PB&J Otter
Encyclopedia
PB&J Otter is an animated children's series which premiered on Playhouse Disney
on March 15, 1998. A total of 65 episodes were produced during the course of its three season run, with the "farewell" episode airing on September 24, 2000. The series centered on the Otter
family who lived in the rural
fishing community of Lake Hoohaw. Most stories revolved around the Otter
kids: older brother Peanut, younger sister Jelly, and diapered baby Butter (named after the peanut butter and jelly sandwich
), as well as their friends and neighbors. Supporting characters included gossipy Cranes
, overly hygienic Raccoons, a junk-collecting Mayor
, and some very wealthy Poodles.
The show was created by Jim Jinkins
(the creator of Doug
), and executive produced by David Campbell in close conjunction with Harvard University's Cognitive Skills Group, "Project Zero". The Group's job was to monitor each and make sure the material had a positive educational message. In that respect, PB&J Otter was one of the few shows of its kind on the air at that time.
It also aired on Playhouse Disney Channel Asia up until July 1, 2009.
The show will air on Disney Junior
basic cable/satelite channel in February 2012.
and Muppets writer named Joey Mazzarino was attached to the project. Unfortunately, the movie, which was to have been titled PB&J Otter & the Legend of Snail Otter never made it past the scripting stage.
channel.: Super RTL
: PB&J Otter Die Rasselbande vom Hoohaw-See (PB & J Otter The Rascals of Hoohaw Lake): Playhouse Disney Spain: SVT: Familjen Utter (Family Otter): Playhouse Disney Japan: かわうそﾌｧﾐﾘｰ (Otter Family): ET1
: PB&J Otter: Various networks: 水獭小宝贝 (Baby Otter): TVP1: I pies, i wydra (And dogs, and otters): Playhouse Disney Latin America
: Las Aventuras de PB y J Otter: Playhouse Disney Latin America
: GMA Network
(dubbed in Tagalog): Family Channel
: RaiDue, Playhouse Disney Italy: Pepi, Briciola e Jo-Jo (Pepper, Crumb and Jo-Jo): Playhouse Disney
(1998-2000,2000-2005 (reruns)), Disney Junior
(2012-present): Playhouse Disney UK: Playhouse Disney India: Playhouse Disney Australia and New Zealand: Playhouse Disney Australia and New Zealand
Playhouse Disney
Playhouse Disney was Disney Channel's television block for programs aimed at entertaining preschool aged children, often airing as its own channel outside the United States. It was introduced in 1997 after Disney Channel's move to basic cable from premium cable, with a target audience of children...
on March 15, 1998. A total of 65 episodes were produced during the course of its three season run, with the "farewell" episode airing on September 24, 2000. The series centered on the Otter
Otter
The Otters are twelve species of semi-aquatic mammals which feed on fish and shellfish, and also other invertebrates, amphibians, birds and small mammals....
family who lived in the rural
Rural
Rural areas or the country or countryside are areas that are not urbanized, though when large areas are described, country towns and smaller cities will be included. They have a low population density, and typically much of the land is devoted to agriculture...
fishing community of Lake Hoohaw. Most stories revolved around the Otter
Otter
The Otters are twelve species of semi-aquatic mammals which feed on fish and shellfish, and also other invertebrates, amphibians, birds and small mammals....
kids: older brother Peanut, younger sister Jelly, and diapered baby Butter (named after the peanut butter and jelly sandwich
Peanut butter and jelly sandwich
The peanut butter and jelly sandwich or PB&J is a sandwich, popular in North America, that includes a layer of peanut butter and either jam or jelly on bread, commonly between two slices, but sometimes eaten open-faced....
), as well as their friends and neighbors. Supporting characters included gossipy Cranes
Crane (bird)
Cranes are a family, Gruidae, of large, long-legged and long-necked birds in the order Gruiformes. There are fifteen species of crane in four genera. Unlike the similar-looking but unrelated herons, cranes fly with necks outstretched, not pulled back...
, overly hygienic Raccoons, a junk-collecting Mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
, and some very wealthy Poodles.
The show was created by Jim Jinkins
Jim Jinkins
James "Jim" Jinkins is an American animator and creator of the animated Doug television series which was later the basis for a feature film. Jinkins also created PB&J Otter. He is a 1975 graduate of Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee.-Background and Career:Jinkins was born on August 8,...
(the creator of Doug
Doug
Doug is an American animated sitcom created by Jim Jinkins and co-produced by his studio, Jumbo Pictures . Doug centers on the surreal and imaginative exploits of its title character, Douglas "Doug" Funnie, who experiences common predicaments while attending middle school. The series lampoons...
