VeggieTales

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VeggieTales
Created byPhil Vischer
Mike Nawrocki
Country of origin United States
Original languageEnglish
No. of episodes(list of episodes)
Production
Running time1993 - present
Production companyBig Idea Productions
Original release
NetworkNBC
Release1993 from 2007 –
present

VeggieTales is a series of English language children's computer animated films featuring anthropomorphic vegetables and conveying moral themes based on Christianity and often compatible with Judaism. VeggieTales was created by Phil Vischer and Mike Nawrocki, who also provide many of the voices. It is produced by Big Idea. VeggieTales has also been released as books, games, and many other branded items such as toys and clothing. Additionally, the series has been adapted for television broadcast.

History

The first VeggieTales video was released in 1993, and was the U.S.'s first completely computer animated video widely distributed in VHS format.[1] Since then, the VeggieTales videos have sold well over 50 million copies. In addition to the videos, there are also books, games, and toys. Big Idea went bankrupt in 2003 after they released Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie. The company was bought out of bankruptcy by Classic Media, L.L.C. in 2003 and was moved to Franklin, Tennessee in 2004. In January 2007 Big Idea, Inc. was purchased by Entertainment Rights PLC when ER acquired Classic Media LLC.

Most VeggieTales videos follow a set pattern. The presenters (Bob the Tomato and Larry the Cucumber) set up a moral situation, often arising from a letter from a viewer at home. There is then a discussion among several of the main characters as to how this is best answered. Inevitably, they get to the point where they "roll the video". There is usually an intermission for a "Silly Song with Larry", and at the end the presenters return to wrap up the moral lesson with an applicable "memory verse" as delivered from QWERTY, the computer. Generally, Bob is the straight man to Larry's sillier character. Larry usually gets the best of the sometimes overly serious Bob.

The internal stories themselves are often based on biblical, literary, or popular stories, sometimes transferred to a different setting (for example, Madame Blueberry draws inspiration from Madame Bovary; Sumo of the Opera teaches about perseverance by retelling Rocky mixed with The Karate Kid and The Mikado; and Dave and the Giant Pickle retells the story of King David's encounter with the Philistine Goliath in First Samuel.)

VeggieTales often replaces content in the source material that the producers deem inappropriate for children (such as violence and sexuality) with something innocuous. For example, in King George and the Ducky, a retelling of the story of David and Bathsheba, the object of the king's desire is not a woman but a rubber ducky, and rather than setting up the original owner of the duck to be killed in battle, the king sends him to a food fight where he acquires a temporarily incapacitating case of post-traumatic stress disorder (also presented fairly innocently). Likewise in The Ballad of Little Joe, a retelling of the story of Joseph, Potiphar's wife (a stage performer) tries to persuade Joe to steal a bag of gold.

Videos and theatrical films

Big Idea has released 34 VeggieTales episodes to date. Of these, three are Silly Song collections, three are holiday specials, and one a drawing tutorial. The remaining episodes generally follow the standard format where a moral issue is posited in the opening countertop sequence followed by one or more "films" that address the issue. In addition to these episodes, there are five compilations that combine previously released material, and two feature length movies. The format of the videos changed slightly in 2004, as videos published after The Ballad of Little Joe run an average of 45 minutes instead of 30 as with Little Joe and before.

Compilations

Feature-length films

  • Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie (2002): Archibald Asparagus stars as Jonah in this version of the Biblical story. The Veggies learn that God is a God of second chances, and that we need to give second chances too and has full of compassionate and merciful

