List of VeggieTales videos
This is a list of VeggieTales episodes.
Where's God When I'm S-Scared?
 | This article's plot summary may be too long or excessively detailed. (December 2008) |
| Where's God When I'm S-Scared? | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Phil Vischer, Chris Olsen |
| Written by | Phil Vischer |
| Music by | Kurt Heinecke, Phil Vischer, Mike Nawrocki |
| Distributed by | Warner Home Video Big Idea Productions Lyrick Studios (2000 to 2003) Sony Wonder (2003 to present) |
Release date | December 1993 (VHS release) February 10,2004 (DVD release) |
Running time | 30 minutes |
Where's God When I'm S-Scared? is the first episode of the VeggieTales animated series. It was released in December 1993 and issued on DVD February 10, 2004.[1] Subtitled "A Lesson in Handling Fear", it features two short stories titled Tales from the Crisper & Daniel and the Lion's Den, as well as the first Silly Song, The Water Buffalo Song. The first features Junior Asparagus who lies awake at night after watching a scary Frankencelery movie, while the second is a re-telling of the Biblical story Daniel and the Lion's Den. Since Big Idea is celebrating their 15th Anniversary during September 20, 2008, Big Idea re-released "Where's God when I'm S-Scared?" with remastered picture and sound.
This being the very first episode of VeggieTales, we are introduced to Bob the Tomato and Larry the Cucumber for the first time on the countertop, which is to become the stage for most opening and closing segments, various silly songs and even some stories in most following episodes. In this show and the second one, Larry the Cucumber's voice is deeper and more dopey. As more videos were made, Larry's voice became higher. Larry's voice also had a slight lisp in early episodes. Bob reads a letter from Lucy Anderson (Age 6) of Phoenix, Arizona who is scared because she sometimes thinks there are monsters in her closet. Bob then asks her to watch a story about when Junior Asparagus got scared.
In this segment, we see Junior Asparagus watching a late-night Frankencelery movie and is told by his mom that he needs to go to bed. Like any boy his age, he asks for a few more minutes but his mom lovingly sends him up to bed with a slight reprimand for watching spooky movies that late. As he troops up the stairs, he begins to get a bit scared and while trying to gain comfort from a family portrait he imagines them all turn into monsters. He then rushes upstairs and hides under the covers. As he's lying in bed, afraid, Bob and Larry drop in to help him by singing a song to cheer Junior Asparagus up. They tell Junior that he doesn't need to be afraid because God is watching out for him, and that God is bigger than anything he is afraid of, like King Kong or The Slime Monster. Junior is even confronted by Frankencelery who is really an actor named Phil Winklestein from Toledo, Ohio and apologizes for intimidating Junior. Junior is convinced and sings along that God is Bigger Than Anything. Junior's dad comes in to his room and they talk about how God takes care of them and how he needs to be more careful about what he watches. A VeggieTales poster can be seen on the bedroom wall.
Following this segment is the introduction to the first "Silly Songs with Larry", The Water Buffalo Song. It is the first time we see Archibald Asparagus. Originally, the Silly Song in this VeggieTales video was going to be the only one.
Without going back to the countertop, the story of Daniel and the Lion's Den immediately begins. The Narrater introduces the story. King Darius is in his court with his wisemen and he confides that he is confused by a dream and wants help with what it means. The wisemen concede that they cannot help, but that Daniel can. Daniel comes in and help the King who is very pleased and promotes Daniel. The wisemen become envious and plot to trap Daniel breaking a newly penned law that one may only pray to King Darius. The wisemen catch Daniel praying to God and have him thrown into the lion's den. Daniel is scared but an angel comforts him. King Darius appears the next morning expecting him to have perished, however, Daniel spent the night eating pizza with his new lion friends. A narrator is included in this Daniel Segment, making it one of two episodes in the Veggietales canon to feature a human narrator. In the closing countertop sequence, we are introduced to QWERTY the computer who gives a recipe for Yummy Meatloaf and a scripture (Isaiah 41:10). We also see the beginning of Bob's perpetual frustration with the What We Have Learned song, as well as the common ending of 'God made you special and He loves you very much' which ends nearly every episode. This is the only episode in which the counterop segment letter is read by the letter's author, rather than Bob and Larry.
In the first version of the video, the credits were placed after each segment. Later versions were edited due to parent complaints of their kids leaving after the first segment.
In addition to the ubiquitous "VeggieTales Theme" and "What We Have Learned," this episode contains the following songs:
- God is Bigger, sung by Bob, Larry and Junior with Frankencelery
- The Water Buffalo Song (Silly Song), sung by Larry the Cucumber and interrupted by Archibald Asparagus
- Opening Theme, sung by King Darius, and Wisemen
- My Name is Daniel, sung by Daniel
- Oh No!, sung by Wisemen
- We've Got Some News, sung by King Darius, and Wisemen
- Fear Not Daniel, sung by the narrator
- You Are In His Hand sung by King Darius
God Wants Me to Forgive Them!?!
| God Wants Me To Forgive Them!?! | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Phil Vischer, Chris Olsen |
| Written by | Phil Vischer |
| Music by | Phil Vischer, Lisa Vischer |
| Distributed by | Word Audio Everland Entertainment (1994 to 1999) Lyrick Studios (2000 to 2003) Sony Wonder (2003 to present) |
Release date | October 1994 (VHS release) May 18,2004 (DVD release) |
Running time | 30 minutes |
God Wants Me To Forgive Them!?! is the second episode of the VeggieTales animated series. It was released in October 1994 on VHS and re-issued on DVD May 18,2004. It features two short stories about forgiveness. The first is about a family of cranky grapes that torments a young boy (Junior Asparagus) who must find it in himself to forgive them. The second is a parody of Gilligan's Island.
This episode, subtitled "A Lesson in Forgiveness" teaches viewers the importance of forgiving others when they act carelessly or thoughtlessly. The first segment is a loose parody of John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath. In this story Pa Grape makes his VeggieTales debut as the patriarch of a family of cranky grapes, who, upon seeing "a stranger" standing by the side of the road, proceed to hurl insults at him. Junior forgives them at his father's urging, but must forgive them a second time when they laugh at his comical though unintentional tumble down a hill.
The second segment, "Larry's Lagoon" parodies the television classic Gilligan's Island. In this story Larry the Cucumber plays the part of the first mate who, while daydreaming, crashes and sinks a ship, marooning its passengers and crew on a deserted island. The passengers are unable to forgive him for ruining their vacation. Bob the Tomato, playing the part of the Skipper, is also mad at Larry, but when Larry, feeling unappreciated, decides to go out on shore and leave, Bob realizes the error of their ways. They finally are able to forgive Larry for stranding them on the island. The cast is finally able to escape the island on a bamboo helicopter cobbled together overnight by the Professor.
Included Songs are:
- The VeggieTales Theme Song
- We Are the Grapes of Wrath (Sung by the Cranky Grapes)
- Some Veggies Went to Sea (Sung by Bob and Larry)
- The Forgiveness Song (Sung by Palmy)
- What We Have Learned
Are You My Neighbor?
| Are You My Neighbor? | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Phil Vischer |
| Written by | Phil Vischer |
| Music by | Kurt Heinecke, Phil Vischer, Mike Nawrocki |
| Distributed by | Word Audio Everland Entertainment (1995 to 1999) Lyrick Studios (2000 to 2003) Sony Wonder (2003 to 2007) Warner Home Video (2007 to present) |
Release date | February 1995 (VHS release) March 14,2006 (DVD release) |
Running time | 30 minutes |
Are You My Neighbor? is the third episode of the VeggieTales animated series. It was released in February 1995 on VHS. Subtitled "A Lesson in Loving Your Neighbor", it features two short stories that teach viewers that they should love people even if they seem different or strange to them. The first story, based on the Biblical parable of the Good Samaritan, features two cities called Flibber-O-Loo and Jibberty-Lot whose citizens despise each other because of their differing head gear. The second is a parody of Star Trek is which the crew must repair their starship before it is struck by a meteor made entirely of popcorn.
Rack, Shack, and Benny
| This article's plot summary may be too long or excessively detailed. (December 2008) |
| Rack, Shack, and Benny | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Phil Vischer, Mike Nawrocki (silly song) |
| Written by | Phil Vischer |
| Music by | Phil Vischer, Kurt Heinecke, Mike Nawrocki |
| Distributed by | Word Audio Everland Entertainment (1995 to 1999) Lyrick Studios (2000 to 2003) Sony Wonder(2003 to present) |
Release date | October 1995 (VHS release) June 18,2002 (DVD release) |
Running time | 30 minutes |
Rack, Shack, and Benny, released in October 1995 on VHS is the fourth episode of the VeggieTales animated series. Subtitled "A Lesson in Handling Peer Pressure", it teaches viewers that they should resist peer pressure and stand up for what they believe. The video retells the story of the fiery furnace from the book of Book of Daniel. In this Biblical Story, King Nebuchadnezzar II requires that all his subjects bow down before a false idol. But three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, refuse and are thrown into a furnace. Miraculously they aren't harmed, and Nebuchadnezzar recognizes the power of their God.
Rack, Shack, and Benny keeps true to the original story but places it in a chocolate factory where all employees are required to bow down before a giant chocolate bunny and sing "The Bunny Song".
The show starts with Bob the Tomato alone. Larry the Cucumber appears on the countertop wearing an oven mitt on his head. When asked why, he says it's because he saw it on the cover of "Veggie Beat" magazine and that everyone's doing it. Unable to see, however, he crashes into the sink. Bob reads a letter about peer pressure and the story begins.
The story is told by Grandpa George, who made his debut on this episode. We are introduced into the world of the Nezzer Chocolate Factory where the employees work hard all day making chocolate bunnies on an assembly line. In celebration of selling their two-millionth chocolate bunny, Mr. Nezzer announces that for 30 minutes all employees may eat as many bunnies as they want. While all tear ravenously into the chocolate, Shack convinces his friends Rack and Benny that they should not gorge themselves on candy, as their mothers and fathers had taught them.
When Mr. Nezzer comes out to soak up the appreciation of his employees, he finds them all lying ill… except for three. Rack, Shack, and Benny are rewarded and made Junior Executives (they originally worked in the plant) The following day Mr. Nezzer calls them into his office and tells them that he has constructed a 90-foot (27 m) high bunny; he believes that if the bunny were a big bunny, then all his workers would love it as much as he. To make matters worse, he also reveals the dreaded "Bunny Song", whose lyrics state that nothing in the world is more important than the bunny. He intends to force all his employees to bow down before the bunny statue and sing the song; those who refuse will be thrown into the factory's furnace like the "bad bunnies".
Naturally, this causes Rack, Shack, and Benny great concern since they don't agree with the words in the song. And when the time comes they refuse to bow and sing. Mr. Nezzer condemns them to the furnace, but gives them one last chance to sing the song; still they refuse, explaining that they were taught to stand by what they believe is right. Mr. Nezzer sends them down a chute into the furnace, but Laura Carrot rescues them with a delivery truck. Her rescue attempts are thwarted though, and in spite of her efforts, they are dropped into the furnace anyway. But they do not burn. A fourth person appears in the furnace ("He's really shiny," says Mr. Lunt) and they are spared. Rack, Shack, and Benny emerge from the furnace unscathed. Mr. Nezzer reconciles with himself. The story ends with a song about standing up for what you believe in. Back on the countertop Bob and Larry wrap up, but Larry is still stuck in the sink. He recognizes now the futility that landed him there, that just because everyone else is wearing an oven mitt doesn't mean that he has to. He laments his wasted life, but Bob offers to help and ends up stuck in the sink himself as the episode ends.
Included songs are:
- The Chocolate Factory (a.k.a. "Good Morning George") (Sung by Laura Carrot, Mr. Lunt, Rack, Shack, Benny, and the Peas)
- Junior's Lullaby (a.k.a. "Think of Me") (Sung by Junior and Mom Asparagus)
- The Bunny Song (Sung by Mr. Nezzer)
- Junior's Lullaby (reprise) (Sung by Rack, Shack, and Benny)
- The Bunny Song (reprise) (Sung by Mr. Nezzer)
- Stand! (Sung by Rack, Shack, Benny, Mr. Nezzer, and the Peas)
- The Dance of the Cucumber (Silly Song) (Sung by Larry and Bob)
In the original edition of Rack, Shack, and Benny, Mr. Nezzer sings "The Bunny Song" with lines such as "I don't love my mom or my dad, just the bunny," and "I won't go to church and I won't go to school." As the writer Phil Vischer mentioned in an interview on the DVD edition, he hoped that kids who saw the protagonists refuse to sing the song would recognize its negative context as unacceptable, but unhappy parents wrote to Big Idea complaining that their kids were singing in public about not loving their mom or their dad. Vischer said the lesson he learned was never to mix negative lyrics with a catchy tune since children will sing the song irrespective of the content.
For their sing-along video, a "New and Improved Bunny Song" was written which had a repentant Mr. Nezzer singing that eating too much candy is wrong and that church and school are important. In the second edition of the video, the original offending lines were dubbed to "I don't love my soup or my bread, just the bunny," and "I won't eat my beans, and I won't eat tofu", respectively.
Dave and the Giant Pickle
| Dave and the Giant Pickle | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Phil Vischer |
| Written by | Phil Vischer |
| Music by | Kurt Heinecke, Phil Vischer, Mike Nawrocki |
| Distributed by | Word Audio Everland Entertainment (1996 to 1999) Lyrick Studios (2000 to 2003) Sony Wonder (2003 to present) |
Release date | March 1996 (VHS release) February 10,2004 (DVD release) |
Running time | 30 minutes |
Dave and the Giant Pickle is the fifth episode in the VeggieTales animated series. It was released in March 1996 on VHS. Subtitled "A Lesson in Self-Esteem", it sends the message that with God's help humans can accomplish anything we set our minds to. The lesson is illustrated through a retelling of the bible story of David and Goliath from the Book of Samuel. The episode's countertop segments are memorable for giving fans their first glimpse of Larry Boy and hearing his catchphrase, "I am that hero!"
