Dexter Faq
Paul Senior
Posted to alt.tv.dexters-lab on a semi-regular basis.
Updated Apr 26 2001
1.0 WWW Etc.
1.1 Are new episodes in production?
1.2 What is Dexter's accent based on?
1.3 What is Dexter's last name?
1.4 Dee-Dee or DeeDee?
1.5 Where can I get the show on Video or DVD?
2.0 What's up with this show?
2.1 When is it on?
2.2 Who are the main characters?
2.3 How many episodes are there?
2.31 Didn't there used to be an Episode called Barbequor? What happened?
2.4 What is the Justice Friends & Dial "M" for Monkey?
2.5 Who are the Justice Friends Characters?
2.6 Who are the Dial "M" for Monkey Characters?
2.7 What are those short bits around commercial breaks?
3.0 What is the history of the show?
3.1 Who does the voices?
3.2 Have there been guest voices?
3.2.1-2 Dub Voices
3.3 Are there toys based on Dexter's lab?
4.0 Who is this Genndy Tartakovsky guy?
4.5 How about Craig McCracken?
5.0 Who wrote this mess?
6.0 Where did you get your information?
1.0 World Wide Web Etc.
A current list of all known Dexter's laboratory Internet resources:
http://www.freenet.edmonton.ab.ca/~planet23/dexter.htm
Look for the links section near the bottom of the main page.
1.1 Are new episodes in production?
YES! 13 new episodes premiere November 7, 2001.
1.2 What is Dexter's accent based on?
A FOREIGN accent! Only the creator of Dexter's voice, Christine
Cavanaugh knows for sure. She has described is as
something/something/Ernest Borgnine". Dexter
creator Genndy Tartakovsky was asked:
Q: What kind of accent does Dexter have?
A: It's a foreign accent. His way of speaking of science is like the old
scientists.
1.3 What is Dexter's last name?
This has never been revealed. Likewise his parents are "Mom" and "Dad".
1.4 Is it spelled Dee-Dee or DeeDee?
Use either one! The show's creators have. The original press kit lists
"Dee Dee"
1.5 Where can I get the show on Video or DVD?
Generally speaking, you can't in North America. All the episodes were
released in a limited editon DVD for a Cartoon Network contest in 1999.
Only 15 copies were
produced making this a very rare item. Due to the expense of
transferring the shows to DVD, I believe this means we will see a North
American release at some point in the
future. The one-hour special, "Ego Trip" has also been released in North
America on VHS.
However, a single 95 minute Dexter video has been released in Europe in
the PAL format, and you can buy it right now! See www.blackstar.co.uk
for details.
2.0 What's up with this show?
Ren and Stimpy creator John Krisfaluci has called this cartoon
"Astounding"! Dexter's laboratory is a 30 minute animated television
show, in two or three segments from
seven to twenty two minutes long. The first short aired in 1995, it was
just called Dexter's Laboratory and it's the one where Dee Dee and Dex
are changing back and forth
into animals. There are 13 episodes in the first season {1996}, and 39
episodes in the second season {1997}. A one hour special was made in
1999 and aired in December
of 1999. The show itself is currently in reruns on Turner's Cartoon
Network, and Canada's YTV, while the third season is prepared.
There is also an in-house only short,"Dexter's Rude Removal" which has
rarely been seen publicly. The crew's work on Dexter's lab has been
nominated for four Emmy
awards in 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1998 for "Outstanding Animated show under
one hour". The 1995 nomination was for "Star-spangled Sidekicks-TV
Superpals-Game Over",
and the 1998 nomination was "Dynomight - LABretto". It is a shame Dex
has never won! That's show biz...
2.1 When is it on?
Dexter is in weekday re-runs on The Cartoon Network. Canada: YTV:
Saturdays, 3pm. {?} Mornings 7:30 {east} Austria: Channel ORF: German
language broadcast
Sunday 9 pm. France: Sunday morning at 7:30 am on channel FR3.
