Almost Naked Animals

Almost Naked Animals is a Canadian animated television series that was produced by 9 Story Entertainment for YTV.[1] The series was created by Noah Z. Jones, who is also the creator of the Disney Channel animated series Fish Hooks. It was based upon an art website that Jones created in 2005.[2] The series premiered on January 7, 2011 on YTV, and ended on May 22, 2013.

Almost Naked Animals
Created byNoah Z. Jones
Developed byDoug Hadders
Adam Rotstein
Directed byBrad Ferguson
Voices ofRobert Tinkler
Howard Jerome
Emilie-Claire Barlow
David Berni
Sean Cullen
Linda Kash
Theme music composerSteve D'Angelo
Terry Tompkins
Opening theme"Almost Naked Animals!"
Ending theme"Almost Naked Animals!" (instrumental)
Composers
  • James Chapple
  • Greame Cornies
  • David Kelly
  • Brian Pickett
Country of originCanada
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons3
No. of episodes52 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producersNoah Z. Jones
Vince Commisso
Steve Jarosz
ProducersTristan Homer
Mark Satterthwaite (creative producer)
Running time22 minutes
(2 11-minute segments)
Production company9 Story Entertainment
Distributor9 Story Entertainment
Release
Original networkYTV
Picture format1080i (16:9 HDTV)
Original releaseJanuary 7, 2011 (2011-01-07) –
May 22, 2013 (2013-05-22)
External links
Website

Premise

The cartoon is set inside a tropical resort called the Banana Cabana.[3] All of the cabana's staff members and residents are funny animals who have shaved off their fur and wear only underclothes. A dog named Howie is the manager and leader of the cabana. Each episode follows Howie and his "misfit" crew having unusual adventures in the Banana Cabana.

Episodes
Main article: List of Almost Naked Animals episodes
SeasonEpisodesFirst airdateLast airdate
1 26 January 7, 2011 December 7, 2011
2 14 February 4, 2012 July 7, 2012
3 12 April 15, 2013 May 22, 2013

[4]

Characters
Howie, the main character

Main
  • Howie (voiced by Robert Tinkler) is a pale-yellow dog and manager of the Banana Cabana. He is hyperactive, very dim witted and impulsive, he's almost always cheerful. He is also completely oblivious to his sister's evil nature.
  • Octo (voiced by Howard Jerome) is an overly cautious blue octopus and the desk clerk. He is Howie's best friend.
  • Bunny (voiced by Emilie-Claire Barlow) is a sometimes short-tempered yellow rabbit and activity planner with a sugary personality (subject to mood swings).
  • Duck (voiced by David Berni) is a tan-colored duck who does every random job and tries anything to get it done. It was revealed in "The Sun Howie Always Wanted", and "Mini Howies" that his full name is Archibald William Nightindale Duck III. As a running gag Duck often appears during a problem with a funny non sequitur.
  • Piggy "Willberforce" Pig (voiced by Seán Cullen) is a pale pink-colored pig who is a ninja-trained master chef with a Bulgarian accent. He speaks broken English.
  • Narwhal (voiced by Seán Cullen) is a self centered, periwinkle-colored narwhal that loves to sing (he is the lounge performer).
  • Sloth (voiced by Linda Kash) is a peach-colored sloth and the bellhop of the Banana Cabana. She has a crush on Howie. She also does everything slowly. She moves around using her luggage cart.

Villains
  • Poodle (voiced by Alyson Court) is a pink poodle. Howie's evil older sister who owns a rival hotel called the Chateau Chattoo. She always tries to ruin Howie's fun and tries to take over Howie's hotel.
  • Batty (voiced by Julie Lemieux) is a purple bat. Poodle's evil minion who is also Howie's long-lost cousin.

Recurring
  • Dirk Danger (voiced by Christian Potenza) A flying squirrel who has a career (more or less) as a stuntman. He is Howie's role model.
  • Radiation Rooster is the Radioactive Microwave Sales Rooster. His limbs fall off and he is very dumb.
  • Captain Fizzy is a Pirate Turtle the owner of the soft drink "Captain Fizzy's Fuzzy Orange Soda" and "Sugar" which is 99% sugar. He is a turtle. He started a few contests like the limited edition blue and green can contest and the Fuzzy Orange Happy Land contest. He has a floating factory which is a large boat.
  • Hippo (voiced by Jamie Watson) is a blue hippopotamus. He is also dressed up as a superhero.

Production

The series was produced by 9 Story Entertainment who produced it for Cartoon Network and YTV.[5] Noah Z. Jones is the creator of the series, while Brad Ferguson is the director.[6] Executive producers includes Vince Commisso, Steve Jarosz, and Noah Z. Jones. Other staff for the series includes Tristan Homer as producer and Mark Satterthwaite as creative producer.

