nelvana Limited Suzhou Hong Ying Animation Company Limited (S1–2) Philippine Animation Studio Inc. (S3) |
| Original release | |
| Network | Treehouse TV (S1–2) YTV (S3) |
| Release | September 30, 2000 – October 6, 2003 |
Premise
editThe show that focuses on seven monsters (Brothers Two, Three, Four, Five, and Seven and Sisters One and Six), each named after a different number from one to seven, and each has unique physical characteristics.
Characters
edit- One (voiced by Joanne Vannicola) is the oldest and the only monster who can fly. She is a tomboy, a natural athlete who loves sports, and somewhat of a tattletale. She often gets her siblings into trouble, but still cares deeply for them.
- Two (voiced by Colin Mochrie) is the most helpful of the monsters and has a prominent nose which he often "sticks in where it doesn't belong".
- Three (voiced by Dwayne Hill) is a dramatic monster who takes on a different personality and voice in every episode, often to the dismay of others.
- Four (voiced by Seán Cullen) is always bad-tempered and grumpy. He is normally seen with his younger brother Five.
- Five (voiced by Seán Cullen) is the biggest and most childlike of the monsters who speaks few words with a thick speech impediment. He has an enormous tongue and a voracious appetite.
- Six (voiced by Michele Scarabelli) is the resident ballerina of the group who thinks she is the most beautiful of the monsters. Unlike her sister One, she has more feminine interests. She wears a purple leotard with a white tutu, has a star wand, and speaks with a US accent.
- Seven (voiced by Seán Cullen) is the youngest who has the ability to unscrew his head. He is the most gentle and timid monster who is afraid of bugs and is fond of cheese, and speaks in a Boris Karloff-esque voice.
- Mom (voiced by Debra McGrath) is the mother of the seven monsters. A kindly, babushka-wearing witch, she is much smaller than her children and speaks with a European accent.
- Mary is the monsters' psychedelic neighbour and good friend. She is the leader of a club called the Purple Pixies, which consists of other club members: Wendy (the only one who talks beside Mary), Angela, and Kate, who dislikes Six, and, always has a gloomy angry look.
- Sam is Five's pet turtle.
- Belinda is the monster family's pet cow.
- Freddie is Mary's pet dog.
Music
editThe theme song was performed by the Canadian rock band Barenaked Ladies, who also performed the theme to CBS’ The Big Bang Theory.
Production and Broadcast
editThe show initially started airing in the U.S. on PBS, as a segment on the weekend PBS Kids Bookworm Bunch block, on September 30, 2000.[2] The first season ended on December 23, 2000, with repeats of the first season continuing through October 2001. The second season ran from November 3, 2001 to January 26, 2002, again during the Bookworm Bunch block. Repeats of the second season continued until September 2004, when the Bookworm Bunch was discontinued.
The third season premiered on January 6, 2003 on PBS, and was paired with The Berenstain Bears in the same half-hour timeslot on weekdays; thus, new episodes were only 15 minutes in duration, as opposed to 30 minutes for the first two seasons.[3] The Berenstain Bears began filling the entire half-hour timeslot on most PBS member stations starting September 15, 2003,[4] resulting in some episodes of the third season of Seven Little Monsters never being broadcast on PBS. Some PBS stations continued airing episodes of the third season until August 2004.[5]
In Canada, it was aired on Treehouse TV from February 4, 2001 to February 3, 2002. The series was then moved to YTV from 2002 to 2005. In the United Kingdom, it was aired on Tiny Pop in 2004.[citation needed]
Episodes
editSeason 1 (2000)
editAll episodes in this season are directed by Glenn Sylvester. These episodes aired as segments on the PBS Kids Bookworm Bunch.
