Popples - The 1986 animated series

Popples - The 1986 animated series

The Popples are characters from an animated series of the same name and a line of toys created by That Characters From Cleveland (TCFC), a subsidiary of American Greetings. Popples resemble brightly colored marsupial teddy bears with long tails ending in a pom-pom. Each Popple character transforms to look like a brightly colored ball. In 2018, the Popples' rights were bought by Hasbro.

Animated series

The Popples animated series was made by Marie Cisterino, Janet Jones, Fran Kariotakis, Janet Redding and Susan Trentel and aired on the syndication tv channel in the United States from 1986 to 1987. The cartoons were produced by DIC Enterprises and LBS Communications in association with The Maltese Companies.

Like the toys they are based on, Popples resemble colorful teddy bears and rabbits with long tails tipped like a pompom and have pouches on their backs that allow them to curl up and become a hairy ball. All Popples stammer when they utter words with the letter "P" in them. The name "Popple" is a reference to the snap they make when opening from such a ball or pulling items out of their pockets. In the cartoon, the Popples commonly extract from their bags large objects that could not fit inside, which come from the hammer space; in "Popples Alley," one of the Popples' human friends looks inside one of their bags and sees numerous objects floating in the void.

Nine of the Popples live with a human brother and sister, Billy and Bonnie Wagner. Billy and Bonnie think they are the only children to have the Popples until a family of neighbors moves in and see that they too own the Popples: Rock Stars, Pufflings and Babies. Popples tend to make children's activities get out of hand, but for a good purpose. The plot tells of the efforts that children make to hide the existence of the Popples from adults. Their existence was discovered by the Wagner parents in books, but not in cartoons.

The Popples also had a series of Star Comics comics.

A new Netflix series based on the Popples characters premiered in October 2015.

Characters

Human

Bonnie Wagner: Billy's older sister, who tries to control the chaotic situations that the Popples tend to cause.

Billy wagner: Bonnie's younger brother, who doesn't seem bothered by the Popples' antics.

Ellen Wagner: Bonnie and Billy's mother, who remains in the dark about the Popples, except in the pilot episode. His face is usually invisible.

Danny Wagner: Bonnie and Billy's father, also oblivious to the Popples, except in the pilot episode. He appears less than his wife and his face is usually invisible, like his wife.

Mike: One of the brothers who moved alongside the Wagners in Season XNUMX, along with their Popples.

Pennie: Mike's sister.

The Popples by Bonnie & Billy

PC (Pretty Cool): Big Blue Popple, who serves as co-leader of the group along with Party. Although he loves to have fun, he never lets things get out of hand and is probably the most sensitive member of the group. It also has a magical finger snap that can trigger all sorts of nice surprises. PC appeared in 40 episodes.

Party: Large pink popple that is literally a party animal. He will find a reason to celebrate at any time of day or night and always pulls hats and confetti out of his bag. Party serves as the main Popple, as it appears in 41 of the show's 46 episodes and on the Popples logo.

Pancake: Large dark magenta (maroon) Popple that is very sweet and affectionate. She likes to tickle Billy and Bonnie with her tail and always knows what to do to cheer someone up. Pancake had the fewest appearances of the original nine Popples, appearing in just 10 episodes.

Puzzles: Orange Popple who is more or less the bookworm of the group. He likes to read and is smart enough, but still has a great sense of humor. Puzzle is also proven to be a good swimmer. Puzzle appeared in 15 episodes.

Prize: Hot Pink Popple who is very vain and is very proud of her looks. She has a little crush on the PC, speaks in a Marilyn Monroe voice and dreams of becoming a movie star. The award appeared in 15 episodes.

Potato Chips: Little yellow Popple who loves to eat snacks. Sweet, sour or salty, Potato Chip loves them all and has a certain appetite for such a small Popple. He also has a knack for mimicking sounds and sound effects. Potato Chip appeared in 18 episodes.

Pretty Bits: Little purple Popple who almost always speaks in rhyme. She is more shy than most of the Popples, but is still very loyal to her friends. She likes poetry and is also an expert in good manners and etiquette. Pretty Bit appeared in 11 episodes.

