| Genre: | Animated series Sketch comedy Slapstick Musical |
| Developer: | Kate Boutilier Eryk Casemiro |
| Director: | Mark Risley |
| Composer: | Jared Faber |
| Country: | United States United Kingdom |
| Language: | English |
| Network: | Cartoon Network (U.S.) Five (U.K.) |
| Producer: | Karen Ialacci Peggy Regan |
| Editor: | Michael D'Ambrosio |
| Company: | Chorion Renegade Animation |
| Num Seasons: | 2 |
| Num Episodes: | 104 |
| List Episodes: |
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| Runtime: | 12 minutes |
| Related: | Mr. Men (1974–1978) Little Miss (1983) Mr. Men and Little Miss (1995–1997) The Mr. Men Show (1997–1999) Timbuctoo (1998–1999) |
The Mr. Men Show is an animated children's television series based on the original series of Mr. Men books created by the British author and illustrator Roger Hargreaves—later with his son Adam Hargreaves. Adapted from the published source material into a variety program—unlike the original basis for the show, it primarily features comedy sketches, pantomimes, dance numbers, and music videos.
The series aired in the US on Cartoon Network in 2008, and aired in the UK on Channel 5's Milkshake! on February 25, 2008. The series ended on October 19, 2009.[1]
Loosely based on the classic children's book series Mr. Men and Little Miss, the show takes place in the fictional town of Dillydale. The show revolves around the characters from the books (though a few of the characters were made for the show) and their everyday adventures. The Mr. Men characters that appear in the show in order are: Mr. Tickle, Mr. Happy. Mr. Nosey, Mr. Bump, Mr. Messy, Mr. Small, Mr. Nervous, Mr. Noisy, Mr. Lazy, Mr. Funny, Mr. Fussy, Mr. Bounce, Mr. Strong, Mr. Grumpy, Mr. Quiet, Mr. Tall, Mr. Rude, along with 2 new show-exclusive Mr. Men characters: Mr. Scatterbrain and Mr. Stubborn. The Little Misses that also appear in order are: Miss Bossy, Miss Naughty, Miss Sunshine, Miss Giggles, Miss Helpful, Miss Magic, Miss Chatterbox, Miss Curious, Miss Scary, Miss Whoops, along with 2 new show-exclusive Little Miss characters: Miss Calamity and Miss Daredevil.
The Mr. Men Show was produced in Los Angeles by Renegade Animation, who were well-known for producing Cartoon Network's Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi, and Chorion in New York City and London for Five and Cartoon Network, respectively. The show uses a stylised art style inspired by the television series Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In and the works of United Productions of America.[3] Eyrk Casemiro stated "we wanted a nod to the '70s, when the books were originated. A lot of the songs in the show have a funkdelic/disco/Bootsy Collins quality to them. A lot of props look like they're out of The Mike Douglas Show, like the microphones and chairs on set for the talk show segments."
Artistic license was taken in order to adapt the books for television, including name changes, design alterations, and the creation of several new characters. Little Miss Scatterbrain and Little Miss Stubborn had their genders changed to become Mr. Scatterbrain and Mr. Stubborn to "make the Little Misses a little more positive". As well as this, Little Miss Calamity, Little Miss Daredevil and Mr. Metal were created exclusively for the television series. Little Miss Fickle, Little Miss Fabulous and the Little Miss Twins were originally planned to be in the series as well, but they were removed per request by Cartoon Network for fear of turning off boy audiences.[4]
In Roger Hargreaves' original book series, each of the Mr. Men and Little Miss characters were given a separate hometown: Happyland, Tiddletown, Nonsenseland, etc. In the television series, all of the characters live in the same city, the township of Dillydale. The name "Dillydale" was coined by series producer Peggy Regan. To commemorate the historic naming, she was presented with a plaque and the honorary title of "The Mayor of Dillydale".
Note: All episodes in this season were directed by Mark Risley.
Note: The first 11 episodes in this season were directed by Mark Risley and the remaining 15 episodes were directed by Mark Risley and Darrell Van Citters. All episodes in this season were written by Kate Boutilier & Eryk Casemiro except "Up and Down" which was written by Mark Risley and Michael Daedalus Kenny and "Library" which was written by Mark Risley and Sean Pendergrass.