TOTALLY SPIES!

(Redirected from Totally Spies)

'''Totally Spies!''' is a French anime-influenced animated television series produced by the French company Marathon Production. Production began in 2001 for four seasons with a fifth currently under production. A 90-minute ''Totally Spies'' animated movie is said in the works and set to premiere in 2008.[1]

Contents
Overview
Characters
Running Jokes
Animation Style
Easter Eggs
WOOHP
Gadgets
Media
Reception
Criticism
Broadcasting
References
External links

Overview


''Totally Spies'' stars three teenaged superspies from Beverly Hills: Sam, Clover, and Alex. They secretly fight international crime with special gadgets supplied by their boss, Jerry, who is the founder and leader of the secret 'World Organization of Human Protection' (WOOHP) agency. They must balance their missions with their day-to-day lives, maintaining their secret identities, high school, boys, and their school rival: a named Mandy.
Thematically, it is reminiscent of the 1970s TV show ''Charlie's Angels'', with Jerry serving as a kind of amalgamation of "Bosley" and "Charlie." Unlike Charlie, however, Jerry is not afraid to reveal himself to his agents. The spies are usually forcibly transported to his office, which is a phenomenon known amongst the spies as "WOOHPing". In Jerry's office, the spies are briefed on their missions and occasionally are informed on relatively minor personal issues. The show displays a retro aesthetic look that pays homage to 60s design/fashion, such as "flower power", and as well as the 1980s anime/manga Dirty Pair. For example, the suits and jetpacks used by the Dirty Pair in episode 8 of the original television series resemble the spies catsuits and jetpacks. They also change clothes whereas most animated characters do not. This is often critical to their missions for disguise purposes.

Characters


Main articles: List of characters in Totally Spies!

''Totally Spies'' features the adventures and missions of three spies (Sam, Clover, and Alex) led by the head and founder of WOOHP, Jerry Lewis.

★ 'Sam' (short for Samantha) usually referred to as Sam, has long, wavy red hair, and a green catsuit. She is the most intelligent of the group and is often considered the de-facto leader.

★ 'Clover' has medium length blonde hair and a red catsuit. She is considered to be the show's most stereotypical character: a shopping addicted, boy crazy, teenage "fashionista".

★ 'Alex' (short for Alexandra) has short black hair and dark skin. Despite being the clumsy one, she excels in athletics, particularly in soccer. She wears a yellow catsuit.

★ 'Jerry James Lewis' is the founder and administrator of WOOHP, the World Organization Of Human Protection. He is a middle-aged, very serious British gentleman. He briefs the girls on their missions, distributes their gadgets, and provides mission support with information or direct involvement.

Running Jokes


There are several minor running gags on the series, the most well-known is when the girls are in some type of "emergency" and are suddenly and instantly transported to WOOHP headquarters for a mission brief (or something less drastic). The method of being "WOOHPed" tends to vary from episode to episode, but usually involves a common, inanimate object (such as an umbrella) moving unnoticed towards the spies and sucking them inside (usually through a "WOOHP tube", as Sam called it).(This is similar to the system used in Martin Mystery when the they go to HQ)
The main ones are the constant fates of the spies (Sam becoming a victim of mind control and Clover becoming a victim of metamorphosis), but there are more, including the "If the pilot's out here/unconscious, then who's flying the plane/chopper?", which always immediately results in the plane or helicopter suddenly lurching downwards as if to crash-land. See each spies section for more details. Another concerns the UPWATI gadget; whenever the UPWATI is mentioned, Alex says "UP-whatty?". Another is that the villains are almost always out for revenge on the world or a certain person or organization (usually WOOHP), instead of turning to crime for personal gain (though this has happened). Another is the unusual way whenever the girls are in trouble, Alex has a nail file to support them.

Animation Style


''Totally Spies'' is sometimes described as "American" (despite being produced in Europe) due to its use of well-known visual gags and cues, as well as its Southern California setting. It also has a strong shÅjo influence. The series also features Japanese animation style. The characters are drawn with big, dramatic eyes and the same basic body template. Anime gags are used such as the sweat drop, crossed vein, and extreme facial expressions. While Totally Spies appear to resemble anime, it is not accepted as anime.[2] However, due to the shoujo motif and the use of anime gags, some viewers have considered the series as an American anime, even though it was made in France. [3]

Easter Eggs


Several easter eggs have been hidden throughout the show. One example would be in episode 33, ''Green With N.V.'', one of the scenes shows Alex, Clover & Sam next to a tall pillar that has a ''Totally Spies'' sign on it and a picture representing a disco version of the spies used as a promo on one of the TS websites. Another one was in the episode ''Forward to the Past'' in which the three agents were having a stake out near the electronics store, there is a big picture on a side of the wall with a scene from Martin Mystery's episode, ''Return of the Dark Druid'' with the face of the young child.

