The television series aired on the Qubo blocks on NBC, Ion Television and Telemundo as well as the Qubo channel, and later on TBN and Smile of A Child. It ran for three seasons, with the first season consisting of television broadcasts of the six original home videos. Following its conclusion in 2008, it continued in reruns until 2014. The series was a top-ranked show on NBC's Qubo Saturday morning kids block in 2008.[6]
Overview
Twin siblings Jason and Michelle are spending the summer with their British grandmother, who they call Grandmum, in Pennsylvania's Poconos region. She has a collection of kitschy ceramic figurines, the most prized of which is four penguins in a rocket ship, a honeymoon gift from her late husband. In the first video, the twins accidentally drop the ship; instead of breaking, it flies into the air and reveals the four penguins are the crew of a spaceship. One of the twins is then pulled into the ship, using the crew's Galeezle (shrinking) device, and taken on a galactic adventure.[7] The ensuing adventure ties into the moral dilemma Jason and Michelle had struggled with in the opening scene. For example, in the debut episode, Trouble on Planet Wait-Your-Turn, the twins struggle with taking turns playing a new video game and looking through their Granddad's telescope before Jason is transported to a planet of alien vacuums who also have trouble taking turns.[8]
Characters
Main
Zidgel (voiced by Ron Wells (2000–03) and John Payne (2006–2008)) is the Rockhopper's captain and a king, who resembles both James T. Kirk and Ted Baxter.[9]
Midgel (voiced by Greg Mills (2000–2003) and Paul Dobson (2006–2008)) is the Rockhopper's engineer and pilot. He sometimes shouts "Banzai!" and pulls out a bonsai tree to trim a branch before driving the ship.[9]
Fidgel (voiced by Page H. Hearn (2000–2003) and Lee Tockar (2006–2008)) is the doctor and scientist of the Rockhopper's crew. Many of his inventions are odd, but can also be useful, such as the Gleezle.[9] As shown in photos in the first episode, he physically resembles Grandmum's deceased husband.
Kevin (voiced by Ron Smith (2000–2003) and Michael Donovan (2006–2008)): Although he does not have a specific job on the ship other than cleaning, he is always ready to help when needed.[9] He also sometimes answers questions or solves problems without realizing.
Jason Conrad (voiced by Mark Marten (2000–2003) and Quinn Lord (2006–2008)) is a 7-year-old boy and Michelle's twin brother, who goes on adventures with the penguins.[9]
Michelle Conrad is a 7-year-old girl and Jason's twin sister, who also goes on adventures with the penguins.[9] She is five minutes older than him. Michelle is voiced by Melissa Peterson (2000–2003) and Claire Corlett (2006–2008).
Grandmum (voiced by Pamela Thomas (2000), Annie Walker-Bright (2001), Kymberly Mellen (2001–2003), and Ellen Kennedy (2006–2008)) is Jason and Michelle's British grandmother, who often gives them advice from "The Good Book".
Recurring
Baron von Cavitus (voiced by Garry Chalk): Originally known as Bert Bertman, he was a classmate of Fidgel when they were students at the Academy and is the inventor of the Galeezle. After others made fun of him for being a hamster, he turned evil and attempted to take over the Academy. Some time later, he built himself a robot suit and attempted to take over the galaxy.
Admiral Strap (voiced by Dale Wilson) is the Penguin's commanding officer. Despite seeming strict and militaristic, he has a soft spot for Michelle. In the original six videos, he is never seen and communicates to the penguins via fax machine. In the series, he interacts via speakerphone with the Penguins to give them their missions.
Sol (voiced by Garry Chalk) is a wise old bartender at the Comet Lounge and a friend of Jason, Michelle, and the penguins, whom he also advises.
The first season was broadcast on Qubo from September 9, 2006 to December 2, 2006 and consisted of televising the direct-to-video shows that were originally released from November 14, 2000 to July 1, 2003. At the end, each episode, with the exception of the first episode, has the Penguins perform at the Comet Lounge, singing a song related to the moral lesson of the episode.
No.
Title
Directed by
Written by
Original release date (Direct-to-video)
Qubo air date
Qubo broadcasting order
1
"Trouble on Planet Wait-Your-Turn"
Ron Smith
Mike Nawrocki, Phil Vischer, Jeff Parker, Ron Smith, Nathan Carlson and Phil Loller
Michelle and Jason are arguing about taking turns looking out of a telescope. After discovering a toy spaceship, Jason is pulled into the now-flying ship with the penguins, where he learns that he and they are called upon to help an alien planet in danger of burning up in its sun. It turns out that the indigenous people, (who resemble old-fashioned Electrolux canister vacuum cleaners) and even the planet itself, are incapable of waiting their turns.
