Alvin and the Chipmunks (animation): Difference between revisions

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This '80s [[Animated Series]] is about a suburban singing trio of chipmunks and their adoptive human father, Dave Seville, based on a series of songs by Ross Bagdasarian. Revival of the 1960s [[Animated Series]], ''The Alvin Show''.
This '80s [[Animated Series]] is about a suburban singing trio of chipmunks and their adoptive human father, Dave Seville, based on a series of songs by Ross Bagdasarian. Revival of the 1960s [[Animated Series]], ''The Alvin Show''.


The history of the chipmunks begins in the 1950s. Songwriter Ross Bagdasarian, Sr. had his first success as a singer when he released a catchy little tune titled "Witch Doctor" under the stage name "David Seville". The success of "Witch Doctor" was mostly due to the simple but cute sound technique (doubling playback speed) he used to render the voice of the Witch Doctor for the song's nonsensical refrain, "Ooh-eee-ooh-ah-ah ting-tang walla-walla bing-bang".
The history of the chipmunks begins in the 1950s. Songwriter Ross Bagdasarian, Sr. had his first success as a singer when he released a catchy little tune titled "Witch Doctor" under the stage name "David Seville". The success of "Witch Doctor" was mostly due to the simple but cute sound technique (doubling playback speed) he used to render the voice of the Witch Doctor for the song's nonsensical refrain, "Ooh-eee-ooh-ah-ah ting-tang walla-walla bing-bang".


Bagdasarian decided to capitalize on this success by assigning the voice technique to a trio of singing chipmunks -- brainy Simon, gluttonous Theodore and [[High School Hustler]] Alvin -- for the best-selling Christmas tune "The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)", in which an increasingly annoyed David Seville's attempts to keep his chipmunk singers on-message served as a [[Framing Device]], and led to Dave Seville's trademark [[Catch Phrase]], [[Say My Name|"Alvin? Alvin? ALLLLLLLVIN!"]]
Bagdasarian decided to capitalize on this success by assigning the voice technique to a trio of singing chipmunks -- brainy Simon, gluttonous Theodore and [[High School Hustler]] Alvin -- for the best-selling Christmas tune "The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)", in which an increasingly annoyed David Seville's attempts to keep his chipmunk singers on-message served as a [[Framing Device]], and led to Dave Seville's trademark [[Catch Phrase]], [[Say My Name|"Alvin? Alvin? ALLLLLLLVIN!"]]
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** Ironically however, it seems more effort was put into the animation of the Ruby-Spears episodes, the supporting and one-shot characters look more human, and more detail was put into the backgrounds and layouts, while the Mukarumi-Wolf-Swenson and [[DiC]] episodes have that standard half-assed Saturday Morning look to them. The character designs did improve with the MWS episodes, and the animation was pretty decent, but the backgrounds and layout were really simplistic; the [[DiC]] episodes are pretty awful... a lot of lazy [[Off-Model]] animations, the backgrounds continue to be simplistic, and unlike the Ruby-Spears episodes, the human characters have a less human, more cartoony look to them.
** Ironically however, it seems more effort was put into the animation of the Ruby-Spears episodes, the supporting and one-shot characters look more human, and more detail was put into the backgrounds and layouts, while the Mukarumi-Wolf-Swenson and [[DiC]] episodes have that standard half-assed Saturday Morning look to them. The character designs did improve with the MWS episodes, and the animation was pretty decent, but the backgrounds and layout were really simplistic; the [[DiC]] episodes are pretty awful... a lot of lazy [[Off-Model]] animations, the backgrounds continue to be simplistic, and unlike the Ruby-Spears episodes, the human characters have a less human, more cartoony look to them.
** Compare them all to the original cartoon designs of the 1961 series, from Format Films (an L.A. studio started up by Herbert Klynn and Jules Engel and various other UPA expatriates).
** Compare them all to the original cartoon designs of the 1961 series, from Format Films (an L.A. studio started up by Herbert Klynn and Jules Engel and various other UPA expatriates).
* [[Attack of the Political Ad]]: The episode "May the Best Chipmunk Win": at one point, Alvin rides around the playground in a wagon pulled by a donkey, while Simon and Theodore proclaim, "Don't be a donkey, vote for Alvin!" THEN, in comes Brittany, riding on the back of a elephant asking for votes.
