Dexter's Laboratory (TV series)
- This article is about the TV series. For other uses, see Dexter's Laboratory.
| Dexter's Laboratory | |
|---|---|
 Season 2-4's title card. | |
| Created by | Genndy Tartakovsky |
| Network | Cartoon Network |
| Production company | Cartoon Network Studios |
| Distributor | Turner Entertainment Company Warner Bros. Television Distribution |
| Original release | April 27, 1996—November 20, 2003 |
| Run time | 22 minutes |
| Starring | Christine Cavanaugh Candi Milo Allison Moore Kat Cressida Kath Soucie Jeff Bennett Eddie Deezen Frank Welker Rob Paulsen Tom Kenny |
| Executive producer(s) | Larry Huber Sherry Gunther |
| Producer(s) | Debby Hindman Selma Edelman |
| Music composition | Thomas Chase Steve Rucker Gary Lionelli |
| Writer(s) | Genndy Tartakovsky Jason Butler Rote Zeke Kamm Michael Ryan Seth MacFarlane |
| Director(s) | Genndy Tartakovsky (also voices) Craig McCracken Paul Rudish Rob Renzetti Robert Alvarez John McIntyre Rumen Petkov Chris Savino Don Judge |
| Second title card | |
 Season 1's title card. | |
Dexter's Laboratory, also known as Dexter's Lab, is an American animated sci-fi/fantasy comedy television series created by Genndy Tartakovsky. It was produced by Cartoon Network Studios[Note 1] for Cartoon Network. It ran from 1996 to 2003, airing 78 episodes that spanned four seasons. A TV movie titled Dexter's Laboratory: Ego Trip aired in 1999.
The series focuses on boy genius Dexter, who lives a secret life in his laboratory and creates inventions the world has never seen before. Dexter is in constant odds with his older sister, Dee Dee, whose dimwitted personality and free access to his lab clash with Dexter's experiments. The series also has two other segments set within its world: Dial M for Monkey, which starred Dexter's superhero pet, Monkey; and The Justice Friends, a trio of superheroes, who after saving the world together, go home under the same apartment roof.
The entire series has been released on DVD.
Production
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Development
After being transferred from Columbia College Chicago to the California Institute of Arts in 1990, Genndy Tartakovsky wrote, directed, animated, and produced two student short films; one of them of which was the basis for the television pilot of Dexter's Laboratory.[1][2] The concept of the short originated with one of Tartakovsky's designs at CalArts, where he drew a tall, skinny girl dancing and decided to pair her with a short, blocky scientist who's the opposite. The drawing of these two would become the characters of Dee Dee and Dexter, respectively.[3] It was included in a university screening for the producers of Batman: The Animated Series, who were impressed and hired Tartakovsky.
Later, Tartakovsky joined Hanna-Barbera in the production team of 2 Stupid Dogs. The co-workers on that series—Craig McCracken, Rob Renzetti, Paul Ruddish, and Lou Romano—were classmates of his and went on to collaborate with him on Dexter's Laboratory. While working as a sheet timer on The Critic, Tartakovsky received a phone call from Larry Huber, a producer on 2 Stupid Dogs. Huber had shown Tartakovsky's unfinished student film to the recently-emerging Cartoon Network and wanted Tartakovsky to develop its concept into a seven-minute storyboard. Unhappy with his position on The Critic, Tartakovsky accepted the proposal, and the resulting project was produced as part of Cartoon Network's showcase series, What a Cartoon![4] The pilot, "Dexter's Laboratory," made its debut on February 26, 1995.
Dexter and Dee Dee's relationship was partially modeled on Tartakovsky's relationship with his older brother, Alex.[5][6] Comparing himself to Dee Dee and Alex, who became a computer engineer, to Dexter, Tartakovski acknowledged that he was more likely a "pest" to his older brother while growing up together.[5] To illustrate the parallel between his childhood and the series, Tartakovsky noted that Alex had kept him from playing with "intricate" toy soldiers, much like Dexter's attempts to keep Dee Dee away from his inventions.[5]
Casting
Christine Cavanaugh voiced Dexter for the first two seasons, based on Tartakovsky's note that Dexter should have an accent because the character "considers himself a very serious scientist, and all well-known scientists have accents."[7] Cavanaugh continued voicing Dexter through early episodes of the series' third season, but retired from voice acting to spend more time with her family. Cavanaugh was replaced by Candi Milo, who continued voicing Dexter for the remainder of season 3 to season 4.
