Max & Ruby
{{Short description|Canadian TV series}}
{{pp-move}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=February 2022}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox television
| image = Max & Ruby logo.svg
| genre = {{Plainlist|
}}
| based_on = {{based on|Max & Ruby|Rosemary Wells}}
| creator = Rosemary Wells
| director = {{Plainlist|
- Jamie Whitney (season 1; some S2 episodes; seasons 3–5)
- Steven Boeckler (season 2)
- Derek Prout (season 6)
}}
| voices = {{Plainlist|
- Samantha Morton
- Billy Rosemberg
- Julie Lemieux
- Kay Hawtrey
- Rebecca Peters
- Tyler Stevenson
- Tyler James Nathan
- Drew Davis
- Nicholas Fry
- Gavin MacIver-Wright
- Lana Carillo
}}
| theme_music_composer = {{Plainlist|
- Geoff Bennett
- Ben Johannesen
- André Hirz
- TTG Music Lab
}}
| composer = {{Plainlist|
- Geoff Bennett
- Ben Johannesen
- André Hirz
- TTG Music Lab
}}
| country = Canada
| language = English
| num_seasons = 7
| num_episodes = 130 (334 segments)
| list_episodes = List of Max & Ruby episodes
| executive_producer = {{Plainlist|
- Michael Hirsh
- Scott Dyer
- Tina Peel
- Vince Commisso
- Doug Murphy
- Diana Manson
- Colin Bohm
- Megan DeLoach
- Irene Weibel
}}
| producer = {{Plainlist|
- Kristin Robertson
- Tracy Lynch
- Vanessa Esteves
- Melissa Graham
}}
| runtime = 22–23 minutes
| company = {{Plainlist|
- Nelvana Limited
- Silver Lining Entertainment Limited (seasons 1–5)
- Chorion (seasons 4–5)
- 9 Story Media Group (seasons 3–5)
}}
| network = Treehouse TV
TFO (seasons 1–2)
Société Radio-Canada (seasons 1–2)
| first_aired = {{Start date|2002|05|03}}
| last_aired = {{End date|2020|04|09}}
| related =
}}
Max & Ruby is a Canadian children's preschool animated series based on the book series by Rosemary Wells and co-produced by Nelvana Limited. The series follows two young rabbit siblings in the 1940s and 1950s.
Two Max & Ruby books had been previously adapted into short films by Weston Woods and Michael Sporn Animation in 1988 and 1991. These shorts were later remade into episodes for the television series.
Max & Ruby first aired in Canada on Treehouse TV on May 3, 2002.{{Cite web |title=Ruby's Piano Practice; Max's Bath; Max's Bedtime |url=http://tvlistings.zap2it.com/tv/max-and-ruby-rubys-piano-practice-maxs-bath-maxs-bedtime/EP005266970012?aid=zap2it |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130525200218/http://tvlistings.zap2it.com/tv/max-and-ruby-rubys-piano-practice-maxs-bath-maxs-bedtime/EP005266970012?aid=zap2it |archive-date=May 25, 2013 |access-date=November 11, 2016 |website=Screener}} In the United States, the series first aired on Nickelodeon on the Nick Jr. block on October 21, 2002.{{Cite news |date=October 18, 2002 |title=The Hays Daily News from Hays, Kansas on October 18, 2002 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/1082332 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220134453/https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/1082332/ |archive-date=December 20, 2016 |access-date=November 11, 2016 |newspaper=Hays Daily News |via=Newspapers.com}} 130 half-hour episodes were produced. The final episode aired on April 9, 2020.
