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Random! Cartoons
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| Random! Cartoons | |
|---|---|
.jpg) | |
| Genre | |
| Created by | Fred Seibert |
| Theme music composer | The Bunker New York |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 13 (39 segments) |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
|
| Producer | Kevin Kolde |
| Running time | 21 minutes |
| Production companies | |
| Original release | |
| Network | Nicktoons |
| Release | December 6, 2008 – December 20, 2009 |
| Related | |
Random! Cartoons is an American animated anthology series that aired on Nicktoons.[1] Much like Oh Yeah! Cartoons, it was created by Fred Seibert and produced by Frederator Studios and Nickelodeon Animation Studio. It premiered on December 6, 2008, and ended on December 20, 2009.
Production
[edit]Series creator Fred Seibert[2] ordered 13 half-hour episodes (39 7-minute segments) for the series, which was originally announced in 2005 as the fourth season of Oh Yeah! Cartoons.[3] Production on the series started in 2005 and ended in 2007. Originally slated to air on Nickelodeon by the end of 2007, it was later halted for release in 2008 on the separate Nicktoons Network channel. The shorts were first released on air and online individually in January 2007.[1]
Unlike Oh Yeah! Cartoons, there is no host. On January 10, 2006, ASIFA-Hollywood hosted an advance screening of six shorts as well as a Q&A session with the filmmakers at the Nicktoons Studios in Burbank, California. Two of the shorts were selected to become television series and one of the shorts was selected to become a web series. Those shorts were Adventure Time, The Bravest Warriors and Fanboy. Adventure Time began airing as a full-length series on April 5, 2010, on Cartoon Network.[4] The Bravest Warriors, under the new name Bravest Warriors, began airing on November 8, 2012, on Cartoon Hangover.[5] Fanboy, under the new name Fanboy & Chum Chum, began airing as a full-length series on November 7, 2009, on Nickelodeon.[6]
List of episodes
[edit]| No. | Title | Created by | Cast | Series/Short | Original release date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1a | "Solomon Fix" | Doug TenNapel | Rob Paulsen as Solomon Fix John DiMaggio as Mumpy Maurice LaMarche as Klemp Elijah Runcorn as Ned Doug TenNapel as Chipmunk #1 & 2 | Short | December 6, 2008 | |
|
A teddy bear named Solomon Fix is assigned to protect a child named Ned, only that the child finds him lame. | ||||||
| 1b | "MooBeard the Cow Pirate" | Kyle A. Carrozza | Billy West as MooBeard / Value Guy Erica Luttrell as Sailor Bird / Road Show Announcer Dave "Gruber" Allen as Darkblade of Fire Kyle A. Carrozza as Ungus the Unpleasant / Cow Eating Gentleman | Short | December 6, 2008 | |
|
Cow pirate MooBeard and his companion Sailor Bird search for the treasure of the lost island of Hookamookapookalap. | ||||||
| 1c | "Two Witch Sisters" | Niki Yang | S. Scott Bullock as Dorothy / Hummingbird Dee Bradley Baker as Carrot / Seymour Candi Milo as Bee Niki Yang as Baby Rabbit | Short | December 6, 2008 | |
|
Twin witch sisters cause magic-induced havoc at a park. | ||||||
| 2a | "The Finster Finster Show!: Store Wars" | Jeff DeGrandis | Billy West as Finster 1 Charlie Adler as Finster 2 Tress MacNeille as Finsters' Mom | Short | December 7, 2008 | |
|
Two Finsters battle anthropomorphic frozen chickens in the supermarket. | ||||||
| 2b | "Adventure Time" | Pendleton Ward | Zack Shada as Penn John DiMaggio as Jake / Ice Clops Paige Moss as Princess Bubblegum John Kassir as Ice King / Fire Element Dee Bradley Baker as Lady Rainicorn / Snow Golem Pendleton Ward as Abraham Lincoln / Old Man | TV series | December 7, 2008 | |
|
In this precursor to what would become the critically acclaimed full-length series, Finn (known as "Pen" in the short) and Jake battle the Ice King to save Princess Bubblegum. | ||||||
| 2c | "Mind the Kitty" | Anne Walker Farrell | Dee Bradley Baker as the Duck/Tabby Jeff Bennett as Punky Rodger Bumpass as Lemurman Lynne Maclean as Tabby's Mom | Short | December 7, 2008 | |
|
Three teens have to babysit a psychotic kitten girl. | ||||||
| 3a | "Ivan the Unbearable" | Andrew Dickman | Jeff Doucette as Ivan the Unbearable/Olaf Maurice LaMarche as Bjorn/Working Troll #1 Tress MacNeille as Ma Andrew Dickman as Filthy Viking/Working Troll #2 | Short | December 13, 2008 | |
|
A clumsy Viking gets hiccups that causes destruction. | ||||||
| 3b | "Boneheads" | Hiroshi Chida | John Kassir as Bone/Soldier Flies Dee Bradley Baker as Roccos/Audrey/Antarctic Bull Snail/Rex Hadley Hudson as Striker (uncredited) | Short | December 13, 2008 | |
|
Roccos and Bone search for babanas. | ||||||
| 3c | "Tiffany" | Adam Henry | Jessie Flower as Peggy Colleen Villard as Tiffany David Busch as Dad/Jockey/Racetrack Announcer | Short | December 13, 2008 | |
|
A doll must help her friend overcome a fear of horses. | ||||||
| 4a | "Call Me Bessie!" | Diane Kredensor and Dana Galin | Audrey Wasilewski as Bessie Fred Stoller as Al Dee Bradley Baker as Senor Swampy/Turkey/Dolphins | Short | December 20, 2008 | |
|
A cow enrolls her elephant friend in a scuba-diving class... but her friend does not want to go! | ||||||
