Rupert (TV series)
| Company type | Television series |
|---|---|
| Industry | Animation, Children's entertainment |
| Predecessor | Rupert Bear (character) |
| Founded | 7 September 1991 |
| Defunct | 19 June 1997 |
| Products | Animated television series |
| Parent | Nelvana, Ellipse Programme (seasons 1–3), TVS Television (season 1), Scottish Television (seasons 2–5) |
Rupert is an animated children's television series created through a Canadian-British-French collaboration, inspired by the character Rupert Bear originally developed by Mary Tourtel. The show aired from 7 September 1991 until 19 June 1997, comprising 65 episodes each lasting thirty minutes. Production was handled by Nelvana, with the first three seasons co-produced alongside Ellipse Programme. The series was made in partnership with YTV Canada, Inc. for seasons one through three and season five, as well as ITV regional broadcasters TVS Television for the initial season and Scottish Television for seasons two to five.
Synopsis
Rupert is depicted as an intelligent and clever bear with a global circle of friends. Residing in the quaint village of Nutwood, he embarks on worldwide journeys that involve cultural exploration, thrilling adventures, puzzle-solving, and confronting antagonists. The animation style incorporates influences from European and Nordic traditions, showcasing elements like castles, fortresses, traditional costumes, and folklore creatures such as elves and the Loch Ness Monster. The scenery draws inspiration from northern Wales, particularly the areas of Snowdonia and the Vale of Clwyd.
Rupert's family
- Rupert Bear is portrayed as clever, courageous, and resourceful, enjoying great popularity in Nutwood. He occasionally breaks the fourth wall to engage directly with the audience.
- Mr. Bear, Rupert’s father, is characterized by his forgetfulness and clumsiness and is often seen smoking a pipe. In the episode "Firebird," it is revealed that he serves in Nutwood’s Fire Brigade alongside Podgy’s father.
- Mrs. Bear, Rupert’s mother, offers wisdom and guidance that Rupert frequently relies on during his escapades.
Recurring characters
- Bill Badger is Rupert’s closest companion; despite his flaws such as timidity, impatience, and awkwardness, he remains steadfastly loyal. He has a younger brother named Toby.
- Podgy Pig is a friendly but gluttonous pig whose large appetite sometimes leads to complications. Rupert consistently stands by him.
- Pong Ping is a Pekingese dog from China who owns an underground lift connecting to his homeland and possesses deep knowledge of both culture and mathematics.
- Tiger Lily is Rupert’s Chinese female friend and the sole human pupil at Nutwood school; her family has expertise in magical artifacts.
- Algy Pug is a self-important pug who often overestimates his abilities but proves to be a reliable ally.
- Edward Trunk is an elephant who counts Rupert among his friends; he is kind-hearted and strong, frequently helping his father with plumbing work.
- Gregory Guinea Pig is an anxious yet brave guinea pig who supports his companions when necessary.
- Ottoline Otter hails from Scotland and lives in an ancestral castle full of hidden passages she skillfully explores; she has a passion for Shakespeare.
- Freddy and Ferdy Fox are twin foxes known for their mischievous antics around Nutwood.
- Constable Growler is a dog serving as a police officer who patrols on a bicycle; he insists on strict adherence to rules and aids Rupert in apprehending wrongdoers.
- The Professor is an eccentric human scientist residing in Nutwood’s castle tower who creates extraordinary inventions; Rupert often assists him in his experiments. His signature phrase is: "Think of the possibilities, my boy(s)!"
- The Sage of Um is a cheerful wizard from the island of Um who travels using an inverted umbrella; he has ties to Tiger Lily’s father.
- Odmedod is a talking scarecrow living on Farmer Turbit’s land and counts Rupert among his friends.
- Reika is a Swiss girl from Lapland responsible for caring for Santa Claus’s reindeer; she shares friendship with Rupert and Pong Ping.
Antagonists
- Billy Blizzard is a determined adversary who wields a magical whistle to immobilize the snow inhabitants and King Frost at the North Pole, with the goal of usurping control.
- Sir Humphrey Pumphrey is an uncompromising adventurer driven by the pursuit of wealth for his own benefit.
Voice cast
- Ben Sandford voiced Rupert Bear in 1991
- Julie Lemieux provided the voice of Rupert Bear from 1992 to 1997
- Guy Bannerman portrayed Mr. Bear
- Lally Cadeau played Mrs. Bear during 1991–1992
- Valerie Boyle took over as Mrs. Bear from 1992 to 1997
- Torquil Campbell voiced Bill Badger
- Hadley Kay was the voice of Podgy Pig
- Keith White portrayed Algy Pug
- Oscar Hsu lent his voice to Pong Ping
- Stephanie Morgenstern voiced Tiger Lily
- Wayne Robson played the Sage of Um
- Colin Fox was cast as Professor
- Chris Wiggins provided voices for the Chinese Emperor, Chinese Conjuror, Captain Bill, and others
- Ho Chow voiced Tung Lai
- Jeremy Ratchford portrayed Botkin
- Peter Wildman played Mr. Ribbons and Captain Sir
- Dan Hennessey was Tom
- Stephen Ouimette contributed additional voices
- Kristin LeMunyon voiced Clarice
- Allen Stewart-Coates performed as Cedric Pig, Constable Growler, and other characters
- Keith Knight provided voices for Timid Snowman, Mr. Chimp, The Sandman, among others
- Rick Jones was Yum
- Marla Lukofsky voiced Phoebe
- Colin O'Meara portrayed Billy Blizzard and additional roles
Production
Nelvana, Ellipse Programmé, and TVS collaborated on producing the series for its initial season. Following TVS’s franchise loss, production responsibilities shifted to Scottish Television starting with the second season.
Broadcast
In Canada, the show was syndicated on YTV. It premiered in the United States on Nickelodeon's Nick Jr. block in 1995 before transitioning to CBS's Saturday morning lineup in 1999. From 2007 until 2020, reruns aired on Disney Channel’s Playhouse Disney, Toon Disney, and Qubo.
Within the United Kingdom, broadcasts occurred on CITV, Tiny Pop, and KidsCo. During the 1990s in Portugal, RTP featured the series. Australia’s ABC and Nickelodeon Australia, as well as New Zealand's TV2, also included it in their programming schedules. In Ireland, it was part of RTÉ's children's segment The Den.
Across South America, Brazil’s TV Cultura aired the show between 1998 and 2006, experiencing peak viewership from 2002 to 2004. South African channels Bop TV and M-Net incorporated it into their K-T.V. blocks. Zimbabwe’s ZBC and ZTV, Kenya’s KBC, and Namibia’s NBC also broadcast episodes.
On a global scale, Rupert was presented on Dubai 33 in the UAE, RTB in Brunei, KUAM-LP in Guam, Saudi 2 in Saudi Arabia, and Spacetoon throughout the Arab region from 2000 to 2014 in Arabic.
Theme and closing song
The series’ opening and ending themes were composed by Milan Kymlicka, drawing inspiration from Robert Schumann's piece The Happy Farmer, Returning from Work in F major, Op. 68, No. 10.
For its U.S. Nickelodeon broadcast, an alternate theme named Rupert's Number One was introduced featuring lyrics sung during the introduction with an instrumental conclusion; this version was co-written by Sheree Jeacocke and Gerry Mosby.
Feature film version
Nelvana announced plans in 2000 for a feature-length Hollywood adaptation of Rupert aimed at release between 2001 and 2002; however, this project ultimately did not come to fruition.