Widget (TV series)
Encyclopedia
Widget, the World Watcher is an animated television series which debuted in syndication on September 29, 1990. The series ran for two seasons; in the first season (1990), it aired once a week (usually on Saturday or Sunday), and in the second season (1991), the series expanded to 5 days a week (Monday-Friday).
named Widget who could shapeshift
(usually by spinning like a top into different forms, in early episodes he seems to still be getting used to his power). He and a group of young, human friends; brothers, Kevin, Brian and their teenage sister Kristine, would go through a number of adventures to protect the natural environment from those who wish to plunder or harm it. Later on they were joined by (fellow shapeshifter
) Half-Pint, Widget's mischievous, overly-curious, hyperactive cousin. Widget is frequently accompanied by the Mega Brain, an extremely intelligent but somewhat clumsy being who appears as a floating head (with a transparent cranium) and floating hands.
The show was produced by Calico Creations to teach children about the dangers of pollution. Each episode would have Widget contending with a villain from either earth or outer space wishing to exploit Earth's environment or natural resources, like Dr. Dante, Mega Slank, and his evil twin, Ratchet. In this respect, Widget, the World Watcher is very similar to Captain Planet and the Planeteers
, both heroes attempting to save the Earth from ecological harm. Even occasionally, combatting an entity/being created/mutated from copious pollution. For example, in one episode Widget battled a fellow shapeshifter; a sentient but hostile life form, disguised as a toxic ooze/slick, who was contaminating our beaches and oceans.
Widget ran for 65 episodes, 13 in the first season, 39 in the second season and 13 in the third season.
was released by Atlus
on the NES
in 1992 and Super Widget also by Atlus
on the SNES
in 1993.
Overview
The show focused on a 4 feet (1.2 m), purple alien from the Horsehead NebulaHorsehead Nebula
The Horsehead Nebula is a dark nebula in the constellation Orion. The nebula is located just to the south of the star Alnitak, which is farthest east on Orion's Belt, and is part of the much larger Orion Molecular Cloud Complex. The Horsehead Nebula is approximately 1500 light years from Earth...
named Widget who could shapeshift
Shapeshifting
Shapeshifting is a common theme in mythology, folklore, and fairy tales. It is also found in epic poems, science fiction literature, fantasy literature, children's literature, Shakespearean comedy, ballet, film, television, comics, and video games...
(usually by spinning like a top into different forms, in early episodes he seems to still be getting used to his power). He and a group of young, human friends; brothers, Kevin, Brian and their teenage sister Kristine, would go through a number of adventures to protect the natural environment from those who wish to plunder or harm it. Later on they were joined by (fellow shapeshifter
Shapeshifting
Shapeshifting is a common theme in mythology, folklore, and fairy tales. It is also found in epic poems, science fiction literature, fantasy literature, children's literature, Shakespearean comedy, ballet, film, television, comics, and video games...
) Half-Pint, Widget's mischievous, overly-curious, hyperactive cousin. Widget is frequently accompanied by the Mega Brain, an extremely intelligent but somewhat clumsy being who appears as a floating head (with a transparent cranium) and floating hands.
The show was produced by Calico Creations to teach children about the dangers of pollution. Each episode would have Widget contending with a villain from either earth or outer space wishing to exploit Earth's environment or natural resources, like Dr. Dante, Mega Slank, and his evil twin, Ratchet. In this respect, Widget, the World Watcher is very similar to Captain Planet and the Planeteers
Captain Planet and the Planeteers
Captain Planet is the title character of the series. In the beginning of the series, Gaia assembles a modern-day team of "Planeteers" from several nations...
, both heroes attempting to save the Earth from ecological harm. Even occasionally, combatting an entity/being created/mutated from copious pollution. For example, in one episode Widget battled a fellow shapeshifter; a sentient but hostile life form, disguised as a toxic ooze/slick, who was contaminating our beaches and oceans.
Widget ran for 65 episodes, 13 in the first season, 39 in the second season and 13 in the third season.
