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Rugrats and Class of 3000: Difference between pages From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (Difference between pages) Jump to navigationJump to search Revision as of 21:23, 19 August 2007 (view source) 68.44.92.82 (talk) Revision as of 12:25, 18 August 2007 (edit) Tozoku (talk | contribs) m (rv speculated similarities) Line 1:	Line 1:

Rugrats is an animated television series that ran on Nickelodeon and it was one of the first three Nicktoons: after Doug and before Ren & Stimpy.

Premise
The show revolves around four toddlers, Tommy Pickles, Chuckie Finster and the twins Phillip (Phil) and Lillian (Lil) DeVille, who are able to communicate to each other in baby speak (although viewers can understand them, because it is supposedly 'translated'). Often, they mispronounce words or use poor grammar. Despite the toddlers' inability and lack of desire to communicate with adults, they can understand their parents' speaking, although they often misunderstand what they hear, usually by taking metaphors literally and speaking in malapropisms. Angelica Pickles, at age three, is able to communicate and understand language from both the toddlers and the adults, which she often uses as an advantage when she wants to manipulate either party. Class of 3000 is an American Comedy animated television series on Cartoon Network that is created, executive produced by and stars André 3000 of the hip-hop group OutKast as superstar and music teacher Sunny Bridges, set at Atlanta, Georgia's Westley School of Performing Arts. Mr. Bridges is a jazz and blues artist who occasionally lectures in Atlanta's Little Five Points neighborhood. The series made its world premiere (previously advertised as a live premiere with performances by Chris Brown) on November 3, 2006 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT with a one-hour special and came to Cartoon Network UK on May 28, 2007. The show was co-created and developed by Veteran Producer Thomas W. Lynch (South of Nowhere, The Secret World of Alex Mack, and The Journey of Allen Strange, The Jersey, Romeo!, and Kids Inc.) & Patric M. Verrone. Sunny and his students are all musical and always play musical instruments together (mostly the students). The show focuses on only 8 of the school's 3,000 students.

Production
It was the network's second Nicktoon. The series was in production from 1991 to 1994, and again from 1996 to 2004. It aired in Nickelodeon's Snick block from 1997-2000 and it also aired on Nick Jr's block. It is the longest lasting Nicktoon to date at thirteen years of longevity. Rugrats received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in a ceremony on June 28, 2001.

Main Characters
The show airs in the UK on CITV and Nickelodeon UK as well as in Canada on YTV. In Australia, it can be seen on Nickelodeon Australia.

Sunny Bridges
The hometown hero of Li'l D, Sunny is a musical genius who left Georgia to become a recording artist. Over the years in the employment of his money-grabbing manager, however, he lost his passion for music and returned to his old neighborhood. He intended to go into permanent retirement; instead, Li'l D convinces him to become the new music teacher at Westley School of Performing Arts. Sunny is devoted to his students, but he is forced to keep a low profile in order to avoid media attention. Sunny is known to have a crush on Leela Lopez. While he can play many instruments, his favorite is the saxophone. He has mentioned that he owns over 65,000 shirts. His shoe closet was also mentioned to be able to be seen from space. Sunny's character is loosely based on Jazz Saxophonist Sonny Rollins, both in his appearance and personality, and strongly based on the show's creator & voice actor, André 3000.

Li'l D
Li'l D proclaims himself as the unofficial leader of the Westley School's music class, whether they like it or not. He is bright, talented, confident to a fault, and is incredibly tenacious when it comes to music. Through sheer determination (as well as breaking and entering), he manages to recruit Sunny Bridges as the class's new music teacher. Although Li'l D considers himself remarkably streetwise, his overconfidence often leads him into trouble. He is considered the shortest member of the class (despite being taller than Kim and Eddie if not for his hair), standing about 4'6". Li'l D has never met his father, although he doesn't seem bothered by it. He likes to say, "Then it's settled." after he thinks that a plan was agreed upon (whether or not it actually was) which usually results in something horrible happening, and on occasion he will say "Let's crank this thang up!" His instrument is the drums. In some songs, he plays a different instrument like in The Hunt for Red Blobtober. He is 12 years old.

Tamika Jones
Voluptuous and aggressive, Tamika makes it her business to keep the other students in line, giving her the title of "Toughest Girl in School". She is also extremely stubborn; the slightest misstep is grounds for a threatening fist. "Prove It or Move It" is her trademark phrase, but is not sure what to do if someone chooses "Prove It." Despite her sharp tongue and threatening disposition, Tamika shares a close bond with her classmates and will protect them as often as she bullies them. Eddie is in love with her. Her instrument is the harp. When she has to walk during the song, she has a guitar. In throwdown, she also says she plays the guitar. She didn't mention her harp. But in the episode Tamika and the Beast she shows a soft and sensitive side. She is 12 years old.

Kam Chin
He is Kim's twin brother and her polar opposite, born in Columbus, Ohio and is of some Asian decent. He and his sister are the youngest of the Westley Side School 1st Years and he is considered to be the smartest in school. He generally projects an air of refinement and class -- or so he would like to think. He is the most mature of the Westley kids (and often the most ignored). Kam tends to be interested in many dull things such as high-grade bread. He is very eager about learning to the point that if Sunny is late to class, his brain is hurting from not learning. It was apparently pressure from Kam and Kim's father that forged Kam's uptight attitude. Kam has an irrational fear of hang gliding into a flock of angry mallards. He has had heartburn, head lice, and a caterpillar once laid eggs in his ear canal. His head lice is explained by him going to the same barbershop that Philly Phil goes to. He also seems to be very selfish. He has also been bitten on the head by a mountain goat. He does not have any sweat glands (and doesn't take showers because of this) and he goes insane whenever he is too hot, as shown in Study Buddies. His instrument is the keyboard or the piano. In Love Is in the Hair...Net, he plays the accordion. He is presumibly 12 years old.

Kim Chin
She is Kam's twin sister and his polar opposite down to even their instruments. She and Kam are the youngest of the Westley Side School 1st Years and she is the shortest, despite Li'l D's reputation as the "shortest member of the class". Kim sometimes feels that fashion is more of a concern than music and loves to follow fashion trends. She is very energetic, sometimes to the point of mischief, sleeps with a stuffed rabbit due to her fear of the dark, and loves to torment her more old-fashioned sibling. Generally, though, she has the better common sense and is extremely creative. She was born in Columbus, Ohio and is of some Asian decent. Her instrument is the marimba, also with other percussion instruments. She is presumibly 12 years old.

Philly Phil
Brilliant and imaginative, the only known teen and oldest of the group at 13 tends to stand out for his unusual fashion sense. He can invent useful devices on the spot, although they often malfunction. Though Li'l D and the other students do not fully understand Phil's many eccentricities, they are willing to accept him as one of their own. In later episodes he is shown to be a bit of an outcast. Philly Phil has an appetite for any type of food, particularly sweets such as chocolate. His height doesn't seem to be consistent from episode to episode (He was about as tall as Principal Luna in The Hunt for Red Blobtober and only a few inches taller than Madison in Funky Monkey). On Eddie's Money, he is shown to have a decent singing voice. His instrument is the double bass, also with the bass guitar. In Free Philly, it is revealed that he is very weak and needs the help of technology, though on Big Robot on Campus it shows that he is fairly strong and can use his own physical strength.

Edward "Eddie" Phillip James Lawrence III
The richest kid in the school, being the heir to the Lawrence fortune (according to the first episode, his father is the head of the Earth division of "Coca Cola"). A cultured aristocrat, he has something of a high-and-mighty attitude concerning the other students, naively believing that all problems can be solved with money. However, he is not above using his wealth to help his friends. He is not completely spoiled, either. When Philly Phil's machine tells him he should never have a job because his dad is rich, Eddie says, "But I want to get a job!" He is the only character to have ten fingers at any time (he will usually have eight, but for at least one scene he has had 10. Eddie's explanation for his 10 fingers is that it is due to his wealth). He is in love with Tamika, as suggested in Home and Westley Side Story and confirmed by Tamika in Love is in the Hair...Net. Eddie has spoken of having Swiss ancestry. His instrument is the clarinet. He also plays many horns and woodwinds such as the Trombone seen in The Devil and Lil'D. He is either 12 or 13 years old. He speaks in a Southern accent.

Madison Spaghettini Papadopoulos
She is cheerful, upbeat and extremely optomistic as is evidenced from her perpetually vacant smile, and has a bit of a Southern drawl like Eddie; however, her flower-child appearance belies the perceptive mind behind it. She is always happy or thrilled no matter what happens, even if she gets hurt. Madison has a huge imagination and usually can't concentrate on what's really supposed to be done. She loves the company of many animals and small creatures. She claims to get frizzy hair when love is in the air. In the pilot episode she mentions that she has a grandmother who is of Colombian descent. Her instrument is the violin. Madison can tie shoes with her feet. She is 12 years old.

Secondary Characters

 * Principal Luna: The principal at Westley School of Performing Arts. He seems to be of Hispanic descent. He has a tendency to over-use the word "fantastic" and is always trying to make money for the school. He has a crush on the substitute lunch lady, Ms. Squatenchowder. He owns 36 out of the only known 37 of a rare type of spatula. Luna sometimes tries to rival Sunny for coolness. He is voiced by Jeff Bennett.
 * Cheddar Man: also known as Charles, is one of Sunny's friends. He specialises in selling cheeses, fixing helicopters, doing teeth, and being a Con Artist. He's something of a shady character and is often seen selling contraband goods and services out of his car, like "Mr. Bristle" action figures that are really used toothbrushes, and bootleg movies which he shoots and in which he plays every part. He is known to be part of Sunny's old band, the "Sunny Bridges' Funkaneers," He has also been the kid's manager in "Am I Blue?". He is voiced by Phil LaMarr.
 * Leela Lopez: Another teacher at Westley's. She has a crush on Sunny while Sunny has love interest in her. Leela teaches the Westley modern dance class, but unfortunately always has no luck in teaching her unskillful students. Voiced by Jennifer Hale.
 * Petunia Squatenchowder: The substitute lunch lady at Westley's known for serving the grossest lunches ever. Principal Luna has a crush on her but she has developed a crush on Sunny also. Then she falls in love with Luna after a fight with Sunny. Voiced by Tom Kenny.
 * Jan: Jan is a Swedish janitor at Westley. He is a former member of Sunny Funkaneers. He has a secret chocolate treasure. He likes to play Swedish air guitar in his free time. He also made bootleg merchandise on one occasion. Jan is always the one who has to clean up all the messes that people cause, no matter how wacko it is.

Season 1

 * 1-2. Home
 * 3. Peanuts! Get Yer Peanuts!
 * 4. The Devil and Li'l D
 * 5. Funky Monkey
 * 6. The Hunt for Red Blobtober
 * 7. Eddie's Money
 * 8. Brotha From the Third Rock
 * 9. Westley Side Story
 * 10. Love Is in the Hair...Net
 * 11. Am I Blue?
 * 12. Prank Yankers
 * 13. Mini Mentors

Season 2
It is obvious that, each music video is unique and rich in style, the music videos are always animated through different techniques (for example: cardboard cut out, anime, construction paper, etc.).

Songs
Throughout the show, the students play songs, sometimes based on how they feel. There are also instruments viewed and played by the students and others in every episode. A November 3rd Newsday article notes that:"....some creative grown-ups throw down each episode, too, providing distinctive visuals for music videos to Andre Benjamin's original songs performed by the class' kids. 'Ren & Stimpy' wild-man animator John Kricfalusi and classic Parliament-Funkadelic cover artist Overton Loyd do the premiere honors, with subsequent contributions from Marvel Comics' Bill Sienkiewicz and Robotboy director Charlie Bean." Each episode has included at least one song, and usually features a different style of music, such as blues in Eddie's Money, and funk in The Hunt for Red Blobtober. So far, the songs that have premiered are as follows:

Season 1
After the introduction of SpongeBob SquarePants, popularity for Rugrats declined. The Rugrats never had a rival this strong in popularity (many shows were produced during the Rugrats lifetime, but none were as successful as SpongeBob SquarePants). In order to keep its popularity, the studios released several movies and specials, such as the introduction of Dil Pickles and Kimi Finster. Ironically, after these introductions, fans determined that Rugrats jumped the shark. When Nickelodeon declined to renew any more new episodes of Rugrats and All Grown Up, Klasky-Csupo (the studios responsible for Rugrats) closed down most of its operations. At the time of their cancellation, those series were the only Klasky-Csupo series on the Nickelodeon schedule.
 * Life Without Music (Home) - (All Styles) Life Without Music Video
 * Throwdown (Home) - (Hip-Hop) Throwdown Music Video
 * Oh, Peanut (Peanuts! Get Yer Peanuts) - ''(Classic Music)
 * We Want Your Soul (The Devil and Li'l D) - (Trip-hop, Rock)
 * A Richer Shade of Blue (Eddie's Money) - (Blues)
 * Fight the Blob (The Hunt for Red Blobtober) - (Funk, Military Song)
 * Banana Zoo (Funky Monkey) - (Hip-Hop)
 * U.F.O. Ninja (Brotha From the Third Rock) - (Space Music, Oriental Music)

Characters

 * Kim Kam Jam (Westley Side Story) - (Piano jazz with Clapping Beats)
 * Luna Love (Love Is in the Hair. ..Net) - (Latin Music, Love Song)

Episodes

 * The Crayon Song (Am I Blue?) - (Techno)
 * Cool Kitty (Prank Yankers) - (50s-60s pop, Cool Girl Song)

Films

 * My Mentor (Mini Mentors) - (Jazz)

Spinoffs

 * The Carmichaels was a spin-off planned to see Susie move away from California to Atlanta, where she apparently has relatives.

Season 2

 * USA
 * Nickelodeon (1991-2005) (Original Run), (2006-2007)
 * Nicktoons Network (2002-present) (Reruns)
 * Boomerang
 * Farm Song (Too Cool for School) (Bluegrass)
 * UK
 * Children's BBC (Including Live & Kicking) (1993-2004)
 * Nickelodeon (1994-Present)
 * Nicktoons (2002-Present)
 * CITV (2005-present)
 * Clean Up (Nothin To it But To Do It) - (Smooth Jazz, Egyptian Background Music)
 * Australia
 * Nickelodeon (1995-Present)
 * ABC TV
 * ABC2, a digital rerun channel of ABC TV
 * ABC Kids, a short lived digital channel containing the Kids programming from ABC TV
 * Network Ten
 * Philly Phil, Come Home (Free Philly) - (Mid-80's hip hop) (music video)
 * Ireland
 * RTÉ Two
 * Nickelodeon (1994-Present)
 * Nicktoons (2002-Present)
 * CITV (2005-present)
 * Children's BBC (Including Live & Kicking) (1993-2004)
 * Beast Love (Tamika and the Beast) (Drum Battle)
 * Canada
 * Treehouse
 * YTV
 * Rapunzel (Safetly Last) (Medieval Minstrel Music)
 * Malaysia
 * Nickelodeon
 * TV3 (199?-2006)
 * Study Buddies (Study Buddies) (Remixed American History Music)
 * Netherlands
 * Nickelodeon
 * Do Your Pose (The Cure) (Walkway Type Music, slight Jazz and Techno in background)

First Season CD Track List
The first season CD featuring songs from the show was released July 3, 2007.


 * 1) Class of 3000 Theme Song
 * 1) Life Without Music (Home)
 * 1) Throwdown (Home)
 * 1) Oh, Peanuts (Peanuts! Get Yer Peanuts)
 * 1) We Want Your Soul (The Devil and Li'l D)
 * 1) Banana Zoo (Funky Monkey)
 * 1) A Richer Shade of Blue (Eddie's Money)
 * 1) Fight the Blob (The Hunt for Red Blobtober)
 * 1) U.F.O. Ninja (Brotha From the Third Rock)
 * 1) Kim Kam Jam (Westley Side Story)
 * 1) Luna Love (Love Is in the Hair. ..Net)
 * 1) The Crayon Song (Am I Blue?)
 * 1) My Mentor (Mini Mentors)
 * 1) Cool Kitty (Prank Yankers)

Main Cast
Rugrats Rugrats Rugrats Les Razmoket ראגרטס Rugrats Ratjetoe (tekenfilmserie) Rugrats Rugrats Неугомонные детки
 * André 3000 - Sunny Bridges
 * Small Fire - Li'l D
 * Crystal Scales - Tamika Jones
 * Janice Kawaye - Kam, Kim
 * Phil LaMarr - Philly Phil
 * Tom Kenny - Edward “Eddie” Phillip James Lawrence III
 * Jennifer Hale - Madison Spaghettini Papadopoulos
 * Jeff Bennett - Principal Luna and Jan the janitor

Production History
The series made its world premiere (previously advertised as a live premiere with performances by Chris Brown) on November 3, 2006 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT with a one-hour special, came to Cartoon Network UK on May 28, 2007 and premiered on Cartoon Network Australia/New Zealand on February 4th 2008. Due to budget problems the show was cancelled on December 14, 2007, with new episodes airing until May 2008. The show was co-created and developed by Thomas W. Lynch & Patric M. Verrone. It was the only animated children's show on cable television at the time that was written under a Writers Guild of America contract. The show originally revolved around a group of toddlers, Thomas (Tommy) Pickles, Charles (Chuckie) Finster, and the twins Phillip (Phil) and Lillian (Lil) DeVille. The toddlers are able to communicate with each other through baby speak, although viewers can understand them, because it is 'translated'. Often, they mispronounce words or use poor grammar and their speaking is full of malapropisms. The group is often reluctantly joined by Tommy's cousin, Angelica Pickles. At age three years old, Angelica is able to communicate and understand language from both the toddlers and the adults, which she often uses as an advantage when she wants to manipulate either party. Susie Carmichael, who lives across the street from the Pickles, is also able to communicate on the same level as Angelica, though she isn't manipulative. As a result, Angelica and Susie often clash.