The Popples by Mike & Penny

Punksters: one of the punk-rockstar Popples. Punkster is blue, wears a pink and yellow cape, carries a guitar, and has a thunderbolt on his stomach. He is considered Papa Popple for little Popples. He always appears with Punkity and has appeared in 15 episodes.

Punkity: The other punk-rock star Popple. Punkity is magenta, wears a green hair accessory and earrings, carries a microphone or tambourine, and has a star on her belly. She is considered Mama Popple for little Popples. He always appears with Punkster and has appeared in 15 episodes.
Bibsy: One of the Baby Popples. Bibsy is white and wears a purple and white bib, ankle boots and a hat with a star motif. Presented in 14 episodes.

Cribsy: Another Baby Popple. Cribsy is pink and wears a blue and white striped hat with matching bib and booties and her lids are blue too. Presented in 14 episodes.

Pufflings: a subspecies of smaller Popples. Puffers are unable to speak, but communicate with others with a high-pitched warbling sound. Pufflings like to jump and bounce around and sometimes hand out playful tags that one of the Popples will read aloud. The six Pufflings have white, dark blue, red, purple, light blue and yellow fur.

puffball: White Popple who likes to throw his voice around. He is very adept at mimicking voices to deceive people and Popples alike. She also hates getting her white fur dirty and strives to stay clean. Puffball appeared in 15 episodes.

Putter: Little green popple who is a little hyperactive and has a tendency to make jokes, but is very playful. Putter has a knack for fixing and making things up, but they don't always work as expected. Putter has had the most appearances outside of the two main Popples, appearing in 25 episodes.

Sporty popples

This was a group of six sports-themed Popples that appeared in just two episodes: “Decatha-Pop-A-Lon Popples” (in which all six appeared) and “Popple Cheer” (in which all but Cuester appeared). The only previously established character they come into contact with is Bonnie, in this latest cartoon, where they explain that they are "new to the neighborhood". Both are played by Danny Mann.

Sports Popples specialize in one sport, wear a dress based on that sport, and fold into an appropriate type of ball. Their tails are also shaped like sports balls:

  • BigKick is a soccer player who transforms into a soccer ball.
  • Cuester is a pool player who transforms into an 8-ball and appeared in "Decatha-Pop-A-Lon Popples".
  • dunker is a long-limbed basketball player who transforms into a basketball player.
  • Netset is a tennis player who turns into a tennis ball.
  • pitcher is a baseball player who transforms into a baseball player.
  • TD (Touchdown) is an American football player who transforms into a soccer ball.

Episodes

1 - “Popples: the film”- A two-reel live action film stars Brady Bluhm as Billy, Kamie Harper as Bonnie and Nancy Lenehan, and Jim Staahl as their parents. In this spectacular film, Billy and Bonnie must save the Popples when their parents accidentally send them to Goodwill, which follows a surprise renovation of the family's penthouse. This film marks the first appearance of Billy, Bonnie, their parents and the Popples.

2 - "Popples panic in the library"September 13, 1986
The Popples help Bonnie choose a book to take home. This episode marks the first appearance of Bonnie, Party, PC, Potato Chip, Puzzle, and the Librarian.

3 - "Cooking a storm"September 20, 1986
Popples make culinary antics. This episode marks the first appearance of Billy, Putter, Pancake and Pretty Bit.

4 - "Molars, Premolars and Popples"September 27, 1986
Billy goes to the dentist for a checkup. This episode marks the first appearance of Prize, Billy's mom and the dentist.

5 - "The Popple Beach Treasure"October 4, 1986
The Popples are trying to find the Popple Beach treasure. This episode marks Puffball's first appearance.

6 - "Popping to the car wash"October 11, 1986
Billy, Bonnie and the Popples are visiting the car wash.

7 - "Spring has broken out"October 18, 1986
The Popples help Billy and Bonnie plant a garden.

8 - "Popples plays golf pee"October 25, 1986
Billy, Bonnie, and the Popples are playing Pee Wee Golf when they're about to punch a hole in one and get $ 25 to buy a gift for their mother.

