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dbringen
Reviews
T.U.F.F. Puppy (2010)
Silly fun for the right audience
TUFF Puppy has overtones of "Rocky and Bulwinkle" and "Dangermouse". They don't just break the Fourth Wall; they hit us over the head with it. Their basic message is, we're in this for fun, and if you're not up with that, shop elsewhere. Dudley is as dumb as Stimpy (Ren and Stimpy) or Billy (Billy and Mandy). Yet he always somehow knows how to crack the case and snare the villains. Kitty Katswell is already a hit on the internet, and a glorious match for the obstinately stupid Dudley. Ketswell (T.U.F.F.'s "Q") is... deliciously weird. I suppose my favorite "villain" is the Chameleon (voiced by Daran Norris, who also does the Chief), but it's up for grabs. It's all about the silliness, and fun, and goofing around. My favorite shot about what this show's all about: in the pilot, when told by the Chief that she has to train Dudldy, Kitty says "Are you nuts?" And the Chief says "No, Agent Nuts is over there." Cut to a squirrel who stuffs two handfuls of nuts in his cheeks and then bugs out. There you go.
Jane and the Dragon (2005)
Delightful
I'm not a big fan of CGI, but for me the real attraction in this show is the writing. The writers do not write down to their audience. The characters are well defined, and the stories well done and with good humor. There is also a hint of mysteries to unfold, with the dragon runes and Jane's sword. "Jane and the Dragon" is more mature than "Arthur" or "Clifford", closer maybe to "Wild Thornberrys" or "Avatar". Definitely not "Invader Zim" :-). But certainly above the average of most "cartoon" programming. The style and flavor may not be to everybody's taste, but it is worth your time investigating. I just wish the Qubo schedule made the show more accessible in my area.