movies/tv 80's & 90's Alvin and the Chipmunks Cartoon Discussion Thread

[Simon 4,557]

So of course I'm a big fan of MLP, but what many people don't know about me is my first fandom I was really involved in was actually Alvin and the Chipmunks.  I have a huge soft spot in my heart for the Chipmunks in general, but I have a particular love of the cartoon which aired in the 1980's and 1990's.  I've already met a bunch of people on here who are also fans of the Chipmunks just in the various casual mentions of them I have made around the forum, so I thought it would be nice to start a media thread to properly discuss the cartoon.  

 

For me, I think one of the things I love about the series so much is how unique it was.  Cartoons have always had a tendency to be very formulaic, but the Chipmunks weren't.  They had everything from romance stories, to comedies, to more serious episodes covering topics like bullying, the berlin wall, and death.

 

My two favorite episodes for that very reason are The Wall and Cookie Chomper III.  The Wall was really an unprecedented step by cartoons in my opinion.  It took the topic of the Berlin wall and made a more child-friendly version to try and explain what was going on.  Then to go even further, it called for the Berlin Wall to be taken down.  Just an astonishing episode in my opinion.

 

Then there's good ole Cookie Chomper III.  Such a heartbreaking episode... this one aims to help kids deal with the death of a family pet.  It's so amazingly heartbreaking, and does such a great job at talking about a subject that most cartoons won't touch with a ten foot pole.

 

I also couldn't write this post without mentioning Simon.  (Yep this is where my name comes from.)  I adore Simon because he too breaks some stereotypes.  Normally, the nerdy character has a very set group of characteristics like being shy, bullied, and unable to defend himself.  I've never been able to relate to those characters because I'm nerdy, but not like that.  Simon is basically my clone though... he's nerdy but at the same time he's witty and sarcastic, and not afraid to stand up for himself.  He's a much more realistic portrayal of the smarter character than I have seen from any other cartoon.

 

So anyway what do some of you think about the 80's cartoon and what is it about the show that makes you love it?  What's your favorite episode?  What's your favorite song?  Who's is your favorite Chipmunk and Chipette?  All the usual questions <3

[CheeryFox 23,822]

I'm not a big fan of the 'ye olde' cartoons, but them live-action movies...I love 'em. I like Simon a lot - he definitely has an endearing quality about him, his intellect isn't domineering - which is a plus. And he loves and tries to protect his family. All-around cool character, much respect. 

[11th Doctor Whooves 794]

I'm also a huge fan of Alvin and the chipmunks, particularly of the 80s cartoon, and its because of that that Simon and I became friends (much to his chagrin, I'm sure XD)

 

I love show, and still love to watch it and the movies all the time.  It was always an interesting to show, and the music made it absolutely perfect for me, as the music is what I really love about AatC.

 

Simon is also my favorite of the chipmunks (though everyone associates me with Theodore in that Fandom, lol).  I just love his quick wit and his sarcastic remarks.

 

I hope that someday they release the whole series, so that all the episodes can finally be released.  My personal favorite episode is Maids in Japan.  While not the most, eh, culturally sensitive episode, I still really love it

[mars 4,862]

I never saw the cartoons, just the animated movies. Alvin and the Chipmunks meet the Wolfman, and The Chipmunk Adventure are just two of the movies I can remember off the top of my head. My favorite Chipmunk is Theodore, and my favorite Chipette is probably.. Jeanette. Eleanor would be a close second though.

[Jeric 46,857]

Well, I'm certainly glad I accidentally stumbled on this topic.

 

 

It's hard from me to pick a place to start with when discussing this show. Being a child of the 80's, shows like AatC were regular staples in my entertainment menu. I actually remember watching the first episode, 'The Mr. T episode' and I was basically 'in' from go. One disclosure is that I don't know all the episode names by heart like some of you likely do ... so @Simon is going to be fighting the urge not to edit my post as I type episode names in the style of 'Friends'

 

Most of the 80's cartoons were larger advertisements for product. Transformers, GI Joe, He-Man, Thundercats, MLP, Jem, etc. Watching some of those again, like He-Man and Transformers ... well ... the lack of love really shows. I see them as enjoyable thanks to the magicical nostalgia filter ... but outside of a few gems ... these shows didn't age well. Chipmunks did. Now, to be fair you DO have a huge dose of nostalgia from the show itself, but then ... you also have the songs. Most of the 80's tunes also hit me with an relentless pouding of memories. It's crazy how a 20+ year old cartoon can make me remember a car trip to Hersey, PA back in 1984 ...