The countertop opens with Larry the Cucumber dressed as the superhero Larry Boy. Backed by a cardboard cityscape, Larry declares that the world needs a hero, a special hero, a superhero. He utters his catchphrase for the first time: "I am that hero!" And then gets stuck to the wall. Bob the Tomato enters and asks about the superhero costume; Larry explains that he doesn't feel special, that "plain old Larry" is "plain old boring". This of course dovetails with the viewer's letter, and Bob introduces the story.
The story begins in Israel where Dave and his brothers are tending a flock of sheep. These sheep tend to tip over a lot which keeps the shepherds busy. Worse, Dave's brothers are constantly picking on him, making him get them food or pick up their sheep. Jesse, their father, comes with the news that the Philistines are attacking. King Saul is gathering an army to face the threat and all the brothers run to volunteer. But Dave is stopped by Jesse who tells him that "Big people do big things and little people do little things." Dave must stay and tend the sheep.
At King Saul's camp, the Israelites and the Philistines make a deal to end the war quickly. They agree to have their champions, their two greatest fighters, face off; the tribe whose champion is victorious shall win the war, and the losing tribe will become their slaves. Since the Philistines were all Peas, this seemed like a good idea to King Saul until they brought out their champion: the massive and towering Goliath, the Giant Pickle.
The episode breaks here for Silly Songs with Larry, a number in which Larry, lying on a psychiatrist's couch confesses his love for his lips and his fear of losing them. Naturally no one would fight Goliath. For forty days he awaited an adversary. Then one day Dave is sent to the camp to deliver some pizza to his brothers, and he is ashamed at the sight of his brothers and the rest of the Israelites cowering in fear. He goes to King Saul and tells him that he will fight Goliath. King Saul is skeptical but grants his permission. He attempts to make Dave over with his royal armor and sword, but they are much too big. Dave resolves to go into battle just as he is. Dave goes into battle armed only with stones and his faith in God while Goliath dons boxing gloves. The battle is short; Dave slings a stone at Goliath and hits him just above the eyes. Goliath collapses and the Israelites are victorious.
Back on the countertop Bob explains that through God all things are possible. This means that little people can do big things and that Larry doesn't need to dress up as a superhero to be special. Then Larryboy gets stuck on the wall, again.
In addition to the ubiquitous "VeggieTales Theme" and "What We Have Learned," this episode contains the following two songs:
- Big Things Too!, sung by Junior and Archibald
- I Love My Lips (Silly Song), sung by Larry with Archibald Asparagus
The Toy That Saved Christmas
| This article's plot summary may be too long or excessively detailed. (December 2008) |
| The Toy that Saved Christmas | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Phil Vischer, Chris Olsen |
| Written by | Phil Vischer |
| Produced by | Phil Vischer, Chris Olsen |
| Music by | Kurt Heinecke, Phil Vischer, Mike Nawrocki |
| Distributed by | Big Idea Productions Lyrick Studios (2000 to 2003) Sony Wonder (2003 to present) |
Release date | October 1996 (VHS release) October 29,2002 (DVD release) |
Running time | 30 minutes |
The Toy that Saved Christmas is the sixth episode of the VeggieTales animated series and the first holiday special in that series. It was released in October 1996 on VHS. Unlike its predecessors it does not feature an opening countertop. Like the other holiday episodes, it also has no “A Lesson In…” subtitle. The lesson is apparent enough anyway, clearly presenting the Biblical story of the birth of Jesus as the true meaning of Christmas.
Grandpa George tells a story about Wally P. Nezzer, the owner of a toy company who is spreading the word via television commercial that the meaning of Christmas is to get more and more toys. After seeing this, the Dinkletown kids were whining about wanting more toys. He explains to his assistant (Mr. Lunt) that this is a strategy to create demand for his toys in order to boost sales. The toy in question is called “Buzz-Saw Louie,” the only toy featuring an actual working buzz saw built into his arm.
On Christmas Eve, while most of the Veggie children are filled with a mad desire for the new toy, Larry, Bob, and Junior go sledding. They happen upon a lone Buzz-Saw Louie toy that has questioned Mr. Nezzer’s values and escaped the factory to find the true meaning of Christmas. Bob suggests that they go see Grandpa George. George explains to them that the true meaning of Christmas is not to get, but to give, the way God gave us Jesus, the greatest gift of all. The children are heartened by the news, but puzzle about how to tell the rest of the Veggies before Christmas Day.
The story is interrupted by a Silly Song entitled "Oh Santa!". Larry is staying up late awaiting the arrival of Santa Claus, eager to give him some home-made cookies. Instead of Santa, however, he is visited first by a bank robber (Scallion #1), then by a Viking (played by Pa Grape), and finally by an agent of the IRS (played by a Peach). They all take refuge is his home and eat his cookies (except for the IRS agent who Larry evidently considers too loathsome to invite inside). Santa finally shows up, but rather than being jolly he angrily chases after Scallion #1 and Pa Grape for stealing his props. Larry is left without any cookies, and no Santa or friends.
Returning to the story, the characters' solution is to sneak into Mr. Nezzer’s toy factory and use his television studio to broadcast the message to all the surrounding towns. The plan is a huge success, except that Mr. Nezzer finds them out and threatens to get rid of them. He ties them to a sled and is about to send them downhill into a deep ravine when the other Veggie families intervene. Laura Carrot shows him kindness by giving him a gift, and he quickly repents the errors of his ways. However, the sled with Bob, Larry, Junior, and Louie is accidentally sent on its fateful course.
A chase scene ensues in which Mr. Nezzer and a half dozen Penguins attempt to save the doomed Veggies. The tables turn, however, when Buzz-Saw Louie is able to divert the sled’s course, leaving Mr. Nezzer alone racing toward the ravine. Louie again springs into action, using his buzz-saw to rally the Penguins and save Mr. Nezzer just as he is about to plummet to certain death. Then, Buzz-Saw Louie puts the buzz-saw for good use making furniture and the show ends. It was edited from the TV version due to the show's length only for thirty minutes.
There was a special that aired in 1998 that featured this episode but added an opening on a big stage where the Veggies have ostensibly booked time with a major network to air a special film for the "VeggieTales Christmas Spectacular!" However, one big problem becomes almost immediately clear: Larry the Cucumber can't find the film. Given this discouraging news, the Veggies attempt to fill the time with a variety of musical performances.
First up is Junior Asparagus who is being uplinked by satellite live from the Holy Land (This was seven years before the Iraq War). He sings the song “While By My Sheep” surrounded by a flock of sheep that bleat along with the melody. When the satellite uplink is lost, the Veggies continue to scramble while Pa Grape attempts to buy time with the network, which is threatening to pull the plug on the production.
Next up is the Silly Songs with Larry called "Oh, Santa!"
The third musical number features Archibald Asparagus singing a German folk song while ringing some bells. Larry joins in, but as the song ends the Veggies learn that the network is about to pull the plug. Fortunately the film reel is found by Jimmy Gourd and the feature, The Toy That Saved Christmas, begins.
This TV special is available as a special feature under these titles The Star of Christmas (2002) and Holiday Double Feature (2006) on DVD.
Due to the format of the show, this episode does not contain the usual "What We Have Learned", although the "VeggieTales Theme" is still present. It also contains the following songs:
- Can't Believe It's Christmas, sung by the Veggie children
- Grumpy Kids, sung by Buzz-Saw Louie
- Oh, Santa! (Silly Song), sung by Larry, Bob, Scallion #1, and Pa Grape
The "VeggieTales Christmas Spectacular!" adds the following songs:
- While By My Sheep, sung by Junior Asparagus and his Sheep
- Ring, Little Bells, sung by Archibald Asparagus
A Very Silly Sing-Along
| This article's plot summary may be too long or excessively detailed. (December 2008) |
| A Very Silly Sing-Along | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Mike Nawrocki, Chris Olsen |
| Written by | Mike Nawrocki, Phil Vischer |
| Produced by | Chris Olsen |
| Music by | Phil Vischer, Mike Nawrocki |
| Distributed by | Sony Wonder |
Release date | March 1997 |
Running time | 30 minutes |
A Very Silly Sing-Along is the seventh episode in the VeggieTalesanimated series. Released in March 1997, it is the first of several sing-along videos. It features the four Silly Songs with Larry that had been released to date along with a half dozen others from the first five episodes. It also introduced the popular "Pirates Who Don't Do Anything" whose Silly Song appears here for the first time.
This episode starts immediately with the countertop, initially skipping the theme song. Larry the Cucumber thinking this is the very first VeggieTales workout video, begins a workout hopping left, right, front, and back in time to generic, upbeat workout music. Then he uses a trampoline for jumping (claiming that if the at-home viewer has no trampoline using and old rug and a pair of slinkies will suffice). However, after jumping progressively higher, he gets hit by the cupboards and Bob comes on-screen, explaining this is actually VeggieTales very first sing along tape. To demonstrate, Bob uses the French Peas helping out by typing on QWERTY the words on the bottom of the screen. But after the demonstration, they type whatever they hear. After the scene degenerates into true chaos, Bob yells, "Roll tape!" and the camera cuts to the traditional theme tune.
After several songs, Larry, yet again misunderstanding the point of the sing-along, introduces the kids to the very 1st VeggieTales home improvement video. Stating he will fix a leaky fixture in the sink and replace it with a new one, "Which will be quite attractive, and last for years to come." But Jimmy Gourd, turned off the water supply in the bathroom and sink, not the kitchen. Thus when Larry begins to screw off the sink fixture, he is blasted into the air by the water flow.
After the "New and Improved Bunny Song", Larry introduces his home-viewers to the very first VeggieTales financial success video. Bob comes onscreen and after finally explaining the sing-along theme the video is meant for, Larry seems excited and asks when they will start, at which Bob gives up trying to explain and walks off. Oblivious to Bob's annoyance, Larry repeats his financial success speech to Bob.
The final Silly Song, the only one original to the video, Larry the Cucumber, Pa Grape, and Mr. Lunt are the "infamous band of scallywags: The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything." The entire song consists of nonsensical tales of what each of the Pirates have never done. When Larry makes purely random statements of what he has never done, Pa Grape and Mr. Lunt berate him and say he should sing about "piraty things." Once Pa Grape asks Mr. Lunt for his opinion on whether Larry is making no sense, Mr. Lunt says Pa Grape looks like Cap'n Crunch. After they gainsay each other and Pa Grape sentences Mr. Lunt to walk the plank, Larry sings another verse of nonsense. Pa Grape declares Larry does not understand what they said previously about his singing; they finish the song with the refrain "And we've never been to Boston in the fall." They decide to watch Hiraldo, and Larry finds a quarter.
Included songs are:
- VeggieTales Theme Song
- I Can Be Your Friend (from Are You My Neighbor?)
- Dance of the Cucumber (from Rack, Shack, and Benny)
- Lagoon Song (from God Wants Me To Forgive Them!?!)
- The Water Buffalo Song (from Where's God When I'm S-Scared?)
- God Is Bigger (from Where's God When I'm S-Scared?)
- I Love My Lips (from Dave and the Giant Pickle)
- Oh No! (from Where's God When I'm S-Scared?)
- Stand Up! (from Rack, Shack, and Benny)
- The Hairbrush Song (from Are You My Neighbor?)
- The New and Improved Bunny Song (from Rack, Shack, and Benny)
- The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything
Larry-Boy! And the Fib from Outer Space!
| Larry-Boy and the Fib from Outer Space! | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Phil Vischer, Chris Olsen |
| Written by | Phil Vischer |
| Produced by | Chris Olsen |
| Music by | Phil Vischer, David Mullen |
| Distributed by | Sony Wonder |
Release date | April 1997 |
Running time | 30 minutes |
Larry-Boy! And the Fib from Outer Space![2] is the eighth episode of the VeggieTales animated series. It was released in April 1997 on VHS and issued on DVD May 18,2004. This is the first adventure featuring the Larry the Cucumber as Larry-Boy, the hero of the city of Bumblyburg. In this story (subtitled "A Lesson in Telling the Truth"), Larry-Boy must confront a Fib that has grown beyond control. In this episode dealing with telling the truth, Larry the Cucumber appears as his alter ego, the hero of Bumblyburg, LarryBoy.
Larry-Boy! And the Fib from Outer Space! includes the segments:
- Opening Countertop
- Larry-Boy and the Fib from Outer Space
- Closing Countertop
- Music Video: Larry-Boy Theme
In addition to the ubiquitous "VeggieTales Theme" and "What We Have Learned," this episode contains the following songs:
- It's Laura's Fault (Sung by Junior Asparagus)
- Larry-Boy Theme (Sung by Nicole C. Mullen)
Josh and the Big Wall!
| This article's plot summary may be too long or excessively detailed. (December 2008) |
| Josh and the Big Wall! | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Phil Vischer, Chris Olsen |
| Written by | Phil Vischer |
| Produced by | Chris Olsen |
| Music by | Phil Vischer, Kurt Heinecke, Mike Nawrocki |
| Distributed by | Sony Wonder |
Release date | October 1997 (VHS release) June 18,2002 (DVD release) |
Running time | 30 minutes |
Josh and the Big Wall! is the ninth episode of the VeggieTales animated series. It was released in October 1997 on VHS.It is subtitled "A Lesson in Obedience". The story follows the plight of the Israelites and, specifically, the Battle of Jericho. The presentation spoofs Monty Python and the Holy Grail. It also contains comical songs and anachronisms.
The opening countertop finds Junior Asparagus filling in for Larry the Cucumber, (he is tired from Larry-Boy! & the Fib from Outer Space!, the previous episode). Junior and Bob the Tomato field a question for Victor about obedience and, using their imaginations, are transported to the Holy Land.