| 4b | "Teapot" | Greg Eagles | Greg Eagles as Teapot/James Brown Clock/Silkbone/Blind Guy/Body Guard Cathy Lewis as Bouche Hilda Boulware as Mother's Voice Chara Hammonds as Video Vixen#1 & 2 deMann as Announcer | Short | December 20, 2008 | |
|
Two African-American kids that are fans of rap music are going to meet a famous rapper. | ||||||
| 4c | "Hornswiggle" | Jerry Beck | René Auberjonois as Hornswiggle/Apeman #2 Jeff Bennett as Zan-Tar/Apeman #1 Maurice LaMarche as Birdsdorf, Apeman #3 Cheryl Chase as Nurses #1 & 2 | Short | December 20, 2008 | |
|
A crazy rhino meets his hero, Zantar. He tries to help but physically hurts him. | ||||||
| 5a | "Hero Heights" | Raul Aguirre Jr. and Bill Ho | Jessica DiCicco as Smart Alec/Plasma Tot Annie Mumolo as Strikeout Hynden Walch as Olympia/Ms. Chic Raul Aguirre as Razorklaw Becky Thyre as Electricia Karen Malina White as Mindy 500 | Short | December 27, 2008 | |
|
In a town where everyone's a superhero, two best friends fight over the new girl in town. | ||||||
| 5b | "Yaki & Yumi" | Aliki Theofilopoulous | André Sogliuzzo as Yaki/Contest Judge Candi Milo as Yumi/Octopus Dude Aliki Theofilopolous as Sweet Little Girl/Fortune Fish/Kid #1 | Short | December 27, 2008 | |
|
A bat and a dragon participate in a dance competition. | ||||||
| 5c | "Gary Guitar" | Bill Plympton | Lloyd Floyd as Gary Guitar Becky Poole as Vera Violin Stephen Largay as Danny Drum | Short | December 27, 2008 | |
|
A guitar tries to make the perfect picnic for his girlfriend, a violin. | ||||||
| 6a | "Krunch and the Kid" | Adam Henry | Kevin Michael Richardson as Krunch/Rastamon/Alarm Clock/Announcer Colleen Villard as Skippy/Little Girl/Some Kid Mark Hamill as Frank Karen Henry as Perky Tour Guide | Short | January 3, 2009 | |
|
A monster named Krunch has trouble performing on a TV show after his pet frog dies. | ||||||
| 6b | "Bradwurst" | Angelo Di Nallo and Jason Plapp | Tom Kenny as Bradwurst/Jerry Raphael Sbarge as Willy Jeff Bennett as Charlie J. P. Manoux as Gus | Short | January 3, 2009 | |
|
A grumpy sausage sabotages his friends' party. | ||||||
| 6c | "Dr. Froyd's Funny Farm" | Bill Burnett and Jaime Diaz | Robert Cait as Dr. Froyd Nika Futterman as Lulu Candi Milo as Nurse Duckett Charlie Adler as Bossy LeCow/Raging Bullfrog | Short | January 3, 2009 | |
|
Dr. Froyd needs someone to test out a science experiment, but none of the animals on his funny farm want to! | ||||||
| 7a | "The Bravest Warriors" | Pendleton Ward | Charlie Schlatter as Chris Tara Strong as Beth Dan Finnerty as Wallow Rob Paulsen as Danny Polly Lou Livingston as Slippy Napkins Noah Nelson as Professor Brain Dog 7 | Web series | January 10, 2009 | |
|
Four human teens, Chris, Beth, Wallow and Danny, save the brain dogs from the tickle monster in outer space. | ||||||
| 7b | "Giovanni and Navarro, The Dangerous Duck Brothers: Saps at the Wheel" | Pat Ventura | Jim MacGeorge as Giovanni Chuck McCann as Navarro Jeff Bennett as Dog | Short | January 10, 2009 | |
|
Two ducks want to break a dangerous record. | ||||||
| 7c | "Sparkles and Gloom" | Melissa Wolfe and Anne Walker Farrell | Kari Wahlgren as Sparkles/Mom/Leprechaun Jessica DiCicco as Gloom/Fuzzy Animal Kevin Michael Richardson as Dad / Announcer / Zit / Applause Fish Annie Mumolo as Pixie / Little Prince / Munchie | Short | January 10, 2009 | |
|
Sparkles and Gloom, two daughters of a handsome prince and an evil witch, have their powers switched before the talent show at the Geevil School, the good and evil school, where good and evil are best friends. | ||||||
| 8a | "The Infinite Goliath" | Erik Knutson and Mike Gray | Kevin Michael Richardson as Infinite Goliath/Hondo/Mechaneck Alanna Ubach as Roger/Mrs. Abbott/Samantha S. Scott Bullock as Mr. Abbott/Dr. Carnage/Timmy | Short | January 17, 2009 | |
|
The Infinite Goliath, a super villain released on parole, moves into a neighborhood. | ||||||
| 8b | "Kyle + Rosemary" | Jun Falkenstein | Wil Wheaton as Kyle/Sir Horace Jentle Phoenix as Rosemary/Lunarella Alexander Polinsky as Harold/Elf Charlie Schlatter as Willy/Gnome/Martin/Dwarf Aliki Theofilopoulous as Crimson | Short | January 17, 2009 | |
|
A geek and a goth who play MMORPG games must break their shells to be together. | ||||||
| 8c | "Garlic Boy" | John R. Dilworth | Gary Littman as Garlic Boy Gerrianne Raphael as Garlic Boy's Mom Erik Bergmann as Garlic Boy's Dad Betsy Beutler as Parsley Lloyd Floyd as Fungus John R. Dilworth as Twin #1/Twin #2 | Short | January 17, 2009 | |
|
An anthropomorphic garlic with a healing tonic wants to do good for folks. | ||||||
| 9a | "Flavio" | Mike Milo | Rob Paulsen as Flavio Robert Costanzo as Bossman Stephen Stanton as Mr. Frank John Mariano as Leonardo da Vinci/Mayor | Short | January 24, 2009 | |
|
An Italian goat wishes to be an inventor. | ||||||
| 9b | "SamSquatch" | Adam Muto | Max Burkholder as SamSquatch Daran Norris as Conrad Conard Dee Bradley Baker as Nessie, Karl, Momsquatch Ja'net DuBois as Mom | Short | January 24, 2009 | |
|
A cryptid hunter finds a Bigfoot named SamSquatch. | ||||||
| 9c | "Girls on the Go!: First Date" | Aliki Theofilopoulous | Danica McKellar as Kat Frankie Ingrassia as Tess Quinton Flynn as Spencer Applebaum/Spencer Spencerson/Student LaTonya Holmes Aliki Theofilopoulos | Short | January 24, 2009 | |