Episodes

  1. Where's God When I'm S-Scared? (1993): Junior learns that he doesn't need to be afraid because God is bigger than any monster, as well as a retelling of the Bible story of Daniel and the Lion's Den. Its theme is handling fear.
  2. God Wants Me To Forgive Them!?! (1994): Bob and Larry learn what it means to forgive through parodies of The Grapes of Wrath and Gilligan's Island. Its theme is forgiveness.
  3. Are You My Neighbor? (1995): The Veggies learn what "loving your neighbor" really means through a Dr. Seuss-style retelling of the Biblical story of The Good Samaritan and a parody of Star Trek. Its theme is loving one's neighbor.
  4. Rack, Shack, and Benny (1995): A retelling of the Biblical story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego being thrown into the fiery furnace with the VeggieTales characters as workmen in a chocolate factory who stand up for what's right. Its theme is handling peer pressure.
  5. Dave and the Giant Pickle (1996): Starring Junior as Dave who learns that "little guys can do big things, too" in a retelling of story of David and Goliath. Its theme is self-esteem.
  6. The Toy that Saved Christmas (1996): The veggies learn the true meaning of Christmas with the help of Grandpa George and a Buzz-Saw Louie action figure. Its theme is giving.
  7. Very Silly Songs! (1997): A collection of Silly Songs and other songs from the first five VeggieTales episodes. Originally titled "A Very Silly Sing-Along."
  8. Larry-Boy and the Fib from Outer Space! (1997): This lesson on honesty features Larry as a plunger-headed hero who must defeat a Fib that is rampaging out of control. Larry-Boy is a spoof on Batman. The theme is telling the truth.
  9. Josh and the Big Wall! (1997): Larry stars as Joshua in this retelling of the Biblical story of the Battle of Jericho, highlighting the importance of obedience. The theme is obedience.
  10. Madame Blueberry (1998): Madame Blueberry falls victim to her own greed and learns to be thankful in a parody of Madame Bovary. Its theme is thankfulness.
  11. The End of Silliness? (1998): Larry has a nervous breakdown after he finds out that the "Silly Songs with Larry" segment of the show has been cancelled in this second Silly Songs collection.
  12. Larry-Boy and the Rumor Weed (1999): Junior Asparagus and Laura Carrot learn about the dangers of spreading rumors as Larry-Boy battles a weed besmirching Alfred's reputation. Its theme is the power of words.
  13. King George and the Ducky (2000): Larry stars as King George, whose obsession with rubber ducks teaches a lesson on selfishness and its impact in a retelling of the story of David and Bathsheba. Its theme is selfishness.
  14. Esther... The Girl Who Became Queen (2000): Esther saves her family from endless tickling and learns a lesson on courage in a retelling of the Biblical story of Esther. Its theme is courage.
  15. Lyle the Kindly Viking (2001): Junior stars as Lyle, a Viking who secretly returns his share of the loot in this parody of a Gilbert and Sullivan musical. The first segment of this lesson on sharing is a parody of Hamlet. Its theme is sharing.
  16. The Ultimate Silly Song Countdown (2001): In the third Silly Song collection, the Pirates Who Don't Do Anything present a compilation of the viewers' top 10 favorite Silly Songs.
  17. Jonah Sing-Along Songs and More! (2002): A collection of songs, mainly from Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie.
  18. The Star of Christmas (2002): Starring Bob and Larry as Cavis and Millward, two theater proprietors whose extravagant production threatens to overwhelm Edmund's (Junior's) modest pageant on opening night.
  19. The Wonderful World of Auto-Tainment! (2003): Bob and Larry imagine the future of entertainment and learn a valuable lesson in this musical collection.
  20. The Ballad of Little Joe (2003): Larry stars as Little Joe exercising faith in the face of hardship in this retelling of the Biblical story of Joseph set in the American Old West, which is partially a parody of Bonanza and perhaps even Gunsmoke. Its theme is facing hardship.
  21. An Easter Carol (2004): Based on the Charles Dickens classic A Christmas Carol, this is a sequel to The Star of Christmas, climaxing in the clearest presentation of the gospel in the series. Its lessons include hope, faith, and the Resurrection.
  22. A Snoodle's Tale (2004): Kids learn that God made them special in an homage to Dr. Seuss and features a parody of "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde". Its theme is self-worth.
  23. Bob and Larry's How to Draw! (2004): Kids of all ages learn to draw with Larry and writer/director/artist Joe Spadaford.
  24. Sumo of the Opera (2004): Larry stars as the Italian Scallion, a Sumo wrestler who learns to persevere in this cross between Rocky, The Mikado, and The Karate Kid. Its theme is perseverance.
  25. Duke and the Great Pie War (2005): Larry stars as Duke who must rescue the second half of the golden duck. based loosely on the story of Ruth as well as a retelling of the childhood story of Moses from Miriam's viewpoint. Its theme is loving one's family.
  26. Minnesota Cuke and the Search for Samson's Hairbrush (2005): In a parody of Indiana Jones, Minnesota Cuke (Larry) searches for the great ancient relic, Samson's Hairbrush, in the catacombs under the town of Seville. Its theme is dealing with bullies.
  27. Lord of the Beans (2005): Toto Baggypants (Junior) and the Fellowship Of The Bean journey through Center-Earth to discover the purpose of Toto's gift in this parody of The Lord of the Rings. Its theme is using God's gifts well.
  28. Sheerluck Holmes and the Golden Ruler (2006): Larry stars as detective Sheerluck Holmes who must solve the mystery of the missing Golden Ruler in this Sherlock Holmes parody. Its theme is friendship.
  29. LarryBoy and the Bad Apple (2006): In Larry-Boy's third adventure he must overcome temptation and defeat The Bad Apple who attempts to lure the citizens of Bumblyburg into her trap by preying on their specific weaknesses. Its theme is temptation.
  30. Gideon: Tuba Warrior (2006): Larry stars in this episode based on a Biblical story of Gideon. Its theme is trusting God.
  31. Moe and the Big Exit (2007): Larry stars in the Biblical story of Moses told as a parody of The Lone Ranger and set years after The Ballad of Little Joe. Its theme is following directions.
  32. God Made You Special (2007):Bob and Larry decide to make a show about how God Made You Special.
  33. The Wonderful Wizard of Ha's (2007): Junior Asparagus stars in a parody of The Wizard of Oz
  34. The Pirates Who Dont Do Anything Sing-Along Songs And More! (2007)

