Nearly a decade after the short-lived, Hanna-Barbera produced Pink Panther & Sons, MGM decided to bring the Panther out of hibernation in an all-new series, with one huge change.
For the first time in nearly 30 years, the Panther actually talked, and for the first time, seemingly ever, the "Little Man", the Panther's long time foil, was also given voice. Actor Matt Frewer (ex-Max Headroom) voiced the Panther, while comic Wallace Shawn spoke for the "Little Man". In addition, other DePatie-Freleng characters freely interacted with the Panther for the first time, including The Ant & The Aardvark (both voiced by John Byner), the Dogfather (Joe Piscopo, ex-Saturday Night Live), and the Tijuana (nee Texas) Toads. The cast also included comedy vets Ruth Buzzi and Charles Nelson Reilly.
Sorry to say, I never really got to see the show during its initial 3 year run (1993-6), due to work and the fact that it didn't last the whole three years in my market, if at all, as memory serves. However, here's an example of what ended up being the last TV incarnation of the Pink Panther. From season 3 (1995), here's "Calling Dr. Panther".
I think the idea was that the producers felt it was time the Panther started communicating with his audience, but old school fans prefer the silent version, the one they grew up with. For what it's worth, impressionist Rich Little, mimicking David Niven, voiced the Panther in a pair of 1965 theatrical shorts. I think This still has the rights to this series.
Rating: None. Can't fairly rate it.
8 comments:
I remember catching a few eps here and there during it's run, and it wasn't bad. It did seem a bit disconcerting to have PP able to speak, but Matt Frewer was a good fit for him.
I remember there was a "PP & Sons" series (which rightfully tanked) and the sons talked.
I think fans tended to prefer to earlier silent adventures because of the pantomime in the shorts. Not all things have to be said aloud.
Pantomime worked so well not only for the Panther, but also the Road Runner & Coyote and others that tried to follow. The producers recognized they were aiming at a new generation of viewers that didn't really know the Panther.
Ohhhhhhh, talk about seething hatred from me. To me, the Panther talking was a slap in the face to old time fans. I think the only thing I hated more was Yo Yogi!
Geed: I suppose then that you also had an issue with a futuristic, motor-mouthed Road Runner (Rev) on Loonatics Unleashed? I can understand your anger.
This is what happens when you mess with a successful formula. As the saying goes, if it ain't broken, you don't fix it, but some people insist on it to their eternal sorrow.......
hobbyfan: I'm not sure anyone like Loonatics at all. LOL. Well, it's "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" but also, people are very protective of what they loved in their childhood. I know it was some tv exec trying to market Pink Panther for a new generation of kids. I don't BLAME them for doing it because they were trying to update the character. I should have also said I don't have a seething hatred for it now but when it first came out? Total outrage.
Then count me as that rare commodity, a Loonatics fan. LOL!
I agree with the idea of being protective of what people loved as kids. I know that feeling very well, if you've ever read my ragging on [adult swim] for their blatant disrespect of classic Hanna-Barbera characters. The last couple of generations have seen a bunch of know-nothing yuppies rise into positions of power with 0 understanding of classic cartoon characters. It's mind-bogglingly bad.
There were actually more TV incarnations of the Pink Panther recently: the "Pink Panther & Pals" TV series presented by the Cartoon Network in 2010 and "A Very Pink Christmas" presented by the ABC Family Channel in 2011 during their "25 Days of Christmas" programming.
I'm aware of both. Pink Panther & Pals may be posted here soon.
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