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Recess

  • TV Series
  • 1997–2001
  • TV-Y
  • 23m
IMDb RATING
7.8/10
30K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,573
913
Rickey D'Shon Collins, Jason Davis, Ashley Johnson, Andrew Lawrence, Courtland Mead, and Pamela Adlon in Recess (1997)
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Play trailer0:26
1 Video
99+ Photos
Coming-of-AgeHand-Drawn AnimationUrban AdventureAdventureAnimationComedyFamily

Comic tales of a group of good friends, four boys and two girls, during breaks in primary school, as they grow up, relate to each other, and have brushes with authority.Comic tales of a group of good friends, four boys and two girls, during breaks in primary school, as they grow up, relate to each other, and have brushes with authority.Comic tales of a group of good friends, four boys and two girls, during breaks in primary school, as they grow up, relate to each other, and have brushes with authority.

  • Creators
    • Paul Germain
    • Joe Ansolabehere
  • Stars
    • Andrew Lawrence
    • Ashley Johnson
    • Jason Davis
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.8/10
    30K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    2,573
    913
    • Creators
      • Paul Germain
      • Joe Ansolabehere
    • Stars
      • Andrew Lawrence
      • Ashley Johnson
      • Jason Davis
    • 50User reviews
    • 4Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 13 nominations total

    Episodes129

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    Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 0:26
    Trailer

    Photos382

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    Top cast90

    Edit
    Andrew Lawrence
    Andrew Lawrence
    • Theodore J. 'T.J.' Detweiler…
    • 1998–2001
    Ashley Johnson
    Ashley Johnson
    • Gretchen Grundler
    • 1997–2001
    Jason Davis
    Jason Davis
    • Mikey Blumberg
    • 1997–2001
    Rickey D'Shon Collins
    • Vince LaSalle
    • 1997–2001
    Pamela Adlon
    Pamela Adlon
    • Spinelli…
    • 1997–2001
    Courtland Mead
    Courtland Mead
    • Gus Griswald
    • 1997–2001
    Toran Caudell
    • King Bob
    • 1997–2001
    April Winchell
    April Winchell
    • Miss Muriel P Finster…
    • 1997–2001
    Anndi McAfee
    Anndi McAfee
    • Ashley 'Ashley A' Armbruster…
    • 1997–2001
    Klee Bragger
    • Digger Sam…
    • 1997–2000
    Allyce Beasley
    Allyce Beasley
    • Miss Alordayne Grotkey…
    • 1997–2001
    Francesca Marie Smith
    • Ashley 'Ashley B' Boulet…
    • 1997–2001
    Ross Malinger
    Ross Malinger
    • Theodore J. 'T.J.' Detweiler…
    • 1997–1998
    Rachel Crane
    Rachel Crane
    • Ashley 'Ashley Q' Quinlan
    • 1997–2001
    Ryan O'Donohue
    • Randall Weems…
    • 1997–2001
    Aria Noelle Curzon
    Aria Noelle Curzon
    • Theresa 'Cornchip Girl' LaMaise…
    • 1998–2001
    Dabney Coleman
    Dabney Coleman
    • Principal Peter Prickly…
    • 1997–1999
    Tress MacNeille
    Tress MacNeille
    • Ms. Lemon…
    • 1997–2001
    • Creators
      • Paul Germain
      • Joe Ansolabehere
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews50

    7.829.8K
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    Featured reviews

    9slimshady5623

    words can't express how much I miss this show

    Recess was a really good show. I loved it so much. Although I haven't watched this show in about 7 or 8 years I have never forgotten about it. Recess is about a group of six 4th graders trying to face challenges and make it through the course of a school year. There was TJ, a born leader, who never backed down from a challenge. There was Gretchen a super genius who knew a lot about science and was the brains of TJs plans. THere was Spinelli, a tough girl, who always would fight with a lot of people. There was Vince, who was the athletic, sporty kind of guy. Then there was Mikey, the sweet, poetic, kid who always tried to do the right thing. Lastly, there was Guss, the new kid, and who is sort of timid, and shy at times. I thought that each episode was entertaining and I liked the stories in each episode. All six of the main characters had great chemistry together although all of them had different personalities they still got along well.

    In conclusion this was a great show one of Disney's finest too bad Disney doesn't make shows like this anymore :(
    10yolandacspeedebuyers

    I Love this show

    I Love this cartoon I still watch it....I hope they come up with new ones
    Flower_of_the_Lily

    Wonderful!