Bob acts as narrator and provides Junior (and the viewers) with some background information. The Israelites, having been held as slaves in Egypt, are liberated by Moses and led to the Promised Land (Land of Israel). However, they question God's methods and are banished from Israel for forty years. Upon the completion of their exile, Moses has died, and Joshua (played here by Larry) has become leader of the Israelites. Joshua leads them back to the Promised Land, but one thing stands in their way... Jericho.
The story is interrupted here by Larry's [Silly Songs with Larry-Silly Song]. "Song of the Cebu," introduced as a "sequential image, stereophonic, multimedia event," finds Larry on the countertop with a slide projector and a captive audience comprising Jimmy and Jerry Gourd and Junior Asparagus. The song, about a boy and three cebu (and a hippo) frequently goes off track and is interrupted several times by Archibald Asparagus.
When the story resumes, the Israelites are met by the defenders of Jericho (the French Peas) who taunt them from atop the city's great wall with ridiculous insults, much like the French in Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Joshua explains that God has given this land to the Israelites and that therefore the defenders will have to step aside. They are met by more insults and jeering. When a slushy falls and hits Jimmy, they fall back and regroup.
That night Joshua meets the Commander of the Army of the Lord who tells him how the Israelites are to take Jericho: they must march around the city once a day for six days; on the seventh day they are to march around it seven times, blow their horns, and all yell at the same time. At this point, the messenger states, the walls of Jericho will fall. Naturally this plan leads to some skepticism. Joshua must deal with dissent among his people, some of whom want to return to Egypt and some of whom want to attack the wall with might.
But they agree to try it God's way and proceed to Jericho the next day. The city's defenders insult them all the more, turning their taunts into a choreographed musical number while bombing them constantly with slushies. The end of the day finds the Israelites on the verge of rebellion. At this point, Junior, the co-narrator, intervenes and convinces them to continue with the plan God laid out. He explains that God's way doesn't always make sense, but provides examples of how it always works out in the end.
The Israelites agree to stick with the plan and, in spite of renewed counter-attacks, march around the city for seven days as specified. On the seventh day they blow their horns and yell; at first nothing happens. But then cracks appear and the wall crashes down, just as God said it would, and Joshua claims the land for his people.
Bob and Junior wrap up on the closing countertop, reiterating the lesson in the film, a slushie falls. Larry appears in his pajamas at the end, but seconds later the lights go out as the computer screen turns off and Larry says "Aw nuts!".
In addition to the ubiquitous "VeggieTales Theme" and "What We Have Learned," this episode contains the following songs:
- Promised Land, sung by the Israelites
- The Lord Has Given (Part 1), sung by Larry and the Israelites
- The Lord Has Given (Part 2), sung by Junior Asparagus
- Keep Walking, sung by the French Peas
- Song of the Cebu (Silly Song), sung by Larry with Jimmy, Jerry, and Junior
Madame Blueberry
| Madame Blueberry | |
|---|---|
| Written by | Mike Nawrocki |
| Music by | Kurt Heinecke, Phil Vischer, Mike Nawrocki |
| Distributed by | Sony Wonder |
Release dates | July 1998 (VHS release) May 20, 2003 (DVD release) |
Running time | 30 minutes |
Madame Blueberry is the tenth episode in the VeggieTales animated series. It was released in July 1998 and issued on DVD May 20,2003. Subtitled "A Lesson in Thankfulness", it conveys the message that material possessions will never truly make us happy. We must instead be thankful for what we have.
The story introduces Madame Blueberry who has many possessions but is perpetually "blue". When a massive department store opens nearby, she goes on a shopping binge thinking that owning more things will bring her happiness. Ultimately she must learn the hard way that joy cannot be found in material goods. This is the first episode since "Tales from the Crisper".
The episode is a loose parody of the novel Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert. Emma Bovary, the protagonist of that novel, also lives beyond her means to assuage a feeling of emptiness and dissatisfaction with her life. This episode was aired on qubo around the Thanksgiving holiday in November 2006. The titular character was voiced by Chicago native Megan Moore Burns.
In addition to the ubiquitous "VeggieTales Theme" and "What We Have Learned," this episode contains the following songs:
- I'm So Blue, sung by Madame Blueberry, Bob & Larry
- Stuff Mart Rap (also called the Salezmunz Rap), sung by the Scallions
- His Cheeseburger, sung by Mr. Lunt during the Silly Songs segment
- The Thankfulness Song, Part 1, sung by Annie the Green Onion
- The Thankfulness Song, Part 2, sung by Dad Asparagus and Junior Asparagus
- The Thankfulness Song, Part 3, sung by Madame Blueberry, Junior, and Annie
- Stuff Mart Blue Danube, End Credits
Silly Sing-Along 2: The End of Silliness?
| Silly Sing-Along 2: The End of Silliness? | |
|---|---|
| Music by | Phil Vischer, Mike Nawrocki |
| Distributed by | Sony Wonder |
Release date | November 1998 |
Running time | 30 minutes |
Silly Sing-Along 2: The End of Silliness? is the eleventh episode in the VeggieTales animated series. Released in November 1998, it is the second of several sing-along videos. In this episode, Archibald Asparagus has canceled Silly Songs with Larry, and replaced it with "Love Songs with Mr. Lunt", prompting Larry the Cucumber to drown his sorrows in Jimmy Gourd's ice cream diner (modeled before Edward's 1942 famous painting; Nighthawks).
This video features the two new Silly Songs since the release of Very Silly Songs! and includes the previously unreleased Silly Song "The Yodeling Veterinarian of the Alps". It also includes a selection of other songs from the previously released VeggieTales episodes.
Included songs are:
- VeggieTales Theme Song
- The Song Of The Cebu
- Promised Land
- Thankfulness Song
- Keep Walking
- Big Things Too!
- Stuff Mart Rap
- His Cheeseburger
- The Yodeling Veterinarian of the Alps
Larry-Boy and the Rumor Weed
| This article's plot summary may be too long or excessively detailed. (December 2008) |
| Larry-Boy and the Rumor Weed | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Phil Vischer |
| Written by | Phil Vischer |
| Produced by | Jon Gadsby |
| Music by | Phil Vischer, Kurt Heinecke |
| Distributed by | Sony Wonder |
Release date | July 1999 |
Running time | 35 minutes |
Larry-Boy and the Rumor Weed is the twelveth episode in the VeggieTales animated series, and the second installment of the Larry-Boy adventures. It was released in July 1999 on both DVD and VHS formats. Subtitled "A Lesson in the Power of Words", it illustrates how destructive negative words can be, and conversely, how positive words can do good. It is a mild parody of Little Shop Of Horrors.
The episode begins immediately with the story, where Percy Pea and Li'l Pea are leaving a movie theater. They are met by a bandit who robs them of their milk money, but he doesn't get far; on a neighboring rooftop he runs into Larry-Boy who brings him quickly to justice.
Following this, Larry-Boy stands on a rooftop reviewing his technique with Alfred, when he accidentally knocks a plant off the ledge. It falls into the sewer getting caught on some electrical wires on the way down. The electrical charge brings the plant to life, and the Rumor Weed is born.
The next morning Alfred is speaking before Junior Asparagus and Laura Carrot's class at Veggie Valley Elementary. He makes the comment that he must go home and "recharge his batteries". The children don't understand the expression (the phrase in American English means to rest and relax), and come to the false conclusion that Alfred must be a robot. As they are walking home, they run into a small Rumor Weed who extracts their secret and promptly passes it along. She quickly moves from yard to yard spreading the rumor. Percy Pea, Mr. Nezzer, and Dad Carrot unintentionally contribute to the rumor, but Larry-Boy proves impervious to it.
He gets a call from Mayor Blueberry who informs him that weeds are taking over the city. He springs into action, trying to destroy the weeds by conventional means, but weed-whackers and sheers have no effect. He returns to the Larry-Cave where Alfred has been doing research on the Weed. They study a map of Bumblyburg and discover that all the weeds are connected by a vast root system to a huge Mother Weed deep underground. Realizing that the Weed has the ability to smash sidewalks and crumble walls, they decide they must attack it underground, at its root.
Fortunately Alfred has made some modifications to the Larry-Mobile that enable it to bore holes in the ground. Larry-Boy is oblivious as Alfred guides him into the underground sewer, and once inside the sewer they lose contact with each other. The Mother Rumor Weed finds him by his crashed vehicle, and Larry-Boy, unaware of how to stop her, gets battered and bruised.
Meanwhile, Alfred has gone into Bumblyburg to try and get help. There he is astonished to find that the usually kind citizens are afraid of him and saying strange things about him. They ignore his desperate assertions that he is not a robot; the rumor has grown out of control. When the giant Rumor Weed crashes up out of the sewer and grabs Alfred, they believe he is getting what he deserves.
Dad Asparagus arrives on the scene and recognizes the absurdity of the rumor. He figures out that Junior and Laura accidentally started the rumor and explains to them that God doesn't want us to spread negative stories about people. Given a second chance they decide to spread good words and are able to convince the citizens of Bumblyburg that Alfred is not a robot at all, but a very nice man. As the word spreads, the Rumor Weed turns into a flower and Alfred is saved.
The episode is wrapped up in the Larry-Cave with Alfred and Larry-Boy. They reiterate that God wants us to say nice words about people rather than propagating rumors of the verse iS on the Larry-Computer "Reckless words pirecre like a sword, but the tongue of the wise works healing" (Romans 12:18).
This episode has a unique format and does not include the usual "VeggieTales Theme" and "What We Have Learned" songs. It does contain the following songs:
- Larry Boy Theme Song (Sung by Nicole C. Mullen. It is played at the show's beginning)
- Rumor Weed (Sung by the Rumor Weed with Mr. Nezzer, Dad Carrot, and Dad Pea)
- Rumor Weed (cover) (Sung over the closing credits by The W's)
King George and the Ducky
| King George and the Ducky | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Mike Nawrocki |
| Written by | Sean Gaffney (story), Phil Vischer |
| Music by | Kurt Heinecke, Phil Vischer, Mike Nawrocki |
| Distributed by | Word Entertainment Big Idea Productions Warner Home Video |
Release dates | April 2000 (VHS release) May 20, 2003 (DVD release) |
Running time | 30 minutes |
King George and the Ducky is the 13th episode in the VeggieTales animated series. It was released in April 2000 on VHS and issued on DVD May 20,2003. Subtitled "A Lesson about Selfishness", it teaches viewers that they must think of others before themselves. The message is conveyed through a story based on the Biblical account of David and Bathsheba from Second Samuel.
Although the VeggieTales adaptation remains relatively true to the source, Bathsheba is represented by a rubber duck, thus replacing the sin of adultery with the less difficult crime of theft. But the essence of the story remains intact: the King covets something belonging to his neighbor and takes it for his own; the selfish act is condemned by a king who wasn't so bright.
The subsequently released Duke and the Great Pie War is a prequel to this episode.
This was the first episode of Veggietales to air on qubo with Christian-based content.
In addition to the ubiquitous "VeggieTales Theme" and "What We Have Learned," this episode contains the following songs:
- I Love My Duck, sung by Larry, Bob, and Junior
- I Must Have It, sung by Larry
- Endangered Love (Barbara Manatee), sung by Larry Bill Manatee and Barbara Manatee
- There Once Was a Man, sung by Pa Grape
- The Selfish Song, sung by Larry, Bob, Junior and Pa Grape
Esther… The Girl Who Became Queen
| This article's plot summary may be too long or excessively detailed. (December 2008) |
| Esther... The Girl Who Became Queen | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Mike Nawrocki |
| Written by | Mike Nawrocki, Phil Vischer |
| Produced by | Jennifer Combs |
| Music by | Kurt Heinecke, Phil Vischer, Mike Nawrocki |
| Distributed by | Sony Wonder |
Release date | 2000 |
Running time | 40 minutes |
Esther... The Girl Who Became Queen is the 14th episode in the VeggieTales animated series. Subtitled "A Lesson in Courage", it conveys the message that you do not need to be afraid to do what is right. The story is taken from the Book of Esther in the Old Testament, in which Esther becomes Queen and must tell King Xerxes that his prime minister Haman is plotting to commit genocide against the Jews. The violence is, of course, removed for this VeggieTales production; murder is replaced by banishment to the "Island of Perpetual Tickling," and the intended victims are limited to Esther and her family without reference to their race or creed.
The presentation of the story was inspired by The Godfather and Casablanca and has stylistic elements of a Film noir. The dramatic lighting, deep shadows, dark plot elements, and narrative voiceovers all contribute to the effect. The palace windows are even hung with Venetian blinds, an iconic element of the genre.
The story opens at a palace in Persia where Haman, the King's right-hand-man, is throwing the Queen out onto the street for insubordination (refusing to make a sandwich for the King at 3 am). A search is initiated to find a new Queen.
The following day, Esther and her cousin Mordecai are talking on the street. Esther is asking for Mordecai's advice, but his questions reveal that Esther knows what to do but that she lacks the courage to do it. He tells her that she should not be afraid to do what is right: to confront Esther's friend, who stole an apple.
When Haman drives up in a favorite car-wagon (styled after modern "low-rider" automobiles) to collect the eligible maidens, Mordecai tries to hide. (Haman despises Mordecai and is determined to do him harm.) They confront each other, with Haman posturing and threatening Mordecai. Mordecai refuses to bow to anyone but God and Haman vows to banish him and his family to the "Island of Perpetual Tickling." The relationship between Mordecai and Esther is kept secret, and Haman takes Esther to the palace with the other young women to participate in the beauty contest.
At the palace, King Xerxes and Haman audition the girls for a new Queen. When Esther takes the stage and sings, the King is left in awe and the decision is made. However, since Esther does not wish to be the Queen, she is crowned and ensconced in her new life against her will.
