Strawberry Shortcake (2003 TV series)

Strawberry Shortcake is an American children's direct-to-video animated series produced by DIC Entertainment Corporation and American Greetings based on the franchise of the same name that debuted in March 2003. The series consists of 45 episodes, plus one short and one movie. Part of the series was broadcast on television including by CBS, HBO, HBO Family, Nick Jr, and in broadcast syndication. The entire cast is totally replaced with younger and lesser known voice actors compared to the 1980s Strawberry Shortcake animated specials.

Strawberry Shortcake
Genre	Animated series, E/I
Created by	Those Characters From Cleveland American Greetings
Developed by	20th Century Fox Home Entertainment DIC Entertainment
Theme music composer	Andy Street Judy Rothman Rofe
Opening theme	Straw Buh-buh-buh-buh-berry Shortcake by Andy Street Judy Rothman Rofe (uncredited) Performed by Sandy Howell (uncredited)
Ending theme	Straw Buh-buh-buh-buh-berry Shortcake (instrumental)
Composers	Andy Street Judy Rothman Rofe Nick Brown Sandy Howell
Country of origin	United States
Original language	English
No. of seasons	4
No. of episodes	22 (40 segments) (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers	Andy Heyward Michael Maliani Kathy McConaughy Mike Brown Josef Mandelbaum Jeffrey Conrad Tamra Seldin Jeff Weiss David Polter
Producer	Karren Brown
Running time	45 minutes
Production companies	American Greetings DIC Entertainment Cookie Jar Entertainment (season 4)
Original release
Release	March 11, 2003 (2003-03-11) – September 11, 2008 (2008-09-11)
Related
1980s Strawberry Shortcake specials Strawberry Shortcake's Berry Bitty Adventures (2009)

Following the series' reboot in 2009, the 2003 series was succeeded by Strawberry Shortcake's Berry Bitty Adventures in 2010.

Home releases

20th Century Fox Home Entertainment began releasing the series direct-to-video in the United States beginning in March 2003. The first few episodes were released on both VHS and DVD, and bundled with certain toys; later episodes were only released on DVD. They are also available on VideoCD through various fourth party licensees in South-East Asia and in certain other markets. The first four videos contain only one story but run for twice the length of subsequent episodes.

From Season 2 onwards, the VHS tapes and DVDs are presented as "compilations" in which Strawberry recounts the featured adventures using her "remembering book" or for Season 4, showcases the featured stories as simple flashbacks.

22 Volumes (1 including the film) have been released for the series overall.

Broadcast

United States

In the United States, although promoted as a direct-to-video series, the series did air on television as well.

In 2003, Season 1 gained one-off airings on HBO and HBO Family.

In January 2006, shortened Season 1 and Season 2 episodes aired on Mondays within the Program B slot (which mainly aired on The CW affiliates) of the DIC Kids Network syndicated block. The series ran on the block until 2007, when it moved to KEWLopolis on CBS, with Season 3 episodes added in September 2008. In September 2009, it was removed from the block following its rebranding as Cookie Jar TV, but returned in April 2010 until September that year. Season 4 has never aired on television in the United States and remains exclusively on DVD and digital download. The show was said to have aired on Nick Jr too.

Internationally

In international markets, DIC pre-sold the series to GMTV in the United Kingdom and Fox Kids Europe in some European territories in 2004. In 2008, DIC pre-sold the series to more broadcasters including M6, Canal J and Tiji in France, Tiny Pop in the United Kingdom, K-T.V. in South Africa, KiKa in Germany, Austria, Luxembourg and German-speaking Switzerland, and Mediaset in Italy. Season 1 episodes are broadcast as two parts instead of being shortened, doubling the episode count to eight. In Canada, the series aired on Treehouse TV and Playhouse Disney.

From Season 2 onwards, the episodes are presented individually on the TV broadcasts rather than being compilations, although this depended on the broadcaster (e.g., Disney Channel Asia aired the first four episodes as two-parters).

Some networks, like GMTV and Minimax in CEE aired Season 1 uninterrupted as one, full-length part akin to the DVD releases, while Season 2 onwards are broadcast exactly like on the DVDs with the compilation format.

Other media

A five-minute Strawberry Shortcake short, "Growing Better All the Time", is available exclusively in the Care Bears: Daydreams DVD (released on October 14, 2003) as a bonus feature. Numerous scenes from the short were used in the 2000s (decade) series' second opening sequence, and the song from the short was released on the "Strawberry Jams" CD. Additionally, a Public Service Announcement for the ASPCA was produced and aired in the US. The PSA features Strawberry Shortcake talking about the basics of pet ownership.