|
Katerina Metropolis is a hopeless romantic teenager that daydreams about meeting the perfect boy. But how will she manage after she winds up on the worst date of her life? | ||||||
| 10a | "Victor the Delivery Dog" | Niki Yang | E.G. Daily as Victor/One-Eyed Bird/Co-Worker #1 Jennifer Hale as Victor's Mom/Express Mail/Co-Worker #3 S. Scott Bullock as Gi/Raffe/Co-Worker #2 Fred Tatasciore as Mr. Papier | Short | January 31, 2009 | |
|
Victor has to make deliveries before dinnertime. | ||||||
| 10b | "Bronk and Bongo: Losing Patients" | Manny Galán and Alan Goodman | Steve Purnick as Bronk/Dinosaur Joel McCrary as Bongo/Skeleton Adam Busch as Jerry/Orderly Jeff Bennett as Patient/Geezer/Workman Manny Galan as Angry Erik Alan Goodman as Ted Strawberry Head | Short | January 31, 2009 | |
|
Bronk and Bongo are a couple of dogs who are mistaken to be world-famous German doctors in this madcap, zany romp. | ||||||
| 10c | "Thom Cat" | Mike Gray | Jim Meskimen as Thom Cat/Neighbor John/Stumpy Annie Mumolo as Melissa/Rusty/Patch | Short | January 31, 2009 | |
|
A talking cat (surprising to everyone) helps a troubled girl from a bully. | ||||||
| 11a | "Sugarfoot" | Erik Knutson | Charlie Schlatter as Sugarfoot Dee Bradley Baker as Socko and Delivery Man Jennifer Hale as Ms. Penelope | Short | April 4, 2009 | |
|
A boy who is a fan of cowboys and dinosaurs goes to a field trip to a museum with both of his interests while dealing with a bully. | ||||||
| 11b | "Dugly Uckling's Treasure Quest" | Guy Vasilovich | John Kassir as Dugly Uckling/Kung Pao Bunny Carlos Alazraqui as Quiggins/Bobblehead James Sie as Narrator/Monkeybutt | Short | April 4, 2009 | |
|
Dugly Uckling and his ragtag crew are out to solve the mystery of the Golden Bobblehead. Battling their way through the swamp, jungles, and killer mosquitoes, they come to a place where only Dugly's nonsensical logic can save the day. | ||||||
| 11c | "Dr. Dee & BitBoy" | Jun-Kyo Seo, Kong-Yo Kang, and Larry Huber | Phil Nee as Dr. Dee/Bomba Brett Pels as Zero (Bitboy)/Flower Wicky/Shop Owner Jennie Kwan as Myang Myang (Bitgirl)/Edu Maurice LaMarche as Pickle Cop/Elecaptain Sam/Dog Catcher Charles Kim as Black Violet Lloyd Sherr as Narrator | Short | April 4, 2009 | |
|
Two kids and a scientist in a dog suit stop a corporation from creating a donut addiction. | ||||||
| 12a | "Super John Doe Junior" | Lincoln Peirce | Jim Connor as Super John Doe John Zee as Mayor Marc Graue as Anchorman Betsy Foldes as Mom Kimberly Brooks as Super John Doe, Jr. David Shaughnessey as Blimey Sandy Fox as Robin Andy Morris as Evil Butthead | Short | April 11, 2009 | |
|
The son of a superhero, who has no powers, decided to take his dad's place and fight against his nemesis. | ||||||
| 12b | "6 Monsters" | Fred Seibert and Alan Goodman | Jeff Bennett as Grandpa/Gaillard Chuck McCann as Buck John DiMaggio as Roy Nika Futterman as Cathy Teresa Ganzel as Lulu | Short | April 11, 2009 | |
|
Adventures of six monsters in middle school presented in different styles of animation (traditional, CGI, Flash, and digital ink and paint). | ||||||
| 12c | "Ratz-A-Fratz" | Jim Wyatt and Karl Toerge | Jess Harnell as Crank/Man at Cookie Nook June Foray as Mall Walker/Old Man #1/Man at Garbage Can Debi Derryberry as Pop Singer/Teen at Cookie Nook Scott Fresina as Urban Jim Wyatt as Cyrus Don Cameron as Swuawk/Old Man #2 | Short | April 11, 2009 | |
|
Three hungry rats must escape a security guard. | ||||||
| 13a | "Lance & Zoopie: Squirly Town" | Doug TenNapel | Stephen Root as Lance Bobcat Goldthwait as Zoopie Keone Young as Flashback Lance & Zoopie | Short | August 16, 2009 | |
|
A sly hyperactive squirrel takes his germaphobe strait-laced friend on an adventure to clear his aching head. | ||||||
| 13b | "Fanboy" | Eric Robles | David Hornsby as Fanboy Nancy Cartwright as Chum-Chum Don LaFontaine as Announcer Jeff Bennett as Fanman, Lenny Kevin Michael Richardson as The Ice Monster | TV series | November 28, 2009 | |
|
Two kids in superhero costumes purchase their favorite drink and end up creating an ice monster. | ||||||
| 13c | "HandyCat: Bees-ness As Usual" | Russ Harris and G. Brian Reynolds | Rob Paulsen as Handycat/Drillbit June Foray as Woman | Short | December 20, 2009 | |
|
On their first day on the job, a handyman feline and his dog try to get rid of some pesky bees in hoping for a second job. | ||||||
Legacy
[edit]Random! Cartoons is the third Frederator Studios short cartoon shorts "incubator". Frederator has persisted in the tradition of surfacing new talent, characters and series with several cartoon shorts "incubators," including (as of 2016): What a Cartoon! (Cartoon Network, 1995), The Meth Minute 39 (Channel Frederator, 2008),[7] Random! Cartoons (Nickelodeon/Nicktoons, 2008), Too Cool! Cartoons (Cartoon Hangover, 2012), and GO! Cartoons (Cartoon Hangover, 2016).[8] These laboratories have spun off notable series like: Dexter's Laboratory, The Powerpuff Girls, Johnny Bravo, Cow and Chicken, Courage the Cowardly Dog, The Fairly OddParents, Nite Fite, Fanboy & Chum Chum, Adventure Time, Bravest Warriors, Rocket Dog, and Bee and PuppyCat.
