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 | 91 (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 1970s and 2000s toy called Weebles, would sue.
As of September 2005, there are over 100 episodes (including five MTV-only cartoons and one DVD-only cartoon), 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 creatures with wide mouths that split their heads in half. 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. Bob moves on and off by rolling and he remains swaying when stopped. Weebl never moves and only sways on one spot. Both characters talk, though their voices are usually unintelligible. Helpfully, speech bubbles are provided. This speech is well punctuated, but capitals are not used, and correct grammar is rarely employed. ("When come back bring pie!") 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-drug documentaries, Michael Moore's movie Fahrenheit 9/11, the recent iPod ad campaign, the Academy Awards, IKEA, and even the cartoon itself.
Other notable characters are, in order of appearance: Donkey, Hairy Lee, Angry Paul, Wee Bull, Derek the Monkey, Chris the Ninja Pirate, Mysterious Chicken, The Jams, The Shopkeep, Vibro Egg, and Apple Dave.
A number of catch phrases from Weebl and Bob have become increasingly popular among internet users, notably "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, and "OK" is commonly abbreviated to "k", although these are unlikely to be due to the cartoon. Humourous exclamations, mainly from Weebl throughout the episodes, include: "bum clouds!", "bum grapes!", "arse fez!", "dick sprouts", "titty biscuits" and "hot piss!". A series of insults are traded in a game between Weebl and Bob in the 'Fishing' episode: "elbow head," "spanner magnet," "velcro face," "bum eyes" (which turns out, in 'lurgie,' to be a disease in which the eyes are replaced by buttocks), and "plastic vicar" ('That harsh').
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 and 'animated' by Bob himself. There are also three episodes that don't feature Weebl and Bob characters at all, made by Skoo alone. A single infamous episode titled 'Asshat' was created (and 'buggered up' by, among many things, turning Bob into a weird Scooby Doo caricature) by Picking's friend Rob Manuel. Four other guest-animated episodes include 'merchandise,' 'birthday wishes,' and 'thirty' (the latter two made in celebration of Jonti Picking's birthday on 17 May).
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
- Heinz Weebl aka Weebl Chauncey - (On MTV, his name is Wobbl) The first and larger title character. He is an egg-shaped character who loves pie and Donkey. Despite their being friends, Weebl often taunts, distrusts and insults Bob, as well as forcing him to take dangerous risks (as seen in "Joust 2") and refusing to let him take credit for what he is worth (e.g., the duo's painting of the Mona Lisa in "Gallery"). Weebl's full name is revealed in "Show," where Weebl and Bob try to answer the question, "Which pie is the best?" According to a DVD-exclusive episode crediting him as "Mr. Chauncey," Weebl's full name may be Weebl Chauncey. Weebl's other friend is a whale, who has only been shown in "Blockage." Weebl also made friends with a fireman while on holiday.
- 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 (see episode "pikea"). His last name is revealed in "Show," and is shown again in "Team Laser Explosion 3," when Weebl draws their new logo on the back of Bob's will. His last name can also be seen in the credits of some of the "made by Bob" cartoons.
- Chris the Ninja Pirate - A mushroom-shaped character who is an expert at martial arts, and who speaks and acts like a pirate. First appeared in "Yarr." He wears an eyepatch in normal clothing, but has been wearing a black ninja costume (which Sensei Carrotsu thinks is "very sexy") in recent episodes.
- 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 after a cheese overdose.
- Wee Bull - Weebl's father and arch-nemesis. Always seems to win every battle - apart from a Christmas short - 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, he always talks by snorting. No words are formed, but everyone seems to understand him, much like Weebl's and Bob's slurred speech.
- Derek the Monkey (usually known as simply Monkey) - A monkey bought by Weebl in "Cleaner." He is best known for his posh accent and messy habit. Major appearances include "Anywhere" and "Team Laser Explosion" (in the latter, he plays the main villains). He has been regularly shown wearing a large foam "We am de best" cowboy hat. Monkey appears as the Grim Reaper (in his own words "Death, stealer of pie") in the episodes "Art" and "Halloween."
- The Jams - Jam jars who try to overthrow the government, though not very successfully. First appeared in "Wrong." Major appearances include "Riot" and "Band."
- The Mysterious Chicken - a sunglasses-wearing chicken who has the mysterious powers of dancing and hiding things. He appeared mostly in older episodes.