2
"The Cheating Scales of Bullamanka"
Ron Smith
Story by : Phil Vischer Written by : Mike Nawrocki and Ron Smith
Michelle beats Jason in a game of 'Squid Tac Toad' by cheating. Michelle learns that the penguins are real when she is then taken to the planet of Bullamanka to play against the Lizard King in a LARP version of Squid Tac Toad. After finding out that the Lizard King also wins by cheating, she learns the importance of playing fairly. Music Video: "Fair and Square".[12]
3
"The Amazing Carnival of Complaining"
Ron Smith
Story by : Phil Vischer, Mike Nawrocki and Ron Smith Written by : Mike Nawrocki, Ron Smith and Tom Owens
Jason and the crew go on a leisure trip to a carnival, but are confronted by carnival barker Uncle Blobb and his diabolical interplanetary real estate scheme as he attempts to turn them into "Seeds of Discontent." Its theme is not complaining about the things we don't have. Music Video: "The Shinin' Star Swing".
4
"Runaway Pride at Lightstation Kilowatt"
Ron Smith
Story by : Keith Lango Written by : Tim Hodge and Ron Smith
Michelle joins the Penguins on a mission to restore the signal beacon at Lightstation Kilowatt before the F.S.S Emperor's Pride crashes into a giant cosmic reef. Its theme is overcoming pride. Music Video: "Space Surfin' Superstar".
Jason and the penguins, along with Kevin's robot friend, B.I.N.G., are called on to save a peaceful colony in the Doublewide Constellation which is being threatened by a huge space tornado. Its theme is helping others. Music Video: "Spaceship Driving Man".
Jason and the penguins are called on to save the planet of Tell-a-Lie before its giant moon flattens the planet. But with its people telling only lies, figuring out the truth about what is causing their moon to plummet towards the planet isn't easy. Its theme is telling the truth. Music Video: "The Legend of Galaxy Gus". The song is about a village invaded by an outlaw named Hancho Villa and the heroic Galaxy Gus must stop him.
Special (2006)
No.
Title
Written by
Original air date
Qubo broadcasting order
7
"Songs From Cosmic Cafe"
Cydne Clark and Steve Granat (songs)
December 2, 2006 (2006-12-02)
S01E07
Features three music videos from the remaining three videos which consist of:
After returning from a mission, the penguins are unable to bring Jason and Michelle back to Grandmum's house as the Galeezel is broken. Until it's fixed the kids have to join the penguins as they battle Cavitus, who's plotting to steal the Space Defreeze ship. Cavitus tries to thwart the penguins by getting them angry at each other and accusing them of things they didn't do. Soon everyone learns the importance of knowing all the facts before jumping to conclusions.
The Penguins visit a small planet divided by a picket fence round the equator and populated by two factions of sheep, each of whom wants to conquer the other side. Michelle also has her eyes on Jason's room, which she believes to be bigger than hers. The pervasiveness of Envy causes green-eyed Monsters to appear and eat holes in everything they see. It's only when contentment rules that peace is restored. Note: This episode is included in the DVD compilation Save the Planets.
The kids and Penguin Crew decide to take an undeserved break from their work and have a picnic on Rigel-13. Jason only too gladly sets aside his duties for play. By the time they arrive at Rigel-13, Jason is a full-on sluggard. No sooner do they set out their picnic baskets, than they are set upon by giant 20-foot tall ants! Escape seems impossible, but diligence is the way to a rich soul. Note: This episode is included in the DVD compilation Blast in Space.
The Penguins are sent to Planet Gutt to investigate a problem in their gravitational field. What looks like a simple matter turns out to be an enormous problem. The entire planet has become addicted to the breakfast cereal, Sugar Frosted Black Holes. It causes insatiable appetites for everything. The planet has become lopsided and is in danger of being thrown off course. The Penguins must convince these over-indulgers that moderation is the key, and gluttony only leads to ruin. Note: This episode is included in the DVD compilation Save the Planets.
Michelle refuses to share cupcakes with her brother, as the crew heads up a mission to a planet of Garden Gnomes and Plastic Flamingos who are feuding over water rights on their drought-stricken world. Michelle sees that stinginess hurts all parties involved, when the dam on the planet is set to burst and destroy everything. Will they overcome their squabbling and share so that everyone has enough? Note: This episode is included in the DVD compilation Save the Planets.
Jason and Midgel set off a series of practical jokes on board the ship, none of which turn out to be very funny to their victims. Then the crew is asked to act as substitute teachers at the Academy. Jason and Midgel help out and see what it's like to be at the wrong end of a practical joke. Cavitus infiltrates the school in an attempt to defeat the Penguins. Naturally everything comes to a head, and Penguins learn a lesson that a joke isn't funny when it hurts somebody.
Jason takes the stage as a stand-up comedian to take the place of the broken Ventril-o-Matic at the Comet Lounge. Trouble is, he gets his material by making fun of his friends. Michelle is especially heartbroken when he reveals a song she sings to calm herself down when she's feeling scared. Jason comes to a crossroad and has to decide whether to continue this new career path or make amends with his friends.