Development for the series started as early as 2006.[6]

On October 16, 2009, Aaron H. Bynum, news editor of Animation Insider, announced that the series entered production.[7] Vince Commisso, president and CEO of 9 Story Entertainment was pleasantly surprised and charmed for the production of Almost Naked Animals and said: "We are very excited to be commencing production on Almost Naked Animals,". "We spent a great deal of time in development, ensuring the characters, the pacing and the tone of the show was [sic] precise. It is extremely gratifying to see our work come to fruition and the end result is this high-quality, curiously funny animated property."[7]

Home media

Episodes of Almost Naked Animals are available for digital download through the iTunes Music Store, which are split into two volumes.[8] Roadshow Home Entertainment released a 95-minute Region 4 DVD of the show on December 1, 2011.[9] In 2012 NCircle Entertainment has released episodes on DVD for Canada and the US. In the UK Abbey Home Media released episodes on DVD.

Reception

Critical response

In June 2011, Almost Naked Animals was picked as one of People Magazine's top children's shows to watch in the US. Common Sense Media rated the show 3 stars out of 5, with the review stating that "The show's writing is smart enough that adults will get some laughs right alongside their kids".[10] Despite this however, the series mostly received negative reviews.

Ratings

During the week of November 20, 2011, the show has been receiving high ratings on CITV in the UK and has been the most watched after school children's program amongst kids aged 4–9.[11]

Awards and nominations
Year Association Category Result
2011 Gemini Awards Best Writing in a Children's or Youth Program or Series —
"Better Safe and Sorry", written by Seán Cullen[12]		 Nominated
2013 Canadian Screen Awards Best Animated Program or Series[13] Nominated
2013 Canadian Screen Awards Best Direction in an Animated Program or Series —
"The Green Banana", directed by Brad Ferguson[13]		 Nominated
2013 Canadian Screen Awards Best Performance in an Animated Program or Series—
"Horn Swoggled", Seán Cullen as Narwhal & Piggy[13]		 Won

Other media

Toys and merchandising

The Licensing Shop has signed products in the US market for Almost Naked Animals. Freeze has secured rights for t-shirts, fashion tops and hoodies in all sizes while ABG Accessories will be making cold weather accessories, spring and summer headwear and rainwear including umbrellas and slickers for the show.[14] In 2012 Cafepress agreed to make Almost Naked Animals plushies, water bottles, tshirts, and more merchandise is being made.

Online game

In January 2012 it was announced that 9 Story and Game Pill were creating an Almost Naked Animals online game entitled "Cabana Craze." The game was released on September 25, 2012 and can be found at CabanaCraze.com.

References
  1. Crump, William D. (2019). Happy Holidays—Animated! A Worldwide Encyclopedia of Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and New Year's Cartoons on Television and Film. McFarland & Co. p. 8. ISBN 9781476672939.
  2. "Almost Naked Animals". 2005-11-26. Archived from the original on 2005-11-26. Retrieved 2016-09-18.CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  3. Ramin Zahed (2011-05-02). "'Almost Naked Animals' Frolick on CiTV". Animation Magazine. Retrieved 2016-09-18.
  4. Almost Naked Animals (Animation, Comedy, Family), Jamie Watson, Rob Tinkler, Howard Jerome, Emilie-Claire Barlow, 9 Story Media Group, 2011-01-07, retrieved 2020-09-26CS1 maint: others (link)
  5. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-09-06. Retrieved 2011-09-05.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  6. "9 Story Outfits YTV With Almost Naked Animals | Cold Hard Flash: Flash Animation News, Videos and Links". Cold Hard Flash. Retrieved 2016-09-18.
  7. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-09-12. Retrieved 2011-09-05.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  8. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2013-06-25. Retrieved 2011-11-11.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  9. "Almost Naked Animals". DVD Warehouse. Archived from the original on 2015-09-23. Retrieved 2016-09-18.
  10. "Almost Naked Animals TV Review". Commonsensemedia.org. 16 June 2011. Retrieved 2016-09-18.
  11. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2014-07-14. Retrieved 2012-12-29.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  12. "Best Writing in a Children's or Youth Program or Series". Gemini Awards. Archived from the original on 20 November 2010. Retrieved 18 August 2011.
  13. "2013 CANADIAN SCREEN AWARDS Television Nominations" (PDF). Canadian Screen Awards. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 January 2013. Retrieved 28 January 2012.
  14. "Archive » Almost Naked Animals names new agent, licensees". Kidscreen.com. 2011-09-15. Retrieved 2016-09-18.
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