American animated television series (1988–1989)
Police Academy (also known as Police Academy: The Animated Series) is a 1988 animated television series based on the Police Academy series of films.[1] The show was produced by Ruby-Spears Enterprises for Warner Bros. Television. It aired weekdays and lasted two seasons for a total of 65 episodes.[2]
Some episodes feature a crime boss named Kingpin. His keen intelligence, girth, and stature are very similar to the Marvel Comics character of the same name. Other new characters were added to the show as well. Among them were a group of talking police dogs called the Canine Corps. They were made up of Samson (the bulldog leader), Lobo (the noble yet clumsy husky), Bonehead (the dimwitted giant St. Bernard), Chilipepper (the excitable chihuahua), and Schitzy (the only female golden retriever with an identity crisis). The theme song is performed by the Fat Boys, who also make an appearance in two episodes as House's Friends: Big Boss, Cool and Mark. Robert Folk's theme for the movies is used, uncredited, over the closing credits.
The animated series was more popular in Europe, especially in Italy. It was especially popular in the Arab world, where it was broadcast on Spacetoon and Al Aoula. In Japan, the animated series was shown on TV Tokyo and then TV Asahi.[citation needed]
Synopsis
The animated series takes place chronologically between the fourth and fifth films.
Thirteen characters are re-created for this animated version, including a team of Academy graduates led by Carey Mahoney, a likeable rogue bachelor boy, who unconsciously—and consistently—does his best to make life miserable for Captain Harris and his knucklehead assistant Lieutenant Proctor.
Mahoney's friends include the aptly named Moses Hightower, sound effects master Larvell Jones, trigger-happy Eugene Tackleberry, sweet and timid Laverne Hooks, hardened Debbie Callahan, colossal House, and the duo of reformed gang member Zed McGlunk and his best buddy, Carl Sweetchuck.
Eric Lassard is the highly respected (albeit dreamy) Commandant, and Academy newcomer The Professor is also on hand, and also the cadets new friends, the K-9 Corps, a group of police dogs, and stocking the crime-fighting heroes with an endless supply of wacky gadgets as they combat a motley crew of Kingpin and other recurring villains such as Numbskull, The Claw, Mr. Sleaze, Lockjaw, and Amazona.
Other media
Home video releases
VHS
Police Academy was released through chronological volumes on VHS. At least 6 volumes were released, each including two episodes:
- 1° The Good, the Bad, and the Bogus + Cops and Robots
- 2° The Phantom of the Precinct + My Mummy Lies Over the Ocean
- 3° Worth Her Weight Gold + Westward Ho Hooks
- 4° Numbskull's Revenge + Mr. Sleaze Versus Lockjaw
- 5° Proctor, Call a Doctor! + Puttin' on the Dogs
- 6° Little Zed & Big Bertha + Lights, Action, Coppers
DVD
On December 11, 2012, Warner Archive released Police Academy: The Animated Series - Volume 1 with 30 episodes on DVD in region 1. This is a Manufacture-on-Demand (MOD) release, available exclusively through Warner's online store and Amazon.com.[3]
Action figures
Kenner produced a line of Police Academy action figures based on the animated series. Each features multiple points of articulation and comical accessories. Two accessories, included with Claw and Eugene Tackleberry, would be reused for the Joker figures in Kenner's Dark Knight Collection.[4] Five of the vehicles and playsets planned were left unproduced; however, the Copper Corner playset would later be released through the Argentinian company Josca.[5]
Series 1 (1988)
- Carey Mahoney and Samson Dog
- Claw with Mouser Cat
- Eugene Tackleberry with Armed Flak Vest
- Larvell Jones and Bullhorn
- Moses Hightower and Meter Reader Scooter
- Mr. Sleaze with Fodo Dog
- Numbskull with Smashing Helmets
- Zed and Police Skateboard
Series 2 (1988)
- Captain Harris (mail-away)
- S.W.A.T. Eugene Tackleberry with Fistzooka
- Flung Hi with Crazy Karate Gear
- Kingpin with Thief-Trap Safe
- Karate Larvell Jones
Special Assignment Rookies (1989)
- Undercover Carey Mahoney
- Snack Attack House with Hoagie Blaster
- Stakeout Sweetchuck (mail-away)
- Sky Glidin' Zed with Hang Glider
Vehicles and playsets (1988)
- Crazy Cruiser
- Crash Cycle
- Precinct Police Station
- Copper Corner (released through Josco)
Comic books
Based on the cartoon series, Marvel Comics released six issues of a comic book series that published under the main company's name but also featured a "Star Comics Present' byline on the spash page.