Premise
Max & Ruby follows two young rabbits: Max, a rambunctious and achievement-determined three-year-old and his older sister Ruby, a seldom-patient, goal-oriented and sometimes, bossy seven-year-old.{{Cite web |title=Activities for Blue's Clues, Dora, Diego, LazyTown, Wonderpets |url=http://www.nickjr.com/shows/max_ruby/parenting_features/about_max_ruby.jhtml |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070104174826/http://www.nickjr.com/shows/max_ruby/parenting_features/about_max_ruby.jhtml |archive-date=January 4, 2007 |access-date=2008-06-24}}. Nick Jr. Channel. The series takes place in a town called Eastbunny Hop, in a universe populated by bunnies and other creatures, in the 1940s and 1950s. According to Wells, the series shows the relationship between Ruby, Max and the universal nature of sibling relationships.{{Cite web |title=MEET THE CREATOR OF MAX & RUBY |url=http://www.nickjr.com/max-ruby/about-max-ruby/meet-max-and-ruby-creator_ap.html |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150512235257/http://www.nickjr.com/max-ruby/about-max-ruby/meet-max-and-ruby-creator_ap.html |archive-date=May 12, 2015 |access-date=2013-02-18}}. Nick Jr. Channel.
Episodes
{{main|List of Max & Ruby episodes}}
{{:List of Max & Ruby episodes}}
The TV series premiered in 2002, but was preceded by a 1988{{Cite web |last=DataBase |first=The Big Cartoon |title=Max's Christmas (Michael Sporn Animation, Weston Woods Studios) |url=https://www.bcdb.com/cartoon/96440-Maxs-Christmas |access-date=2023-12-29 |website=Big Cartoon DataBase (BCDB) |language=en}}{{dead link|date=January 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} and 1991{{Citation |title=Max's Chocolate Chicken by Rosemary Wells | date=April 12, 2020 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6-WRwZIXow |access-date=2023-12-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231229000911/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6-WRwZIXow |archive-date=2023-12-29 |url-status=live |language=en}} short adapting the characters for the first times. The shorts were individually produced and later remade into broadcast episodes.
Characters
= Main =
- Max Bunny (voiced by Billy Rosemberg in seasons 1–3, Tyler Stevenson in seasons 4–5,{{efn|Drew Davis voiced Max in the season 5 intro dialogues.}} and Gavin MacIver-Wright in seasons 6–7) is a four-year-old (starting off at three and a half years old) bunny and Ruby's younger brother. He has white fur and wears some clothes including some long overalls. Prior to seasons 3 & 5 and for the first few episodes of seasons 1 and 2, Max only says 1–3 words or phrases (with the exception of a few episodes like Max's Bedtime and Ruby's Candy Store and of voiceover on the title card for episodes featuring Ruby). He does this again in season 5 (voiceover on the episode's title card; except in just the ones featuring Ruby). In seasons 6 and 7, Max (along with Morris) is able to speak in full sentences.
- Ruby Bunny (voiced by Samantha Morton in seasons 1–2, Rebecca Peters in seasons 3–5, and Lana Carillo in seasons 6–7) is an eight-year-old (starting off at seven years old and of voiceover on the title card for episodes featuring Max) white bunny, and is Max's older sister. She has white fur and has been considered the more level-headed of the siblings. She is also a member of the bunny scouts (a formula similar to the "girl scouts").
= Recurring =
- Grace (voiced by Julie Lemieux) is one of Max and Ruby's new baby siblings and Oliver's older twin sister. Like Max, Grace likes getting dirty.