 

Nostalgia aside, it would be a diservice if I didn't point out the aspects of the series' (both Ruby and Spears and beyond) actual substance. Here was a show that was your typical self contained one to two story structure. But it created relatively elaborate backstories that addressed surprising complex emotional issues. This show created a continuity within the characters and the stories that help make it stand up after years. AatC actually delivered characterization and bite sized moral stories better than almost every show at the time, and until the Disney Afternoon it really didn't have much competition in weaving a more complex narrative than the average childrens fare.

 

Deceptively simple does not mean simple.

 

I do want this thread to live, so I won't go on much longer in this specific post. I would be remiss if I didn't say this -- to anyone who is happy to have met my aquaintance ... thank Alvin in the Chipmunks. There was a moment where cartoons started to seem boring and 'kids stuff' to me. I started reading more sophisticated stories, watching movies that had more complex themes, etc. I was 'growing up'. I was putting away 'childish things' to paraphrase a famous biblical passage. Then I happened to see the episode that Simon (the mod) referenced earlier.

 

There is a line of demarcation of sorts that sperates my desperation to grow up and put my toys away, and when I ran for that toy box on my hands a knees in apology. The imaginary line I mentioned is the moment I finished 'Cookie Chomper III'. That door conversation ... the boys reactions ... this

 

 

 

Basically ... one show that I started to dismiss as beneath me ... reminded me that animation and childhood still had a place in my life, and could be meaningul and tell an important story.

 

This is just one of many threads that would lead me to discover MLP which in itself made be re-experience what Saturday mornings used to feel like. Funny how life is? So many threads ... pull one ... and how you are may change dramatically.

 

OH ... Best 'Munk is Simon ---

[JasonKrueger13 7]

I love this show from the music to the stories to the characters. While the music is great, I have to say my favorite thing about the show is the characters and the stories. Each of the three main characters has their own qualities that I enjoy but I have to say that my favorite chipmunk is the intelligent and witty Simon Seville. The reasons why I like him the most has already been discussed in the first few posts so I am not going to bother repeating it.

 

If I have to pick a single episode as my favorite, it would be "Alvin's Obsession". I enjoyed how much Alvin wanted to beat the new kid and would fight to the end even if he kept on failing. I also have to mention "Cookie Chomper III" since that episode hit me the most emotionally. The theme of that episode is so powerful and was rather unheard of at the time.

 

Now, I also enjoy the music from the show with my favorite being "Uptown Girl". I also would love to see the full version of some of the songs they covered like "Footloose".

 

I am just hoping that they will release the complete series on Blu-Ray someday.

[Jeric 46,857]

but I have to say that my favorite chipmunk is the intelligent and witty Simon Seville.

 

 

I think it's unanimous at this point!

 

 

 

I also have to mention "Cookie Chomper III" since that episode hit me the most emotionally. The theme of that episode is so powerful and was rather unheard of at the time.

 

 

Also unanimous as one that many fans remember   (I am seeing a pattern) 

 

 

I am just hoping that they will release the complete series on Blu-Ray someday.

 

 

I actually was wondering why this hasn't happened. Is it a rights issue because production companies changed?

 

 

---

 

I also want to point to one episode I remembered long ago. I haven't seen it since I was a child, but the episode where the boys hunt down their mother. I vividly recall the scene where Alvin lashes out at his mom, storms off and is comforted by Simon and Theodore. The show tackled adoption, and the feelings a child would have more realistically than I would have thought.

[Lucky Lass 528]

I remember watching the cartoon most mornings on CN before school XD Though as style goes I always

leaned more to the 90's style, then again The Chipmunks Adventure  has always been on my list of favorite movies.

It has been a long time since I have watched the episodes that I don't really think I could pick favorites without

watching them again and remembering episode names. Though two episodes do stand out in my mind, the special

where they went looking for there mum and the episode where we got a Chippette back story.

