| 3-2-1 Penguins! | |
|---|---|
| Created by | Jeff Parker Phil Lollar Nathan Carlson |
| Developed by | Mike Nawrocki |
| Written by | Mitch Schauer Kirby Atkins Tim Hodge Broose Johnson |
| Directed by | Tod Carter Tom Bancroft Tim Hodge |
| Voices of | Season 1 Mark Marten Melissa Peterson Ellen Kennedy Ron Wells Greg Mills Page H. Hearn Ron Smith Season 2 & 3 Quinn Lord Claire Corlett Ellen Kennedy John Payne Paul Dobson Lee Tockar Michael Donovan Gary Chalk Dale Wilson |
| Theme music composer | Kurt Heinecke and Mike Nawrocki |
| Composer(s) | Kurt Heinecke Adam Frick |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Language(s) | English |
| No. of episodes | 26 (List of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) | Phil Vischer Tim Hodge |
| Producer(s) | J. Chris Wall Joe Barrouao Sean Roche |
| Editor(s) | John Wahba |
| Running time | 30-66 minutes (video) 22 minutes (television) |
| Production company(s) | Big Idea, Inc. Sparky Animation Brain Freeze Entertainment |
| Broadcast | |
| Original channel | qubo (&) PBS Sprout |
| Original run | November 14, 2000 – Present |
3-2-1 Penguins! is a series of Christian computer-animated (direct-to-video until 2003) cartoons launched on November 14, 2000.[1] The direct-to-video series by Big Idea, Inc., the same producers of the long-running VeggieTales movies, held the top spot on the Soundscan kid video sales charts for its first 18 weeks of release. [2] and has sold 1.5 million videos to date.[3] It was the #1 seller on Christian Booksellers Association's video list in 2001[4] and the #2 (and occasionally #1) ranked show on NBC's qubo Saturday morning kids block in 2008.[5] Along with VeggieTales, 3-2-1 Penguins has generated millions of dollars in revenue for Big Idea[6]
Contents |
Twins Jason and Michelle are spending summer with their English Grandmum in The Poconos region of New York. Grandmum has a collection of kitschy ceramic figurines, the most prized of which is four penguins in a rocket ship (a honeymoon gift from her deceased husband). In the first show, the twins accidentally drop the ship, but instead of breaking it flies into the air and reveals the 4 penguins are actually the crew of a real spaceship. The twins are then pulled into the ship, using the crew's Gileezle gun, and taken on a galactic adventure.[7] The adventure that ensues then ties into whatever moral dilemma that Jason and Michelle had struggled with in the shows opening scene. For example, in the episode Trouble on Planet Wait-Your-Turn', the twins are struggling with taking turns on a new video game. Subsequently, they and the penguins are called upon to help an alien planet that is in danger of burning up in its sun because the indigenous race is incapable of waiting their turns-thus the ".[8]
Zidgel: The ship's captain who resembles a cross between heroic James T. Kirk and vain Ted Baxter. He should wear his glasses, but he usually doesn't because they give him "red marks" on his beak.[9]
He is voiced by Ron Wells and then John Payne.
Midgel: The pilot of the ship. He is short and always says "Bonsai!" before setting off on a mission or job, before pulling out a Bonsai Tree and trimming a branch. He also does mechanical help around the ship.[10]
He is voiced by Greg Mills and then Paul Dobson.
Fidgel: The scientist of the Penguin crew. Many of his inventions are odd, such as the Gileezle which is the crew's object resizer gun, but can also be useful.[11] From photos in the programs, he resembles Jason and Michelle's grandpa, Grandmum's husband.
He is voiced by Page H. Hearn and then Lee Tockar.
Kevin: While Kevin has no specific job, other than cleaning, he is always ready to help when needed by the others.[12] He also sometimes answers questions or solves problems without being aware of it.
Kevin is voiced by Ron Smith and then Mike Donovan.
Jason Conrad: A young boy who goes on adventures with the penguins.[13]
He is voiced by Mark Marten and then Quinn Lord.
Michelle Conrad: Jason's sister who also goes with him on his adventures.[14]
She is voiced by Melissa Peterson and then Claire Corlett.
Mr. and Mrs. Conrad: Jason and Michelle's parents.
The Mr. and Mrs. Conrad are voiced by Ron Wells and Pamela Thomas
Grandmum: Jason and Michelle's British grandmother.
Grandmum is voiced by Kymberly Mellen and then Ellen Kennedy.
Sol: Owner of the Comet Lounge. When he feels that the twins are having a problem, he will discuss a Bible verse with Jason and Michelle that has a direct application.
Sol is voiced by Gary Chalk.
Bert the Hamster (aka Baron von Cavitus): The penguins' arch-enemy. Bert is a talking hamster who craves the Galeezle in order to make himself larger so that he can rule the universe. Until that time, he goes around in a metallic armored suit and calls himself Baron von Cavitus.
Bert is voiced by Gary Chalk.
Admiral Strap: The Penguins' commander. As the unseen commander of the United Federation, he gives orders to the penguins.[15]
Admiral Strap is voiced by Dale Wilson.