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- Lydia and Beetlejuice Are Best Buds?
- The Wacky Side Characters in Beetlejuice
- Beetlejuice Features Parodies and Emotional Moments, Oh My!
As a child of the ’90s, I can vividly recall the days when Beetlejuice was a staple in our Saturday morning cartoon lineup. The show was a wild, wacky rollercoaster ride that took us on an adventure through the afterlife and into the heart of its titular character’s chaotic life.
Regardless if you agree with Michael Keaton’s views on the cancelled Batgirl film or his influence on cinematic universes through his portrayal of Batman, there’s no denying that one of his standout roles was in the 1988 movie Beetlejuice. Keaton’s energetic portrayal of the eccentric lead character – a mischievous and gruff ghost longing to create chaos in the human world – transformed this blend of horror and comedy into a successful franchise on the big screen
The paranormal trickster’s relationship with Lydia Deetz (played by a young Winona Ryder) is a connection unlike any other and, therefore, has transcended into other mediums, including video games, a stage musical (that was brought to an end and then revived) as well as an animated television show that lasted four seasons. While that little anecdote about the length of the cartoon may surprise some, what’s even stranger is the numerous (but successful ways) that this series deviated from the original movie.
In this show, there’s no need to invoke Beetlejuice thrice; Lydia and Beetlejuice share a heartwarming bond, and various other characters are introduced, such as Lydia’s school friends, the neighbors of Beetlejuice from the Neitherworld (formerly known as the Afterlife), along with his parents. Before diving into the narrative, it’s essential to discuss the significant influence this series had on its audience. Although it was inspired by Tim Burton’s 1989 film, the Beetlejuice TV series aired concurrently on both ABC and Fox. As events unfolded, reruns of the initial three seasons were broadcast on the network prior to Disney’s ownership, while new episodes from the final season premiered on Fox Kids
Lydia and Beetlejuice Are Best Buds?
As a cinephile immersed in the world of animation, I found it intriguing to note that my recent review subject, “Beetlejuice,” not only managed to reach the rare milestone of Emmy nomination, but also made its way into the Daytime Emmy Awards. It shared the limelight with none other than “The New Adventures of Winnie The Pooh,” an unexpected pairing, indeed. Additionally, it was peculiar that in all the merchandise produced for this enchanting cartoon, no action figures were created – a curious omission from Kenner, the company responsible for the toys based on the movie. With these interesting tidbits now unveiled, let’s delve deeper into the captivating world of “Beetlejuice.”
In a surprising turn of events, BJ and Lydia are no longer adversaries; instead, they have formed an unlikely friendship! The first episode illustrates this new dynamic as the titular ghost is on a mission to buy a gift for young Lydia. However, his experience with Neitherworld toddlers proves too challenging, causing him to appear before a ghostly court for his shortcomings. In order to save him, Lydia testifies about his admirable qualities. Throughout each episode, this friendship is further highlighted – be it Lydia assisting Beetlejuice in graduating from kindergarten, the ghost helping Lydia’s family enter the Neitherworld for a summer getaway, or Beetlejuice aiding Lydia in rediscovering her beauty through an imitation of Indiana Jones
The Wacky Side Characters in Beetlejuice
Apart from Lydia’s school friends and her rival Claire Brewster, the characters in Beetlejuice’s realm are extraordinarily peculiar. For instance, there’s Otho Fenlock, a sharp-tongued interior designer, and Juno, a grumpy but curious caseworker in the original movie. The animated version could introduce even more eccentric personalities. In Beetlejuice’s world, his neighbors are quite unusual, such as a spider adept at tap dancing, a skeleton from France fanatical about bodybuilding, and a monster themed after the Wild West, filled with fur. Interestingly, it is said that these first two characters were in a relationship, attending their prom together
In the series, there’s Doomie, a car that talks and has some mechanical werewolf traits. This creation was made by both BJ and Lydia from parts they found in the junkyard of the Neitherworld early on. Moving on to the first season, the finale reveals that Beetlejuice’s world isn’t too distinct from ours. In this world, we meet his parents, Bea and Nat. Bea is a compulsive cleaner who prefers staying at home, while Nat, much like any parent, wants Beetlejuice to find a job
Beetlejuice Features Parodies and Emotional Moments, Oh My!
One intriguing aspect of this lengthy animated series was its talent for humorously imitating established brands. For instance, it included episodes like Grislyland and Bartholomew Batt, a playful take on Disneyland and Mickey Mouse, as well as a character named Tod Sperling, who resembled the host of The Twilight Zone, Rod Sperling. Towards the end, it even transformed Beetlejuice into the Scarecrow for an Oz-like escapade
For the three years that it ran on two different channels, Beetlejuice (in animated form) took some risky leaps to reap small-screen fame. Heroes and villains were now inseparable, the afterlife was filled with quirky personalities, and all sorts of Hollywood references were featured for the adults! If you want to check out this animated sequel to Tim Burton’s theatrical hit, episodes of Beetlejuice are streaming on Tubi.
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2024-09-05 02:31