Main Characters
In 1998, a new character was introduced. After The Rugrats Movie, in which Tommy's baby brother Dylan (Dil) Pickles is born, he is soon added as a character on the show. As a three month old baby, Dil is not able to communicate with anyone. Later, after Rugrats in Paris: The Movie is released, Kimi Finster is added as a character as Chuckie's step sister.

Sunny Bridges
The hometown hero of Li'l D, Sunny is a musical genius who left Georgia to become a recording artist. Over the years in the employment of his money-grabbing manager, however, he lost his passion for music and returned to his old neighborhood. He intended to go into permanent retirement; instead, Li'l D convinces him to become the new music teacher at the Westley School of Performing Arts. Sunny is devoted to his students, but he is forced to keep a low profile in order to avoid media attention. Sunny is known to have a crush on Leela Lopez. While he can play many instruments, his favorite is the saxophone. He has mentioned that he owns over 65,000 shirts. His shoe closet was also mentioned to be able to be seen from space. Sunny's character is loosely based on Jazz Saxophonist Sonny Rollins, though he closely resembles the show's creator and voice actor André 3000 in both appearance and personality.

Li'l D
Li'l D proclaims himself the unofficial leader of the Westley School's music class, whether they like it or not. He is bright, talented, confident to a fault, and incredibly tenacious when it comes to music. Through sheer determination (as well as breaking and entering), he manages to recruit Sunny Bridges as the class's new music teacher. Although Li'l D considers himself remarkably streetwise, his overconfidence often leads him into trouble. He is considered the shortest member of the class (despite being taller than Kim and Eddie if not for his hair), standing about 4'6". Li'l D has never met his father, although he doesn't seem bothered by it. He likes to say, "Then it's settled." after he thinks that a plan was agreed upon (whether or not it actually was) which usually results in something horrible happening, and on occasion he will say "Let's crank this thang up!" His instrument is the drums. In some songs, he plays a different instrument like in "The Hunt for Red Blobtober". He is 12 years old. Rugrats was Nickelodeon's second Nicktoon. The series was in production from 1991 to 1994, and again from 1996 to 2004. It aired in Nickelodeon's Snick block from 1997-2000. It is the longest lasting Nicktoon to date, at over fourteen years longevity. The Rugrats received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in a ceremony on June 28, 2001.

Tamika Jones
The show airs in the UK on CITV and Nickelodeon UK as well as in Canada on YTV. In Australia, it can be seen on Nickelodeon Australia (and, for a period, ABC Television). Voluptuous and aggressive, Tamika makes it her business to keep the other students in line, giving her the title of "Toughest Girl in School". She is also extremely stubborn; the slightest misstep is grounds for a threatening fist. "Prove It or Move It" is her trademark phrase, but she is not sure what to do if someone chooses "Prove It." Despite her sharp tongue and threatening disposition, Tamika shares a close bond with her classmates and will protect them as often as she bullies them. Eddie is in love with her. But she clearly had love for "The Beast" in "Tamika and the Beast". Her instrument is the harp, ,though when she has to walk while playing she has a guitar. In the song "Throwdown", she also says she plays the guitar. She didn't mention her harp. But, in the episode "Tamika and the Beast" she shows a soft and sensitive side. She is 12 years old.

Kameron "Kam" Chin
On August 11, 2001, Rugrats celebrated its 10 year anniversary. The special "Rugrats: All Growed Up" was produced for the occasion. After the show, a special retrospective lookback aired, called "Rugrats: Still Babies After All These Years". It was narrated by Amanda Bynes. He is Kim's twin brother and her polar opposite, born in Columbus, Ohio and is of Cantonese Chinese descent. He and his sister are the youngest of the Westley Side School First Years and he is considered to be the smartest in school. He generally projects an air of refinement and class -- or so he would like to think. He is the most mature of the Westley kids (and often the most ignored). Kam tends to be interested in many dull things such as high-grade bread. He is very eager about learning to the point that if Sunny is late to class, his brain is hurting from not learning. It might have been pressure from Kim and Kam's father or mother (who have not appeared as of yet) that forged Kam's uptight attitude. Kam has an irrational fear of hang gliding into a flock of angry mallards. Kam appears to have very bad luck and has comically terrible things happen to him at the time where he resents these things. He does not have any sweat glands (and doesn't take showers because of this) and he goes insane whenever he is too hot, as shown in Study Buddies. His instrument is the keyboard or the piano. In "Love Is in the Hair... Net", he plays the accordion. He is presumably 12 years old.

Kimberley "Kim" Chin
She is Kam's twin sister and his polar opposite down to even their instruments. She and Kam are the youngest of the Westley Side School First Years, of Chinese desent, and she is the shortest, despite Li'l D's reputation as the "shortest member of the class". Kim sometimes feels that fashion is more of a concern than music and feels compelled to follow fashion trends. She is very energetic, sometimes to the point of mischief; sleeps with a stuffed rabbit, Mr. Snuggles, due to her fear of the dark; and loves to torment her more old-fashioned sibling. Generally, though, she has the better common sense and is extremely creative. She was born in Columbus, Ohio and is of Cantonese Chinese descent. Her instrument is the marimba and other mallet instruments and other percussion instruments such as auxiliary percussion. She is presumably 12 years old. In 1998, the first Rugrats film was released, entitled "The Rugrats Movie", which introduced baby Dil, Tommy's little brother, onto the show. In 2000 the second movie, "Rugrats in Paris", was released, with two new characters introduced, Kimi and Kira. Kimi would become Chuckie's sister and Kira would become his new mother, after marrying his father. In 2003, the third movie, "Rugrats Go Wild!", was released. It was a crossover between the Rugrats and The Wild Thornberrys, characters from another popular Nickelodeon show. A TV movie was also made, in which the babies see the future, into the their young teen years. This spun off into the show All Grown Up, which takes place nine years into the future.

Episodes
Brilliant and imaginative, the oldest of the group at 13 tends to stand out for his unusual fashion sense. He can invent useful devices on the spot, although they often malfunction. Though Li'l D and the other students do not fully understand Phil's many eccentricities, they are willing to accept him as one of their own. Philly Phil has an appetite for any type of food, particularly sweets such as chocolate. His height doesn't seem to be consistent from episode to episode (He was about as tall as Principal Luna in "The Hunt for Red Blobtober" and only a few inches taller than Madison in Funky Monkey). In "Eddie's Money", he is shown to have a decent singing voice. His instrument is the double bass, also with the bass guitar. In "Free Philly", it is revealed that he is very weak and needs the help of technology (Although he does save all of his classmates and Sunny at the end of the episode without any help), though on "Big Robot on Campus" it shows that he is fairly strong and can use his own physical strength. He might have a crush on Kim (as shown in "Nothin' to It but to Do It).

Other projects
Eddie is the richest kid in the school, being the heir to the Lawrence fortune; according to the first episode, his father is the head of the Earth division of "Cola Cola". A cultured aristocrat, he has something of a high-and-mighty attitude concerning the other students, naively believing that all problems can be solved with money. However, he is not above using his wealth to help his friends. He is not completely spoiled, either. When Philly Phil's machine tells him he should never have a job because his dad is rich, Eddie says, "But I want to get a job!" He is the only character to have ten fingers at any time (he usually has eight, following cartoon tradition, but in one scene he shows ten and explains he has extras because of his wealth; Philly Phil responds "You have 10? Wow, you are rich"). He is in love with Tamika, as suggested in "Home" and "Westley Side Story" and confirmed by Tamika in "Love Is in the Hair... Net". Eddie has spoken of having Swiss ancestry. His instrument is the clarinet. He also plays many horns and woodwinds such as the trombone seen in "The Devil and Lil'D". He is 12 years old. He speaks in a Southern accent. Once he said that his dad owns all of the stations on TV.

Broadcast history
She is cheerful, happy and extremely optimistic as is evidenced from her perpetually vacant smile, and has a bit of a Southern voice like Eddie; however, her hippie-child appearance belies the perceptive mind behind it. She is a stereotypical dumb blonde. She is always happy or thrilled no matter what happens, even if she gets hurt. Madison has a huge imagination and usually can't concentrate on what's really supposed to be done. She enjoys the company of many animals and baby creatures. She claims to get frizzy hair when love is in the air. In the pilot episode she mentions that she has a grandmother who is of Colombian descent. Her instrument is the high-pitched violin. She is 12 years old.
 * USA
 * Nickelodeon (1991-2007)
 * Nicktoons Network (2002-present)

Secondary characters

 * UK
 * Principal Luna: The principal at Westley School of Performing Arts. He's of Hispanic descent. He has a tendency to over-use the word "fantastic" and is always trying to make money for the school. He has a crush on the substitute lunch lady, Ms. Squatenchowder. He owns 36 out of the only known 37 examples of a rare type of spatula. Luna sometimes tries to rival Sunny for coolness. He is voiced by Jeff Bennett.
 * Children's BBC (Including Live & Kicking) (1993-2004)
 * Cheddar Man: also known as Charles, is one of Sunny's friends. He specializes in selling cheese, fixing helicopters, doing teeth, and being a con artist. He is something of a shady character and is often seen selling contraband goods and services out of his car, like "Mr. Bristle" action figures that are actually used toothbrushes, and bootleg movies which he shoots and in which he plays every part. He is known to be part of Sunny's old band, the "Sunny Bridges' Funkaneers." In the episode "Am I Blue?" he is also the kids' manager. He likes ringing bells, according to "The Class of 3000 Christmas Special." He is voiced by Phil LaMarr.
 * Nickelodeon UK (1994-Present)
 * Lila Lopez: Another teacher at Westley. She has a crush on Sunny while Sunny has shown love interest in her. Lila teaches the Westley modern dance class, but unfortunately always has no luck in teaching her unskillful students. She says she's allergic to any fabric except spandex, and contact causes her to swell up like a balloon. Voiced by Jennifer Hale.
 * Nicktoons (2002-2008)
 * Petunia Squattenchowder: The substitute lunch lady at Westley's known for serving the grossest lunches ever. Principal Luna has a crush on her but she has developed a crush on Sunny also. Then she falls in love with Luna after a fight with Sunny. Voiced by Tom Kenny.
 * CITV (2005-2006)
 * Jan: Jan is a Swedish janitor at Westley. He is a former member of Sunny Bridges Funkaneers. He has a secret chocolate stash. He likes to play Swedish air guitar in his free time. He also made bootleg merchandise on one occasion. Jan is always the one who has to clean up all the messes that people cause, no matter how wacko it is.
 * Nicktoonsters (2008-Present)

Episodes

 * Australia


 * Nickelodeon Australia (1995-Present)

Season 1

 * ABC Television
 * 1-2. "Home" (Parts 1 and 2)
 * Network Ten
 * 3. "Peanuts! Get Yer Peanuts!"
 * 4. "The Devil and Li'l D"
 * New Zealand
 * 5. "Funky Monkey"
 * Nickelodeon NZ (199?-Present)
 * 6. "The Hunt for Red Blobtober"
 * TV3 (199?-Present)
 * 7. "Eddie's Money"
 * 8. "Brotha from the Third Rock"
 * 9. "Westley Side Story"
 * 10. "Love Is in the Hair...Net"
 * 11. "Am I Blue?"
 * 12. "Prank Yankers"
 * 13. "Mini Mentors"

Season 2

 * Ireland
 * 14. "Too Cool for School"
 * RTÉ Two
 * 15. "Nothin To it But to Do it"
 * 16. "Free Philly"
 * 17. "Tamika and the Beast"
 * 18. "Safety Last"
 * 19. "Study Buddies"
 * 20. "The Cure"
 * 21. "Big Robot on Campus"
 * 22. "Take a Hike!"
 * 23. "You Ain't Seen Nothing Yeti!"
 * 24. "Vote Sunny"
 * 25. "Kam Inc."
 * 26. "Two to Tango"

Special Episode

 * Canada
 * "The Class of 3000 Christmas Special"
 * Treehouse
 * YTV

Songs
Throughout the show, the students play songs, sometimes based on how they feel. There are also instruments viewed and played by the students and others in every episode. A November 3rd Newsday article notes that:"....some creative grown-ups throw down each episode, too, providing distinctive visuals for music videos to Andre Benjamin's original songs performed by the class' kids. 'Ren & Stimpy' wild-man animator John Kricfalusi and classic Parliament-Funkadelic cover artist Overton Loyd do the premiere honors, with subsequent contributions from Marvel Comics' Bill Sienkiewicz and Robotboy director Charlie Bean." Each episode has included at least one song; these vary widely in style -- blues, for example, in "Eddie's Money", and funk in "The Hunt for Red Blobtober". A complete list follows:
 * Malaysia
 * Nickelodeon Malaysia
 * TV3 (199?-2006)
 * Netherlands
 * Nickelodeon
 * Ukraine
 * ICTV (Ukraine)

Season 1

 * Italy'
 * "Life without Music" ("Home" ) - (All Styles) "Life Without the Music" video
 * Italia 1
 * "Throwdown" ("Home") - (Hip-Hop) "Throwdown" music video

Annie

 * 1995 - Nominated - Best Individual Achievement for Writing in the Field of Animation
 * "Oh, Peanut" ("Peanuts! Get Yer Peanuts") - ''(Classic Music)

Artios

 * "We Want Your Soul" ("The Devil and Li'l D") - (Trip-hop, Rock)
 * 2000 to 2003 - Nominated - Best Casting for Animated Voice Over, Television
 * "A Richer Shade of Blue" ("Eddie's Money") - (Blues)

Daytime Emmy

 * 1994, 2003 - Won - Outstanding Animated Children's Program
 * 2004 - Nominated - Outstanding Animated Children's Program
 * "Fight that Blob" ("The Hunt for Red Blobtober") - (Funk, Military Song)

Emmy

 * 1997, 1999 to 2002 - Nominated - Outstanding Children's Program
 * "Banana Zoo" ("Funky Monkey") - (Hip-Hop)

Genesis

 * "U.F.O. Ninja" (Brotha from the Third Rock) - (Space Music, Oriental Music)
 * 1999 - Won - Television - Children's Programming
 * "Kim Kam Jam" (Westley Side Story) - (Piano jazz with Clapping Beats)

World Animation Celebration

 * "Luna Love" ("Love Is in the Hair...Net") - (Latin Music, Love Song)
 * 1999 - Won - Best Director of Animation for a Daytime Series
 * "Crayon" ("Am I Blue?") - (Techno)

Kids' Choice Awards

 * "Cool Kitty" ("Prank Yankers") - (50s-60s pop, Cool Girl Song)
 * 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 - Won - Favorite Cartoon
 * "My Mentor" ("Mini Mentors") - (Jazz)

Season 2

 * "Farm Song" ("Too Cool for School") (Bluegrass)
 * "Clean it Up" ("Nothin To it But To Do It") - (Smooth Jazz, Egyptian Background Music)
 * "Philly Phil, Come Home" ("Free Philly") - (Mid-80's hip hop) ("Philly Phil, Come Home" music video)
 * "Beast Love" ("Tamika and the Beast") (Drum Battle)
 * "Rapunzel" ("Safetly Last") (Medieval Minstrel Music)
 * "Study Buddies" ("Study Buddies") (Remixed American History Music)
 * "Do Your Pose" ("The Cure") (Walkway Type Music, slight Jazz and Techno in background)
 * "Turn of the Century" ("Big Robot on Campus") (Old-Timey Music, little bit of Techno)
 * "Down on the Dance floor" ("Take a Hike!")  *(sleepy music, with a little techno)
 * "Yeti Tribute" ("You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yeti")  *(Techno music)
 * "Sunny's the Teacher of the Year" ("Vote Sunny")  *(Hip Hop music, with a bit of rock n' roll)
 * "Unforgiving Love" ("Kam Inc.")  *(Love Song)
 * "Two to Tango" ("It Takes Two to Tango")  *(Techno-ish, with some Hip Hop)

First season CD track list
The first season CD featuring songs from the show was released July 3, 2007.
 * Rugrats: Search for Reptar (PlayStation)
 * Rugrats: Studio Tour (PlayStation)
 * Rugrats: Scavenger Hunt (Nintendo 64)
 * Rugrats in Paris - The Movie (Nintendo 64, Game Boy Advance, PC CD Rom, PlayStation)
 * Rugrats: Totally Angelica (PlayStation, Game Boy Advance)
 * Rugrats: Totally Angelica Boredom Busters (PC-CD Rom)
 * Rugrats: Go Wild (PC-CD Rom, Game Boy Advance)
 * Rugrats: All Growed Up - Older and Bolder (PC-CD Rom)
 * Rugrats: Castle Capers (Game Boy Advance)
 * Rugrats: Royal Ransom (PlayStation 2, Nintendo GameCube)
 * Rugrats: I Gotta Go Party (Game Boy Advance)
 * Rugrats: The Movie (Game Boy Color)
 * Rugrats: Time Travellers (Game Boy Color)
 * Rugrats Activity Challenge (PC-CD Rom)
 * Rugrats Adventure Game (PC-CD Rom)
 * Rugrats Food Fight (Mobile Phone)
 * Rugrats Muchin Land (PC-CD Rom)
 * The Rugrats Mystery Adventures (PC-CD Rom)
 * Nicktoons Racing (Tommy and Angelica playable)
 * Nicktoons: Attack of the Toybots (Tommy and Angelica are seen, but are not playable characters.)
 * SpongeBob SquarePants featuring Nicktoons: Globs of Doom (PlayStation 2, Nintendo DS, Wii)
 * 1) "Class of 3000 Theme Song"

DVDs
A First Season DVD has been confirmed.The release date is December 3, 2008.