Upcoming Films

Unproduced script

The Bob & Larry Movie was written in 2002 by Phil Vischer, and was put into pre-production after Jonah, but was canceled due to the bankruptcy.[2] Classic Media, who now owns the rights to VeggieTales and this script, is possibly interested in producing it.[3] The story line is about how Bob The Tomato and Larry The Cucumber meet and get their own show. It also features CGI human characters.

VeggieTales Live

The VeggieTales characters (left to right) of Mr. Lunt, Pa Grape, and Larry the Cucumber on the main stage at the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers during the Celebrate Freedom 2007 concert on September 1, 2007 dressed in costume for their new film The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything: A VeggieTales Movie that was released on January 11, 2008.

VeggieTales Live is a series of stage shows based on the VeggieTales videos. Over the years there have been about 5 different versions of the shows. Some versions of the show have toured across the U.S. and others have been made for theme parks like Dollywood and Silver Dollar City.

TV airings

Veggietales episodes and the movie have aired on different stations. Below lists the places it has aired:

  • PAX TV aired the VeggieTales Christmas Spectacular which was The Star of Christmas, along with an extra "hosting" portion where Bob and Larry and trying to find the tape of the show. The entire PAX TV special is on the Holiday Double Feature DVD and The Toy That Saved Christmas DVD.
  • PBS aired The Star of Christmas along with Barney's Christmas Special and Arthur's Perfect Christmas. The show was uncut.
  • TBN has aired Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie on TBN, and it is on the promotional commercial for Smile of a Child. TBN has also aired The Veggietales Christmas Spectacular and The Star of Christmas.

TV Format

The "VeggieTales" TV series follows a similar format to the videos. The show opens with Bob greeting the kids and inviting them over to his house. Then he, Larry, and other veggies (Archibald Asparagus, Junior Asparagus, Mr. Lunt, Pa Grape, and Jimmy Gourd) sing the show's theme song as they hop to Bob's front door. At the end of the theme song Pa Grape makes a comment about Archibald's new sweater. (There's a different comment in each episode.)

The show opens to Bob's living room where Bob says "Hi Kids! Welcome to VeggieTales!". Followed by Larry saying "On TV!" The two wait for the mailman, Jimmy Gourd, to deliver their letter. When Jimmy comes, he happily sings his Mail Song, which Bob and Larry both find tedious. Then instead of handing the letter the Bob and Larry, he insists on cramming it through the mail slot.

Bob and Larry read their letter and try to decide how to solve the viewer's problem. One of their neighbors comes in and attempts to solve it. One of three things happen. Archibald will read a story from his Big Book of Oddities (which he got from Oprah's Book Club), Pa Grape will show an old film, or Mr. Lunt will appear as Paco the Storytelling Mule (a stick puppet) and tell a story. The result always proves disastrous, as the story or film makes no sense. Bob intervenes with a story from a VeggieTales episode to solve the problem. (Some episodes include Silly Songs with Larry). Afterwards Bob and Larry wrap things up by reiterating the story's lesson and thanking the kids for coming to his house.

In some episodes the format is slightly altered. In the VeggieTales: Lord of the Beans episode Bob and Larry had to talk really slow. In fact, Larry had to walk to the front door and thus, interrupting Jimmy's "Mail Song".

"qubo" controversy

The VeggieTales episodes have been edited for broadcast to remove all references to God at the request of NBC's standards and practices department. (Although, for some reason, the religious references have remained intact in the closed-captions accompanying each episode.) The removal of specific religious references has drawn criticism from the Christian conservative watch group Parents Television Council, which has complained to NBC for the edited VeggieTales episodes. VeggieTales creator Phil Vischer has also expressed discontent with the edits, stating that he was not informed that religious content would be removed from the series until after the qubo deal was finalized, and he would have refused to sign the contract if he had known of this beforehand. "I would have declined partly because I knew a lot of fans would feel like it was a sellout or it was done for money," he explains. Still, Vischer adds that he understands NBC's wish to remain religiously neutral, commenting, "VeggieTales is religious, NBC is not. I want to focus people more on 'Isn't it cool that Bob and Larry are on television.'"[4] Due to numerous parent complaints, however, NBC finally relented and decided to stop cutting all references of God out. So when the second batch of episodes were sent to the network (and ending for Madame Blueberry), all biblical references were left intact.