One day in the throne room of the Perisan place, the King is visited by the Peaoni brothers (the Royal bakers), who have brought a large cake to honor the King. Although unannounced visitors are not permitted, the King allows them to be heard. While one brother convinces the King to come look closely at the cake, the other brother is hanging onto a rope, the other end of which supports a grand piano suspended above the cake. Mordecai, who is hiding in a corner to avoid Haman, observes the plot and informs Esther. Esther warns the King in time and the piano crashes harmlessly onto the cake. The King thanks her for saving his life, but she indicates Mordecai, saying that the credit should be his. The Peaoni brothers at banished to the Island of Perpetual Tickling, escorted by a cartoonish charactor resembling "Death."
With the Peaoni brothers banished, the King believes he is safe, but Haman convinces him that a greater threat awaits. Mordecai and his family cannot be trusted, he claims, and pose an imminent danger to the King. The King unwittingly authorizes a edict to have Mordecai and his family banished to the Island of Perpetual Tickling.
Mordecai finds the edict posted on the wall in the streets of Perisa and visits Esther on her balcony at the palace. He appeals to his cousin to reveal Haman's evil plans to the King, but she is afraid. She lacks the courage to confront the King and struggles with what to do. She knows she need not fear to do what's right, but action does not come easy for her. Twice she attempts to inform the King, and twice she fails, lamely Esther inviting King Xerxes and Haman to dinner instead.
Meanwhile, Haman has been instructed by the King to throw a parade in honor of the man who saved his life, not realizing that this is Mordecai, the same man whose family Haman wishes to destroy.
On her third attempt Esther is able to muster up the courage to face the King. She reveals that Mordecai is her cousin and that Haman has been plotting to destroy him and his family, which includes her. The King, who respects Mordecai and loves Esther, believes her and turns on Haman. He banishes Haman to the Island of Perpetual Tickling.
Mordecai ends up filling in Haman's former position as the King's right-hand-man. Esther saves the people.
This episode does not include the usual "VeggieTales Theme" and "What We Have Learned" songs. It does contain the following songs:
- Tell Me Why, sung by Esther
- The Battle Prelude, sung by Esther
- Haman's Song, sung by Haman with King Xerxes
- The Battle Is Not Ours, sung by Esther
- Lost Puppies, sung by Miss Achmetha
Lyle the Kindly Viking
| Lyle the Kindly Viking | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Tim Hodge Marc Vulcano |
| Written by | Phil Vischer, Eric Metaxas, Marc Vulcano |
| Produced by | Jennifer Combs |
| Music by | Phil Vischer, Kurt Heinecke |
| Distributed by | Sony Wonder |
Release date | March 24, 2001 |
Running time | 37 minutes |
Lyle the Kindly Viking is the 15th episode of the VeggieTales animated series. It was released on March 24, 2001 . It features two short stories about sharing and selflessness, one a parody of Shakespeare's Hamlet, the other a parody of a Gilbert and Sullivan comic opera, It's .
In an attempt to bring a higher level of class and sophistication to VeggieTales, Archibald Asparagus requests and receives permission to run the show. The countertop is modified with a fireplace and wing chair (a la Masterpiece Theatre) and Archibald introduces the first segment.
His aim is the first VeggieTales' production of a Shakespeare play, but, unable to find the script for Hamlet, the French Peas instead procure the script for "Omelet". In this story, Omelet, played by Jimmy Gourd, is prepared the last eggs in the kingdom, "light and fluffy". His royal subjects are starving however (it is later descovered that the lack of eggs is due to the fact that his subjects thought that they were ping-pong balls), and despite his reservations he ultimately agrees to share his eggs with the kingdom.
Following this segment is the introduction to the usual "Silly Songs with Larry". Archibald intervenes immediately and changes it to "Classy Songs with Larry". The resulting song is silly enough anyway.
Finally, Archibald presents the "lost script of Gilbert and Sullivan," entitled Lyle the Kindly Viking. In this episode, Junior Asparagus is a Viking who secretly returns his share of the loot to the Monks from which it was stolen but Sven and Otar took turns with Olaf's binoculars and fall into the sea. He is discovered, however, by Olaf who attempts to destroy him. When a great storm capsizes the Viking ships, the Monks rescue Lyle, who in turn convinces them to save the rest of the doomed Vikings. This show of kindness convinces the Vikings to turn over a new leaf, to begin sharing instead of looting and pillaging.
In the closing countertop sequence, Archibald discovers he's been duped and the scene falls into chaos.
In addition to the ubiquitous "VeggieTales Theme" and "What We Have Learned," this episode contains the following songs:
- We're Vikings, sung by the Viking company
- What's Up With Lyle, sung by Olaf
- Dear Monks, sung by Lyle
- Thank You, sung by the Monks
- Not So Fast, sung by Sven and Otar
- Share of Friends , sung by Lyle
- Look, Olaf! ,sung by Sven and Otar
- What Do You Think You're Doing?, sung by Olaf
- Closing Medley, sung by the entire cast
- Larry's High Silk Hat (Tune: "Funiculi, Funicula") (Silly Song), sung by Archibald Asparagus and Larry the Cucumber
The Ultimate Silly Song Countdown
| The Ultimate Silly Song Countdown | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Tom Bancroft |
| Written by | Mike Nawrocki |
| Produced by | Jennifer Combs |
| Music by | Mike Nawrocki, Kurt Heinecke |
| Distributed by | Sony Wonder Warner Home Video |
Release date | September 15, 2001 |
Running time | 43 minutes |
The Ultimate Silly Song Countdown is the 16th episode in the VeggieTales animated series and the third Silly Song compilation. The premise was to count down the Top Ten Silly Songs as decided by the show's viewers. Big Idea launched a campaign to collect and tally votes from fans via mail and internet for this purpose in a date of September 15, 2001 on DVD & VHS.
This episode takes place entirely on the countertop where the Pirates Who Don't Do Anything (Pa Grape, Mr. Lunt, and Larry the Cucumber) are hosting the show. Pa Grape informs the others that today they are going to do a little something after all, but they resist. They laze around eating Chinese food while Pa Grape introduces the "Astonishing Contraption of Silliness" ("What a lame name," says Mr. Lunt). Pa Grape pushes them into action and they feed the votes into the Contraption, which sputters and begins presenting the Top 10 Silly Songs of All Time.
The Contraption malfunctions halfway through the countdown, producing nonsense songs such as "The Dance of the Yodeling Cebu Lips" and "The Song of the Water Buffalo Who Don't Love Ceb`u with Yodeling Lips" forcing Larry and Mr. Lunt to come up with on the spot. The result, based on the text of a Chinese takeout menu, is called "Do the Moo Shoo" and is a sort of hip-hop version of Herbie Hancock's 80's break dance classic, "Rock It." Pa Grape declares that it won't make the Top Ten, and manages to fix the machine so the countdown can continue.
When the countdown gets to the top two, The Contraption announces "The Pirates Who Don't...". But Pa Grape starts acting shifty and suggests that did not collecting all the votes have been counted. He produces a big bag labeled "Official Votes" and feeds them into the machine. Larry and Mr. Lunt confront him and he confesses to rigging the election because "The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything" is the only song that features him. Larry and Mr. Lunt forgive him, saying that it's better than "The Forgive-O-Matic" from "God Wants Me To Forgive Them!?!", which was a failed attempt to sell a machine that supposedly gives automatic forgiveness. The final two songs are presented and the credits on the show ends
Countdown Songs are:
- 10. "Endangered Love", sung by Larry
- 9."The Dance of the Cucumber", sung by Larry and translated by Bob the Tomato
- 8."Larry's High Silk Hat", sung by Archibald Asparagus and Larry
- 7."The Water Buffalo Song", sung by Larry
- 6."The Yodeling Veterinarian of the Alps", sung by Larry, Pa Grape, the Scallions, and Frankencelery
- 5.The Song of the Cebú, sung by Larry with Jimmy and Jerry Gourd and Junior Asparagus
- Do the Moo Shoo sung by Larry and Mr. Lunt
- 4."His Cheeseburger", sung by Mr. Lunt
- 3."Love My Lips", sung by Larry with Archibald
- 2.The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything, sung by Pa Grape, Mr. Lunt, and Larry
- 1. "The Hairbrush Song", sung by Larry with Pa Grape, Junior Asparagus, Bob the Tomato, and the Peach
- Silly Song Remix Medley, sung by Larry and company over the closing credits
Jonah Sing-Along Songs and More!
| Jonah Sing-Along Songs and More! | |
|---|---|
| Music by | Phil Vischer, Mike Nawrocki, Kurt Heinecke |
| Distributed by | Sony Wonder |
Release date | 2002 |
Running time | 30 minutes |
"Jonah Sing-Along Songs and More!" is the 17th episode in the VeggieTales animated series. Released in 2002, it is one of several sing-along videos. Released prior to the film Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie, it was intended to fuel interest in the upcoming feature. Unlike the previous sing-alongs. It had no real ``A lesson in...`` subtitle, this one features some live-action footage including a segment of the Newsboys in concert performing the song "Belly of the Whale". It also includes a medley of songs from Lyle the Kindly Viking. This film has also not been released on DVD as of June 2008.
The story behind the video is that Archibald Asparagus, who plays Jonah in the movie, is afraid to come out of his dressing room for fear of being swallowed by a whale. It's up to Bob the Tomato and Larry the Cucumber to coax him out and play Jonah in the first featured-movie Jonah.
Songs include:
- Message from the Lord
- The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything (remix)
- Viking Medley in Lyle the Kindly Viking
- Belly of the Whale (by Newsboys)
- Billy Joe McGuffrey (by Chris Rice)
- Second Chances (by Anointed)
The Star of Christmas
| This article's plot summary may be too long or excessively detailed. (December 2008) |
| The Star of Christmas | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Tim Hodge |
| Written by | Phil Vischer |
| Produced by | David Pitts |
| Music by | Phil Vischer, Kurt Heinecke |
| Distributed by | Sony Wonder |
Release dates | October 29, 2002 and September 6, 2006 |
Running time | 50 minutes |
The Star of Christmas is the 18th episode of the VeggieTales animated series and the second holiday special in that series. It was released on October 29,2002 and September 5, 2006 in the DVD media Holiday Double Feature with its earlier episode The Toy that Saved Christmas. Like the other holiday episodes, it has no “A Lesson in...” subtitle. The message, however, is that you can't teach people to love through pomp and flash, but rather that love must come from the inside; Jesus was sent on Christmas to help enable such a change, and He is the true "Star of Christmas".
The show is set in London in 1882 and has a definite Charles Dickens quality to it. Indeed, the sequel, An Easter Carol, features the same characters and the same setting and is a direct parody of the Dickens' classic A Christmas Carol. The story of The Star of Christmas centers on two would-be operatic composers who are based on W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan. VeggieTales has spoofed Gilbert and Sullivan's work in Lyle the Kindly Viking and (specifically The Mikado) in Sumo of the Opera. In this episode however they spoof the people, Gilbert and Sullivan, themselves.
Cavis Appythart and Millward Phelps are jingle writers who are waiting to make their big break into musical theatre. While Millward is content to see their work featured on billboards and in newspapers, Cavis believes they can make a difference in crime-ridden London by staging a grand musical that will move the citizens to greater expressions of love. They are about to get their opportunity. Millward's Uncle Nezzer has granted them the use of his theater on Christmas Eve, and they are planning a huge production of a new musical called "The Princess and the Plumber". Unfortunately, the script is not yet complete, and the premiere is only three days away.
Seymour Schwenk (Sullivan's and Gilbert's middle names), their friend and an inventor, shows up in an experimental rocket car (a direct reference to Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) and delivers to them a box of light bulbs. Cavis maintains that if their production is glitzy and bright (electric lights are still a novelty at this time and were first introduced at the Savoy Theatre for Gilbert and Sullivan's Patience) then it will be a bigger hit and reach more people. He plans to integrate the lights directly into the scenery itself (and, soon, the costumes too[3]).
But they still have much work to do. They need to convince the city's premiere talent, Constance Effie Pickering, to star in the lead role, and they need to get a commitment from Prince Calvin Fredrick to attend the premier. While Cavis and his assistant Bob Winston work on Pickering and the Prince, Millward struggles to complete the script. Everything comes together, and Cavis starts feeling confident that their production will be a huge success.
After noticing a flyer for a Christmas pageant planned to debut on the same night at a local church, Cavis goes to investigate. He observes Edmund Gilbert preparing a low-budget children's play and concludes that it poses no threat to their grand production. The pageant does intend to feature an object called the "Star of Christmas", however. Wondering aloud about this as he leaves the church, he is overheard by Arthur McHollingshead.[4] Arthur, a historian, reveals that the Star of Christmas is an ancient relic that has not been seen by the public in 79 years. He rushes off with great excitement to report the news, which promptly makes the front page headline the following morning.
Faced with the prospect of losing their audience (and in particular the Prince) to the pageant, Cavis vows to make their own production greater and flashier. But they can't compete with the Star of Christmas, and in desperation Cavis and Millward go to the church to steal the Star. They are caught, however, and narrowly escape from the aged "Moyer the Destroyer" who was left to guard the relic. With the Star and the flashy lights, Cavis is certain that "The Princess and the Plumber" is now a guaranteed success. But during dress rehearsal, the excessive amount of lights (a suspected fire hazard all along) ignites the curtains. In minutes the theater goes up in flames, and with it the Star of Christmas. As they stand and rue this terrible turn of events, an officer named Dwiglight Howarde arrives with Moyer LaGumtree, and Cavis and Millward are arrested.
In the jail, they meet a prisoner, Charles Pincher, who laughs at their efforts to spread love by means of an elaborate stage production. He claims that real love does not expect fame or wealth in return, that real love makes sacrifices to help others without expectation of personal gain. That kind of love, he says, is extremely rare.
As if on cue, Edmond and his father, Jesse, arrive at the jail to release Cavis and Millward. They have chosen not to press charges for the theft of the Star. Cavis is moved, and he expresses his desire to attend the pageant. But the pageant starts in ten minutes and there is not enough time to get there. Just then Seymour shows up in this rocket car. He entrusts Millward to drive the vehicle and try to get them all to the church on time. It's a harrowing ride fraught with collisions and near-misses, but they do arrive just as the pageant is about to start to crash through a bakery and a bank.