Main cast

 * André 3000 - Sunny Bridges


 * Small Fire - Li'l D
 * official websiteNickelodeon's Rugrats site
 * Crystal Scales - Tamika Jones
 * Rugrats daily comic strip at Creators Syndicate
 * Janice Kawaye - Kam, Kim
 * Rugrats at the Big Cartoon DataBase
 * Phil LaMarr - Philly Phil
 * Unofficial Rugrats homepage by Steve
 * Tom Kenny - Edward “Eddie” Phillip James Lawrence III
 * Sarah's Rugrats
 * Jennifer Hale - Madison Spaghettini Papadopoulos
 * Jeff Bennett - Principal Luna and Jan the Janitor
 * 

Production History
Rugrats is an American animated television series created by Arlene Klasky, Gábor Csupó, and Paul Germain for Nickelodeon. The series premiered on Sunday August 11, 1991 and aired its last episode on Tuesday June 8, 2004. The series made its world premiere (previously advertised as a live premiere with performances by Chris Brown) on November 3, 2006 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT with a one-hour special, came to Cartoon Network UK on May 28, 2007 and premiered on Cartoon Network Australia/New Zealand on February 4, 2008. Due to budget problems the show was cancelled on December 14, 2007, with new episodes airing until May 2008. The show was co-created and developed by Thomas W. Lynch & Patric M. Verrone. It was the only animated children's show on cable television at the time that was written under a Writers Guild of America contract. The show centers around four babies and their day-to-day lives, usually involving common life experiences that become adventures in the babies' imaginations. It was one of the first three Nicktoons and also aired on Nick Jr. in 1996.

Main Characters
The show originally revolved around a group of toddlers, Thomas "Tommy" Pickles (whose family moved from Akron, Ohio to their current location in California ), Charles "Chuckie" Finster, and the twins Phillip "Phil" and Lillian "Lil" DeVille. The toddlers are able to communicate with each other through baby speak, although viewers can understand them, because it is 'translated'. Often, they mispronounce words or use poor grammar and their speaking is full of malapropisms. An example of this is using the word "poopetrator" instead of "perpetrator." The group is often reluctantly joined by Tommy's cousin, Angelica Pickles. At age three years old, Angelica is able to communicate and understand language from both the toddlers and the adults, which she often uses as an advantage when she wants to manipulate either party. She is usually very mean to the babies. Susie Carmichael, who lives across the street from the Pickles, is also able to communicate on the same level as Angelica, though she isn't manipulative. As a result, Angelica and Susie often clash. In 1998, a new character was introduced. After The Rugrats Movie, in which Tommy's baby brother Dylan "Dil" Pickles is born, he was soon added as a character on the show. As a four month old baby, Dil is not able to communicate with anyone. Later in 2000, after Rugrats in Paris: The Movie was released, Kimi Finster was added as a character. She is Chuckie's stepsister.

Characters
The Pickles are a mixed Jewish-Christian family. There are two episodes that reflect the Pickles' Jewish heritage, one episode deals with the Passover holiday and the other with Hanukkah (in addition to episodes about Christmas, Easter, Kwanzaa, etc.). These episodes have been praised by Jewish groups and are re-run every year on Nick at the appropriate holiday times and can also be purchased on VHS or DVD.

Production
Rugrats was Nickelodeon's second Nicktoon. The series was in production from 1991 to 1994, and again from 1996 to 2004. It aired in Nickelodeon's Snick block from 1997-2000. It is the longest lasting Nicktoon to date, at over fourteen years longevity. The Rugrats received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in a ceremony on June 28, 2001. The show airs in the UK on CBBC, CITV, Nicktoons, Nickelodeon UK and Nicktoonsters as well as in Canada on YTV. In Australia, it can be seen on Nickelodeon Australia (and, for a period, ABC Television). On August 11, 2001, Rugrats celebrated its 10 year anniversary. The special/TV movie, "Rugrats: All Growed Up" was produced for the occasion. After the show, a special retrospective lookback aired, entitled Rugrats: Still Babies After All These Years. It was narrated by Amanda Bynes. The show ended in 2004 then afterwards, two fairy tale themed direct-to-video films based on the original series under the title, "Rugrats: Tales from the Crib" were planned and then released separately in 2005 and in 2006.

Theatrical films
In 1998, the first Rugrats film was released, entitled The Rugrats Movie, which introduced baby Dil, Tommy's little brother, onto the show. In 2000 the second movie, Rugrats in Paris, was released, with two new characters introduced, Kimi and Kira. Kimi would become Chuckie's sister and Kira would become his new mother, after marrying his father. In 2003, the third movie, Rugrats Go Wild, was released. It was a crossover between the Rugrats and The Wild Thornberrys.

Reception
In a 1995 interview Steven Spielberg referred to Rugrats as one of several shows that are the best children's programming at the time. Spielberg described Rugrats as "sort of a TV Peanuts of our time." It was named the 92nd best animated series by IGN.

Songs
Throughout the show, the students play songs, sometimes based on how they feel. There are also instruments viewed and played by the students and others in every episode.

DVD Release
Nickelodeon and Amazon.com have struck a deal to produce DVDs of new and old Nickelodeon shows, through the CreateSpace service. Using a concept similar to print on demand, Amazon will be making the discs, cover art, and disc art itself. The first and second seasons of Rugrats are on sale. A November 3 Newsday article notes that:"....some creative grown-ups throw down each episode, too, providing distinctive visuals for music videos to Andre Benjamin's original songs performed by the class' kids. 'Ren & Stimpy' wild-man animator John Kricfalusi and classic Parliament-Funkadelic cover artist Overton Loyd do the premiere honors, with subsequent contributions from Marvel Comics' Bill Sienkiewicz and Robotboy director Charlie Bean."

Broadcast history

 * 🇺🇸 USA
 * Nickelodeon (1991-2007)
 * Nicktoons Network (2002-present)

First season CD track list
The first season CD featuring songs from the show was released July 3, 2007. {| class="wikitable"
 * UK
 * Children's BBC (Including Live & Kicking) (1993-2004)
 * Nickelodeon (1994-2009)
 * Nicktoons (2002-2008)
 * CITV (2005-2006)
 * Nicktoonsters (August 2008-July 2009)
 * 🇦🇷 Argentina
 * The Big Channel
 * Magic Kids
 * Nickelodeon
 * Canal 9
 * 🇦🇺 Australia
 * Nickelodeon Australia (1995-Present)
 * ABC Television
 * Network Ten
 * New Zealand
 * Nickelodeon NZ (199?-Present)
 * TV3 (199?-Present)
 * 🇵🇭 Philippines
 * TV5
 * Nickelodeon South East Asia
 * Studio 23
 * 🇮🇪 Ireland
 * RTÉ Two (199? - Present)
 * 🇨🇦 Canada
 * YTV
 * 🇲🇾 Malaysia
 * Nickelodeon South East Asia
 * TV3 (1992-1994)
 * MetroVision (1996-1998)
 * NTV7 (2001-2004)
 * 🇳🇱 Netherlands
 * Nickelodeon
 * 🇺🇦 Ukraine
 * ICTV (Ukraine)
 * 🇮🇹 Italy
 * Italia 1
 * 🇲🇽 Mexico'
 * Nickelodeon Latin America 1996 - 2006
 * XHGC-TV Canal 5 (1997 - 2001), repeats episodes sometimes.

Awards

 * }

DVDs
A First Season DVD was released on December 3, 2008, in Region 4.
 * Rugrats: Search for Reptar (PlayStation)
 * Rugrats: Studio Tour (PlayStation)

Play Adaptation
In March 2009, Atlanta's Alliance Theatre produced a children's play, Class of 3000 LIVE, based upon the television program.
 * Rugrats: Scavenger Hunt (Nintendo 64)
 * Rugrats in Paris - The Movie (Nintendo 64, Game Boy Advance, PC CD Rom, PlayStation)
 * Rugrats: Totally Angelica (PlayStation, Game Boy Advance)
 * Rugrats: Totally Angelica Boredom Busters (PC CD Rom)
 * Rugrats: Go Wild (PC CD Rom, Game Boy Advance)
 * Rugrats: All Growed Up - Older and Bolder (PC CD Rom)
 * Rugrats: Castle Capers (Game Boy Advance)
 * Rugrats: Royal Ransom (PlayStation 2, Nintendo GameCube)
 * Rugrats: I Gotta Go Party (Game Boy Advance)
 * Rugrats: The Movie (Game Boy Color)
 * Rugrats: Time Travelers (Game Boy Color)
 * Rugrats Activity Challenge (PC CD Rom)
 * Rugrats Adventure Game (PC CD Rom)
 * Rugrats Food Fight (Mobile Phone)
 * Rugrats Muchin Land (PC CD Rom)
 * The Rugrats Mystery Adventures (PC CD Rom)
 * Rocket Power: Team Rocket Rescue (PlayStation) (Tommy & Angelica appear as guest characters)
 * Nicktoons Racing (PlayStation, Game Boy Advance, Game Boy Color, Microsoft Windows, Arcade) (Tommy and Angelica playable)
 * Nicktoons: Attack of the Toybots (Wii, Nintendo DS, PlayStation 2, Game Boy Advance) (Tommy and Angelica are seen, but are not playable characters.)
 * Nicktoons: The Videogame (possibly)

Lawsuit
In December 2008, the Boston Herald reported that Timothy McGee, a former art student, filed a lawsuit against the creators of the television show for copyright infringement, breach of contract and misappropriation of trade secrets. He alleged that in 1997 he proposed a similar show to Michael Lazzo, who at the time served as a vice president of operations for Cartoon Network. McGee intended that "The Music Factory of the '90s," as the program would be called, feature Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds as its host.


 * Klasky-Csupo

Production History
Rugrats is an American animated television series created by Arlene Klasky, Gábor Csupó, and Paul Germain for Nickelodeon. The series premiered on Sunday August 11, 1991 and aired its last episode on Tuesday June 8, 2004. The series made its world premiere (previously advertised as a live premiere with performances by Chris Brown) on November 3, 2006 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT with a one-hour special, came to Cartoon Network UK on May 28, 2007 and premiered on Cartoon Network Australia/New Zealand on February 4, 2008. Timothy Mcgee sued Andre 3000, claiming he proposed the idea for a similar show in 1997 with Andre replaced by Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds. the show was cancelled on December 14, 2007, with new episodes airing until May 2008. The show was co-created and developed by Thomas W. Lynch & Patric M. Verrone. It was the only animated children's show on cable television at the time that was written under a Writers Guild of America contract. The show centers around four babies and their day-to-day lives, usually involving common life experiences that become adventures in the babies' imaginations. It was one of the first three Nicktoons and also aired on Nick Jr. in 1996.

Main Characters
The show originally revolved around a group of toddlers, Thomas "Tommy" Pickles (whose family moved from Akron, Ohio to their current location in California ), Charles "Chuckie" Finster, and the twins Phillip "Phil" and Lillian "Lil" DeVille. The toddlers are able to communicate with each other through baby speak, although viewers can understand them, because it is 'translated'. Often, they mispronounce words or use poor grammar and their speaking is full of malapropisms. An example of this is using the word "poopetrator" instead of "perpetrator." The group is often reluctantly joined by Tommy's cousin, Angelica Pickles. At age three years old, Angelica is able to communicate and understand language from both the toddlers and the adults, which she often uses as an advantage when she wants to manipulate either party. She is usually very mean to the babies. Susie Carmichael, who lives across the street from the Pickles, is also able to communicate on the same level as Angelica, though she isn't manipulative. As a result, Angelica and Susie often clash.

Episodes
In 1998, a new character was introduced. After The Rugrats Movie, in which Tommy's baby brother Dylan "Dil" Pickles is born, he was soon added as a character on the show. As a four month old baby, Dil is not able to communicate with anyone. Later in 2000, after Rugrats in Paris: The Movie was released, Kimi Finster was added as a character. She is Chuckie's stepsister.

Songs
The Pickles are a mixed Jewish-Christian family. There are two episodes that reflect the Pickles' Jewish heritage, one episode deals with the Passover holiday and the other with Hanukkah (in addition to episodes about Christmas, Easter, Kwanzaa, etc.). These episodes have been praised by Jewish groups and are re-run every year on Nick at the appropriate holiday times and can also be purchased on VHS or DVD. Throughout the show, the students play songs, sometimes based on how they feel. There are also instruments viewed and played by the students and others in every episode.

Production
Rugrats was Nickelodeon's second Nicktoon. The series was in production from 1991 to 1994, and again from 1996 to 2004. It aired in Nickelodeon's Snick block from 1997-2000. It is the longest lasting Nicktoon to date, at over fourteen years longevity. The Rugrats received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in a ceremony on June 28, 2001. A November 3 Newsday article notes that:"....some creative grown-ups throw down each episode, too, providing distinctive visuals for music videos to Andre Benjamin's original songs performed by the class' kids. 'Ren & Stimpy' wild-man animator John Kricfalusi and classic Parliament-Funkadelic cover artist Overton Loyd do the premiere honors, with subsequent contributions from Marvel Comics' Bill Sienkiewicz and Robotboy director Charlie Bean." The show airs in the UK on CBBC, CITV, Nicktoons, Nickelodeon UK and Nicktoonsters as well as in Canada on YTV. In Australia, it can be seen on Nickelodeon Australia (and, for a period, ABC Television).

First season CD track list
On August 11, 2001, Rugrats celebrated its 10 year anniversary. The special/TV movie, "Rugrats: All Growed Up" was produced for the occasion. After the show, a special retrospective lookback aired, entitled Rugrats: Still Babies After All These Years. It was narrated by Amanda Bynes. The first season CD featuring songs from the show was released July 3, 2007. The show ended in 2004 then afterwards, two fairy tale themed direct-to-video films based on the original series under the title, "Rugrats: Tales from the Crib" were planned and then released separately in 2005 and in 2006.

Theatrical films
In 1998, the first Rugrats film was released, entitled The Rugrats Movie, which introduced baby Dil, Tommy's little brother, onto the show. In 2000 the second movie, Rugrats in Paris, was released, with two new characters introduced, Kimi and Kira. Kimi would become Chuckie's sister and Kira would become his new mother, after marrying his father. In 2003, the third movie, Rugrats Go Wild, was released. It was a crossover between the Rugrats and The Wild Thornberrys.

Reception
In a 1995 interview Steven Spielberg referred to Rugrats as one of several shows that are the best children's programming at the time. Spielberg described Rugrats as "sort of a TV Peanuts of our time." It was named the 92nd best animated series by IGN.

DVD Release
{| class="wikitable" Nickelodeon and Amazon.com have struck a deal to produce DVDs of new and old Nickelodeon shows, through the CreateSpace service. Using a concept similar to print on demand, Amazon will be making the discs, cover art, and disc art itself. The first and second seasons of Rugrats are on sale.

Broadcast history

 * 🇺🇸 USA
 * Nickelodeon (1991-2007)
 * Nicktoons Network (2002-present)
 * 🇨🇦 Canada
 * Nickelodeon (2009-present)
 * YTV
 * UK
 * Children's BBC (Including Live & Kicking and Smile) (1993-2004)
 * Nickelodeon (1994-2009)
 * Nicktoons (2002-2008, September 2009-present)
 * CITV (2005-2006)
 * Nicktoonsters (August 2008-July 2009)
 * 🇦🇷 Argentina
 * The Big Channel
 * Magic Kids
 * Nickelodeon
 * Canal 9
 * 🇦🇺 Australia
 * Nickelodeon Australia (1995-present)
 * ABC Television
 * Network Ten
 * New Zealand
 * Nickelodeon NZ (199?-present)
 * TV3 (199?-present)
 * 🇵🇭 Philippines
 * TV5
 * Nickelodeon South East Asia
 * Studio 23
 * 🇮🇪 Ireland
 * RTÉ Two (199?-present)
 * 🇲🇾 Malaysia
 * Nickelodeon South East Asia
 * TV3 (1992-1994)
 * MetroVision (1996-1998)
 * NTV7 (2001-2004)
 * 🇳🇱 Netherlands
 * Nickelodeon
 * 🇺🇦 Ukraine
 * ICTV (Ukraine)
 * 🇮🇹 Italy
 * Italia 1
 * 🇲🇽 Mexico'
 * Nickelodeon Latin America 1996 - 2006
 * XHGC-TV Canal 5 (1997 - 2001), repeats episodes sometimes.

Awards

 * }

DVDs
A First Season DVD was released on December 3, 2008, in Region 4.
 * Rugrats: Search for Reptar (PlayStation)
 * Rugrats: Studio Tour (PlayStation)

Play Adaptation
In March 2009, Atlanta's Alliance Theatre produced a children's play, Class of 3000 LIVE, based upon the television program.
 * Rugrats: Scavenger Hunt (Nintendo 64)
 * Rugrats in Paris - The Movie (Nintendo 64, Game Boy Advance, PC CD Rom, PlayStation)
 * Rugrats: Totally Angelica (PlayStation, Game Boy Advance)
 * Rugrats: Totally Angelica Boredom Busters (PC CD Rom)
 * Rugrats: Go Wild (PC CD Rom, Game Boy Advance)
 * Rugrats: All Growed Up - Older and Bolder (PC CD Rom)
 * Rugrats: Castle Capers (Game Boy Advance)
 * Rugrats: Royal Ransom (PlayStation 2, Nintendo GameCube)
 * Rugrats: I Gotta Go Party (Game Boy Advance)
 * Rugrats: The Movie (Game Boy Color)
 * Rugrats: Time Travelers (Game Boy Color)
 * Rugrats Activity Challenge (PC CD Rom)
 * Rugrats Adventure Game (PC CD Rom)
 * Rugrats Food Fight (Mobile Phone)
 * Rugrats Muchin Land (PC CD Rom)
 * The Rugrats Mystery Adventures (PC CD Rom)
 * Rocket Power: Team Rocket Rescue (PlayStation) (Tommy & Angelica appear as guest characters)
 * Nicktoons Racing (PlayStation, Game Boy Advance, Game Boy Color, Microsoft Windows, Arcade) (Tommy and Angelica playable)
 * Nicktoons: Attack of the Toybots (Wii, Nintendo DS, PlayStation 2, Game Boy Advance) (Tommy and Angelica are seen, but are not playable characters.)
 * Nicktoons: The Videogame (possibly)

Lawsuit
In December 2008, the Boston Herald reported that Timothy McGee, a former art student, filed a lawsuit against the creators of the television show for copyright infringement, breach of contract and misappropriation of trade secrets. He alleged that in 1997 he proposed a similar show to Michael Lazzo, who at the time served as a vice president of operations for Cartoon Network. McGee intended that "The Music Factory of the '90s," as the program would be called, feature Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds as its host.


