Butt-Ugly Martians
Three Martian invaders fake an Earth occupation.
Butt-Ugly Martians is an animated television series co-produced by Mike Young Productions, Digital Content Development Corporation Limited and Just Entertainment. The series premiered on CITV in the UK on February 3, 2001, and on Nickelodeon in the United States on November 9, 2001, airing on Nicktoons until 2003. The show follows three Martian invaders—B-Bop A-Luna, 2T Fru-T, and Do-Wah Diddy—who, after being sent to Earth by the evil Emperor Bog, become addicted to American culture and pretend to occupy the planet while hiding their defection from Bog.
- premiere_date_UK
- February 3, 2001
Lore & Background
The series begins when the Butt-Ugly Martians (B.U.M.) are forced to invade planets for the evil Emperor Bog. Upon arriving on Earth, they become addicted to American culture and decide not to harm the planet, instead pretending to occupy it. They are aided by their Earthling friends Mike, Cedric, and Angela, and must keep their defection secret from Emperor Bog.
Main characters include B-Bop A-Luna, the diplomat and leader; 2T Fru-T, the mechanic and inventor of the BKM (Butt Kicking Mode) suits; and Do-Wah Diddy, the fun-loving Martian with a huge appetite. The human friends are Mike Ellis, a typical teenager; Angela Young, the level-headed voice of reason; and Cedric Cyles, a technical wizard. The series also features enemies such as Emperor Bog, Dr. Damage, and the alien hunter Stoat Muldoon.
Reader's Guide
Butt-Ugly Martians represents an early example of a fully 3D-animated television series produced using Alias Wavefront Maya software. The show's premise—invaders who become enamored with the culture they were sent to conquer—offered a comedic twist on the alien invasion trope. The series generated a range of merchandise, including Scholastic chapter books, a Hasbro toy line, and three video games: Butt Ugly Martians: Zoom or Doom for PlayStation 2 and GameCube, Butt-Ugly Martians: B.K.M. Battles for Game Boy Advance, and Butt-Ugly Martians: Martian Boot Camp for PC. The show aired in reruns until June 30, 2005, and also aired on Teletoon in Canada from September 4, 2001 until 2003. Its legacy lies in its use of 3D animation for a children's television series and its distinctive character designs and humor.
Did You Know?
- The series was produced using Alias Wavefront Maya 3D software.
- It was sold to ITV on October 2, 2000, for the original television pilot.
- The show aired on Nicktoons in the United States until 2003.
- Two video games were based on the series: Zoom or Doom and B.K.M. Battles.
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