The pageant goes on with the Prince and Miss Pickering and everyone else in attendance. Cavis finally learns that Christmas is not about glitz and grand productions; he understands that it is about a baby in a manger, Jesus, who is the real "Star of Christmas". The episode ends with Cavis and Millward performing a selfless act at last: they bring cookies and a gift to Charles Pincher in his jail cell Cavis says, smiling warmly, "Merry Christmas Mr. Pincher", and the show ends.
Due to the format of the show, this episode does not contain the usual "What We Have Learned" or "VeggieTales Theme". It does contain five original (short) compositions and one Christmas traditional:
- First Big Break, sung by Cavis Appythart
- We Are the Frarie Peas, sung by the Frarie Peas
- Plumber, You Dropped Your Possum, sung by Millward Phelps
- Flushing in Vain, sung by Miss Constance Effie Pickering and the Plumber
- Plugged Up Love, sung by Miss Constance Effie Pickering, the Plumber, and the Frarie Peas
- O Come, O Come Emmanuel, sung by Lisa Vischer over the closing credits
The Wonderful World of Auto-Tainment!
| The Wonderful World of Auto-Tainment! | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Keith Lango, Michael Spooner |
| Written by | Keith Lango, Mike Nawrocki |
| Starring | Mike Nawrocki, Phil Vischer |
| Distributed by | Sony Wonder |
Release date | May 20, 2003 |
Running time | 30 minutes |
The Wonderful World of Auto-Tainment! is the 19th episode in the VeggieTales series. It was released on May 20, 2003 on DVD and VHS. It is a variety show in which the Veggies sing songs from various sing-along albums in a format that conforms to Larry's idea of what the future of entertainment will be like. Its theme music is a parody of Disney's classic television series The Wonderful World of Color. In Larry's estimation, entertainment will be fully automated. Using devices such as the "Wheel of Veggies" and the "Swarming Balls of Disorder", random performers will be paired with random musical numbers. Even jokes will be randomly generated. It is the first VeggieTales episode to be made by Big Idea since its acquisition by Classic Media in mid-2003.
The Ballad of Little Joe
| This article's plot summary may be too long or excessively detailed. (December 2008) |
| The Ballad of Little Joe | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Tim Hodge |
| Written by | Phil Vischer, Robert G. Lee |
| Produced by | David Pitts |
| Music by | Phil Vischer, Kurt Heinecke, Robert G. Lee, Mike Nawrocki |
| Distributed by | Sony Wonder |
Release date | August 5, 2003 |
Running time | 35 minutes |
The Ballad of Little Joe is the 20th episode in the VeggieTales series. It is subtitled "A Lesson in Facing Hardship". It was released on August 5, 2003 on DVD and VHS format. The story is a parody of the American Western and also a retelling of the Bible story of Joseph.
In the opening countertop segment, Bob the Tomato and Larry the Cucumber argue about how best to convey "a lesson in facing hardship". Bob insists that a Bible story would be best while Larry stands by a promise that the Veggies do a Western. A compromise is reached: the resulting story, "The Ballad of Little Joe", is a Western-style Bible story.
The story follows the Biblical account of Joseph and his multi-colored coat from the book of Genesis. As the story begins we are introduced to the brothers (played by the French Peas) and then to Little Joe (Larry) who is very different indeed. Among his unique skills are the abilities to solve problems, organize resources, and interpret dreams. We soon learn that it is Joe's birthday, and the brothers' father (Pa Grape) lavishes attention and gifts upon him.
When Joe foretells a time when his brothers will bow down before him, their jealousy turns to spite, and they decide to sell him into slavery. He ends up working at a saloon for Mr. McPotipher (Scooter Carrot), and his unique skills quickly make him an invaluable employee. Also working at the saloon is Kitty (Madame Blueberry) who entertains the patrons from the stage. She also becomes jealous of Joe when he is named Employee of the Month in her place. She frames him and he is imprisoned for the theft of gold, a crime he did not commit.
Joe keeps a positive attitude in jail and is able to help two inmates who have been haunted by dreams. His predictions come true: one is released, and the other is sent to work on a chain gang. When his reputation comes to the attention of the Mayor (Mr. Nezzer), Joe is summoned to interpret a particularly disturbing dream of the latter, in which seven fat cows are devoured by seven scrawny cows. Joe understands immediately and warns the Mayor: there will be seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine; fill the storehouses now so you'll be prepared.
Joe is put in charge of distributing the grain during the years of famine. When he recognizes his own family has come to procure food, he is overcome with emotion. He wants to reveal himself to them, but first needs to know if they have changed. He devises a plan where he frames the youngest brother, Benjamin, for theft to see how they respond. When all the brothers insist on taking the fall in his place and rue the previous loss of another brother, Joe reveals his identity. The story concludes with the happy reunion. Larry was dressed up in Danish and the show ends.
In addition to the ubiquitous "VeggieTales Theme" and "What We Have Learned," this episode contains the following songs:
- Happy Ki-Yi Birthday, sung by the French Peas and Mr. Lunt
- Dream of a Dozen Cactus, sung by Little Joe
- Oh Little Joe I, sung by McPotipher and patrons of the Rootin' Tootin' Pizza Place
- I'm Blue, sung by Miss Kitty
- Oh Little Joe II, sung by Little Joe, Sheriff Bob, the Baker, and the Blacksmith
- Mayor's Dream, sung by the Mayor
- Bellybutton, sung by Boyz in the Sink from God Made You Special DVD way in 2007
An Easter Carol
| This article's plot summary may be too long or excessively detailed. (December 2008) |
| An Easter Carol | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Tim Hodge |
| Written by | Tim Hodge |
| Music by | Kurt Heinecke |
| Distributed by | Sony Wonder |
Release date | February 10, 2004 |
Running time | 49 minutes |
An Easter Carol is the 21st episode in the VeggieTales animated series, released in early 2004 on DVD and VHS format. It lacks a subtitle, but the lesson it conveys is to remind viewers of the Christian significance of Easter. It is longer than most episodes, running to approximately 45 minutes. The episode is a reworking of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. The storyline is similar with Mr. Nezzer playing the role of Ebenezer. It is the sequel to The Star of Christmas and picks up where that episode left off with Cavis and Millward going to work in Mr. Nezzer's Easter Egg factory. 'Hope the Music Box Angel' is voiced by popular Christian singer Rebecca St. James.
The movie opens with Ebenezer Nezzer visiting his grandmother's grave. We see that we're in a city that has echoes of Victorian London. Ebenezer is a rich, plastic-Easter-egg-factory owner. The local church is having a new window unveiling service the next day on Easter. We find out Ebenezer used to go with his grandmother to church, but no longer goes. Reverend Gilbert and his son Edmond agree to visit Ebenezer later on and invite him to the unveiling service.
Next we see Ebenezer's factory which is full of mechanical chickens hatching plastic Easter eggs. Cavis Appythart and Millward Phelps are workers in the factory and the two are arguing over who should approach Ebenezer and ask for a day off for Easter. When they finally do ask, Ebenezer goes into a long history of how his grandmother started Easter by making Easter eggs. Before Grandma Nezzer died she whispered in Ebenezer's ear, "Tell every single person Easter means no death." Ebenezer took this to mean that as long as he kept making Easter eggs, his grandmother would be kept alive. This is why he plans to tear down the church and build Easterland in its place.
The Reverend and his son have arrived. Cavis and Millward attempt to persuade Mr Nezzer not to pull down the church, but Ebenezer refuses to listen, and fires Cavis and Millward from the Easter Egg factory.
Evening arrives and everyone is worrying about the demolition of the church. Ebenezer is in his factory planning details for Easterland when he falls asleep. He sees a vision of his grandmother who tells him he has "missed the point" and that he will receive a visitor to help him understand. Meanwhile Cavis and Millward are trying to break into the factory to steal the blueprints for Easterland.
Ebenezer has fallen asleep waiting for the visitor when a clockwork egg suddenly opens and Hope emerges. She wakes Ebenezer and starts showing him Easter past - a church service. They see young Ebenezer and his grandmother. Grandma Nezzer is trying to get Ebenezer to listen to the sermon but the youngster is busy selling his Easter eggs. Next, Hope shows him Easter a year ago, when Ebenezer first started making plastic Easter eggs. He talks to an inventor and gets the latter to design the mechanical chickens, although does not pay him (although he does give him an early free pass to Easterland).
They return to Easter present and visit the Reverend's house. Ebenezer finds out that little Edmond is very ill and will not live for another year if nothing changes. He is shocked and bewildered to see how Edmond's parents can be so calm with such news. Hope asks him if he's ready to listen and he nods.
Hope takes him back to the church and tells him the story of Jesus' birth, ministry, death and resurrection in song, using the stained glass windows.
Then Hope welcomes Nezzer to 'Easter future'. The church is being demolished. The orphanage is gone and without the hope of Easter the once-brave policeman has lost the courage to stop robbers. Little Edmond has died. Ebenezer is horrified at what he has done. Hope disappears back into the egg and Ebenezer pleads with her to come back because they need her. He rushes back to the church to try and stop the demolition, and wakes up.
He discovers it is still Easter present and that he has a second chance. He stops the demolition crew just as they are about to start tearing down the church.
Millward suddenly rushes in. Cavis is trapped in the factory and the chickens are overheating. The entire place is about to explode.
Nezzer rushes back into the factory to save Cavis and they escape by being catapulted out of one of the factory's windows by one of the machines as the building explodes. It starts raining Easter eggs across the town from the explosion and Nezzer promises to help young Edmond get the medicine he needs with the money he has left after fixing the orphanage.
A Snoodle's Tale
| This article's plot summary may be too long or excessively detailed. (December 2008) |
| A Snoodle's Tale | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Marc Vulcano |
| Written by | Mike Nawrocki, Phil Vischer |
| Produced by | David Pitts |
| Starring | Mike Nawrocki, Phil Vischer, Jim Poole, Tim Hodge, Philip Spooner, Charlette Jackson |
| Music by | Kurt Heinecke, Mike Nawrocki |
| Distributed by | Sony Wonder |
Release dates | May 2004 and November 2003 |
Running time | 50 minutes |
A Snoodle's Tale is the 22nd episode in the VeggieTales animated series, released on Novmember 2003 and May 2004 on both DVD and VHS formats. Subtitled "A Lesson in Self Worth", the episode focuses on teaching viewers that they are special in God's eyes, that they don't need to have extraordinary talents or resort to gimmicks to be worthy individuals.
The episode contains two main features. The first is a parody of Robert Louis Stevenson's novel The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. The second is the story of a small whimsical creature called a Snoodle who is suffering through a crisis of self-esteem. The narration is done in the style of Dr. Seuss, deftly capturing his iconic cadence, rhyme schemes, nonsense phraseology, and fanciful sense of place.
Bob the Tomato is eagerly awaiting Larry the Cucumber's return from "Danish Immersion Camp" as the episode begins. But when Larry shows up, he informs Bob that he never really went there, ending up instead at "Overdone British Literary Adaptations Camp". Bob is dismayed because Larry's knowledge of Danish was critical to the scheduled show intended to address a viewer's question about self-worth. Larry comes up with an alternate plan though, one based on his experience at the Camp he did attend. The result is a parody of The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.
In "The Strange Case of Dr. Jiggle and Mr. Sly", we first encounter an English gentleman named Mr. Butterbun and his butler Poole. Butterbun is obsessing about a flashy disco dancer who appears on the street at night with a boom box to perform. The neighbors, including Poole, seem to enjoy his performances, but Butterbun is deeply suspicious. When the dancer disappears into the home of Dr. Jiggle, he insists that they warn the doctor.
Dr. Jiggle also admits to being impressed by the Mr. Sly's fantastic moves, and confesses a desire to be a dancer himself. Unfortunately for him, his portly stature makes this impossible, his jiggly belly being a target for ridicule. When Butterbun requests an audience with Mr. Sly, Dr. Jiggle becomes frantic and quickly shows his guests the doorstep.
Butterbun is determined to find out who Mr. Sly really is and why he keeps disappearing into Dr. Jiggle's house. He enlists Poole to set a trap for him, to detain him while he dances and remove his disguise; but this plan fails when his butler instead gets caught up in the dance. The following night, however, Butterbun himself intervenes, stopping the music and confronting Mr. Sly. He recognizes his eyes, and when the dancer trips over the boom box, the portly Dr. Jiggle bursts forth from the constricting clothing. Butterbun is shocked but explains that he didn't need to hide in a disguise because he's special just the way God made him.
The Silly Song "Sport Utility Vehicle" follows, in which Larry and Miss Akmetha sing in admiration of each other's vehicles. They lead sedentary and mundane lives, however, and can only dream of one day having the opportunity to perform daring rescues (or even just go camping) in their SUV's.
In the main feature, "A Snoodle's Tale," Bob narrates the story of a whimsical little creature known as a Snoodle. The Snoodles live in Snoodleburg, a town which features prominently a large clock tower in the center. Every fourth Tuesday, it spits out a new Snoodle which slides down a chute to join the Snoodle society.
We witness the birth of one such creature named Snoodle Doo. He is born without any knowledge of his talents or abilities, but has on his back a backpack which contains paints, a paintbrush, and a kazoo. He also discovers he has wings. Attempting to figure out his purpose in life, he tries to utilize these gifts: first flying and then painting. But his attempts are met with ridicule by the older, more experienced Snoodles. Making matters worse, they paint him pictures of his failures and stuff them into his backpack. The weight of these pictures (and figuratively their ridicule) drag him down, making him feel worthless.
He decides to leave Snoodleburg and, observing the finches flying freely over Mt. Ginches, decides that he too will go there. After an arduous climb he eventually reaches the peak. There he meets a Stranger, the Creator of the Snoodles (which is a representation of God himself), who lives in a cave high above the clouds. The Stranger asks the Snoodle why he is so dejected, and the Snoodle explains that it's because he is no good at anything. The Stranger invites him in for tea and throws the hurtful pictures into the fire, assuring him that he looks nothing like them at all. He draws him a new picture, one that shows him confident and proud, encouraging him not just to fly, but to soar. The Snoodle's own picture, the one ridiculed by his elders, the Stranger hangs on his fridge.
