The Further Adventures of SuperTed


The Further Adventures of SuperTed is an animated television series produced by Hanna-Barbera and Siriol Animation in association with S4C, and continues the adventures of SuperTed. Only 13 episodes were produced and originally broadcast on The Funtastic World of Hanna-Barbera in the United States starting on 31 January 1989.

Production

The original SuperTed, created by Mike Young, became the first British cartoon series to be aired on The Disney Channel in the United States in 1984. Young moved to the United States to work on more animated series and in 1988, he created a SuperTed-sequel-type cartoon called Fantastic Max, which was produced by Hanna-Barbera, who decided to create a new series of SuperTed.
This new American version of the show takes on a more epic format, with Texas Pete, Bulk and Skeleton also joined by new villains. The theme song was replaced with a more American overture, and the show poked fun at all aspects of American culture, from the Grand Ole Opry to Star Wars. Only two of the original cast reprised their voice roles for this new series, with Victor Spinetti and Melvyn Hayes returning to voice Texas Pete and Skeleton. Unlike the original, the series used digital ink and paint.
In the United Kingdom, Mike Young and the BBC decided to re-record the series to use the original voices of Derek Griffiths for SuperTed and Jon Pertwee for Spotty, which also resulted in some minor script changes. The episodes were also split into two parts, thus creating 26 10-minute stories, which resulted in the series not being broadcast until January 1990 on the BBC. It was repeated again twice in 1992 and 1993.

Characters

Protagonists

SuperTed – A teddy bear who is the main character of the series and rescues all those who need help. He was thrown aside and kept in the storeroom of a toy factory before being brought to life by Spotty's cosmic dust, and was given special powers by Mother Nature.Spotty Man – An alien dressed in a yellow jumpsuit patterned with green polka dots, who is SuperTed's best friend. He comes from the Planet Spot, bought SuperTed to life with his cosmic dust, and flies with SuperTed on every mission. He also likes a few things to be covered with spots as well. Among the things he hates includes being tied up by SuperTed, his traveling bag being carried away by biting ants, being locked up at Fort Knox by Texas Pete, being thrown into a Texas snake pit by Texas Pete and a haybail, having a couple being ice-danced by Pengy and Dr. Frost, looking good in stripes in a white tiger disguise and having his Spots stolen by Texas Pete. He is the second main character of the series.

Supporting characters

Slim, Hoppy and Kitty – The kids of Oklahoma whose animals won first pride in the rodeo prairie, but needed SuperTed's help when Texas Pete tried to ruin their bull-riding competition by using a radio-controlled bull. Their only appearances were in the episode "Texas Is Mine."Major Billy Bob – The owner of the Grand Ol' Opry who makes a singing star out of SuperTed by signing a contract at the end of the episode "Phantom of the Grand Ol' Opry".Billy – A boy who needed SuperTed's help when his father, Dr. Livings, had been kidnapped by the Polka Dot tribe after the discovery of cave paintings in a cave in a primitive Brazilian rainforest. His only appearance was in the episode "Dot's Entertainment."The Space Beavers – Two beavers who are very naughty and are allies with Dr. Frost and Pengy. They are greedy, and like to munch on trees. Formally, they do not like SuperTed and Spotty, but become good friends with them.Kiki – A child with a pet whale that got kidnapped by Texas Pete, Bulk and Skeleton to find sunken treasure and needed SuperTed's help to save it. After being rescued, she rewards SuperTed and Spotty with a couple of Spotty shells. She and her pet whale only appeared in the episode "The Mysticetae Mystery."Blotch – Spotty's younger sister.Prince Rajeash – An Indian prince who can't make decisions. He has an uncle, Prince Pyjamarama, and a helper, Mufti. Prince Pyjamarama is not impressed with Rajeash's actions, and later, both he and Mufti betray Rajeash. Luckily, Rajeash's new friends, SuperTed and Spotty, help him, and in the end, Rajeash becomes a new raja after Prince Pyjamarama and Mufti flee to the water.

Villains

Texas Pete – The principal antagonist of the series.
  • * Bulk – Texas Pete's overweight, idiotic henchman.
  • * Skeleton – Texas Pete's effeminate, nervous henchman.Polka Face – The Polka Dot Tribe leader who tries to sell his tribal lands. He reforms and vows to be a better man at the urging of SuperTed at the end of the episode "Dot's Entertainment."Bubbles the Clown – A career burglar from Planet Boffo who escapes prison and enlists Skeleton and Bulk for a heist.Sleepless Knight – A knight who gives people nightmares.Dr. Frost – A mad scientist who plots to free the world while manipulating the Space Beavers into helping in his plot.
  • * Pengy – Dr. Frost's penguin henchman.The Hairmongers – A group of aliens from the planet Fluffalot.
  • * Julius Scissors – Co-leader of the Hairmongers.
  • * Marcilia – Co-leader of the Hairmongers.The two spies from the enemy Striped ArmyPrince Pyjamarama – Prince Rajeash's uncle and the main antagonist of the episode "Ruse of the Raja." He and his helper Mufti become traitors to Prince Rajeash.
  • * Mufti – Prince Pyjamarama's henchman.

Home media

UK

Between 1990 and 1991, three VHS tapes were released by BBC Video, whereas the two episodes of the British dub on each of the VHS tapes were made into 20-minute stories. No DVD releases have surfaced to date, in either the United Kingdom or the United States.
VHS NameCatalogue NumberRelease YearEpisodes
The Further Adventures of SuperTed:
"Phantom of the Grand Ol' Opry"		BBCV 43042 April 1990
The Further Adventures of SuperTed 2:
"Knox Knox, Who's There?"		BBCV 439410 September
1990
The Further Adventures of SuperTed 3:
"'The Mysticetae Mystery"		BBCV 46351 July 1991

US

On 26 July 1990, Hanna-Barbera Home Video released The Further Adventures of SuperTed: 'Leave it to Space Beavers' on VHS, featuring the episodes Knox Knox! who's There?, Phantom of the Grand Ole Opry, Leave it to Space Beavers and Ruse of the Raja.

Cast

British main cast

American main cast

British and American main cast

Additional voices

Crew