Strawberry Shortcake (2003 TV series)

Strawberry Shortcake
Genre Animated series, E/I
Created by Those Characters From Cleveland
American Greetings
Developed by DIC Entertainment (2003-2008)
Theme music composer Andy Street, Judy Rothman Rofe
Opening theme Straw Buh-buh-buh-buh-berry Shortcake
Ending theme Straw Buh-buh-buh-buh-berry Shortcake (Instrumental)
Composer(s) Andy Street, Judy Rothman Rofe, Nick Brown, Sandy Powell
Country of origin United States
Original language(s) English
No. of seasons 4
No. of episodes 44[1]
Production
Executive producer(s) Andy Heyward
Michael Maliani
Kathy McConaughy
Mike Brown
Producer(s) Karren Brown
Running time 22 minutes
Production company(s) DIC Entertainment
Distributor 20th Century Fox
Release
Original network Kabillion
First-run syndication (2003-2006)
CBS (2007-2008)
Picture format NTSC 480i
Audio format Stereo sound
Original release March 11, 2003 (2003-03-11) – September 11, 2008 (2008-09-11)
Chronology
Followed by Strawberry Shortcake's Berry Bitty Adventures
External links
Website

Strawberry Shortcake is an American animated series produced by DIC Entertainment. As of July 2009, there are 44 episodes (including 4 two-part episodes), plus one short and one movie. None of the original voice actors returned to reprise their roles; instead, fresh talents were recruited to fill in the roles. Also, while the sun can be seen with a face various times through the series, it does not narrate the story or interact with the characters like the original Mr. Sun.

Release information

20th Century Fox began releasing the series direct-to-video beginning in March 2003. The first few episodes were released on both DVD and VHS, and bundled with certain toys; later episodes are DVD-only. They are also available on VideoCD through various fourth party licensees in South-East Asia and in certain other markets. The series can also be seen on select TV outlets worldwide (most notably Disney Channel Asia and Tiny Pop UK), as well as on the KEWLopolis time slot on CBS in the US since September 2007 (prior to that, they were aired on select syndicated TV channels, most notably on The CW affiliates in certain areas in the US).

The first four videos contain only one story but run for twice the length of subsequent episodes. In the North American TV markets these four episodes are broadcast as edited 30 minute versions. In international markets, however, these are broadcast as two-parters, doubling the episode count to eight. Subsequent videos in the series have two 22-minute episodes per disc.

In certain markets, the episodes are presented individually on the TV broadcasts but appear on the DVDs as "compilations" in which Strawberry recounts the featured adventures using her "remembering book". This is especially true for the fifth DVD onwards that is released in the North American, European and Australian market. The same market also presents the first four DVDs as expanded versions of the TV broadcasts (e.g., in the US and Canada, where the TV airings of the first four episodes of Strawberry Shortcake is known to be notoriously edited for time instead of being split into a two-parter). Other markets present the DVD releases as an uninterrupted version in the case where the TV episode is aired unedited as a two parter (as aired in certain markets worldwide- particularly the Asian market. Disney Channel Asia airs the first four episodes as two parters, where Part I is first shown followed by Part II airing the next day), while the subsequent episodes are presented as separate stories as seen on TV sans ads. As of July 2009, 20 volumes (plus one volume for the movie) have been released.

Shorts and PSAs

A five-minute Strawberry Shortcake short, "Growing Better All the Time", is available exclusively in the Care Bears: Daydreams DVD (released October 14, 2003) as a bonus feature. Numerous scenes from the short were used in the 2000s (decade) series' second opening sequence, and the song from the short was released on the "Strawberry Jams" CD.

Apart from that, a Public Service Announcement for the ASPCA was produced and aired in the US. The PSA features Strawberry Shortcake talking about the basics of pet ownership.

Cast

Episodes

This is a list of all the episodes released to date, including placeholders for episodes known to exist but whose title is as of the moment unknown (i.e. the title is not shown on the start of the program). Also, it should be noted that some episodes are released under different names in different regions. This will be listed down as alternative titles if available. The episodes are classified as E/I - educational content - in the US.

