Max and Ruby

Max and Ruby is a Canadian animated series that debuted in 2002 (following a pilot episode in 2001) that is aimed at a preschool audience. Created by children's book author/illustrator Rosemary Wells and based on the world of her Max and Ruby books, the episodes present stories about Max, a rambunctious and determined three-year-old rabbit, and his big sister, Ruby, a patient, goal-oriented, sometimes restrictive seven-year-old rabbit.^[1] A pilot episode for this series aired in 2001 and the program appeared as a regular series on October 21, 2002, Season Two was aired during 2003, Season Three was aired in 2006, and a fourth season was aired in 2009.^[2] According to Rosemary Wells on the Nick Jr. website, "Max & Ruby celebrates the relationship between Ruby and her younger brother, Max, and the universal nature of sibling relationships."^[3]

Each episode consists of three self-contained vignettes. Within each, Ruby is typically engaged in some sort of project or activity (which usually involves Max whether he's willing to participate or not), while Max has a particular interest of his own which either runs counter to his sister's or distracts her. Generally, Max's dialog within each story is usually limited to just one word or a two word phrase, which he repeats periodically for the rest of the episode until the end, sometimes saying a different word (or on rare occasions a full sentence). Since he only uses the same word when communicating, what he is trying to say is often misinterpreted. By the end of the story, Max usually ends up helping Ruby in some way, to her benefit and delight, or outsmarts her when she is trying to restrict him. Their parents are never seen or mentioned, however, their grandmother makes regular appearances.

For season one, Jamie Whitney was the director, and all 39 episodes were written by Kate Barris and Paddy Granleese. While some of the stories were adapted from the books, the number of TV episodes eventually surpassed the number of books written by Wells.

Samantha Morton was the voice of Ruby until season three. Billy Rosemberg was the voice of Max until season four. In season three, Rebecca Peters replaced Samantha Morton as the voice of Ruby. In season four, Tyler Stevenson replaced Billy Rosemberg as the voice of Max.

A fifth season will come out sometime in 2011 or 2012.^[4]

Episode Listings

International Versions

• In Czech, the show is called Mše a Rubý.
• In Finnish, the show is called Max ja Ruby
• In French, the show is called Max et Ruby
• The show is broadcast in Hindi with its original title.
• In Italian, the show is called Max e Ruby. Max and Ruby were both voiced by the same voice actress.
• In Korean, the show is Maegseuwa Lubi (맥스와 루비)
• In Swedish, the show is called Max och Ruby
• In Spanish, the show is called Max y Ruby
• In the United Kingdom, the show is dubbed with British voice actors, replacing the American English soundtrack.

Max & Ruby on Stage

Max & Ruby Live (Our Favorite Things) is a live touring show of the series' two stars.

A musical version of Max and Ruby, entitled Max and Ruby, is produced by Theatreworks USA and tours the United States. The show was written by Carol Hall and Glen Berger.

Characters

Max

A three-year-old rabbit who is the brother of Ruby. His typical role in every episode of the TV series is to come up with an idea or desire against Ruby's will and Ruby would try to talk him out of it, but Max would keep asking for what he wants, but Ruby would continue her will, making Max lose hope in getting what he desires and then find a way to outsmart Ruby and her friends. He usually says just one repeated word per episode to express his desire or idea, such as "Faster", sometimes a phrase such as "Bad Egg", or even short sentences. This makes communicating with others difficult as they often misinterpret him. He wears blue overalls with a red-striped cream shirt, however, sometimes Max wears other outfits. His best friend is Louise's cousin, Morris who acts as if he was Max's sidekick. He often manages to be more clever than his older sister and her friends.

