The Smoggies

The Smoggies or Stop the Smoggies (US title) was an animated children's television show by Cinar that started airing in 1988. It is originally from Canada but the show aired in the United States under the name 'Stop the Smoggies' in 1994 as well as in France as 'SOS Polluards.'

The show took place on or around a fictional island called 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 the water around the island and who tried to destroy the Suntots' home for their own benefits.

Almost every episode had the environmentalist Suntots outsmart the Smoggies in their latest scheme, after which the Smoggies would invariably hatch another scheme to fulfill their own needs. Thus, the show also explains the importance of protecting the environment.

A recurring theme is their attempt to steal the island's 'magic coral' (which the Smoggies believe will grant 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.

Main characters

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."
• Clarence: Emma's husband and the captain of a water-polluting boat called the Stinky-Pooh. 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 boiler 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.

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.

Supporting characters

• Other Suntots: Other recurring Suntots, besides Princess Lila, Speed, Chip and Uncle Boom, are minor or supporting characters, but most were the focus of one or more episodes. Each has one overbearing character trait that he or she is named after (often related to his or her job).
  • Sport: A yellow-haired all-around talented athlete who wears a sweatband and a number 8 shirt. He is also a bit of a show-off and occasionally acts before thinking.
  • Little: The youngest Suntot, with bluish-green hair. He is childish, playful, curious and short (even for a Suntot) and has a bit of an inferiority complex.
  • Cool: A laid-back hipster and musician who prefers to work on his songs than do other work. He has light blue hair and sunglasses, and is usually concerned as to whether something is "cool".
  • Miss Doctor: The Suntots' doctor, veterinarian and animal life expert. She is calm, logical, motherly and reserved, and has pale green hair and spectacles.
  • Gardener: The Suntots' resident plant life and farming expert. He has dark green hair and spends most of his time growing fruits and vegetables in his greenhouse or on his farm.
  • Cookie: She has pink hair, and all Suntots love what she anything she cooks. Her focus on her cooking sometimes makes her forget about other things.
  • Sailor: He sails a boat better than anyone. He has navy blue hair, a moustache, and speaks with stereotypical sailor slang and a thick accent.
  • Scaredy: The very easily frightened orange-haired Suntot. Deep down, however, he has hidden courage. He and Sport are best friends.
  • Choo-Choo: The orange-haired, sentimental driver of the steam locomotive "No. 9".
  • Tricks: The practical joker with orange hair who occasionally likes frightening Scaredy.
  • Choosy: The yellow-haired Suntot who can never make up her mind about anything.
  • Town Crier: The purple-haired Suntot whose only role is to say "Big meeting in the town square!"
• Turtle Tom and Pelican Pete: Of all the Suntots' animal friends, only these two appear to be recurring characters. As they are animals, they do not speak, and mainly serve as transportation.
• Ralph Robin: Polluto’s pet bird (who, in spite of his name is not a robin, but a yellow bird) who rides on Polluto’s head and only speaks in warbles and squawks that Polluto seems able to understand.

Opening lyrics

The main title theme was written by the man who wrote themes for Sesame Street, Shining Time Station, Three's Company and The Electric Company Joe Raposo and composed by the woman who wrote themes for Arthur, Mona the Vampire, The Busy World of Richard Scarry and Wimzie's House Judy Henderson.

Smoggies, Smoggies,
Smoky, oily, greasy...

Have you met the Smoggies?
We love the soot and grime,
We make the whole world dirty,
And we have a real good time.

We love to make things messy,
Just as dirty as can be,
And you can bet we'll mess you up
ecologically.

Suntots, Suntots,
Earth and wind and sea and,
Make way for the Suntots,
A neat and tidy crew,
We'll stay young forever,
And we want the same for you.

If we get your magic coral,
Then forever young we'll be,
Do you think you'll find it somewhere
In our clear blue sea?

We use the water, wind and sun,
To make our homes and gadgets run,
Where else can you have such fun,
Environmentally?

Come and see our island,
And smell the sweet, sweet breeze,
Where we'll live for ever,
Just as happy as can be.

With the Suntots and the Smoggies,
Choose the way the world could be,
A messy mess or shiny clear,
Ecologically.

Suntots, Suntots,
Earth and wind and sea, and
Smoggies, Smoggies,
Smoky, oily, greasy...

External links

• IMDB
• Retro Junk.
• TV.com episode guide.
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