The Pink Panther (TV series)

Premise

The series places the Pink Panther in adventures that range from modern-day jobs like delivery boy to outlandish settings such as caveman times, with a style reminiscent of Hanna-Barbera and Looney Tunes. Unlike earlier television series and nearly all theatrical shorts, the Panther speaks throughout the episodes, voiced by Matt Frewer with a humorous American accent intended to appeal to younger children. This contrasts with the sophisticated British accent supplied by Rich Little in two 1965 shorts, Sink Pink and Pink Ice.

Alongside the Panther, characters from DePatie-Freleng Enterprises shorts appear, including the Inspector, the Ant and the Aardvark (with John Byner reprising both roles), the Dogfather and his henchmen Pugg and Louie, the Muscle Man from Come On In! The Water's Pink, the Witch from Pink-A-Rella, and the Little Man (voiced by Wallace Shawn). New characters include Voodoo Man, a little red-headed girl named Thelma, and an elderly woman named Mrs. Chubalingo with her parrot Jules.

Production

In 1992, MGM/UA decided to produce new Pink Panther cartoons in which the Panther would speak, hoping to revitalize the character. That year, MGM/UA met with licensees to explain the changes and provide essential artwork for the series. The decision was controversial and unpopular. Rich Little, who had voiced the Panther in a few original cartoon scenes, was approached in 1993 but declined, saying giving the panther a voice would ruin the character. Franchise co-creator David DePatie also felt it would compromise the character's integrity. However, after producers heard Matt Frewer fill in the lines, they found it fantastic and accepted it.

Home media

On February 21, 2006, MGM Home Entertainment and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment released a DVD set in France (as La Nouvelle Panthère Rose) and Germany (as Der rosarote Panther - Die neue Show) containing all forty episodes of the first season. A UK release titled The New Pink Panther Show - Season 1, Vol 1 included only the first twenty episodes; a second volume never appeared. 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment reissued the sets in February 2009, with the UK receiving the same boxset as France and Germany. Season 2 has not been released on DVD. The series is available on Tubi and the official YouTube Channel, and has been added back to Pluto TV after being removed. These prints use the title The New Pink Panther Show.