Throughout the series, the theme song has been changed a total of 3 times,[2] the voice of Custard the Cat was changed from Sarah Koslosky to Anna Jordan and the voice of Huckleberry Pie was changed to Daniel Canfield from James Street after the initial 8 episodes due to the latter's death in a skateboard accident. In most cases, the word "very" in the show is pronounced as "berry", but this rule is not always followed.

Beginning of Year 4 episode Big Country Fun, the artwork style of the characters was changed. The design style of the artwork leaves an impression that the characters have aged into teenagers. This illusion of the aging of the characters was further backed by the fact that Strawberry Shortcake was seen applying for a job and later driving a car in Big Country Fun. Honey Pie and the other fillies were relegated to the role of background characters, with the character of Honey Pie Pony not having spoken since the Meet Apricot/Let's Dance episode. She was implied to have moved to Ice Cream Island permanently in the book The Friendship Trip,[3] which featured the Year 4 characters, logically explaining why she appeared less in the series for the season.

# Episode Year[4]/
Series		 Release date Notes
1/2 Meet Strawberry Shortcake 1 3/11/2003 45 minutes length, broadcast version either edited to 22 minutes, or presented as a two-parter.
3/4 Spring for Strawberry Shortcake 1 3/11/2003 45 minutes length, broadcast version either edited to 22 minutes, or presented as a two-parter. A story about when she finds spring.
5/6 Get Well Adventure 1 9/5/2003 45 minutes length, broadcast version either edited to 22 minutes, or presented as a two-parter. Released in the UK as Horse Tales.
7/8 Berry, Merry Christmas 1 9/5/2003 45 minutes length, broadcast version either edited to 22 minutes, or presented as a two-parter.
P1 Growing Better All the Time 1/2 10/14/2003 5 minute promo released with the Care Bears: Daydreams DVD. Appears to be produced sometime between season 1/2 as the song from the promo appears on the first CD, Strawberry Jams, while scenes from the promo was used in the opening credits of the Second series of the show.
9 Horse of a Different Color 2 8/31/2004 New opening sequence from previous 4/8 episodes, shorter credit sequence. The voice of Huckleberry Pie has changed to James Street from Daniel Canfield for the rest of the series. Also, the voice of Custard the Cat has changed from Sarah Koslosky to Anna Jordan for the rest of the series.
10 Festival of the Fillies 2 8/31/2004
11 Here Comes Pupcake 2 8/31/2004
12 Peppermint’s Pet Peeve 2 8/31/2004 Considered by some fans to be an alternate version of the 1982 special, "Pets on Parade".
13 The Mystery of Seaberry Shore 2 2/15/2005
14 Legend of the Lost Treasure 2 2/15/2005
15 Angel Cake in the Outfield 2 2/15/2005
16 Win Some, Lose Some 2 2/15/2005
17 Ginger Snap’s No-Light Night of Fright 2 8/30/2005
18 The Blueberry Beast 2 8/30/2005
19 The Play’s the Thing 2 10/18/2005 There was also an episode of SpongeBob which has the same title, "The Play's the Thing".
20 The Costume Party 2 10/18/2005
21 The Friendship Club 3 2/7/2006 New opening sequence from previous episodes, credit sequence no longer includes a thumbnail version of the opening theme sequence.
22 A Festival of Friends 3 2/7/2006
23 When the Berry Fairy Came to Stay 3 8/22/2006
24 The Legend of Sherry the Bobbleberry Fairy 3 8/22/2006
25 Baby Takes the Cake 3 11/14/2006
26 Piece of Cake 3 11/14/2006
27 Mind Your Manners 3 5/1/2007
28 Queen for a Day 3 5/1/2007
29 Everybody Dance 3, released as 4 10/2/2007 Released as part of Season 4.
30 Let's Dance 3, released as 4 10/2/2007 Released as part of Season 4.
31 It Takes Talent 4 1/7/2008 Aired on Disney Channel Asia on the same date. It was released in cinemas in the U.S. under the collective title Rockaberry Roll with Playing to Beat the Band in October 2008. Beginning with this episode, the series features yet another opening theme sequence change, the fourth opening theme since the series' beginning in 2003 (which can be seen in the Big Country Fun DVD). However it received an advance release on DVD on August 12, 2008.
32 Playing to Beat the Band 4 1/8/2008 Aired on Disney Channel Asia on the same date. It was released in cinemas in the U.S. under the collective title Rockaberry Roll with It Takes Talent in October 2008. However it received an advance release on DVD on August 12, 2008.