The story ends as the young Snoodle flies back to Snoodleburg and tells of his journey to the others.
In addition to the ubiquitous "VeggieTales Theme" and "What We Have Learned," this episode contains the following songs:
- I Want to Dance, sung by Dr. Jiggle
- I Want to Dance (Disco Reprise), sung by Dr. Jiggle, Butterbun, and Poole
- Sport Utility Vehicle (Silly Song), sung by Larry and Miss Akmetha
Bob and Larry's How to Draw!
| Bob and Larry's How to Draw! | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Steve Hullfish, Brian Roberts |
| Written by | Mike Nawrocki, Tim Hodge, Gail Schenbaum |
| Produced by | Steve Hullfish |
| Music by | Kurt Heinecke, Steve Hullfish, Mike Nawrocki |
| Distributed by | Sony Wonder |
Release date | 2004 |
Running time | 90 minutes |
Bob and Larry's How to Draw! is the 23rd episode of the VeggieTales series. It is a ninety minute DVD where the artists at Big Idea Productions show viewers how to draw a dozen different characters from the VeggieTales series including Bob the Tomato, Larry the Cucumber, Junior Asparagus, and others. It was released in 2004 at the same time as the Holiday Double Feature and is only available on DVD format.
The episode begins with Larry the Cucumber standing on the countertop with an easel. He announces the inception of the "Society for the Promotion of the Artistic Rendering of Fruits and Vegetables" and makes Tim Hodge the president. Tim Hodge appears on Qwerty's screen where he stands by an easel before a room of children.
Tim Hodge hosts the show from here, either drawing the characters himself or cutting to one of the other artists who do the sketching. Other Big Idea artists appearing are: Tom Owens, Greg Hardin, and Joe Sapulich.
Throughout the episode Larry makes frequent countertop appearances and grows increasingly discouraged that they have not drawn him yet. Eventually he announces that he is leaving, but, dressed in a cowboy hat and bandanna, Tim Hodge has the idea to draw him at last in his role as Little Joe from The Ballad of Little Joe.
The only VeggieTales character to appear in this video is Larry the Cucumber, who plays himself in the countertop sequences. The remainder of the episode is live-action film featuring the artists noted above.
This episode does not contain the "VeggieTales Theme" or "What We Have Learned". It does include the following songs:
- How to Draw Me, sung by Larry the Cucumber
- President Tim and the Kids, sung by Larry the Cucumber
Sumo of the Opera
| This article's plot summary may be too long or excessively detailed. (December 2008) |
| Sumo of the Opera | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Mike Nawrocki |
| Written by | Jim Fisher, Jim Staahl, Mike Nawrocki |
| Produced by | David Pitts |
| Music by | Arthur Sullivan, Kurt Heinecke, Jim Fisher, Jim Staahl, Mike Nawrocki |
| Distributed by | Sony Wonder |
Release date | August 31, 2004 |
Running time | 50 minutes long |
"Sumo of the Opera" is the 24th episode in the VeggieTales series. Subtitled "A Lesson in Perseverance", it teaches viewers the importance of working through adversity to accomplish one's goals. It was released in fall of 2004 in DVD and VHS format.
After doing a generic parody of a Gilbert and Sullivan comic opera in Lyle the Kindly Viking, the show's creators have now gone one step further. The main story here is a direct spoof of one of Gilbert and Sullivan's most famous works, The Mikado. The parody is so transparent, in fact, that most of the music is credited to Arthur Sullivan himself. See "Notes and Trivia" below for more information.
In addition, this release contains an eclectic mix of other influences as well. While Sumo of the Opera draws plot elements from the movies Rocky and The Karate Kid, the segment that precedes it is an homage to both the Three Stooges and a Laurel and Hardy short film called The Music Box. Even the requisite Silly Song is a parody, this time of the 1970s educational shorts Schoolhouse Rock!
The opening countertop sequence finds Bob the Tomato alone with a curious sock puppet of a cucumber named Lutfi. Larry the Cucumber, we learn, is on his way to do charity work but is facing an inordinate amount of difficulty in getting there. Bob and Lutfi need to convince him via telephone to persevere rather than giving up and coming home.
The first segment, "Going Up!", is a silent film short based on Laurel and Hardy and The Three Stooges. Three Stooge-like veggies are assigned to deliver a grand piano to a mansion at the top of an enormous hill. While his fellow workers give up the impossible task in frustration, Curly (Larry) perseveres and is rewarded for his eventual success.
The Silly Song follows, a "Schoolhouse Polka" reminiscent of the Schoolhouse Rock! series of educational shorts. Larry plays the accordion and sings a song about homophones, the accordion somehow rendering sounds like an electric guitar in a blistering solo.
While Bob looks for a relevant film for Larry, Lutfi presents an interim story about the origin of St. Patrick's Day. Done in the style of a flannelgraph, the story tells about Maewyn Succat, a young Romano British boy who is kidnapped by pirates and sold as a slave in Ireland. His new life is miserable and he spends his days in constant prayer, even as those around him celebrate paganism. When God tells him it's time to leave, Maewyn runs away and returns to Britain by way of Gaul. Back at home, Maewyn continues his scholarship and dreams that the people of Ireland are begging him to come back and teach them about Christianity. Maewyn grows up to become a bishop, is rechristened "Patrick", and fulfills his destiny to return to Ireland and teach the Word of God.
Finally the main segment begins. In Sumo of the Opera, Larry stars as the Italian Scallion, a Sumo wrestler who has difficulty taking anything seriously. Although he succeeds in defeating his sparring partner Po-Ta-To, he does accidentally as a result of his clowning around: Po slips on a banana peel and falls from the ring, injuring his back
He is admonished for his joking by Mikey (Pa Grape), who accuses him of being weak, lacking ambition, and never completing what he starts. When Hadrian reminds him that he has not yet fixed his bike, Scallion has no defense.
Meanwhile, Apollo Gourd, the champion, is looking for an opponent now that Po has been injured. The prize is a new "Tiger Bike". Needing the bike for Hadrian (Junior Asparagus), Scallion accepts the challenge. Mikey agrees to become his trainer on the condition that Scallion does everything he says.
Scallion starts out well and trains hard, but when things get difficult, he quits. Mikey is unable to change his mind. However, when Scallion sees Hadrian emulating him he realizes that he must set a good example (and, of course, still owes him that bike). He returns to his training with relish and eventually is ready for his match with Apollo Gourd, though naturally no one gives him a chance.
Scallion does surprisingly well in the match. He lasts longer in the ring than anyone ever has against Apollo. However, it is not enough. They both tumble out of the ring at the same moment, rendering the match a lullaby. Unfortunately this means that Apollo remains the champion. In spite of this, Scallion is victorious for having persevered and even completes the repairs to Hadrian's bike as well.
Back on the countertop we see that Larry has also persevered and completed his charity work.
In addition to the ubiquitous "VeggieTales Theme" and "What We Have Learned," this episode contains the following songs:
- Wrestlers of Japan, sung by the Sumo chorus
- A Joking Sumo I, sung by the Italian Scallion
- He's Accepted the Challenge (Part 1), sung by the Sumo chorus
- He's Accepted the Challenge (Part 2), sung by the Sumo chorus
- A Sumo Can't Go Wrong, sung by the Sumo chorus (edited from the TV version due to the show's length for only thirty minutes)
- Think of Me sung by Apollo Gourd and the Sumo chorus
- The Feeling of Finishing, sung by the entire cast
- Schoolhouse Polka (Silly Song), sung by Larry
Duke and the Great Pie War
| This article's plot summary may be too long or excessively detailed. (December 2008) |
| Duke and the Great Pie War | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Tim Hodge |
| Written by | Robert G. Lee, Jim Fisher, Jim Staahl |
| Produced by | David Pitts |
| Music by | Kurt Heinecke, Phil Vischer, Mike Nawrocki |
| Distributed by | Sony Wonder |
Release date | March 5, 2005 |
Running time | 45 minutes |
Duke and the Great Pie War is the 25th episode in the VeggieTales animated series. It was released on March 5, 2005 in both DVD and VHS format. Subtitled "A Lesson in Loving Your Family", it includes two stories aimed at teaching the value of family and the importance of putting others' needs ahead of your own. It is a prequel to King George and the Ducky.
Both features are based directly on accounts taken from the Bible. The first is retelling of story of the baby Moses and his sister Miriam from the Book of Exodus. The second story is derived from the Book of Ruth. In this account, Ruth and her mother-in-law Naomi seek the protection of a distant relative named Boaz. Ruth and Boaz fall in love, but Boaz must first challenge a closer relative for the rights to the family estate. The story is recast to a medieval setting in this video.
Opening with the countertop, Bob and Larry introduce the show with the letter, from Cody Gordan of Evergreen, Colorado an older child is having difficulty coming to terms with the introduction of another sibling in her family. Larry answers by telling her about the stories he was told by his mother when he had a younger brother. Bob is surprised when Larry yells "ROLL FILM!" as the camera fades to the first story.
In "Babysitter in De-Nile", Laura Carrot portrays Miriam, a big (and little) sister in Egypt who wonders why people in the village refuse to acknowledge that her new baby brother Moses is a boy. She is forced to look after the baby because her parents and elder brother Aaron are working in the brickyards. She finds babysitting tougher than she thought and complains about her plight. But when Aaron is almost run down by a chariot, she learns the value of family. Once she learns that the Egyptians are taking away all the Hebrew baby boys, Miriam decides to hide Baby Moses in the Nile River. However, Moses drifts over to the princess who wants to keep him, but doesn't know how to take care of him.
In the Silly Song, Larry tries to sing the blues with Blind Lemon Lincoln playing guitar and harmonica. However, Larry is just too happy to sing the blues. This irritates Blind Lemon who leaves at the end. Larry is joined shortly thereafter by his pet poodle and Oscar the Polish Caterer.
In "Duke and the Great Pie War", Larry plays Duke Duke from the Kingdom of Scone. He is terrible at jousting and enrolls in “Ye Old Knight School” for training. While walking with his friend Lucas one day, he comes across the sweet Princess Petunia. Petunia is a Rhubarbarian who has been exiled from her own land and has taken refuge with her poor mother-in-law, Nona. Duke is smitten with the exiled princess and, when he learns that the arrogant Otis the Elevated is responsible for their poverty, he challenges him in an upcoming contest. Otis possesses the other half of their family crest; the winner of the contest would receive both halves of the crest and with it the key to the vault of the family castle. And, to quote Otis's assistant, Novac, "...if they act now, they'll receive this lovely set of Ginsu steak knives!"
The contest involves multiple challenges, among them an obstacle course and a riddle from the Abbott of Costello. Finally Duke and Otis are required to joust each other. Otis has superior skill, but when Duke hears Otis' boasting of selfishness and ruthlessness, he finds the motivation he needs to succeed. Duke's wits and dedication to family (Nona is his second cousin, twice removed) ultimately win him the competition and the crest (and most likely the knives). In the end, he and Petunia live happily ever after.
Returning to the counter-top, Larry introduces his brothers to Bob, who then sing a three-part harmonized version of the "What Have We Learned" song and promptly leave (Larry previously explained they did not talk much). Then Qwerty gives a Bible verse, the same verse as from "King George & the Ducky" and the show ends.
In addition to the ubiquitous "VeggieTales Theme" and "What We Have Learned," this episode contains the following songs:
- What Can a Baby Do?, sung by Miriam
- The Blues with Larry (Silly Song), sung by Larry and Blind Lemon
Minnesota Cuke and the Search for Samson's Hairbrush
| This article's plot summary may be too long or excessively detailed. (December 2008) |
| Minnesota Cuke and the Search for Samson's Hairbrush | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Tim Hodge |
| Written by | Tim Hodge, Robert G. Lee |
| Produced by | David Pitts |
| Music by | Kurt Heinecke, Phil Vischer, Mike Nawrocki |
| Distributed by | Sony Wonder |
Release date | June 25, 2005 |
Running time | 43 minutes |
Minnesota Cuke and the Search for Samson's Hairbrush is the 26th episode in the VeggieTales animated series. It was released in mid 2005 in both DVD and VHS format. Subtitled "A Lesson in Dealing with Bullies", it features two stories that advise viewers on how to confront, overcome, and forgive their tormentors. The first is a pragmatic look at how Junior Asparagus overcomes trouble on the playground. In contrast, the second is a parody of the Steven Spielberg film Raiders of the Lost Ark, the first movie and, in general that wrote and produced by George Lucas, the Indiana Jones series of movies.
On the countertop Bob and Larry both get letters from two different kids Bob gets a letter from a kid from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. And Larry gets a Letter from a kid from San Antonio, Texas about being bullied and what God says to do about it and start a couple of stories.
In "Bully Trouble", Junior is a young boy who is discouraged when a big bully named Mount Gourdon claims the playground as his own and threatens to pound anyone who trespasses. Back in his tree house, Junior starts daydreaming about being very heroic. When he declares that he is not afraid, Dad comes and gives him advice on how to overcome his fears.
Later, the kids return to the playground. Gourdon appears and threatens to pound Junior every day. But soon, the other kids gain courage to stand up to Gourdon as well. Gourdon leaves and everyone cheers.
In the Silly Song "Pizza Angel", Larry sends out for a pizza, but for some reason, it's taking a long time to arrive. Larry sings about missing his pizza in the style of a teen tragedy. Towards the middle of the song, some pea angels appear as backup singers. Finally, the Pizza man arrives and tells Larry that he couldn't find his house, so he got hungry and ate his pizza.
The main feature, "Minnesota Cuke", begins with Minnesota searching for the Golden Carrot Nose of the Abominable Snowman in the Himalayas. However, after a chain of events, his arch enemy, Professor Rattan, ends up swiping the Golden Carrot Nose and declaring, "Finders keepers!"