 * Klasky-Csupo

Production History
Rugrats is an American animated television series created by Arlene Klasky, Gábor Csupó, and Paul Germain for Nickelodeon. The series premiered on Sunday August 11, 1991 and aired its last episode on Tuesday June 8, 2004. The series made its world premiere (previously advertised as a live premiere with performances by Chris Brown) on November 3, 2006 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT with a one-hour special, came to Cartoon Network UK on May 28, 2007 and premiered on Cartoon Network Australia/New Zealand on February 4, 2008. Timothy Mcgee sued Andre 3000, claiming he proposed the idea for a similar show in 1997 with Andre replaced by Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds. the show was cancelled on December 14, 2007, with new episodes airing until May 2008. The show was co-created and developed by Thomas W. Lynch & Patric M. Verrone. On January 2010 all mentionings in the website about the show were removed, meaning that Cartoon Network has abandoned it. Although there has not been a DVD on Region 1, Seasons 1 and 2 of the show is currently available on iTunes (except Season 2 episode, "The Cure".) The show focuses on four babies and their day-to-day lives, usually involving common life experiences that become adventures in the babies' imaginations. It was one of the first three Nicktoons and also aired on Nick Jr. in 1995.

Main characters
The show originally revolved around a group of children, including infant Thomas "Tommy" Pickles (whose family moved from Akron, Ohio to their current location in California ), toddler Charles "Chuckie" Finster, and the twin-infants Phillip "Phil" and Lillian "Lil" DeVille. The toddlers are able to communicate with each other through baby speak, although viewers can understand them, because it is 'translated'. Often, they mispronounce words or use poor grammar and their speaking is full of malapropisms. An example of this is using the word "poopetrator" instead of "perpetrator." The group is often reluctantly joined by Tommy's cousin, Angelica Pickles. At age three years old, Angelica is able to communicate and understand language from both the toddlers and the adults, which she often uses as an advantage when she wants to manipulate either party. She is usually very mean to the babies. Susie Carmichael, who lives across the street from the Pickles, is also able to communicate on the same level as Angelica, though she isn't manipulative. As a result, Angelica and Susie often clash.

Episodes
In 1998, a new character was introduced. After The Rugrats Movie, in which Tommy's baby brother Dylan "Dil" Pickles is born, he was soon added as a character on the show. As a four month old baby, Dil is not able to communicate with anyone. Later in 2000, after Rugrats in Paris: The Movie was released, Kimi Finster was added as a character. She is Chuckie's stepsister.

Songs
The Pickles are a mixed Jewish-Christian family. There are two episodes that reflect the Pickles' Jewish heritage, one episode deals with the Passover holiday and the other with Hanukkah (in addition to episodes about Christmas, Easter, Kwanzaa, etc.). These episodes have been praised by Jewish groups and are re-run every year on Nick at the appropriate holiday times and can also be purchased on VHS or DVD. Throughout the show, the students play songs, sometimes based on how they feel. There are also instruments viewed and played by the students and others in every episode.

Production
Rugrats was Nickelodeon's second Nicktoon. The series was in production from 1991 to 2004. It aired in Nickelodeon's Snick block from 1997-2000. It is the longest lasting Nicktoon to date, at over fourteen years longevity. The Rugrats received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in a ceremony on June 28, 2001. A November 3 Newsday article notes that:"....some creative grown-ups throw down each episode, too, providing distinctive visuals for music videos to Andre Benjamin's original songs performed by the class' kids. 'Ren & Stimpy' wild-man animator John Kricfalusi and classic Parliament-Funkadelic cover artist Overton Loyd do the premiere honors, with subsequent contributions from Marvel Comics' Bill Sienkiewicz and Robotboy director Charlie Bean." The show airs in the UK on CBBC, CITV, Nicktoons, Nickelodeon UK and Nicktoonsters as well as in Canada on YTV. In Australia, it can be seen on Nickelodeon Australia (and, for a period, ABC Television).

First season CD track list
On August 11, 2001, Rugrats celebrated its 10 year anniversary. The special/TV movie, Rugrats: All Growed Up was produced for the occasion. After the show, a special retrospective lookback aired, entitled Rugrats: Still Babies After All These Years. It was narrated by Amanda Bynes. The first season CD featuring songs from the show was released July 3, 2007. The show ended in 2004. Two fairy-tale themed direct-to-video films based on the original series under the title, Rugrats: Tales from the Crib were planned and then released separately in 2005 and in 2006. On August 11, 2011 the Rugrats will be celebrating its 20 year anniversary to celebrate its 20th birthday.

Theatrical films
In 1998, the first Rugrats film was released, entitled The Rugrats Movie, which introduced baby Dil, Tommy's little brother, onto the show. In 2000 the second movie, Rugrats in Paris, was released, with two new characters introduced, Kimi and Kira. Kimi would become Chuckie's sister and Kira would become his new mother, after marrying his father. In 2003, the third movie, Rugrats Go Wild, was released. It was a crossover between the Rugrats and The Wild Thornberrys.

Reception
In a 1995 interview, Steven Spielberg referred to Rugrats as one of several shows that are the best children's programming at the time. Spielberg described Rugrats as "sort of a TV Peanuts of our time." It was named the 92nd best animated series by IGN.

DVD release
{| class="wikitable" Nickelodeon and Amazon.com have struck a deal to produce DVDs of new and old Nickelodeon shows, through the CreateSpace service. Using a concept similar to print on demand, Amazon will be making the discs, cover art, and disc art itself. The first and second seasons of Rugrats are on sale.

Broadcast history

 * 🇺🇸 USA
 * Nickelodeon (1991–2007)
 * Nicktoons Network (2002–present)
 * 🇨🇦 Canada
 * Nickelodeon (2009–present)
 * YTV
 * UK
 * Children's BBC (Including Live & Kicking and Smile) (1993–2004)
 * Nickelodeon (1994–2009)
 * Nicktoons (2002–2008, September 2009–present)
 * CITV (2005–2006)
 * Nicktoonsters (August 2008-July 2009)
 * 🇹🇷 Turkey
 * CNBC-E
 * Nickelodeon Turkey
 * TRT
 * 🇦🇷 Argentina
 * The Big Channel
 * Magic Kids
 * Nickelodeon
 * Canal 9
 * 🇦🇺 Australia
 * Nickelodeon Australia (1995–present)
 * ABC Television
 * Network Ten
 * New Zealand
 * Nickelodeon NZ (199?-present)
 * TV2 (2003–present)
 * 🇵🇭 Philippines
 * TV5
 * Nickelodeon South East Asia
 * Studio 23
 * 🇮🇪 Ireland
 * RTÉ Two (199?-present)
 * 🇲🇾 Malaysia
 * Nickelodeon South East Asia
 * TV3 (1992–1994)
 * MetroVision (1996–1998)
 * NTV7 (2001–2004)
 * 🇳🇱 Netherlands
 * Nickelodeon
 * 🇺🇦 Ukraine
 * ICTV (Ukraine)
 * 🇮🇹 Italy
 * Italia 1
 * 🇲🇽 Mexico
 * Nickelodeon Latin America 1996 - 2006
 * XHGC-TV Canal 5 (1997–2001), repeats episodes sometimes.

Awards

 * }

DVDs
A First Season DVD was released on December 3, 2008, in Region 4.
 * Rugrats: Search for Reptar (PlayStation)
 * Rugrats: Studio Tour (PlayStation)

Play adaptation
In March 2009, Atlanta's Alliance Theatre produced a children's play, Class of 3000 LIVE, based upon the television program.
 * Rugrats: Scavenger Hunt (Nintendo 64)
 * Rugrats in Paris - The Movie (Nintendo 64, Game Boy Advance, PC CD Rom, PlayStation)
 * Rugrats: Totally Angelica (PlayStation, Game Boy Advance)
 * Rugrats: Totally Angelica Boredom Busters (PC CD Rom)
 * Rugrats: Go Wild (PC CD Rom, Game Boy Advance)
 * Rugrats: All Growed Up - Older and Bolder (PC CD Rom)
 * Rugrats: Castle Capers (Game Boy Advance)
 * Rugrats: Royal Ransom (PlayStation 2, Nintendo GameCube)
 * Rugrats: I Gotta Go Party (Game Boy Advance)
 * Rugrats: The Movie (Game Boy Color)
 * Rugrats: Time Travelers (Game Boy Color)
 * Rugrats Activity Challenge (PC CD Rom)
 * Rugrats Adventure Game (PC CD Rom)
 * Rugrats Food Fight (Mobile Phone)
 * Rugrats Muchin Land (PC CD Rom)
 * The Rugrats Mystery Adventures (PC CD Rom)
 * Rocket Power: Team Rocket Rescue (PlayStation) (Tommy & Angelica appear as guest characters)
 * Nicktoons Racing (PlayStation, Game Boy Advance, Game Boy Color, Microsoft Windows, Arcade) (Tommy and Angelica playable)
 * Nicktoons: Attack of the Toybots (Wii, Nintendo DS, PlayStation 2, Game Boy Advance) (Tommy and Angelica are seen, but are not playable characters.)
 * Nicktoons: The Videogame (possibly)

Lawsuit
In December 2008, the Boston Herald reported that Timothy McGee, a former art student, filed a lawsuit against the creators of the television show for copyright infringement, breach of contract and misappropriation of trade secrets. He alleged that in 1997 he proposed a similar show to Michael Lazzo, who at the time served as a vice president of operations for Cartoon Network. McGee intended that "The Music Factory of the '90s," as the program would be called, feature Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds as its host.


 * Klasky-Csupo

Production history
Rugrats is an American animated television series created by Arlene Klasky, Gábor Csupó, and Paul Germain for Nickelodeon. The series premiered on August 11, 1991 and aired its last episode on June 8, 2004. The series made its world premiere (previously advertised as a live premiere with performances by Chris Brown) on November 3, 2006 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT with a one-hour special, came to Cartoon Network UK on May 28, 2007 and premiered on Cartoon Network Australia/New Zealand on February 4, 2008. Timothy Mcgee sued Andre 3000, claiming he proposed the idea for a similar show in 1997 with Andre replaced by Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds. The show was cancelled on December 14, 2007, with new episodes airing until May 2008. The show was co-created and developed by Thomas W. Lynch & Patric M. Verrone. In January 2010 all mentionings in the website about the show were removed, meaning that Cartoon Network has abandoned it. Although there has not been a DVD released in Region 1, seasons 1 and 2 of the show are currently available on iTunes, with the exception of "The Cure" from season 2. The show focuses on four babies and their day-to-day lives, usually involving common life experiences that become adventures in the babies' imaginations. It was one of the first three Nicktoons and also aired on Nick Jr. in 1995.

Main characters
The show originally revolved around a group of children (three boys and one girl), including infant Thomas "Tommy" Pickles, toddler Charles "Chuckie" Finster, and the twin-infants Phillip "Phil" and Lillian "Lil" DeVille. The toddlers are able to communicate with each other through baby speak, although viewers can understand them, because it is 'translated'. Often, they mispronounce words or use poor grammar and their speaking is full of malapropisms. An example of this is using the word "poopetrator" instead of "perpetrator." The group is often reluctantly joined by Tommy's cousin, Angelica Pickles. At three years old, Angelica is able to communicate and understand language from both the toddlers and the adults, which she often uses as an advantage when she wants to manipulate either party. She is usually very mean to the babies. Susie Carmichael, who lives across the street from the Pickles, is also able to communicate on the same level as Angelica, though she isn't manipulative. As a result, Angelica and Susie often clash.

Episodes
In 1998, a new character was introduced. After The Rugrats Movie, in which Tommy's baby brother Dylan "Dil" Pickles is born, he was soon added as a character on the show. As a four month old baby, Dil is not able to communicate with anyone. Later in 2000, after Rugrats in Paris: The Movie was released, Kimi Finster was added as a character. She is Chuckie's stepsister.

Songs
The Pickles are a mixed Jewish-Christian family. There are two episodes that reflect the Pickles' Jewish heritage, one episode deals with the Passover holiday and the other with Hanukkah (in addition to episodes about Christmas, Easter, Kwanzaa, etc.). These episodes have been praised by Jewish groups and are re-run every year on Nick at the appropriate holiday times and can also be purchased on VHS or DVD. Throughout the show, the students play songs, sometimes based on how they feel. There are also instruments viewed and played by the students and others in every episode.

Production
Rugrats was Nickelodeon's second Nicktoon, debuting on the same day as Doug (which premiered before it) and The Ren and Stimpy Show (which debuted after). The first run of the series was produced from 1991 to 1993 before production went on a hiatus (episodes that had not yet been released at that point continued to be released through 1994). Between 1994 and 1995, only two Jewish-themed specials were produced, and the rest of the series aired in reruns. New episode production resumed in 1997, and the show aired in Nickelodeon's Snick block from 1997-2000. In terms of years on air, it is the longest lasting Nicktoon to date, at over fourteen years longevity, and did not cease production of new episodes until 2004. In terms of number of episodes, it is still in first, but by 2011 it will be surpassed by SpongeBob SquarePants, which will have 178 episodes by the end of its ninth season, barring a Rugrats revival or a SpongeBob cancellation. The Rugrats received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in a ceremony on June 28, 2001. A November 3 Newsday article notes that:"....some creative grown-ups throw down each episode, too, providing distinctive visuals for music videos to Andre Benjamin's original songs performed by the class' kids. 'Ren & Stimpy' wild-man animator John Kricfalusi and classic Parliament-Funkadelic cover artist Overton Loyd do the premiere honors, with subsequent contributions from Marvel Comics' Bill Sienkiewicz and Robotboy director Charlie Bean." The show airs in the UK on CBBC, CITV, Nicktoons, Nickelodeon UK and Nicktoonsters as well as in Canada on YTV. In Australia, it can be seen on Nickelodeon Australia (and, for a period, ABC Television).

First season CD track list
On August 11, 2001, Rugrats celebrated its 10 year anniversary. The special/TV movie, Rugrats: All Growed Up was produced for the occasion. After the show, a special retrospective lookback aired, entitled Rugrats: Still Babies After All These Years. It was narrated by Amanda Bynes. The first season CD featuring songs from the show was released July 3, 2007. The show ended in 2004. Two fairy-tale themed direct-to-video films based on the original series under the title, Rugrats: Tales from the Crib were planned and then released separately in 2005 and in 2006. Individual episodes are now available for purchase on Amazon Video On Demand for 99 cents per episode and on the PlayStation Store for $1.99 for two episodes.

Theatrical films
In 1998, the first Rugrats film was released, entitled The Rugrats Movie, which introduced baby Dil, Tommy's little brother, onto the show. In 2000 the second movie, Rugrats in Paris: The Movie, was released, with two new characters introduced, Kimi and Kira. Kimi would become Chuckie's sister and Kira would become his new mother, after marrying his father. In 2003, the third movie, Rugrats Go Wild, was released. It was a crossover between the Rugrats and The Wild Thornberrys.

Reception
In a 1995 interview, Steven Spielberg referred to Rugrats as one of several shows that are the best children's programming at the time. Spielberg described Rugrats as "sort of a TV Peanuts of our time." It was named the 92nd best animated series by IGN. Jewish and Christian religion groups have given Rugrats high praises for their special holiday episodes. Rugrats were also considered a strongpoint in Nickelodeon's rise in the 1990s.

DVD releases
{| class="wikitable" Nickelodeon and Amazon.com have struck a deal to produce DVDs of new and old Nickelodeon shows, through the CreateSpace service. Using a concept similar to print on demand, Amazon will be making the discs, cover art, and disc art itself. The complete first and second seasons of Rugrats are on sale.

