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| Totally Spies! | |
|---|---|
 Spies, from left to right: Clover, Alex and Sam |
|
| Genre | Action, Comedy, Teen |
| Format | Animated series |
| Created by | Vincent Chalvon-Demersay David Michel |
| Voices of | (English version) Andrea Baker Jennifer Hale Katie Griffin Adrian Truss Katie Leigh Jess Harnell Tara Strong |
| Country of origin |  France |
| No. of episodes | 130, see this list |
| Production | |
| Running time | approximate 22 minutes |
| Broadcast | |
| Original channel | See Broadcasting |
| Original run | November 3, 2001 – Present |
| External links | |
| [TotallySpies.com Official website] | |
| IMDb profile | |
| TV.com summary | |
Totally Spies! is a French anime-influenced animated television series produced by the French company Marathon Production. Production began in 2001 for four seasons, now the show is currently airing its fifth and the final season. A 90-minute Totally Spies animated movie is said in the works and set to be premiered in 2008.[1]
Contents |
Overview
Totally Spies stars three teenaged superspies from Beverly Hills: Sam, Clover and Alex. They secretly fight international crime with special gadgets supplied by their boss, Jerry, who is the founder and leader of the secret World Organization of Human Protection (WOOHP) agency. They must balance their missions with their day-to-day lives, maintaining their secret identities, high school (seasons 1-4), college (season 5), boys and their school rival: a prima donna named Mandy. Thematically, it is reminiscent of the 1970s TV show Charlie's Angels, with Jerry serving as a kind of amalgamation of "Bosley" and "Charlie." Unlike Charlie, however, Jerry is not afraid to reveal himself to his agents. The spies are usually forcibly transported to his office, which is a phenomenon known amongst the spies as "WOOHPing". In Jerry's office, the spies are briefed on their missions and occasionally are informed on relatively minor personal issues. The show displays a retro aesthetic look that pays homage to 60s design/fashion, such as "flower power", and as well as the 1980s anime/manga Dirty Pair. For example, the suits and jetpacks used by the Dirty Pair in episode 8 of the original television series resemble the spies catsuits and jetpacks. They also change clothes as in do not have one basic outfit unlike other cartoon characters.
Animation style
Totally Spies is sometimes described as "American" (despite being produced in Europe) due to its use of well-known visual gags and cues, as well as its Southern California setting. It also has a strong shōjo influence. The series also features Japanese animation style. The characters are drawn with big, dramatic eyes and the same basic body template. Anime gags are used such as the sweat drop, crossed vein, and extreme facial expressions. While Totally Spies appear to resemble anime, it is not accepted as anime.[2] However, due to the shoujo motif and the use of anime gags, some viewers have considered the series as an American anime, even though it was made in France. [3]
Characters
Totally Spies features the adventures and missions of three spies (Sam, Clover and Alex) led by the head and founder of WOOHP, Jerry Lewis. The surnames for the Spies are either not revealed or unknown. For example, Sam introduces herself as "Samantha Simpson" in one episode. However, no one is certain if that is her real surname.
- Sam (short for Samantha) usually referred to as Sam, has long, wavy red hair, and a green catsuit. She is the most intelligent of the group.
- Clover has medium length blonde hair and a red catsuit. She is considered to be the show's most stereotypical character: a shopping addicted, boy crazy, teenage "fashionista".
- Alex (short for Alexandra) has short black hair and dark skin. Despite being the clumsy one, she excels in athletics, particularly in soccer. She wears a yellow catsuit. She is also somewhat of a tomboy compared to Clover and Sam, but is as eager as the other two when it comes to fashion and boys.
- Jerry James Lewis is the founder and administrator of WOOHP, the World Organization Of Human Protection. He is a middle-aged, very serious British gentleman. He briefs the girls on their missions, distributes their gadgets, and provides mission support with information or direct involvement. He is often the butt of jokes when it comes to his absence of a full head of hair.