Characters
- Widget (voiced by Russi TaylorRussi TaylorRussi Taylor is an American voice actress. She is the current voice actress of Disney's Minnie Mouse character. She has held this role since 1986, longer than any other voice actress...
): The courageous and heroic shapeshiftingShapeshiftingShapeshifting is a common theme in mythology, folklore, and fairy tales. It is also found in epic poems, science fiction literature, fantasy literature, children's literature, Shakespearean comedy, ballet, film, television, comics, and video games...
coral alien and main character. - Mega Brain (played by Jim CummingsJim CummingsJames Jonah "Jim" Cummings is an American voice actor who has appeared in almost 100 roles. He has appeared in classic animated movies such as Aladdin and The Lion King, as well as taking on roles in more current films, such as Bee Movie, Princess and the Frog, and Winnie the Pooh.-Personal...
): MegaBrain is a floating creature with a pink head and only hands. He is Widget's assistant. - Half-Pint: Widget's mischievous, overly-curious, hyperactive cousin, fellow shapeshifterShapeshiftingShapeshifting is a common theme in mythology, folklore, and fairy tales. It is also found in epic poems, science fiction literature, fantasy literature, children's literature, Shakespearean comedy, ballet, film, television, comics, and video games...
and is the sky-blue alien. - Kevin (voiced by Dana HillDana HillDana Hill was an American actress and voice actor with a raspy voice and childlike appearance, which allowed her to play adolescent roles into her 30s...
): Brian's older brother and friend of Widget. - Brian (voiced by Kath SoucieKath SoucieKatherine Elaine Soucie is an American voice actress. She is sometimes credited as Kath Soucie, Katherine Soucie, Kath Souci, Kath E...
): A boy who is a friend of Widget. - Kristine (voiced by Kath SoucieKath SoucieKatherine Elaine Soucie is an American voice actress. She is sometimes credited as Kath Soucie, Katherine Soucie, Kath Souci, Kath E...
): Brian and Kevin's big sister. - Ratchet (voiced by Tress MacNeilleTress MacNeilleTress MacNeille is an American voice actress best known for providing various voices on the animated series The Simpsons, Futurama, Tiny Toon Adventures, Animaniacs, Disney's House of Mouse, Courage the Cowardly Dog, Rugrats, All Grown Up!, Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers, and Dave the...
): Widget's evil twin, he's exit by the little clock. - Dr. Dante (voiced by Jim CummingsJim CummingsJames Jonah "Jim" Cummings is an American voice actor who has appeared in almost 100 roles. He has appeared in classic animated movies such as Aladdin and The Lion King, as well as taking on roles in more current films, such as Bee Movie, Princess and the Frog, and Winnie the Pooh.-Personal...
): The natural (from earth) villain, a confidence trickster scientist. - Mega Slank (voiced by Pat FraleyPat FraleyPatrick "Pat" Fraley is an American voice actor, who is best known as the voice of Krang, Casey Jones and numerous other characters from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles...
): The other natural (from outer space) villain (who seems to have a grudge against Widget's kind).
Season 1
- Widget's Great Whale Adventure -Widget reluctantly travels to Earth and he saves a whaleWhaleWhale is the common name for various marine mammals of the order Cetacea. The term whale sometimes refers to all cetaceans, but more often it excludes dolphins and porpoises, which belong to suborder Odontoceti . This suborder also includes the sperm whale, killer whale, pilot whale, and beluga...
caught by some poachers. (29 September 1990) - Gorilla My Dreams - (6 October 1990)
- Kona, the Captive Whale - (13 October 1990)
- Widget of the Jungle -Widget travels to the jungles of AfricaAfricaAfrica is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
where evil poachers, Bob and Betty try to capture an elephantElephantElephants are large land mammals in two extant genera of the family Elephantidae: Elephas and Loxodonta, with the third genus Mammuthus extinct...