Broadcast history

 * 🇺🇸 USA
 * Nickelodeon (1991–2007)
 * Nicktoons Network (2002–present)
 * 🇨🇦 Canada
 * Nickelodeon (2009–present)
 * YTV (first-run)
 * UK
 * Children's BBC (Including Live & Kicking and Smile) (1993–2004)
 * Nickelodeon (1994–2009)
 * Nicktoons (2002–2008, September 2009–present)
 * CITV (2005–2006)
 * Nicktoonsters (August 2008-July 2009)
 * 🇦🇺 Australia
 * Nickelodeon (January 1995–present)
 * ABC Television (December 1991–present)
 * Network Ten (1999–2002)
 * 🇪🇸 Spain
 * La 2
 * 🇹🇷 Turkey
 * CNBC-E
 * Nickelodeon Turkey
 * TRT
 * 🇦🇷 Argentina
 * The Big Channel
 * Magic Kids
 * Nickelodeon
 * Canal 9
 * New Zealand
 * Nickelodeon NZ (199?-present)
 * TV2 (2003–present)
 * 🇵🇭 Philippines
 * TV5
 * Nickelodeon South East Asia
 * Studio 23
 * 🇮🇱 Israel
 * Channel 1 (1995)
 * Channel 2 (2000)
 * Nickelodeon Israel (2003–2008)
 * 🇮🇪 Ireland
 * RTÉ Two (199?-present)
 * 🇲🇾 Malaysia
 * Nickelodeon South East Asia
 * TV3 (1992–1994)
 * MetroVision (1996–1998)
 * NTV7 (2001–2004)
 * 🇳🇱 Netherlands
 * Nickelodeon
 * 🇺🇦 Ukraine
 * ICTV (Ukraine)
 * 🇮🇹 Italy
 * Italia 1
 * 🇲🇽, 🇨🇴, 🇻🇪, 🇦🇷, Latin America
 * Nickelodeon Latin America 1996 - 2006
 * XHGC-TV Canal 5 (1997–2001), repeats episodes sometimes.
 * 🇵🇰 Pakistan
 * Nickelodeon (Pakistan) (2006–present)
 * 🇸🇪 Sweden
 * Nickelodeon (Sweden)
 * 🇯🇵 Japan
 * Nickelodeon (Japan) (1998–2008)
 * 🇬🇷 Greece
 * Channel 9
 * 🇫🇷 France
 * Nickelodeon (France) (2005–2008)
 * Nicktoons (France) (2003–2005)
 * 🇭🇷 Croatia
 * Nickelodeon (Croatia) (1997–2008)
 * 🇨🇳 China
 * Nickelodeon (China)
 * 🇷🇺 Russia
 * Nickelodeon (CIS)
 * Nickelodeon on TNT
 * 🇿🇦 South Africa
 * Nickelodeon (Africa) (1999–present)
 * 🇦🇪 Arabia
 * Nickelodeon (Arab World) (2008–2010)
 * 🇧🇷 Brazil
 * Nickelodeon (Brazil)
 * 🇮🇳 India
 * Nick (India)

Awards

 * }

DVDs
A DVD of the first season was released on December 3, 2008, in Region 5.
 * Rugrats: Search for Reptar (PlayStation)
 * Rugrats: Studio Tour (PlayStation)

Play adaptation
In March 2009, Atlanta's Alliance Theatre produced a children's play, Class of 3000 LIVE, based upon the television program.
 * Rugrats: Scavenger Hunt (Nintendo 64)
 * Rugrats in Paris - The Movie (Nintendo 64, Game Boy Color, PC CD Rom, PlayStation)
 * Rugrats: Totally Angelica (PlayStation, Game Boy Color)
 * Rugrats: Totally Angelica Boredom Busters (PC CD Rom)
 * Rugrats: Go Wild (PC CD Rom, Game Boy Advance)
 * Rugrats: All Growed Up - Older and Bolder (PC CD Rom)
 * Rugrats: Castle Capers (Game Boy Advance)
 * Rugrats: Royal Ransom (PlayStation 2, Nintendo GameCube)
 * Rugrats: I Gotta Go Party (Game Boy Advance)
 * Rugrats: The Movie (Game Boy, Game Boy Color)
 * Rugrats: Time Travelers (Game Boy Color)
 * Rugrats Activity Challenge (PC CD Rom)
 * Rugrats Adventure Game (PC CD Rom)
 * Rugrats Food Fight (Mobile Phone)
 * Rugrats Muchin Land (PC CD Rom)
 * The Rugrats Mystery Adventures (PC CD Rom)
 * Rocket Power: Team Rocket Rescue (PlayStation) (Tommy & Angelica appear as guest characters)
 * Nicktoons Racing (PlayStation, Game Boy Advance, Game Boy Color, Microsoft Windows, Arcade) (Tommy and Angelica playable)
 * Nicktoons: Attack of the Toybots (Wii, Nintendo DS, PlayStation 2, Game Boy Advance) (Tommy and Angelica are seen, but are not playable characters.)

Lawsuit
In December 2008, the Boston Herald reported that Timothy McGee, a former art student, filed a lawsuit against the creators of the television show for copyright infringement, breach of contract and misappropriation of trade secrets. He alleged that in 1997 he proposed a similar show to Michael Lazzo, who at the time served as a vice president of operations for Cartoon Network. McGee intended that "The Music Factory of the '90s," as the program would be called, feature Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds as its host.


 * Klasky-Csupo

Production history
Rugrats is an American animated television series created by Arlene Klasky, Gábor Csupó, and Paul Germain for Nickelodeon. The series premiered on August 11, 1991 and aired its last episode on June 8, 2004. The series made its world premiere (previously advertised as a live premiere with performances by Chris Brown) on November 3, 2006 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT with a one-hour special, came to Cartoon Network UK on May 28, 2007 and premiered on Cartoon Network Australia/New Zealand on February 4, 2008. Timothy McGee sued Andre 3000, claiming he proposed the idea for a similar show in 1997 with Andre replaced by Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds. The show was co-created and developed by Thomas W. Lynch & Patric M. Verrone. In January 2010 all mentionings in the website about the show were removed, meaning that Cartoon Network has abandoned it. Although there has not been a DVD released in Region 1, seasons 1 and 2 of the show are currently available on iTunes, with the exception of "The Cure" from season 2.

Main characters
The show focuses on eight babies, as well as a dog, and their day-to-day lives, usually involving common life experiences that become adventures in the babies' imaginations. It was one of the first three Nicktoons and also aired on Nick Jr. in 1995.

Reception
The show received mostly positive reviews. On TV.com, the series has a "good" rating of 7.2. On IMDb, the show has a mixed to positive rating of 5.4. The soundtrack rating is a positive 4 and a half stars rating on Amazon.

The show originally revolved around four children (three boys and one girl) and a dog. The fearless brave leader Thomas "Tommy" Pickles (whose family moved from Akron, Ohio to their current location in California), the cautious toddler Charles "Chuckie" Finster who reluctantly agreed to venture out into the open, unsafe areas of the house, the twin-infants Phillip "Phil" and Lillian "Lil" DeVille who were ready for a new challenge, and Spike, Tommy's dog. The toddlers are able to communicate with each other through baby speak, although viewers can understand them, because it is 'translated'. A running gag in the show is that they mispronounce words or use poor grammar and their speaking is full of malapropisms. An example of this is using the word "poopetrator" instead of "perpetrator" in "The Trial" episode. The group is often reluctantly joined by Tommy's cousin, Angelica Pickles. At three years old, Angelica is able to communicate and understand language from both the toddlers and the adults, which she often uses as an advantage when she wants to manipulate either party. She is usually very mean to the babies. Susie Carmichael, who lives across the street from the Pickles, is also able to communicate on the same level as Angelica, though she is not manipulative. As a result of this, as well as being favored by the babies, she often clashes with Angelica.

Episodes
After The Rugrats Movie (1998), in which Tommy's baby brother Dylan "Dil" Pickles is born, he was soon added as a character on the show. As a 1 year old baby, Dil is not able to communicate with anyone. Later after Rugrats in Paris: The Movie (2000) was released, Kimi Finster was added as a character. She is Chuckie's stepsister.

Songs
Leaving the safety of their own playpen, the children would explore their surroundings and try to make sense out of what the adults are doing. The babies often manage to get away with meandering off and going on escapades, for the reason that Tommy’s daddy, Stu, is more often than not trying to create toys downstairs in the basement. Tommy's mother, Didi, is normally reading the most modern good-parenting guide too actively to take any kind of notice, and his paternal grandfather, Lou, is customarily sleeping in front of the television, oblivious to their antics. While most of the time, the babies are in their playpen, they always manage to get out using a plastic screwdriver Tommy keeps in his diaper (unbeknownst to any of the adults). When they create any kind of mess or visible damage, they are almost never seen as the instigators, due to them being babies. If an older person is in the vicinity of the mess (usually Angelica), that individual is held accountable. The most treacherous escapade the babies embarked occured in The Rugrats Movie where they got lost in the forest going against a man-eating wolf and a pack of circus monkeys determined to steal their baby food.

Throughout the show, the students play songs, sometimes based on how they feel. There are also instruments viewed and played by the students and others in every episode. The Pickles are a mixed Jewish-Christian family. There are two episodes that reflect the Pickles' Jewish heritage, one episode deals with the Passover holiday and the other with Hanukkah (in addition to episodes about Christmas, Easter, Kwanzaa, etc.). A November 3 Newsday article notes that:"....some creative grown-ups throw down each episode, too, providing distinctive visuals for music videos to Andre Benjamin's original songs performed by the class' kids. Ren & Stimpy wild-man animator John Kricfalusi and classic Parliament-Funkadelic cover artist Overton Loyd do the premiere honors, with subsequent contributions from Marvel Comics' Bill Sienkiewicz and Robotboy director Charlie Bean."

Origins
Rugrats was formed by the then husband-and-wife duo of Gabor Csupo and Arlene Klasky, along with Paul Germain in 1989. Klasky-Csupo had a major animation firm at the time which also provided services for commercials and music videos. Klasky, Csupo, and Germain were also animating The Simpsons at the time, which they would continue to do until 1992. The trio decided to create their own series in reaction to a proclamation by the children's cable network Nickelodeon that they were to launch their own line of animated shows, which would be later called Nicktoons. With the comedic stimulation branching from the antics of Klasky and Csupo's infant children, the 6$1/2$–minute pilot episode, "Tommy Pickles & the Great White Thing" (never to be aired), went into production.

First season CD track list
Peter Chung, along with Klasky and Csupo, co-designed the characters and directed the series pilot, "Tommy Pickles And The Great White Thing," as well as the opening sequence. The production was completed in 1990 and they submitted it to Nickelodeon, who tested it with an audience of children. The feedback for the pilot episode was primarily positive. With that, the series went into production. Chuckie and Angelica were added as characters. The first season CD featuring songs from the show was released July 3, 2007. Paul Germain felt that the series needed a bully. Angelica was based on a bully in Germain's childhood, who was a girl. In addition to that, it was Germain who decided that Angelica would be a spoiled brat. Arlene Klasky, one of the show's creators initially did not like Angelica Pickles. Klasky also protested Angelica's actions in episodes like "Barbecue Story" (where she threw Tommy's ball over the fence). In a New Yorker article, Klasky said, "I think she's a bully. I never liked Angelica." Klasky never fully approved of her character development. Her bullying caused Arlene to disdain her. Angelica started to become a problem for the some of the Rugrats staff. In some instances, her voice, Cheryl Chase, had trouble portraying a mean Angelica. To help Chase out, Steve Viksen, one of the writers, would mention that Angelica was the series's J.R. Ewing. After the episode "The Trial," Klasky complained that the Rugrats were starting to act too old for their age. Csupo often acted as a mediator in arguments between Klasky and the writers, with the writers often winning. Some of the offscreen tensions ultimately found their way into the scripts and, naturally, into the show. In 1993, shortly before Nick premiered the last of the original 65, production of new episodes ceased, and most of the Rugrats writing team left Klasky-Csupo. After the first run days were over, Nick had enough episodes to show every day, and did just that in 1994, scheduling the show in the early evening, when both kids and parents will be watching. After 3 years of repeats, the show went back into production. However, the tensions between Klasky-Csupo and their former writers still existed. After The Rugrats Movie and seeing the "new" Angelica in the film, Klasky changed her tune: "I think she's great for the show; I love Angelica."

Production
Rugrats was Nickelodeon's second Nicktoon, debuting on the same day as Doug (which premiered before it) and The Ren and Stimpy Show (which debuted after). The first run of the series was produced from 1991 to 1993 before production went on a hiatus (episodes that had not yet been released at that point continued to be released through 1994). Between 1995 and 1996, only two Jewish-themed specials were aired, and the rest of the series aired in reruns. Production on new episodes began 1997, and the show aired in Nickelodeon's Snick block from 1997 to 2000. As of 2011, it is the longest-lasting Nicktoon to date, at over fourteen years longevity, and did not cease production of new episodes until 2004. In terms of number of episodes, it is still in first, but by 2011 it will be surpassed by SpongeBob SquarePants, which will have 178 episodes by the end of its eighth season, barring a Rugrats revival or a SpongeBob cancellation; SpongeBob will reach Rugrats in terms of years on air in 2013. On August 11, 2001, Rugrats celebrated its 10-year anniversary. The special/TV movie, Rugrats: All Growed Up was produced for the occasion. After the show, a special retrospective lookback aired, entitled "Rugrats: Still Babies After All These Years." It was narrated by Amanda Bynes. Nickelodeon approved of its ratings and popularity so much (about 70% of viewers with cable tuned in), they eventually commissioned a full series, All Grown Up, which ran from 2003 to 2008. Rugrats ended on June 8, 2004, along with fellow Nicktoon, Hey Arnold. After the run, two fairy-tale themed direct-to-video films based on the original series under the title, Rugrats: Tales from the Crib were produced and then released separately in 2005 and in 2006.

Voice actors
Through its full run, Rugrats, occupied several main voice actors. E.G. Daily provided the voice of Tommy Pickles, except in the unaired pilot where Tami Holbrook provided the voice; Christine Cavanaugh was the original voice of Chuckie Finster, but left after 2001 for personal reasons and was subsequently replaced by Nancy Cartwright in 2002. The fraternal twins, Phil and Lil (as well as their mother, Betty) were voiced by Kath Soucie; Dil Pickles (and Timmy McNulty) were voiced by Tara Strong. Cheryl Chase initially auditioned for the role of Tommy, but was passed up. When the show came to series, she was brought on board to be cast as the voice of Angelica Pickles. Dionne Quan was the voice of Kimi Finster, however as she is legally blind, in order to do the voice, the producers had to interpret the scripts into Braille, so she could read them by sensing the bumps with her fingers. Susie was primarily voiced by Cree Summer, though in two episodes where she could not be in attendance E.G. Daily filled in. Other regular voice actors included Melanie Chartoff as Didi Pickles, Jack Riley as Stu Pickles, Tress MacNeille as Charlotte Pickles, and Michael Bell as Drew Pickles and Chaz Finster. David Doyle provided the voice of Grandpa Lou Pickles until his death in 1997, where Joe Alaskey took over till the end of the series. In 2000, Debbie Reynolds joined the cast as Lulu Pickles, Lou's second wife, and remained until the series' end.

Writing style
With Rugrats it usually took a few months to make an episode, for the story has to get written, and then approved. The next process consisted of voice recording, storyboarding, pre-eliminating animation, overseas production & delivery, editing and polishing. All of that had to happen even before Klasky-Csupo sent the master tapes to Nick. In addition, fine animation took time to make. During the first six seasons of Rugrats it was, primarily divided into two eleven-minute episodes. After the second movie, during season 7, Rugrats made a change with a different format that consisted of three episodes per show, though it returned to its original two-episode-per-show format in the final two seasons.

DVD releases
{| class="wikitable" Nickelodeon and Amazon.com have struck a deal to produce DVDs of new and old Nickelodeon shows, through the CreateSpace service. Using a concept similar to print on demand, Amazon made the discs, cover art, and disc art itself. The complete first and second seasons of Rugrats were released on June 2, 2009 along with The Fairly OddParents first and second seasons.

Nick Picks DVDs
These 2 Rugrats episodes were released on the Nick Picks DVDs.
 * Nick Picks Volume 1: Finsterella
 * Nick Picks Volume 2: All Growed Up

Critical reception
Since its debut in 1991, Rugrats generally received positive reviews from critics and fans. In a 1995 interview, Steven Spielberg referred to the show as one of several shows that are the best children's programming at the time. Spielberg described Rugrats as "sort of a TV Peanuts of our time." It was named the 92nd-best animated series by IGN. Rugrats was also considered a strong point in Nickelodeon's rise in the 1990s. In a press release celebrating the show's 10th anniversary, Cyma Zarghami stated, "During the past decade, 'Rugrats' has evolved from a ratings powerhouse, being the number one children's show on TV, to pop icon status. It has secured a place in the hearts of both kids and adults, who see it from their own point of view". According to Nickelodeon producers, this show made them the number-one channel in the 1990s. Jeff Jarvis reviewed Rugrats and stated, "When the Simpsons was a segment on The Tracey Ullman Show, it was just a belch joke with hip pretensions. As a series, it grew flesh and guts. It was my favorite cartoon...until I discovered Nickelodeon's Rugrats, a sardonic, sly, kid's eye view of the world that skewers thirty-something parents and (The) Cosby (Show) kids."

Popularity, appeal, and controversy
When Rugrats débuted in 1991, it was not as hugely popular as it would later become. When production went on a hiatus from 1994, Nick began showing Rugrats repeats everyday. More and more people began to take notice of the show, with ratings and popularity for Rugrats and Nick rising. From 1995 to 2000, it was the highest-rated show on Nickelodeon and the highest rated kids' show. The show experienced a wide diverse audience consisting of kids, teenagers and adults alike. Rugrats was successful in receiving an average of 26.7 million viewers every week: 14.7 million kids (2-11), 3.2 million teens (12-17), and 8.8 million adults (18 and over). In addition, Rugrats was seen internationally in over 76 countries. It was the only one of the three original Nicktoons that continued in the 2000s, and had its own spin-off. It is the most successful of the three original Nicktoons. While the other Nicktoons were popular during their run, Doug would later slip out of Nick's hands and into Disney's; and Ren and Stimpy would crash and burn in a creative rights dispute (only to return several years later in a much raunchier version on another network). During its run, Rugrats was enjoyed by a number of famous stars including Alexa Vega, Daryl Sabara, Amanda Bynes, Aaron Carter, Ray Romano, Nivea and Bow Wow. With 172 episodes produced over the course of nearly 13 years, Rugrats remains the longest-running Nicktoon to date. SpongeBob SquarePants will surpass both benchmarks when it airs its 173rd episode on February 27, 2012. Rugrats was one of very few shows that pictured observant, identifiably Jewish families. Jewish and Christian religion groups gave the show high praises for their special holiday episodes. Nonetheless, at one point the Anti-Defamation League and the Washington Post editorial page castigated the series for its depiction of the Pickles grandparents, who purportedly looked like Nazi caricatures.