Filmography
[edit]See also
[edit]
- Spike and Mike's Festival of Animation
- Liquid Television
- Raw Toonage
- What a Cartoon!
- KaBlam!
- Cartoon Sushi
- Oh Yeah! Cartoons
- Exposure
- Eye Drops
- VH1 ILL-ustrated
- Nicktoons Film Festival
- Short Circutz
- Funpak
- Shorty McShorts' Shorts
- Wedgies
- The Cartoonstitute
- Off the Air
- Nickelodeon Animated Shorts Program
- Too Cool! Cartoons
- Cartoon Network Shorts Department
- TripTank
- Disney XD Shortstop
- Go! Cartoons
- Love, Death & Robots
References
[edit]- ^ a b Perlmutter, David (2018). The Encyclopedia of American Animated Television Shows. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 489. ISBN 978-1538103739.
- ^ Frederator Studios Flickr | Fred Seibert's Blog | Frederator Postcards Series 6.12
- ^ DeMott, Rick (April 5, 2005). "Oh Yeah Cartoons! Returns To Nickelodeon - Animation World Network". Animation World Network. Retrieved April 4, 2024.
- ^ Cartoon Network Premieres “Adventure Time with Finn & Jake” on April 5, 2010 Frederator.com March 1, 2010
- ^ Cartoon Hangover November 8, 2012
- ^ Seidman, Robert (November 10, 2009). "Cable ratings: NFL Football, SpongeBob and Fanboy & Chum Chum top weekly cable charts". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on June 20, 2010. Retrieved March 4, 2010.
- ^ The Meth Minute 39 on YouTube
- ^ Sony, Channel Frederator Launch Online Animation Incubator, by David Bloom, Deadline Hollywood, November 3, 2014
External links
[edit]- Episode list at the Internet Movie Database
- Official Hornswiggle site
- Official Kyle+Rosemary site
- Random! Cartoons at IMDb
- Official Flavio cartoon site
| Characters | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Related | |||||
Random! Cartoons
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Random! Cartoons is an American animated anthology television series created by Fred Seibert and produced by Frederator Studios for Nickelodeon.[1] The series premiered on the Nicktoons Network on December 6, 2008, and consisted of 39 original, creator-driven short cartoons, each approximately seven minutes long and compiled into 13 half-hour episodes that aired through 2009.[2][3] These standalone comedy shorts featured diverse animation styles, including traditional hand-drawn, computer-generated (CG), and Flash techniques, and were developed by over 300 cartoonists and more than 100 voice artists to showcase emerging talent.[1]
As the successor to Frederator's earlier anthology Oh Yeah! Cartoons, Random! Cartoons followed a similar philosophy of incubating new intellectual properties by giving independent creators the opportunity to produce original content without recurring characters or ongoing storylines.[3] The series emphasized variety and innovation, with episodes presenting three unrelated shorts per half-hour, highlighting a broad range of storytelling and visual approaches aimed at young audiences.[1] Notably, it included contributions from future industry leaders such as Pendleton Ward and Eric Robles, and marked a milestone in gender diversity by featuring eight shorts directed by seven female creators in its most varied season.[3][1]
Several shorts from Random! Cartoons proved successful enough to spawn full series, significantly impacting animation history. Pendleton Ward's Adventure Time pilot became an internet sensation with over five million views before evolving into a long-running hit on Cartoon Network.[1] Eric Robles' Fanboy & Chum Chum launched as Nickelodeon's first original CG-animated series and quickly became the network's top-rated animated show.[1] Additionally, Ward's Bravest Warriors short led to a web series on Frederator's YouTube channel, further demonstrating the anthology's role in nurturing breakout properties.[3] Overall, Random! Cartoons served as a vital platform for creative experimentation, launching careers and series that influenced subsequent generations of animated programming.[4]
Premise and format
Concept
Random! Cartoons is an American animated anthology series created by Fred Seibert and produced by Frederator Studios in collaboration with Nickelodeon Animation Studio for the Nicktoons network. The series emphasizes creative freedom for emerging animators by presenting original short animations as standalone pieces, without any overarching framing narrative or host segments to interrupt the focus on the content itself. This approach allowed creators to explore diverse styles and ideas in a low-stakes environment designed to foster innovation.[1][5] As a successor to Frederator's earlier incubator projects like What a Cartoon! (1995–1997) and Oh Yeah! Cartoons (1998–2002), Random! Cartoons built on the same philosophy of discovering and nurturing new talent but expanded recruitment globally through digital channels, including the launch of Channel Frederator in 2005 to solicit pitches from creators worldwide. Unlike its predecessors, which sometimes repeated characters across shorts, Random! Cartoons prioritized entirely unique, creator-driven stories to highlight individual visions and revive the spirit of animator-led storytelling seen in classic cartoon packages from the mid-20th century. Fred Seibert described the initiative as a way to "expose new talent" by producing experimental shorts, accepting a high rate of risks to identify breakout successes.[5][6][7] The core goal was to generate 39 independent comedy shorts, each running about seven minutes, serving as a testing ground for potential series while providing a platform for underrepresented voices, including international and female creators who were less common in earlier Frederator efforts. This structure aimed to democratize animation production, drawing from thousands of submissions to select diverse projects that could lead to full series, much like how prior incubators spawned hits such as The Fairly OddParents.[1][5]Episode structure