for his tusks. (20 October 1990) - Widget's Walkabout -Widget travels to AustraliaAustraliaAustralia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
to ensure its red kangaroos enjoy their new habitat. (27 October 1990) - Amazon Adventure - (3 November 1990)
- Mediterranean Adventure - (10 November 1990)
- Slime Sleuths - (17 November 1990)
- Rock 'n' Roll Widget - (24 November 1990)
- Teacher's Pets - (1 December 1990)
- The Carnival Kids - (8 December 1990)
- Mega-Slank from Titanium - (15 December 1990)
- That's the Spirit - (22 December 1990)
Season 2
- Two Times Widget Equals Trouble - (23 September 1991)
- You Talkin' to Me? - (24 September 1991)
- Sort It Out - (25 September 1991)
- Watcher's Warning -Widget, Megabrain, Kevin and Brian travel to a planet inhabited by shark-like beings which is completely polluted and used to be beautiful and Widget wants to ensure the same thing does not happen to Earth. (26 September 1991)
- The Great Brain Robbery -Widget's evil twin brother Ratchet captures MegaBrain and turns him into an evil brain. (27 September 1991)
- The Greatest Show in the Galaxy - (30 September 1991)
- Bonkrz - (1 October 1991)
- Glacier Grabber - (2 October 1991)
- Where's the Beef? - (3 October 1991)
- Micronauts - (4 October 1991)
- Watcher from Wayback -Widget travels to TibetTibetTibet is a plateau region in Asia, north-east of the Himalayas. It is the traditional homeland of the Tibetan people as well as some other ethnic groups such as Monpas, Qiang, and Lhobas, and is now also inhabited by considerable numbers of Han and Hui people...
and unexpectedly meets an old World Watcher. (7 October 1991) - Betty and the Beasts - (8 October 1991)
- Maller Crawlers - (9 October 1991)
- Never Cry Wolf - (10 October 1991)
- All Day Suckers - (11 October 1991)
- Fifty Foot Ants - (14 October 1991)
- Half-Pint - (15 October 1991)
- Air For Sale - (16 October 1991)
- Intergalactic Garage Sale -Evil Mega Slank steals many of Earth's most magnificent landmarks for his Intergalactic Garage Sale. (17 October 1991)
- The Great Brain Drain - (18 October 1991)
- Dr. Mega-Slank's Pet Palace - (21 October 1991)
- Murtle & Zurtle, the Galapagos Turtles - (22 October 1991)
- Ratchet Hood -Ratchet and his minions steal money intended for the Help the Earth foundation and Ratchet keeps the money to himself. (23 October 1991)
- Crazy 8 - (24 October 1991)
- Half-Pint's Ransom - (25 October 1991)
- Whatsit to You? - (28 October 1991)
- Widget and the Sqizzlebonk - (29 October 1991)
- Chaos in Kali-Ko - (30 October 1991)
- Head Games - (31 October 1991)
- Mac Bluff - (1 November 1991)
- Great Barrier Thief - (4 November 1991)
- The Brain Who Would Be King - (5 November 1991)
- The Uncontrollable Urg - (6 November 1991)
- Intergalactic Grudge Match - (7 November 1991)
- Teeny, Weeny, Widget - (8 November 1991)
- Scraboolee Jubilee - (11 November 1991)
- Culture Crooks - (12 November 1991)
- The Library Card - (13 November 1991)
- Bonkula - (14 November 1991)
- Ratchetland - (15 November 1991)
- Rose Colored Glasses - (18 November 1991)
- Crashing Planets - (19 November 1991)
- Robo-Zonk - (20 November 1991)
- Ghost of a Chance - (21 November 1991)
- Rock Around the Cosmos - (22 November 1991)
- The Wishing Stone - (25 November 1991)
- Time Trippers -Widget and Megabrain travel through time to see some ancient objects that looked young back then. (26 November 1991)
- Bungle of the Jungle - (27 November 1991)
- Visit to a Machine Planet - (28 November 1991)
- Awesome African Adventure - (29 November 1991)
- Beast Side Story - (2 December 1991)
- Mother Slank's Intergalactic Vacation Paradise - (3 December 1991)
Principal cast
- Jim CummingsJim CummingsJames Jonah "Jim" Cummings is an American voice actor who has appeared in almost 100 roles. He has appeared in classic animated movies such as Aladdin and The Lion King, as well as taking on roles in more current films, such as Bee Movie, Princess and the Frog, and Winnie the Pooh.-Personal...