Gadgets
Every mission assigned to the spies by WOOHP involves several gadgets given to them by Jerry (or, in seasons 3 and 4, G.L.A.D.I.S.). Missions not assigned by WOOHP usually use old gadgets kept by the girls in case of emergencies. WOOHP gadgets often have acronyms that spell out ironic or comical words (often accompanied by reactions from the spies) such as RASH and KURTT. Almost all missions involve the red, green and yellow, but these are sometimes overridden by other apparel (for example the UPWATI). Most gadgets are pink, but in season 3 the colour purple mostly replaced pink as the primary colour for gadgets. Jerry also uses gadgets, but, being middle-aged instead of adolescent, he uses more "adult-friendly" gadgets. These are often disguised as regular objects, and are usually coloured red, green or yellow.
Headquarters
The World Organization Of Human Protection (or WOOHP) is a fictional worldwide crime-fighting organization in the animated series Totally Spies. Founded and headed by Jerry James Lewis, WOOHP uses cutting-edge technology and highly skilled agents to fight crime and diffuse humanitarian crises all over the world. It's headquarters is located in Downtown Los Angeles. Sam, Alex and Clover are their top three superspies, frequently called in to solve the most difficult cases worldwide. When he needs them, Jerry can "WOOHP" them to his office at the press of a button from wherever they might be. This is usually done via vacuum tunnels that lead to the office, but they have also been blasted to their destination via rocket ship, teleported, picked right off the freeway via helicopter, and scooped up by a passing train. On missions, Jerry provides the spies with information, analyzes clues, and occasionally steps in to give them a hand. In season three, Jerry added G.L.A.D.I.S. to his office. G.L.A.D.I.S. (Gadget Lending And Distributing Interactive System), is a computer he designed to help him run WOOHP, but G.L.A.D.I.S. tends to have a mind of her own. G.L.A.D.I.S. has been met with a fair share of hostility from fans, which claim that because she now distributes the gadgets she tends to reduce Jerry to a subordinate role in WOOHP, even though he is the founder and administrator. After two seasons, G.L.A.D.I.S. was written off the show in Season five as having been destroyed and recycled due to its attitude. There are also different branches of WOOHP, like the one in Australia where Britney and Blaine are assigned to.
Media
Totally Spies features a total of 4 seasons with 104 episodes, with an additional 25 episode fifth season airing in Canada, France, U.K., Romania, Estonia and Russia. The fifth season will air this December on Disney Channel Asia.
Video games
The Totally Spies series were followed up with two video games titled Totally Spies! and Totally Spies! 2: Undercover. Both are published by Atari for the Nintendo GBA and/or DS..[4][5] IGN rates Totally Spies! 2: Undercover with a score of 4.0/10 citing poor overall game presentation.
Reception
Most receptions are positive. The show is elected as 'Best performing cartoon' (Channel 4, UK), has the best ratings (Fox kids UK), and is number 1 in its timeslot in France (TF1), Italy (Italia Uno), the Netherlands (Fox Kids, now Jetix), Brazil (TV Globo) and the US (Cartoon Network). The show is also been sold to more than 100 countries.[6] In 2004, it was Cartoon Network's second highest rated show. [7] Most surprising is perhaps that the show is popular among girls and boys, with, according to David Michel (Co-creator and co-producer of Totally Spies) "(...) a 50% boys 50% girls audience ratio, whereas everybody was predicting the show would score very low on boys".[8] It is also so popular, that, in some parts of the world, a whole range of merchandising was put on the market, with Totally Spies stationary, dolls, DVDs, computergames, quilt covers, and even costumes.[9][10][11][12] McDonalds also had their own Totally Spies merchandising, having Totally Spies gadgets put with ones McDonalds happy meal,[13] and a performance of 'the spies' in the nearest restaurant if one would finish a colouring picture.[14]
Criticism
Because Totally Spies attempts to mimic anime, it received some negative reaction from anime fanboys/girls.[15] There is also some criticism on Totally Spies because of the merchandising around it.[16]
Broadcasting
Totally Spies aired in at least 45 countries, with the Disney based Jetix network provided broadcasting for most of those countries.
- United States: Was aired on ABC Family, and aired on Cartoon Network from 2003-2007. It was taken off for unknown reasons. Totally Spies returned to the US December 1st.
- United Kingdom: Airs on ITV1 and Jetix. Welsh version is airs on S4C.
- France: Premiered on TF1. Also airs on Jetix.