9 - "Popples flood the Fluff 'n' Fold"November 1, 1986
When Billy dirties his rat costume for the school play, he and the Popples head to the laundry room, where the Popples cause a major flood.

10 - "Cleaning things"November 8, 1986
Billy enlists the help of the Popples to clean up his bedroom.

11 - "Poppin 'wheelies"November 15, 1986
Billy, Bonnie and the Popples are visiting an ice rink to try their skates, in the end the Popples have decided to skate too!

12 - "Bonnie's Popple party"November 22, 1986
When Bonnie's birthday plans are put on hold, Billy and the Popples decide to throw their own surprise party for her.

13 - "Corridors of trouble"November 29, 1986
When Billy and Bonnie discover that there is no food to eat at their home, the Popples sneak out of the grocery store on their own.

14 - "Popples painting festival"December 6, 1986
Billy is doing a science project at school and the Popples are helping him too. Meanwhile, Prize turns into a statue!

15 - "Pop-Paring for the bed"December 13, 1986
When the Popples decide to help Billy and Bonnie get ready for bed, they accidentally turned the bathroom into one giant mess. Luckily, Puffball is there to help fix it, with a ukulele, that is!

16 - "Olympic Popples"December 20, 1986
When Billy and Bonnie were away for the junior Olympics, the Popples organize their own annual Olympics and, despite not having a gold medal like the others, Pretty Bit is determined to win it. This is the first episode with all the Popples.

17 - "pop sporting goods store"December 27, 1986
The Popples follow Billy and Bonnie to a sporting goods store where they try out different sports.

17 - "To take out the trash"January 3, 1987
The Popples try out different plans to help Billy take out the trash, but with each plan the mess seems to get even worse.

18 - "A hair-raising experience"January 10, 1987
The Popples are wreaking havoc among hairdressers.

19 - "Pop goes on the radio"January 17, 1987
In a head-to-head with Tommy, Billy is getting into his plane for an aerial flying competition, with Putter riding it!

20 - "Poppin 'Pillow Talk"January 24, 1987
Bonnie, Party, Potato Chip and Prize are having a pillow talk. Meanwhile, Billy and PC have other plans to stop them.

21 - "Alley of the Poppless "Between 24 and 31 January 1987
Bonnie is in a bowling alley, with the other Popples causing havoc at every turn.

22 - "Where pop flies"January 31, 1987
It's baseball game day, and Billy is about to hit the home run, but not with the Popples, because they will ruin the game!

22 - "Long live Hollywood Popples!"February 7, 1987
Billy and Bonnie are visiting Hollywood movie studios. Meanwhile, the Popples team up and decide to make their own movie!

23 - "Bigtop courtyard"February 14, 1987
When Billy and Bonnie get sick and can't go to the circus, the Popples had to create their own circus for them! This is the second episode with all the Popples.

24 - "Backyard adventure"February 21, 1987
Billy, Bonnie and the Popples are camping together. But when the wind tries to blow the tent, the Popples have to build a brick wall to stop the wind blowing on the tent.

25 - "Poppin 'to the Drive In"February 28, 1987
Billy, Bonnie and the Popples are in a drive-in theater, where the Popples have a lot of fun on the big screen!

Season 2 (1987)

25 - "Popplin 'around the blockJack Hanrahan and Eleanor Burian-Mohr March 7, 1987
The Popples are walking around the block with their new friends and discovering new things.

26 - "Moving dayJack Hanrahan and Eleanor Burian-Mohr March 14, 1987
It's moving day and Billy and Bonnie meet their new neighbors and friends Mike and Penny. Meanwhile, all the Popples meet Mike and Penny's new Popples and organize a very special parade at their home. This episode marks the first appearance of Mike, Penny, Punkster, Punkity, Bibsy, Cribsy, and the Pufflings, and the last appearance of Pancake. This episode is also the first of the season.

27 - "Treehouse capersJack Hanrahan and Eleanor Burian-Mohr March 21, 1987
When Billy, Bonnie, Mike and Penny fight over building their treehouse, the Popples help build it themselves.

28 - "No Bizness like Popple BiznessJack Hanrahan and Eleanor Burian-Mohr March 28, 1987
When the boys were away, the Popples decide to make a video for them.

