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{{DISPLAYTITLE:''SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron''}} | {{DISPLAYTITLE:''SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron'' (TV series)}} | ||
:''This article is about the TV series. For other uses, see [[SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron]].'' | |||
{{Infobox TV | {{Infobox TV | ||
|name= SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron | |||
|title_card= [[File:SK S1 title card.png|300px]] | |title_card= [[File:SK S1 title card.png|300px]] | ||
|caption= Season 1's on-screen title card. | |caption= Season 1's on-screen title card. | ||
Line 18: | Line 20: | ||
|caption2= Season 2's on-screen title card. | |caption2= Season 2's on-screen title card. | ||
}} | }} | ||
'''''SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron''''' is an American animated action/sci-fi/supernatural | '''''SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron''''' is an American animated action/sci-fi/supernatural television series created by Christian and Yvon Tremblay. It was produced by [[Hanna-Barbera]] for [[TBS]]' Saturday morning block. It ran from [[1993]] to [[1994]], airing 25 episodes that spanned two seasons, followed by one clip-show special. | ||
In a world populated by anthropomorphic cats, [[T-Bone]] and [[Razor]] | In a world populated by anthropomorphic cats, [[T-Bone]] and [[Razor]]—two disgraced ex-[[Enforcers]]—have turned to vigilantism (calling themselves the [[SWAT Kats]]) to continue safeguarding [[Megakat City]] from various threats, including criminals, sorcerers, mutants, and robots. | ||
The entire series has been released on [[SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron: The Complete Series|DVD]]. | The entire series has been released on [[SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron: The Complete Series|DVD]]. | ||
Line 26: | Line 28: | ||
===Development=== | ===Development=== | ||
===Aftermath=== | ===Aftermath=== | ||
Despite the series being a successful program, [[Ted Turner]], the CEO of Turner Broadcasting System, was reportedly displeased with the level of violence in his cartoons at the time, leading to the delay of the series' merchandising and its eventual cancellation.<ref>Tremblay, Christan (November 30, 2012). "[https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/140m96/swatkats_the_animated_series_tlak_to_the/c78y3xw SWAT Kats The Animated Series Tlak to the Co-Creator Christian Tremblay]". ''Reddit''. Retrieved March 30, 2023.</ref> He went on record on Congress and in a [[1995]] interview after the show's cancellation, where he made his statement on the matter: | |||
<blockquote>“We have more cartoons than anybody: ''[[The Flintstones (TV series)|The Flintstones]]'', ''[[The Jetsons (TV series)|The Jetsons]]'', ''[[The Smurfs]]'', ''[[Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! (TV series)|Scooby-Doo]]''. They're nonviolent. We don't have to worry that we're encouraging kids to kill each other - like some of the other cartoon programs do.”<br>- Ted Turner, 1995<ref>Kim, Albert (April 21, 1995), "[https://ew.com/article/1995/04/21/teds-excellent-speaking-engagement/ Ted's Excellent Speaking Engagement]", Entertainment Weekly.</ref></blockquote> | |||
==Music== | ==Music== | ||
Line 38: | Line 37: | ||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
! Episode | ! Episode | ||
! Air date | ! Air date | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 1x01 | | 1x01 | ||
* "[[The Pastmaster Always Rings Twice]]" | |||
| [[September 11]], 1993 | | [[September 11]], 1993 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 1x02 | | 1x02 | ||
* "[[The Giant Bacteria]]" | |||
| [[September 18]], 1993 | | [[September 18]], 1993 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 1x03 | | 1x03 | ||
* "[[The Wrath of Dark Kat]]" | |||
| [[September 25]], 1993 | | [[September 25]], 1993 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 1x04 | | 1x04 | ||
* "[[Destructive Nature]]" | |||
| [[October 2]], 1993 | | [[October 2]], 1993 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 1x05 | | 1x05 | ||
* "[[The Metallikats]]" | |||
| [[October 9]], 1993 | | [[October 9]], 1993 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 1x06 | | 1x06 | ||
* "[[Bride of the Pastmaster]]" | |||
| [[October 16]], 1993 | | [[October 16]], 1993 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 1x07 | | 1x07 | ||
* "[[Night of the Dark Kat]]" | |||
| [[October 23]], 1993 | | [[October 23]], 1993 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 1x08 | | 1x08 | ||
* "[[Chaos in Crystal]]" | |||
| [[October 30]], 1993 | | [[October 30]], 1993 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 1x09 | | 1x09 | ||