2.2 Who are the main characters?
The show is set in California USA.
*Dexter is a 6-7 year old boy with a hyper-genius level intelligence. He
has constructed a massive secret laboratory in his parent's house in
which to conduct cutting-edge
scientific experiments on a truly grand scale. Attending Huber
Elementary School, He is beloved of his teachers and despised by many of
the other school children. He is
able to construct nuclear reactors but is easily frustrated by his
sister DeeDee's destructive rampages. He is 24 inches tall and wears
thick glasses. Dexter's usual garb is
a lab coat with rubber gloves and pointy zipper-boots.
*Dee-Dee is Dexter's older sister, 10-12 years old. Her naive, carefree
attitude often conflicts with her younger brother's organized nature.
She is blissfully free of the
ravages of intelligence. She is gangly and rubbery, dressed perpetually
in a pink ballet suit while dancing around. Her pink bedroom is a shrine
to all things girl. She takes
ballet lessons after school.
*Mom and Dad are stereotyped 50's nuclear family parents. They seem to
be unaware of the ruckus created by Dexter's experiments. Dad is a
perpetually cheerful guy
who has an underreaction for every occasion. Mom is likewise cheerful
and is never without her trusty yellow rubber gloves.
*Mandark is Dexter's chief rival and principal villian character. His
real name is Astro Nomenoff, he's in Dexter's school class and is
actually smarter than him. He has
appeared in several episodes so far, the first, "Dexter's rival" is
arguably the best episode to date. Mandark has also constructed a
laboratory, even larger than Dexter's, but
it was destroyed by his chief weakness Dee-Dee and rebuilt. He has a
sister, Olga.
*Action Hank is one bad mutha! AH is a hero in the Dexter world, a
combination of Shaft, Mr. T and the 60's & 70's G.I. Joe {with life-like
hair}. Older kids will also
compare him to the "Action Jackson" action figure. Hank is a popular
character even though he has appeared in a mere handful of episodes.
2.31 Didn't there used to be an Episode called Barbequor? What happened?
A sad tale of woe. "Barbequor" was a first season segment of The Justice
Friends, a terrific episode that parodied Marvel's "The Silver Surfer".
It has been removed from the
syndication package and was even yanked from the limited edition DVD set
issued. Why was it pulled? A single letter of complaint! All I can say is:
Boooooooooooo!!
2.3 How many episodes are there?
52 half-hour episodes. There are 13 episodes in the first season and 39
in season two, plus the original two minute short and Rude Removal. A
one hour special aired in
December 1999. 13 new episodes start November 2001.
Online episode guides:
http://www.freenet.edmonton.ab.ca/~planet23/dexter.htm {First and Second
season}
http://www.ytv.com/shows/dexters_laboratory/ {First season}
http://maavwik.simplenet.com/dexter/summary.html {Second season}
http://www.netvista.net/~del_grande/dexter.html {First and Second season}
"Dexter's rude removal" has only been shown in-house at Hanna-Barbera,
and at an animation industry convention. It's "not for kids".
2.4 What is Justice Friends and Dial "M" for Monkey?
There are two companion segments to the show, set in the same
"universe". The Justice Friends are a hilarious parody of comic book
superheroes and Dial "M" for
Monkey features the adventures of a monkey who lives in Dexter's lab,
but is secretly a heroic super-powered secret agent. The three shows are
linked in odd ways, for
example Major Glory has his own TV show that Dex and DeeDee watch
faithfully, and in "Dollhouse Drama" a TOY Monkey is shown. The shows
have lots of little touches
that add up to a loving tribute to one of the greatest comic book
artists of the twentieth century, Jack "King" Kirby. "Dial M" and The
Justice Friends are heavily influenced
by the King's 1960s work. There is a lot of the Sixties Hanna-Barbera
superhero 'toons and Gerald McBoingBoing is in there too. The Justice
Friends is structured like a
1950s sitcom, with a laugh track. Only one segment was produced for the
second season. Too bad!