33 Strawberry's Big Journey 4 3/14/2008 Aired on Disney Channel Asia on the same date. The DVD compilation containing this episode, Berry Big Journeys, was released in the US on March 31, 2009, but was previously released in South Africa in 2008.
34 Around the Berry Big World 4 4/30/2008 Aired on Disney Channel Asia on the same date. The DVD compilation containing this episode, Berry Big Journeys, was released in the US on March 31, 2009, but was previously released in South Africa in 2008. This episode is a loose adaptation of, and directly references the classic novel Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne.
35 Back in the Saddle 4 3/4/2008 Released on the DVD Big Country Fun
36 Down on the Farm 4 3/4/2008 Released on the DVD Big Country Fun
37 One Small Step 4 5/1/2008 Aired on Disney Channel Asia on the same date. The DVD compilation containing this episode has been titled Growing Up Dreams and has been released in South Africa, and was released in the US on August 30, 2011.
38 The Good Mayor 4 5/2/2008 Aired on Disney Channel Asia on the same date. The DVD compilation containing this episode has been titled Growing Up Dreams and has been released in South Africa, and was released in the US on August 30, 2011.
39 Toto's Tale 4 9/6/2008 Aired on Playhouse Disney Channel Asia on the said date, although it has aired on UK children's TV channel Tiny Pop a month earlier. The DVD compilation containing this episode, Berry Brick Road, has been announced and will be available in the US on October 6, 2012, but is already available in South Africa.
Pupcake speaks in this episode. In both this episode and the episode after this, Where the Gem Berries Glow, Sour Grapes (as Gladys, the Wicked Witch) appears without the Purple Pieman. A slightly aged version of Plum Puddin' portrays the role of Glinda, the Good Witch.
40 Where the Gem Berries Glow 4 9/7/2008 Aired on Playhouse Disney Channel Asia on the said date, although it has aired on UK children's TV channel Tiny Pop a month earlier. The DVD compilation containing this episode, Berry Brick Road, has been announced and will be available in the US on October 6, 2012, but is already available in South Africa. In both this episode and the episode prior to this, Toto's Tale, Sour Grapes (as Gladys, the Wicked Witch) appears without the Purple Pieman. A slightly aged version of Plum Puddin' portrays the role of Glinda, the Good Witch. Gladys and Glinda are sisters. Whether Plum Puddin' is of any actual relation to the villains is unknown, but various factors lead some fans to think that this could be a possibility. Both this episode and Toto's Tale were loosely inspired by the classic book The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum.
41 Sleeping Beauty 4 9/8/2008 Aired on Playhouse Disney Channel Asia on the said date, although it has aired on UK children's TV channel Tiny Pop a month earlier. The DVD compilation containing this episode, Happily Ever After, has been announced and was released in the US on February 3, 2009, previously having been available in South Africa in 2008.
42 A Princess Named Rap 4 9/9/2008 Aired on Playhouse Disney Channel Asia on the said date, although it has aired on UK children's TV channel Tiny Pop a month earlier. The DVD compilation containing this episode, Happily Ever After, has been announced and was released in the US on February 3, 2009, previously having been available in South Africa in 2008. This episode is based on the classic fairy tale Rapunzel (the "Rap" in the title referring to the title character).
43 Hooray for Berrywood! 4 9/10/2008 Aired on Playhouse Disney Channel Asia on the said date, although it has aired on UK children's TV channel Tiny Pop a month earlier. The DVD compilation containing this episode, Berrywood Here We Come, was released in the US on August 31, 2010, but has already been available in South Africa since 2008. This episode reintroduces Lime Chiffon, but is referred to here as "Lime Light" (a pun on the showbiz term "limelight").
44 Lights... Camera... 4 9/11/2008 Aired on Playhouse Disney Channel Asia on the said date, although it has aired on UK children's TV channel Tiny Pop a month earlier. The DVD compilation containing this episode, Berrywood Here We Come, was released in the US on August 31, 2010, but is already available in South Africa. Broadcast order-wise, Lights... Camera... is the finale of the 2003 series. It features the reformation of the Purple Pieman and thus seals the reformation of his loyal sister, Sour Grapes.