Cast

Main

• Strawberry Shortcake (voiced by Sarah Heinke) - the main protagonist of the series, she is kind and sweet girl who is always there for her friends and who often takes up a leader role.
• Angel Cake (voiced by Rachel Ware) - a persnickety girl who can sometimes be a bit of a perfectionist, wanting everything to be how she wants it, but still shows a good side.
• Ginger Snap (voiced by Samantha Triba) - a talkative, clever inventor and baker, she can be quite quick and cowardly when the mood strikes.
• Orange Blossom (voiced by Dejare Barfield) - a happy and cheerful girl who lives up to her name, although she can get a bit shy and sensitive at times.
• Huckleberry Pie (voiced by Daniel Canfield (Series 1) and James Street (Series 2-4) - an adventurous boy who can be quite a demon and enjoys skateboarding, but still makes sure to put his friends first. By Series 3 and 4, he transitions to a recurring character.
• Pupcake (vocal effects by Nils Haaland) - Strawberry's pet dog, he is happy and excited, and can sometimes annoy Custard.
• Custard (voiced by Sarah Koslosky (Series 1) and Anna Jordan (Series 2-4) - Strawberry's pet cat who has a snarky, sarcastic character. Unlike in previous incarnations, she can speak and is able to translate Pupcake's barks into human language.

Recurring

Humans

• Apple Dumplin' (voiced by Katie Labosky) - Strawberry's younger sister who wishes to be like her big sister, and hopes that she can do anything the older kids do. By Series 4, she ages up to be an older child.
• Blueberry Muffin (voiced by Bianca Heyward; Caroline lliff (in one episode of Series 4)) - a smart and creative girl who enjoys reading books and making up plays.
• Peppermint Fizz (voiced by Rebecca Noddle) - a stubborn and highly-tempered girl who will do anything to get her way, but through it all can still have a good heart and even feel remorseful for her mistakes. By Series 4, she becomes more lighthearted to Strawberry, wanting to be part of her friend group.
• Seaberry Delight (voiced by Abby Leib) - a shy ocean girl who lives in Seaberry Shore with Coco Calypso.
• Coco Calypso (voiced by Melissa Deni) - a faraway friend of Strawberry Shortcake who lives on Seaberry Island, who likes to perform.
• Rainbow Sherbet (voiced by Laura Grimm) - an adventurer and sailor who lives in a colorful boat named the Rainbow Float, she has a habit of speaking in sailor slang like port.
• Crepes Suzette (voiced by Caroline Iliff) - Strawberry's friend from Paris who is a fashion designer, she is sometimes prone to being dramatic.
• Cherry Cuddler - Crepes' younger sister who only appeared in illustrations.
• Tea Blossom (voiced by Marissa Maliani) - a quiet and reserved girl from Plum Blossom Province who comes to visit Strawberryland, although finds it difficult to adjust to their culture.
• Tangerina Torta (voiced by Caroline lliff (Series 3) and Dana Donlan (Series 4)) - a Latin-American girl with a passion of nature. By Series 4, she gains a new accent and design.
• Frosty Puff (voiced by Samantha Triba) - a winter-themed girl from a country called "Niceland".
• Raspberry Torte (voiced by Haley Hyden-Soffer) - an active, sporty, and competitive girl who isn't too fond of manners, but later started to care about them, she is sometimes prone to having sarcastic remarks.
• Lemon Meringue (voiced by Mary Waltman) - a sweet fashionista who can be a bit ditzy at times and is usually seen with Raspberry Torte.
• Apricot - a new girl with low self-esteem, who lies about her background in order to make friends.
• Banana Candy (voiced by Caroline Lliff) - a workaholic from Banana Burrough, who takes up many jobs alone as she is the only resident. She becomes good friends with Strawberry Shortcake after being invited on their trip.
• Watermelon Kiss - a new girl who loves summer and riding horses.
• Plum Puddin' (voiced by Aubrey Fleming) - a brainy, resourceful, and intelligent girl who is clumsy and has trouble finding her strengths, but can ultimately proves to be of great use to the team.
• Annie Oatmeal (voiced by Grace Bydalek) - a cowgirl with a southern accent who is also the owner of the Berry Prairie Dude Ranch. She loves helpers and is always looking for recruits who are also good friends.
• Caramel Corn (voiced by Anne Sundell) - a resilient farm-girl with a passion of animals, who is trying to make ends meet so she doesn't have to sell her farm.
• Lime Light (Chiffon) - a famous superstar diva that loves being the center of attention, but doesn't like to listen to others. She eventually tends to be less selfish and listen to others thanks to Strawberry Shortcake. Her director is voiced by Zoe Robb.

Pets

All the vocal effects for the pets aside from Cola's singing and Papaya are voiced by Nils Haaland.

• Vanilla Icing - Angel Cake's pet lamb.
• Chocolate Chipmunk - Ginger Snap's pet Chipmunk.
• Marmalade - Orange Blossom's pet butterfly.
• Shoofly - Huckleberry Pie's pet frog.
• Apple Ducklin' - Apple Dumplin's pet duck.
• Cheesecake' - Blueberry Muffin's pet mouse.
• Cola ("singing" voice by Mark Bennett) - Peppermint's pet chameleon.
• Papaya Parrot (voiced by Susan Collins) - Coco Calypso's pet parrot.
• Eclair - Crepes Suzette's pet poodle.
• Freezer Pop - Frosty Puff's pet penguin.
• Marza Panda - Tea Blossom's pet panda.
• Banana Bongo - Tangerina Torta's pet monkey who is very funny.
• Rhubarb - Raspberry Torte's pet raccoon who only appeared in merchandise.
• Sourball - Lemon Meringue's pet skunk.