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Written by | Original air date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | "Good Morning!" | Jeph Loeb | September 30, 2000 | |
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The seven monsters are sent by Mom to buy some milk. However, this results in chaos when Six falls asleep on the bus and when Seven loses his head. | |||||
| 2 | 2 | "Good Night!" | Jeph Loeb | October 7, 2000 | |
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The seven monsters have a hard time getting some sleep, so Mom tells them a bedtime story. | |||||
| 3 | 3 | "The Mystery of the Missing Five" | Seán Cullen | October 14, 2000 | |
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Five goes around town to prove he's a good boy after Four hurt his feelings. Three goes detective to help the others find him. | |||||
| 4 | 4 | "Seven Monsters and a Baby" | Matthew Daniel Weisman | October 21, 2000 | |
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The seven monsters take charge of chores in the house so Mama can have a restful nap. This gets complicated when they have to babysit Mrs. Mulligan's baby. | |||||
| 5 | 5 | "Are You My Family?" | Ian Weir | October 28, 2000 | |
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Upset by One's hurtful remarks, Six goes away to find a new family. Meanwhile, the other monsters are in disarray without Six to help them prepare for Mother's Day. | |||||
| 6 | 6 | "Please Mr. Postman" | Matthew Daniel Weisman | November 4, 2000 | |
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Two misses a trip to the park to wait for an important package. The monsters also need their picture taken, except that Seven's head is missing. | |||||
| 7 | 7 | "Doctor, Doctor!" | John Pellatt and Kenn Scott | November 11, 2000 | |
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Two catches a cold, so the other monsters try to help him get better so he can come with them to the movies. | |||||
| 8 | 8 | "Along Came Mary" | Seán Cullen | November 18, 2000 | |
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Mary has moved in next door. The monsters compete to be her best friend, until she tells them they are equally nifty. | |||||
| 9 | 9 | "A Monster's Best Friend" | Michael Thoma | November 25, 2000 | |
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The monsters bring home a puppy as a pet. They learn to train and love the puppy and win back Belinda's affections. | |||||
| 10 | 10 | "Spooky" | Matthew Daniel Weisman | December 2, 2000 | |
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The power goes out during a thunderstorm and the monsters are scared. | |||||
| 11 | 11 | "Plooky" | Seán Cullen | December 9, 2000 | |
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When Mom wins a video camera, Four becomes a movie director and he orders the rest of the monsters to make a video with him. | |||||
| 12 | 12 | "Fair Play" | John Pellatt and Kenn Scott | December 16, 2000 | |
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Seven teaches all the monsters to work as a team to win the big soccer game. | |||||
| 13 | 13 | "Lost and Found" | Seán Cullen | December 23, 2000 | |
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When Five finds a wallet with money at the park, the monsters find out that it's not their money. They learn that honesty is the best policy. | |||||
Season 2 (2001–02)
editAll episodes in this season are directed by Neil Affleck.
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Written by | Original air date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | 1 | "Losing Sam" | Seán Cullen | November 3, 2001 | |
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Five wins a pet turtle called Sam. But when Sam goes missing, Five and the other monsters must cooperate with Sam's track. | |||||
| 15 | 2 | "Out of Sight" | Michael Thoma | November 10, 2001 | |
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One can't see properly so the monsters go to the optometrist to help her educate and see properly. | |||||
| 16 | 3 | "All the Marbles" | Jeph Loeb, John Pellatt and Kenn Scott | November 17, 2001 | |
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When Seven sees a Monster Marbles toy on television, he is fascinated with them and when the Monsters buy a birthday present for Mary, Seven buys the marbles. | |||||
| 17 | 4 | "The Whole Tooth" | Seán Cullen | November 24, 2001 | |
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Six is losing a baby tooth and she has to learn what loose teeth are. | |||||
| 18 | 5 | "My Fair One" | Seán Cullen and Sheila Dinsmore | December 1, 2001 | |
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One plays baseball with Billy and Six must help One become a baseball player. | |||||
| 19 | 6 | "Splitting Hairs" | Michael Thoma | December 8, 2001 | |
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Two is lacking in confidence prior to appearing as a contestant on his favourite game show when he fears getting a haircut. | |||||
| 20 | 7 | "Elephant!" | David Boswell | December 15, 2001 | |
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Four meets an elephant named Wendy. When Four and Wendy come home from the zoo, Four learns that animals need friends. | |||||
| 21 | 8 | "A Day at the Firehouse" | Seán Cullen | December 22, 2001 | |
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The monsters visit Chief Lubomir to learn about fire safety which worries Seven. | |||||
| 22 | 9 | "Runaway Mom" | Michael Thoma | December 29, 2001 | |
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After Mom was angry at her monsters for building a hot air balloon made out of pieces of the house and sent them to their room, the monsters think that Mom ran away. | |||||
| 23 | 10 | "You are What You Eat" | Seán Cullen | January 5, 2002 | |
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The County Fair is approaching and everyone is excited about the contest. Four trains Five for a pie eating contest until he becomes unhealthy. | |||||
| 24 | 11 | "April Fools" | Seán Cullen | January 12, 2002 | |
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The monsters write a play despite everyone's input, but Five and Four want comedy. They annoy the other monsters with practical jokes until they teach them a lesson. | |||||
| 25 | 12 | "It's a Wonder-Four Life" | Seán Cullen | January 19, 2002 | |
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Four wishes he was an only child but he is surprised that he learns that his wish comes true. | |||||
| 26 | 13 | "The Adventures of Super Three" | David Boswell and Matthew Daniel Weisman | January 26, 2002 | |
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The monsters pretend that they are the superheroes and villains in this world and make a mess in the basement rather than cleaning. | |||||
Season 3 (2003)
editNote: In the U.S., All the episodes in season 3 (except for episodes 37 and 40) aired with The Berenstain Bears on PBS Kids.