29 - "Museum of Peace" George Edwards April 4, 1987
The museum is closed and Billy and Bonnie cannot enter. Meanwhile, inside the museum, the Popples are taking away the fun.

30 - "Stand-Off Lemonade"Bob Logan April 11, 1987
Billy and Mike are running a lemonade stand for everyone, unfortunately there was no one there. Meanwhile, the Popples tried to help them.

31 - "Popple Post Office"Bob Logan April 18, 1987
Billy and Bonnie are taking a letter to the post office. But even the Popples are too cheeky to participate.

32 - "The madness of the amusement house"George Edwards April 25, 1987
The fair is closed and Billy and Bonnie can't possibly go there. Meanwhile, the Popples are making fun of the Hall of Mirrors and a lot of other things.

33 - "Top Popples Fixer”Jack Hanrahan and Eleanor Burian-Mohr 2 May 1987
The Popples are trying to fix things, but the things they have tried are not going very well.

34 - "Rock around the Popples”Jack Hanrahan and Eleanor Burian-Mohr 9 May 1987
Mike is taking his tuba to a music store, when out of the blue, the Popples join him too!

35 - "The Popple College of Knowledge”Jack Hanrahan and Eleanor Burian-Mohr 16 May 1987
When Penny meets Bonnie on a bike, Bibsy and Cribsy head to school, but there's no more school for them. Fortunately, the other Popples are planning their own college, starting with Puzzle for Math.

36 - “Joy Popple"Jody Miles Conner May 23, 1987
Bonnie is on cheerleading duty, when out of the blue, the Sports Popples are there to help her out. This episode marks the first appearance of Sports Popples, but this episode only features TD, Big Kick, Dunker, Net Set and Pitcher.

37 - "Hoopla barn"Jody Miles Conner May 30, 1987
Bonnie is visiting a farm. Meanwhile, the Popples are having a great time, causing madness and chaos on every corner. This episode marks the final appearance of Prize.

38 - "The Jellybean Jamboree”Jody Miles Conner June 6, 1987
There's Jellybean Jamboree at school, and Billy and Mike will be there too! Meanwhile, the Popples are joining too! This episode marks Billy's last appearance.

39 - "Popples detectives"Jack Hanrahan and Eleanor Burian-Mohr June 13, 1987
The Popples pretend to be detectives, and things were very unstable here, but it sure was fun, until Mike and Penny got back.

40 - “The repair shop”Jody Miles Conner June 20, 1987
Bonnie is taking the doll to the repair shop, unfortunately the Popples are visiting too! This episode marks the last appearance of Puffball and Potato Chip.

41 - “Popples Decatha-Pop-a-Lon"Jack Hanrahan and Eleanor Burian-Mohr June 27, 1987
Sports Popples are organizing their own sporting events. This marks Cuester's only appearance, as he was the only Sports Popple left and the last Sports Popples appearance.

42 - "Choo Choo cuckoo”Jack Hanrahan and Eleanor Burian-Mohr July 4, 1987
The Popples are building a train station. This marks the last appearance of Mike and Putter.

43 - "The Popple fashion show”Jody Miles Conner 11 July 1987
Bonnie and the Popples are having a show at night. But when morning came, Penny appeared and told Bonnie she was having too much fun with the Popples. This marks the last appearance of Bonnie and Pretty Bit.

44 - "Popping at the zoo”Jody Miles Conner 18 July 1987
Penny and the Popples are visiting the zoo. The Popples are having so much fun, causing madness and chaos at every turn, meeting animals and playing! This marks the latest appearance of Penny, Party, PC, Puzzle, Punkster, Punkitty, Bibsy, Cribsy and the Pufflings. This is also the last episode of the series.

Technical data

Original title Popples
Original language English
Country United States
Regia Osamu Inoue, Katsumi Takasuga
Music Shuki Levy, Haim Saban
Studio DiC Entertainment
1st TV September 13, 1986 - June 27, 1987
Episodes 43 (complete)
Episode duration 30 min
Italian network Italy 1, DeA Kids, JimJam
Italian episodes 43 (complete)
Italian episode length 22 min

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org