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The Oblongs - A Look Back At The Animated Series

Oblongs - Home

Jul 15, 2025
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Oblongs - Home

Have you ever come across a show that, in a way, just sticks with you, perhaps because it's a bit different, or maybe it just presents a really unique view of life? Well, "The Oblongs," an animated series that first aired on television, really fits that description. It's a show that, you know, centers on a family living in a rather tough spot, a community that's been affected by some serious environmental challenges, and as a result, the family members all have, like, various physical differences or conditions. This particular series, you see, spends its time showing us the everyday goings-on, the funny bits and the tricky situations, that this family experiences as they live their lives in this rather unusual setting. It’s a pretty distinct look at, well, what it means to be a family facing, in a way, some truly unique hurdles.

This animated production, which first appeared on April 1, 2001, offers a truly singular perspective on domestic life, particularly when a household finds itself dealing with the aftermath of pollution and, you know, radiation exposure. The core of the show, in some respects, really puts its attention on the sometimes goofy, sometimes touching situations that happen with this family, who are all, basically, either disabled or have some sort of physical change because of where they live. It's an interesting way to tell a story, honestly, about how people cope and find joy, even when their circumstances are, shall we say, less than ideal. You might find it, like, a bit surprising in its approach, but it definitely aims to be a conversation starter about, well, what makes a family tick.

The whole concept for "The Oblongs" actually came from a book, a collection of stories called "Creepy Susie & 13 Other Tragic Tales for Troubled Children," which was written and illustrated by Angus Oblong himself. So, you know, the show has this kind of literary foundation, which is pretty neat. It was, in fact, the very first animated project for Mohawk Productions, so it was a pretty big deal for them at the time, really. The series, you see, was brought to life by both Angus Oblong and Jace Richdale, working together to bring these characters and their quirky world to the screen. It’s a show that, in short, has a specific kind of humor and a very distinct visual style, which is something you notice right away, basically, when you start watching.

Table of Contents

Who Are The Oblongs?

The core of the series, as a matter of fact, really centers on a family with a very distinct set of circumstances. They are, in a way, a household whose members have all been affected by the environment they live in. This family, you know, makes their home in a rather poor community, a valley area where, apparently, pollution and even some radiation exposure have had a lasting impact on everyone. As a direct outcome of these conditions, each person in the family, well, they either have a disability or some kind of physical change. It’s a rather striking premise that sets the stage for all the things that happen in the show, making it, like, quite different from many other animated programs you might have seen. The show really takes this central idea and, you know, explores what daily life looks like for them.

One of the family members, a character who truly stands out, is Milo Oblong. He is, to be honest, the youngest boy in the household. Milo, you see, is portrayed as someone who deals with, well, a number of conditions that affect his mind and how he interacts with others. Despite these things he has to live with, he's shown as a boy with a really direct way of speaking and, in fact, a very kind heart. He is, basically, a good-natured kid, even though he faces these personal challenges. His voice, for instance, is provided by Pamela Adlon, an actor who brings a certain quality to the role. It's pretty interesting how they portray him, really, as someone who is, you know, quite open and generally caring, even with all the things that might make life a bit difficult for him.

The show, in short, puts its main attention on the, well, funny and sometimes strange actions of this family. They live in this particular valley community, and because of the poor environmental conditions there, like pollution and radiation, every single person in the family has some sort of physical difference or disability. This setup, you know, is the driving force behind all the stories. It’s about how they deal with, in a way, their daily lives and the unique situations that come up because of who they are and where they reside. The show, therefore, basically explores what it means to be a family that, you know, has to adapt to some truly unusual circumstances, making for some pretty memorable moments, honestly.

Meet the Family of The Oblongs

The entire family in "The Oblongs," as a matter of fact, is characterized by the physical changes they've experienced due to their living situation. They reside in a place where, apparently, the air and the surroundings have really left their mark. This means that each member of the household, you know, has a distinct appearance or a particular condition that sets them apart. It's a key part of their identity within the show, and it’s something that, in a way, shapes many of the stories that unfold. The series, therefore, spends a lot of its time showing us how these differences play out in their everyday interactions and how they, you know, navigate the world around them with their unique characteristics. It’s pretty central to, like, what the show is all about, really.

