The Smurfs (TV series)

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For the animated shorts of the 1960s, see Les Aventures des Schtroumpfs. For the 2011 film, see The Smurfs (film).
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The Smurfs
The Smurfs (1981 TV series) title card.jpg
International title card
Format Children's television series
Adventure
Fantasy
Comedy
Created by Peyo[1]
Voices of Don Messick
Michael Bell
Pat Musick
Danny Goldman
Lucille Bliss
Charlie Adler
Hamilton Camp
June Foray
Julie McWhirter
William Callaway
Frank Welker
Noelle North
Jonathan Winters
Alan Young
Paul Winchell
Country of origin United States
Original language(s) English
No. of seasons 9
No. of episodes 256 (421)[2] (List of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s) William Hanna
Joseph Barbera
Freddy Monnickendam 1986-1988
Running time 22 minutes
Production company(s) Hanna-Barbera (USA)[3]
Dupuis Audiovisuel
SEPP International S.A. (non-USA)
Lafig S.A.
Distributor Worldvision Enterprises (1981-1991)
Warner Bros. Television Distribution (1996-present)
Broadcast
Original channel NBC
Audio format Mono (1981-1983)
Stereo (1984-1989)
Original run September 12, 1981 (1981-09-12) – December 2, 1989 (1989-12-02)
External links
Website

The Smurfs (also known as simply Smurfs, and syndicated as Smurfs' Adventures) is an American-Belgian animated fantasy-comedy television series that aired on NBC from September 12, 1981 to December 2, 1989. Made by Hanna-Barbera, it is based on the Belgian comic series by the same name, created by Belgian cartoonist Peyo (who also served as Story Supervisor of this adaptation) and aired for 256 episodes with a total of 421 stories.

Contents

History [edit]

In 1976, Stuart R. Ross, an American media and entertainment entrepreneur who saw the Smurfs while traveling in Belgium, entered into an agreement with Editions Dupuis and Peyo, acquiring North American and other rights to the characters, whose original name was "les Schtroumpfs". Subsequently, Ross launched the Smurfs in the United States in association with a California company, Wallace Berrie and Co., whose figurines, dolls and other Smurf merchandise became a hugely popular success. NBC president Fred Silverman's daughter, Melissa, had a Smurf doll of her own that he had bought for her at a toy shop while they were visiting Aspen, Colorado. Silverman thought that a series based on the Smurfs might make a good addition to his Saturday-morning lineup.[4]

Run on NBC [edit]

The Smurfs secured their place in North American pop culture in 1981, when the Saturday morning cartoon The Smurfs, produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions in association with SEPP International S.A., aired on NBC. The series became a major success for the network and one of the most successful and longest running Saturday Morning Cartoons in television history, spawning spin-off television specials on an almost yearly basis. The characters included Papa Smurf, Smurfette, Brainy Smurf, the evil Gargamel, his cat Azrael, and Johan and his friend Peewit. The Smurfs was nominated multiple times for Daytime Emmy awards, and won Outstanding Children's Entertainment Series in 1982–1983.[5] The show enjoyed continued success until 1989, when after nearly a decade of success, NBC changed the format of the show and removed the Smurfs from the forest and the Smurf village, and then cancelled it due to decreasing ratings. In addition. NBC executives prepared a Today weekend program for Saturdays as well as programmings for teenagers such as Saved By The Bell, which came later on and led to the elimination of Saturday morning animated children's shows. The show continued through December 2, 1989 on the NBC network. The show continued to air on reruns the USA network until 1993, followed by the Cartoon Network until 2003. Smurfs is still broadcast on Cartoon Network's sister station Boomerang throughout the United States.

Further appearances [edit]

The animated versions of Papa Smurf and Brainy Smurf were featured in Cartoon All-Stars to the Rescue. Hefty Smurf also makes a brief cameo in the beginning of the movie with the other Smurfs, his only line being, "Who Smurfed the bell?". Smurfette is shown on the promotional poster and VHS cover artwork, but was not seen in the special. Harmony Smurf made a small cameo as the Smurfs comic book was flipping through pages. Gargamel and Azrael made guest appearances on Family Guy in 2009. Danny Goldman reprised his voice role as Brainy Smurf in several episodes of Robot Chicken, while Seth Green voiced Gargamel.