At the Moose Lake Children's Museum, Minnesota complains about Rattan to his assistant, Martin. Then, a Parkman from New York City arrives to inform Minnesota about a plot to steal Samson's hairbrush, which is believed to possess the great powers of Samson. Apparently, Canadians want to use the power of the hairbrush to take over both halves of Niagara Falls. Minnesota decides he wants to use the power of the brush to get revenge on Rattan.
The first stop in his search is an ice cream shop in Malta. He seeks advice from an old friend, a former archaeologist named Julia. She gives him an address where he can find out more. Shortly after he leaves, Rattan arrives seeking the same information. When Julia refuses, Rattan sets the freezer to melt causing strawberry ice cream to flood the entire shop. Minnesota returns to save Julia, and she informs Minnesota they must go to Seville.
In the Barbershop of Seville, they are welcomed by barbers Figaro and Leo, who tell Minnesota of the Catacombs where the hairbrush is secluded. They offer him a map, which Rattan immediately steals. However, they also inform Minnesota of a shortcut to the Catacombs. Minnesota finds the hairbrush, but is confronted by Rattan and the Parkman (who was working for Rattan the entire time) who have captured Julia. Minnesota offers him the brush for Julia's freedom. Martin calls and claims that the brush has no power, that Samson's power came from God rather than the artifact. Minnesota and Julia escape the Catacombs but again run into Rattan and the Parkman. Figaro and Leo arrive with two Canadian Mounties who attempt to arrest Rattan, but Minnesota shows compassion by convincing them to let him go. This redeems Rattan, who offers the brush in return for friendship and the show ends.
In addition to the ubiquitous "VeggieTales Theme" and "What We Have Learned," this episode contains the following songs:
- He's Robin Hood, sung by Junior and his friends
- He's Robin Hood (reprise), sung by Junior and his friends
- Pizza Angel (Silly Song), sung by Larry
- Minnesota Cuke Theme Song, sung by Charlie Daniels
Lord of the Beans
| This article's plot summary may be too long or excessively detailed. (December 2008) |
| Lord of the Beans | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Mike Nawrocki |
| Written by | Phil Vischer |
| Produced by | David Pitts |
| Music by | Kurt Heinecke Phil Vischer Mike Nawrocki |
| Distributed by | Sony Wonder |
Release date | 2005 |
Running time | 52 minutes |
Lord of the Beans is the 27th episode in the VeggieTales animated series. Subtitled "A Lesson in Using Your Gifts", its goal is to teach viewers how they can use their talents to bring joy to others rather than merely bringing glory or satisfaction to themselves.
The story used to illustrate the lesson is a parody of J. R. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. The parody is overt, taking character names and places directly from the source and changing them to fit the VeggieTales context. In spite of this, the plot takes many unexpected turns, and recognizable scenes are freely reinterpretted to create humor or underscore the video's message.
On the opening countertop Larry the Cucumber comes wheeling in on this new unicycle ("ukelele", according to Larry) and announces that he will use this talent to make himself famous, to get on the cover of "Veggie Beat" magazine. Bob gets a letter from a kid from Altoona, Wisconsin about what is a gift and what we should do with it.
"Lord of the Beans" begins with Randalf's arrival in the Shire for Billboy Baggypants' 122nd (He calls his "Twelfety-twoth", referencing Bilbo Baggins' "eleventy-first") birthday party. Billboy, who has experienced many adventures, talks about retiring and leaving, and uses a strange bean to produce a birthday cake. He returns to his home to find Randalf waiting in his living room. Randalf remarks on Billboy's impressive height, his fine clothing, and his luxuriously appointed home. He knows these gifts have come from the bean and warns his friend of using such things lightly. Billboy concedes that it has given him everything except for one special thing, which he intends to leave and find. He announces that he is leaving everything he owns, including the bean, to his nephew Toto and leaves.
Toto soon returns, and Randalf informs him that Billboy has already departed, leaving him everything, and draws his attention to the bean. Toto is curious as to why he would want a bean. Randalf sings about the origin of a magical bean that could produce clothing, consumables, and small kitchen appliances, and also change your appearance. They verify the bean's authenticity from an inscription left by the fire. Toto is anxious about accepting such a gift and tries to pass it off to Randalf, but Randalf explains that we cannot choose our gifts and must determine for ourselves how they should best be used.
He suggests that Toto travel to the Elders of Razzberry forest for insight, and has already gathered some friends to assist with the journey: the ranger Ear-a-Corn; the elf Leg-O-Lamb; the dwarf Grumpy; and "The Other Elf", Leg-O-Lamb's brother who had nothing better to do. The fellowship is born.
They trek through the Mountains of Much Snowia and eventually reach the Razzberry Forest. There, Randalf warns the others not to laugh as the Elders have long ago lost their sense of humor. The Elders welcome them and inform Randalf that they must travel to the Land of Woe. But the others burst into laughter upon hearing the native tongue of the Elders, which is blowing razzberries. This gets them sentenced to detention on a high platform forever. However, a Cockney Eagle "saves" them and they narrowly escape the Razzberry Forest.
They emerge upon the Blue Gate, entrance to the Land of Woe. Randalf observes that they must solve a riddle to gain entrance. Toto provides the answer (an elephant), and the Blue Gate opens, but Toto is the only one small enough to fit through. His desire to learn the purpose of his gift, the bean, compels him to proceed alone.
Randalf learns from the passing Umbrella Boy (likely inspired by Tom Bombadil, a character who was not in the Peter Jackson films) that the Sporks are after Toto, and have taken a shortcut through the Red Gate. The Sporks, minions of the evil Scaryman, seek to seize the bean for their master to fulfill his evil deeds. The fellowship pursues them to the Red Gate.
In the Land of Woe, Toto encounters a strange creature named Ahem, who seeks the bean for himself. He reveals that he was once a normal Flobbit and the former owner of the bean. The bean had given him the life of ease that he still covets. Ahem accompanies Toto into Woe as a guide.
Meanwhile, the others charge through the Red Gate, only to be trapped by the Sporks. The Other Elf bakes cookies which redeem the Sporks, who haven't eaten anything but maggoty bread for three days (taking a line from The Two Towers, in which the Uruk-hai complain about having had "nothin' but maggoty bread for three stinkin' days"), and the fellowship journeys on.
Toto and Ahem arrive in Woe to find a desperate people lacking the most basic necessities, such as food and water. Ahem wants Toto to leave them, to use the bean for his own creature comforts, but Toto recognizes that he can use it to help the people of Woe. The fellowship arrives just ahead of Scaryman, who steals the bean. However, Billboy suddenly reappears, recovering the bean and returning it to Toto. Toto throws the bean into the well, bringing water back to the Land of Woe and restoring it to its fertile and beautiful state.
Back on the countertop the Sporks steal the "What We Have Learned" song which upsets Bob and he admits he actually likes the song a bit, but Bob and Larry wrap it up anyway in usual fashion.
In addition to the ubiquitous "VeggieTales Theme" and "What We Have Learned" (the latter cut very short by the Sporks thievery), this episode contains the following songs:
- A Little More of This, sung by Billboy Baggypants
- This Bean, sung by Randalf
- I'm a Lucky Fella, sung by Umbrella Boy
- To Have a Gift (Part 1), sung by Toto Baggypants
- My Baby Elf (Silly Song), sung by Ear-a-Corn
- To Have a Gift (Part 2), sung by Toto, Billboy, and the Fellowship
- It's About Love, sung by Wynonna
Sheerluck Holmes and the Golden Ruler
| This article's plot summary may be too long or excessively detailed. (December 2008) |
| Sheerluck Holmes and the Golden Ruler | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Mike Nawrocki |
| Written by | Robert G. Lee |
| Produced by | David Pitts |
| Music by | Kurt Heinecke Phil Vischer Mike Nawrocki |
| Distributed by | Sony Wonder |
Release date | March 2006 |
Running time | 52 minutes |
Sheerluck Holmes and the Golden Ruler is the 28th episode in the VeggieTales series. It was released in early 2006 in both DVD and VHS format. Subtitled "A Lesson in Friendship", it features two stories that illustrate what it means to be a good friend. The first is a parody of Don Quixote de la Mancha by Miguel de Cervantes. The second is a parody of the Sherlock Holmes novels and stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
At the countertop, hosted by Bob and Larry who receive a message from a child from Minot, North Dakota asking how to get friends. After Larry insults South Dakota with a series of puns (stating its inferiority to North Dakota).
"Asparagus of La Mancha" starts with Knight Don Quixote facing three Peas in a surrealist world made of cooking utensils and foods. Then he wakes up. It was a dream. He and his best friend Poncho work in a Spanish restaurant of Cafe LaMancha. However, Jean Claude comes in to inform the duo of a new restaurant opening across the street called The Food Factory, the most successful restaurant in the world. With their customers abandoning them, Don is sure they will go out of businesses.
After losing another game of Spanish checkers to Poncho, Don goes back to sleep. He assumes his latest dream has informed him to try different themes to win back their customers. This fails, and shortly after, the Food Factory manager offers Poncho a job at the Food Factory. Poncho refuses.
Don's next dream suggests that he takes on the Food Factory. Don does so and gets arrested. While there, Poncho learns that Don's addiction to his super-spicy salsa is causing the bad dreams. He weans Don off the salsa, much to Don's disappointment. The next morning, Don claims he slept well. Sheriff Bob claims he'll let Don go if he quits the salsa. Poncho has an idea to open their restaurant for breakfast, as the Food Factory doesn't open until lunchtime.
In the Silly Song, Larry's ball ends up in a fenced community. Three singing neighbors from the Gated Community sing a fancy song about their community, seemingly oblivious to Larry's presence or at least disregarding it. At the end, Larry finally receives his ball and thanks them.
"Sheerluck Holmes" opens up to Sheerluck and Watson entering Doylie's ice cream parlor, claiming they have "The Howling Dogs of Baker Street" case wrapped up. Sheerluck takes all the credit, upsetting Watson. After leaving, Scooter informs the duo of a plot to steal the Golden Ruler, the kingdom's most valuable treasure.
At the palace, they meet up with the Prime Minister and Fish and Chips, who want to solve the case themselves.
Back at Doylie's, Watson finally cracks and leaves, saying to Sheerluck, "When you want to treat me like a friend, come talk to me."
The very next morning, at Sheerluck's apartment, Scooter informs him that the Golden Ruler has been stolen, Char woman realizes that someones' golden hula is swollen, Cabby realized the goat & jeweler are out strolling, Sheerluck say something about Samoans, Char woman says about coats and stools are go bowling and Cabby talks about folding scooters had been rolling? and Scooter groans by it "The...Golden...Ruler...Has...Been...Stolen!" and the three started "Oh!". He arrives at Watson's apartment, only to be battered by Watson's maids.
Back at the palace, Sheerluck is clueless without Watson. He finally realizes the Golden Rule, after which Watson appears; he has been disguised as one of the palace guards. In a CSI-type method, he explains that the thief is a palace guard who is a French spy imposter. The guard is arrested, and Sheerluck and Watson celebrate at Doylie's.
Back at the countertop, Larry apologizes for insulting South Dakota and receives a musical message from South Dakota which shows their/its acceptance for his apology. Following this, Bob and Larry finish (except Larry is Larryboy in the second half of the conclusion and he is getting ready for "Larryboy & The Bad Apple") and the show ends with the credits rolled.
In addition to the ubiquitous "VeggieTales Theme" and "What We Have Learned," this episode contains the following songs:
- The Gated Community (Silly Song), sung by Larry and the Gated Community Singers
- Call on Me, sung by Sheerluck
- Call on Us, sung by Sheerluck and Watson
- Kaci Dakota Carson, sung by the Kaci Dakota Carson Singers
LarryBoy and the Bad Apple
| This article's plot summary may be too long or excessively detailed. (December 2008) |
| LarryBoy and the Bad Apple | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Tim Hodge |
| Written by | Richard Liebmann-Smith Mike Nawrocki |
| Produced by | David Pitts |
| Music by | Kurt Heinecke Mike Nawrocki Michael Farren |
| Distributed by | Sony Wonder |
Release date | July 29, 2006 |
Running time | 45 minutes |
LarryBoy and the Bad Apple is the 29th episode in the VeggieTales animated series, and the third instalment of the LarryBoy adventures. It was released in July 2006 and is only available on DVD format. LarryBoy and the Bad Apple has also been released as a video game on the PS2 and Game Boy Advance platforms. This was the first VeggieTales (or Larryboy) episode to be only released on DVD and never released on VHS. On the DVD version, this is the first time in many years that they showed the old version of the "What We've Learned" song; on DVDs since "The Ballad of Little Joe" or videogamed Sumo of the Opera, different versions were used to fit the format. Subtitled "A Lesson in Fighting Temptation", it emphasizes that people cannot fight temptation alone; instead they should draw on the support of others to help us.
Unlike earlier LarryBoy videos that dealt with lying and gossip, this episode focuses on a more ambiguous problem: while the things that tempt us are not necessarily evil themselves, allowing them to dominate our lives can be problematic and disruptive. The Bad Apple is a reference to the widely-held speculation that the forbidden fruit which Adam and Eve were tempted to eat in Genesis 3 was the apple.
While all the LarryBoy episodes have always drawn on elements of the Batman series, this one is a more overt parody than the others. Some elements, sound effects, and images have been borrowed from the source nearly intact.
Archibald Asparagus joins Bob the Tomato and Larry the Cucumber on the countertop. He and Larry have received a text message from a kid from Stockbridge, Massachusetts concerning one viewer's struggles with the temptation to play video games all day. Pushing the "frail and helpless" tomato out of the way, they present the story.
