Weebl and Bob
| Weebl and Bob | |
|---|---|
| File:WeeblandBob.png Weebl (left) and Bob | |
| Created by | Jonti Picking |
| Starring | Jonti Picking Skoo |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| No. of episodes | 84 (so far) |
| Production | |
| Running time | approx. 0:05 |
| Original release | |
| Network | MTV |
| Release | June 6, 2002 – present |
The Everyday Happenings of Weebl and Sometimes Weebl's Friend Bob (best known as Weebl and Bob) is an internet cartoon created using Macromedia Flash composed by Jonti Picking (also known as Weebl to fans) and co-scripted by Jonti Picking and Skoo.
The first episode, Pie, was uploaded on June 6, 2002. Shortly after that, MTVUK discovered Weebl and Bob, and in August 2002 licensed both the existing web content and other new content from the creator, who was "overwhelmed with a sense of trouser-filling excitement". However, the cartoon is aired on MTV and sold on multi-region DVD video under the name Wobbl and Bob, after fears Hasbro, makers of a 1980s and 2000s toy called Weebles, would sue.
As of January 2005, there are over 80 episodes (including five MTV-only cartoons), typically about two minutes long. The two main characters, Weebl and Bob, appear exclusively in the first episode, and most of the later episodes.
Both characters are egg-shaped. Weebl is the larger of the two, and Bob is identical except for his size. The cartoon is presented on a magenta background, and the characters are white. Weebl and Bob both move on and off by rolling, but remain swaying when stopped. Both characters talk, though their voices are usually unintelligible. Helpfully, speech bubbles are used. This speech is well punctuated, but capitals are not used, and correct grammar is rarely employed. The episodes are set to music (though it differs considerably between episodes), with the characters often talking in time to the rhythm.
Both Weebl and Bob want pie – in their words "mmmmm! pie" – as do the other characters of their world. Each episode usually depicts one of their many (failed) attempts to get pie, or introduces a new character. Some episodes are also parodies on cultural phenomena, such as Hello Kitty, Japanese kung fu and ninja movies, 80s anti-drugs documentaries, Michael Moore's movie Fahrenheit 9/11, the Academy Award and even the cartoon itself.
Other notable characters are, in order of appearance, Donkey, Hairy Lee, Angry Paul, Wee Bull, Monkey, Chris the Ninja Pirate, Mysterious Chicken and Vibro Egg.
A number of catch phrases from Weebl and Bob have become increasingly popular among internet users, noticeably "how rare", "how handy", "when come back, bring [thing]" and "there is no honour without pie". "lo" has also become popular as a greeting in messaging programs.
Along with the normal episodes of Weebl and Bob, a few special feature episodes have been created by Weebl and Skoo in which Bob tells a story. These are very sketchy as if they were hand-drawn. There are also three episodes that don't feature Weebl and Bob characters at all, made by Skoo alone.
Weebl's production company Sumo Dojo worked on the Anchor Spreadable adverts in the UK. They were also involved in the release of the first year of Weebl and Bob on DVD in late 2004. The DVD includes a documentary narrated by Brian Blessed and an exclusive episode.
Characters
Regulars
Weebl Chaunchy - (Also known as Wobbl) The first and larger title character. He is an egg-shaped character who loves pie.
Bob Bobertson - Weebl's "friend". He looks like Weebl except for the fact that he is smaller. Like Weebl, he also likes pie – and butters.
Chris the Ninja Pirate - Mushroom-shaped character who is an expert at martial arts and speaks and acts like a pirate. First appeared in "Yarr".
Donkey - Married to Chris the Ninja Pirate. Was Weebl's girlfriend until Chris stole her from him in "Wrong".
Hairy Lee - A hairier version of Weebl and an expert on hypnotism. First appeared in "Hairy." Known as "Baldie Lee" in the 1980s prior to an overdose on cheese.
Wee Bull - Weebl's father and arch-nemesis. Always seem to win every battle against Weebl, who exclaims in exasperation, "Damn you Wee Bull, you win this time!" First appeared in "Bull". Popular with the ladies. Possibly descended from Wee Mammoth.
Derek the Monkey (usually known as simply Monkey) - A monkey brought by Weebl in "Cleaner". He is best known for his posh accent and messy habit. Major appearances include "Anywhere" and "Team Laser Explosion" (the latter in which he plays the main villians). He has been regularly shown wearing a "We am de best" large foam cowboy hat. Monkey appears as the Grim Reaper (in his own words "Death, stealer of pie") in the episodes "Art" and "Halloween".
Angry Paul - Bob's angry child. Blew up after drinking Sunny Delight in "Angry".