Characters [edit]

Main article: List of The Smurfs characters

Episodes [edit]

Main article: List of The Smurfs episodes

TV specials [edit]

The popularity of The Smurfs was such that NBC aired several prime-time Smurfs specials over the years:

  • Here Comes the Smurfs (1981) - an hour-long special that aired the episodes "The Smurfette", "Super Smurf" and "The Baby Smurf" with new wrap-arounds featuring Papa Smurf telling the stories.
  • The Smurfs' Springtime Special (April 8, 1982) - Gargamel plots to capture six Smurfs for making gold by putting a spell on Mother Nature, freezing their forest. The Smurfs enlist the aid of the woodland animals to bring an end to Gargamel's evil plans and to bring spring back into the forest. This special is available on The Smurfs Season One Vol. 1 DVD set.
  • The Smurfs' Christmas Special (December 12, 1982) - The Smurfs come to the rescue of two children and their grandfather when an evil mysterious stranger shows up and causes their sleigh to turn over, forcing them to seek help and inadvertently bring Gargamel in on the action.
  • My Smurfy Valentine (February 13, 1983) - Smurfette wishes for a Prince Smurfing of her own on Valentine's Day. Unfortunately, she gets into trouble when she is captured by Gargamel and the Smurfs set out to rescue her. But Gargamel is the least of their worries for the evil Chlorhydris plans to create a world without love. With the help of Cupid, the Smurfs rescue Smurfette and foil Chlorhydris' evil plot and Smurfette learns her lesson about love.
  • The Smurfs Halloween (November 5, 1983) - This Halloween special finds Gargamel using a spell to make things scary for the Smurfs on Halloween. First aired as "Smurfs Halloween Special" in prime-time, then later renamed "All Hallows Eve" for its second airing.
  • Smurfily Ever After (February 13, 1984) - Smurfette contemplates over who she would like to marry someday while the Smurfs help prepare for the wedding of Laconia and Woody. But Gargamel shows up to ruin this joyous occasion with his ghoulish calliope and Smurfette and Laconia foil his evil plot against the Smurfs.
  • The Smurfic Games (May 20, 1984) - The Smurfs engage in athletic competition to settle a dispute between both ends of the village over misquoted compound words, which turns deadly when the medal Clumsy is awarded actually causes an earthquake.
  • Smurfquest (1986) - Grandpa Smurf returns to the village from a 500-year voyage around the world to restore the power of the Long Life Force Stone. Papa Smurf and a few other Smurfs help Grandpa Smurf find the purest sources of the four primal elements from around the world while the remaining Smurfs stay behind to search for the Long Life Force Stone. Smurfquest was going to get a big-screen release, but ended up airing as a two-hour TV movie. It was later split into 4 episodes, but was edited for commercials. It has never re-aired in its complete form.[citation needed]
  • 'Tis the Season to Be Smurfy (December 13, 1987) - Grandpa Smurf and Sassette visit a human village to witness how they celebrate the holidays and end up helping an old couple by having their fellow Smurfs bring some Christmas cheer into the old couple's lives while tracking down a thief in the process.

Voices [edit]

Use of classical music [edit]

The Smurfs was noted for its frequent use of classical music as background music or themes for particular events. Notable works found in the Smurfs include:[6][7]

Syndication [edit]

The series currently airs in reruns on Boomerang. The episodes were edited by Hanna-Barbera in 1987[citation needed] into a half-hour syndicated version called Smurfs' Adventures; 26 episodes of this series aired as part of DiC's E/I-compliant children's programming block for broadcast stations in the early 2000s. The series is still being shown regularly on many channels throughout the world.

The cartoon was formerly distributed by Worldvision Enterprises (now CBS Television Distribution). The cartoon is now distributed by Warner Bros. Television Distribution; Time Warner is the current owner of all Hanna-Barbera properties, having inherited them in their 1996 merger with Turner Broadcasting. Some episodes are available through the online video service In2TV.

