The Smoggies

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The Smoggies was a Canadian animated children's television show by Cinar that began airing in 1988. In the United States, the show was aired under the name Stop the Smoggies in 1994 on HBO,^[1] and in France, as SOS Polluards.^[2] In the french part of the Canada, it was aired under the name Touftoufs et Polluards. The show was broadcast in Ireland under its original Canadian title.

[edit] Scenario

The show took place on or around a fictional Coral Island, and revolved around a group of island-dwelling people called Suntots and a trio of filthy treasure hunters called the Smoggies. The Suntots spent much of their time defending their island paradise from the Smoggies, who polluted and lived on a coal fired steam ship the SS Stinky Poo and polluted water around the island and who tried to destroy the Suntots' home for their own benefits.^[3]

Almost every episode had the environmentalist Suntots outsmart the Smoggies in their latest scheme, after which the Smoggies invariably hatched another scheme. Thus, the show also explains the importance of protecting the environment.

A recurring theme was their attempt to steal the island's "magic coral" (which the Smoggies believed granted eternal youth), or find some alternative way to maintain youth. The show often implied that the magic coral did not actually exist, however, and were just manifestations of the Smoggies' (mainly Emma's) greed and vanity.

[edit] Main characters

[edit] The Smoggies

Emma: The self-appointed leader of the Smoggies, she has a short temper and a fear of growing old, and is always trying to think of a scheme to get her way. She always bosses her two cohorts around, and is obsessed with finding the magic coral, thinking that that is what keeps the Suntots young. Polluto calls her "Miss Emma." She is very determined to acquire what she believes allows The Suntots to stay young, the Magic Coral of Youth, and outright refuses to believe that it simply isn't real. She is also a bully and has no qualms about lying or being deceitful in getting her own way.
Clarence: Emma's husband and the captain of a polluting coal fired ship called the Stinky-Poo. He is also an inventor and scientist, but his inventions rarely work the right way. Most of the time, he is spineless towards Emma and rarely temperamental, but he can get frustrated himself if things don’t work out. Polluto calls him "the Captain" or "Captain Clarence."
Polluto: Clarence's only crewmate. He is rather dimwitted, as Emma always points out, but he is the Smoggie with most of the practical skills. He runs the Engine room (for some reason, he eats coal and oil), and acts as cook, pilot, mechanic and custodian. He is often shown to have a warm heart, so his polluting tendencies are more related to ignorance and a desire to do his job. Sometimes he is friends with the Suntots but can just as quickly turn against them when ordered to chase them by Emma.

[edit] The Suntots

Princess Lila: Somewhat taller than other Suntots, her hairstyle is entirely dissimilar from the other Suntots; she was therefore not designed with the same template. She is the only one with red hair. The rest of the Suntots regard her as a leader. Emma considers her a thorn in her side, but Princess Lila keeps trying to convince Emma that the magic coral doesn’t exist.
Speed: Somewhat daring, outspoken and headstrong for a Suntot, his fast-swimming ability earned him his name. He is usually the one to think of a solution to the Suntots' problems. He has bright blue hair, and he and Princess Lila are often partners in their adventures of solving problems; they are the real heroes of the series.
Chip: The brilliant orange-haired engineer for the Suntots. Chip invents and builds various things, using environmentally friendly methods. A bit quieter than Speed or Princess Lila, he often joins them on their adventures, but is more of a sidekick, as he rarely takes charge of a situation.
Uncle Boom: The oldest Suntot and only one with white hair. He is the self-appointed mayor of Suntot Town. He makes speeches whenever he gets the chance, but is rather absent-minded and bungling.