Awards and nominations

 * }

DVDs
A DVD of the first season was released on December 3, 2008, in Region 4. On June 28, 2001, in commemoration of their tenth anniversary, Rugrats received a star on the fabled Hollywood Walk of Fame, making it Nickelodeon’s first (and to date, only) series to receive a star. It was placed at 6600 W. Hollywood Bl., near Cherokee Ave. outside a toy and costume shop.

Play adaptation
In the October 2001 issue of Wizard Magazine, a leading magazine for comic book fans, they released the results of the 100 Greatest Toons ever, as selected by their readers, Rugrats ranked at #35. Three other Nicktoons—SpongeBob SquarePants, Invader Zim, and Ren and Stimpy—also placed on the list. In March 2009, Atlanta's Alliance Theatre produced a children's play, Class of 3000 LIVE, based upon the television program. In a list of TV Land’s The 2000 Best Things About Television, ranking the all-time TV shows, channels, commercials, people, catch phrases, etc., Rugrats is ranked #699. Angelica Pickles placed 7th in TV Guide's list of “Top 50 Greatest Cartoon Characters of All Time” in 2002.

Films
In 1998, The Rugrats Movie was released, which introduced baby Dil, Tommy's little brother, onto the show. It grossed in worldwide results, $140,894,675, making it a very large box office success, considering its modest $24 million budget. Not only was the movie a commercial success, the film earned mixed to positive reviews from critics. As of 2011, it remains the highest grossing Rugrats film to date. In 2000 a sequel, Rugrats in Paris: The Movie, was released, with two new characters introduced, Kimi and Kira. Kimi would become Chuckie's sister and Kira would become his new mother, after marrying his father. While it received a positive reception, it did not gross as high as the first film. In 2003, Rugrats Go Wild was released. It was a crossover between the Rugrats and The Wild Thornberrys. It is the lowest grossing Rugrats film to date.

Comics
From 1998 to 2003, Nick produced a Rugrats comic strip, which was distributed through Creator's Syndicate. Initially written by show-writer Scott Gray and drawn by comic book artist Steve Crespo, with Rob Armstrong as editor. Will Blyberg came on board shortly after as inker. By the end of '98, Lee Nordling, who had joined as a contributing gag writer, took over as editor. Nordling hired extra writers, including Gordon Kent, Scott Roberts, Chuck Kim, J. Torres, Marc Bilgrey, and John Zakour, as well new artists including Gary Fields, Tim Harkins, Vince Giaranno, and Scott Roberts. Stu Chaifetz colored the Sunday strips. The Rugrats strip started out in many papers, but as often happens with spin-off strips, soon slowed down. It's still seen in some papers in re-runs. Two paperback collections were published by Andrews McMeel It's A Jungle-Gym Out There and A Baby's Work Is Never Done. During this time, Nickelodeon also published 30 issues of an all Rugrats comic magazine. Most of these were edited by Frank Pittarese and Dave Roman, and featured stories and art by the comic strip creators and others. The last nine issues featured cover art by Scott Roberts, who wrote and drew many of the stories. Other writers included Roman, Chris Duffy, Patrick M. O'Connell & Joyce Mann, and Jim Spivey. Other artists included Joe Staton and Ernie Colón. The magazine also included short stories, many by Pittarese, and games, as well as reprints from an earlier, UK produced Rugrats comic. Finally, Nick produced a special, 50 page comic magazine retelling of the film Rugrats In Paris, edited by Pittarese and Roman, with script by Scott Gray, pencils by Scott Roberts, and inks by Adam DeKraker.

Video games

 * Rugrats: Search for Reptar (PlayStation)
 * Rugrats: Studio Tour (PlayStation)
 * Rugrats: Scavenger Hunt (Nintendo 64)
 * Rugrats in Paris - The Movie (Nintendo 64, Game Boy Color, PC CD Rom, PlayStation)
 * Rugrats: Totally Angelica (PlayStation, Game Boy Color)
 * Rugrats: Totally Angelica Boredom Busters (PC CD Rom)
 * Rugrats: Go Wild (PC CD Rom, Game Boy Advance)
 * Rugrats: All Growed Up - Older and Bolder (PC CD Rom)
 * Rugrats: Castle Capers (Game Boy Advance)
 * Rugrats: Royal Ransom (PlayStation 2, Nintendo GameCube)
 * Rugrats: I Gotta Go Party (Game Boy Advance)
 * Rugrats: Time Travelers (Game Boy Color)
 * Rugrats Activity Challenge (PC CD Rom)
 * Rugrats Adventure Game (PC CD Rom)
 * Rugrats Food Fight (Mobile Phone)
 * Rugrats Munchin Land (PC CD Rom)
 * The Rugrats Movie (Game Boy Color)
 * The Rugrats Mystery Adventures (PC CD Rom)
 * Rocket Power: Team Rocket Rescue (PlayStation) (Tommy & Angelica appear as guest characters)
 * Nickelodeon Party Blast (Gamecube), Xbox (Tommy and Angelica are playable)
 * Nicktoons Racing (PlayStation, Game Boy Advance, Game Boy Color, Microsoft Windows, Arcade) (Tommy and Angelica playable)
 * Nicktoons Basketball (PC CD Rom) (Tommy appears in All Grown Up! appearance)
 * Nicktoons: Attack of the Toybots (Wii, Nintendo DS, PlayStation 2, Game Boy Advance) (Tommy and Angelica are seen, but are not playable characters.)

Live performances
Rugrats—A Live Adventure was a show about Angelica's constant attempts to scare Chuckie. To help Chuckie combat his wide range of fears, Tommy invents a magic wand called the "People-ator" to make Chuckie brave. Angelica, however, wants Chuckie to stay scared, so she steals Tommy's wand. The Rugrats try to get it back, but to no avail. Angelica becomes Princess of the World. Eventually, Chuckie becomes brave thanks to the help of Susie, Mr. Flashlight and the audience. Many songs were included in the play, including the theme song. The music was met with a rather mixed reception, which applause was tepid at best. However, the dancing was much better received. In addition, as soon as a character approached the stage to engage the crowd, the response from the kids was wild. Chuckie's pleas help from the audience to stop Angelica's megalomaniacal march toward world domination elicited much excitement and response. Overall, despite the criticism, the show was well received. The show had two 40-minute acts, with a 20-minute intermission (or a commercial break).

Merchandise
Merchandise that was based on Rugrats varied from video games toothpaste, Kellogg’s cereal to slippers, puzzles, pajamas, jewelry, wrapping paper, Fruit Snacks, Inflatable balls, watches,  pens, pencils, markers, cookie jars, key rings,  action figures,  and bubblegum. The show also managed to spawn a popular merchandise line at Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Target, EBay, Hot Topic, JCPenney, Toys "R" Us, Mattel, Barnes & Noble and Basic Fun, just to name a few. The Rugrats had their own cereal made by Post called Reptar Crunch Cereal. The Rugrats and Reptar were predominantly featured on the front, there's a board game on the back, and a special $3 rebate for Runaway Reptar on the side. This cereal was released for a limited time only, sold at US supermarkets 8/1/99 to 9/15/99 only, and not all supermarkets carried the cereal. To memorialize the movie, Rugrats in Paris, another Rugrats-based cereal came out in October 2000. Simply called the Rugrats in Paris Cereal, it has a similar appearance to Trix; it's a sweetened, multi-grain cereal with small-round bits in plain, red, purple and green. Small Eiffel Towers could also be seen. Rugrats made fast-food appearances as well with the most appearances being on Burger King. Their first fast food appearance was in 1994, when the Hardee's fast food chain offered a collection of Nicktoons toys as premiums that were included with kids' meals at Hardee's. All 4 Nicktoons at that time were featured—Ren & Stimpy, Rocko’s Modern Life, Doug and Rugrats. Other food items that feature Rugrats were Fruit Snacks, Macaroni and Cheese, Bubble Gum and Campbell's Rugrats Pasta with Chicken and Broth. In their first tie-in with Burger King, 5 Rugrats toys were offered with their Kids Club meals, a different one with each meal. Each toy came with a 12-page (including covers) miniature version of Nickelodeon Magazine, which featured the toy's instructions, word search, picture puzzle, "Say What?”,a scrambled word puzzle, a coupon for Oral-B Rugrats toothpaste & toothbrush, and entry blanks to subscribe to Rugrats Comic Adventures, Nick Magazine and the Kids Club. From 1998 till 2003, "Rugrats" based-products included watches and various toys.

Production history
Rugrats is an American animated television series created by Arlene Klasky, Gábor Csupó, and Paul Germain for Nickelodeon. The series premiered on August 11, 1991 and aired its last episode on June 8, 2004. The series made its world premiere (previously advertised as a live premiere with performances by Chris Brown) on November 3, 2006 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT with a one-hour special, came to Cartoon Network UK on May 28, 2007 and premiered on Cartoon Network Australia/New Zealand on February 4, 2008. Timothy McGee sued Andre 3000, claiming he proposed the idea for a similar show in 1997 with Andre replaced by Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds. The show was co-created and developed by Thomas W. Lynch & Patric M. Verrone. In January 2010 all mentionings in the website about the show were removed, meaning that Cartoon Network has abandoned it. Although there has not been a DVD released in Region 1, seasons 1 and 2 of the show are currently available on iTunes, with the exception of "The Cure" from season 2.

Main characters
The show focuses on eight babies, as well as a dog, and their day-to-day lives, usually involving common life experiences that become adventures in the babies' imaginations. It was one of the first three Nicktoons and also aired on Nick Jr. in 1995.

Reception
The show received mostly positive reviews. On TV.com, the series has a "good" rating of 7.2. On IMDb, the show has a mixed to positive rating of 5.4. The soundtrack rating is a positive 4 and a half stars rating on Amazon.

The show originally revolved around four children (three boys and one girl) and a dog. The fearless brave leader Thomas "Tommy" Pickles (whose family moved from Akron, Ohio to their current location in California), the cautious toddler Charles "Chuckie" Finster who reluctantly agreed to venture out into the open, unsafe areas of the house, the twin-infants Phillip "Phil" and Lillian "Lil" DeVille who were ready for a new challenge, and Spike, Tommy's dog. The toddlers are able to communicate with each other through baby speak, although viewers can understand them, because it is 'translated'. A running gag in the show is that they mispronounce words or use poor grammar and their speaking is full of malapropisms. An example of this is using the word "poopetrator" instead of "perpetrator" in "The Trial" episode. The group is often reluctantly joined by Tommy's cousin, Angelica Pickles. At three years old, Angelica is able to communicate and understand language from both the toddlers and the adults, which she often uses as an advantage when she wants to manipulate either party. She is usually very mean to the babies. Susie Carmichael, who lives across the street from the Pickles, is also able to communicate on the same level as Angelica, though she is not manipulative. As a result of this, as well as being favored by the babies, she often clashes with Angelica.

Episodes
After The Rugrats Movie (1998), in which Tommy's baby brother Dylan "Dil" Pickles is born, he was soon added as a character on the show. As a 1 year old baby, Dil is not able to communicate with anyone. Later after Rugrats in Paris: The Movie (2000) was released, Kimi Finster was added as a character. She is Chuckie's stepsister.

Songs
Leaving the safety of their own playpen, the children would explore their surroundings and try to make sense out of what the adults are doing. The babies often manage to get away with meandering off and going on escapades, for the reason that Tommy’s daddy, Stu, is more often than not trying to create toys downstairs in the basement. Tommy's mother, Didi, is normally reading the most modern good-parenting guide too actively to take any kind of notice, and his paternal grandfather, Lou, is customarily sleeping in front of the television, oblivious to their antics. While most of the time, the babies are in their playpen, they always manage to get out using a plastic screwdriver Tommy keeps in his diaper (unbeknownst to any of the adults). When they create any kind of mess or visible damage, they are almost never seen as the instigators, due to them being babies. If an older person is in the vicinity of the mess (usually Angelica), that individual is held accountable. The most treacherous escapade the babies embarked occured in The Rugrats Movie where they got lost in the forest going against a man-eating wolf and a pack of circus monkeys determined to steal their baby food.

Throughout the show, the students play songs, sometimes based on how they feel. There are also instruments viewed and played by the students and others in every episode. The Pickles are a mixed Jewish-Christian family. There are two episodes that reflect the Pickles' Jewish heritage, one episode deals with the Passover holiday and the other with Hanukkah (in addition to episodes about Christmas, Easter, Kwanzaa, etc.). A November 3 Newsday article notes that:"....some creative grown-ups throw down each episode, too, providing distinctive visuals for music videos to Andre Benjamin's original songs performed by the class' kids. Ren & Stimpy wild-man animator John Kricfalusi and classic Parliament-Funkadelic cover artist Overton Loyd do the premiere honors, with subsequent contributions from Marvel Comics' Bill Sienkiewicz and Robotboy director Charlie Bean."

Origins
Rugrats was formed by the then husband-and-wife duo of Gabor Csupo and Arlene Klasky, along with Paul Germain in 1989. Klasky-Csupo had a major animation firm at the time which also provided services for commercials and music videos. Klasky, Csupo, and Germain were also animating The Simpsons at the time, which they would continue to do until 1992. The trio decided to create their own series in reaction to a proclamation by the children's cable network Nickelodeon that they were to launch their own line of animated shows, which would be later called Nicktoons. With the comedic stimulation branching from the antics of Klasky and Csupo's infant children, the 6$1/2$–minute pilot episode, "Tommy Pickles & the Great White Thing" (never to be aired), went into production.

First season CD track list
Peter Chung, along with Klasky and Csupo, co-designed the characters and directed the series pilot, "Tommy Pickles And The Great White Thing," as well as the opening sequence. The production was completed in 1990 and they submitted it to Nickelodeon, who tested it with an audience of children. The feedback for the pilot episode was primarily positive. With that, the series went into production. Chuckie and Angelica were added as characters. The first season CD featuring songs from the show was released July 3, 2007. Paul Germain felt that the series needed a bully. Angelica was based on a bully in Germain's childhood, who was a girl. In addition to that, it was Germain who decided that Angelica would be a spoiled brat. Arlene Klasky, one of the show's creators initially did not like Angelica Pickles. Klasky also protested Angelica's actions in episodes like "Barbecue Story" (where she threw Tommy's ball over the fence). In a New Yorker article, Klasky said, "I think she's a bully. I never liked Angelica." Klasky never fully approved of her character development. Her bullying caused Arlene to disdain her. Angelica started to become a problem for the some of the Rugrats staff. In some instances, her voice, Cheryl Chase, had trouble portraying a mean Angelica. To help Chase out, Steve Viksen, one of the writers, would mention that Angelica was the series's J.R. Ewing. After the episode "The Trial," Klasky complained that the Rugrats were starting to act too old for their age. Csupo often acted as a mediator in arguments between Klasky and the writers, with the writers often winning. Some of the offscreen tensions ultimately found their way into the scripts and, naturally, into the show. In 1993, shortly before Nick premiered the last of the original 65, production of new episodes ceased, and most of the Rugrats writing team left Klasky-Csupo. After the first run days were over, Nick had enough episodes to show every day, and did just that in 1994, scheduling the show in the early evening, when both kids and parents will be watching. After 3 years of repeats, the show went back into production. However, the tensions between Klasky-Csupo and their former writers still existed. After The Rugrats Movie and seeing the "new" Angelica in the film, Klasky changed her tune: "I think she's great for the show; I love Angelica."

Production
Rugrats was Nickelodeon's second Nicktoon, debuting on the same day as Doug (which premiered before it) and The Ren and Stimpy Show (which debuted after). The first run of the series was produced from 1991 to 1993 before production went on a hiatus (episodes that had not yet been released at that point continued to be released through 1994). Between 1995 and 1996, only two Jewish-themed specials were aired, and the rest of the series aired in reruns. Production on new episodes began 1997, and the show aired in Nickelodeon's Snick block from 1997 to 2000. As of 2011, it is the longest-lasting Nicktoon to date, at over fourteen years longevity, and did not cease production of new episodes until 2004. In terms of number of episodes, it is still in first, but by 2011 it will be surpassed by SpongeBob SquarePants, which will have 178 episodes by the end of its eighth season, barring a Rugrats revival or a SpongeBob cancellation; SpongeBob will reach Rugrats in terms of years on air in 2013. On August 11, 2001, Rugrats celebrated its 10-year anniversary. The special/TV movie, Rugrats: All Growed Up was produced for the occasion. After the show, a special retrospective lookback aired, entitled "Rugrats: Still Babies After All These Years." It was narrated by Amanda Bynes. Nickelodeon approved of its ratings and popularity so much (about 70% of viewers with cable tuned in), they eventually commissioned a full series, All Grown Up, which ran from 2003 to 2008. Rugrats ended on June 8, 2004, along with fellow Nicktoon, Hey Arnold. After the run, two fairy-tale themed direct-to-video films based on the original series under the title, Rugrats: Tales from the Crib were produced and then released separately in 2005 and in 2006.