Allison Moore, who was Tartokovsky's college friend, was cast as Dee Dee for season 1, but was later recast by Kat Cressida for season 2. Moore briefly returned as Dee Dee for season three before Cressida assumed her role for season 4.
Segments
Music
The music and main/end title themes were composed by Thomas Chase and Steve Rucker. Additional music was provided by Gary Lionelli. The end credits featured lyrics written by Pamela Phillips Oland. Bodie Chandler was the director of music production.
Episodes
| Title | Original air date |
|---|---|
0x01
|
February 26, 1995 |
| 0x02 | March 10, 1996 |
| 0x03 | March 24, 1996 |
| 0x04 | April 14, 1996 |
1x01
|
April 27, 1996 |
1x02
|
May 4, 1996 |
1x03
|
May 11, 1996 |
1x04
|
May 18, 1996 |
1x05
|
May 25, 1996 |
1x06
|
June 1, 1996 |
1x07
|
November 20, 1996 |
1x08
|
November 27, 1996 |
1x09
|
December 4, 1996 |
1x10
|
December 11, 1996 |
1x11
|
December 18, 1996 |
1x12
|
December 25, 1996 |
1x13
|
January 1, 1997 |
| 2x01 | July 16, 1997 |
| 2x02 | July 23, 1997 |
| 2x03 | July 30, 1997 |
| 2x04 | August 6, 1997 |
| 2x05 | August 13, 1997 |
| 2x06 | August 20, 1997 |
2x07
|
August 27, 1997 |
| 2x08 | September 3, 1997 |
| 2x09 | September 10, 1997 |
| 2x10 | September 17, 1997 |
| 2x11 | September 24, 1997 |
2x12
|
October 1, 1997 |
| 2x13 | October 8, 1997 |
| 2x14 | October 15, 1997 |
| 2x15 | October 22, 1997 |
| 2x16 | October 29, 1997 |
| 2x17 | November 5, 1997 |
| 2x18 | November 12, 1997 |
| 2x19 | November 19, 1997 |
2x20
|
November 26, 1997 |
| 2x21 | December 3, 1997 |
| 2x22 | December 10, 1997 |
| 2x23 | December 17, 1997 |
| 2x24 | January 28, 1998 |
| 2x25 | February 4, 1998 |
| 2x26 | February 11, 1998 |
| 2x27 | February 18, 1998 |
| 2x28 | February 25, 1998 |
| 2x29 | March 4, 1998 |
| 2x30 | March 11, 1998 |
| 2x31 | March 18, 1998 |
| 2x32 | March 25, 1998 |
| 2x33 | April 1, 1998 |
| 2x34 | April 8, 1998 |
| 2x35 | April 15, 1998 |
| 2x36 | April 22, 1998 |
2x37
|
April 29, 1998 |
2x38
|
May 13, 1998 |
| 2x39 | June 15, 1998 |
| 3x01 | November 18, 2001 |
| 3x02 | November 18, 2001 |
| 3x03 | November 30, 2001 |
| 3x04 | January 18, 2002 |
| 3x05 | February 22, 2002 |
| 3x06 | March 29, 2002 |
| 3x07 | June 7, 2002 |
| 3x08 | June 14, 2002 |
| 3x09 | June 21, 2002 |
| 3x10 | June 28, 2002 |
| 3x11 | July 5, 2002 |
| 3x12 | July 12, 2002 |
3x13
|
September 20, 2002 |
4x01
|
November 22, 2002 |
| 4x02 | April 25, 2003 |
| 4x03 | May 2, 2003 |
| 4x04 | May 9, 2003 |
| 4x05 | May 16, 2003 |
| 4x06 | May 23, 2003 |
| 4x07 | May 30, 2003 |
| 4x08 | September 5, 2003 |
| 4x09 | September 12, 2003 |
| 4x10 | September 19, 2003 |
| 4x11 | September 26, 2003 |
| 4x12 | November 4, 2003 |
| 4x13 | November 20, 2003 |
There was also the never-aired episode, "Rude Removal," which was produced during season two. It was later uploaded to YouTube by Adult Swim on January 22, 2013.