2.5 Who are the Justice Friends Characters?
The three main characters live in a top floor apartment in the Muscular
Arms building on Frag street. Their lives as superheroes run head-on
{Literally} into trying to live in
the big city.
*Major Glory The always uptight and manly embodiment of ALL things
American, Major Glory is the straight man. Went to college with The
Living Bullet.
*ValHallen The Viking God of Rock wields his mighty axe! An entertaining
mix of Marvel Comic's Thor and Eddie Van Halen. Without his enchanted
axe he reverts into a
really nerdy kid.
*The Infragable Krunk Marvel's Incredible Hulk with green pants and
purple skin! He is massively strong yet childlike. Prefers the direct
approach to anything.
2.6 Who are the Dial "M" for Monkey Characters?
*Monkey lives in Dexter's lab. He is also the fearless super-charged
agent of G.L.O.B.A.L.
*Agent Honeydew Cute Brit girl agent and Monkey's partner, knows how to
kick butt. Sometimes a romantic interest for Monkey.
*The Chief Grizzled commander of G.L.O.B.A.L., only seen as a head on a
screen.
2.7 What are those short bits around commercial breaks?
Bumpers are short [30 sec. or less] gag lead-ins to or from commercial
breaks. They are used to plug holes in the show if a segment turns out
too long or short.
1.Fantastic Voyage into DeeDee's brain
2.Tuning fork demo
3.Word solidifier spray
4.2001 Dee-Dee
5.Dexter! What's that on your face!?
6.Hostess Fruit Pies comic book ad parody. Totally amazing!!!
7."I" looks like this
8.That's no hydroxyl ion, that's my wife!
9.Periodic Table
10.DeeDee and pigs
11.Run with scissors
12.Invisible force field helmet
13.DeeDee knows why
14.Popsicles
15.DeeDee's jokes
16.DeeDee floats away
17.Do the robot
18.A Round of Ice Cream Science Shakes For Everybody!
19.Dexter's Hamburger Dream
20.Wrench Centerfold
3.0 What is the history of the show?
See section 4 below for a more complete version of the story.
Many Dexter staff were drawn from the same CalArts class, who worked on
"Two Stupid Dogs" in 1994-5. In 1994, Turner Entertainment and
Hanna-Barbera commissioned
a series of short cartoons, with the best ones getting a shot at their
own show. Aired on a show called "World Premiere Cartoons" in 1995, the
first Dexter short was
"Dexter's Laboratory" AKA "Changes", it's the one where Dex and DeeDee
are changing into animals. A second pilot, "The Big Sister" aired in
March of 1996 with the first
season following in April. Dexter's lab was also the first show of the
"World Premiere Cartoons" to make it to series form.
It ran for two seasons, '96 and '97, and a one hour special in December
of 1999. The third season starts production in the fall of 2000 and airs
late 2001.