* "[[The Ghost Pilot]]" | |||
| [[November 6]], 1993 | | [[November 6]], 1993 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 1x10 | | 1x10 | ||
* "[[Metal Urgency]]" | |||
| [[November 13]], 1993 | | [[November 13]], 1993 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 1x11 | | 1x11 | ||
* "[[The Ci-Kat-A]]" | |||
| [[November 20]], 1993 | | [[November 20]], 1993 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 1x12 | | 1x12 | ||
* "[[Enter the Madkat]]" | |||
| [[November 27]], 1993 | | [[November 27]], 1993 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 1x13 | | 1x13 | ||
* "[[Katastrophe]]" | |||
| [[December 4]], 1993 | | [[December 4]], 1993 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 2x01 | | 2x01 | ||
* "[[Mutation City]]" | |||
| [[September 10]], 1994 | | [[September 10]], 1994 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 2x02 | | 2x02 | ||
* "[[A Bright and Shiny Future]]" | |||
| [[September 17]], 1994 | | [[September 17]], 1994 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 2x03 | | 2x03 | ||
* "[[When Strikes Mutilor]]" | |||
| [[September 24]], 1994 | | [[September 24]], 1994 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 2x04 | | 2x04 | ||
* "[[Razor's Edge]]" | |||
| [[October 29]], 1994 | | [[October 29]], 1994 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 2x05 | | 2x05 | ||
* "[[Cry Turmoil]]" | |||
* "[[SWAT Kats Unplugged]]" | |||
| [[November 5]], 1994 | | [[November 5]], 1994 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 2x06 | | 2x06 | ||
| [[November | * "[[The Deadly Pyramid]]" | ||
| [[November 12]], 1994 | |||
|- | |- | ||
| 2x07 | | 2x07 | ||
| [[November | * "[[Caverns of Horror]]" | ||
| [[November 19]], 1994 | |||
|- | |- | ||
| 2x08 | | 2x08 | ||
| [[November | * "[[Volcanus Erupts!]]" | ||
* "[[The Origin of Dr. Viper]]" | |||
| [[November 26]], 1994 | |||
|- | |- | ||
| 2x09 | | 2x09 | ||
| [[ | * "[[The Dark Side of the SWAT Kats]]" | ||
| [[December 10]], 1994 | |||
|- | |- | ||
| 2x10 | | 2x10 | ||
* "[[Unlikely Alloys]]" | |||
| [[December 24]], 1994 | | [[December 24]], 1994 | ||
|} | |} | ||
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* [[Charlie Adler]] as [[T-Bone]] | * [[Charlie Adler]] as [[T-Bone]] | ||
* [[Barry Gordon]] as [[Razor]] | * [[Barry Gordon]] as [[Razor]] | ||
* [[Tress MacNeille]] as [[Callie Briggs]] | * [[Tress MacNeille]] as [[Deputy Mayor Callie Briggs]] | ||
* [[Gary Owens]] as [[Commander Ulysses Feral]] | * [[Gary Owens]] as [[Commander Ulysses Feral]] | ||
* [[Jim Cummings]] as [[Mayor Manx]] | * [[Jim Cummings]] as [[Mayor Manx]] | ||
==Legacy== | |||
Three episodes were in production at the time of the series cancelation. One of them, "[[Succubus!]]" was recycled by writer [[Glenn Leopold]] for ''[[The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest (TV series)|The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest]]'' episode "[[Eclipse]]" and the direct-to-video film ''[[Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island (film)|Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island]]''. | |||
In [[2015]], the Tremblay Bros., who managed to retain the rights to the property, created a Kickstarter to crowdfund a potential revival under the working title of ''[[SWAT-Kats Revolution]]'', and if possible, a 70-minute film. Although they had succeeded all their goals, they faced difficulties in securing an investor and a place to air, having been passed over by Warner Bros., Hulu, [[Netflix]], and not finding Amazon to be suitable. In a Kickstarter campaign update on [[July 23]], [[2020]],<ref>[https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1820796125/swat-kats-revolution/posts/2901724 "Update 43: Re: Swat-Kats Revolution Update · SWAT-KATS REVOLUTION". Kickstarter.] Retrieved March 30, 2023.</ref> co-creator Christian Tremblay alluded their issues with the revival getting picked up due to the [[2019]] film ''[[wikipedia:Cats (2019 film)|Cats]]'' becoming a major box office disaster, causing Hollywood to not see ''SWAT Kats'' any differently. | |||
On [[January 20]], [[2021]], the Tremblay Bros. announced on Kickstarter that they had secured an official backer in Indian studio, [[Toonz Media Group]],<ref>Tremblay Bros. Studios ([[January 20]], 2021). [https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1820796125/swat-kats-revolution/posts/3410470 "Update No. 45"]. ''Kickstarter''. Retrieved [[May 5]], 2021.</ref> and on [[February 1]], Kidscreen reported that they had gone into preproduction.<ref>Foster, Elizabeth ([[February 1]], 2021). [https://kidscreen.com/2022/02/01/swat-kats-get-back-in-action-with-toonz/ "SWAT-KATS Get Back In Action With Toonz"]. ''Kidscreen''. Retrieved May 5, 2021.</ref> An official press release was given the next day.<ref>Sarto, Debbie Diamond [https://www.awn.com/news/cult-classic-swat-kats-returns "Cult Classic ‘Swat-Kats’ Returns"]. ([[February 2]], 2021). ''Animation News Network''. Retrieved May 5, 2021.</ref> | |||