Voice actors
Through its full run, Rugrats, occupied several main voice actors. E.G. Daily provided the voice of Tommy Pickles, except in the unaired pilot where Tami Holbrook provided the voice; Christine Cavanaugh was the original voice of Chuckie Finster, but left after 2001 for personal reasons and was subsequently replaced by Nancy Cartwright in 2002. The fraternal twins, Phil and Lil (as well as their mother, Betty) were voiced by Kath Soucie; Dil Pickles (and Timmy McNulty) were voiced by Tara Strong. Cheryl Chase initially auditioned for the role of Tommy, but was passed up. When the show came to series, she was brought on board to be cast as the voice of Angelica Pickles. Dionne Quan was the voice of Kimi Finster, however as she is legally blind, in order to do the voice, the producers had to interpret the scripts into Braille, so she could read them by sensing the bumps with her fingers. Susie was primarily voiced by Cree Summer, though in two episodes where she could not be in attendance E.G. Daily filled in. Other regular voice actors included Melanie Chartoff as Didi Pickles, Jack Riley as Stu Pickles, Tress MacNeille as Charlotte Pickles, and Michael Bell as Drew Pickles and Chaz Finster. David Doyle provided the voice of Grandpa Lou Pickles until his death in 1997, where Joe Alaskey took over till the end of the series. In 2000, Debbie Reynolds joined the cast as Lulu Pickles, Lou's second wife, and remained until the series' end.

Writing style
With Rugrats it usually took a few months to make an episode, for the story has to get written, and then approved. The next process consisted of voice recording, storyboarding, pre-eliminating animation, overseas production & delivery, editing and polishing. All of that had to happen even before Klasky-Csupo sent the master tapes to Nick. In addition, fine animation took time to make. During the first six seasons of Rugrats it was, primarily divided into two eleven-minute episodes. After the second movie, during season 7, Rugrats made a change with a different format that consisted of three episodes per show, though it returned to its original two-episode-per-show format in the final two seasons.

DVD releases
{| class="wikitable" Nickelodeon and Amazon.com have struck a deal to produce DVDs of new and old Nickelodeon shows, through the CreateSpace service. Using a concept similar to print on demand, Amazon made the discs, cover art, and disc art itself. The complete first and second seasons of Rugrats were released on June 2, 2009 along with The Fairly OddParents first and second seasons.

Nick Picks DVDs
These 2 Rugrats episodes were released on the Nick Picks DVDs.
 * Nick Picks Volume 1: Finsterella
 * Nick Picks Volume 2: All Growed Up

Critical reception
Since its debut in 1991, Rugrats generally received positive reviews from critics and fans. In a 1995 interview, Steven Spielberg referred to the show as one of several shows that are the best children's programming at the time. Spielberg described Rugrats as "sort of a TV Peanuts of our time." It was named the 92nd-best animated series by IGN. Rugrats was also considered a strong point in Nickelodeon's rise in the 1990s. In a press release celebrating the show's 10th anniversary, Cyma Zarghami stated, "During the past decade, 'Rugrats' has evolved from a ratings powerhouse, being the number one children's show on TV, to pop icon status. It has secured a place in the hearts of both kids and adults, who see it from their own point of view". According to Nickelodeon producers, this show made them the number-one channel in the 1990s. Jeff Jarvis reviewed Rugrats and stated, "When the Simpsons was a segment on The Tracey Ullman Show, it was just a belch joke with hip pretensions. As a series, it grew flesh and guts. It was my favorite cartoon...until I discovered Nickelodeon's Rugrats, a sardonic, sly, kid's eye view of the world that skewers thirty-something parents and (The) Cosby (Show) kids."

Popularity, appeal, and controversy
When Rugrats débuted in 1991, it was not as hugely popular as it would later become. When production went on a hiatus from 1994, Nick began showing Rugrats repeats everyday. More and more people began to take notice of the show, with ratings and popularity for Rugrats and Nick rising. From 1995 to 2000, it was the highest-rated show on Nickelodeon and the highest rated kids' show. The show experienced a wide diverse audience consisting of kids, teenagers and adults alike. Rugrats was successful in receiving an average of 26.7 million viewers every week: 14.7 million kids (2-11), 3.2 million teens (12-17), and 8.8 million adults (18 and over). In addition, Rugrats was seen internationally in over 76 countries. It was the only one of the three original Nicktoons that continued in the 2000s, and had its own spin-off. It is the most successful of the three original Nicktoons. While the other Nicktoons were popular during their run, Doug would later slip out of Nick's hands and into Disney's; and Ren and Stimpy would crash and burn in a creative rights dispute (only to return several years later in a much raunchier version on another network). During its run, Rugrats was enjoyed by a number of famous stars including Alexa Vega, Daryl Sabara, Amanda Bynes, Aaron Carter, Ray Romano, Nivea and Bow Wow. With 172 episodes produced over the course of nearly 13 years, Rugrats remains the longest-running Nicktoon to date. SpongeBob SquarePants will surpass both benchmarks when it airs its 173rd episode on February 27, 2012. Rugrats was one of very few shows that pictured observant, identifiably Jewish families. Jewish and Christian religion groups gave the show high praises for their special holiday episodes. Nonetheless, at one point the Anti-Defamation League and the Washington Post editorial page castigated the series for its depiction of the Pickles grandparents, who purportedly looked like Nazi caricatures.

Awards and nominations

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DVDs
A DVD of the first season was released on December 3, 2008, in Region 4. On June 28, 2001, in commemoration of their tenth anniversary, Rugrats received a star on the fabled Hollywood Walk of Fame, making it Nickelodeon’s first (and to date, only) series to receive a star. It was placed at 6600 W. Hollywood Bl., near Cherokee Ave. outside a toy and costume shop.

Play adaptation
In the October 2001 issue of Wizard Magazine, a leading magazine for comic book fans, they released the results of the 100 Greatest Toons ever, as selected by their readers, Rugrats ranked at #35. Three other Nicktoons—SpongeBob SquarePants, Invader Zim, and Ren and Stimpy—also placed on the list. In March 2009, Atlanta's Alliance Theatre produced a children's play, Class of 3000 LIVE, based upon the television program. In a list of TV Land’s The 2000 Best Things About Television, ranking the all-time TV shows, channels, commercials, people, catch phrases, etc., Rugrats is ranked #699. Angelica Pickles placed 7th in TV Guide's list of “Top 50 Greatest Cartoon Characters of All Time” in 2002.

Films
In 1998, The Rugrats Movie was released, which introduced baby Dil, Tommy's little brother, onto the show. It grossed in worldwide results, $140,894,675, making it a very large box office success, considering its modest $24 million budget. Not only was the movie a commercial success, the film earned mixed to positive reviews from critics. As of 2011, it remains the highest grossing Rugrats film to date. In 2000 a sequel, Rugrats in Paris: The Movie, was released, with two new characters introduced, Kimi and Kira. Kimi would become Chuckie's sister and Kira would become his new mother, after marrying his father. While it received a positive reception, it did not gross as high as the first film. In 2003, Rugrats Go Wild was released. It was a crossover between the Rugrats and The Wild Thornberrys. It is the lowest grossing Rugrats film to date.

Comics
From 1998 to 2003, Nick produced a Rugrats comic strip, which was distributed through Creator's Syndicate. Initially written by show-writer Scott Gray and drawn by comic book artist Steve Crespo, with Rob Armstrong as editor. Will Blyberg came on board shortly after as inker. By the end of '98, Lee Nordling, who had joined as a contributing gag writer, took over as editor. Nordling hired extra writers, including Gordon Kent, Scott Roberts, Chuck Kim, J. Torres, Marc Bilgrey, and John Zakour, as well new artists including Gary Fields, Tim Harkins, Vince Giaranno, and Scott Roberts. Stu Chaifetz colored the Sunday strips. The Rugrats strip started out in many papers, but as often happens with spin-off strips, soon slowed down. It's still seen in some papers in re-runs. Two paperback collections were published by Andrews McMeel It's A Jungle-Gym Out There and A Baby's Work Is Never Done. During this time, Nickelodeon also published 30 issues of an all Rugrats comic magazine. Most of these were edited by Frank Pittarese and Dave Roman, and featured stories and art by the comic strip creators and others. The last nine issues featured cover art by Scott Roberts, who wrote and drew many of the stories. Other writers included Roman, Chris Duffy, Patrick M. O'Connell & Joyce Mann, and Jim Spivey. Other artists included Joe Staton and Ernie Colón. The magazine also included short stories, many by Pittarese, and games, as well as reprints from an earlier, UK produced Rugrats comic. Finally, Nick produced a special, 50 page comic magazine retelling of the film Rugrats In Paris, edited by Pittarese and Roman, with script by Scott Gray, pencils by Scott Roberts, and inks by Adam DeKraker.

Video games

 * Rugrats: Search for Reptar (PlayStation)
 * Rugrats: Studio Tour (PlayStation)
 * Rugrats: Scavenger Hunt (Nintendo 64)
 * Rugrats in Paris - The Movie (Nintendo 64, Game Boy Color, PC CD Rom, PlayStation)
 * Rugrats: Totally Angelica (PlayStation, Game Boy Color)
 * Rugrats: Totally Angelica Boredom Busters (PC CD Rom)
 * Rugrats: Go Wild (PC CD Rom, Game Boy Advance)
 * Rugrats: All Growed Up - Older and Bolder (PC CD Rom)
 * Rugrats: Castle Capers (Game Boy Advance)
 * Rugrats: Royal Ransom (PlayStation 2, Nintendo GameCube)
 * Rugrats: I Gotta Go Party (Game Boy Advance)
 * Rugrats: Time Travelers (Game Boy Color)
 * Rugrats Activity Challenge (PC CD Rom)
 * Rugrats Adventure Game (PC CD Rom)
 * Rugrats Food Fight (Mobile Phone)
 * Rugrats Munchin Land (PC CD Rom)
 * The Rugrats Movie (Game Boy Color)
 * The Rugrats Mystery Adventures (PC CD Rom)
 * Rocket Power: Team Rocket Rescue (PlayStation) (Tommy & Angelica appear as guest characters)
 * Nickelodeon Party Blast (Gamecube), Xbox (Tommy and Angelica are playable)
 * Nicktoons Racing (PlayStation, Game Boy Advance, Game Boy Color, Microsoft Windows, Arcade) (Tommy and Angelica playable)
 * Nicktoons Basketball (PC CD Rom) (Tommy appears in All Grown Up! appearance)
 * Nicktoons: Attack of the Toybots (Wii, Nintendo DS, PlayStation 2, Game Boy Advance) (Tommy and Angelica are seen, but are not playable characters.)

Live performances
Rugrats—A Live Adventure was a show about Angelica's constant attempts to scare Chuckie. To help Chuckie combat his wide range of fears, Tommy invents a magic wand called the "People-ator" to make Chuckie brave. Angelica, however, wants Chuckie to stay scared, so she steals Tommy's wand. The Rugrats try to get it back, but to no avail. Angelica becomes Princess of the World. Eventually, Chuckie becomes brave thanks to the help of Susie, Mr. Flashlight and the audience. Many songs were included in the play, including the theme song. The music was met with a rather mixed reception, which applause was tepid at best. However, the dancing was much better received. In addition, as soon as a character approached the stage to engage the crowd, the response from the kids was wild. Chuckie's pleas help from the audience to stop Angelica's megalomaniacal march toward world domination elicited much excitement and response. Overall, despite the criticism, the show was well received. The show had two 40-minute acts, with a 20-minute intermission (or a commercial break).

Merchandise
Merchandise that was based on Rugrats varied from video games toothpaste, Kellogg’s cereal to slippers, puzzles, pajamas, jewelry, wrapping paper, Fruit Snacks, Inflatable balls, watches,  pens, pencils, markers, cookie jars, key rings,  action figures,  and bubblegum. The show also managed to spawn a popular merchandise line at Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Target, EBay, Hot Topic, JCPenney, Toys "R" Us, Mattel, Barnes & Noble and Basic Fun, just to name a few. The Rugrats had their own cereal made by Post called Reptar Crunch Cereal. The Rugrats and Reptar were predominantly featured on the front, there's a board game on the back, and a special $3 rebate for Runaway Reptar on the side. This cereal was released for a limited time only, sold at US supermarkets 8/1/99 to 9/15/99 only, and not all supermarkets carried the cereal. To memorialize the movie, Rugrats in Paris, another Rugrats-based cereal came out in October 2000. Simply called the Rugrats in Paris Cereal, it has a similar appearance to Trix; it's a sweetened, multi-grain cereal with small-round bits in plain, red, purple and green. Small Eiffel Towers could also be seen. Rugrats made fast-food appearances as well with the most appearances being on Burger King. Their first fast food appearance was in 1994, when the Hardee's fast food chain offered a collection of Nicktoons toys as premiums that were included with kids' meals at Hardee's. All 4 Nicktoons at that time were featured—Ren & Stimpy, Rocko’s Modern Life, Doug and Rugrats. Other food items that feature Rugrats were Fruit Snacks, Macaroni and Cheese, Bubble Gum and Campbell's Rugrats Pasta with Chicken and Broth. In their first tie-in with Burger King, 5 Rugrats toys were offered with their Kids Club meals, a different one with each meal. Each toy came with a 12-page (including covers) miniature version of Nickelodeon Magazine, which featured the toy's instructions, word search, picture puzzle, "Say What?”,a scrambled word puzzle, a coupon for Oral-B Rugrats toothpaste & toothbrush, and entry blanks to subscribe to Rugrats Comic Adventures, Nick Magazine and the Kids Club. From 1998 till 2003, "Rugrats" based-products included watches and various toys.

Production history
The show focuses on eight babies, as well as a dog, and their day-to-day lives, usually involving common life experiences that become adventures in the babies' imaginations. It was one of the first three Nicktoons and also aired on Nick Jr. in 1995. The series made its world premiere (previously advertised as a live premiere with performances by Chris Brown) on November 3, 2006 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT with a one-hour special, came to Cartoon Network UK on May 28, 2007 and premiered on Cartoon Network Australia/New Zealand on February 4, 2008. Timothy McGee sued Andre 3000, claiming he proposed the idea for a similar show in 1997 with Andre replaced by Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds. The show was co-created and developed by Thomas W. Lynch & Patric M. Verrone. In January 2010 all mentionings in the website about the show were removed, meaning that Cartoon Network has abandoned it. Although there has not been a DVD released in Region 1, seasons 1 and 2 of the show are currently available on iTunes, with the exception of "The Cure" from season 2.

Characters
The show originally revolved around four children (three boys and one girl) and a dog. The fearless brave leader Thomas "Tommy" Pickles (whose family moved from Akron, Ohio to their current location in California), the cautious toddler Charles "Chuckie" Finster who reluctantly agreed to venture out into the open, unsafe areas of the house, the twin-infants Phillip "Phil" and Lillian "Lil" DeVille who were ready for a new challenge, and Spike, Tommy's dog. The toddlers are able to communicate with each other through baby speak, although viewers can understand them, because it is 'translated'. A running gag in the show is that they mispronounce words or use poor grammar and their speaking is full of malapropisms. An example of this is using the word "poopetrator" instead of "perpetrator" in "The Trial" episode. The group is often reluctantly joined by Tommy's cousin, Angelica Pickles. At three years old, Angelica is able to communicate and understand language from both the toddlers and the adults, which she often uses as an advantage when she wants to manipulate either party. She is usually very mean to the babies. Susie Carmichael, who lives across the street from the Pickles, is also able to communicate on the same level as Angelica, though she is not manipulative. As a result of this, as well as being favored by the babies, she often clashes with Angelica.

Reception
After The Rugrats Movie (1998), in which Tommy's baby brother Dylan "Dil" Pickles is born, he was soon added as a character on the show. As a 1 year old baby, Dil is not able to communicate with anyone. Later after Rugrats in Paris: The Movie (2000) was released, Kimi Finster was added as a character. She is Chuckie's stepsister. The show received mostly positive reviews. On TV.com, the series has a "good" rating of 7.2. On IMDb, the show has a mixed to positive rating of 5.4. The soundtrack rating is a positive 4 and a half stars rating on Amazon.

Episodes
Leaving the safety of their own playpen, the children would explore their surroundings and try to make sense out of what the adults are doing. The babies often manage to get away with meandering off and going on escapades, for the reason that Tommy’s daddy, Stu, is more often than not trying to create toys downstairs in the basement. Tommy's mother, Didi, is normally reading the most modern good-parenting guide too actively to take any kind of notice, and his paternal grandfather, Lou, is customarily sleeping in front of the television, oblivious to their antics. While most of the time, the babies are in their playpen, they always manage to get out using a plastic screwdriver Tommy keeps in his diaper (unbeknownst to any of the adults). When they create any kind of mess or visible damage, they are almost never seen as the instigators, due to them being babies. If an older person is in the vicinity of the mess (usually Angelica), that individual is held accountable. The most treacherous escapade the babies embarked occured in The Rugrats Movie where they got lost in the forest going against a man-eating wolf and a pack of circus monkeys determined to steal their baby food.

Songs
The Pickles are a mixed Jewish-Christian family. There are two episodes that reflect the Pickles' Jewish heritage, one episode deals with the Passover holiday and the other with Hanukkah (in addition to episodes about Christmas, Easter, Kwanzaa, etc.).

Throughout the show, the students play songs, sometimes based on how they feel. There are also instruments viewed and played by the students and others in every episode.