Outsourced Production Work [edit]

DVD releases [edit]

Region 1 [edit]

Warner Home Video released the complete first season on DVD in two volume sets in 2008.[9][10] Despite high sales of both sets,[11] no further seasons have yet been released. Warner Home Video later released a series of three single disc releases of The Smurfs in 2009, each containing 5 episodes from the second season.[12][13][14] A two-disc DVD was set to be released in 2011 to tie into the theatrical film with 10 episodes culled from the entire run of the series,[15] but included episodes from the second season instead. Another DVD with both Smurfs Christmas specials was released later that year.[16]

DVD Name Ep # Release date
Season One, Volume One 19 February 26, 2008. Re-released on July 24, 2012 apart of Cartoon Network's 20th Anniversary.
Season One, Volume Two 20 October 7, 2008
True Blue Friends 5 March 3, 2009
Smurfy Tales 5 August 18, 2009
Worlds of Wonder 5 November 17, 2009
A Magical Smurf Adventure 10 July 19, 2011
Holiday Celebration 2 specials October 11, 2011
Smurf To The Rescue[17] 6 July 16, 2013

Region 2 [edit]

Fabulous Films and Arrow Films have released the first two seasons on DVD in the UK.[18][19] The 3rd, 4th and 5th Seasons will be released in 2013 by the same company. No dates have been confirmed yet. The company has also released the film "The Smurfs and the Magic Flute" on Blu-ray and DVD, as well as several compilation DVDs, containing themed specials from the show.

DVD Name Ep # Release date
Complete 1st Season 27 July 5, 2010
Complete 2nd Season 24 September 6, 2010
Complete 3nd Season 31 TBA 2013[20]
Complete 4th Season 28 TBA 2013[21]
Complete 5th Season 25 TBA 2013[22]
The Smurfs - Four Smurf Tastic Episodes 4 July 30th, 2011
The Smurfs and the Magic Flute (Blu-Ray + DVD) 0 October 11th, 2011
The Smurfs: Tis the Season to be Smurfy 4 November 5th, 2011
The Smurfs: My Smurfy Valentine 4 January 8th, 2012
The Smurfs Springtime Special 6 March 17th, 2012
The Smurfs: The Smurfic Games 7 June 4th, 2012
The Smurfs Halloween Special 6 October 1st, 2012

Sony Home Entertainment has announced the release of the full Series in 9 Season Sets on DVD in Germany, with German sound only, beginning in August 2011.[23]

DVD Name Ep # Release date
Die komplette erste Staffel 27 August 4, 2011
Die komplette zweite Staffel 24 August 4, 2011
Die komplette dritte Staffel ?? October 31, 2011
Die komplette vierte Staffel ?? October 31, 2011
Die komplette fünfte Staffel ?? October 31, 2011
Die komplette sechste Staffel ?? December 31, 2011
Die komplette siebte Staffel ?? December 31, 2011
Die komplette achte Staffel ?? March 31, 2012
Die komplette neunte Staffel ?? March 31, 2012

Region 4 [edit]

Magna Home Entertainment has released various best-of volume collections on DVD.