==In popular culture== | |||
* In the ''[[Aqua Teen Hunger Force (TV series)|Aqua Teen Hunger Force]]'' episode "Balloonenstein," when the portal first appears, it is stock footage of the Pastmaster's portal from "The Pastmaster Always Rings Twice." | |||
==Merchandise== | |||
===Home media=== | |||
In 1995, [[Turner Home Entertainment]] released three VHS volumes which include two episodes each: ''[[SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron: Strike of Dark Kat|Strike of Dark Kat]]'', ''[[SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron: Deadly Dr. Viper|Deadly Dr. Viper]]'', and ''[[SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron: Metallikats Attack|Metallikats Attack]]''. These also included the "Secret Files of SWAT Kats" bumpers that aired on TBS. | |||
On [[December 14]], [[2010]], [[Warner Archive Collection]] released the entire series on DVD, calling the set ''[[SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron: The Complete Series]]''. Due to an error in printing, many of the episodes came with the wrong end credits, leading to its removal from Warner Archive Collection's website on [[March 3]], [[2011]], so the issue could be fixed. On [[January 19]], [[2012]], Warner Archive Collection rereleased the set correctly. Unfortunately, neither version has the "Secret Files of SWAT Kats" bumpers that TBS aired with. | |||
===Toys=== | |||
In 1994, [[Remco]] released a line of action figures based on Razor, T-Bone, Dark Kat, and Dr. Viper. | |||
[[Gordy Toys]] released plastic "playsets" which included two different types of eyeglasses, a flash gun, and handcuffs. | |||
Kids meal toys were also included by [[White Castle]] in 1994, and [[Carl's Jr.]] in [[1996]]. | |||
===Video games=== | |||
The TV series inspired a ''[[SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron (SNES)|SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron]]'' sidescrolling action video game on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, which was released on [[August 21]], [[1995]]. There is also a ''[[SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron (MGA)|SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron]]'' electronic LCD handheld video game released [[Micro Games of America]]. | |||
==References== | ==References== |
Latest revision as of 09:18, 2 March 2024
- This article is about the TV series. For other uses, see SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron.
SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron | |
---|---|
Season 1's on-screen title card. | |
Created by | Christian Tremblay Yvon Tremblay Developed by: Glenn Leopold Davis Doi |
Network | TBS |
Production company | Hanna-Barbera |
Distributor | Turner Entertainment |
Original release | September 11, 1993—December 24, 1994 |
Run time | 22 minutes |
Starring | Charlie Adler Barry Gordon Tress MacNeille Gary Owens Jim Cummings |
Executive producer(s) | Buzz Potamkin |
Producer(s) | Davis Doi |
Music composed by | Matt Muhoberac John Zucker Randall Crissman Nick Brown |
Writer(s) | Glenn Leopold Lance Falk |
Director(s) | Robert Alvarez Kris Zimmerman (voices) |
Second title card | |
Season 2's on-screen title card. |
SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron is an American animated action/sci-fi/supernatural television series created by Christian and Yvon Tremblay. It was produced by Hanna-Barbera for TBS' Saturday morning block. It ran from 1993 to 1994, airing 25 episodes that spanned two seasons, followed by one clip-show special.
In a world populated by anthropomorphic cats, T-Bone and Razor—two disgraced ex-Enforcers—have turned to vigilantism (calling themselves the SWAT Kats) to continue safeguarding Megakat City from various threats, including criminals, sorcerers, mutants, and robots.
The entire series has been released on DVD.
Production
Development
Aftermath
Despite the series being a successful program, Ted Turner, the CEO of Turner Broadcasting System, was reportedly displeased with the level of violence in his cartoons at the time, leading to the delay of the series' merchandising and its eventual cancellation.[1] He went on record on Congress and in a 1995 interview after the show's cancellation, where he made his statement on the matter:
“We have more cartoons than anybody: The Flintstones, The Jetsons, The Smurfs, Scooby-Doo. They're nonviolent. We don't have to worry that we're encouraging kids to kill each other - like some of the other cartoon programs do.”