Video releases

Below are a list of videos released to date. In the US, up until "World of Friends", the videos were released on both VHS and DVD. However, subsequent video releases after World of Friends were DVD only.

These videos are released on DVD by Twentieth Century Fox in the US and Europe as well as Magna Pacific in Australia and New Zealand, and on VideoCD by Innoform Media in South East Asia and the Far East.

# Video (VHS/DVD/VCD) Release Date Stories Notes
1 Meet Strawberry Shortcake March 11, 2003 Meet Strawberry Shortcake 45-minute story
2 Spring for Strawberry Shortcake March 11, 2003 Spring for Strawberry Shortcake 45-minute story
3 Berry, Merry Christmas August 15, 2003 Berry, Merry Christmas 45-minute story
4 Get Well Adventure August 15, 2003 Get Well Adventure 45-minute story, released in the UK as Horse Tales.
5 Adventures on Ice Cream Island August 31, 2004 Horse of a Different Color

Festival of the Fillies

 Villain: Licorice Whip and Raven
6 Best Pets Yet May 5, 2004 Here Comes Pupcake

Peppermint's Pet Peeve

 Villain: Peppermint Fizz and Cola
7 Seaberry Beach Party February 15, 2005 The Mystery of Seaberry Shore

Legend of the Hidden Treasure
8 Play Day Surprise February 15, 2005 Angel Cake in the Outfield

Win Some, Lose Some

 Villain: Peppermint Fizz and Cola
9 Moonlight Mysteries August 30, 2005 Ginger Snap's No-Light Night of Fright

The Blueberry Beast
10 Dress-up Days October 18, 2005 The Play's the Thing

The Costume Party
11 World of Friends February 7, 2006 The Friendship Club

A Festival for Friends
12 Berry Fairy Tales August 22, 2006 When the Berry Fairy Came to Stay

The Legend of Sherry the Bobbleberry Fairy
13 Cooking Up Fun November 14, 2006 Baby Takes the Cake

Piece of Cake
14 The Sweet Dreams Movie February 6, 2007 The Sweet Dreams Movie Villains: The Purple Pieman and Sour Grapes
15 Berry Blossom Festival May 1, 2007 Mind Your Manners

Queen for a Day

 Like the theatrical release of "Sweet Dreams" before it, this was shown at select cineplexes across the US (in April '07) prior to its DVD release. It was released in VideoCD format in Singapore and Malaysia in late April, but not in cinemas.

The Purple Pieman and Sour Grapes appear only in the episode "Queen for a Day", while Raspberry Torte is featured in a Peppermint Fizz like role in "Mind Your Manners".

