The California Raisin Show is a 1989 American animated television series based on the claymation advertising characters The California Raisins.[1] The show is based on the claymation special, Meet the Raisins!, which originally aired on CBS in 1988. After the show's 13-episode run, a sequel to the original special, Raisins: Sold Out!: The California Raisins II, aired in 1990.
| The California Raisin Show | |
|---|---|
| Genre | animation, family |
| Created by | Barry Bruce, Mark Gustafson (original concept) |
| Based on | The California Raisins |
| Written by | Rowby Goren, Larry DiTillio |
| Directed by | Kent Butterworth Vincent Davis Walt Kubiak Ron Myrick |
| Creative director | Gary Selvaggio |
| Voices of | Dorian Harewood Brian Cummings Jim Cummings Cam Clarke Brian Stokes Mitchell |
| Composers | Dennis C. Brown, Chuck Lorre |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | english |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 13 |
| Production | |
| Executive producer | Will Vinton |
| Producer | Walt Kubiak |
| Editors | Tom Cornwell, Rick Hinson |
| Production companies | Fred Wolf Films, Will Vinton Productions |
| Original release | |
| Network | CBS |
| Release | September 16 – December 9, 1989 |
While the characters are traditionally depicted in claymation, the TV show was cel animated by Murakami-Wolf-Swenson. It did, however, maintain Will Vinton as creative director and executive producer.[2]
Plot
editThe series takes place in a world populated by anthropomorphic fruits and vegetables. It focuses on the main characters, a music band called the California Raisins: A.C. (vocals), Beebop (drums), Stretch (bass), and Red (guitar/piano). Each episode has one or more musical numbers, all of which were originally performed by most Motown artists.
Cast
edit- Cam Clarke as Beebop Arborman
- Brian Cummings as Lick Broccoli
- Jim Cummings as A.C. Arborman, Leonard Limabean
- Brian Mitchell as Red Raisin
- Dorian Harewood as Stretch Thompson, Red ("No Business Like Shoe Business")
- Gaille Heidemann as Shirelle
- Michele Mariana as Lulu Arborman (Mom)
- Rebecca Gilchrist as Dixie
- Willard E. Pugh
- Cree Summer as Crystal
- Todd Tolces as Rudy Bagaman
Episodes
edit| No. | Title | Written by | Original air date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "The Apple, Raisin-Style" | Larry DiTillio | September 16, 1989 | |
|
The band heads to New York City to find Mom just in time for a gig. Songs: "I Heard It Through the Grapevine", "The Way You Do the Things You Do", "Dancing in the Street" | ||||
| 2 | "No Business Like Shoe Business" | Rowby Goren | September 23, 1989 | |
|
Red is given shoes with a mind of their own. Songs: "Beechwood 4-5789", "Get Ready", "Do You Love Me" | ||||
| 3 | "School is Cool" | Larry DiTillio | September 30, 1989 | |
|
Stretch has to go to high school again, so the others join him. Songs: "Shake Me, Wake Me (When It's Over)", "ABC", "You Got What It Takes" | ||||
| 4 | "A Royal Mess" | Rowby Goren | October 7, 1989 | |
|
The raisins fly to a castle, where they perform for a king. Songs: "Shop Around", "Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)", "Save the Last Dance for Me" | ||||
| 5 | "Lights, Camera, Disaster" | Rowby Goren | October 14, 1989 | |
|
The band is asked to act for the first time in a big Hollywood feature. Song: "Stop! In the Name of Love" | ||||
| 6 | "The Good, the Bad & the Broccoli" | Larry DiTillio | October 21, 1989 | |
|
The band has their first encounter with Lick Broccoli and his band of vegetables. Songs: "Ain't That Peculiar", "Baby Love" | ||||
| 7 | "Abracadabra Beebop" | Rowby Goren | October 28, 1989 | |
|
Beebop desires to leave the band and become a full-time magician. Songs: "I Like It Like That", "I Can't Get Next to You", "Do You Believe in Magic" | ||||
| 8 | "The Grape Outdoors" | Larry DiTillio | November 4, 1989 | |
|
The raisins go on a camping trip. Songs: "You're All I Need to Get By", "The Wanderer" "Oh How Happy" | ||||
| 9 | "Rocket n' Rollin' Raisins" | Rowby Goren | November 11, 1989 | |
|
The band plays at a futuristic club, only to discover they're being launched into outer space! Songs: "You Keep Me Hangin' On", "Mashed Potato Time", "Going to a Go-Go" | ||||
| 10 | "Hold That Jungle" | Rowby Goren | November 18, 1989 | |
|
The band heads to the jungles of Africa for a wild expedition. Songs: "Nowhere to Run", "Quicksand", "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" | ||||
| 11 | "Olivera Street" | Larry DiTillio | November 25, 1989 | |
|
The raisins are given a star on the sidewalk of the world-famous "Olivera Street." Songs: "Sir Duke", "I'll Be Doggone", "Let's Get Serious" | ||||
| 12 | "Picture-Perfect Shirelle" | Rowby Goren | December 2, 1989 | |
|
Shirelle becomes a model and wants to split with her band-mates. Songs: "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing", "My Cherie Amour", "I Second That Emotion" | ||||
| 13 | "You Can't Grow Home Again" | Larry DiTillio | December 9, 1989 | |
|
A.C, Beebop, and Mom head home for a family reunion. Songs: "(I'm a) Road Runner", "This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You)", "I Just Want to Celebrate" | ||||
Home media
editOn November 15, 2011, Hen's Tooth Video released The California Raisins Collection on DVD in Region 1 for the first time. The 2-disc set features all 13 episodes of the series as well as the two original claymation specials, Meet the Raisins! and The Raisins: Sold Out!: The California Raisins II, along with 4 original TV ads.[3]
References
edit- ^ Perlmutter, David (2018). The Encyclopedia of American Animated Television Shows. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 104. ISBN 978-1538103739.
- ^ Will Vinton Biography, Filmography and Awards WillVinton.net. Retrieved on 5-14-11.
- ^ "California Raisins DVD news: Announcement for California Raisins – The California Raisins Collection". TVShowsOnDVD.com. Archived from the original on November 24, 2011. Retrieved February 20, 2012.
External links
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