Cave Kids (TV series)

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This article is about the TV series. For the unrelated comic book series by Gold Key Comics, see Cave Kids (comic).
Cave Kids
CK title card.png
Series title card.
Network Cartoon Network
Production company Hanna-Barbera
Distributor Time Warner
Original release September 21-November 9, 1996
Run time 24 minutes
Starring Aria Noelle Curzon
Christine Cavanaugh
Frank Welker
E.G. Daily
Executive producer(s) Sherry Gunther
Producer(s) Marija Miletic Dial
Music composed by Guy Moon
Writer(s) Katharine Sloan
Bruce Talkington
Director(s) Marija Miletic Dial
Kris Zimmerman (voice director)
Don Goodman (voice director)
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Cave Kids: Pebbles & Bamm-Bamm, or simply Cave Kids, is an American animated educational television series produced by Hanna-Barbera for Cartoon Network. It ran in the fall of 1996, airing eight episodes. It is a spin-off of The Flintstones, and the seventh incarnation of the Flintstones franchise. Unlike previous series (even The Flintstone Kids), it is targeted towards preschoolers, considered an untapped audience by Turner, for Cartoon Network's edutainment block at the time.

Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm use their big imaginations to play in fantasy-like scenarios, where they solve dilemmas they are currently facing in the real-world. They are usually joined by their lone babysitter Dino, Pebbles's pet. Fred and Wilma, and Barney and Betty, are never seen nor mentioned throughout, leaving several unanswered questions about the babies' safety, such as trying to give Dino a bath and walking out in the middle of the night without adult supervision.

The series may have been inspired by the popularity of Nickelodeon's Rugrats, although the babies in the latter could fully communicate with each other, therefore not needing to imagine themselves older to talk or even to walk for that matter, and at least included the parents to give the illusion that they were being properly watched over.

Production

Development

Interest in a series revolving around Pebbles, Bamm-Bamm, and Dino came from a line of licensed products which sold well,[1] and due to the 1994 live-action film failed to reach the audience under 8 years old, so Turner decided to focus a Flintstones series to infants and preschoolers.[2] Alternatively advertised as Cave Kid Adventures, the series was produced as an eight episode run, perhaps to see how good of an idea they really thought they had. To capitalize on the series, licensed merchandise was made, including bath products and books for 1997.[2] The concept and illustrations are credited to Bill Hicks and Gail Harrison, respectively. Marija Miletic Dial produced and directed every episode, although for the latter credit, although she is only credit as a producer and art director. Although Turner publicized the series, by the time it aired, Turner had already merged with Time Warner, with the credits reflecting that.

Unique to this series, Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm wore a different outfit each episode.

Episodes

Episode Number Air date
"Beanstalk Blues" 1x01 September 21, 1996
"China Challenge" 1x02 September 28, 1996
"Soap Bubble Dreams" 1x03 October 5, 1996
"Sand Castle Surprise" 1x04 October 12, 1996
"Kiss and Spell" 1x05 October 19, 1996
Of Mice and Moon" 1x06 October 26, 1996
"Color Me Cave Kid" 1x07 November 2, 1996
"Cave Kid Christmas" 1x08 November 9, 1996

Cast

References

  1. ^ Saperstein, Patricia (January 1, 1996). "Luring Tiniest Tots". Variety. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
  2. ^ a b Saperstein, Patricia (February 12-18, 1996). "Familiar products take new shapes". Variety. Retrieved July 26, 2020.