* [[Attack of the Political Ad]]: The episode "May the Best Chipmunk Win": at one point, Alvin rides around the playground in a wagon pulled by a donkey, while Simon and Theodore proclaim, "Don't be a donkey, vote for Alvin!" THEN, in comes Brittany, riding on the back of a elephant asking for votes.
* [[Auction]]: In one of the '80s episodes, Alvin gets in over his head bidding on expensive items to impress a rich girl he likes.
* [[Auction]]: In one of the '80s episodes, Alvin gets in over his head bidding on expensive items to impress a rich girl he likes.
* [[Autobots Rock Out]]: The opening/closing themes of Season 6.
* [[Autobots Rock Out]]: The opening/closing themes of Season 6.
* [[Aw, Look -- They Really Do Love Each Other]]: Alvin and Brittany have these moments sometimes.
* [[Aw, Look -- They Really Do Love Each Other]]: Alvin and Brittany have these moments sometimes.
⚫
* [[Be Yourself]]: Basically, the Aesop for aforementioned episode "My Fair Chipette".
* [[Beautiful All Along]]: Jeanette - [[She Cleans Up Nicely]]. Confirmed and done in the episode "My Fair Chipette", to the point that even Brittany was threatened.
* [[Beautiful All Along]]: Jeanette - [[She Cleans Up Nicely]]. Confirmed and done in the episode "My Fair Chipette", to the point that even Brittany was threatened.
{{quote|'''''Brittany:''''' "Jeanette looked beau-beau-"
{{quote|'''''Brittany:''''' "Jeanette looked beau-beau-"
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* [[Belly Dancer]]: The Chipettes get dressed up like this in [[The Movie]], and Brittany on the series at least once.
* [[Belly Dancer]]: The Chipettes get dressed up like this in [[The Movie]], and Brittany on the series at least once.
* [[The Bet]]: Alvin and Brittany's egos make this a routine trope.
* [[The Bet]]: Alvin and Brittany's egos make this a routine trope.
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* [[Be Yourself]]: Basically, the Aesop for aforementioned episode "My Fair Chipette".
* [[Big Damn Movie]]: ''The Chipmunk Adventure'' had a round-the-world trip, diamond smuggling, and international intrigue... and "The Girls of Rock 'n Roll".
* [[Big Damn Movie]]: ''The Chipmunk Adventure'' had a round-the-world trip, diamond smuggling, and international intrigue... and "The Girls of Rock 'n Roll".
* [[Big Eater]]: Eleanor and Theodore.
* [[Big Eater]]: Eleanor and Theodore.
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* [[Chick Magnet]]: Alvin, when he's not screwing things up with his latest [[Zany Scheme]].
* [[Chick Magnet]]: Alvin, when he's not screwing things up with his latest [[Zany Scheme]].
* [[Child Prodigy]]: Simon.
* [[Child Prodigy]]: Simon.
* [[Chromatic Arrangement]]:
* [[Chromatic Arrangement]]:
** Alvin - Red.
** Alvin - Red.
** Simon - Blue.
** Simon - Blue.
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* [[Epic Race]]: ''The Chipmunk Adventure''.
* [[Epic Race]]: ''The Chipmunk Adventure''.
* [[Fantastic Voyage]]: The episode "Inner Dave".
* [[Fantastic Voyage]]: The episode "Inner Dave".
* [[Fiery Redhead]]: Britanny Miller qualifies.
* [[Fiery Redhead]]: Britanny Miller qualifies.
* [[First Name Ultimatum]]: ''The'' series' famous [[Running Gag]] - AAAAAALVIIIIIIN!
* [[First Name Ultimatum]]: ''The'' series' famous [[Running Gag]] - AAAAAALVIIIIIIN!
* [[Five-Man Band]]: When with The Chipettes.
* [[Five-Man Band]]: When with The Chipettes.
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* [[Funny Afro]]: The Chipettes, of all characters, inadvertently gain them after a run-in with a hurricane in the animated movie.
* [[Funny Afro]]: The Chipettes, of all characters, inadvertently gain them after a run-in with a hurricane in the animated movie.