), and executive produced by David Campbell in close conjunction with Harvard University's Cognitive Skills Group, "Project Zero". The Group's job was to monitor each and make sure the material had a positive educational message. In that respect, PB&J Otter was one of the few shows of its kind on the air at that time.
It also aired on Playhouse Disney Channel Asia up until July 1, 2009.
The show will air on Disney Junior
Disney Junior
Disney Junior is a current program block on Disney Channel and an upcoming American basic cable and satellite television network intended to replace SOAPnet in February 2012. It began airing on February 14, 2011, replacing Playhouse Disney....
basic cable/satelite channel in February 2012.
Characters
- Peanut Otter (is voiced by Adam Rose) The brother of family. Seven years old and eldest of the Otter children, Peanut is smart and can be a little funny at times, but always loyal. He hates dancing, especially "The Noodle Dance" but he still does anyway.
- Baby Butter Otter (is voiced by Gina Marie Tortorici) The baby of the family. She doesn't talk much, but says an odd word now and then.
- Jelly Otter (is voiced by Jenell Brook Slack) The middle of the Otter children, she often comes up with ideas that sometimes aren't feasible.
- Opal Otter (is voiced by Gwen Shepherd) - She is the wife of Ernest Otter and PB&J's mother. Opal is caring, but can be strict when necessary. She has a purple afroAfroAfro, sometimes shortened to fro and also known as a "natural", is a hairstyle worn naturally by people with lengthy kinky hair texture or specifically styled in such a fashion by individuals with naturally curly or straight hair...
hair and wears thick glasses and pink slipperSlipperA slipper or houseshoe is a semi-closed type of indoor/outdoor shoe, consisting of a sole held to the wearer's foot by a strap running over the toes or instep. Slippers are soft and lightweight compared to other types of footwear. They are mostly made of soft or comforting materials that allow a...
s. - Ernest Otter (is voiced by Chris PhillipsChris Phillips (voice actor)Chris Phillips is an American voice actor, writer and singer. He studied at Stella Adler and attended Emerson College in Boston, Ma.Chris might be best known as the voice of the Face mascot on Nick Jr. Face ran from 1994 until 2003...
) - is PB&J's father and the husband of Opal Otter. He owns his own hardware store on Lake Hoohaw. - Anna ('Aunt Nanner') Otter – Opal's sister. Has an unspecified job in show businessShow businessShow business, sometimes shortened to show biz, is a vernacular term for all aspects of entertainment. The word applies to all aspects of the entertainment industry from the business side to the creative element ....
, and travels the world. She knows many famous people and seems quite well off (but not nearly as rich as the Snooties), but always has time for her family. Married to her husband, Redolfo. - Pinch Raccoon (is voiced by Cody Pennes) A friend of PB&J. She thinks of herself as beautiful and a ballerina, and spends most of her time dancing or making herself more pretty. She is Jelly's best friend.
- Pennes also voices Scootch Raccoon, Pinch's little brother. He is rambunctious and a bit of a trouble-maker to his friends and parents. He doesn't speak very much, generally only saying "Sorry, sorry, my fault" when he invariably knocks something over, but later in other episodes, he slowly becomes capable of forming new (but short) sentences. He makes a lot of mistakes by accident, but he still has a good heart and apologizes. Sometimes he feels left out due to his clumsiness, but everybody loves him, including Pinch, his sister. His age is unknown, but judging by his size, he may be 3 years old. He is Baby Butter's best friend.
- Munchy Beaver (is voiced by Chris Phillips)- A beaver who has quite the appetite for wood. He often tends to chew on things made of wood when he is nervous. He gets scared easily, and is rather jittery. He tends to have a low self-esteem. He is one of PB&J's friends.
- Cap'n Crane (is voiced by Chris Phillips) - A 'watchbird' which he calls himself. He keeps an eye on Lake Hoohaw and its population, in order to keep everyone safe, though he tends to overdo it from time to time, often being too safe for his own good, which tends to complicate things, though his heart is in the right place. His catchphrase is 'Watchbird Alert!'. He is Connie Crane's husband.
- Connie Crane (is voiced by Jackie HoffmanJackie HoffmanJacqueline Laura Hoffman , known as Jackie Hoffman, is an American actress and stand-up comedian known for her facially-contorting expressions, and one-woman shows of Jewish-themed original songs and monologues...