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Written by | Directed by | Original air date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27a | 1a | "All's Quiet on the Monster Front" | Kim Thompson | Neil Affleck | January 8, 2003 (on PBS Kids) | |
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Two is trying to write a song for a contest and needs peace and quiet. | ||||||
| 27b | 1b | "Nightmare on Chestnut Street" | Seán Cullen | Neil Affleck | January 17, 2003 (on PBS Kids) | |
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In trying to help Six get back to sleep after a scary dream, each monster shares their worst nightmare and soon they are all shaking with fear. | ||||||
| 28a | 2a | "Ear Spy" | Johanna Stein | Lynn Reist | January 14, 2003 (on PBS Kids) | |
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Seven passes off his eavesdropping as mind-reading. Impressed, the family arranges a big show for all the neighbourhood children. | ||||||
| 28b | 2b | "Bang! Zoom! To The Moon" | Seán Cullen | Lynn Reist | January 7, 2003 (on PBS Kids) | |
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Four and his siblings try to build a rocket and go to the Moon. | ||||||
| 29a | 3a | "My Favorite Crustacean" | Kim Thompson | Neil Affleck | January 23, 2003 (on PBS Kids) | |
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One's insistence to keep a growing hermit crab from their beach trip slowly inconveniences her siblings. | ||||||
| 29b | 3b | "Pennies for Seven" | Michael Thoma | Neil Affleck | January 24, 2003 (on PBS Kids) | |
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The monsters compete to raise the most money for Sing-Song the panda's new home at the zoo. | ||||||
| 30a | 4a | "The Nose Knows" | Seán Cullen | Lynn Reist | January 27, 2003 (on PBS Kids) | |
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When Four and Five compares Two's nose to Pinocchio's, Two becomes insecure. | ||||||
| 30b | 4b | "Gone But Not Four-Gotten" | Johanna Stein | Lynn Reist | January 28, 2003 (on PBS Kids) | |
| 31a | 5a | "High Noon" | Seán Cullen | Neil Affleck | January 15, 2003 (on PBS Kids) | |
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The monsters wait impatiently for their cupcakes to finish baking, so they think of ways to pass the time. | ||||||
| 31b | 5b | "The Winning Streak" | Seán Cullen | Neil Affleck | January 29, 2003 (on PBS Kids) | |
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Spurred on by hopes of winning a trophy and creamed corn, Six competes in a bowling tournament. | ||||||
| 32a | 6a | "A Clean Sweep" | Kim Thompson | Lynn Reist | January 30, 2003 (on PBS Kids) | |
| 32b | 6b | "The Two Who Cried Ouch!" | Seán Cullen | Lynn Reist | January 31, 2003 (on PBS Kids) | |
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Two gets sick again. Enjoying the attention, he decides to fake being sick. | ||||||
| 33a | 7a | "The Monster Trash" | Johanna Stein | Neil Affleck | February 3, 2003 (on PBS Kids) | |
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Six pawns off her promise to take out the trash onto the other monsters; all of whom take an "out of sight out of mind approach" to their duty. | ||||||
| 33b | 7b | "The Bad Hop" | Seán Cullen | Neil Affleck | February 4, 2003 (on PBS Kids) | |
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One's recent baseball injury makes her afraid to return and join the team. | ||||||
| 34a | 8a | "A Five-y Tale" | Kim Thompson | Lynn Reist | February 5, 2003 (on PBS Kids) | |
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When Five is having trouble learning how to somersault, his siblings try to give him advice the same way Mom usually does - by telling a story. | ||||||
| 34b | 8b | "The Big Store" | Seán Cullen | Lynn Reist | February 6, 2003 (on PBS Kids) | |
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Six gets lost on a shopping trip to a big department store after not paying attention to her mother's directions. | ||||||