Michelle is feeling down and lonely. Jason and the Penguin Crew try to cheer her up, but only succeed in making her feel worse because nobody listens to her; they simply try and put on a happy face in front of her gloom. When they crash-land on an asteroid, Michelle is made Queen of the strange tribe that lives there. Will she use her power to force all to listen, or will the crew finally learn the importance of compassion on their own? Note: This episode is included in the DVD compilation Blast in Space.
The Penguins are called to the island planet of Wiki Tiki, which is in danger of being engulfed by a large volcano. But they are in a hurry to get back to the Comet Lounge for Sol's Aurora Borealis Punch! They set to work too quickly without doing enough research. All of their patchwork efforts fail. Will the impatient crew finally realize they need to slow down, or will their haste leave the planet doomed? Note: This episode is included in the DVD compilation Blast in Space.
Michelle is troubled, feeling like she isn't pretty. As she wrestles with her outward appearance, she and Jason join the Penguin crew as they head to the MISO GUAPO beauty products convention where Zidgel is supposed to deliver a speech. Through a bizarre Galeezel accident, Zidgel and Kevin switch bodies, and mayhem ensues.
Jason & Michelle help the Penguins crew with a cattle drive on Planet Roo-Tin Toot-Tin. Seems most of the herd has come up missing. But the trail boss, Wild Bill Quasar, is one ornery critter. He has nary a kind word for anybody. The crew learns that a kind word turns away wrath while helping to retrieve Wild Bill's cattle.
Jason gets a time machine. But he doesn't want to listen to the advice from his elders on how to make it work. Because of a glitch, they crash-land on a planet populated by three old Penguins, who just like to dole out unsolicited advice. Then they all realize that Jason's time machine did work, and these old penguins are Midgel, Fidgel and Zidgel in future form. Plus, the old guys (because of their experience) are the only ones who know how to repair the ship and the time machine. It's a lesson in listening to your elders.
Zidgel and Jason deliver a crown jewel to the Gator king of Mercy Falls, but Zidgel accidentally breaks it while opening the box. As a result, he gets thrown in prison. Note: This episode is included in the DVD compilation Escape from Planet Hold-A-Grudge!.
Zidgel, Midgel, and Fidgel are kidnapped by Cavitus and it's up to Jason, Michelle, Kevin and Sol to rescue them. Note: This episode is included in the DVD compilation Escape from Planet Hold-A-Grudge!.
After Cavitus steals the cow captain's cookies, it's up to the Penguins, Jason and Michelle to get the cookies and defeat Cavitus and his galaxy.
Broadcast
After originally being released exclusively on direct-to-home videos, 3-2-1 Penguins first aired on the Qubo blocks on NBC, Ion Television, and Telemundo, as well as on the Qubo channel with the airing of the original videos. This was soon followed with new episodes that premiered on television. The show also aired on TBN and its children's block Smile of a Child on Saturdays until 2018. It also airs on DreamWorks Channel in select countries.
As of July 2020, the entire series was made available to watch for free on Peacock following its launch.
As of June 2022, 25 episodes were made available to watch on Yippee.
Home media
The first six videos were released in direct-to-video format from November 14, 2000 to July 1, 2003 prior to airing on Qubo.
The first DVD compilation of the TV series Save the Planets! was released on September 1, 2008,[19] including three episodes from the second season: "The Green-eyed Monster", "More is More" and "Give and Let Give". The second DVD compilation Blast in Space! was released on February 1, 2009,[20] including three episodes from the second season: "Wiki Tiki", "Lazy Daze" and "Compassion Crashin'". The third compilation, Escape from Planet Hold-A-Grudge! was released on October 20, 2009,[21] including three episodes from the third and final season: "Do Unto Brothers", "Oh, Mercy!" and "Between an Asteroid and a Hard Place".
The first video, "Trouble on Planet Wait-Your-Turn", was released as a bonus episode in the two VeggieTales DVD re-issues of Lyle the Kindly Viking Special Edition and Where's God When I'm S-Scared? 15th Anniversary Collector's Edition. The fourth video, "Runaway Pride at Lightstation Kilowatt", was also released in the re-issue of King George and the Ducky Special Edition.
On September 18, 2012, a two-disc complete DVD set contained the first three season-one episodes and the first ten season-two episodes, for a total of 13 episodes.
3 ("Oh, Mercy!" • "Do Unto Brothers" • "Between an Asteroid and a Hard Place")
October 20, 2009
Complete series box set
26
August 8, 2016
Reception
Common Sense Media gave the show a three out of five stars, saying, "Parents need to know that this series carries clear moral messages and comes from a Christian perspective (the main characters say their bedtime prayers at the end of each episode). The messages themselves -- such as the virtue of patience -- are hard to argue with no matter what your religious bent."[22]