Release
Dates are in order of release:
- United States: April 27, 1996 on Cartoon Network
- United Kingdom and Ireland: On Cartoon Network; on ITV
Cast
- Christine Cavanaugh (seasons 1-3) and Candi Milo (seasons 3-4) as Dexter
- Allison Moore (seasons 1 and 3) and Kat Cressida (seasons 2 and 4) as Dee Dee
- Kath Soucie as Mom, Computer and Agent Honeydew
- Jeff Bennett as Dad
- Eddie Deezen as Mandark
- Frank Welker as Monkey and Krunk
- Rob Paulsen as Major Glory
- Tom Kenny as Van Halen
Celebrity guests
Critical reception
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Legacy
- In 2019, Elder Barry mentions the series in the Craig of the Creek episode "Kelsey the Elder."
In popular culture
Gilmore Girls
- "Haunted Leg" and "One's Got Class and the Other One Dyes:" Lorelai and Rory have a box of Kellogg's Rice Krispies with Johnny, the Powerpuff Girls, and Dexter on them.
- "Application Anxiety:" Lorelai says Rory should send Harvard their photo of them with their faces sticking out of cardboard holes of Johnny Bravo and SpongeBob SquarePants.
Merchandise
Home media
In 1996, Turner Home Entertainment released the pilot episode for What a Cartoon! on the VHS tapes of Roger Bannon in Army of One and Scooby-Doo and a Mummy, Too. On July 3, 2001, Warner Home Video released more episodes on a VHS called by Dexter's Laboratory: Greatest Adventures. On October 12, 2010, Warner Home Video released the first season on a two-disc DVD called Dexter's Laboratory: Season One. On June 25, 2024, all the episodes were released together on a ten-disc DVD set called Dexter's Laboratory: The Complete Series.
In the UK and Ireland, a VHS released by Warner Home Video on March 27, 2000.
In Australia and New Zealand, Madman Entertainment acquired the rights and rereleased Warner Home Video's same season 1 two-disc set on February 13, 2008. On June 11, 2008, Madman Entertainment followed this with Dexter's Laboratory: Season 2, Part 1, another two-disc set. On October 25, 2017, Madman Entertainment released the entire series on ten-disc set called Dexter's Laboratory: Collected Experiments.
Reading material
On July 28, 1999, DC Comics began an ongoing comic book series, which lasted for 34 issues, ending on February 26, 2003.
On April 30, 2014, IDW Publishing began a short ongoing comic book series, which lasted four issues, ending the same year on July 2.
Toys
In 1999, Logistix released an action figure, while Trendmasters released several action figures and playsets in 2000, which included Dexter, Dee Dee, Mandark, and Monkey.
In 2020, Funko released Funko Pops of Dexter and Dee Dee, and a Dexter variant in 2021.
Video games
| This article or section is a stub. You can help the Cartoon Network Wiki by expanding it. |
Footnotes
- ↑ Cartoon Network Studios was originally a division of Hanna-Barbera Cartoons for seasons 1-2, and then independently run for seasons 3-4.
References
- ↑ People Staff (March 3, 1997). "In Toon with Tots". People. Archived from the original on November 28, 2018. Retrieved October 6, 2022.
- ↑ "Animator Profile: Genndy Tartakovsky". CartoonNetwork.com. Archived from the original on June 19, 2009. Retrieved October 6, 2022.
- ↑ Davenport, Misha (November 24, 2002). "'Dexter' Creator Draws on His Youth". Chicago Sun-Times. Wrapports. Archived from the original on December 1, 2002. Retrieved October 6, 2022.
- ↑ Neuwirth, Allan (2007). "From Russia, with Glove: Genndy Tartakovsky's Dexter's Lab Explodes". Makin' Toons: Inside the Most Popular Animated TV Shows and Movies. New York City: Skyhorse Publishing. ISBN 978-1-62153-197-5.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Woulfe, Molly (June 24, 2003). "Meet 'Dexter's' Dad: Chicago-Bred Animator Draws from His Imagination". The Times of Northwest Indiana. Archived from the original on November 28, 2018.
- ↑ Lenburg, Jeff (2006). "Genndy Tartakovsky". Who's Who in Animated Cartoons: An International Guide to Film & Television's Award-Winning and Legendary Animators. New York City: Applause Theatre & Cinema Books. ISBN 978-1-55783-671-7. Retrieved via Google Books and Internet Archive.
- ↑ Adams, Thelma (August 19, 2001). "The Way We Live Now: Questions for Genndy Tartakovsky; The Big Draw". New York Times. Archived from original on October 2, 2013.