Fillies

The 2003 series introduced a cast of fillies to the mix that the characters own.

• Honey Pie Pony (voiced by Hannah Koslosky) - a horse from Ice Cream Island who is a good friend of the main group and the leader of the fillies. She is the first and major filly to be introduced, and the only one of them who can speak human language. She loves adventures and likes to ramble on about her greatest journeys and stories.
• Cookie Dough - Ginger Snap's filly.
• Milkshake - Angel Cake's filly.
• Orange Twist - Orange Blossom's filly.
• Cherry Vanilla - Peppermint Fizz's filly who only appears in merchandise. Compared to her more sour owner, Cherry Vanilla is more sweet-natured, akin to her name. She is sometimes paired with Strawberry Shortcake in some toy sets.
• Blueberry Sundae - Blueberry Muffin's filly who only appears in merchandise and made a brief cameo in the TV series.
• Huckleberry Hash - Huckleberry Pie's filly who only appeared in the toyrange.
• Spumoni - Coco Calypso's filly who only appeared in the toy range.
• Pistachio - Seaberry Delight's filly who only appeared in the toy range.
• Butter Pecan - Rainbow Sherbet's who only appeared in the toy range.
• Lemon Ice - Lemon Meringue's filly who only appeared in the toy range.
• Raspberry Ripple - Raspberry Torte's filly who only appeared in the toy range.
• Ambrosia - a unicorn who only appeared in a picture book.
• Thunder - Plum Puddin's filly who appeared in the "Big Country Fun" segment/episode Back in the Saddle. They are a deep purple pony with a cropped lavender mane and tail and have been referred to as a male and a female throughout the episode.

Villains

• Licorice Whip (voiced by Jerry Longe) - a rebellious and hot-headed circus worker and performer who steals Honey Pie Pony and the other fillies for his circus show.
• Raven (voiced by Ryle Smith) - Licorice Whip's sidekick, a regular Raven, although he soon turns against him and helps the girls save the fillies.
• Sea Serpent (voiced by Pam Carter) - a Serpent in a story who enslaves mermaids, but has a change of heart and makes up for her bad deeds by the end of the story.
• Dog Catcher (voiced by Nils Haaland) - a French man who attempts to capture Pupcake and Eclair, though it is unclear if he is truly a villain or just slightly antagonistic.
• Purple Pie Man (voiced by Cork Ramer) - an overly-ambitious and wicked man who will do anything to get his way. During the final episode however, he's not full on cold-hearted and seems to show a much softer and helpful side when given the chance.
• Sour Grapes (voiced by Bridget Robbins) - Purple Pie Man's sidekick and sister, a sour and deadpan woman who sometimes serves as a rational figure for Pieman's mischief. She is also shown numerous times to be much more sympathetic and kind-hearted to the heroes.

Fairies

A series of Fairies appeared in "Berry Fairy Tales". The background fairies are voiced by Samantha Triba, Theresa Sindelar and Anna Jordan.

• Margalo B. Berryglow (voiced by Andrea Ware) - a fairy who takes advantage of kindness.
• Sherry Bobbleberry (voiced by Laura Marr) - a fairy who is doubtful of things but wishes to be seen as a hero.
• Periwinkle Pearblossom (voiced by Theresa Sindelar) - Sherry's boss and the loyal fairy of the Queen, she is fair to the rules and can be quite impatient.
• Fairy Queen (voiced by Susie Baer Collins) - the queen of the Strawberryland fairies, she is helpful and is happy to assist with any issues.

Episodes

Main article: List of Strawberry Shortcake (2003 TV series) episodes

Game Boy Advance Video

Majesco has also released Strawberry Shortcake episodes as a Game Boy Advance Video cartridge:

Strawberry Shortcake Volume 1

• Meet Strawberry Shortcake
• Spring for Strawberry Shortcake

Note: The episodes released on Game Boy Advance Video are the 22-minute edited broadcast version of the episodes (some markets show these episodes as a two-part series without cutting off scenes instead), unlike the video versions which are 45 minutes in length each. Presumably this decision was made to keep the costs of producing the cartridges down (as the need for higher density memory chips would drive the cost of the cartridge up). As a result, two songs and a significant number of scenes from "Meet Strawberry Shortcake", as well as two songs and half of the scenes from "Spring for Strawberry Shortcake" were missing from the GBA Video release if compared to the other videos. Also notable is that the song Friendship Grows Like a Flower was shortened.

External links

• Strawberry Shortcake at IMDb