WOOHP


The 'World Organization of Human Protection' (or 'WOOHP') is a fictional worldwide crime-fighting organization in the animated series ''Totally Spies''. Founded and headed by Jerry Lewis, WOOHP uses cutting-edge technology and highly skilled agents to fight crime and diffuse humanitarian crises all over the world. It's headquarters is located in Downtown Los Angeles.
Sam, Alex, and Clover are their top three superspies, frequently called in to solve the most difficult cases worldwide. When he needs them, Jerry can "WOOHP" them to his office at the press of a button from wherever they might be. This is usually done via vacuum tunnels that lead to the office, but they have also been blasted to their destination via rocket ship, teleported, picked right off the freeway via helicopter, and scooped up by a passing train. On missions, Jerry provides the spies with information, analyzes clues, and occasionally steps in to give them a hand.
In season three, Jerry added G.L.A.D.I.S. to his office. G.L.A.D.I.S. (Gadget Lending And Distributing Interactive System), is a computer he designed to help him run WOOHP, but G.L.A.D.I.S. tends to have a mind of her own. G.L.A.D.I.S. has been met with a fair share of hostility from fans, which claim that because she now distributes the gadgets she tends to reduce Jerry to a subordinate role in WOOHP, even though he is the founder and administrator. Regardless, G.L.A.D.I.S. is definitely a permanent fixture in season three.

Gadgets


Main articles: List of gadgets from Totally Spies!

Every mission assigned to the spies by WOOHP involves several gadgets given to them by Jerry (or, in season 3 and later, GLADIS). Missions not assigned by WOOHP usually use old gadgets kept by the girls in case of emergencies. WOOHP gadgets often have acronyms that spell out ironic or comical words (often accompanied by reactions from the spies) such as RASH and KURTT. Almost all missions involve the red, green and yellow, but these are sometimes overridden by other apparel (for example the UPWATI). Most gadgets are pink, but in season 3 the colour purple mostly replaced pink as the primary colour for gadgets.
Jerry also uses gadgets, but, being male and middle-aged instead of female and adolescent, he uses more "adult-friendly" gadgets. These are often disguised as regular objects, and are usually coloured grey.

Media


Main articles: List of Totally Spies episodes

Totally Spies features a total of 4 seasons with 104 episodes, with an additional 25 episode fifth season currently in production and release.

Reception


Most receptions are positive. The show is elected as 'Best performing cartoon' (Channel 4, UK), has the best ratings (Fox kids UK), and is number 1 in its timeslot in France (TF1), Italy (Italia Uno), the Netherlands (Fox Kids, now Jetix), Brazil (TV Globo) and the US (Cartoon Network). The show is also been sold to more than 100 countries.[4] In 2004, it was Cartoon Network's second highest rated show. [5] Most surprising is perhaps that the show is popular among girls and boys, with, according to David Michel (Co-creator and co-producer of Totally Spies) "(...) a 50% boys 50% girls audience ratio, whereas everybody was predicting the show would score very low on boys".[6] It is also so popular, that, in some parts of the world, a whole range of merchandising was put on the market, with Totally Spies stationary, dolls, dvd's, computergames, quilt covers, and even costumes.[7][8][9][10] McDonalds also had there own Totally Spies merchandising, having Totally Spies gadgets put with ones McDonalds happy meal,[11] and a performance of 'the spies' in the nearest restaurant if one would finish a colouring picture.[12]
Criticism

Because of ''Totally Spies'' attempt to mimic anime, it received some negative reaction of the mimic anime fans.[13] There is also some criticism on Totally Spies because of the merchandising around it.[14]

Broadcasting


''Totally Spies'' aired in at least 45 countries, with the Disney based Jetix network provided broadcasting for most of those countries.

★ 'United States:' Was aired on ABC Family. And used to be available on Comcast onDemand under Cartoon Network.