) Cap'n Crane's wife. She is usually seen sleeping and is often woken by her husband for unimportant alarms. She tends to think Cap'n Crane overdoes his job a bit and generally keeps an eye on him to keep him from making mistakes. She is very sarcastic most of the time. - Flick Duck (is voiced by Eddie KorbichEddie KorbichEddie Korbich is an actor, singer, dancer. He was born in Washington, D.C. but grew up in Shamokin, Pennsylvania.-1980s:He graduated from the Boston Conservatory with a B.F.A...
)- A duck who is sometimes clumsy and rude, but just like the others, he always apologizes for making mistakes. He is one of PB&J's friends. He also loves and can't resist babbleberry pie. His catchphrase is: "Cheese and quackers!".- Korbich also voices Ootsie and Bootsie Snootie, son and daughter of Edouard (also voiced by Korbich) and Georgina; rich, spoiled and generally bored, they nonetheless enjoy the company of the other children when they tire of playing with the newest toy or gadget their parents have bought them. Although they are mean to PB&J and their friends at times, PB&J and the others still help them when they have a problem. Ootsie and Bootsie can still be good friends and they also helped the kids many times.
- Mayor Jeff (is voiced by Bruce Bayley Johnson) - The mayor of Lake Hoohaw. He is a wise, old otter who loves to help out the kids. He also is known for his collection of various treasures. He is also known to babysit the Otter children from time to time.
Minor characters
- Wanda and Walter Raccoon (Walter voiced by Chris PhillipsChris PhillipsChris Phillips is a Canadian professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League . He has been a member of the Ottawa Senators for his entire career, which began with the 1997–98 season. He also serves as their alternate captain and is regarded...
): - Pinch and Scootch's parents. Wanda is the post raccoon for Lake Hoohaw, while Walter works as the area trash collector, requiring him to sleep most of the day as he gets up very early. - Shirley Duck (voiced by Corinne OrrCorinne OrrCorinne Orr is a Canadian-born actress and voice artist, who now lives in New York City, where she has resided for more than four decades....
): - Flick's mother. Very softhearted, she rarely so much as raises her voice to Flick, much less punishes him. Flick takes advantage of this whenever possible. Flick's father never appeared in the series and it is unknown if he has one. - Betty-Lou Beaver: - Munchy's mother. She is proud of her son and tries to help him become more outspoken. Munchy's father has never been seen, but he has sent Munchy presents in the mail. It can be assumed he works away from home.
- Bubbles (voiced by Chris PhillipsChris PhillipsChris Phillips is a Canadian professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League . He has been a member of the Ottawa Senators for his entire career, which began with the 1997–98 season. He also serves as their alternate captain and is regarded...
): The Otters' pet fish. - Mr. Bigdog: - Edouard's boss.
- Measles: - Munchy's frog.
- Edouard Snootie: - Father of Ootsie and Bootsie.
- Georgina Snootie: - Mother of Ootsie and Bootsie.
- Billy Duck: - Flick's older cousin. Billy was once thought to be a bully by the Lake Hoohaw kids due to Flick's remembering something improperly, but he turned out to be kind. He may look scary, because he has a stern expression, nevertheless he still smiles and is kind to the ones around him. Like Flick, he likes to read Mallard Man comics.
- Ricky Raccoon: - Pinch's and Scootch's cousin. He is also kind, and he may be a little older than Pinch.
- Simon Fieldmouse: - A little field mouse boy who mistook Flick for the Ice Moose. Simon taught Flick to care about others.Flick dressed himself as the Ice Moose and took Simon to the stage where everybody, including Simon's parents, was there.
- Redolfo: Boyfriend (and now husband) of Annette Otter. Usually transports her to and from Lake Hoohaw.