- Mega Brain - Dana HillDana HillDana Hill was an American actress and voice actor with a raspy voice and childlike appearance, which allowed her to play adolescent roles into her 30s...
- Kevin - Kath SoucieKath SoucieKatherine Elaine Soucie is an American voice actress. She is sometimes credited as Kath Soucie, Katherine Soucie, Kath Souci, Kath E...
- Brian, Kristine - Russi TaylorRussi TaylorRussi Taylor is an American voice actress. She is the current voice actress of Disney's Minnie Mouse character. She has held this role since 1986, longer than any other voice actress...
- Widget
Additional voices
- Cam ClarkeCam ClarkeCameron Arthur "Cam" Clarke is a prolific American voice actor and singer, well known for his work in animation and video games. Clarke is well known for providing the voices of Leonardo in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Shotaro Kaneda in the 1989 original English-dub of Akira. He often voices...
- - Townsend ColemanTownsend ColemanTownsend Coleman is an American voice actor who performed in many animated series and TV commercials beginning in the early 1980s...
- - Peter CullenPeter CullenPeter Claver Cullen is a Canadian voice actor, known as the voice of Eeyore in the Winnie-the-Pooh franchise, Optimus Prime and Ironhide in the original Transformers series, and the narrator in both of the original American Voltron series...
- - Brian CummingsBrian CummingsBrian Cummings is an American voice actor.-Biography:He is known for his work in radio and television commercials, television and motion picture promos, cartoons and as the announcer on The All-New Let's Make a Deal from 1984 to 1985...
- - Pat FraleyPat FraleyPatrick "Pat" Fraley is an American voice actor, who is best known as the voice of Krang, Casey Jones and numerous other characters from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles...
- - Tress MacNeilleTress MacNeilleTress MacNeille is an American voice actress best known for providing various voices on the animated series The Simpsons, Futurama, Tiny Toon Adventures, Animaniacs, Disney's House of Mouse, Courage the Cowardly Dog, Rugrats, All Grown Up!, Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers, and Dave the...
- Ratchet - Cree SummerCree SummerCree Summer Francks , best known as Cree Summer, is a Canadian actress, musician and voice actress. She is perhaps best known for her role as college student Winifred "Freddie" Brooks on the NBC sitcom A Different World...
-
Video games
The series spawned two video games. WidgetWidget (video game)
Widget was an action-platforming video game series created for the Nintendo Entertainment System in the 1990s, developed and published by Atlus. It was based on the cartoon series Widget the World Watcher, starring a purple alien named Widget who has the unique ability to transform into other...
was released by Atlus
Atlus
is a Japanese computer and video game developer, publisher, and distributor based in Tokyo, Japan, best known for developing the console role-playing game franchise Megami Tensei. The first Megami Tensei was a Nintendo Entertainment System video game published by Namco based on a trilogy of...
on the NES
Nintendo Entertainment System
The Nintendo Entertainment System is an 8-bit video game console that was released by Nintendo in North America during 1985, in Europe during 1986 and Australia in 1987...
in 1992 and Super Widget also by Atlus
Atlus
is a Japanese computer and video game developer, publisher, and distributor based in Tokyo, Japan, best known for developing the console role-playing game franchise Megami Tensei. The first Megami Tensei was a Nintendo Entertainment System video game published by Namco based on a trilogy of...
on the SNES
Super Nintendo Entertainment System
The Super Nintendo Entertainment System is a 16-bit video game console that was released by Nintendo in North America, Europe, Australasia , and South America between 1990 and 1993. In Japan and Southeast Asia, the system is called the , or SFC for short...
in 1993.
- Widget the World Watcher is yet to be released on DVD.