- Lemieux also voiced Oliver (the other one of Max and Ruby's new baby siblings and Grace's younger twin brother who, like Ruby, likes being clean), Louise (Ruby's best friend with tan/auburn fur who is also eight years old), and Baby Huffington "Baby H" (Mr. and Mrs. Huffington's baby son and Bunny Scout Leader's nephew).{{Cite web |title=Max & Ruby – Characters – |url=http://maxandruby.treehousetv.com/characters/16/louise |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180213174106/http://maxandruby.treehousetv.com/characters/16/louise |archive-date=2018-02-13 |access-date=2018-02-06 |website=treehousetv.com |quote=Louise is Ruby's best friend and classmate, and part of Bunny Scouts. She's 7 years old and sits right next to Ruby at school.}}
- Mom (also known as Mrs. Bunny;{{Cite web |last=Cooper |first=Gael |date=September 19, 2016 |title=Hoppy news: Cartoon bunnies Max and Ruby's parents aren't dead after all |url=https://www.cnet.com/news/hoppy-news-cartoon-bunnies-max-and-rubys-parents-arent-dead-after-all/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180110234252/https://www.cnet.com/news/hoppy-news-cartoon-bunnies-max-and-rubys-parents-arent-dead-after-all/ |archive-date=January 10, 2018 |access-date=February 6, 2018 |website=CNET |quote=on Sunday, "Max and Ruby" returned with new episodes for the first time since 2013, and who should show up at last but Mr. and Mrs. Bunny? .. It was a big weekend for "Max and Ruby." Not only were Mr. and Mrs. Bunny introduce, but Max, who could previously only spit out 1 or 2 words at a time, is suddenly speaking full sentences and attending preschool.}} voiced by Carolyn Larson) is Max and Ruby's mother. She and Ruby are close and she trusts Ruby's ability to help out with Max. She is Grandma and Grandpa’s daughter-in-law.
- Dad (also known as Mr. Bunny; voiced by Paul Bates) is Max and Ruby's father. He is Grandma and Grandpa’s son.
- Grandma (voiced by Kay Hawtrey) has grey fur and is the paternal grandmother to Max and Ruby. Max and Ruby sometimes compete as to whose ideas are better in order to impress her, but in the end she likes both of their ideas equally. She is Dad's mother and Mom's mother-in-law.
- Mrs. Huffington (voiced by Emily Scott) is the wife of Mr. Huffington, mother of Baby Huffington and sister of Bunny Scout Leader.
- Mr. Huffington (voiced by John Torres) is the husband to Mrs. Huffington, father of Baby Huffington, and brother-in-law of Bunny Scout Leader.
- Valerie (voiced by Loretta Jafelice) is Ruby's second best friend; she has brown fur.
- Martha (voiced by Catherine Disher) is a friend of Ruby; she has gold fur.
- Morris (voiced by Cameron Ansell in seasons 2–5 and Nicholas Fry in seasons 6–7) is Louise's two-year-old cousin{{Cite web |title=Max & Ruby – Characters – Morris |url=http://maxandruby.treehousetv.com/characters/17/morris |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180202235145/http://maxandruby.treehousetv.com/characters/17/morris |archive-date=2018-02-02 |access-date=2018-02-06 |quote=Morris is Louise's 2-year-old little cousin.}} and Max's best friend.
- Roger Piazzain Roger's Choice, Louise says "we're going to play with Roger Piazza" (voiced by Laurie Elliott) is the son of Mr. Piazza. He is older than Ruby and Louise, standing at {{frac|7|1|2}} years old.{{Cite episode |title=Roger's Choice |series=Max and Ruby |quote=Ruby "He's nearly 7 1/2." Louise "A whole half year older than we are."}}{{Cite web |title=Max & Ruby – Characters – Roger |url=http://maxandruby.treehousetv.com/characters/18/roger |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180214133703/http://maxandruby.treehousetv.com/characters/18/roger |archive-date=2018-02-14 |access-date=2018-02-06 |quote=Roger Piazza is in Ruby and Louise's class at school. He is 8 1/2 years old, which gives him an elevated status in Ruby and Louise's eyes.}}
- Bunny Scout Leader (voiced by Sarah Adams) is the leader of the Bunny Scouts and Mrs. Huffington's sister and Mr. Huffington's sister-in-law and Baby Huffington's maternal aunt.
- Mr. Piazza (voiced by Jamie Watson) runs the local market in East Bunnyhop and is the father of Roger.
- Candi (voiced by Linda Ballantyne) is the owner of the candy shop in East Bunnyhop. She only appeared in "One of a Kind Ruby/Ruby's To Do List".
- Rosalinda (voiced by Anne Hill) is the owner of a gift shop that sells jewelry and collectibles and a friend of Max and Ruby's grandmother, Mary.
- Katie (voiced by Robin Duke) is the waitress at the diner in East Bunnyhop.