* [[Gagging on Your Words]]: In ''The Chipmunk Adventure'', Brittany can't bring herself to say she was wrong, and changes the subject instead.
* [[Gagging on Your Words]]: In ''The Chipmunk Adventure'', Brittany can't bring herself to say she was wrong, and changes the subject instead.
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* [[Genre Busting]]: The writing was pretty impressive for a Saturday Morning cartoon.
* [[Getting Crap Past the Radar]]: The entire "Getting Lucky" number in ''The Chipmunk Adventure''.
* [[Getting Crap Past the Radar]]: The entire "Getting Lucky" number in ''The Chipmunk Adventure''.
** [[Intercourse with You]]
** [[Intercourse with You]]
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** In general, there seem to be a lot of [[Panty Shot|PantyShots]] (from the Chipettes and other young girls) for no reason, although that may be an attempt at realism, as some of their skirts are quite short. Still...
** In general, there seem to be a lot of [[Panty Shot|PantyShots]] (from the Chipettes and other young girls) for no reason, although that may be an attempt at realism, as some of their skirts are quite short. Still...
** Depending on how you interpret it, in an early episode of the series, Alvin runs for school president, and at one point, his campaign slogan is: "Don't be a donkey, vote for Alvin!"
** Depending on how you interpret it, in an early episode of the series, Alvin runs for school president, and at one point, his campaign slogan is: "Don't be a donkey, vote for Alvin!"
⚫
* [[Genre Busting]]: The writing was pretty impressive for a Saturday Morning cartoon.
* [[Girl Group]]: The Chipettes.
* [[Girl Group]]: The Chipettes.
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* [[Girl Posse]]: Brittany tries to initiate herself in one in the episode "Sisters".
* [[Girlish Pigtails]]: Eleanor.
* [[Girlish Pigtails]]: Eleanor.
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* [[Girl Posse]]: Brittany tries to initiate herself in one in the episode "Sisters".
* [[Hair-Trigger Avalanche]]: In "Mind Over Matterhorn".
* [[Hair-Trigger Avalanche]]: In "Mind Over Matterhorn".
* [[Ham-to-Ham Combat]]: Alvin and Brittany place a bet to see which group can "out rock and roll" the other. "The Boys / Girls of Rock and Roll" consumes the rest of the scene.
* [[Ham-to-Ham Combat]]: Alvin and Brittany place a bet to see which group can "out rock and roll" the other. "The Boys / Girls of Rock and Roll" consumes the rest of the scene.
* [[Have a Gay Old Time]]: The TV show's theme contains quite a bit. The series's [[Totally Radical]] pretensions don't help matters. "We'll give you action and satisfaction" indeed...
* [[Have a Gay Old Time]]: The TV show's theme contains quite a bit. The series's [[Totally Radical]] pretensions don't help matters. "We'll give you action and satisfaction" indeed...
* [[High School Hustler]]: Alvin. Though the proper term would be ''Elementary School'' Hustler.
* [[High School Hustler]]: Alvin. Though the proper term would be ''Elementary School'' Hustler.
* [[I'll Tell You When I've Had Enough!]]: Spoofed with Theodore drinking carrot juice at a bar.
* [[I'll Tell You When I've Had Enough!]]: Spoofed with Theodore drinking carrot juice at a bar.
* [[Imaginary Love Triangle]]: An episode had one involving a [[Girl of the Week]], Simon, and a biker boy. Alvin convinced Simon to try out for a bike competition to impress the girl, only to find out that the biker was her cousin.
* [[Imaginary Love Triangle]]: An episode had one involving a [[Girl of the Week]], Simon, and a biker boy. Alvin convinced Simon to try out for a bike competition to impress the girl, only to find out that the biker was her cousin.
** Played with VERY briefly at one point where both Alvin and Simon try to impress a [[Girl of the Week]] (Alvin with his athletic abilities, Simon with his manners and chivalry).
** Played with VERY briefly at one point where both Alvin and Simon try to impress a [[Girl of the Week]] (Alvin with his athletic abilities, Simon with his manners and chivalry).
* [[Interspecies Adoption]]/[[Happily Adopted]]: The chipmunks are raised, and treated as Dave's 'sons'.