Each episode of Random! Cartoons consisted of three self-contained short cartoons bundled together, with the series comprising 13 such half-hour episodes for a total of 39 segments. Unlike serialized animated programming, there was no overarching plot, recurring characters, or host to connect the shorts across or within episodes, allowing each to function as a standalone piece.[2][8] Episodes ran for approximately 30 minutes in total, including commercial breaks, while individual shorts were designed to last around 7 minutes to fit the half-hour format efficiently. This structure echoed earlier anthology shows but emphasized brevity to showcase quick, punchy storytelling.[9][1] The shorts aired consecutively within each episode, introduced by dedicated title cards and brief bumpers, with full end credits rolling after each one to maintain separation and highlight their individuality. This presentation underscored the series' diversity in animation techniques—from traditional hand-drawn to digital styles—and genres, including comedy and adventure, without transitional elements that might impose continuity.[10][11] Production treated the segments as independent projects, with creators from varied backgrounds submitting pitches free of thematic or stylistic restrictions, enabling over 100 voice artists and 300 cartoonists to contribute to the anthology's eclectic mix.[1]Production
Development
In 2005, Fred Seibert, founder of Frederator Studios, greenlit Random! Cartoons as a revival and spiritual successor to the earlier Nickelodeon anthology series Oh Yeah! Cartoons, with the network commissioning 13 half-hour episodes comprising 39 individual shorts. Production took place from 2005 to 2007, primarily under Frederator Studios' leadership, which handled creative development and funding while collaborating closely with Nickelodeon.[12][5] The pitching process began with an open call for submissions from animators, solicited through industry events, college outreach, and digital platforms such as the newly launched Channel Frederator in November 2005. This initiative attracted pitches from 33 new creators and 6 returning ones, ultimately selecting 39 diverse, creator-driven shorts for production, with Frederator overseeing the selection and development to ensure variety in styles and voices.[5] Originally slated for a 2007 premiere on the main Nickelodeon channel, the series underwent scheduling shifts due to network priorities and concerns over anthology format ratings, resulting in its delay and eventual debut on Nicktoons in late 2008. Some individual shorts received early online releases on Nick.com during late 2007 to build anticipation, while animation wrapped by the end of 2007 and final episode assembly occurred in 2008. The project served as an incubator aimed at identifying potential spin-off series from standout shorts.[12][5]Creative process
The creative process for Random! Cartoons emphasized a creator-driven approach, where independent animators and writers developed their own seven-minute shorts with minimal interference from Frederator Studios, allowing for diverse storytelling and visual experimentation. Frederator provided oversight, including story editing and production support, while collaborating with Nickelodeon Animation Studio for facilities and resources. This model drew from earlier anthology series like What a Cartoon!, focusing on short-form content to test new ideas and talent.[5][1][13] Animation techniques varied widely across the 39 shorts to reflect each creator's vision, incorporating traditional 2D hand-drawn methods, Adobe Flash for quicker digital production, computer-generated imagery (CG), and experimental hybrids. For instance, Mike Gray's Infinite Goliath utilized Flash animation produced at Renegade Studios, while other shorts like Thom Cat relied on hand-drawn techniques with overseas animation support from studios in Korea. Approximately two-thirds of the production occurred in the United States (in California, New York, and Boston), with outsourcing to Canada and Asia for cost efficiency and specialized skills, enabling a mix of polished and raw styles that showcased emerging techniques in the mid-2000s animation landscape. Post-production, including scoring, sound effects, and final mixing, was handled stateside, often at Nickelodeon Animation Studio in Burbank, California, to ensure consistency before airing.[5][1] Writing and voicing were handled by small, independent teams for each short, fostering intimate collaboration among creators, often comprising just five or fewer key members per project. Creators like Pendleton Ward exemplified this by writing and roughly storyboarding their pilot for Adventure Time in one to two weeks, drawing on personal sketches and recruiting CalArts friends for artwork and voicing, which highlighted the use of emerging talent in both script development and performance. Over 100 voice artists contributed across the series, including established performers like Billy West for roles in MooBeard the Cowboy and Jim Meskimen in Thom Cat, adding professional polish while encouraging fresh voices to experiment with character delivery. More than 300 cartoonists participated overall, with eight shorts directed by seven female creators, promoting diversity in narrative perspectives.[5][1] Resource allocation followed Frederator's incubator philosophy, with budgets tailored to short-form output rather than imposing strict limits on creators, who focused on artistic goals over financial constraints. Production wrapped by end of 2007 after starting in 2005, involving dozens of independent teams coordinated through Frederator's network. Key challenges included managing stylistic diversity from these varied creators in a competitive industry, where economic pressures from the late-2000s downturn complicated financing, while balancing kid-friendly humor with bolder creative risks to appeal beyond young audiences. This hands-on workflow ultimately produced a eclectic anthology that prioritized innovation over uniformity.[5][1]Broadcast