16 Let's Dance October 2, 2007 Dancin' in Disguise

Everybody Dance

 Like "Berry Blossom Festival" before it, this was screened at select cineplexes across the US one month (September 2007) prior to the DVD release. It was then released on October 2, 2007.
"Everybody Dance", also known as "Dancin' in Disguise" or "Dance, and Know the Steps", features Sour Grapes reforming from her role as villain. Presumably out of having a loyal nature, she remains her brother's partner in crime for episodes to come. However, it can be argued that she clearly had a greater conscience and desire to do right throughout the remainder of this series, despite her so-called reversion. "Let's Dance" is also called "Everybody's Dancin'".
17 Big Country Fun April 4, 2008 Back on the Saddle

Down on the Farm

 Beginning with this release, the characters now aged into Teenagers, with their "All-New Look", to be more consistent with that of the current official artwork by American Greetings, as well as the "World of Friends" toyline by Playmates Toys.
18 Rockaberry Roll July 2, 2008 It Takes Talent

Playing to Beat the Band

 Announced to be released to cinemas by October 2008. It received an advance DVD release on August 12, 2008. Prior to the announcement of the official title of the movie/DVD, many fans who have seen Disney Channel Asia's airing of the episodes have taken to calling the DVD Berry Blossom Festival II due to the said festival being mentioned in the series. Some fans still addresses the pair under the fan-coined title despite the official announcement.
19 Happily Ever After[5] February 3, 2009 Sleeping Beauty

A Princess Named Rap

 Title has already been released in South Africa[6] and episodes apparently already aired in the UK, and was released in the US on February 3, 2009.
20 Berry Big Journeys March 31, 2009 Strawberry's Big Journey

Around the Berry Big World

 Announced to be an upcoming DVD released by Koch Records, music is already available on the Let's Dance CD.[7] The release date for the DVD in the US was March 31, 2009, and it was already released in South Africa.[6] Both parts of the DVD have already aired on Disney Channel Asia.
21 Berrywood, Here We Come![5] August 31, 2010 Hooray for Berrywood!

Lights... Camera...

 Title has already been released in South Africa[6] and episodes apparently already aired in the UK. It was released in the US on August 31, 2010.
"Hooray for Berrywood" features the reintroduction of Lime Chiffon, now named Lime Light.
22 Growing Up Dreams August 30, 2011 The Good Mayor

One Small Step

 Title has already been released in South Africa,[6] and was released in the US on August 30, 2011. Both parts have already aired on Disney Channel Asia.
23 Berry Brick Road March 6, 2012 Toto's Tale

Where the Gem Berries Glow

 Title has already been released in South Africa[6] and episodes apparently already aired in the UK. Finally released in the US on March 6, 2012.

Game Boy Advance Video

Majesco has also released Strawberry Shortcake episodes as a Game Boy Advance Video cartridge:

Strawberry Shortcake Volume 1
  • Meet Strawberry Shortcake
  • Spring for Strawberry Shortcake
Note: The episodes released on Game Boy Advance Video are the 22-minute edited broadcast version of the episodes (some markets show these episodes as a two-parter without cutting off scenes instead), unlike the video versions which are 45 minutes in length each. Presumably this decision was made to keep the costs of producing the cartridges down (as the need for higher density memory chips would drive the cost of the cartridge up). As a result, two songs and a significant number of scenes from "Meet Strawberry Shortcake", as well as two songs and half of the scenes from "Spring for Strawberry Shortcake" were missing from the GBA Video release if compared to the other videos. Also notable is that the song Friendship Grows Like a Flower was shortened.

Relaunch

Strawberry Shortcake was relaunched in 2009 under the title Strawberry Shortcake's Berry Bitty Adventures.

References

  1. ↑ 44 episodes released to date on various TV networks worldwide + 1 promotional 5-minute short episode.
  2. ↑ That was The Cosby Show where they in fact keep redoing their opening sequenece.
  3. ↑ Megan E. Bryant (Author), Laura Thomas (Illustrator); The Friendship Club Book #3: The Friendship Trip; Grosset and Dunlap; 2007; ISBN 0-448-44557-3
  4. ↑ The internal season counting method used by DiC, Fox and affiliated licensees. Apparently the seasons are identified by the different opening theme sequences
  5. 1 2 Upcoming DVD release search on Take2 South Africa online store
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 Take 2 South Africa online store catalog
  7. ↑ - Koch Records' page for the Let's Dance Music CD

External links

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