Angry Pierre - Bob's cousin and the French version of Angry Paul. Died from his family curse (spilling Orangina) in "Bob's Week in France Part 5".
The Jams - Jam jars who try to overthrow the government, though not very successfully. First appeared in "Wrong". Major appearances include "Riot" and "Band".
Hand Boy - Talking hand. Gave Monkey a spanking in the MTV episode "Sex 1".
Shopkeep - Shopkeeper who appeared in most of the recent episodes. (i.e. "Trim", "Clowns", "Awards", "Pikea").
Clive - TV face. Like Shopkeep, he has appeared in various roles, mostly in recent episodes. Weebl referred to him as James in "Chat".
Elvis - a mysterious character who's two thirds donkey and one third Elvis Presley, but "mostly Elvis." Has appeared in two episodes, "Elvis" and "Awards". Likes to say "uh-huh-huh!" Weebl finds himself physically attracted to Elvis, except for the face.
Banana - Enormous floating and sentient banana, usually appearing when other characters are under the influence of mind-altering substances.
The Childs - Several Weeblesque children who appear regularly in the Weebl and Bob universe.
The Mysterious Chicken - a sunglasses-wearing chicken who with the mysterious powers of dancing and hiding things. He appeared mostly in older episodes.
Vibro Egg - Father to the Mysterious Chicken who looks like a fried egg. He is self proclaimed "destroyer of worlds", and "breaker of hearts". He appeared in the episode "Egg", where he was struck by lightning (it's dangerous to hold meetings near electric pylons).
Bubble Boy - A funny looking boy who appeared in "Germs" and lived in a bouncing bubble. He died by drowning in his own urine when he flooded his bubble with it. (He refused to leave his bubble even while it was flooding because he was afraid of "the germs!!"). Luckily, he lived for a Weebl and Bob advent calendar cartoon, but was still bacteriophobic.
Kevin - French stripper who stole one of Bob's kidneys in "Bob's Week in France Part 3". Also claims he "loves" Bob and says he has "a big willy". Disguised himself as a twig in "Awards".
The Captain of the Farm - A fly who claims to be the captain of a farm floating on water. Was angered when Weebl refused to recognise his authority. First appearance was in "Captain". Has a sidekick called Horse (although the name could be false) who has a habit of popping up surprisingly from the corner of the screen whenever needed. Likes turd snot pie, which is unfortunately a preference not shared by his crew.
Hank - Talking pear who was hired to design the new Team Laser Explosion logo in 'Team Laser Explosion 3'. However, he was rejected by Weebl because he made Weebl feel bad, and so Weebl's own, less professional logo was used. Hank had his second appearance in the next episode, 'Get Well', which was not a TLE episode. Weebl's criticism made Hank suicidal, and he tries to kill himself in both of the episodes he appears in.
Corn Guy - One of the people involved in the "Pikea" traffic jam. Was turned into popcorn later in the episode.
The Mexican - A sombrero-wearer who calls Bob a "daft bugger" in the first "Bob's Week in France" episode. Won the award for best pie lover in the world "...ever!"
Mr. Tooth - Appeared in the episode "Wedding" in which he was the fake vicar for Chris the Ninja Pirate and Donkey's wedding.
Sensei Carrotsu - Chris the Ninja Pirate's former martial arts trainer. First appeared (and died in a Dance Dance Revolution accident) in "Quest".
Alternate Universe Weebl & Bob - Accessible through the trans-dimensional portal under the stairs. Differentiated from Weebl & Bob by their stylish hats, goatees, and mountains of pie. Alternate Universe Bob is enrolled in Pastry Assassination classes.
Mr Translation 1973 - Translator for Weebl and Bob in "Pikea 2". A human character, played by The Colonel of the Weebl and Bob forum.
Characters in Team Laser Explosion
TLE - Weebl and Bob's super alter-egos. Have their own Secret Fan Club. Weebl is Captain Laserous Explosion, and Bob is Boy Exploserous Laser. Both wield the much-feared Laser Pelvis Attack belt, which is also available to members of the Secret Fan Club.
Fire Thunder Squad - Team Laser Explosion's arch enemies. Their members are Monkey and a pigeon. Their logo is better than that of Team Laser Explosion.
Sarcasm Stealth Squad - More enemies of Team Laser Explosion, known for filling the town pool with fish heads. Their members are Monkey (again) and a book about sidekicks. The book was killed by Weebl the day before its evil retirement.
Mayor Haggar - The Mayor, who bears a striking resemblance to Mayor Haggar from Final Fight, and who was most recently kidnapped by Fire Thunder Squad.