U.S. airing
Random! Cartoons premiered in the United States on the Nicktoons Network on December 6, 2008.[14] The animated anthology series, produced by Frederator Studios, featured 13 half-hour episodes, each containing three shorts and running approximately 22 minutes.[2] Initially, the show aired on Saturdays and Sundays at 1:30 p.m. ET (10:30 a.m. PT).[15] The premiere episode (101) included the shorts Solomon Fix, MooBeard the Cow Pirate, and Two Witch Sisters, followed by episode 102 (Finster and Finster, Adventure Time, Mind the Kitty) on December 7.[14] Subsequent episodes rolled out weekly through December, with episode 103 (Ivan, Boneheads, Tiffany) on December 13 and episode 104 (Call Me Bessie!, Teapot, Hornswiggle) on December 20.[14] The series continued airing new episodes on Saturdays at 1:30 p.m. ET through January 31, 2009, before a brief hiatus.[2] Additional episodes returned on Saturdays at 3:00 p.m. ET on April 4 and April 11, 2009.[2] The final new episodes aired on December 19 and 20, 2009, at 12:00 p.m. ET and 11:00 a.m. ET, respectively, concluding the original run after all 13 episodes.[2] Reruns of the series persisted on Nicktoons Network until July 5, 2014.[16]Distribution
Following its U.S. premiere, Random! Cartoons received limited international distribution through Viacom's global Nicktoons channels, with airings in select markets during the late 2000s and early 2010s.[17] The series premiered in the UK on Nicktoons UK in 2009, alongside broadcasts in other regions, though no widespread dubs in languages such as Spanish or French were produced despite occasional rumors of localized versions.[18] In terms of digital and streaming releases, full episodes were made available on Nick.com and early iTunes downloads starting in 2009, providing on-demand access shortly after broadcast.[19] Later, select shorts appeared on Paramount+ following the service's 2021 rebrand from CBS All Access, though the full anthology is not comprehensively offered there as of 2025. No official DVD or physical media release has been issued to date.[20] Syndication efforts included reruns on TeenNick throughout the 2010s, particularly during the NickSplat block from 2017 to 2019, which focused on nostalgic Nickelodeon animation.[21] Frederator Studios and individual creators also uploaded select shorts to YouTube in the 2010s for archival and promotional purposes, helping preserve accessibility amid shifting broadcast schedules.[22] As of November 2025, primary availability in the U.S. remains through streaming on Paramount+ for limited content, with additional shorts freely viewable on YouTube channels associated with Nickelodeon and Frederator; no physical media options exist, emphasizing digital platforms for ongoing access.[23]Shorts
Overview
Random! Cartoons is an animated anthology series comprising 39 original shorts produced by Frederator Studios in partnership with Nickelodeon Animation Studio, organized into 13 half-hour episodes that collectively showcase a diverse array of storytelling. The shorts encompass genres such as comedy, sci-fi, and fantasy, with each segment averaging 7 minutes in length to deliver self-contained, kid-oriented narratives.[1][24][25] The project highlights creator diversity, with all 39 shorts developed by distinct animation teams, including numerous first-time directors who crafted quirky, original tales tailored for young audiences. This approach emphasized independent voices in animation, fostering innovative content without reliance on established franchises. Episodes were assembled using loose thematic curation, such as grouping adventure-oriented pieces, while maintaining a strict absence of recurring characters or continuity across the entire series.[5][1] Production on the series wrapped by 2007, prioritizing 2D animation styles with occasional integration of CG and Flash techniques to vary visual aesthetics. Notably, three of the shorts were intentionally structured as pilots to test potential for expansion into full-length series.[9][24]Episode Groupings and Shorts
The 39 shorts of Random! Cartoons were aired across 13 half-hour episodes on Nicktoons Network, typically featuring three shorts per episode. Below is a comprehensive table cataloging all shorts in broadcast order, including episode number, title, creator, original air date, and a brief plot synopsis. Notable voice casts and unique facts, such as animation style or pilot status, are included where applicable. Creators are attributed from Frederator Studios' official records.[3] Plot synopses are sourced from IMDb episode descriptions, while air dates are sourced from Nickandmore.com schedule archives.[26][2] Note: The final shorts (Fanboy, Squirly Town, HandyCat) were aired as the concluding content, with Fanboy broadcast separately on December 19, 2009, and the other two together on December 20, 2009.| Episode | Short Title | Creator | Air Date | Plot Summary | Notable Voice Cast / Unique Facts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Solomon Fix | Doug TenNapel | December 6, 2008 | A magical teddy bear named Solomon Fix attempts to prove his worth to his skeptical young owner Ned by protecting him from a mischievous troll under the bed. | Voices: Dee Bradley Baker, Kyle McCulloch. Traditional hand-drawn animation. |