Episodes
Each episode was typically divided into two 11-minute stories. Some seasonal specials and the occasional double-length episode took up the entire half hour. There were no commercials.Season 1: 1998
| Season 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| # | 1st Story | 2nd Story | Airdate |
| 1. | Bye Bye PB&J" | Bubbleball Day" | 15 March 1998 |
| 2. | The Treasure of Hoohaw Rock" | A Sledding We Will Go! | 21 March 1998 |
| 3. | Bagpipe Blues" | You Can't Come in" | 22 March 1998 |
| 4. | Go Away, Gorilla" | Mama for a Day" | 28 March 1998 |
| 5. | Born to Chirp" | Mega Melon" | 29 March 1998 |
| 6. | The Silent Treatment" | Picture Perfect" | 4 April 1998 |
| 7. | Invitation to the Snooties" | Too Hot for Fishcicles" | 5 April 1998 |
| 8. | Otter in the Water" | All Popped Out" | 12 April 1998 |
| 9. | Nothin' But the Tooth" | Special Delivery" | 19 April 1998 |
| 10. | Soap Box Derby Day" | Howdy HooHaw Day" | 26 April 1998 |
| 11. | Butter the Balloonatic" | Gizmotronictron Raffle" | 3 May 1998 |
| 12. | Dare Duck" | Otters of the Wild" | 10 May 1998 |
| 13. | Big Time Bass-Off Contest" | The Sleeping Beagle" | 17 May 1998 |
Season 2: 1999-2000
| Season 2 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| # | 1st Story | 2nd Story | Airdate |
| 1. | Gotta Dance | Otter Pox | 1 May 1999 |
| 2. | The Dollhouse | The Telltale Candy Wrapper | 2 May 1999 |
| 3. | Eye Spy | Happy Harmony | 16 May 1999 |
| 4. | Strike Up the Band | World's Strongest Otter | 6 June 1999 |
| 5. | Come Back, Little Monster | The Big Sweep | 13 June 1999 |
| 6. | Butter Tags Along | Flick's Big Find | 27 June 1999 |
| 7. | Tub O' Butter | El Dorado, Seat of Gold | 18 July 1999 |
| 8. | Mayor Flick | The Greatest Sleepover Ever | 18 July 1999 |
| 9. | Save Oaky Oak Tree | The Duck Who Cried Wolf | 18 July 1999 |
| 10. | Poor Bubbles | Poodle Power | 18 July 1999 |
| 11. | Forgive Me Not | These Shoes Are Made For Walking | 22 August 1999 |
| 12. | Mama Peanut | Bye-Bye Bubbles | 29 August 1999 |
| 13. | Practice Makes Perfect | Three's A Crowd | 30 August 1999 |
| 14. | Lost and Found | Sherlock Otter | 18 September 1999 |
| 15. | I'll Be Your Best Friend | Otterly Alone | 25 September 1999 |
| 16. | Lemon-itis | Duckbird Alert | 26 September 1999 |
| 17. | Follow Your Nose | 23 November 1999 | |
| 18. | The Ice Moose | 6 December 1999 | |
| 19. | Baby Butter's Bankie | Three Super Otters | 19 December 1999 |
| 20. | Butter's First Check-Up | The Legend of Ponce de L'Otter | 1 January 2000 |
| 21. | Gotcha! | The Mysterious Mirror | 2 January 2000 |
| 22. | A Tree Grows in Hoohaw | Flick's Big Fakeout | 22 January 2000 |
| 23. | This Little Light of Mine | Look Ma, No Hands | 30 January 2000 |
| 24. | Chez Otter | Hooray For Peanut | 4 February 2000 |
| 25. | The Great Water Race | Be Nice to Beavers | 6 February 2000 |
| 26. | Kid Court | A Frog Named Measles | 1 March 2000 |
Season 3: 2000
| Season 3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| # | 1st Story | 2nd Story | Airdate |
| 1. | No Hands, No Feet, No Wings, | Let's Help Dad | 26 March 2000 |
| 2. | The Funky Band | The Singin' Kid | 2 April 2000 |
| 3. | The Johnny Pompalope Story | The Soapbox Boat Race | 9 April 2000 |
| 4. | Aunt Nanner's Special Place | Munchy's Sinking Feeling | 16 April 2000 |
| 5. | The Mystery Crate | It's a Bird, It's a Plane...It's an Elephant?! | 23 April 2000 |
| 6. | Whistling Up The Wrong Munchy | Billy the Duck | 30 April 2000 |
| 7. | Opal's Magic Mud Party | Leave it to Munchy | 13 May 2000 |
| 8. | Peanut Overboard | Come Back, Mama | 14 May 2000 |
| 9. | Hoohaw is Where the Heart is | Everything in its Place | 21 May 2000 |
| 10. | On the Right Track | Itchy Situation | 28 May 2000 |
| 11. | The Big Surprise | Bazania Mania | 4 June 2000 |
| 12. | Sergeant Gravel to the Rescue | Sleepyhead | 11 June 2000 |
| 13. | Watchbird Alert | Flick's Hat Trick | 18 June 2000 |
| 14. | A Very Surprising Party | Easy Pickings | 25 June 2000 |
| 15. | Collector's Edition | Trading Places | 2 July 2000 |
| 16. | Munchy's No Big Deal | Bubbles' Beginnings | 9 July 2000 |
| 17. | Soccer Surprise | Baking Blues | 16 July 2000 |
| 18. | Thanks for the Giggle Melon | 23 July 2000 | |
| 19. | Hope Castle | 30 July 2000 | |
| 20. | Where Oh Where, is Flick? | Win, Win, Winner | 6 August 2000 |
| 21. | Easy as Pie | Pinky Pledge | 20 August 2000 |
| 22. | Peanut Cries 'Uncle' | Nanner Says, 'I Do' | 25 August 2000 |
| 23. | Big Beaver Day | The Thing That Almost Ate Hoohaw | 27 August 2000 |
| 24. | Ducking Out On Valentine's Day | Opal And The New Otter | 3 September 2000 |
| 25. | Good Bye Lake Hoohaw (Finale) | 24 September 2000 | |
| 26. | A Hoohaw Halloween | 15 October 2000 | |
Unfinished TV movie
It was reported that a TV movie was in the works. The report was substantiated when it was discovered that a veteran Sesame StreetSesame Street
Sesame Street has undergone significant changes in its history. According to writer Michael Davis, by the mid-1970s the show had become "an American institution". The cast and crew expanded during this time, including the hiring of women in the crew and additional minorities in the cast. The...