Milo Oblong, for example, stands out as a character who is, you know, quite special. As the youngest boy in this household, he is someone who, unfortunately, deals with a range of difficulties that affect his mind and how he connects with others. Yet, despite these difficulties, he's depicted as a boy who is, basically, very direct in his speech and, in fact, has a very good heart. He is, to be honest, a kind and open person, even with the various personal challenges he faces. Pamela Adlon, a voice performer, gives life to Milo, bringing his particular mannerisms and personality to the screen. It’s pretty clear that, in some respects, his character is meant to show that kindness and sincerity can, you know, shine through, no matter what someone is dealing with in their life.

The show's main idea, to be honest, revolves around the daily events and, you know, the misadventures of this somewhat odd family who have been, in a way, changed by the toxic waste in their environment. They are an eccentric group, living downstream from a site where, apparently, toxic materials are present, and this means that life is always, you know, throwing unusual challenges their way. The series, therefore, constantly presents them with a series of rather unique situations that they have to figure out. It’s a pretty interesting way to explore, like, what it means to be a family in truly unconventional circumstances, and how they, you know, manage to find their way through it all, often with a good bit of humor.

The Origins of The Oblongs

The very foundation for "The Oblongs" as an animated series, as a matter of fact, comes from a printed work. It is, basically, an animated show that found its inspiration in a book. This book, you know, is titled "Creepy Susie & 13 Other Tragic Tales for Troubled Children," and it was both written and, like, illustrated by Angus Oblong. So, the creative vision for the show, in some respects, really started on the pages of this particular collection of stories. It’s pretty interesting to think about how a book, you know, can become the starting point for a whole television program, bringing its unique characters and stories to a completely different medium. This connection to the original source material is, you know, quite important for understanding the show's distinct feel.

The creation of the show itself, you know, was a collaborative effort. It was brought to life by two individuals, Angus Oblong, who also wrote the original book, and Jace Richdale. These two, in a way, worked together to develop the series for television. This particular project was, in fact, quite significant for Mohawk Productions, because it marked their very first time venturing into the world of animation. So, it was a pretty big step for them, you know, trying something completely new in terms of production. The show, therefore, has this kind of pioneering spirit behind it, being the first animated offering from that particular production company, which is, like, a pretty notable detail when you think about it.

The series, as I was saying, really focuses on the strange things that happen to a family who, you know, live in a community that's not very well-off, a valley area. And because of the problems with pollution and, you know, exposure to radiation, every single person in this family is, basically, either disabled or has some kind of physical change. This central idea, you know, is what drives the whole show. It’s pretty much about their daily lives and the sometimes goofy, sometimes touching situations that come up because of their circumstances. The original book by Angus Oblong, you know, set the tone for this unique world, and the show, in fact, carried that distinct vision forward, making it, like, a truly memorable viewing experience for many.

What Made The Oblongs Unique?

What truly made "The Oblongs" stand out, in a way, was its very specific premise and its approach to humor. The show, you know, centers on the everyday misadventures of a somewhat peculiar family who have been, basically, changed by toxic waste. They are, in fact, an eccentric household that makes its home downstream from a site where, apparently, toxic materials are present. This means that, for them, life is constantly, you know, throwing unexpected and unusual challenges their way. It’s a rather dark yet often funny take on family life, where the absurd becomes, like, the norm. This particular setup, you see, allowed the creators to explore situations that were, frankly, quite different from what you’d typically see on television, making it, to be honest, quite a unique offering.

The series, you know, doesn't shy away from showing the various antics of this family. They live in a community that's not very wealthy, a valley where, as a result of pollution and radiation exposure, everyone in the family, well, they either have a disability or some sort of physical change. This forms the very foundation of the show’s humor and its narrative. It’s pretty much about how they cope with their daily lives, the funny situations they get into, and how they interact with each other and their surroundings, given their unique circumstances. The show, therefore, creates a world where, in a way, the unusual is just part of the everyday, which is something that, you know, really made it distinct from other animated programs at the time, offering a fresh perspective.

Another aspect that made "The Oblongs" rather unique was its specific visual style and its willingness to tackle, you know, themes that might be considered a bit edgy for an animated series. The show, you see, was created by Angus Oblong and Jace Richdale, and their combined vision resulted in a program that had a very particular look and feel. It wasn't, like, your typical cartoon; it had a certain edge to it, both in its animation and its storytelling. The fact that it was Mohawk Productions' first step into animation also, you know, speaks to its pioneering spirit. It was, in some respects, a bold move to bring such a distinctive show to the screen, which, frankly, helped it carve out its own space in the world of television.

