Johnny the Oval

Johnny the Oval
Format	480i/576i (4:3 SDTV)
No. of episodes	180
Run time	7 minutes 11 minutes (2 episodes) 30 minutes
Network	TBS (1986-1991) Cartoon Network (1992-2010)
Creator(s)	Genndy Tartakvorsky Stephen Hillenburg
Director(s)	Genndy Tartakovsky Stephen Hillenburg Craig McCracken (1996-2010) Meriwether Williams (1991-2007) Aaron Springer (1992-2000) Butch Hartman (1995-1997; 2005) Mike Bell (2003-2006) Chris Savino (1998-2008) Tom King (2006-2010) C.H. Greenblatt (2003-2005) Robert Alvarez (1998-2010)
Executive producer(s)	Larry Huber (Season 1-3) Sherry Gunther (Season 4) Genndy Tartakvosky (Season 5-6) Stephen Hillenburg (Season 5-6)
Starring	Christine Cavanaugh (Season 1-4) Alison Moore (Season 1-4) Devon Starr(Season 5-6) Andrea Libman (Season 5-6) Nicole Dove Tom Kenny Bill Faggerbake Ashleigh Ball Tara Strong Kath Soucie
First aired	May 28, 1986
Last aired	April 27, 2010

[Source]

"Johnny the Oval" is an American television animated series produced by TBS, The series premiered as a "sneak peek" in May 1986 and it officially premiered on September 15, 1986 and ended on April 27, 2010. It is the first TBS animated series. The show is produced by Hanna-Barbera Cartoons (seasons 1-4), Cartoon Network Studios (season 5-7) and Rough Draft Studios (1992-2010). With a 24-year run, Johnny the Oval was the longest-running Cartoon Network (formerly TBS Kids) original series at the time of its end. The show became popular because ratings were greatly increased as it span into it's franchise.

Series overview

Johnny is an 14-year old oval boy who pranks his 6-year old sister and plays with his best friend, Sammy. He is sometimes clumsy and lives with his parents. He's in 8th grade at Ovalsburg High School.

Production

Stephen Hillenburg was inspired by one of the drawings of a little lady. After drawing her short, he decided to draw a tall guy, Johnny. Production begun in late 1985. In June 2000, the show was cancelled for 3 years but it came back in the summer of 2003. In 2008, the series was originally going to end but Genndy Tartakovsky and Stephen Hillenburg decided to concentrate on both 4-minute episode season and 2nd series. Voice actress Tara Strong confirmed on Twitter in May 2010 that the show has ended production.

Casting

Christine Cavanaugh (died 2014) voices Johnny Lukeson Oval from seasons 1-4 until she retired from voice acting in late 2001. After Cavanaugh's retirement, Devon Starr took over as the new voice from season 5 onwards. Alison Moore voices Johnny's little sister Holly Lukeson from season 1-4 until she is no longer interested in voice acting and Andrea Libman took over as the new voice from season 5 onwards as well. Nicole Dove and Tom Kenny voices Johnny's parents respectively. Bill Faggerbake voices Johnny's grandfather. Tara Strong voices Sammy and Tommy. Ashleigh Ball voices Timmy and Jimmy. Dave Lib voices Johnny's class teacher Mr. Morry. Kath Soucie voices Johnny's girlfriend Lucy.

Characters

Main article: "Johnny the Oval characters"

Main characters

• Johnny the Oval (voiced by Devon Starr)
• Holly the Oval (voiced by Andrea Libman)
• Johnny's Mum (voiced by Nicole Dove)
• Johnny's Dad (voiced by Tom Kenny)
• Johnny's Grandfather (voiced by Bill Faggerbake)
• Sammy the Oval (voiced by Tara Strong)

Recurring characters

• Jimmy the Oval (voiced by Ashleigh Ball)
• Timmy the Oval (voiced by Ashleigh Ball)
• Tommy the Oval (voiced by Tara Strong)
• Lucy the Oval (voiced by Kath Soucie)
• Mr. Morry (voiced by Dave Lib)

Episode Guide

Main Article: Johnny the Oval episodes

The first season premiered on May 28, 1986 with the series and concluded on June 7, 1990. The second season on October 1, 1991 and concluded on December 3, 1994. The third season premiered on September 15, 1995 and concluded on July 8, 1997. The fourth season premiered on January 17, 1998 and concluded on June 16, 2000 with the original series. After a cancellation, the fifth season premiered on August 1, 2003 and concluded on January 29, 2005. The sixth season premiered on November 20, 2005 and concluded on January 10, 2008. After a two-year hiatus, the seventh and final season premiered on February 6, 2010 and concluded on April 27 the same year with the series.