- Hand Boy - A talking hand. Gave Monkey a spanking in the MTV episode "Sex 1."
- Shopkeep - Yorkshire-speaking shopkeeper who appears in most of the recent episodes. He appears in almost any shop that Weebl or Bob enter, although it is debatable whether all the appearances are the same person, or just happen to look and sound the same.
- Clive - TV face. Like Shopkeep, he has appeared in various roles, mostly in recent episodes. He speaks with an American accent (ironically, most Americans consider Clive a distinctly British name). Weebl referred to him as James in "Chat."
- The Childs - Several Weeblesque children who appear regularly in the Weebl and Bob universe.
Minor characters
- 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."
- Hairy Jam - Jam jar mechanic. However, he is not good at his job, as his lack of mechanical skills and carelessness with tools always seems to get his customers killed/seriously injured. Has an obsession with baked beans, whom he claims that "everyone loves." Like Hairy Lee, he is hairy all over. He states he is stoned in "Band."
- Elvis - A mysterious character who is two thirds donkey while the last third is "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 - An enormous floating sentient banana, usually appearing when other characters are under the influence of mind-altering subtances.
- Vibro Egg - Father to the Mysterious Chicken, the Vibro Egg looks like a fried egg. He is self-proclaimed "destroyer of worlds" and "breaker of hearts." He first appeared in the episode "Egg," where he was struck by lightning (it's dangerous to hold meetings near electric pylons). He returned in "Joust 2" as "Eggsy Bit" (a nod to "Pimp My Ride" host/rapper Xzibit), where he helped to 'pimp' Bob's car (improve it), sporting a tag reading "Jim fixed it for me" around his neck.
- Bubble Boy - An odd-looking boy who appeared in "Germs" and lived in a bouncing bubble. He died by flooding his bubble with his own urine and subsequently drowning. (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 - A talking pear who was hired to design the new Team Laser Explosion logo in 'Team Laser Explosion 3.' However, his design was rejected by Weebl because he made Weebl feel bad, so Weebl's own less-than-professional logo was used. Hank had his second appearance in the next episode, 'Get Well,' which was not a TLE episode. Weebl's criticism makes Hank suicidal, and he tries to kill himself in both of the episodes in which he appears, but he never manages it; the first time he doesn't fall far enough, and the second time his fall is broken by a pie. He replaces most of his consonants with a 'bl' sound.
- 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. Teeth - Appeared in the episode "Wedding" in which he was the fake vicar for Chris the Ninja Pirate and Donkey's wedding. He is really a dentist.
- Sensei Carrotsu - Chris the Ninja Pirate's former martial arts trainer. First appeared (and died in a Dance Dance Revolution accident) in "Quest."
- Apple Dave - A very strange rock star with the head of an apple. He likes to "make your mum horny."
- Corn Guy - One of the people involved in the "Pikea" traffic jam. Was turned into popcorn later in the episode.
- Blind Date - The blind date that Weebl arranges for Bob to cheer him up in "Date." Bob doesn't realise that his blind date IS literally a blind date, who is also dyslexic. The date is one of a few characters who opens his mouth when speaking.
- Thor - The Blind Date's guide god. Also evidence of the Blind Date's dyslexia, as the visually impaired typically use guide dogs [dog = god backwards].
- Alternate Universe Weebl & Bob - Accessible through the trans-dimensional portal under the stairs. Differentiated from Weebl & Bob by their stylish hats, goatees, mountains of pie, and the fact that their speech is backwards masked. 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 Kernal of the Weebl and Bob forum.
- Birthday Fairy - A drunken fairy who shows up once a year to wish Jonti a happy birthday! Created by BlueHippo, of the Weebl and Bob forums. The Birthday Fairy has appeared in the episodes "Birthday Wishes" and "Thirty."
- The Wasp - A wasp who originally appeared in the episode "sweet". The wasp attempted to steal Weebl's sugar by use of trickery, posing as Bob's cousin and the President of the unnamed country in which the animation is set. The wasp was well recieved by fans on Weebl's Stuff forums, and, being a President who didn't know the name of his country, was given a nickname of George W Buzz by Weebl (the person, not the charecter)
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 Captain Thunderous Fire (Monkey) and The Pigeon (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 El Sharp Tongue (Monkey again) and The Book (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.
- Hank - See above.