Ruby

A seven-year-old rabbit who is Max's older sister. Her role in the TV series to try to talk Max out of an idea or desire he has and she would continue her will when Max asks for what he wants, ending with Max completely losing hope in getting his desire, however he would always find a way to outsmart Ruby and her friends. Her appearance is virtually exactly the same as Max, except that she's taller and wears a yellow dress with flower patterns in seasons one and two, then switches to a pink dress in seasons three and four. She behaves in an over-protective and maternal manner to Max, for example persuading him to do something against his will because, according to her, "it's what's best for him". She likes to have tea parties, or regular parties with her dolls or friends as guests. She is often bossy or even rude to Max, often losing patience with him, however, she does love him. She is usually seen with at least one of her friends, often Louise, who is her best friend. It is revealed that Max is given some of her toys when she's outgrown them, and some toys they share, for example in an episode called "Max's Rabbit Racer", Max now owns Ruby's doll Pinocchio. She always refers to the toys by their entire brand names (for example, she will say "your Rescue Ranger Emergency Ambulance", instead of "your ambulance"). She and Louise have a crush on their classmate Roger Piazza who sometimes helps babysit Max in later episodes.

Grandma

Max and Ruby's grandmother. She likes to have fun and has an attic full of clothes and a treasure box that has a memory picture of herself and her husband (who has not made any appearances in the TV series) wearing some fancy clothes to a festival. She has gray fur, wears a blue dress and is frequently involved with her grandchildren. She loves her grandchildren equally but Max is often Grandma's confidant when she plans something special, since she knows Max can keep a secret. Even though Ruby believes that Grandma won't like Max's ideas she is always revealed to like both Max and Ruby's ideas equally, however she usually sides with Max when Max outsmarts Ruby and when Ruby assumes Grandma will love her ideas better than Max's. She once lived with their grandfather.

Louise

Ruby's best friend who frequently appears in the TV series. She likes to have fun and has a cousin named Morris who is friends with Ruby's younger brother, Max, and Morris also manages to be more clever than her. She is also known for liking to attend parties and events like Max's birthday, and beach parties. She has auburn fur and wears a green tartan dress. Physically, she looks similar to Ruby except she's slightly taller. She sometimes isn't sure about Ruby's ideas but decides to help her out anyway and mostly decides to join her in her ideas.

Valerie

A friend of Rubys she wears a red and gold dress and is dark brown. She wears glasses and is shorter than Ruby and her other friends. She is very talented at playing the recorder and dances ballet with Ruby.

Martha

A friend of Ruby's; however she is not seen as often as Louise or Valerie. She goes to, and is usually seen, at Bunny Scouts with Ruby, Louise, and Valerie, but sometimes joins them when playing. She has gold fur and is the only one of Ruby's friends with eyelashes..

The Huffingtons

A family consisting of Mrs. Huffington, Mr. Huffington, and Baby Huffington. Mrs. Huffington is a talented Baton twirler, and she taught Ruby and Louise how to twirl batons.

The Butts

A family who works at the Market, consisting of Roger and Mr. Piazza. Roger's mother has never been seen. Roger is "almost seven and a half" years old.^[5] He treats Max like a little brother and is into basketball, football, sledding, hockey, and toy racing cars (to Ruby and Louise's dismay). Roger has a cameo in the episode "Max's Rocket Run" where he sleds down the biggest sledding hill, Rocket Run with a large group of bunnies, three days after Christmas which is his first appearance. Louise and Ruby are infatuated with him. In the first two seasons all he ever says is "Uh-huh" and "Uh-uh", but speaks completely in season three and season four. He often helps his father at his store and helps out with Max and Ruby's projects. Mr. Piazzas is twenty-nine years old.

Bunny Scout Leader

The leader of the Bunny Scouts, to which Ruby, Louise, Martha, and Valerie are members. She is only referred to as "Bunny Scout Leader"; her real name is unknown. She is seen infrequently, usually testing the girls to earn badges.

Morris

Max's best friend and Louise's cousin. He doesn't know how to talk as well as Max. Upon their first meeting, he was unfriendly towards Max, but they quickly became friends and he is Max's sidekick, going along with whatever Max is doing..

Candi

Owner of a candy shop. Ruby has worked in her store and visits her occasionally.

Rosalinda

Owner of a gift shop that sells jewelry and collectibles and a friend of Max and Ruby's grandmother. Her shop is next to Candi's shop.

Channel details

References

External links

• Max & Ruby on Nick Jr. UK
• Max & Ruby on Nick Jr. US
• Max & Ruby on Nickelodeon Canada
• Max & Ruby on Treehouse
• Max and Ruby merchandise available at The Nick Shop
• Theatreworks/USA production
• Max and Ruby at the Internet Movie Database
• Max and Ruby at TV.com