International broadcast

US

• TBS (1986-1991)
• Cartoon Network (1992-2014)
• Boomerang (2007-December 31, 2018)

UK

• Cartoon Network (1993-2014; 2016)
• Toonami (2006)
• Cartoon Network Too (August 21, 2006-January 4, 2013)
• Boomerang (August 21, 2006-July 17, 2015)
• CITV (2007-2011; 2016-2018)

Australia

• Cartoon Network (1999-2007; 2014-)
• Boomerang (2009-2014)

Canada

• Teletoon (1998-2007)
• YTV (2008-2016)

France

• Boomerang (2001-2016)
• Cartoon Network (1995-2008)

Italy

• Cartoon Network (1994-2016)
• Boomerang (2008-2013)

Africa

• Cartoon Network (1994-2006)
• Boomerang (2011-2016)

Spain

• Cartoon Network (1996-2013)

Mexico

• Cartoon Network (1995-2010)

Merchandise

Video games

• Juggling Fun (August 10, 2002) (GBC)
• Sliding Fun (March 2, 2003) (GBA)
• Pranks Ain't Fair (June 22, 2003) (Windows PC)
• Cooking Challenge (September 21, 2005) (GBA)
• Cartoon Network Racing (December 8, 2006) (DS/PS2)
• Casino Night and Sky Day Adventure (May 6, 2007) (PS2/PSP/Wii/DS)
• Sports Fun (March 20, 2008) (DS)
• Legends of Evil Circles and Squares (April 30, 2009) (Wii/PS2/DS/X360)
• Sir John-a Lot (October 29, 2009) (PS2/X360)
• Boxing Madness (February 4, 2010) (XBLA)
• Driving Dash and Demolition (November 14, 2010) (Wii/X360)
• Driving and Snowboarding (September 22, 2011) (Wii/PS3/X360)
• Cartoon Network Punch Time Explosion (April 18, 2012) (3DS/PS3/X360)
• Pranks Ain't Fair (enhanced) (December 31, 2013) (XBLA)
• Cartoon Network Backlot Party (TBA 2015) (3DS/Wii)

VHS and DVD releases

VHS and DVDs were released from 1991-2013.

• Barrel of Fun (June 3, 1991)
• Building Houses (July 16, 1992)
• Johnny the Chef (August 24, 1993)
• Johnny's Video (December 28, 1994)
• Johnny's Camera (November 7, 1995)
• Johnny's Birthday (February 13, 1996)
• Johnny's Long Journey (May 1, 1997)
• Johnny the Superhero (October 15, 1997)
• Adventures with Johnny the Oval (February 25, 1998)
• Johnny and the Lost Ball (November 17, 1998)
• Johnny's Biggest Video Ever (June 26, 1999)
• Johnny's Favourites (April 4, 2000)
• Johnny's 2nd Big Video (January 11, 2001)
• Johnny the Oval Forever (August 7, 2003)
• Johnny's Bouncy Fun (May 5, 2004)
• Johnny the Snowboarder (September 3, 2004)
• Johnny at the Wedding Party (November 6, 2004)
• Smelly Johnny (March 2, 2005)
• Johnny's Car Academy (January 20, 2006)
• Johnny at the Toy Shop (September 18, 2006)
• Johnny the Musician (April 12, 2007)
• Johnny's Coolest Adventures (October 8, 2007)
• Cartoon Network Christmas (December 28, 2007)
• Johnny's 23rd Anniversary (Johnny's Scrapbook) (November 17, 2008)
• Johnny's Platinum Collection (May 5, 2010)
• Season 1 (September 30, 2010)
• Season 2: Vol 1 (January 15, 2011)
• Season 2: Vol 2 (May 11, 2011)
• Season 3: Vol 1 (August 19, 2011)
• Season 3: Vol 2 (November 8, 2011)
• Season 4: Vol 1 (December 26, 2011)
• Season 4: Vol 2 (June 12, 2012)
• The Very Best of Johnny the Oval (August 23, 2013)
• Johnny the Oval To the Rescue (November 30, 2013)

Cartoon Network DVDs featuring Johnny the Oval

• Cartoon Network Halloween 2: Grossest Halloween Ever (August 9, 2005) (features episode "Johnny and the Ghost")
• Cartoon Network Christmas 2: Christmas Rocks (October 5, 2005) (features episode "Johnny's Christmas")

Toys

Toys were first made from Mattel in 1988. McDonald's gave toys in November 1986. The Lego toys were made from 2004 to early 2009.

