The Amazing Live Sea Monkeys
Encyclopedia
The Amazing Live Sea Monkeys was a live-action television series that aired in 1992. The series aired 11 episodes before it was canceled. The show focuses on three Sea Monkeys—Dave (Rob LaBelle
), Bill (Peter Pitofsky) and Aquarius (Sean Whalen
)—and their creator, The Professor (Howie Mandel
). Others appearing in the short-lived series included Stephen Furst
, Gilbert Gottfried
, Larry Melman and Vernon Wells
.
The concept of the show derived from the popular Sea Monkeys product, successfully marketed in the 1970s with a series of comic book ads designed and illustrated by Joe Orlando
, later Vice President of DC Comics
and Associate Publisher of Mad. Produced by CBS
, the series aired in the United States and Australia. The unusual character designs derive from the fantasy characters in the ads that Orlando drew for Harold von Braunhut
, creator of the product.
The plot revolved around the notion that the Professor had accidentally enlarged three sea monkeys to human-size, and plotlines followed their ensuing comical ineptness in the world. Each Sea Monkey displayed a certain odd character trait: Aquarius could not keep a secret, Bill was afraid of an Imperial, Pennsylvania man named Derek Allen and Dave would grow excited at the sound of polka music.
Rob LaBelle
Rob LaBelle is an American film and television actor.-Early life and education:He was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota.-Career:LaBelle has made appearances, many as a character actor, in dozens of film and television roles, most in the science-fiction genre, and is probably best known for his role as...
), Bill (Peter Pitofsky) and Aquarius (Sean Whalen
Sean Whalen
Sean M. Whalen is an American film, television, and stage actor.Whalen was born in Washington D.C. in 1964, the youngest of four children, he was raised in Silver Spring/Olney, Maryland. He attended Sherwood High School and graduated from UCLA. He worked as a waiter while studying and performing...
)—and their creator, The Professor (Howie Mandel
Howie Mandel
Howard Michael "Howie" Mandel is a Canadian stand-up comedian, television host, and actor. He is well known as host of the NBC game show Deal or No Deal, as well as the show's daytime and Canadian-English counterparts. Before his career as a game show host, Mandel was best known for his role on...
). Others appearing in the short-lived series included Stephen Furst
Stephen Furst
Stephen Furst is an American actor and film and television director. He was a regular in the science fiction series Babylon 5 playing Centauri diplomatic attaché Vir Cotto and as Dr. Elliot Axelrod on St...
, Gilbert Gottfried
Gilbert Gottfried
Gilbert Gottfried is an American actor, voice actor and stand-up comedian, best known for his trademark comedic persona of speaking in a loud, grating tone of voice. He has played numerous roles in film and television, perhaps most notably voicing the parrot Iago in Disney's Aladdin , and...
, Larry Melman and Vernon Wells
Vernon Wells (actor)
Vernon George Wells is an Australian film and television actor who has built his career around action-type films, most often cast as a villain...
.
The concept of the show derived from the popular Sea Monkeys product, successfully marketed in the 1970s with a series of comic book ads designed and illustrated by Joe Orlando
Joe Orlando
Joseph Orlando was a prolific illustrator, writer, editor and cartoonist during a lengthy career spanning six decades...
, later Vice President of DC Comics
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
and Associate Publisher of Mad. Produced by CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
, the series aired in the United States and Australia. The unusual character designs derive from the fantasy characters in the ads that Orlando drew for Harold von Braunhut
Harold von Braunhut
Harold Nathan Braunhut , also known as Harold von Braunhut, was an American mail-order marketer and inventor, most famous as the creator and seller of both the Amazing Sea-Monkeys and the X-Ray Specs...
, creator of the product.
The plot revolved around the notion that the Professor had accidentally enlarged three sea monkeys to human-size, and plotlines followed their ensuing comical ineptness in the world. Each Sea Monkey displayed a certain odd character trait: Aquarius could not keep a secret, Bill was afraid of an Imperial, Pennsylvania man named Derek Allen and Dave would grow excited at the sound of polka music.
Episode list
| # | Title | Original airdate |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | "Octapotomus R' Usamus" | 19 September 1992 |
| 02 | "Lighthouse Alone" | 26 September 1992 |
| 03 | "Swampthingamajig" | 3 October 1992 |
| 04 | "Look, Don't Touch" | 10 October 1992 |
| 05 | "Sea Monkey of Love" | 17 October 1992 |
| 06 | "Wrestlemania" | 24 October 1992 |
| 07 | "Haunted Lighthouse" | 31 October 1992 |
| 08 | "Scout's Honor" | 7 November 1992 |
| 09 | "Top Secret" | 14 November 1992 |
| 10 | "Talent Show" | 21 November 1992 |
| 11 | "Teacher's Pests" | 28 November 1992 |