- Ted Turner, 1995[2]
Music
The theme and score were composed by Matt Muhoberac and John Zucker for seasons one and two, with Randall Crissman and Nick Brown added to the latter. Bodie Chandler was director of music production.
Episodes
Episode | Air date |
---|---|
1x01 | September 11, 1993 |
1x02 | September 18, 1993 |
1x03 | September 25, 1993 |
1x04 | October 2, 1993 |
1x05 | October 9, 1993 |
1x06 | October 16, 1993 |
1x07 | October 23, 1993 |
1x08 | October 30, 1993 |
1x09 | November 6, 1993 |
1x10 | November 13, 1993 |
1x11 | November 20, 1993 |
1x12 | November 27, 1993 |
1x13 | December 4, 1993 |
2x01 | September 10, 1994 |
2x02 | September 17, 1994 |
2x03 | September 24, 1994 |
2x04 | October 29, 1994 |
2x05 | November 5, 1994 |
2x06 | November 12, 1994 |
2x07 | November 19, 1994 |
2x08 | November 26, 1994 |
2x09 | December 10, 1994 |
2x10 | December 24, 1994 |
Special
Title | Air date |
---|---|
"The SWAT Kats: A Special Report" | January 6, 1995 |
Cast
- Charlie Adler as T-Bone
- Barry Gordon as Razor
- Tress MacNeille as Deputy Mayor Callie Briggs
- Gary Owens as Commander Ulysses Feral
- Jim Cummings as Mayor Manx
Legacy
Three episodes were in production at the time of the series cancelation. One of them, "Succubus!" was recycled by writer Glenn Leopold for The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest episode "Eclipse" and the direct-to-video film Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island.
In 2015, the Tremblay Bros., who managed to retain the rights to the property, created a Kickstarter to crowdfund a potential revival under the working title of SWAT-Kats Revolution, and if possible, a 70-minute film. Although they had succeeded all their goals, they faced difficulties in securing an investor and a place to air, having been passed over by Warner Bros., Hulu, Netflix, and not finding Amazon to be suitable. In a Kickstarter campaign update on July 23, 2020,[3] co-creator Christian Tremblay alluded their issues with the revival getting picked up due to the 2019 film Cats becoming a major box office disaster, causing Hollywood to not see SWAT Kats any differently.
On January 20, 2021, the Tremblay Bros. announced on Kickstarter that they had secured an official backer in Indian studio, Toonz Media Group,[4] and on February 1, Kidscreen reported that they had gone into preproduction.[5] An official press release was given the next day.[6]
In popular culture
- In the Aqua Teen Hunger Force episode "Balloonenstein," when the portal first appears, it is stock footage of the Pastmaster's portal from "The Pastmaster Always Rings Twice."
Merchandise
Home media
In 1995, Turner Home Entertainment released three VHS volumes which include two episodes each: Strike of Dark Kat, Deadly Dr. Viper, and Metallikats Attack. These also included the "Secret Files of SWAT Kats" bumpers that aired on TBS.
On December 14, 2010, Warner Archive Collection released the entire series on DVD, calling the set SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron: The Complete Series. Due to an error in printing, many of the episodes came with the wrong end credits, leading to its removal from Warner Archive Collection's website on March 3, 2011, so the issue could be fixed. On January 19, 2012, Warner Archive Collection rereleased the set correctly. Unfortunately, neither version has the "Secret Files of SWAT Kats" bumpers that TBS aired with.
Toys
In 1994, Remco released a line of action figures based on Razor, T-Bone, Dark Kat, and Dr. Viper.
Gordy Toys released plastic "playsets" which included two different types of eyeglasses, a flash gun, and handcuffs.
Kids meal toys were also included by White Castle in 1994, and Carl's Jr. in 1996.
Video games
The TV series inspired a SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron sidescrolling action video game on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, which was released on August 21, 1995. There is also a SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron electronic LCD handheld video game released Micro Games of America.
References
- ^ Tremblay, Christan (November 30, 2012). "SWAT Kats The Animated Series Tlak to the Co-Creator Christian Tremblay". Reddit. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
- ^ Kim, Albert (April 21, 1995), "Ted's Excellent Speaking Engagement", Entertainment Weekly.
- ^ "Update 43: Re: Swat-Kats Revolution Update · SWAT-KATS REVOLUTION". Kickstarter. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
- ^ Tremblay Bros. Studios (January 20, 2021). "Update No. 45". Kickstarter. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
- ^ Foster, Elizabeth (February 1, 2021). "SWAT-KATS Get Back In Action With Toonz". Kidscreen. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
- ^ Sarto, Debbie Diamond "Cult Classic ‘Swat-Kats’ Returns". (February 2, 2021). Animation News Network. Retrieved May 5, 2021.