Though I love how all the boys have strong characters, if I am honest Alvin was my favorite lol
I dressed up as him for Halloween one year and while none of my classmates got it, my teachers did.

[Jeric 46,857]

 

 

Though two episodes do stand out in my mind, the special where they went looking for there mum and the episode where we got a Chippette back story.

 

Yep I really do want to see that Mother episode again. The backstory about the Chipettes was one of those touches that made the show stand out at the time. What is more, we even got a an episode where you realize that they are basically homeless! I lament that they didn't introduce Ms. Miller in the live action films.

 

http://youtu.be/fBPRarZElwU

[Lucky Lass 528]

Yep I really do want to see that Mother episode again. The backstory about the Chipettes was one of those touches that made the show stand out at the time. What is more, we even got a an episode where you realize that they are basically homeless! I lament that they didn't introduce Ms. Miller in the live action films.

 

http://youtu.be/fBPRarZElwU

That was a bit of a bummer that she didn't make an appearance, and while I enjoy the movies, I was a bit sad that they left them as real chipmunks.

I missed the basically anthro forms they had in the cartoon, but I think that is just nostalgia for the cartoon to come back cx

[Simon 4,557]

 

 

Yep I really do want to see that Mother episode again. The backstory about the Chipettes was one of those touches that made the show stand out at the time. What is more, we even got a an episode where you realize that they are basically homeless! I lament that they didn't introduce Ms. Miller in the live action films.

The one about the Chipmunks looking for their mother is called 'A Chipmunk Reunion'.  It was actually one of the special episodes that aired between seasons if I recall correctly... definitely a really amazing story <3

 

As for the Chipettes backstory episodes, there's The Chipette Story which talks about their background, and then Help Wanted: Mommy is the episode about them finding Miss Miller.

 

The Chipmunk Reunion and The Chipette Story are both available on DVD sets I know, but I don't believe Help Wanted: Mommy is.

 

I definitely agree about a blu-ray set.  I've always been bothered by the fact that the bulk of the series can only be seen if you live in Canada or if you search for people who have recorded the episodes... it's a fantastic series and should be more accessible to people.  Even a DVD set with the whole series would be fine or digital copies, but it should be put out there for everybody to see.

[Khaoios 1,970]

Brings a tear to my eye that there are fans of the 80's and 90's Alvin and the Chipmunks.  Watched them growing up, .   Shame they don't have cartoons like that anymore, .   Anyone born after 1998 really missed out on the "good" shows. 

[Wingnut 7,001]

 Thank you so much for starting this topic, @Simon.  I've been a Chipmunks fan ever since Ross and Janice produced the 1981 Christmas special which was basically a pilot for the series which debuted in 1983. One of the results of this was a fan comic I made as a teenager and have since posted on Deviantart. Overall the thing I liked about this cartoon is that the creators strived to make a quality product the whole family could enjoy and that was evident in most episodes. This series had a great run although it pretty much jumped the shark by 1988. At that point, almost every episode was a direct spoof of another TV program or a movie.

 

My favorite Chipmunk is Simon. I identified with him the best. I could personally relate his love of nerdy things and his great sense of responsibility. I always admired the way he looked out for his brothers when they did things that weren't particularly bright. And to me the best Chipette is Eleanor. Why Eleanor? Believe it or not, there are many parallels between her and Applejack and I expanded upon this in blog entry I wrote last year. http://mlpforums.com/blog/587/entry-3679-character-comparison-applejack-and-eleanor-the-chipette/ For a long time the Chipettes were without a mother or a legal guardian of any kind for that matter. Because of this Eleanor stepped up and she developed the motherly, caring traits that have come to define her. Just like somebody else's big sister.

 

And wasn't there a copyright fight in the last ten years or so?  If I recall, the Bagdasarians sold the rights to someone else (Disney?) and then fought to get it back when they failed to live up to the terms of the deal by letting the franchise languish. Anyway, I know the Bagdasarians wanted to do something big by 2008 to mark the Chipmunks' 50th anniversary. That, of course, led to the Christmas 2007 live action movie and reimagining them as small, well, chipmunk-sized creatures. It was OK, but I still like the '80s version the best. 