3.1 Who does the voices?
Christine Cavanaugh: Dexter/Mailman Earl
Kat Cressida: Dee-Dee, misc parts
Frank Welker: Monkey/Krunk/Minotaur/White Tiger/Master Computer/Quakor
Kathe Soucie: Mom/Computer/Sophie/Darbie/LeeLee/Susan Storm {?} /Miss
Pell/Lunch lady/Librarian/misc. parts
Jeff Bennet: Dad/Justice Friends main title narrator/Jean Pierre/French
teacher/carrot guy/misc. parts
Rob Paulsen: Major Glory/Fatboy/Puppetpal Mitch/Comrade Red/Math
teacher/Silver Spooner/Tiki Torch/misc. parts
Tom Kenny: VallHallen/Disgruntled Postman/Puppetpal Clem/Living
Bullet/Snowman/Ness monster {all 3}/O-bot{?} misc. parts
Eddie Deezen: Mandark
John Garry: Action Hank
Kevin Richardson: Action Hank/Deep Dee-Dee
Paula Tico: Agent Honeydew {?}
Kimberly Brooks: MeeMee
Maurice LaMarche: Dick Mcman/Ratman, Simion {?}
Bob Ridgley: The Commander
Brad Garret: Magmanamus
Randel Crenshaw, Roger Freeland, Stephen Lively: Barbershop singers
3.2 Have there been guest voices?
Randy "Macho Man" Savage: Rasslor
Dom Deluise: Koosy
Alison Moore: Creator of Dee-Dee's voice
Alison voiced most of the first season and the following second season
episodes: Ant Pants Chubby Cheese Lab of the Lost * Figure not Included
3.2.1 French Dub Voices (France)
Dexter: marc saez
DeeDee: dorothée pousséo
Mom: veronique picciotto
Dad: laurent Morteau
3.2.2 Portugese Dub Voices (Brazil)
Dexter: José Luiz
Dexter's Dad: Carlos Seidl
Mandark: Pedro Eugênio
DeeDee: Carmen Sheila
Dexter's Mom: Lina Rossana
MeeMee: Nair Amorim
LeeLee: Míriam Thereza
Major Glory: Jorge Vasconcelos
Krunk: Ricardo Juarez
The Commander (from "Dial M"): Sílvio Navas
3.3 Are there toys based on Dexter's lab?
See my toy page for a complete listing. There's too much stuff to fit here!
Trendmasters Dexter toys are in stores now! Go buy 'em!
"Subway" stores have issued a line of four small toys similar to the
Wendy's ones.
Cartoon Network Nascar models. Die-cast #29 in: 1:64 {$7 US} 1:24 {$30
US} 1:18 {$75 US}. They feature Dex and DeeDee on the side and Dexter on
the display
box.
Dexter's Laboratory comic series from DC Comics.
Two issues of "DC comics Presents" with Dexter stories, #1 and #4.
CD with music from the show, "The Musical Time Machine" from Rhino
Records. Get it now from http://www.rhino.com
In the fall of 1997 there were five toys offered at Wendy's restaurants
in the USA and Canada. All sold out as of January 1998.
Cracker Jack candy was running a Cartoon Network promotion, Dexter
stickers were produced.
Dexter Inflatable Water Toys: Sub-like with Dexter head JoJo Beach Ball
Dexter & JoJo kid's backpack
UK only Dexter exo-skeleton figure
Eight Dexter T-shirts
Limited edtion Dexter wall clock.
Rubber Dexter key chain
Dexter coffee mug and clear plastic drinking cup.
4. Who is this Genndy Tartakovsky guy?
Note: "Genndy" is pronounced with a hard "G" sound.
The supervising producer/director of Dexter's lab was born in Moscow,
Russia in approximately 1970. Father was a dentist who defected with his
wife and two boys
{Genndy and older brother Alex} to the USA in 1977. Landing in Columbus,
Ohio they eventually settled in Chicago. As soon as they arrived, Genndy
began collecting
comic books {The very first one was a copy of DC's Super Friends, based
on the TV show}, which he still collects to this day. His favorites were
Marvel comics such as
Captain America, The Avengers, The Fantastic Four, Thor, Spider-man and
Daredevil. He enjoyed the typical Marvel soap opera plots, where the
Guest Hero would fight the
Regular Hero, them they would team up and whup the Bad Guys. He began
drawing cartoons with his brother, Alex eventually stopped drawing and
became a computer
scientist. Young Genndy would also spend lots of time watching
television, "When I first discovered television here, I watched it
non-stop,morning, after school, at night-I
couldn't get away from it". Genndy picked up the English language quicky
as a result. Some of his favorite cartoons were Hanna-Barbera's
"Dynomutt" {1976-9} and
"Captain Caveman" {1977-?} Interestingly, Frank Welker performed the
voice of Dynomutt, much later he would voice "Monkey" for Genndy.
