RUDE DOG AND THE DWEEBS

RUDE DOG AND THE DWEEBS

(CBS, September 16-December 16, 1989)

Marvel Productions, New World Television, Sun Sportswear

MAIN CAST:

Rob Paulsen – Rude Dog

Frank Welker – Caboose, Seymour, Rott

Peter Cullen – Winston, Herman

Mendi Segal - Reginald

Dave Coulier – Barney

Ellen Gerstell – Ditzy Kibble, Gloria

Jim Cummings – Satch

Hank Saroyan - Tweek

            Rude Dog is a stylized Bull Terrier created by artist Brad McMahon in 1986. The character was contracted to Sun Sportswear to be featured on a line of surfing and skateboarding-related clothing containing angular designs and vibrant colors. The name “Rude” was chosen as a nod to the rude boy subculture of ska that was prevalent at the time. Along with the apparel, Rude Dog was expanded into merchandise such as lunch boxes, keychains and toys. As part of the marketing, Sun commissioned an animated series from Marvel Productions.

Rude Dog addresses Tweek, Kibble, Barney, Satch, Winston and Reggie.

            The show focused on Rude Dog (Rob Paulsen), aka R.D., who owned a delivery service out of an auto garage and drove around in a pink 1959 Cadillac. He hung around with a motley crew of dim-witted dogs known as the Dweebs. The Dweebs were rescued by R.D. from the dog catcher, and he took it upon himself to try and teach them to be hip. They consisted of stuttering dachshund Caboose (Frank Welker) who was afraid of trans and often made train sounds; uptight bulldog Winston (Peter Cullen using an English accent) who believed himself of high culture; smooth and vain fox terrier Reginald (Mendi Segal, impersonating Jack Nicholson); great Dane Barney (Dave Coulier using a southern accent); Chinese crested mix Ditzy Kibble (Ellen Gerstell); beagle Satch (Jim Cummings, impersonating Ed Wynn); and easily-frightened chihuahua Tweek (Hank Saroyan). R.D. also had a girlfriend, Gloria (Gerstell), a famous poodle who drove a 1953 Corvette. They often found themselves having to deal with vicious cat Seymour (Welker), dog catcher Herman (Cullen), and Herman’s dimwitted rottweiler assistant, Rott (also Welker).

Seymour.

            Rude Dog and the Dweebs debuted on CBS on September 16, 1989 with episodes broken up into two segments, each. R.D. often broke the 4^th wall, addressing the viewers. Despite the fact that they were dogs in a human-populated world, no one seemed to be put off by the fact that they could talk. Or drive cars. The show was written by Pamela Hickey, Dennys McCoy, Kayte Kuch, Sean Roche, Chantel Sausedo, Sheryl Scarborough, Mark Stratton, J.R. Young, Lois Becker, who also served as script supervisor, and Saroyan, who developed the show, was also a producer and composed the theme music. Robert Irving composed the rest of the music with Saroyan. Animation duties were handled by Akom Productions.

Rude Dog cruising in his car.

            The show performed well for the network, but there was growing concern that the kids watching would confuse Rude Dog for Budweiser’s Spuds MacKenzie and be inclined to drink beer. CBS removed the show after its run and replaced it with reruns of Dungeons & Dragons. Rude Dog eventually returned in June of 1990 and kept running until the new fall schedule in September. Celebrity Home Entertainment released some episodes onto VHS in 45, 85 and 120-minute formats, as well as on laser disk, as part of their “Just for Kids Mini-Features” line. Some of the tapes were released with a special pink and blue color scheme, as opposed to being regular black. In 1990, Leisure View Video released 70-minute VHS compilations in the United Kingdom. Polyband handled the release of the tapes in Germany. In 2007, Jetix released three two-episode compilation DVDs in the United Kingdom. As of 2016, the rights to Rude Dog had been reclaimed by McMahon and launched a new website with new merchandise.

EPISODE GUIDE:

“Hello, Mr. Kitty? / The Fish Who Went Moo” (9/16/89) – R.D. takes the Dweebs to the zoo to inspire them to stand up to Seymour, which puts them in the sights of Herman and Rott. / R.D. allows the Dweebs to get a pet goldfish, but Barney brings home a cow instead.

“Dweebiest Dog on the Beach / Dweeb-illac Dilemma” (9/23/89) – Herman lures the Dweebs into a trap with the promise of a beach talent show. / Reggie goes to clean the Cadillac and ends up losing a hubcap.

“No Dweebs Aloud / Ding-a-Ling Kitty” (9/30/89) – R.D. takes the Dweebs to the museum where they try to fight their boredom. / Seymour hits his head and begins thinking he’s a dog, joining the Dweebs.

“War of the Dweebs / Dweebs in Space” (10/7/89) – Winston accidentally tunes the TV to a movie that makes the Dweebs think the Earth is being invaded. / Reggie tries to take Satch’s place when he gets a chance to go into space, and Seymour has plans to foul up the trip for them.

“Nightmare on Dweeb Street / Dweebsy Kind’a Love” (10/14/89) – R.D. decides it’s time to cure Caboose of his fear of trains. / The Dweebs try to help Tweek attract the dog next door.

“Call of the Dweeb / Dumbell Dweeb” (10/21/89) – The Dweebs set out to help Kibble earn her Pup Scout merit badges on a camping trip. / The Dweebs try to restore Satch’s confidence after he botches a quiz show.

“Waiter, There’s a Dweeb in My Soup! / Boardwalk Boss” (10/28/89) – The Dweebs crash R.D.’s date with Gloria. / R.D. takes the Dweebs to a carnival where Herman and Rot try to capture them.

“To Kibble or Not to Kibble / Dweebsday Afternoon” (11/4/89) – Kibble decides to change herself in order to impress other girl dogs. / NO SYNOPSIS AVAILABLE.

“Dweebochondriacs / Surprise, You’re Itch!” (11/11/89) – NO SYNOPSIS AVAILABLE.

“Leave It to Tweek / Polly Wanna Dweeb?” (11/18/89) – NO SYNOPSIS AVAILABLE.

“Winston’s Family TreeRot / Pretty Dweebs All in a Row” (11/25/89) – A mistake by Satch leads Winston to think he’s related to Rot. / NO SYNOPSIS AVAILABLE.

“The Hiccuping Bandit / Dweeb Your Manners” (12/2/89) – NO SYNOPSIS AVAILABLE.

“Tuesday the 14^th, Part Dweeb / Home Sweet Dweeb” (12/16/89) – NO SYNOPSIS AVAILABLE. / Herman tricks Barney, Tweek and Caboose into carrying a tracking device to lead him to the Dweebs.