- Canada: Airs on Teletoon and TÉLÉTOON.
- Australia: Channel Ten, Nickelodeon Australia.
In other countries, Totally Spies! airs on Jetix where Jetix exist except the United States. In most of Asian region, it airs on Disney Channel Asia.
- Armenia: H1 (Armenian Public TV) (in Armenian language).
- Austria: Jetix (in English and German languages).
- Belgium: VT4.
- Brazil: Jetix (in Portuguese language) and TV Globo.
- Bulgaria: Kanal 1 (translated from French and taken from Canal France International), Jetix.
- Catalonia: K3 (television).
- China: Disney Channel Asia.
- Czech Republic: Jetix.
- Denmark: Jetix and TV 2 (Denmark).
- Dominican Republic: Jetix LatinoAmerica.
- Egypt: ART Teenz and MBC 3.
- Finland: Jetix, SubTv Juniori.
- Germany: Jetix and Super RTL (only UNDERCOVER).
- Greece: Jetix.
- Hong Kong: Disney Channel Asia, TVB.
- Hungary: Jetix.
- India: Jetix Toon Disney
- Ireland: RTÉ Two, Jetix.
- Israel: HOT VOD, Jetix.
- Italy: Italia 1, Jetix.
- Iceland: RÚV
- Japan: Jetix, Disney Channel Asia.
- South Korea: Jetix, Disney Channel Asia.
- Latin America: Jetix LatinoAmerica.
- Lithuania: LNK.
- Malaysia: TV3, Disney Channel Asia.
- Mexico: It was airing on Jetix LatinoAmerica but Jetix cancelled the program, so now airs on independent-owned stations. And Galavision Channel.
- Middle East: MBC 3.
- Morocco: 2M TV.
- Netherlands: Jetix.
- Norway: Jetix.
- Philippines: ABS-CBN (Filipino dub, only seasons 1-2), Disney Channel Asia.
- Poland: Jetix.
- Portugal: RTP2.
- Romania: Jetix.
- Russia: Jetix.
- Singapore: Disney Channel Asia, Kids Central.
- Slovakia: Jetix, Markíza.
- Slovenia: Jetix.
- South Africa: SABC 2.
- Spain: Jetix (in English and Spanish languages).
- Sweden: Jetix.
- Switzerland: Jetix (in English, French and German languages).
- Taiwan: Disney Channel Asia.
- Thailand: Channel 7, Disney Channel Asia, periodically on UBC Spark
- Vietnam: Disney Channel Asia, VTV3, THTPCT
References
- ^ Spies Movie announcement release
- ^ Answerman. ANN (2002-07-13). Retrieved on 2007-08-13.
- ^ Totally Spy. Retrieved on 2008-08-13.
- ^ "[1]" GameSpot. URL last accessed 2007-10-20
- ^ Totally Spies! 2: Undercover Review (DS). IGN (2007-01-18). Retrieved on 2007-09-21.
- ^ http://www.geocities.com/pathfinder_0200/dfactoid.htm| Geocities, factoid Totally Spies
- ^ http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2004-06-21/tokyopop-to-publish-totally-spies-cinemanga+totally+spies+anime
- ^ http://www.geocities.com/pathfinder_0200/dminterview.htm| Geocities, interview with David Michel
- ^ http://www.totallyspies.com/home_uk.html| Totally Spies.com (English)
- ^ http://www.woohp.org/content/view/39/45/| Woohp, org, Totally Spies merchandise
- ^ http://www.toywiz.com/totallyspies.html| Toywiz.com
- ^ http://www.atamaii.com/totally-spies.html| Atamaii.com
- ^ http://www.livemagazine.org/catartikelen/lifestyle.html| Livemagazine.org
- ^ http://www.mcdonalds.nl/files_content/DEFWT_kleurplaat_Tot-Spies_210x297.pdf| McDonalds colouring picture link
- ^ Answerman: Saturday Surprise. Answerman (2002-07-13). Retrieved on 2008-08-09.
- ^ http://www.newgrounds.com/bbs/topic/518299/3| Newgrounds.com
External links
- Official Totally Spies web pages:
- Unofficial Totally Spies chat forums:
