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Revision as of 00:36, 27 October 2019

The Spooktacular New Adventures of Casper (also known as simply Casper) is an animated television spin-off of the feature film Casper, which, in turn, was based on the Harvey Comics cartoon character of Casper the Friendly Ghost.

The series is NBCUniversal's last animated television series produced by Amblin Entertainment until 2007's The Land Before Time, based on The Land Before Time films.


Production

This series was proposed to be a live-action sequel, at the time that principal filming wrapped on Casper and treatment was written. But a combination of less-than-stellar box office gross (although the film grossed $100 million in the US, the budget was more than half of that total and analysts predicted much higher earnings for the film) and the fact that both Christina Ricci and Bill Pullman were attached to other projects after Casper and would not be available until more than a year later caused the idea to be scrapped. The producers then decided to abandon the live=action sequel ideas and instead developed this cartoon series to continue the story.

The show aired on FOX Kids television from 1996-1998 for 3 seasons. 52 episodes were produced, but only the first 46 appeared on FOX, with the remaining debuting on FOX Family Channel. Many of the same people who worked on this show also worked on Tiny Toon Adventures, Animaniacs and Pinky and the Brain (the latter of which was a spin-off from the former, coincidentally, the former had also debuted on FOX).

The new Casper broke from earlier versions, following a sitcom-style pattern of one-liners and pop culture gags in a manner similar to the Casper feature. Apparently, the update worked, as Casper hit the top of the rating chart for children's animation in its first of two seasons on the air. The show would also frequently break the fourth wall. The show used old Casper supporting characters such as Casper's cousin Spooky, Spooky's "ghoulfriend" Pearl (or "Poil" as rendered by Spooky's Brooklyn accent), and Nightmare the Ghost Horse who, unlike in the original cartoons and comics, does not actually talk (though voiced by Frank Welker). The show also introduced new characters, including Casper's super-loud teacher Ms. Banshee.

Characters

Casper

Casper McFadden has been haunting his family home of Whipstaff Manor for some time, having died from pneumonia (according to a newspaper seen during the scene in the attic from the feature film) after he played out in the cold for too long when he was twelve years old. Now in the care of his three wicked uncles, Stretch, Stinkie and Fatso, Casper's afterlife is not exactly pleasant. He has had to put up with his uncles' outrageous antics and his wish to gain a friend is always ruined. Casper is very friendly and outgoing, but he sometimes appears rather shy. As in the film, he is voiced by Malachi Pearson.

The Ghostly Trio

The Ghostly Trio are Casper's uncles, and they hate mortals, or as they call them, "fleshies", "skinsacks" and "bone-bags." They include Stretch, the hot-headed leader, Stinkie who almost always smells and uses his bad breath on others, and Fatso, who loves to eat. The three are chaotic in every sense and can't resist scaring no matter what the cost. However, there is a turning point to their horrid ways when they keep their promise to Dr. Harvey and get his wife Amelia for him in the film. As in the feature film, they are voiced by Joe Nipote, Joe Alaskey, and Brad Garrett, although in the third and fourth seasons Fatso would be voiced by Jess Harnell, who also voiced Fatso in the unrelated Casper: A Spirited Beginning and Casper Meets Wendy (Notably, Harnell also voiced Wakko Warner, who like Fatso, also has a voracious appetite).

Dr. James Harvey

Dr. James Harvey (or "Doc" as he is called by the Ghostly Trio) is a psychiatrist and is shown to be an alumnus of Johns Hopkins University. After his wife Amelia's death, he has gone on to become a "ghost therapist," only to find and make contact with his wife, because he believes she is a ghost. However, after learning that she instead became an angel, he and his teenage daughter Kat stay at their new home of Whipstaff, where he continues to work as a ghost therapist, trying (unsuccessfully) to rehabilitate the mischief-making Ghostly Trio.

Dr. Harvey has to put up with the Ghostly Trio, who have learned to like him, but nevertheless, he has as well. Dr. Harvey is an easy-going guy with a big heart. He obviously loves Kat, although he sometimes appears rather neglectful of his now motherless daughter's emotional needs. As demonstrated in the scene from the film where he speaks with his angelic wife, he is worried that he's not taking good care of her, but Amelia assured him that he was doing a good job, although she gave him some "motherly" advice ("Don't pick up the extension every time she gets a phone call, french fries are not a breakfast food..." etc.)

The role was originated by Bill Pullman in the Casper film, but he is voiced by Dan Castellaneta on the show.

Kat Harvey

Kathleen "Kat" Harvey is the daughter of Dr. Harvey and is portrayed as the stereotypical teenager who has a sense of humor.

She is about thirteen years old (about the age Christina Ricci, who originated the role in the Casper film, was when the movie was filmed) and is a good companion to Casper. Kat hates having to put up with the Ghostly Trio because none of them get along with her as would be expected. Kat is voiced by Kath Soucie on the show.

Spooky

Spooky is Casper's mischief-minded cousin. He looks up to the Ghostly Trio as his heroes and despises his cousin's lack of interest in scaring humans. As such, Spooky is always trying to out-scare Casper and become the best in class. However, underneath the gruff, ghostly exterior, Spooky may also have a slight soft spot for his cousin. Spooky is visually very similar to Casper, but he has a black nose and freckles, wears a brown "doiby" hat, and speaks in a Brooklyn accent. He is voiced by Rob Paulsen

Poil

Poil is Spooky's "ghoulfriend". Often absent-minded, Poil is almost always oblivious to current situations and takes things way too literally. She adores Spooky and everything about him, right down to the freckles on his face, is good friends with Casper and doesn't care as much for the Ghostly Trio as Spooky does. She is voiced by Miriam Flynn.

Ms. Banshee

Ms. Banshee is the teacher at Casper, Spooky and Pearl's school for ghosts. Befitting her name, Ms. Banshee can yell loud enough to be heard several towns away, even to wake the dead. Ms. Banshee enjoys being a teacher but dreams of being a professional opera singer. The Ghostly Trio (all three of them) have a crush on Ms. Banshee and constantly compete for her affections. Ms. Banshee is okay with the Trio but remains unimpressed with their efforts. Although she refuses to date even one of the trio, she doesn't tolerate when they flirt with other women. She is voiced by Tress MacNeille.

Amber Whitmire

Amber Whitmire is Kat's rival and a student at Kat's school. She has three friends named the Jennifers and she is portrayed as a rich, spoiled Valley Girl-type. Kat hates Amber with a passion. She is voiced by Sherry Lynn.

The Jennifers

The Jennifers are the three best friends of Amber Whitmire and are students at Kat's school. They are also portrayed as rich spoiled valley girl types. All three of them agree with everything Amber says. Kat hates Amber has much as she also hates the Jennifers with a passion. Jennifer #1 has brown hair and wears glasses, Jennifer #2 has red hair, and Jennifer #3 has blonde hair. They are voiced by Debi Derryberry.

Series overview

Season Episodes Originally aired
Season premiere Season finale
1 10 February 24, 1996 May 18, 1996
2 16 September 7, 1996 February 22, 1997
3 20 September 6, 1997 February 27, 1998
4 6 September 12, 1998 October 17, 1998

Episodes

Season 1 (1996)

Episode No. Title(s) Original airdate
1 Spooking Bee
Fugedabouit
The Flew
February 24, 1996
2 Paws
The Alphabet Song
Is So Too
March 2, 1996
3 Legend of Duh Bigfoot
The Ghostly Day
Invasion of the UGFO's
March 9, 1996
4 Rocket Booster
A Really Scary Casper Moment
Day of the Living Casper
March 16, 1996
5 Three Boos and a Babe
Whipstaff Inmates
Elusive Exclusive
March 30, 1996
6 Paranormal Press
Another Spooky And Poil Moment
Deadstock
April 20, 1996
7 Poil Jammed
The Who That I Am
A Picture Says 1000 Words
April 27, 1996
8 Spooks, Lies & Videotape
Ghostfather
May 4, 1996
9 Rebel Without A Date
Don't Bank On It
May 11, 1996
10 Casper vs. The Ultimate Fan Boy
Field of Screams
May 18, 1996

Season 2 (1996ā€“1997)

Episode No. Title(s) Original airdate
1 Grim And Bear It
Fatso of The Opera
September 7, 1996
2 Dead of The Class
A Spooky And Poil Moment
Y-Files
September 14, 1996
3 Losing Face
Galloping Ghost
September 21, 1996
4 Aunt Misbehavin'
Split Personalities
September 28, 1996
5 Something To Stink About
Pulp Friction
October 5, 1996
6 Ectospasms
Stink of The Road
Doc's Depression
October 12, 1996
7 Boo To The Future
All That Falderal
October 19, 1996
8 Spooky And Poil Meet The Monsters
You Know You're Alive When...
13 Ways To Scare A Fleshie
The Trick's A Treat
October 26, 1996
9 Frightening Storm
The Ghostly Trio
The Legend of Whitebeard
November 2, 1996
10 Three Ghosts And A Baby
I Wanna Be Rude
Leave It To Casper
November 9, 1996
11 Luck of the Spookish
Day Care Nightmare
November 16, 1996
12 Scream Card
You Know When Your Alive When
Lady Screams The Boos
November 23, 1996
13 A Christmas Peril
Ms. Banshee's Holiday Hits
Good Morning Dr. Harvey
Fright Before Christmas
December 21, 1996
14 A Midsummer's Night Scream
Auntie Maimed
February 1, 1997
15 Gargoils
Ms. Banshee's Public Domain Hits
Boosom Buddies
February 15, 1997
16 What Goes Around
Scavenger Haunt
February 22, 1997

Season 3 (1997ā€“1998)

Episode No. Title(s) Original airdate
1 Columboo
All About "C"
September 6, 1997
2 Hat Sick
Cancion De Olor
The Boo-Muda Triangle
September 13, 1997
3 Intensive Scare
F-A-T-S-O
Stench!
September 20, 1997
4 The Phantom of The Oprah
Stretch's Information Tidbit
The Crying Game
September 27, 1997
5 Free Goldie
I'd Pick Your Nose
Birthday Boos
October 4, 1997
6 Rats!
Stinkie Time Theater
Great Ghouly Governess
October 11, 1997
7 Above The Law
Ten Little Fatsos
Haunt-A-Thon
October 31, 1997
8 This Old Manor
Scareobicize
November 3, 1997
9 Gingersnap Out of It
Send A Good Stink Up Their Noses
Ghostly Locks And The Three Scares
November 10, 1997
10 Booparty
Do You Like Me?
MacDeath!
November 17, 1997
11 The Scummies
Three-Ring Whipstaff
It's Best To Be The Most
November 27, 1997
12 The Son Also Rises
Stretching Is Good For You
Ghostfinger
December 12, 1997
13 Mom Always likes Ghouls Best
Bury Maguire
Dare To Scare
December 19, 1997
14 Four Funerals And A Wedding
I Can Be Anything
Family Reunion
February 6, 1998
15 Horrid Copy
I'm Nothing Without My Hat
Caspeer Pressure
February 13, 1998
16 That Thing You Boo!
A Good Walk Poiled
February 13, 1998
17 Jasper
It's Great To Be A Ghost
The Boo-Bloods of Whipstaff
February 20, 1998
18 Ghost Jam
Do the Spooky
Dr. Harvey and Mr. Gruesome
February 20, 1998
19 Politically Co-Wrecked Casper
Three Little Letters
Pen And Tell Her
February 27, 1998
20 Jack And The Scream Stalk
Boo Bash A Bone Bag
Artistic? That's A Stretch!
February 27, 1998

Season 4 (1998)

Episode No. Title(s) Original airdate
1 Scaredy Boo Where Have You Got To?
Casper's New Theme Song
The Daunting Game
September 12, 1998
2 At The BOO-vies
Sing Yourself Happy
Snowball's Chance
September 19, 1998
3 NYPD BOO
Three Cool Ghouls
Working Ghouls
September 26, 1998
4 Scream Test
Ms. Banshee's Kid Songs
The Doctor Is Out
October 3, 1998
5 Miami Nice
If You're Unhappy And You Know It
That Advice Stinks
October 10, 1998
6 BOO-Kini Beach
Garlic Bread Man
October 17, 1998

Voice Cast

Additional voices

International broadcast

Country Network(s) Title in country
Template:Flagicon United States Fox Kids The Spooktacular New Adventures of Casper
FOX Family Channel
Boomerang

Home media

Main article: The Spooktacular New Adventures of Casper videography

From 1996 through 1998, Universal Studios Home Video released episodes from seasons 1, 2, and 3 onto VHS.

In 2007/2008, Universal Studios Home Entertainment released two volume collections entitled The Spooktacular New Adventures of Casper, Volume 1 & The Spooktacular New Adventures of Casper, Volume 2 on DVD in Region 1.[1][2] Volume 1 consists of the first 5 episodes of the animated series, while volume 2 contains the last 4 episodes of season 1.

No further plans have been made by Universal to release any further DVDs of the show.

Home Video Guide

Media Title Release Date
The Spooktacular New Adventures of Casper: Volume 1 Spooking Bee & Paws (VHS) September 17, 1996
The Spooktacular New Adventures of Casper: Volume 2 Three Boos and a Babe & Poil Jammed (VHS) September 17, 1996
The Spooktacular New Adventures of Casper: Volume 3 Spooky and Poil Meet the Monsters & Dead of the Class (VHS) September 9, 1997
The Spooktacular New Adventures of Casper: Volume 4 A Christmas Peril & Three Ghosts and a Baby (VHS) September 9, 1997
The Spooktacular New Adventures of Casper: Volume 5 Rats! & Hat Sick (VHS) September 1, 1998
The Spooktacular New Adventures of Casper: Volume 6 Four Funerals and a Wedding & Free Goldie (VHS) September 1, 1998
The Spooktacular New Adventures of Casper: Volume 1 (DVD) September 18, 2007
The Spooktacular New Adventures of Casper: Volume 2 (DVD) September 9, 2008

Gallery

References

  1. ^ http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Casper/7674
  2. ^ http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Casper-Volume-2-Box-Art/9945

External links