    I first encountered this great series a short while back when babysitting, and can only regret that it wasn't around when I was at school! Sharper, wittier and more acerbic than standard Disney fare, it still packs a healthy dose of Disney morals and lessons into each episode without being overwhelmed by them, thank heavens.

    The idea is simplicity itself: a group of tight-knit ten-year-old friends battle to overcome problems and enemies (often in the shape of an authority figure!) within the confines of school, the playground, the odd field trip and of course, the daily doses of Recess. The fun, however, lies in the outrageous situations that spring up, the even crazier solutions, and the delightfully extreme characters that populate the school.

    At the centre of it all is the gang of six: the leader T.J (a sort of pre-teen Fonzie) who always has a plan (or six) and enough moral fibre for the whole playground, hot-tempered, feisty Spinelli, Gretchen, the smartest girl in school (and possibly the nation) gentle giant Mikey, ultra-cool sports fanatic Vince, and pint-sized, fearful Gus. Together they take on dilemmas ranging from bullying and what to do about it, to unfair teachers, playground fads and classroom snitches (not to mention the savage kindergärtners!) Characterisation as aforementioned is delightfully extreme - kudos to whoever came up with Gretchen and Spinelli in particular! Gus is a constant source of humour - Vince and Mikey are solid support, but T.J, who combines the wisdom of Huckleberry Finn and the coolness of the Fonz, along with a mischievous streak that would do Bart Simpson proud is a continual stroke of genius. 10/10!
    jumcjunk

    The best animated show ever!

    I absolutely LOVE the show!I am 15,and I like to watch it because it can take you out of the high school misery feelings and back into the joyful recess hours...It is also a fun show to watch,because the plots are exciting and adventerous.Unlike some of today's action-packed films with nothing but obscene content and language,recess has plots which teach us something in the end.I dont know why they cancelled it,but they obviously didnt do the right thing.As you can read above,MORE PEOPLE like the show than hate it.So I think they should bring it back.Definately a show to be watched!I am getting BOTH movies when they come out!:)
    8Tresix

    The more things change, the more they stay the same.

    I only began to follow "Recess" in reruns. Now I wish I had watched it while it was still on the air. The show is funny and very enjoyable. I can still identify with a lot of the things that the fourth graders at Third St. Elementary School (named after millionaire philanthropist Thaddeus T. Third III) go through even though it's been thirty-four years for me. First, let's look at the gang themselves: T.J., the undisputed leader of the gang and master prankster. Gretchen, the smartest kid in the school REGARDLESS of grade. Gus, the mousy new kid. Vince, the school jock. Spinnelli, the toughest girl, if not kid, in the school. Mikey, the big kid with the soul of a poet. Each kid has their own unique personality and strength (for the record: I was like Gus while in the fourth grade, now I'm probably more like Mikey). Then, there are the suppporting players like the Ashleys, who act not unlike the title characters in the movie HEATHERS. Randall, the school snitch. The Diggers (named Sam and Dave, after the famous singing group). Upside-down Girl and Swinger Girl. Office clerk Menlow (does this kid EVER go to class?). Lawson, who is constantly on the losing end of any competition with Vince. And the Kindergarteners, who look and act like escapees from "Lord of the Flies". Then there are the grown-ups of the show: The appropriately named Principal Prickly (voiced by Dabney Coleman). Flowerchild teacher Miss Grolke (Alyce Beasley of "Moonlighting" fame). And last, but certainly not least, Miss Finster (April Winchell), the school disciplinarian, described as "a 200-lb. gargoyle in orthopedic shoes". Watching this show brings back a lot of memories, both good and bad. It's a trip down Memory Lane worth traveling.

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    Related interests

    Elsie Fisher in Eighth Grade (2018)
    Coming-of-Age
    Jodi Benson, Jason Marin, and Samuel E. Wright in The Little Mermaid (1989)
    Hand-Drawn Animation
    Shameik Moore in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)
    Urban Adventure
    Still frame
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    Family

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Paul Germain based Gretchen Grundler on childhood pictures of his wife.
    • Goofs
      When Gus is seen from the side, the temple of his glasses can't be seen through the lens.
    • Quotes

      [repeated line]

      Theodore J. 'T.J.' Detweiler: This whomps.

    • Connections
      Edited into Recess Christmas: Miracle on Third Street (2001)

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    FAQ18

    • How many seasons does Recess have?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 31, 1997 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • Philippines
      • South Korea
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Recreo
    • Production companies
      • Disney Television Animation
      • Paul & Joe Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 23m
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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