  • The Smurfs and the Magic Flute has been released, but a new 'Original Collector's Edition'[24] with new packaging released on 2 September 2011.
  • The Smurfs - Time Travellers (3 Disc Set)[25] was released on 5 November 2008.
  • The Smurfs - Smurfette Collection (3 Disc Set)[26] was released on 1 September 2009.
  • The Smurfs - Papa Smurf Collection (3 Disc Set)[27] was released on 4 November 2009.
  • The Smurfs - Favourites Collection (6 Disc Box Set)[28] was released on 29 June 2010.
  • The Smurfs - Just Smurfy 1 (Box Set) (BONUS Figurine)[29] was released on 3 November 2010.
  • The Smurfs - Just Smurfy 2 (Box Set) (BONUS Figurine)[30] was released on 3 November 2010.
  • The Smurfs - Just Smurfy 3 (Box Set) (BONUS Figurine)[31] was released on 1 December 2010.
  • The Smurfs - Just Smurfy 4 (Box Set) (BONUS Figurine)[32] was released on 2 March 2011.
  • The Smurfs - Complete Season 1 (3 Disc Digipak)[33] and The Smurfs - Complete Season 2 (3 Disc Digipak)[34] was released on 24 August 2011.
  • The Smurfs - Complete Season 3 (4 Disc Digipak)[35] and The Smurfs - Complete Season 4 (4 Disc Digipak)[36] was released on 5 October 2011.
  • The Smurfs - Ultimate Collection 1: Limited Edition - Seasons 1-5 (18 Disc Box Set)[37] released on 24 August 2011.
  • The Smurfs - Ultimate Collection 2: Limited Edition - Seasons 6-9 (16 Disc Box Set)[38] released on 2 November 2011.

Notes [edit]