Origins
Rugrats was formed by the then husband-and-wife duo of Gabor Csupo and Arlene Klasky, along with Paul Germain in 1989. Klasky-Csupo had a major animation firm at the time which also provided services for commercials and music videos. Klasky, Csupo, and Germain were also animating The Simpsons at the time, which they would continue to do until 1992. The trio decided to create their own series in reaction to a proclamation by the children's cable network Nickelodeon that they were to launch their own line of animated shows, which would be later called Nicktoons. With the comedic stimulation branching from the antics of Klasky and Csupo's infant children, the 6$1/2$–minute pilot episode, "Tommy Pickles & the Great White Thing" (never to be aired), went into production. A November 3 Newsday article notes that:"....some creative grown-ups throw down each episode, too, providing distinctive visuals for music videos to Andre Benjamin's original songs performed by the class' kids. Ren & Stimpy wild-man animator John Kricfalusi and classic Parliament-Funkadelic cover artist Overton Loyd do the premiere honors, with subsequent contributions from Marvel Comics' Bill Sienkiewicz and Robotboy director Charlie Bean." Peter Chung, along with Klasky and Csupo, co-designed the characters and directed the series pilot, "Tommy Pickles And The Great White Thing," as well as the opening sequence. The production was completed in 1990 and they submitted it to Nickelodeon, who tested it with an audience of children. The feedback for the pilot episode was primarily positive. With that, the series went into production. Chuckie and Angelica were added as characters.

First season CD track list
Paul Germain felt that the series needed a bully. Angelica was based on a bully in Germain's childhood, who was a girl. In addition to that, it was Germain who decided that Angelica would be a spoiled brat. Arlene Klasky, one of the show's creators initially did not like Angelica Pickles. Klasky also protested Angelica's actions in episodes like "Barbecue Story" (where she threw Tommy's ball over the fence). The first season CD featuring songs from the show was released July 3, 2007. In a New Yorker article, Klasky said, "I think she's a bully. I never liked Angelica." Klasky never fully approved of her character development. Her bullying caused Arlene to disdain her. Angelica started to become a problem for the some of the Rugrats staff. In some instances, her voice, Cheryl Chase, had trouble portraying a mean Angelica. To help Chase out, Steve Viksen, one of the writers, would mention that Angelica was the series's J.R. Ewing. After the episode "The Trial," Klasky complained that the Rugrats were starting to act too old for their age. Csupo often acted as a mediator in arguments between Klasky and the writers, with the writers often winning. Some of the offscreen tensions ultimately found their way into the scripts and, naturally, into the show. In 1993, shortly before Nick premiered the last of the original 65, production of new episodes ceased, and most of the Rugrats writing team left Klasky-Csupo. After the first run days were over, Nick had enough episodes to show every day, and did just that in 1994, scheduling the show in the early evening, when both kids and parents will be watching. After 3 years of repeats, the show went back into production. However, the tensions between Klasky-Csupo and their former writers still existed. After The Rugrats Movie and seeing the "new" Angelica in the film, Klasky changed her tune: "I think she's great for the show; I love Angelica."

Production
Rugrats was Nickelodeon's second Nicktoon, debuting on the same day as Doug (which premiered before it) and The Ren and Stimpy Show (which debuted after). The first run of the series was produced from 1991 to 1993 before production went on a hiatus (episodes that had not yet been released at that point continued to be released through 1994). Between 1995 and 1996, only two Jewish-themed specials were aired, and the rest of the series aired in reruns. Production on new episodes began 1997, and the show aired in Nickelodeon's Snick block from 1997 to 2000. As of 2011, it is the longest-lasting Nicktoon to date, at over fourteen years longevity, and did not cease production of new episodes until 2004. In terms of number of episodes, it is still in first, but by 2011 it will be surpassed by SpongeBob SquarePants, which will have 178 episodes by the end of its eighth season, barring a Rugrats revival or a SpongeBob cancellation; SpongeBob will reach Rugrats in terms of years on air in 2013. On August 11, 2001, Rugrats celebrated its 10-year anniversary. The special/TV movie, Rugrats: All Growed Up was produced for the occasion. After the show, a special retrospective lookback aired, entitled "Rugrats: Still Babies After All These Years." It was narrated by Amanda Bynes. Nickelodeon approved of its ratings and popularity so much (about 70% of viewers with cable tuned in), they eventually commissioned a full series, All Grown Up, which ran from 2003 to 2008. Rugrats ended on June 8, 2004, along with fellow Nicktoon, Hey Arnold. After the run, two fairy-tale themed direct-to-video films based on the original series under the title, Rugrats: Tales from the Crib were produced and then released separately in 2005 and in 2006.

Voice actors
Through its full run, Rugrats, occupied several main voice actors. E.G. Daily provided the voice of Tommy Pickles, except in the unaired pilot where Tami Holbrook provided the voice; Christine Cavanaugh was the original voice of Chuckie Finster, but left after 2001 for personal reasons and was subsequently replaced by Nancy Cartwright in 2002. The fraternal twins, Phil and Lil (as well as their mother, Betty) were voiced by Kath Soucie; Dil Pickles (and Timmy McNulty) were voiced by Tara Strong. Cheryl Chase initially auditioned for the role of Tommy, but was passed up. When the show came to series, she was brought on board to be cast as the voice of Angelica Pickles. Dionne Quan was the voice of Kimi Finster, however as she is legally blind, in order to do the voice, the producers had to interpret the scripts into Braille, so she could read them by sensing the bumps with her fingers. Susie was primarily voiced by Cree Summer, though in two episodes where she could not be in attendance E.G. Daily filled in. Other regular voice actors included Melanie Chartoff as Didi Pickles, Jack Riley as Stu Pickles, Tress MacNeille as Charlotte Pickles, and Michael Bell as Drew Pickles and Chaz Finster. David Doyle provided the voice of Grandpa Lou Pickles until his death in 1997, where Joe Alaskey took over till the end of the series. In 2000, Debbie Reynolds joined the cast as Lulu Pickles, Lou's second wife, and remained until the series' end.

Writing style
With Rugrats it usually took a few months to make an episode, for the story has to get written, and then approved. The next process consisted of voice recording, storyboarding, pre-eliminating animation, overseas production & delivery, editing and polishing. All of that had to happen even before Klasky-Csupo sent the master tapes to Nick. In addition, fine animation took time to make. During the first six seasons of Rugrats it was, primarily divided into two eleven-minute episodes. After the second movie, during season 7, Rugrats made a change with a different format that consisted of three episodes per show, though it returned to its original two-episode-per-show format in the final two seasons.

DVD releases
{| class="wikitable" Nickelodeon and Amazon.com have struck a deal to produce DVDs of new and old Nickelodeon shows, through the CreateSpace service. Using a concept similar to print on demand, Amazon made the discs, cover art, and disc art itself. The complete first and second seasons of Rugrats were released on June 2, 2009 along with The Fairly OddParents first and second seasons.

Nick Picks DVDs
These 2 Rugrats episodes were released on the Nick Picks DVDs.
 * Nick Picks Volume 1: Finsterella
 * Nick Picks Volume 2: All Growed Up

Critical reception
Since its debut in 1991, Rugrats generally received positive reviews from critics and fans. In a 1995 interview, Steven Spielberg referred to the show as one of several shows that are the best children's programming at the time. Spielberg described Rugrats as "sort of a TV Peanuts of our time." It was named the 92nd-best animated series by IGN. Rugrats was also considered a strong point in Nickelodeon's rise in the 1990s. In a press release celebrating the show's 10th anniversary, Cyma Zarghami stated, "During the past decade, 'Rugrats' has evolved from a ratings powerhouse, being the number one children's show on TV, to pop icon status. It has secured a place in the hearts of both kids and adults, who see it from their own point of view". According to Nickelodeon producers, this show made them the number-one channel in the 1990s. Jeff Jarvis reviewed Rugrats and stated, "When the Simpsons was a segment on The Tracey Ullman Show, it was just a belch joke with hip pretensions. As a series, it grew flesh and guts. It was my favorite cartoon...until I discovered Nickelodeon's Rugrats, a sardonic, sly, kid's eye view of the world that skewers thirty-something parents and (The) Cosby (Show) kids."

Popularity, appeal, and controversy
When Rugrats débuted in 1991, it was not as hugely popular as it would later become. When production went on a hiatus from 1994, Nick began showing Rugrats repeats everyday. More and more people began to take notice of the show, with ratings and popularity for Rugrats and Nick rising. From 1995 to 2000, it was the highest-rated show on Nickelodeon and the highest rated kids' show. The show experienced a wide diverse audience consisting of kids, teenagers and adults alike. Rugrats was successful in receiving an average of 26.7 million viewers every week: 14.7 million kids (2-11), 3.2 million teens (12-17), and 8.8 million adults (18 and over). In addition, Rugrats was seen internationally in over 76 countries. It was the only one of the three original Nicktoons that continued in the 2000s, and had its own spin-off. It is the most successful of the three original Nicktoons. While the other Nicktoons were popular during their run, Doug would later slip out of Nick's hands and into Disney's; and Ren and Stimpy would crash and burn in a creative rights dispute (only to return several years later in a much raunchier version on another network). During its run, Rugrats was enjoyed by a number of famous stars including Alexa Vega, Daryl Sabara, Amanda Bynes, Aaron Carter, Ray Romano, Nivea and Bow Wow. With 172 episodes produced over the course of nearly 13 years, Rugrats remains the longest-running Nicktoon to date. SpongeBob SquarePants will surpass both benchmarks when it airs its 173rd episode on February 27, 2012. Rugrats was one of very few shows that pictured observant, identifiably Jewish families. Jewish and Christian religion groups gave the show high praises for their special holiday episodes. Nonetheless, at one point the Anti-Defamation League and the Washington Post editorial page castigated the series for its depiction of the Pickles grandparents, who purportedly looked like Nazi caricatures.

Awards and nominations

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DVDs
A DVD of the first season was released on December 3, 2008, in Region 4. On June 28, 2001, in commemoration of their tenth anniversary, Rugrats received a star on the fabled Hollywood Walk of Fame, making it Nickelodeon’s first (and to date, only) series to receive a star. It was placed at 6600 W. Hollywood Bl., near Cherokee Ave. outside a toy and costume shop.

Play adaptation
In the October 2001 issue of Wizard Magazine, a leading magazine for comic book fans, they released the results of the 100 Greatest Toons ever, as selected by their readers, Rugrats ranked at #35. Three other Nicktoons—SpongeBob SquarePants, Invader Zim, and Ren and Stimpy—also placed on the list. In March 2009, Atlanta's Alliance Theatre produced a children's play, Class of 3000 LIVE, based upon the television program. In a list of TV Land’s The 2000 Best Things About Television, ranking the all-time TV shows, channels, commercials, people, catch phrases, etc., Rugrats is ranked #699. Angelica Pickles placed 7th in TV Guide's list of “Top 50 Greatest Cartoon Characters of All Time” in 2002.

Films
In 1998, The Rugrats Movie was released, which introduced baby Dil, Tommy's little brother, onto the show. It grossed in worldwide results, $140,894,675, making it a very large box office success, considering its modest $24 million budget. Not only was the movie a commercial success, the film earned mixed to positive reviews from critics. As of 2011, it remains the highest grossing Rugrats film to date. In 2000 a sequel, Rugrats in Paris: The Movie, was released, with two new characters introduced, Kimi and Kira. Kimi would become Chuckie's sister and Kira would become his new mother, after marrying his father. While it received a positive reception, it did not gross as high as the first film. In 2003, Rugrats Go Wild was released. It was a crossover between the Rugrats and The Wild Thornberrys. It is the lowest grossing Rugrats film to date.

Comics
From 1998 to 2003, Nick produced a Rugrats comic strip, which was distributed through Creator's Syndicate. Initially written by show-writer Scott Gray and drawn by comic book artist Steve Crespo, with Rob Armstrong as editor. Will Blyberg came on board shortly after as inker. By the end of '98, Lee Nordling, who had joined as a contributing gag writer, took over as editor. Nordling hired extra writers, including Gordon Kent, Scott Roberts, Chuck Kim, J. Torres, Marc Bilgrey, and John Zakour, as well new artists including Gary Fields, Tim Harkins, Vince Giaranno, and Scott Roberts. Stu Chaifetz colored the Sunday strips. The Rugrats strip started out in many papers, but as often happens with spin-off strips, soon slowed down. It's still seen in some papers in re-runs. Two paperback collections were published by Andrews McMeel It's A Jungle-Gym Out There and A Baby's Work Is Never Done. During this time, Nickelodeon also published 30 issues of an all Rugrats comic magazine. Most of these were edited by Frank Pittarese and Dave Roman, and featured stories and art by the comic strip creators and others. The last nine issues featured cover art by Scott Roberts, who wrote and drew many of the stories. Other writers included Roman, Chris Duffy, Patrick M. O'Connell & Joyce Mann, and Jim Spivey. Other artists included Joe Staton and Ernie Colón. The magazine also included short stories, many by Pittarese, and games, as well as reprints from an earlier, UK produced Rugrats comic. Finally, Nick produced a special, 50 page comic magazine retelling of the film Rugrats In Paris, edited by Pittarese and Roman, with script by Scott Gray, pencils by Scott Roberts, and inks by Adam DeKraker.

Video games

 * Rugrats: Search for Reptar (PlayStation)
 * Rugrats: Studio Tour (PlayStation)
 * Rugrats: Scavenger Hunt (Nintendo 64)
 * Rugrats in Paris - The Movie (Nintendo 64, Game Boy Color, PC CD Rom, PlayStation)
 * Rugrats: Totally Angelica (PlayStation, Game Boy Color)
 * Rugrats: Totally Angelica Boredom Busters (PC CD Rom)
 * Rugrats: Go Wild (PC CD Rom, Game Boy Advance)
 * Rugrats: All Growed Up - Older and Bolder (PC CD Rom)
 * Rugrats: Castle Capers (Game Boy Advance)
 * Rugrats: Royal Ransom (PlayStation 2, Nintendo GameCube)
 * Rugrats: I Gotta Go Party (Game Boy Advance)
 * Rugrats: Time Travelers (Game Boy Color)
 * Rugrats Activity Challenge (PC CD Rom)
 * Rugrats Adventure Game (PC CD Rom)
 * Rugrats Food Fight (Mobile Phone)
 * Rugrats Munchin Land (PC CD Rom)
 * The Rugrats Movie (Game Boy Color)
 * The Rugrats Mystery Adventures (PC CD Rom)
 * Rocket Power: Team Rocket Rescue (PlayStation) (Tommy & Angelica appear as guest characters)
 * Nickelodeon Party Blast (Gamecube), Xbox (Tommy and Angelica are playable)
 * Nicktoons Racing (PlayStation, Game Boy Advance, Game Boy Color, Microsoft Windows, Arcade) (Tommy and Angelica playable)
 * Nicktoons Basketball (PC CD Rom) (Tommy appears in All Grown Up! appearance)
 * Nicktoons: Attack of the Toybots (Wii, Nintendo DS, PlayStation 2, Game Boy Advance) (Tommy and Angelica are seen, but are not playable characters.)

Live performances
Rugrats—A Live Adventure was a show about Angelica's constant attempts to scare Chuckie. To help Chuckie combat his wide range of fears, Tommy invents a magic wand called the "People-ator" to make Chuckie brave. Angelica, however, wants Chuckie to stay scared, so she steals Tommy's wand. The Rugrats try to get it back, but to no avail. Angelica becomes Princess of the World. Eventually, Chuckie becomes brave thanks to the help of Susie, Mr. Flashlight and the audience. Many songs were included in the play, including the theme song. The music was met with a rather mixed reception, which applause was tepid at best. However, the dancing was much better received. In addition, as soon as a character approached the stage to engage the crowd, the response from the kids was wild. Chuckie's pleas help from the audience to stop Angelica's megalomaniacal march toward world domination elicited much excitement and response. Overall, despite the criticism, the show was well received. The show had two 40-minute acts, with a 20-minute intermission (or a commercial break).

Merchandise
Merchandise that was based on Rugrats varied from video games toothpaste, Kellogg’s cereal to slippers, puzzles, pajamas, jewelry, wrapping paper, Fruit Snacks, Inflatable balls, watches,  pens, pencils, markers, cookie jars, key rings,  action figures,  and bubblegum. The show also managed to spawn a popular merchandise line at Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Target, EBay, Hot Topic, JCPenney, Toys "R" Us, Mattel, Barnes & Noble and Basic Fun, just to name a few. The Rugrats had their own cereal made by Post called Reptar Crunch Cereal. The Rugrats and Reptar were predominantly featured on the front, there's a board game on the back, and a special $3 rebate for Runaway Reptar on the side. This cereal was released for a limited time only, sold at US supermarkets 8/1/99 to 9/15/99 only, and not all supermarkets carried the cereal. To memorialize the movie, Rugrats in Paris, another Rugrats-based cereal came out in October 2000. Simply called the Rugrats in Paris Cereal, it has a similar appearance to Trix; it's a sweetened, multi-grain cereal with small-round bits in plain, red, purple and green. Small Eiffel Towers could also be seen. Rugrats made fast-food appearances as well with the most appearances being on Burger King. Their first fast food appearance was in 1994, when the Hardee's fast food chain offered a collection of Nicktoons toys as premiums that were included with kids' meals at Hardee's. All 4 Nicktoons at that time were featured—Ren & Stimpy, Rocko’s Modern Life, Doug and Rugrats. Other food items that feature Rugrats were Fruit Snacks, Macaroni and Cheese, Bubble Gum and Campbell's Rugrats Pasta with Chicken and Broth. In their first tie-in with Burger King, 5 Rugrats toys were offered with their Kids Club meals, a different one with each meal. Each toy came with a 12-page (including covers) miniature version of Nickelodeon Magazine, which featured the toy's instructions, word search, picture puzzle, "Say What?”,a scrambled word puzzle, a coupon for Oral-B Rugrats toothpaste & toothbrush, and entry blanks to subscribe to Rugrats Comic Adventures, Nick Magazine and the Kids Club. From 1998 till 2003, "Rugrats" based-products included watches and various toys.