| 1 | MooBeard the Cow Pirate | Kyle Carrozza | December 6, 2008 | Captain MooBeard, a cow pirate, and his bird first mate Sailor Bird embark on a treasure hunt on Hookamookapookalap Island, but their map is stolen by the villainous ninja duck Dark Blade of Fire. | Voices: Kyle Carrozza, Grey DeLisle. Pilot-like concept with pirate adventure theme; hand-drawn. |
| 1 | Two Witch Sisters | Niki Yang | December 6, 2008 | Two contrasting witch sisters—one benevolent and one malevolent—vie for control of their family's magical spellbook, leading to chaotic magical mishaps in their enchanted home. | Voices: Niki Yang, Tara Strong. Features whimsical magic and sibling rivalry; Flash animation. |
| 2 | The Finster Finster Show | Jeff DeGrandis | December 7, 2008 | Twin brothers Finster and Finster, obsessed with their TV, face comedic chaos when angry chickens steal it during a trip to the supermarket. | Voices: Jeff DeGrandis, Phil LaMarr. Comedy focused on absurd sibling antics; traditional animation. |
| 2 | Adventure Time | Pendleton Ward | December 7, 2008 | Young hero Finn and his magical dog Jake venture into the Land of Ooo to rescue Princess Bubblegum from the kidnapped-obsessed Ice King in his icy lair. | Voices: Zack Shada (Finn), John DiMaggio (Jake), Olivia Olson (Marceline). Pilot for the Cartoon Network series Adventure Time; Flash animation.[9] |
| 2 | Mind the Kitty | Anne Walker | December 7, 2008 | A babysitting team of a duck, a punky girl, and a lemur superhero must contend with a deceptively cute but psychotic kitten named Tabby. | Voices: Anne Walker, Dee Bradley Baker. Slapstick humor with animal characters; hand-drawn. |
| 3 | Ivan the Unbearable | Andrew Dickman | December 13, 2008 | A clumsy Viking named Ivan develops destructive hiccups after eating enchanted Troll Cookies and must journey to Troll Co. for a cure while evading a fierce guard. | Voices: Andrew Dickman, Maurice LaMarche. Viking comedy with physical gags; traditional animation.[9] |
| 3 | Boneheads | Polygon Pictures | December 13, 2008 | Dinosaur pals Bone and Roccos squabble over the last "babanana" (a banana-like fruit), but their fight escalates when pesky flies intervene. | Voices: Grey DeLisle, Rob Paulsen. CGI animation by Polygon Pictures; prehistoric setting. |
| 3 | Tiffany | Adam Henry | December 13, 2008 | Shy girl Peggy and her energetic, rough-housing doll Tiffany embark on an unexpected wild horse ride that helps Peggy embrace adventure and loosen up. | Voices: Adam Henry, Tara Strong. Doll comes-to-life trope; Flash animation.[9] |
| 4 | Call Me Bessie! | Diane Kredensor, Dana Galin | December 20, 2008 | Adventurous cow Bessie drags her fearful elephant friend Al on a scuba diving trip, where they must survive sharks and underwater perils after getting lost. | Voices: Amy Poehler (Bessie), Fred Armisen (Al). Animal friendship story; hand-drawn. |
| 4 | Teapot | Greg Eagles | December 20, 2008 | An 11-year-old teapot-shaped boy dreams of becoming a rapper but struggles with his lack of rhythm during a talent showcase. | Voices: Greg Eagles, Phil LaMarr. Musical comedy; unique anthropomorphic object design.[9] |
| 4 | Hornswiggle | Jerry Beck | December 20, 2008 | A bumbling rhinoceros named Hornswiggle ignores a restraining order to become the sidekick of jungle hero Zan-Tar, causing hilarious mayhem in the wild. | Voices: Jerry Beck, Kevin Michael Richardson. Jungle adventure parody; traditional animation.[9] |
| 5 | Hero Heights | Raul Aguirre Jr., Bill Ho | December 27, 2008 | In a superhero apartment building, residents Smart Alec and Strike Out dismiss girls until new tenant Olympia uses her powers to outsmart them. | Voices: Raul Aguirre Jr., Cree Summer. Superhero satire; Flash animation. |
| 5 | Yaki and Yumi | Aliki Theofilopoulos Grafft | December 27, 2008 | Lazy bat Yaki, who works at an arcade for free snacks, teams up with flexible yoga dragon Yumi for a high-stakes dance contest. | Voices: Aliki Theofilopoulos Grafft, Grey DeLisle. Dance and friendship theme; hand-drawn.[9] |
| 5 | Gary Guitar | Bill Plympton | December 27, 2008 | Guitar Gary and violin Miss Vera's romantic picnic is repeatedly disrupted by escalating disasters like rain, crows, ants, and invading robots. | Voices: Bill Plympton, Paul Rugg. Independent animation style by Plympton; squash-and-stretch techniques. |
| 6 | Krunch and the Kid | Adam Henry | January 3, 2009 | Monster wrestler Krunch mourns the death of his frog partner Hoppy and must rally with his new sidekick, the Kid, for a big action show performance. | Voices: Adam Henry, Dee Bradley Baker. Wrestling parody; traditional animation.[9] |
| 6 | Bradwurst | Jason Plapp, Angelo Di Nallo | January 3, 2009 | A mischievous sausage named Bradwurst tries to sabotage a neighborhood party, only to discover it's a surprise celebration in his honor. | Voices: Jason Plapp, Tom Kenny. Food-based character comedy; Flash. |
| 6 | Dr. Froyd's Funny Farm | Bill Burnett, Jaime Diaz | January 3, 2009 | Farm girl Lulu swaps bodies with a cow named Bossie to sneak into the exclusive Dr. Froyd's Funny Farm circus, but quickly regrets the switch. | Voices: Bill Burnett, Grey DeLisle. Body-swap farce; hand-drawn. |