Comics

In 2001, the comics were created by Titan Magazines until it stopped in late 2013 in the UK. However, Panini announced there will be more magazines in 2015 and the first issue was released on October 26, 2015.  In the US, they were released by IDW in 2014 until October 2015.

Books

• Johnny the Adventurer (1997)
• Johnny the Superhero (1998)
• Colouring Book (1999)
• Wrestling Challenge (2003)
• Johnny's Rock Concert (2004)
• Shiver Me Shapers (2005)
• Million Dollars for Sandwiches and Pizzas (September 2006)
• Beach Blanket Bondos (August 2007)
• Go Back to Work (September 2008)
• Ballet at Johnny's House (July 2009)
• Shape and None (2010)
• Johnny and Friends at Golf (2010)
• Bug Wars (2013)

Awards

• Annie Awards - Best Voice - Christine Cavanaugh (1993)
• Annie Awards - Great Actress - Christine Cavanaugh (1996)
• Annie Awards - Outstanding Actress - Tara Strong (1997)
• Golden Globe Award - Best Voice Actor - Dee Bradley Baker (1998) (Won)
• Emmy Award - Outstanding Director - Aaron Springer (2000)
• Annie Award - Best Guest Star - Lauren Bacall (Ep. Father's Day Episode) (2001) (Won)
• Emmy Award - Best Actor - Tom Kenny (Ep. Johnny Finishes the Job) (2004) (Nominated)
• Annie Award - Outstanding Achievement of Directing - Stephen Hillenburg (2005)
• Emmy Award - Best Actress - Nicole Dove (2006) (Won)
• Annie Award - Outstanding Achievement of Acting - Grey DeLisle (2007) (Nominated)
• Golden Globe Awards - Brad Pitt - Great Voice Actor (2008) (Won)
• Emmy Awards - Outstanding Achievement of Artist - Tom King (2008) (Won)
• Annie Awards - Best Voice Actor - Devon Starr (Ep. Mission Shapepossible) (2009) (Won)
• Annie Awards - Best Voice Actress - Tara Strong (Ep. Mission Shapepossible) (2009) (Nominated)

The Johnny the Oval Show

Stephen Hillenburg and Genndy Tartakvosky created a spin-off originally called Johnny the Oval's Comedy but its The Johnny the Oval Show and production began in the summer of 2007. When the show went on hiatus, it premiered on February 23, 2008 on Cartoon Network.  After first season ended, the show creators had to work on Season 7. The show first ended in April and the 2nd season of the spin-off premiered on May 27 and ended on July 17 with the series in 2010. After it ended, the show aired re-runs from September 2012 until May 2014. Jeff Bennett is the narrator of the show.

Series overview

Johnny the Oval welcomes young viewers to his dolphin shaped clubhouse with sketches, Oval facts and classic episodes. It focuses on the skits, jokes, funny videos.

International broadcast

US

• Cartoon Network (2008-2010; 2012-2014)

UK

• CN Too (2008-2012)
• Boomerang (2008-2010; 2012)

Canada

• YTV (2009-2013)
• Cartoon Network (2014-2017)

Australia

• Cartoon Network (2008-2013)

Africa

• Cartoon Network (2009-2011)
• Boomerang (2011-2013)

Italy

• Cartoon Network (2008-2011)
• Boomerang (2012)

Spain

• Cartoon Network (2008-2014)

France

• Boomerang (2009-2015)

Broadcasting history

United States broadcast

The show premiered on May 28, 1986 on TBS as a sneak peek and it premiered officially on September 15, 1986. On October 1, 1991, the first episode of second season last aired on TBS before future episodes started airing on Cartoon Network.  On August 1, 2003, the fifth season premiered along with the new episode of Billy and Mandy.  On January 17, 2007 , the new episode of sixth season premiered as part of Johnny's Ovaloke Song Marathon.  The Johnny the Oval Show premiered on February 23, 2008 as part of the 23rd Anniversary Marathon.  The show aired re-runs from September 20, 2010 until July 18, 2011. The show continued to air re-runs on Cartoon Planet in 2012. It was taken off air when the last episode "Johnny Builds a Tower" aired on October 24,  2014 and least traces of the show were removed from the Cartoon Network website as it continues to air on Boomerang. 