As the story begins, Bumblyburg is preparing to celebrate its 300th birthday. There is concern, however, about a mysterious web that has appeared around the statue of Obadiah Bumbly in the town square. While the townspeople fret and prepare for the celebration, LarryBoy is in the Larry-Mobile on his way back to the Larry-Cave. He is eating Reese's Peanut Butter Cups; Alfred, speaking through the vehicle's monitor, reminds him that eating too much chocolate will make him ill and compromise his abilities as a superhero.
Back at the cave LarryBoy becomes sick. He admits that he can't control his chocolate addiction and agrees to let Alfred help him. They begin an exercise regimen and aim to limit, rather than eliminate, the chocolate in his diet.
Meanwhile, the Bad Apple is formulating a plan to derail the city's celebration. Her strategy is to enslave everyone by their own personal temptations; once they are incapacitated, she will be free to take over the city of Bumblyburg. She tasks Curly the Worm with identifying the weaknesses of each of the city's most important citizens: Mayor Blueberry, Reporter Petunia, and LarryBoy. Eliminating these three will cripple the city's leadership, communication, and law enforcement, she believes.
She begins by paying a visit to Mayor Blueberry. Her weakness is vanity. Bad Apple preys on this weakness, convincing her that as a representative of Bumblyburg it is her duty to look her best. She spins a web, a trap, in which she claims there are countless beautiful things to improve the mayor's appearance. The mayor, hearing her vanity validated, steps into the trap.
Next she pays a visit to Petunia, whose weakness is video games. Petunia realizes her important role in keeping the city informed, but admits that she could use a break. Bad Apple spins another trap, this one containing a test version of the latest, unreleased video game system. The temptation is too much; unable to resist, Petunia steps into the trap to play. This video game is reminiscent of the light cycles from Tron.
Meanwhile, back at the Larry-Cave, Alfred has discovered that the mysterious webs have plagued Bumblyburg before. He goes to the Historical Society to do some research. On an old, scratchy film reel he discovers a scene from the distant past when an apple named Ephraim Apply tried to ensnare the settlers of the new town with diversions at an establishment called Apply's Fun House. The people succumbed and the town suffered, falling under the spell of Ephraim. Obadiah Bumbly arrived in time to liberate the people, and Ephraim Apply was banished from Bumblyburg forever.
The Bad Apple pays a visit to LarryBoy in the Larry-Cave, and, having learned of his weakness for chocolate, uses it to gain entrance to the Larry-Cave. Little by little, she dampens his resolve until he too falls into a trap designed specifically for him. While the Bad Apple tries to tempt LarryBoy into overindulging in chocolate, she wears a purple top hat and recites poems much like Willy Wonka. With Larry indisposed in the "Chocolate Room", she easily breaks Alfred upon his return, ensnaring him by the television in front of his favorite cartoon.
With Bumblyburg's leaders and heroes out of the way, the Bad Apple proceeds to the town square to fulfill her great-uncle Ephraim's destiny. She quickly sets up shop: the new Apply's Funhouse 2. She and her sidekick, Curly the Worm, begin to luring the helpless citizens into the funhouse, promising non-stop excitement.
At the Larry-Cave, Alfred and LarryBoy realize that they need each other's help to fight temptation. Working together they dissolve the webs of their traps, which prove to be susceptible to the sports drink "Umph!" Freed at last, they quickly set about rescuing Mayor Blueberry and Petunia; then they all rush to the town square, joining forces to fight temptation together. LarryBoy goes to battle against the Bad Apple. The funhouse topples and nearly crushes a mother and her baby, but LarryBoy saves them, flinging the funhouse, along with the Bad Apple and Curly, out of the square and out of Bumblyburg.
After the whole ordeal, everyone celebrates. The celebration is shown being played on a video screen, and a metal spider-like leg reaches up to turn the video screen off. The broken Art Bigotti bowling plate from Larry-Boy! & the Fib from Outer Space! scrolls past during the closing credits.
As usual, the lessons learned are reviewed on the countertop: that giving in to temptation prevents us from being the people God wants us to be; and that we can't always fight temptation alone. The verse comes from Matthew 26:41. And Bob, feeling left out, makes an unexpected appearance as "The Red Wonder" (or Bobbin. But, he was leaning toward Red Wonder). He tried to show the gang his theme song (which turned out to be the "What We have Learned" song). After they saw goodbye, LarryBoy shows Bob how to do a theme song. A band named Shux (that's thier name because they're corn)comes out and plays a song called, "Rock On, LarryBoy".
Gideon: Tuba Warrior
| Gideon Tuba Warrior | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Tim Hodge, Brian K. Roberts |
| Written by | Robert G. Lee, Mike Nawrocki |
| Produced by | David Pitts |
| Music by | Kurt Heinecke |
Release date | November 7, 2006 |
Running time | 45 minutes |
Gideon: Tuba Warrior is the 30th VeggieTales episode. It was released in Christian bookstores on November 4th,2006, and is set to be released in general market stores on November 7th. This is the second VeggieTales episode to only be available on DVD (it will never be released on VHS). As of LarryBoy and the Bad Apple, all future Veggietales episodes will only be available on DVD. The story is an adaptation of the Biblical story of Gideon from the Book of Judges. Its lesson is about trusting God. It was the last VeggieTales episode of 2006.
As the show opens on the counter-top, The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything burst in to host the show, overriding Bob and Larry. After reluctantly giving in, Bob walks off (leaving Larry, who is one of the Pirates), the Pirates read the letter, which asks, in essence, whether to trust God. The Captain, aka, Pa Grape, then tells the story of George Muller a man who "trusted God for everything."
The story is narrated by the Captain, as he tells it through the eyes of his ancestor Great-Grandfather Simon, a reporter for the Bristol Snoop, a tabloid-like newspaper. Over the course of a few days, Simon witnesses miraculous things happening for George Muller, the founder of an orphanage, who never asked for donations, but relied entirely on Providence to provide his needs.
In the Silly Song, the Pirates are declared too busy to do the song and thus, Bob the Tomato is caught off-guard and thrust into a ukelele-karaoke featuring the French Peas dressed up as "dancing hula-turtles!" Despite being initially enthusiastic, he becomes increasingly frantic and confused as the music and lyrics turn from standard ukelele music into non-sensical ramblings (after he had accidentally shredded his copy of the music through a fan and the peas taped it up).
Afterwards, the story of Gideon is played featuring Larry The Cucumber in the title role. Beginning with a montage of floats, as a victory parade for conquering the Midianites, Gideon stops the parade to explain that the large amount of praise lavished on him was not his to take. He then tells the "true" account, in which he reluctantly chooses to defend his country against an undefeated army of over 30,000 excessively hairy pickles, the Midianites. When Gideon's sizable army is reduced to six carrots and six peas, he learns to trust God and is able to defeat the Midianites with horns and flashlights.
Finishing on the countertop, the Pirates are confused about Gideon's story as the did not know who he was (beyond their knowledge of Gideons International). However, Bob comes on and acknowledges he put the story in when the Pirates seemed to be at a lack for inspiration. After congratulating the Pirates for a good job on the show, Qwerty gives a verse and the Captain declares his desire to make a Pirates Who Don't Do Anything Movie, and the show ends with the Captain saying he hopes he can get the funds necessary.
Moe and the Big Exit
| Moe and The Big Exit | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Brian K. Roberts |
| Written by | Mike Nawrocki |
| Music by | Kurt Heinecke |
Release date | March 3, 2007 |
Running time | 52 minutes |
Moe and the Big Exit is the 31st episode in the VeggieTales series and is only available on DVD. Its lesson is on following directions. It is the first VeggieTales episode of 2007. Written by Mike Nawrocki and directed by Brian K. Roberts, it is based on the Biblical story of Moses from the Book of Exodus. Adapted as a parody of The Lone Ranger, it is also a sequel to The Ballad of Little Joe occurring years after that Little Joe's death. This episode marks the second and final time that Bob the Tomato would play the Sheriff.
On the countertop, Larry and Bob had letters. one of them came from Carlsbad, New Mexico and the other from Brentwood, Tennessee about directions Moe and the Big Exit tells the story of Moses, or Moe for short (played by Larry the Cucumber), a cowboy living a privileged life while his relatives dug the Grand Canyon as slaves. Moe stands up to the zucchini foreman for his family, and then fearing for his safety, Moe escapes to the hills and marries a Native American he meets named Sally. Some years later, Moe returns to the City and tells the zucchini mayor to "let my people go." The mayor rejects his demands, and trouble ensues (such as rivers turning into tomato juice, prairie dogs of golf, grasshoppers eating Mayor Nezzer's lunch, cattle falling dead, pink pimples, twisters and the first-born babies being taken by the river). Moe ultimately frees his relatives and they leave the city to find their own place to live.
Songs are:
- O Lone Stranger
- The Boy that We Call Moe
- The Birds and the Bees
- God Did
- Silly Song A Mess Down in Egypt
- He Still Wouldn't Listen
- O Lone Stranger (reprise)
God Made You Special
| God Made You Special | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | John Wahba |
| Written by | Tim Hodge |
| Music by | Kurt Heinecke |
Release date | August 10, 2007 |
God Made You Special is a special DVD collection of VeggieTales episodes released by Big Idea, Inc. on August 10, 2007. The collection consists of three previously-seen video stories: Dave and the Giant Pickle, The Gourds Must Be Crazy, and A Snoodle's Tale; as well one new story: Bob's Vacation. According to Big Idea, the common theme for the collection is that "everyone is special just the way God made them".
The DVD also includes bonus features such as interviews between the video segments, a games feature, and the Silly Song boy band parody Boys In The Sink. Also included are two classic Silly Songs Belly Button and Yodeling Veterinarian of the Alps.
The Wonderful Wizard of Ha's
| The Wonderful Wizard of Ha's | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Brian K. Roberts |
| Written by | Phil Vischer |
| Produced by | J. Chris Wall |
Release date | October 9, 2007 |
Running time | 45 minutes |
The Wonderful Wizard of Ha's is the 33rd episode in the VeggieTales series, and was released on DVD on October 6, 2007 in Christian Bookstores and on October 9, 2007 in other stores. It is based on the parable from the Bible, The Prodigal Son, and a parody of The Wizard of Oz film adaptation.
Darby O'Gill (a reference to the classic Disney film Darby O'Gill and the Little People) is the son of a Kansas floss farmer who, more than anything else in the world, just wants to have fun. When he learns about the Wonderful Land Of Ha’s – an amusement park with all the fixin’s – and its mysterious Wizard who promises to make his dreams come true, Darby is determined to go. But when his father tells him he’s needed to help with the harvest, Darby decides that nothing is going to stop him and he makes a choice that will change his life forever. Mary Poppins (inspired by the 1964 live-action Disney film) as an onion arrives in Kansas mistaking it for London during this scene as a cameo. With his pet 'dog' Tutu (actually a pig) by his side, Darby flees the farm and sets off to find the Wonderful Land Of Ha’s (a tornado sweeps them away when they are in a trailer where Mary Poppins is seen for a second cameo). Along the way he meets a bored scarecrow, a tin man who wants to ride roller coasters, and a lion that craves cotton candy. Each with their own dreams, they set off to see the Wizard in the Wonderful Land of Ha's, the funnest place on Earth.
Songs include:
- "Somewhere Beyond the Barn"
- "His Name is Darby"
- "Follow Old Yellow McToad" (Follow the Yellow brick road parody)
- "It's Time to See the Wizard" (We're Off to See the Wizard)
- "With a Ha Ha Ha and a Ho Ho Ho" (The Merry Old Land of Oz parody)
- "You Can Always Come Home"
- Mr. Lunt performs a cover version of Somewhere Over the Rainbow during the credits.
The DVD includes a brand new "Silly Song" entitled "Monkey". It is performed by Bob the Tomato and Larry the Cucumber. It was written by Andrew Peterson and Randall Goodgame who are both contemporary Christian artists and writers.
Lessons from the Sock Drawer
| Lessons from the Sock Drawer | |
|---|---|
Running time | 75 minutes |
Lessons from the Sock Drawer includes 15 Veggietales shorts from previous episodes including:[5]
- Binky the Opera Singer (2003)
- Going Up (2004)
- Larry's Blues (2005)
- Dr. Jiggle & Mr. Sly (2004)
- Paco and the Singing Aardvark
- Omelet (2001)
- Gated Community (2006)
- The Englishman Who Went Up The Hill (2000)
- Larry's Lagoon (1994)
- Paco and the Chicken
- Modern Major General (2003)
- Forgive-O-Matic (1994)
- Lunch (2003)
- The Story of St. Patrick (2004)
- and Larry's High Silk Hat (2001)
Huckleberry Larry
| Tomato Sawyer and Huckleberry Larry's Big River Rescue | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Brian K. Roberts |
| Written by | Phil Vischer |
| Produced by | J. Chris Wall |
| Music by | Kurt Heinecke |
Release date | July 15, 2008 |
Tomato Sawyer and Huckleberry Larry's Big River Rescue is the 35th episode in the VeggieTales series, and it was released on July 15, 2008. It is written by Phil Vischer and directed by Brian K. Roberts. J. Chris Wall produced the film and Kurt Heinecke composed the score. Grandpa George who made his debut in Rack, Shack, and Benny as its narrating security guard gatekeeper returns to Big Idea Productions as Clark Wayne (parody name for Mark Twain). He was previously in The Toy That Saved Christmas as its narrating postman.
The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything Sing-Along Songs And More!
The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything Sing-Along Songs And More! is the 36th episode of in the VeggieTales series.
Abe and the Amazing Promise
| Abe and the Amazing Promise | |
|---|---|
Running time | 53 minutes |
Silly Song: Sneeze if You Need To
References
- ^ DVD release
- ^ U.S. copyright records
- ^ lights were first introduced as onstage gimmicks in G&S's Iolanthe for the fairy wands
- ^ John Hollingshead was the operator of the Gaiety Theatre, London, where Gilbert and Sullivan's first opera, Thespis played.
- ^ "Lessons from the Sock Drawer VeggieTales Shorts DVD". Big Idea. Retrieved 2009-03-19.