Amazingly he also cites the
situational 70's comedy "Three's Company" as an influence on his
story-telling. As Genndy grew older his fascination with animation grew,
he studied cartoons and made
his own flip-books. He decided to pursue a career an animation,
beginning study at Columbia College in Chicago. He then moved to Los
Angeles, California to attend
Valencia's Cal Arts starting in 1990. It was at this time that Dexter's
laboratory was born as one of his two student films. On a project to
animate a girl dancing, the familiar
rubbery figure of DeeDee was created. In 1991, in his second year, he
created a foil for her, the short, plug-like Dexter, obsessed with machines.
Genndy's first paying work after leaving school was a two minute cartoon
for a multi-media play that involved puppetry, video, animation and live
action called "Stumpy's
Gang." He then found work as an in-betweener on "Batman:The Animated
series", "Tiny Toons", and "The Critic". His formulaic work on the
latter show served to sharpen
his personal style. He then worked for Hanna-Barbera on "Two Stupid
Dogs", for The Cartoon Network in 1994-5. A producer at H-B saw Genndy's
student demo tape,
which included the early version of Dexter. He pitched H-B with a seven
minute storyboard and they bought it for their new "World Premiere
Toons" show, which showcased
young animation talent. After a positive reaction they picked it up for
52 half-hour episodes , with the first shows airing in April of 1996.
Genndy is currently working with CalArts compadre Craig McCracken on his
show "The Power Puff girls", which premiered November 18 1998 on the
Cartoon Network.
Genndy's older brother Alex is part of his model for Dexter, Genndy
would foil his plans Dee-Dee-style when they were clowning around as
kids. He is obviously fond of the
"new wave" of animation as opposed to the Disney-style traditional
approach. He takes a very active role in the show, as well as creating
it and it's characters, he
contributes story ideas, writes scripts, produces storyboards, directs
the animation, directs the dialogue in the studio, all the way through
supervising returning artwork and
editing. He also drew several Dexter comics for the DC Comics Dexter series.
Genndy is single and lives in California. He draws 60 hours a week in
his cluttered studio in the H-B lot. He eats too many burritos and has a
permanent dent in his finger
from drawing. He likes the new Superman cartoon. Genndy's favorite
Dexter episodes are "Old Man Dexter", and "Hamhocks and armlocks". Watch
out for Genndy's new
show called "Samurai Jack"!
4.5 How about Craig McCracken?
He's an up and coming young animator who worked as art director on
Dexter. He made the first Dexter short in 1994 with Genndy and Paul
Rudish. Craig acted as art
director on the Dexter series, and did lots of writing and storyboards.
Craig's favorite episodes are "Mock 5", "Dynomight", "Quakor", "Hamhocks
and armlocks", and "Last
but not beast". He is now working hard on his amazing Powerpuff Girls
series.
5.0 Who wrote this mess? What's your operating number?
This FAQ written by:
Paul Senior C/O planet2...@freenet.edmonton.ab.ca
Remove NOSPAM to email. Spam Sux!
Mark Atwood m...@pobox.com
Posted by Pall
Assists and thanx to:
Maavwik
Ben Jacob
M.K. Hass
Don Del Grande
Comic King West Ed Mall
6.0 Where did you get your information?
Wired 5.09 {Sept '97} Pg. 43
Anvil Anthology #1, Summer 1995
Interview with Kat Cressida conducted by Paul
Interview with Genndy Tartakovsky by Steve Fritz of http://www.mania.com
Interview with Genndy Tartakovsky @ Pathfinder.com
Interview with Craig McCracken conducted by Paul
Starlog magazine #256 January 1998 pg. 72-75
The art of Hanna-Barbera 1989
The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Cartoon Animals 1991
Repeated viewing
The boys @ Comic King, West Edmonton Mall.
Various wild 'net rumours