- Miss Bunty (voiced by Judy Price) is Max's preschool teacher.
- Winston (voiced by Ethan Tavares) is one of Max's classmates who is confined to a wheelchair. He is also Max's second best friend.
- Lily (voiced by Isabella Leo) is one of Max's classmates who is also Max's best female friend.
- Priya (voiced by Laaibah Alvi) is one of Max's classmates who is also Max's second best female friend. She is from India.
- Mr. Estévez (voiced by Carlos Díaz) is Ruby, Louise, and Valerie's teacher in school.
- Antonio (voiced by Emilio Vírguez) is one of Ruby's classmates. He is Max and Ruby's new friend.
Production
Nelvana Limited and Silver Lining Entertainment Limited co-produced the show for its first five seasons (in 2005, Silver Lining itself was acquired by Chorion).{{Cite news |date=September 21, 2009 |title=Business | Noddy embarks on global adventure |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8266514.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007171608/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8266514.stm |archive-date=October 7, 2023 |access-date=October 17, 2011 |work=BBC News}} 9 Story Media Group overtook producing the animation from Nelvana Limited in season 3 (and continues animating the series for seasons 4 and 5 while Chorion co-produced at the same time); with season 6, Nelvana Limited still handles production of the series and also for the rest of its run.
Shortly after Chorion and its division Silver Lining Entertainment Limited both close their doors when season 5 finished production, Atomic Cartoons overtook co-producing the series, season 6 of which premiered on September 18, 2016,{{Cite web |title=Max's Preschool; Grandma's Storytime Sleepover |url=http://tvschedule.zap2it.com/tv/max-and-ruby-maxs-preschool-grandmas-storytime-sleepover/EP005266970416?aid=tvschedule |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170510140630/http://tvschedule.zap2it.com/tv/max-and-ruby-maxs-preschool-grandmas-storytime-sleepover/EP005266970416?aid=tvschedule |archive-date=May 10, 2017 |access-date=November 11, 2016 |website=Screener}} with a new main voice cast and theme song, along with each episode now having 2 10-minute segments per half-hour, rather than having 3 7-minute segments as in the previous five seasons.
In an interview with Nickelodeon, Wells has stated about Max and Ruby's unseen parents that "we don't see Max and Ruby's parents, because [she] believe[s] that kids resolve their issues and conflicts differently when they are on their own. The television series gives kids a sense about how these two siblings resolve their conflicts in a humorous and entertaining way." However, in season 6, the series finally introduced Max and Ruby's parents.{{Cite web |last=Gael Fashingbauer Cooper |date=September 19, 2016 |title=Cartoon bunnies Max and Ruby's parents aren't dead after all |url=https://www.cnet.com/news/hoppy-news-cartoon-bunnies-max-and-rubys-parents-arent-dead-after-all |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161111192453/https://www.cnet.com/news/hoppy-news-cartoon-bunnies-max-and-rubys-parents-arent-dead-after-all/ |archive-date=November 11, 2016 |access-date=November 11, 2016 |website=CNET}}
Telecast and home media
Max & Ruby first aired on Treehouse TV in Canada on May 3, 2002. In the United States, the series first aired on Nick Jr. on October 21, 2002, then on Noggin on August 16, 2004. The series also featured a British English dub that first aired on Nick Jr. in the UK and Ireland in February 2003.{{when|date=June 2017}}
Paramount Home Entertainment is the DVD distributor for the series in the United States. As of March 29, 2012, 2.9 million DVD units of the series from Nickelodeon have been sold in the U.S. These DVDs (see below) only have episodes from the first five seasons.{{Cite web |date=29 March 2012 |title=Nelvana Acquires Chorion's Interest in Max & Ruby |url=https://www.marketscreener.com/news/latest/NELVANA-ACQUIRES-CHORION-S-INTEREST-IN-MAX-RUBY--14246486/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113163038/https://www.marketscreener.com/news/latest/NELVANA-ACQUIRES-CHORION-S-INTEREST-IN-MAX-RUBY--14246486/ |archive-date=13 November 2020 |access-date=13 November 2020 |website=MarketScreener.com}}
class="wikitable"
|+ Main series ! Name ! Release Date ! Number of Episodes ! Episode Titles |
Max & Ruby's Christmas
| October 26, 2004 | align="center" | 12 |
|
Springtime for Max & Ruby
| March 1, 2005 | align="center" | 12 |
|
Max & Ruby's Halloween
| August 30, 2005 | align="center" | 12 |
|
Party Time with Max & Ruby
| February 14, 2006 | align="center" | 12 |
|
Afternoons with Max & Ruby
| August 1, 2006 | align="center" | 12 |
|
Easter with Max & Ruby
| March 13, 2007 | align="center" | 12 |
|
Summertime with Max & Ruby
| June 5, 2007 | align="center" | 12 |
|
A Merry Bunny Christmas
| October 2, 2007 | align="center" | 12 |
|
Berry Bunny Adventures
| February 26, 2008 | align="center" | 12 |
|
Perfect Pumpkin
| August 26, 2008 | align="center" | 12 |
|
Playtime with Max & Ruby!
