Capitol Critters

[Baltofan]

I thought it was time to live up this abandoned 90's cartoon Capitol Critters, and I saw it on German RTL2 for years ago.

[Blackstar]

Capitol Critters aired on Cartoon Network for a short time in the mid 90s. Of course this was before Adult Swim was launched. There were only about 6 or 7 episodes of CC that aired on CN. There were a few episodes that dealt with some rather risque subject matter and as such, never aired on CN, such as the episode that dealt with birth control/overpopulation, or the episode with the squirrel named Opie was addicted to drugs, or the episode where the Presidential Cat kills 1 of Jammet's rat cronies, which prompts Jammet to get a gun. Capitol Critters would really have been a better fit for Adult Swim than for Cartoon Network.

[Radio Clash 5150]

Capitol Critters aired on Cartoon Network for a short time in the mid 90s. Of course this was before Adult Swim was launched. There were only about 6 or 7 episodes of CC that aired on CN. There were a few episodes that dealt with some rather risque subject matter and as such, never aired on CN, such as the episode that dealt with birth control/overpopulation, or the episode with the squirrel named Opie was addicted to drugs, or the episode where the Presidential Cat kills 1 of Jammet's rat cronies, which prompts Jammet to get a gun. Capitol Critters would really have been a better fit for Adult Swim than for Cartoon Network.

Capitol Critters is an odd case. I enjoyed the show, but I understand how difficult it must have been marketing it. It was advertised as a non-stop farce, but it was essentially a dramedy (note: Episode 5).

I get the feeling that if it aired today, Adult Swim would pick it up- but the writing style would be far different. The character-driven aspects would probably take a backseat to more political commentary.

[Tobias]

I think that ABC expected CC to be the next Simpsons. Burger King even had CC toys in it's kid's meal's around the time the show premiered. I think I've still got the Max toy somewhere. It's a little toy White House with Max sitting inside of it.

[Blackstar]

I think that ABC expected CC to be the next Simpsons.

Yeah, if I knew anyone at ABC, I could've told them that Capitol Critters was a gamble. My guess is that many adults saw the talking animals wearing clothes, wrote the show off as being another kids' cartoon and didn't tune in.

[tb4000]

I still don't get how they could have Burger King kids meal toys featuring a cartoon where the main character's entire fam gets gassed to death in the pilot. I think they were trying for a Secret of NIMH/American Tail thing there.

[Mario500]

Before I saw the show on Cartoon Network and recorded seven of the thirteen episodes, I had dolls of the characters Max and Mose along with a Burger King figurine of Jammett using the top of the White House as a record player. I never saw "Capitol Critters" during its original run on ABC, but I thought it was very interesting.

In the episode "Of Thee I Sting", with Max inside a United States senator's briefcase, someone said, "What the hell's going on?" after police came in and arrested the senator accepting bribe money. When I heard that line again, I rewound my videotape to be sure I understood it. I rarely heard such language in animated cartoons when I was younger.

[G1Ravage]

After seeing the title, I looked it up online to see if I could remember it, and I vaguely do! Particularly the lab rat Muggle, who I can vaguely remember me having a liking for when I was younger.

[Brainatra]

I saw this cartoon (along with its fellow short-lived series, "Fish Police") when it originally aired on ABC. ABC tried to promote it among various shows (one had some sort of "Eeek-a-mouse night/week" theme). Still, yeah, they thought it would be the next "Simpsons"... though at the time, I was wondering why the cockroaches were apparently "supposed" to be "stand-ins" for Blacks...

[80's guy]

I saw this cartoon (along with its fellow short-lived series, "Fish Police") when it originally aired on ABC. ABC tried to promote it among various shows (one had some sort of "Eeek-a-mouse night/week" theme). Still, yeah, they thought it would be the next "Simpsons"... though at the time, I was wondering why the cockroaches were apparently "supposed" to be "stand-ins" for Blacks...


I thought that roaches was suppose to be the upperclass. I never knew about that.

[fartoons]

The only thing I remember about the show was it was on T.G.I.F. on ABC for a while and it disturbed me in the episode where one of the rats died. I never understood what was going on in the show.

[takineko]

I've never posted in this area of the forum. I saw the words capitol critterz and was sucked in like a vortex.
Some girl uploaded every episode to YouTube.

[Tobias]

With Adult Swim making a bunch of aquisitions lately, I wouldn't be surprised if they picked this show up, along with Dilbert and a few others when they need a few holes in the schedule filled.

[takineko]

With Adult Swim making a bunch of aquisitions lately, I wouldn't be surprised if they picked this show up, along with Dilbert and a few others when they need a few holes in the schedule filled.

I would be.
There were only 13 episodes made and only 6 of them aired on TV.
And surprise! You can still find fan art of it!
I own the toys too... strange they had merchendise out for it but still wanted to cancel it that quick.

[Tobias]

Mission Hill, Oblongs, and Baby Blues all had 13 eps as well, and AS continues to air them. Clerks only had 6 episodes and it's still being aired.

But I'd like for this show to air anywhere so I can see it again. I might have one episode on VHS somewhere from it's original ABC airing if I can find it.

[takineko]

Yeah, but its so old, no one really remembered it, and it's not as "adult" as those other shows. I mean there were adult things here and there, but mostly it was like watching a kids show.
Not that there's anything wrong with these things, these are just reasons why I think Adult Swim would not think about airing it.

[nakak]

It's hard to place this show, really. I doubt the kids would "get" the story and an average adult would probably think this is a kids show based on the designs and characters.

It's essentially a cartoon with PG-rated story and kid-friendly animation.

And as far as I know, all 13 episodes aired on Cartoon Network at least once.

[takineko]

Jammet got all the best lines.
"A whole slice of pizza, ~gasp~ And it's untouched! It's a virgin!"