and Muppets writer named Joey Mazzarino was attached to the project. Unfortunately, the movie, which was to have been titled PB&J Otter & the Legend of Snail Otter never made it past the scripting stage.
International broadcasters
The show has aired in German, Chinese, Japanese, Polish, Spanish, Taglog, and Greek among other languages. In February 2012, it will air reruns on the Disney JuniorDisney Junior
Disney Junior is a current program block on Disney Channel and an upcoming American basic cable and satellite television network intended to replace SOAPnet in February 2012. It began airing on February 14, 2011, replacing Playhouse Disney....
channel.: Super RTL
Super RTL
Super RTL is a Cologne-based German television network operated by RTL Disney Fernsehen GmbH & Co. KG. It was the second German television channel aimed mostly at children...
: PB&J Otter Die Rasselbande vom Hoohaw-See (PB & J Otter The Rascals of Hoohaw Lake): Playhouse Disney Spain: SVT: Familjen Utter (Family Otter): Playhouse Disney Japan: かわうそﾌｧﾐﾘｰ (Otter Family): ET1
ET1
ET1 or ET-1 may refer to*ET1 the first channel from Ellinikí Radiofonía Tileórasi , the Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation*ET-1, a planet orbiting star HD 102195*Electronics Technician 1st Class , a U. S. Navy enlisted rating...
: PB&J Otter: Various networks: 水獭小宝贝 (Baby Otter): TVP1: I pies, i wydra (And dogs, and otters): Playhouse Disney Latin America
Playhouse Disney Channel Latin America
Disney Junior Latin America is a cable television channel and is a version of The Walt Disney Company-owned Disney Junior, broadcasting in all Latin America. It is broadcast in three feeds: North Zone, South Zone and Brazil. It is marketed to preschoolers...
: Las Aventuras de PB y J Otter: Playhouse Disney Latin America
Playhouse Disney Channel Latin America
Disney Junior Latin America is a cable television channel and is a version of The Walt Disney Company-owned Disney Junior, broadcasting in all Latin America. It is broadcast in three feeds: North Zone, South Zone and Brazil. It is marketed to preschoolers...
: GMA Network
GMA Network
GMA Network is a major commercial television & radio network in the Philippines. GMA Network is owned by GMA Network, Inc. a publicly listed company...
(dubbed in Tagalog): Family Channel
Family Channel
Family is a Canadian English language Category A premium television service marketed to children and teenagers aged 2-15. It is owned by Astral Media...
: RaiDue, Playhouse Disney Italy: Pepi, Briciola e Jo-Jo (Pepper, Crumb and Jo-Jo): Playhouse Disney
Playhouse Disney
Playhouse Disney was Disney Channel's television block for programs aimed at entertaining preschool aged children, often airing as its own channel outside the United States. It was introduced in 1997 after Disney Channel's move to basic cable from premium cable, with a target audience of children...
(1998-2000,2000-2005 (reruns)), Disney Junior
Disney Junior
Disney Junior is a current program block on Disney Channel and an upcoming American basic cable and satellite television network intended to replace SOAPnet in February 2012. It began airing on February 14, 2011, replacing Playhouse Disney....
(2012-present): Playhouse Disney UK: Playhouse Disney India: Playhouse Disney Australia and New Zealand: Playhouse Disney Australia and New Zealand