United Kingdom broadcasts

The show premiered on Cartoon Network on November 12, 1993 but it was taken off air in November 2005 when sixth season never premiered. The show aired as part of Cartoon Cartoons block however.  On August 21, 2006, the show premiered on Boomerang and Cartoon Network Too at 8.30am and 5pm. The second season of the show premiered on CN Too and Boomerang on September 10, 2007 at 9 am and 1pm.  The third season of the show premiered on October 6, 2008 at 7.30am and 3pm. The Johnny the Oval Show premiered on CN Too and Boomerang on November 10, 2008 at 9.30am and 11am. The fourth season of the show premiered on June 8, 2009 at 7.30am and 4pm. The few episodes from the first season of The Johnny the Oval Show premiered on November 2, 2009 on Cartoon Network Too at 10 am. The Johnny the Oval Half Term took place on Cartoon Network Too from 10 am to 6pm with a new episode of The Johnny the Oval Show on February 15, 2010. The fifth season of the show premiered on March 1, 2010 at 6 am and 6pm.  The second and last season of The Johnny the Oval Show premiered on September 27, 2010 at 6am and 6.30pm. The sixth and last season of the show on Boomerang (as part of Spring Shows) and Cartoon Network Too at 8 am and 10.30am on April 4, 2011. On February 26, 2011, The Johnny the Oval Valentine Weekend took place on Boomerang from 9 am to 9pm.  The Johnny the Oval Show was taken off air on Cartoon Network Too on July 27, 2012 and Boomerang on September 16, 2012. On January 4, 2013, the show was no longer on Cartoon Network Too (due to closing of the channel in April 2014). On February 2, 2013, The Johnny the Oval Marathon Weekend took place on Boomerang from 8.30am to 9pm. The Johnny the Oval half hour episodes premiered on December 27, 2013. On February 16, 2015, all traces of the show were removed from Boomerang website due to the new look of the channel. On April 18, 2015, the show has been completely removed from the channel as well, according to Boomerang UK blogspot. On June 27, 2016, the show returned to Cartoon Network after 11 years as it airs every day at 1am. Johnny the Oval is the only Cartoon Network classic to return to the UK and it only airs from seasons 1-5 but seasons 6 and 7 doesn't air still. On September 5, 2016, the show was removed from Cartoon Network UK.

CITV weekends

On June 9, 2007, the show premiered on CITV Channel's block Toonattik at 7.45am with various episodes from 4 seasons. Johnny the Oval was the only Cartoon Network classic to be on Toonattik. The Toonattik block was axed in late 2010 due to Jamie Rickers and Anna Williamson's departure. However, the continued to air on CITV and on October 2, 2010, new episodes from seasons 5-6 premiered at 7.45am. The show was no longer on air on March 12, 2011. However, it returnd to CITV on July 2, 2016 after 5 years as it aired at 7.45am and it only aired from season 5-6 this time. On September 5, 2016, the show was removed from CITV to make room for the new series of Scrambled!, despite launching a 3D look but returned on August 21, 2017 only on weekday mornings at 7.45am and Saturday mornings at 8am.

Media

Johnny the Oval went to Netflix on March 3, 2013 for seasons 1-4. Seasons 5-7 were on Xbox Video on February 3, 2014.

2018 Reboot

On September 28, 2017, A new Johnny the Oval animated series titled "Johnny the Oval in the City" was announced. It will feature Johnny and his family moving to a big city, where Johnny attempts to help out everyone there, but with Johnny messing up. In this reboot, the cast remained the same except Isabella Acres will replace Andrea Libman as the voice of Holly the Oval. It premiered on January 18, 2018.

See also

• Shapers

External links

• Official website
• Johnny the Oval at CartoonNetwork.co.uk