LPWire: Disney Channel Announces New Animated Comedy
New Animated Comedy Series 'Disney's
Dave the Barbarian' To Join Disney Channel Lineup in January 2004
Walt Disney Television Animation and Creator Doug Langdale Stage Offbeat Comedy
in the Middle Ages
Disney Channel takes silliness back to the Middle Ages with
the new animated comedy series "Disney's Dave the Barbarian," from Walt Disney
Television Animation, scheduled to premiere in January 2004. The announcement was made
today by Rich Ross, President, Entertainment, Disney Channel, and Barry Blumberg,
President, Walt Disney Television Animation. (Photo:
Created by Doug Langdale, "Disney's Dave the Barbarian" follows the title character's comedic adventures with his offbeat family -- including his primping older sister Candy and his fierce younger sister Fang -- as they protect themselves and their kingdom from a world of hilariously odd foes. Complicating matters is brawny Dave's non-barbarian demeanor -- he prefers the finer things in life, like origami, bird watching and gourmet cooking. But with a combination of Dave's brute strength and his fine art skills, villains don't stand a chance. The majority of the episodes are split into 11-minute cartoons with two comedic adventures per episode.
"Dave, Candy and Fang will fit right in with all the great Disney Channel characters in our lineup," Ross said. "In this case, we use the atypical setting of the middle ages to tell the comedic stories of kids in their middle ages."
"Through Doug Langdale's approach to animation, 'Dave' represents a true departure for Walt Disney Television Animation in its presentation of wacky, off-the-wall comedy," Blumberg said. "This series' melding of Doug's improvisational comic nature and Disney Channel's sensibilities of fun and family has proven a perfect example of the growing partnership between Walt Disney Television Animation and Disney Channel."
Langdale is a highly regarded improvisational comic in Los Angeles with an equally distinguished career in animation. Twice nominated for Emmy Awards, Langdale created and executive-produced the popular series "Disney's The Weekenders." He also co-created and co-executive-produced the Saturday morning cartoon "Project Geeker," and served as executive producer and writer on "The Mr. Potato Head Show." He has a pair of Annie Award nods for his writing on "Disney's House of Mouse," "Hercules," "Disney/Pixar's Buzz Lightyear of Star Command," "Aladdin," "Darkwing Duck," "Quack Pack" and "Pinky, Elmyra and the Brain." He also story-edited "Earthworm Jim" and wrote most of the episodes.
"Dave the Barbarian" is directed by Howy Parkins. The animation veteran most recently directed the tremendously successful series "Disney's Recess" and "Disney's Lloyd in Space," as well as the upcoming Disney DVD/Video releases "Disney's Recess: Taking the Fifth Grade" and "Disney's Recess: All Growed Down."
Danny Cooksey ("Terminator 2: Judgment Day," "Disney's Pepper Ann") heads an ensemble cast as the title character. Joining Cooksey is Estelle Harris ("Seinfeld") as Lula, Dave's magical talking -- well, nagging -- sword; Tress MacNeille ("Disney's House of Mouse," "The Simpsons") as Fang, Dave's small- yet-fierce little sister; Erica Luttrell ("The New Ghostwriter Mysteries") as Candy, Dave's medieval "material girl" big sister; Kevin Michael Richardson ("Like Family") as Uncle Oswidge, a curmudgeonly sorcerer and the kids' misguided guardian; Frank Welker ("What's New Scooby-Doo") as Faffy, the family's miniature, lightning-spitting pet dragon; and Jeff Bennett ("Johnny Bravo") as the stately narrator.
Recurring episodic voice cast members include Joan and Melissa Rivers as an evil empress and princess; and Paul Rugg ("Disney's One Saturday Morning") as Dave's chief foe, The Dark Lord Chuckles, the Silly Piggy. Metallica's James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich make their animation debut in a single episode as rogue teenage dragons.
Now in its 19th year, Walt Disney Television Animation remains atop industry leaders in the production of quality animated properties, including television series, feature films, video premieres and primetime television specials. Disney Channel, available in more than 83 million homes, is a division of ABC Cable Networks Group, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company.
--Posted November 12, 2003
Source: Walt Disney Television Animation
Advertisement
MouseEarVacations.com
Where Magic Begins!
Concierge Style Service
at No Extra Charge!
Visit our website for more info!
Antenna Toppers and Accessories
Antenna Toppers of all styles including sports, holiday, animals, occupations and more. Hundreds to choose f rom.
LP Live Recent Picture
Remember... Dreams Come True returns to Disneyland
Posted: 11/7/09
Laughing Place Podcast
The LPP crew discuss the Disney Dream cruise ship, the new TTA spiel, characters in the parks, A Christmas Carol, Prince of Persia and more plus Voicemail and the Captain's Challenge. Sponsored by HoJoAnaheim.com and MouseEarVacations.com.