Next Saturday, April 22nd, the Boomerang network will air 13 episodes of Captain Planet and the Planeteers. The episodes set to air compose a sixth season of the classic series, which, unlike the previous five seasons of the show, has yet to be seen in the U.S.A. For more details on this event, please click:
Boomerang to celebrate Earth Day with U.S. television premiere of 13 “lost episodes” of groundbreaking Captain Planet and the Planeteers
Two four-hour marathons of the never-before-seen 6th season to air 7:30-11:30 a.m., 3:30-7:30 p.m. on April 22
Media Magnate and Environmentalist Ted Turner had a brainstorm in the fall of 1988: what better way to teach children the importance of protecting the Earth’s environment than by creating an animated superhero whose mission would be to work with five international teenagers to rid the world of its many dangerous eco-villains? Thus was born the world’s first cartoon series to deal specifically with environmental themes: Captain Planet and the Planeteers, which premiered on TBS and 223 independent stations in syndication on Sept. 10, 1990, teaching children that they, too, could be eco-heroes for Earth. Featuring the participation of many major celebrity voices, Captain Planet and the Planeteers played successfully for five seasons in the U.S., and continued for another sixth season overseas.
In honor of Earth Day 2006 on April 22, Boomerang, Cartoon Network’s 24-hour commercial free network showcasing classic cartoons, will treat U.S. audiences to an exclusive, first-time presentation of the 13 half-hour episodes that comprise the sixth and final season of Captain Planet and the Planeteers. The episodes – each of which presents an important environmental concern that resonates to this day – will play in order from 7:30-11:30 a.m., and from 3:30-7:30 p.m. (ET).
“Captain Planet and the Planeteers represents Ted’s first foray into the world of animation, which of course includes conceiving and launching Cartoon Network just two years later,” said Marc Buhaj, Cartoon Network and Boomerang vice president of programming and scheduling. “In addition to the global environmental themes, it was Ted’s overwhelming passion and commitment to the project that induced dozens of top-name celebrities to lend their talents. The cast included Whoopi Goldberg, Meg Ryan, Martin Sheen, Elizabeth Taylor, Sting, Danny Glover, Helen Hunt, Neil Patrick Harris, Louis Gossett, Jr., Malcolm McDowell, Fred Savage, Tim Curry, Dionne Warwick, James Coburn, Jeff Goldblum and Edward Asner. This galaxy of stars all shared Ted’s dedication to the mission of helping to educate young people about environmental issues.”
“Best of all, the series became an international hit as well, ensuring that kids around the world could enjoy and learn from its theme, The Power is Yours!” added Mark Norman, senior vice president of business operations for Cartoon Network U.S. and Boomerang. “We were delighted to learn that the 13 final episodes were now available for telecast, and we determined to create a real television ‘event’ for Boomerang on Earth Day so that parents could have a remarkable opportunity to introduce their children to environmentalism, teamwork and Captain Planet.”
The show’s premise begins when Gaia, the spirit of the Earth, awakens from a 100-year nap to discover the devastating effect people have had on the planet’s environment in the 20th century. Fearing for the future, she calls upon five young people from around the world – Kwame (Africa), Wheeler (North America), Linka (then Soviet Union), Gi (Asia) and Ma-Ti (South America) – to lead the battle against further destruction of the Earth. She gives these Planeteers magic rings that enable each of them to control one element of nature: Earth, Fire, Wind, Water and Heart, respectively. When the Planeteers combine their powers, Captain Planet, an environmental superhero, is summoned.
The 13 final episodes of season six continue the Planeteers’ quest to battle eco-villains bent upon polluting and plundering the Earth’s resources for their own gain. Episode synopses include the following:
• “Ring Panda-Monium”: In a daring rescue attempt, the Planeteers go under cover and join Madam Mao’s circus to help save a panda named Juliet. Wheeler can hardly contain his excitement at having the opportunity to be a circus performer. But to the Planeteers’ dismay, they find that life under the big top, especially for the animals, isn’t just clowning around.
• “An Eye for an Eye”: When Hoggish Greedly decides that river dolphins in the Amazon are eating into his commercial fishing profits, he devises a demented plan to wipe out his competition.
• “101 Mutation”s: Wheeler’s kid cousin, Joey, is devastated when his new puppy, Skippy, dies from birth defects. When Joey runs away to the puppy mill where Skippy was born, he learns first hand about the inhumane conditions that often accompany mass market pet breeding operations. What’s more, this puppy mill is being run by the always atrocious Dr. Blight!
• “Whoo Gives a Hoot”: Responding to a court order, the Planeteers have only days to collect evidence which proves that Looten Plunder is illegally clear-cutting one of our last old-growth forests.
• “Frog Day Afternoon”: Frogs around the globe are disappearing at an alarming rate! It appears that the scar on Dr. Blight’s face is spreading, and she thinks that a concoction of amphibian DNA will regenerate her skin and restore her girlish glamour. Anybody for a froggy frappe?!?
• “A Good Bomb is Hard to Find”: Using her latest time travel device, Dr. Blight returns from 20 years in the future back to the present to warn herself that the world has become… peace-loving! In a last ditch attempt to restart the Cold War, the two Blights hijack a load of plutonium from dismantled warheads and escape back into the past to sell nuclear bombs to the highest bidder.
• “Twelve Angry Animals”: While climbing Mount Everest, the Planeteers are caught in a terrible blizzard and face certain death. Fortunately, they are led by a snow leopard to a fantastic ice cavern where they think they will be safe. But the cavern turns out to be a courtroom, and the Planeteers are put on trial for Humanity’s crimes against their fellow species.
About Captain Planet and the Planeteers
Captain Planet and the Planeteers was developed in collaboration with Burbank, CA-based animation studio, DIC Enterprises, which produced the three-time Emmy-nominated series until 1993. Production was then taken over by Hanna-Barbera Cartoons, beginning with the 1994-95 season under the title The New Adventures of Captain Planet.
About Boomerang
Boomerang is Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.’s (TBS, Inc.) 24-hour cable/satellite network offering the best in classic animated entertainment. In partnership with Cartoon Network, the service boasts 75 percent unduplicated programming and is available to cable/satellite operators and their customers in Spanish.
About Cartoon Network
Cartoon Network, currently seen in more than 88 million U.S. homes and 160 countries around the world, is Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.’s 24-hour, ad-supported cable service offering the best in original, acquired and classic animated entertainment for kids and families. Overnight from 11 p.m.-6 a.m. (ET, PT), Cartoon Network shares its channel space with Adult Swim, a late-night destination showcasing original and acquired animation for young adults 18-34.