The Creative Minds Behind The Oblongs

The animated series "The Oblongs" was, in fact, brought to life by the combined efforts of two creative individuals: Jace Richdale and Angus Oblong. Angus Oblong, you know, is also the person who wrote and illustrated the book that the show is based on, "Creepy Susie & 13 Other Tragic Tales for Troubled Children." So, he was, basically, the original source of the world and the characters. Together with Jace Richdale, they shaped the vision for the television program, translating the unique style and humor of the book into an animated format. It’s pretty clear that their collaboration was, in a way, essential to capturing the distinct tone that the show is known for, making it, like, truly their creation from the ground up.

This particular series, you know, marked a rather significant moment for Mohawk Productions. It was, in fact, their very first venture into the world of animation. So, for a production company to take on a project like "The Oblongs" as their initial animated offering, it really shows a certain level of, well, boldness and a willingness to explore new creative avenues. The show's unique premise, focusing on a family deformed by toxic waste and living in a poor valley, was, in some respects, a pretty unconventional choice for a debut animation. This decision, you know, highlights the kind of distinct vision that Angus Oblong and Jace Richdale brought to the table, making the show, to be honest, quite memorable in its origins.

The show, as I was saying, centers on the misadventures of a somewhat goofy family who have been, you know, changed by toxic waste. This eccentric family, in fact, lives downstream from a site where toxic materials are present, and this means that life is always, you know, presenting them with a series of rather unusual challenges. The narrative, therefore, is constantly driven by the unique situations that arise from their environment and their physical conditions. The creators, Angus Oblong and Jace Richdale, basically, crafted a world where these deformities and disabilities are not just background details but are, in a way, central to the humor and the everyday reality of the characters. It’s pretty much a testament to their creative approach, really, that they made such a distinct show.

The Voice Talent of The Oblongs

A significant part of what brought "The Oblongs" to life, you know, was the group of voice actors who lent their talents to the characters. The cast included some really well-known names, which, to be honest, added a lot to the show's appeal. For instance, Pamela Adlon, who you might recognize from other roles, provided the voice for Milo Oblong. Milo, you know, is the youngest boy in the family, and he's portrayed as someone who deals with, like, a number of conditions that affect his mind and how he gets along with others. Despite these things, he's a very direct and kind-hearted boy, which Pamela Adlon, basically, brought out in her performance. It’s pretty interesting how, in a way, a voice can give so much depth to an animated character.

Beyond Pamela Adlon, the show also featured other notable voice performers, including Will Ferrell, Jean Smart, and Randy Sklar. These actors, in fact, contributed to the distinct personalities of the various family members and other characters in the show. Will Ferrell, for instance, is known for his comedic timing, and his involvement, you know, likely added a particular flavor to the show's humor. Jean Smart, on the other hand, brings a wealth of experience to her roles, and Randy Sklar, you know, also added to the overall dynamic. The collective talent of this voice cast, therefore, really helped to make the characters feel, like, genuine and memorable, even with their unusual appearances and circumstances. It's pretty clear that, in some respects, their contributions were vital to the show's identity.

The series, you see, puts its main focus on the everyday actions and, you know, the misadventures of a family who live in a community that's not very well-off, a valley area. And because of the pollution and radiation exposure there, every single person in the family, well, they either have a disability or some sort of physical change. The voice actors, basically, had the job of bringing these unique characters to life, making them relatable despite their unusual circumstances. They had to, in a way, convey the humor and the heart of the show through their vocal performances alone. It’s pretty much a testament to their skill that they managed to make these characters so, like, distinct and, honestly, quite endearing to many viewers, even with the show's rather dark premise.

Where Did The Oblongs Live?

The setting for "The Oblongs" is, in fact, a very important part of the show's entire concept. The family, you know, makes their home in a place simply called "the valley." This valley is depicted as a community that is, basically, quite poor. More than just being financially struggling, this particular area is also, in a way, heavily affected by its environment. The text tells us that, as a result of pollution and, you know, exposure to radiation, the residents of this valley, including the Oblong family themselves, have all developed some kind of disability or physical change. So, the place they live is not just a backdrop; it's pretty much the direct cause of their unique circumstances, which is, like, a rather stark detail that shapes everything in the

Oblongs - Home
Oblongs - Home
The Oblongs
The Oblongs
What Happened to The Oblongs (Was It Canceled?)
What Happened to The Oblongs (Was It Canceled?)

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