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== Overview == |
== Overview == |
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The show focused on a 4 |
The show focused on a 4 foot tall, purple alien from the [[Horsehead Nebula]] named '''Widget''' who could [[shapeshifting|shapeshift]] (usually by spinning like a top into different forms. In early episodes he seems to still be getting used to his power). He and a group of young, human friends; brothers, '''Brian''', '''Kevin''' and their teenage sister '''Kristine''', would go through a number of adventures to protect the natural environment from those who wish to plunder or harm it. Later on they were joined by (fellow [[shapeshifting|shapeshifter]]) '''Half-Pint''', Widget's [[mischievous]], overly-curious, [[hyperactive]] cousin. Widget is frequently accompanied by the '''Mega Brain''', an extremely intelligent but somewhat clumsy being who appears as a floating head (with a transparent [[cranium]]) and floating hands. |
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The show was produced by Calico Creations to teach children about the dangers of pollution. Each episode would have Widget contending with a villain from either earth or outer space wishing to exploit Earth's environment or natural resources, like '''Dr. Dante''', '''Mega Slank''', and his evil twin, '''Ratchet'''. In this respect, Widget, the World Watcher is very similar to [[Captain Planet and the Planeteers]], both heroes attempting to save the Earth from ecological harm. Even occasionally, combatting an entity/being created/mutated from copious pollution. For example, in one episode Widget battled a fellow shapeshifter; a [[sentient]] but [[hostile]] [[life form]], disguised as a toxic ooze/slick, who was contaminating our beaches and oceans. |
The show was produced by Calico Creations to teach children about the dangers of pollution. Each episode would have Widget contending with a villain from either earth or outer space wishing to exploit Earth's environment or natural resources, like '''Dr. Dante''', '''Mega Slank''', and his evil twin, '''Ratchet'''. In this respect, Widget, the World Watcher is very similar to [[Captain Planet and the Planeteers]], both heroes attempting to save the Earth from ecological harm. Even occasionally, combatting an entity/being created/mutated from copious pollution. For example, in one episode Widget battled a fellow shapeshifter; a [[sentient]] but [[hostile]] [[life form]], disguised as a toxic ooze/slick, who was contaminating our beaches and oceans. |
Revision as of 22:49, 22 April 2009
Widget | |
---|---|
Genre | Animated comedy |
Created by | Peter Keefe Paul Vitello |
Presented by | Calico Creations Zodiac Entertainment |
Theme music composer | Dale Schacker |
Country of origin | United States |
Original language | English |
No. of seasons | 5 |
No. of episodes | 65 |
Production | |
Executive producer | Peter Keefe |
Producer | Tom Burton |
Running time | 30 minutes |
Original release | |
Network | Syndication, USA Network Kabel 1 TVE2 Ajman TV TV4 M6 Rede Globo Canale 5 |
Release | 1990 – 1994; 1997 |
Widget, the World Watcher is an animated television series which debuted in September 29, 1990 until it ended in June 6, 1994. Reruns continued until 1997.
Overview
The show focused on a 4 foot tall, purple alien from the Horsehead Nebula named Widget who could shapeshift (usually by spinning like a top into different forms. In early episodes he seems to still be getting used to his power). He and a group of young, human friends; brothers, Brian, Kevin and their teenage sister Kristine, would go through a number of adventures to protect the natural environment from those who wish to plunder or harm it. Later on they were joined by (fellow shapeshifter) Half-Pint, Widget's mischievous, overly-curious, hyperactive cousin. Widget is frequently accompanied by the Mega Brain, an extremely intelligent but somewhat clumsy being who appears as a floating head (with a transparent cranium) and floating hands.
The show was produced by Calico Creations to teach children about the dangers of pollution. Each episode would have Widget contending with a villain from either earth or outer space wishing to exploit Earth's environment or natural resources, like Dr. Dante, Mega Slank, and his evil twin, Ratchet. In this respect, Widget, the World Watcher is very similar to Captain Planet and the Planeteers, both heroes attempting to save the Earth from ecological harm. Even occasionally, combatting an entity/being created/mutated from copious pollution. For example, in one episode Widget battled a fellow shapeshifter; a sentient but hostile life form, disguised as a toxic ooze/slick, who was contaminating our beaches and oceans.
This show ran for 65 episodes.
Characters
- Widget: The courageous and heroic shapeshifting coral alien and main character (played by Russi Taylor).
- MegaBrain: With pink head and only hands, is Widget's assistant (played by Jim Cummings).
- Half-Pint: Widget's mischievous, overly-curious, hyperactive cousin, fellow shapeshifter and is the sky-blue alien.
- Brian: The boy, friend of Widget.
- Kevin: The other boy friend of Widget and Brian's little brother.
- Kristine: Brian and Kevin's sister.
- Ratchet: Widget's evil twin, he's exit by the little clock.
- Dr. Dante: The natural (from earth) villain, a confidence trickster scientist.
- Mega Slank: The other natural (from outer space) villain (who seems to have a grudge against Widget's kind).
Episodes
Season 1
Original airdate: September 29, 1990
- Widget to the Whale Relief
- The Captive Whale
- My Friend the Gorilla
- Widget in the Jungle
- Widget to the Country without Over Under
- Widget and the Monster
- Widget Rock Musician Cosmic
- Blueberry and Berthold
- The Gigantic Ants
- Widget and the Robots
- Widget Takes the Investigation
- The Storm in the Jungle
- The Vacation of Mom Slank
Season 2
Original airdate: September 10, 1991
- Widget and the Vampire
- Widget to the School
- A Crown for the Brain
- Adventure in Mediterranean
- The King Mac Bluff
- Mega Slank
- Widget and the Indian
- Which Movie?
- Very Special Glasses
- Rock around the Galaxy
- When One Talks about the Wolf
- Robot Zouc
- African Adventure
Season 3
Original airdate: April 14, 1992
- The Big Heads
- Brain Washing
- All is not Good to Throw
- The Magic Ray
- Widget to the School
- The Glacier Thieves
- Let Us Save the Planet Lotec
- Racketland
- The Universal Language
- The Three Ghosts
- The Magic Mirrors
- Where is the Drama?
- The Rain Forest
Season 4
Original airdate: February 12, 1993
- The Trip in the Time
- The Gallery Galériens
- Forage Them and the Foxes
- The Micronauts
- Rich of Wood
- The Scrabouligou
- The Abominable Urg
- Ghost Histories
- Chaos to Calico
- The Forest People
- Full Portion of steak
- Income
- The Big Barrier of Coral
Season 5
Original airdate: January 9, 1994
- Selling Intergalactic Cheap
- The Party
- Mega Brain is at the Party
- A Strange Adventure
- Strange
- Widget and His Double
- The Big Intergalactic Circus
- The Aero-Bull
- Travel to the Library
- The Big Pursuit
- The Rock to Vows
- The Candies to Nothing
- The Intergalactic Fight
Video games
The series spawned two video games. Widget was released by Atlus on the NES in 1992 and Super Widget also by Atlus on the SNES in 1993.