Continuing Characters

Main article: List of VeggieTales characters

VeggieTales has a continuous back story that all of the cartoons are actually teleplays, performed by various vegetables and fruit that live together on the same kitchen countertop. Some of these characters have "real names", and take on various roles in the teleplays, although they will also frequently appear as themselves. Most of these "regulars" were established in the very earliest videos.

Spin-offs

Trivia

  • The Larry-Boy Cartoon series was the only Big Idea video that exclusively used traditional 2D animation. According to Vischer, in addition to 3-2-1 Penguins!, this project was started as a means to provide additional funding to the company during production budget overruns of Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie.
  • The VeggieTales series ranked #1 on The Top Christian Cartoon Series List. [citation needed]
  • King George and the Ducky and following episodes were animated with the 3D software Maya. Shows prior to that were animated using Softimage. Most were rendered using SGI computers.
  • Prior to the 2003 bankruptcy, all production was done with an in-house computer animation staff. After Classic bought the company, they outsourced all production to IDT Entertainment (now Starz Media) in Toronto.

Parodies

  • Saturday Night Live parodied VeggieTales in a "TV Funhouse" computer animated cartoon called, "The Religetables", which is similar to "VeggieTales", only the stories center on scandals and violence in the world of religion (Episode 532). Original Airdate: November 16, 2002 (QuickTime)
  • There have been three references to VeggieTales on The Simpsons.
    • 1. Season 12 Episode 9, entitled "HOMR," the Simpson family visits an animation convention and Bob and Larry are shown on one of the booths. Original air date: January 7, 2001
    • 2. Season 15 Episode 5, entitled, "The Fat and the Furriest," Homer, Bart and Lisa are walking outside of the "Sprawl-Mart," and in the front window are a cluster of television sets. On the TV sets a cucumber Moses says, "Mighty Yamses, we are weary of building your food pyramid. Let my pickles go!" To which Homer comments, "Mmmm...Moses." Original air date: November 30, 2003
    • 3. Season 16 Episode 9, entitled, "Pranksta Rap," the Simpsons' dog has swallowed the TV remote and every time he barks the channel changes. After one of his barks the channel changes to a program called, "The Salad of the Christ," in which a peach is in the Christ position, carrying the cross upon his back and carrot guards are whipping him. Original Airdate: February 13, 2005
  • Bob and Larry make a cameo in the episode "Jellyfish Jam" on SpongeBob SquarePants in a picture frame. [citation needed].
  • Drawn Together Season Two episode "Clum Babies", a parody of Bob and Larry, aptly named Bob the Cucumber and Larry the Tomato, attempt to stop Wooldoor from masturbating and using his Clum Babies as a cure of disease. Bob the Cucumber eventually goes on a shooting spree, killing everyone in the house except Wooldoor, before a Clum Baby cures him of his psychosis. Bob then kills himself when he sees what he's done.

Albums

  • Silly Songs with Larry (2001)
  • A Very Veggie Easter (2006)
  • VeggieTunes 1 (1993)
  • VeggieTunes 2 (1996)
  • VeggieTunes 3: A Queen, a King, and a Very Blue Berry (2000)
  • VeggieTunes 4 (2004)
  • Larry-Boy: The Original Soundtrack (1999)
  • Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie Soundtrack (2002)
  • A Very Veggie Christmas (1996)
  • The Incredible Singing Christmas Tree (2002)
  • Veggie Rocks!(2004)
  • VeggieTales Worship Songs (2006)
  • Bob and Larry Sing The 70's (2005)
  • Boyz in the Sink (2004)
  • Pirates Boatload of Fun
  • On the Road with Bob and Larry
  • Bob and Larry's Sunday Morning Songs
  • Bob and Larry's Backyard Party
  • O Veggie, Where Art Thou?
  • Bob and Larry's Campfire Songs
  • Junior's Bedtime Songs
  • Junior's Playtime Songs
  • More Sunday Morning Songs with Bob and Larry
  • Bob and Larry's Toddler Songs
  • LarryBoy: The New Soundtrack (2006)
  • The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything Original Movie Soundtrack (2008)
  • God Made You Special (2007)
  • Christian Hits Music (2007)

Notes

  1. ^ http://www.thinkpersonality.com/archives/2006/09/learning_from_m_1.html
  2. ^ Vischer, P: "Me, Myself & Bob", page 187. Nelson Books, 2006 ISBN 0-7852-2207-1
  3. ^ http://www.dvdverdict.com/interviews/veggietales
  4. ^ http://www.cnn.com/2006/SHOWBIZ/TV/09/22/veggietales.controversy.ap/index.html


External links

Wikiquote has quotations related to VeggieTales.
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