| 7 | The Bravest Warriors | Pendleton Ward | January 10, 2009 | Four young heroes known as the Bravest Warriors battle a planet-destroying Tickle Monster in a bizarre emotional dimension. | Voices: Justin Roiland, Kelsy Abbott. Pilot for the web series Bravest Warriors; Flash animation.[9] |
| 7 | The Dangerous Duck Brothers | Patrick Ventura | January 10, 2009 | Twin duck brothers Giovanni and Navarro build a rocket to shatter the speed record, but their invention leads to explosive misadventures. | Voices: Patrick Ventura, Rob Paulsen. Sci-fi duck comedy; traditional. |
| 7 | Sparkles and Gloom | Melissa Wolfe, Anne Walker | January 10, 2009 | Fairy sisters Sparkles (cheerful) and Gloom (grouchy) accidentally swap magical powers and must collaborate for a royal talent show. | Voices: Melissa Wolfe, Tara Strong. Fairy tale twist; hand-drawn.[9] |
| 8 | The Infinite Goliath | Mike Gray, Erik Knutson | January 17, 2009 | Reformed evil robot Infinite Goliath, on parole in a human neighborhood, clashes with pesky kid Roger while trying to stay out of trouble. | Voices: Mike Gray, Dee Bradley Baker. Robot redemption story; CGI elements.[9] |
| 8 | Kyle + Rosemary | Jun Falkenstein | January 17, 2009 | Shy gamer Kyle and goth girl Rosemary bond in the online world of Questworld but struggle to connect in real life. | Voices: Jun Falkenstein, Haley Joel Osment. Early internet romance parody; Flash.[9] |
| 8 | Garlic Boy | John Dilworth | January 17, 2009 | Timid Garlic Boy uses his mother's special tonic to gain confidence and help his friends overcome everyday fears. | Voices: John Dilworth, Maurice LaMarche. Empowerment tale; hand-drawn by Dilworth.[9] |
| 9 | Flavio | Mike Milo | January 24, 2009 | Butterfly Flavio deals with his overprotective mother while trying to impress a tough crowd at a garden party. | Voices: Mike Milo, Phil LaMarr. Insect adventure; traditional animation. |
| 9 | SamSquatch | Adam Muto | January 24, 2009 | Bigfoot SamSquatch searches for his lost family in the woods, encountering quirky forest creatures along the way. | Voices: Adam Muto, John DiMaggio. Mythical creature quest; Flash. |
| 9 | Girls on the Go | Aliki Theofilopoulos Grafft | January 24, 2009 | Two energetic girls navigate school life and crushes while dealing with a magical mishap that speeds up time. | Voices: Aliki Theofilopoulos Grafft, Grey DeLisle. Tween slice-of-life; hand-drawn. |
| 10 | Victor the Delivery Dog | Niki Yang | January 31, 2009 | Delivery dog Victor races against time to deliver a package through a chaotic city, dodging obstacles and villains. | Voices: Niki Yang, Dee Bradley Baker. Action-comedy; traditional. |
| 10 | Bronk and Bongo | Manny Galan, Alan Goodman | January 31, 2009 | Dogs Bronk and Bongo are mistaken for expert doctors and thrust into a series of silly medical mishaps. | Voices: Manny Galan, Tom Kenny. Medical parody; Flash animation.[9] |
| 10 | Thom Cat | Mike Gray | January 31, 2009 | Inventive cat Thom uses his new octo-tail gadget to get revenge on neighborhood bully Rusty the dog. | Voices: Mike Gray, Frank Welker. Gadget-based revenge; hand-drawn. |
| 11 | Sugarfoot | Erik Knutson | April 4, 2009 | Young Sugarfoot's school field trip turns adventurous when he's paired with bully Sluggo for a survival challenge. | Voices: Erik Knutson, Tara Strong. School adventure; traditional. |
| 11 | Dugly Uckling's Treasure Quest | Guy Vasilovich | April 4, 2009 | Ugly duckling Dugly sets out on a treasure hunt to prove his worth, facing riddles and rivals in a fairy tale world. | Voices: Guy Vasilovich, Rob Paulsen. Fairy tale parody; Flash. |
| 11 | Dr. Dee and Bit Boy | Seo Jun-Kyo, Kang Yo-Kong, Larry Huber | April 4, 2009 | Young heroes Bitboy and Bitgirl infiltrate villain Black Violet's lair to rescue their missing mentor, Dr. Dee. | Voices: Larry Huber, Janice Kawaye. Video game-inspired action; anime-influenced animation.[9] |
| 12 | Super John Doe Jr. | Lincoln Peirce | April 11, 2009 | Powerless Super John Doe Jr. must outwit the villainous Evil Butthead to escape living in his famous father's shadow. | Voices: Lincoln Peirce, Dee Bradley Baker. Superhero origin story; hand-drawn.[9] |
| 12 | 6 Monsters | Alan Goodman, Fred Seibert | April 11, 2009 | Six quirky monsters navigate friendship and scares in a haunted house setting, learning to embrace their differences. | Voices: Alan Goodman, Cree Summer. Monster ensemble comedy; traditional. |
| 12 | Ratz-A-Fratz | Karl Toerge, Jim Wyatt | April 11, 2009 | Rat roommates Cyrus, Urban, and Squawk evade mall security guard Crank during a sneaky food court raid for cookies. | Voices: Karl Toerge, Tom Kenny. Rat heist humor; Flash animation. |
| 13 | Fanboy | Eric Robles | December 19, 2009 | Superfan Fanboy and his best friend Chum Chum test a new frozen treat from their hero Fan Man, but unleash an ice monster named Bun Bun. | Voices: David Hornsby (Fanboy), Nancy Cartwright (Chum Chum). Pilot for Nickelodeon series Fanboy & Chum Chum; Flash animation. Aired as a standalone short.[9] |
| 13 | Squirly Town | Doug TenNapel | December 20, 2009 | Squirrels in a bustling town deal with urban chaos, including a mayoral election and nut shortages. | Voices: Doug TenNapel, Grey DeLisle. Squirrel society satire; hand-drawn. |
| 13 | HandyCat: Bees-ness As Usual | Russ Harris, G. Brian Reynolds | December 20, 2009 | Handyman cat HandyCat and his dog partner Drillbit tackle a giant beehive removal job that spirals into sticky chaos. | Voices: Russ Harris, Frank Welker. Handyman adventure; traditional animation. |