Capitol Critters

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Capitol Critters
Format Animated series
Created by Nat Mauldin
Steven Bochco
Michael Wagner
Starring Neil Patrick Harris
Charlie Adler
Patti Deutsch
Jennifer Darling
Dorian Harewood
Bobcat Goldthwait
Frank Welker
Country of origin United States
No. of episodes 13
Production
Running time 30 minutes
Production company(s) Steven Bochco Productions
Hanna-Barbera Cartoons
20th Century Fox Television
Distributor 20th Television
Broadcast
Original channel ABC
Original run January 31, 1992 (1992-01-31) – April 17, 1992 (1992-04-17)

Capitol Critters is an animated television series about the lives of mice, rats, and roaches who reside in the basement and walls of the White House in Washington, D.C. The series was produced by Steven Bochco Productions and Hanna-Barbera Productions in association with 20th Century Fox Television for the ABC Television Network, which aired seven out of the show's 13 episodes from January 31, 1992 to April 17, 1992. Cartoon Network began airing all 13 episodes in 1995.

The series was part of a spate of attempts by major networks to develop prime time animated shows to compete with the surprise success of Fox's The Simpsons (also produced by 20th Century Fox Television), alongside CBS's Fish Police and Family Dog.[1] All three were canceled in their first season as they were not successful.

Contents

[edit] Plot

The series' first episode began on a Nebraska farm, which was also home to a family of mice, including a young mouse named Max. While on a trip outside to gather some corn, exterminators arrived to eliminate the mice. Once Max noticed the exterminators from a distance, he quickly returned to the basement only to witness the death of his entire family. Before Max's mother was killed after a failed rescue attempt, she told him to leave for Washington, D.C., where his cousin Berkeley could be found. Upon his arrival in the nation's capital Max encountered a rat named Jammett who resided along with Berkeley in the White House basement. After meeting Berkeley, Max met a former lab rat named Muggle and Jammett's mother Trixie, who allowed him to share her son's room.

A new set of cats (presidential and vice presidential) were just beginning to be a nuisance for the mice before Max's arrival. Also, the familiar sight of rat poison was a part of Max's life in his new home. When death appeared to be his fate, a cockroach named Moze came to his aid and brought him outside the White House basement. When Max returned to the basement, the sight of Muggle unconscious brought back terrible memories that caused him to run outside toward a presidential helicopter preparing to take off. Jammett managed to join Max on the helicopter before returning to the White House, giving the two plenty of time to know each other better.

[edit] Episodes

  1. Max Goes to Washington
  2. Of Thee I Sting
  3. The Rat to Bear Arms
  4. Hat & Mouse
  5. A Little Romance
  6. Opie's Choice
  7. An Embarrassment of Roaches
  8. Into the Woods
  9. Gimme Shelter
  10. The KiloWatts Riots
  11. The Bug House
  12. The Lady Doth Protest to Munch
  13. If Lovin' You Is Wrong, I Don't Wanna Be Rat

[edit] Principal cast

[edit] Additional voices

[edit] Crew

[edit] Reception

Capitol Critters was cancelled after one month.[2] In its short run, the series dealt with such topics as politics, racial segregation, drug addiction, and mortality.[3] In his review of the series, Variety critic Brian Lowry wrote that "at its best the show seems to ape the work of film director Ralph Bakshi by using an animated setting to explore adult themes", and that "the bland central character and cartoonish elements [...] will likely be off-putting to many adults, who won't find the political satire biting enough to merit their continued attention. Similarly, kids probably won't be as smitten with the cartoon aspects or look".[3]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Daniel Cerone, 'Fish Police' on Endangered Species List, Los Angeles Times, February 28, 1992, accessed January 20, 2011.
  2. ^ Stabile, Carol A.; Harrison, Mark, eds (2003). "The second prime time animation boom". Prime Time Animation: Television Animation and American Culture. Routledge. p. 79. ISBN 0415283264. 
  3. ^ a b Lowry, Brian (1994) "Capitol Critters" Variety Television Reviews 1991-92 Taylor & Francis ISBN 0824037960 

[edit] External links
ABC
The Bugs Bunny Show (1960–1962) • Calvin and the Colonel (1961–1962) • Capitol Critters (1992) • Clerks: The Animated Series (2000) • The Critic (1994) • The Flintstones (1960–1966) • The Goode Family (2009) • The Jetsons (1962–1963) • Jonny Quest (1964–1965) • Matty's Funday Funnies (1959–1961) • Matty's Funnies with Beany and Cecil (1962) • Peanuts television specials (1965–present) • Top Cat (1961–1962)
CBS
The Alvin Show (1961–1962) • CBS Cartoon Theater (1956) • Creature Comforts (2007) • Family Dog (1993) • Fish Police (1992) • Garfield television specials (1982–1991) • The Gerald McBoing-Boing Show (1956–1957) • This Is America, Charlie Brown (1988–1990) • Wacky Races (1968–1970) • Where's Huddles? (1970)
Fox
Allen Gregory (2011) • American Dad! (2005–present) • Batman: The Animated Series (1992–1993) • Bob's Burgers (2011–present) • The Cleveland Show (2009–present) • The Critic (1995) • Family Guy (1999–2002; 2005–present) • Futurama (1999–2003) • King of the Hill (1997–2010) • Napoleon Dynamite (2012–) • The PJs (1999–2000) • The Simpsons (1989–present) • Sit Down, Shut Up (2009)
NBC
The Bullwinkle Show (1961–1963) • The Famous Adventures of Mr. Magoo (1964–1965) • Father of the Pride (2004) • God, the Devil and Bob (2000) • Jokebook (1982) • The Ruff & Reddy Show (1957–1960) • Sammy (2000) • Stressed Eric (1998)
UPN
Dilbert (1999–2000) • Game Over (2004) • Gary & Mike (2001) • Home Movies (1999)
WB
Baby Blues (2000) • Freakazoid! (1996) • Invasion America (1998) • Mission Hill • (1999–2000) • The Oblongs (2001) • Pinky and the Brain (1995–1996, 1997) • The PJs (2000–2001)
First-run syndication
The Huckleberry Hound Show (1958–1962) • Tiny Toon Adventures (Prime Toons) (1990–1991) • Wait Till Your Father Gets Home (1972–1974)
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