| 35a | 9a | "Dinner for Breakfast" | Michael Thoma | Neil Affleck | January 21, 2003 (on PBS Kids) | |
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Via a wish to the Plooky, the monsters' desire for everything being opposite to what it's supposed to be turns the world backwards. | ||||||
| 35b | 9b | "Drip, Drip, Drip!" | Seán Cullen | Neil Affleck | January 10, 2003 (on PBS Kids) | |
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Four's negligence in turning off the water at home causes a drought during a heatwave. | ||||||
| 36a | 10a | "I'm Telling" | Johanna Stein | Lynn Reist | January 16, 2003 (on PBS Kids) | |
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One's constant tattling on her siblings ruins their plans of a backyard camp out. | ||||||
| 36b | 10b | "Voyage To the Bottom Of the Cereal Box" | Seán Cullen | Lynn Reist | January 6, 2003 (on PBS Kids) | |
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Three gets his hopes up waiting for a submarine from his favourite cereal. | ||||||
| 37a | 11a | "The Bad Word" | Seán Cullen | Neil Affleck | October 2, 2003 (on YTV) | |
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When Two starts using curse words, Mom tells the monsters a story about a boy who also used curse words. | ||||||
| 37b | 11b | "Don't Pass Go" | Seán Cullen | Neil Affleck | October 3, 2003 (on YTV) | |
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Seven wants to play a new board game but doesn't want to read the game's rules. | ||||||
| 38a | 12a | "Ahoy, Me Monsters" | Kim Thompson | Lynn Reist | January 13, 2003 (on PBS Kids) | |
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A mysterious letter arrives for Pirate Captain Three, instructing him and his monster crew to solve a series of puzzles to find buried backyard treasure. | ||||||
| 38b | 12b | "A Pony Tale" | Kim Thompson | Lynn Reist | January 22, 2003 (on PBS Kids) | |
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Six runs away after being pressured to give away her toy pony and later learns to give things away that she is too big for. | ||||||
| 39a | 13a | "No Place like Home" | Michael Thoma | Neil Affleck | January 20, 2003 (on PBS Kids) | |
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When Uncle Schmooty offers to swap his mansion for the family home, One and the others learn that bigger doesn't necessarily mean better. | ||||||
| 39b | 13b | "Guys and Dolls" | Seán Cullen | Neil Affleck | January 9, 2003 (on PBS Kids) | |
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Upon catching Five playing with dolls, Four disastrously attempts to get his brother to pursue masculine pursuits. | ||||||
| 40a | 14a | "And Baby Makes Eight" | Johanna Stein | Lynn Reist | October 6, 2003 (on YTV) | |
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Three disguises as a baby to get the attention he wants, but then realizes this means missing out on the meteor shower tonight. | ||||||
| 40b | 14b | "These Are Our Lives!" | Seán Cullen | Lynn Reist | October 1, 2003 (on YTV) | |
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A quarrelsome Four and Five consider disowning each other, until their mother tells them to clean out the garage together. | ||||||
References
edit- ^ Erickson, Hal (2005). Television Cartoon Shows: An Illustrated Encyclopedia, 1949 Through 2003 (2nd ed.). McFarland & Co. pp. 729–730. ISBN 978-1476665993.
- ^ Bedford, Karen E. "PBS debuts 'Bookworm Bunch,' 2000 - Current.org". Current.org. Retrieved May 3, 2017.
- ^ "The Berenstain Bears(R) Bring 40 Years of Literary History to 'PBS KIDS' With Premiere of 15-Minute Animated TV Series" (Press release). Archived from the original on August 22, 2017. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
- ^ "Award-Winning PBS KIDS® Launches New Programming This Fall 2003" (Press release). Retrieved May 3, 2017.
- ^ "WGTE - TV 30 Schedule". August 17, 2004. Archived from the original on August 17, 2004. Retrieved July 10, 2022.