★ 'United Kingdom:' Airs on ITV1 and Jetix. Welsh version is airs on S4C.

★ 'France:' Premiered on TF1. Also airs on Jetix.

★ 'Canada:' Airs on Teletoon and TÉLÉTOON.

★ 'Australia:' Channel Ten, Nickelodeon Australia.
In other countries, ''Totally Spies!'' airs on Jetix where Jetix exist except the United States. In most of Asian region, it airs on Disney Channel Asia.


★ 'Armenia:' H1 (Armenian Public TV) (in Armenian language).

★ 'Austria:' Jetix (in English and German languages).

★ 'Belgium:' VT4.

★ 'Brazil:' Jetix (in Portuguese language) and TV Globo.

★ 'Bulgaria:' Kanal 1.

★ 'Catalonia:' K3 (television).

★ 'China:' Disney Channel Asia.

★ 'Czech Republic:' Jetix.

★ 'Denmark:' Jetix and TV 2 (Denmark).

★ 'Dominican Republic:' Jetix LatinoAmerica.

★ 'Egypt:' ART Teenz and MBC 3.

★ 'Finland:' Jetix, SubTv Juniori.

★ 'Germany:' Jetix and Super RTL (only UNDERCOVER).

★ 'Greece:' Jetix.

★ 'Hong Kong:' Disney Channel Asia, TVB.

★ 'Hungary:' Jetix.

★ 'Ireland:' RTÉ Two, Jetix.

★ 'Israel:' HOT VOD, Jetix.

★ 'Italy:' Italia 1, Jetix.

★ 'Japan:' Jetix, Disney Channel Asia.

★ 'South Korea:' Jetix, Disney Channel Asia.

★ 'Latin America:' Jetix LatinoAmerica.

★ 'Lithuania:' LNK.

★ 'Malaysia:' TV3, Disney Channel Asia.

★ 'Mexico:' It was airing on Jetix LatinoAmerica but Jetix cancelled the program, so now airs on independent-owned stations. And Galavision Channel.

★ 'Middle East:' MBC 3.

★ 'Morocco:' 2M TV.

★ 'Netherlands:' Jetix.

★ 'Norway:' Jetix.

★ 'Philippines:' ABS-CBN (Tagalog dub), Disney Channel Asia.

★ 'Poland:' Jetix.

★ 'Portugal:' RTP2.

★ 'Romania:' Jetix.

★ 'Russia:' Jetix.

★ 'Singapore:' Disney Channel Asia, Kids Central.

★ 'Slovakia:' Jetix.

★ 'Slovenia:' Jetix.

★ 'South Africa:' Jetix.

★ 'Spain:' Jetix (in English and Spanish languages).

★ 'Sweden:' Jetix.

★ 'Switzerland:' Jetix (in English, French and German languages).

★ 'Taiwan:' Jetix.

★ 'Thailand:' Channel 7, Disney Channel Asia.

★ 'Vietnam:' Jetix, Disney Channel Asia.

References


1. TS movie announcement release
2. Answerman
3. Totally Spy
4. http://www.geocities.com/pathfinder_0200/dfactoid.htm| Geocities, factoid Totally Spies
5. http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:qtKQT_SMu5YJ:www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2004-06-21/tokyopop-to-publish-totally-spies-cinemanga+totally+spies+anime&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=11&gl=us&client=firefox-a
6. http://www.geocities.com/pathfinder_0200/dminterview.htm| Geocities, interview with David Michel
7. http://www.totallyspies.com/home_uk.html| Totally Spies.com (English)
8. http://www.woohp.org/content/view/39/45/| Woohp,org, Totally Spies merchandise
9. http://www.toywiz.com/totallyspies.html| Toywiz.com
10. http://www.atamaii.com/totally-spies.html| Atamaii.com
11. http://www.livemagazine.org/catartikelen/lifestyle.html| Livemagazine.org
12. http://www.mcdonalds.nl/files_content/DEFWT_kleurplaat_Tot-Spies_210x297.pdf| McDonalds colouring picture link
13. Answerman: Saturday Suprise
14. http://www.newgrounds.com/bbs/topic/518299/3| Newgrounds.com

External links



WOOHP.org

Totally Spies pictures archives

Totally Spies Cartoon Network Page

Official Totally Spies site

This article provided by Wikipedia. To edit the contents of this article, click here for original source.

psst.. try this: add to faves