| January 5, 2010 | align="center" | 12 |
|
A Visit with Grandma
| June 15, 2010 | align="center" | 12 |
|
Everybunny Loves Winter
| September 21, 2010 | align="center" | 12 |
|
Bunny Tales
| January 11, 2011 | align="center" | 12 |
|
Rainy Day Play
| April 12, 2011 | align="center" | 12 |
|
Everybunny Loves Spring
| February 11, 2014 | align="center" | 12 |
|
Sweet Siblings
| February 17, 2015 | align="center" | 12 |
|
Sharing and Caring
| June 2, 2015 | align="center" | 12 |
|
class="wikitable"
|+ Episodes on Nick Jr. compilation DVDs ! Name ! Release Date ! Number of Episodes ! Episode Titles |
Nick Jr. Celebrates Spring
| March 2, 2004 | align="center" | 1 |
|
Nick Jr. Favorites Vol. 1
| May 24, 2005 | align="center" | 3 |
|
Nick Jr. Favorites Vol. 2
| October 18, 2005 | align="center" | 3 |
|
Nick Jr. Favorites Vol. 3
| February 7, 2006 | align="center" | 3 |
|
Nick Jr. Favorites Vol. 4
| June 6, 2006 | align="center" | 3 |
|
Nick Jr. Favorites Holiday
| September 26, 2006 | align="center" | 3 |
|
Nick Jr. Favorites Vol. 5
| March 13, 2007 | align="center" | 3 |
|
{{Portal|Canada|Television}}
Notes
{{Notelist}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{URL|http://maxandruby.treehousetv.com|Max and Ruby}} on Treehouse TV
- {{IMDb title|0367367}}
- {{URL|http://www.nickjr.com/max-and-ruby|Max and Ruby}} on the Nick Jr. Channel
{{Former Nickelodeon original series}}{{Treehouse TV}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Max and Ruby}}
Category:2000s Canadian animated television series
Category:2010s Canadian animated television series
Category:2000s Canadian children's television series
Category:2010s Canadian children's television series
Category:2000s preschool education television series
Category:2010s preschool education television series
Category:2002 animated television series debuts
Category:2002 Canadian television series debuts
Category:2019 Canadian television series endings
Category:Canadian flash animated television series
Category:Animated television series about rabbits and hares
Category:Animated television series about siblings
Category:Animated television series about children
Category:Canadian children's animated comedy television series
Category:Canadian children's animated fantasy television series
Category:Canadian preschool education television series
Category:Canadian television shows based on children's books
Category:Animated preschool education television series
Category:Nick Jr. original programming
Category:Treehouse TV original programming
Category:NHK original programming
Category:Television series by Nelvana
Category:Television series by Corus Entertainment
Category:Television series by 9 Story Media Group
Category:Canadian English-language television shows
Category:1979 children's books
Category:Series of children's books
Category:Children's books adapted into television shows