 

One more thing. I made this drawing in 1993 in honor of the Chipette’s 10th anniversary (though I wasn't able to get it colored until many years later). 

 

http://switchpoint.deviantart.com/art/The-Chipettes-44240620

 

Edit.  Ugh, this picture doesn't want to embed for me no matter what I do.  I'll just post a link to the entry on Deviantart.   

[Simon 4,557]

And wasn't there a copyright fight in the last ten years or so?

Yeah back in the late 90's/early 2000's they had a licensing and distribution agreement with Universal, and long story short, Universal pretty much abused that agreement to death.  One of the things I actually have in my collection is a lunchbox sent out to companies from Universal Studios that included all sorts of artwork for licensing products with, and inside it basically said that anybody can use the Chipmunks on products and had a super-easy way to get licensed products through them.  There were just tons of violations of the licensing agreement... it was pretty obvious Universal didn't care about the franchise and just wanted to drain it to get as much money as they could out of it, and then dump the franchise.  Luckily Bagdasarian Productions ended up getting control back a few years ago through the lawsuits.

 

 

 

This series had a great run although it pretty much jumped the shark by 1988.

 

Yeah... I liked some of the Chipmunks Go to the Movies episodes, but they did exactly what I didn't want to see the Chipmunks do which is become a completely formulaic show.  They took their biggest strength which was the diversity of the episodes, and dumped it.  I think the parody episodes in the main series were great but once that became the entire franchise, it took a lot away from the characters.

[11th Doctor Whooves 794]

I enjoyed several of the Go to the Movies episodes as well, but I agree with Simon, making an entire season of them was not a good idea.  It would have been better if they'd had some normal episodes with those interspersed among them, like all the other parody episodes they'd done.

 

I often wonder if the show would have kept going for a while if not for that last season.

[Simeon Leonard 119]

All of my friends in the MLP fandom, including (but not limited to) @Simon and , came to it via the Chipmunk fandom. The same is true of me. While I never got into the classic cartoon as much as I did the CGI movies, I always enjoyed the music from all generations of the Chipmunks. There's something about that high-pitched timbre that just makes me feel happy. While some of the newer Chipmunk music is almost over-produced, it did introduce me to new genres that made some of the electronic brony music I enjoy now more palatable at first. From what I've seen of the 80's cartoon series, it's obvious that the show wasn't afraid to delve into heavier topics than some of the more light-hearted Saturday morning fare of the time. Alvin and the Chipmunks seems like a good example of using a cartoon as a relatively safe place to explore more grown-up issues, something MLP also endeavors to do. I know Ross and Janice Bagdasarian intended to use the 80's version of the Chipmunks to that end when they set out to create the show. Maybe that explains why it appeals to some bronies. 

Edited August 26, 2014 by Simeon Leonard

[Jeric 46,857]

I have to agree that there are a wealth of parallels that you can draw between FiM and the 80's cartoon. Bite sized bits of morality, infused with music, and presented in a way that does not talk down to its audience. Check, check, and check. While AatC didn't need to delve into the same sort of world building that makes FiM such a fascinating fantasy, it did take the the same personal approach to the central characters by fleshing them out with impressive backstories (as we have already pointed out and will likely continue to do).

 

Another similarity between the two shows is how they started with simple archetypes without relying on gimmicks. As much as I love Transformers and GI Joe, they fell victim to using gimmickry to create their respective characters' personalities. Chipmunks, like Pony, started with the most basic of molds and created situations and stories that highlighted the personalities.

 

Another episode highlight was 'Miss Miller's Big Gamble' (yes I cheated to find the show title). The descent into addiction, and the absolute horror on the Chipette's faces when Miss Miller loses everything ... wow. Dave in a beard was funny as well. It went pretty far to show the kind of man David Seville was, and seeing him working side by side with Alvin in some form of shenanigans instead of the victim ... that was classic.

 

 

Note: I just tried to do an image search for that ep ... nothing. I am not used to this sort of dismissal from Google!

[Darker 1,351]

It's sad how there aren't many people who know about this show. It still is very kind of fun to watch.