  1. ^ "Pierre Culliford, Smurf Creator, Dies at 64". The New York Times. December 25, 1992. Retrieved 2010-08-14. 
  2. ^ "Top 100 animated series". IGN. Retrieved 2010-10-19. 
  3. ^ Nash, Eric P. (December 2, 2002). "Charles Dupuis, 84, Publisher Who Introduced the Smurfs". The New York Times. Retrieved 2010-08-14. 
  4. ^ Barbera, Joseph (1994). My Life in "Toons": From Flatbush to Bedrock in Under a Century. Atlanta, GA: Turner Publishing. pp. 184–187. ISBN 1-57036-042-1. 
  5. ^ Cendrowicz, Leo (2008-01-15). "The Smurfs Are Off to Conquer the World - Again". Time. Retrieved 2008-01-15. 
  6. ^ "Article name unknown". Montreal Mirror. 07/10/1997. [dead link]
  7. ^ "Frequently Asked Questions!". Astro's Treasure Chest. 20 January 2003. Retrieved 11 November 2012. 
  8. ^ "Topic: an orchestrated piece in the smurfs, oh and HI!". Smurf BBS. Bluebuddies.com. 19 August 2004. Retrieved 11 November 2012. 
  9. ^ Lambert, David (26 October 2007). "The Smurfs - OFFICIAL Announcement At Long, Smurfy Last! Full Press Release Is Due Next Week". TVshowsonDVD.com. Retrieved 11 November 2012. 
  10. ^ Lambert, David (15 July 2008). "The Smurfs - 2nd DVD Release Announced: Date, Cost, Package Art & Extras! Smurfing your way early this October!". TVshowsonDVD.com. Retrieved 11 November 2012. 
  11. ^ Lambert, David (9 January 2009). "The Smurfs - Official Studio Press Release for The Smurfs - Volume 1: True Blue Friends – Single-disc release smurfs it's way home in a matter of weeks". TVshowsonDVD.com. Retrieved 11 November 2012. 
  12. ^ Lambert, David (3 February 2009). "The Smurfs - Cartoon-Related Release Date Change #1: Smurfing the DVD Schedule Back a Couple of Weeks – New early-March release date for the True Blue Friends DVD". TVshowsonDVD.com. Retrieved 11 November 2012. 
  13. ^ Lambert, David (30 April 2009). "The Smurfs - Vol. 2: Smurfy Tales: Date, Cost, Episodes, Extras, Box Art – New single-disc release scheduled for mid-August". TVshowsonDVD.com. Retrieved 11 November 2012. 
  14. ^ Lambert, David (2 September 2009). "The Smurfs - Volume 3: Worlds of Wonder DVD Announced: Date, Contents, Package ***UPDATE: EXTRAS*** – 5 more cartoons Smurf their way into your collection this November". TVshowsonDVD.com. Retrieved 11 November 2012. 
  15. ^ Lambert, David (15 July 2001). "The Smurfs - 'A Magical Smurf Adventure': Formal Press Release Before Tuesday's Street Date – 10-episode collection meant to tie in with the new theatrical film". TVshowsonDVD.com. Retrieved 11 November 2012. 
  16. ^ Lambert, David (2p September 2011). "The Smurfs - Formal Press Release from Warner for their 'Holiday Celebration' DVD – 2 specials on 1 disc, available this coming Tuesday, October 4th". TVshowsonDVD.com. Retrieved 11 November 2012. 
  17. ^ Lambert, David (March 28, 2013). "The Smurfs - Warner Announces 'Smurf to the Rescue' DVD". TVShowsOnDVD.com. Retrieved March 29, 2013. 
  18. ^ "The Smurfs: Complete 1st Season [DVD]". Fabulous Films. 5 July 2010. 
  19. ^ "The Smurfs: Complete 2nd Series [DVD]". Fabulous Films. 6 Sep 2010. 
  20. ^ "The Smurfs: Complete 3rd Series [DVD]". Fabulous Films. Retrieved 16 Mar 2013. 
  21. ^ "The Smurfs: Complete 4th Series [DVD]". Fabulous Films. Retrieved 16 Mar 2013. 
  22. ^ "The Smurfs: Complete 5th Series [DVD]". Fabulous Films. Retrieved 16 Mar 2013. 
  23. ^ "Filme & TV " "die schlümpfe"" [Search results for "Smurfs"]. Amazon.de. Retrieved 11 November 2012. 
  24. ^ "Smurfs and the Magic Flute, The - Original Collector's Edition". EzyDVD Pty Ltd. Retrieved 11 November 2012. 
  25. ^ "Smurfs, The (1981) - Time Travellers (3 Disc Set)". EzyDVD Pty Ltd. Retrieved 11 November 2012. 
  26. ^ "Smurfs, The (1981) - Smurfette Collection (3 Disc Set)". EzyDVD Pty Ltd. Retrieved 11 November 2012. 
  27. ^ "Smurfs, The (1981) - Papa Smurf Collection (3 Disc Set)". EzyDVD Pty Ltd. Retrieved 11 November 2012. 
  28. ^ "Smurfs, The (1981) - Favourites Collection (6 Disc Box Set)". EzyDVD Pty Ltd. Retrieved 11 November 2012. 
  29. ^ "Smurfs, The (1981) - Just Smurfy 1 (Box Set) (BONUS Figurine)". EzyDVD Pty Ltd. Retrieved 11 November 2012. 
  30. ^ "Smurfs, The (1981) - Just Smurfy 2 (Box Set) (BONUS Figurine)". EzyDVD Pty Ltd. Retrieved 11 November 2012. 
  31. ^ "Smurfs, The (1981) - Just Smurfy 3 (Box Set) (BONUS Figurine)". EzyDVD Pty Ltd. Retrieved 11 November 2012. 
  32. ^ "Smurfs, The (1981) - Just Smurfy 4 (Box Set) (BONUS Figurine)". EzyDVD Pty Ltd. Retrieved 11 November 2012. 
  33. ^ "Smurfs, The (1981) - Complete Season 1 (3 Disc Digipak)". EzyDVD Pty Ltd. Retrieved 11 November 2012. 
  34. ^ "Smurfs, The (1981) - Complete Season 1 (3 Disc Digipak)". EzyDVD Pty Ltd. Retrieved 11 November 2012. 
  35. ^ "Smurfs, The (1981) - Complete Season 3 (4 Disc Digipak)". EzyDVD Pty Ltd. Retrieved 11 November 2012. 
  36. ^ "Smurfs, The (1981) - Complete Season 4 (4 Disc Digipak)". EzyDVD Pty Ltd. Retrieved 11 November 2012. 
  37. ^ "Smurfs, The (1981) - Ultimate Collection 1: Limited Edition - Seasons 1-5 (18 Disc Box Set)". EzyDVD Pty Ltd. Retrieved 11 November 2012. [dead link]
  38. ^ "Smurfs, The (1981) - Ultimate Collection 2: Limited Edition - Seasons 6-9 (16 Disc Box Set)". EzyDVD Pty Ltd. Retrieved 11 November 2012. 

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