* [[Interspecies Adoption]]/[[Happily Adopted]]: The chipmunks are raised, and treated as Dave's 'sons'.
* [[Interspecies Romance]]: In the animated movie, the prince of Egypt falls in love with Brittany and intends to make her one of his brides.
* [[Interspecies Romance]]: In the animated movie, the prince of Egypt falls in love with Brittany and intends to make her one of his brides.
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* [[May the Farce Be with You]]
* [[May the Farce Be with You]]
* [[Medium Awareness]]: "Quick! Cut to a commercial!" in the episode "Food for Thought".
* [[Medium Awareness]]: "Quick! Cut to a commercial!" in the episode "Food for Thought".
** The entire episode "Back to Our Future" was practically this trope personified, from the Chipmunks talking about the year they were created (not born, as in previous episodes) to them meeting their original designs, to the dramatic shift in animation, which both the 60's and 80's Dave notices. They even complain about how flat everything is in the 60's, a time when cartoon backgrounds were as simple as possible and things like proper perspective were not established as a standard.
** The entire episode "Back to Our Future" was practically this trope personified, from the Chipmunks talking about the year they were created (not born, as in previous episodes) to them meeting their original designs, to the dramatic shift in animation, which both the 60's and 80's Dave notices. They even complain about how flat everything is in the 60's, a time when cartoon backgrounds were as simple as possible and things like proper perspective were not established as a standard.
* [[Meganekko]]: Jeanette.
* [[Meganekko]]: Jeanette.
* [[Missing Mom]]: The Chipmunks' mother, who they search for in a special episode.
* [[Missing Mom]]: The Chipmunks' mother, who they search for in a special episode.
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** Chipmunks: Alvin and Simon.
** Chipmunks: Alvin and Simon.
** Chipettes: Brittany and Jeanette.
** Chipettes: Brittany and Jeanette.
* [[The Renaissance Age of Animation]]
* [[The Renaissance Age of Animation]]
* [[Road Show]]
* [[Road Show]]
* [[Rock and Roll]]: While the Chipmunks covered famous songs and delved into many genres, they were mostly portrayed as a Rock band in the cartoon series, with Alvin on guitar, Simon on keyboards/piano, and Theodore on drums. And if they wanted, they could switch instruments too.
* [[Rock and Roll]]: While the Chipmunks covered famous songs and delved into many genres, they were mostly portrayed as a Rock band in the cartoon series, with Alvin on guitar, Simon on keyboards/piano, and Theodore on drums. And if they wanted, they could switch instruments too.
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** Justified considerably less (but still not completely unjustified) because these chipmunks are [[Rodents of Unusual Size|somewhere between the size of a house cat and the size of a human]].
** Justified considerably less (but still not completely unjustified) because these chipmunks are [[Rodents of Unusual Size|somewhere between the size of a house cat and the size of a human]].
*** The snakes are also absolutely humongous as well.
*** The snakes are also absolutely humongous as well.
*** But if you're talking about the two live action ''Alvin and The Chipmunks'' movies, where The Chipmunks and the Chipettes are normal-sized chipmunks, then their fear of snakes is perfectly justified.
*** But if you're talking about the two live action ''Alvin and The Chipmunks'' movies, where The Chipmunks and the Chipettes are normal-sized chipmunks, then their fear of snakes is perfectly justified.
** Also justified in the episode of the '80s cartoon which shows how the Chipmunks came to live with Dave -- they were babies, and much smaller, and Dave was torn to pieces when he thought they'd been eaten by a snake at the zoo.
** Also justified in the episode of the '80s cartoon which shows how the Chipmunks came to live with Dave -- they were babies, and much smaller, and Dave was torn to pieces when he thought they'd been eaten by a snake at the zoo.
* [[Wise Beyond Their Years]]: Simon (who nevertheless gets a lot of [[Not So Above It All]] moments to remind us he's still a kid), and to a lesser extent all the Chipmunks and Chipettes except Theodore.
* [[Wise Beyond Their Years]]: Simon (who nevertheless gets a lot of [[Not So Above It All]] moments to remind us he's still a kid), and to a lesser extent all the Chipmunks and Chipettes except Theodore.
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