Mickey Mouse Clubhouse

Summary

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse is an American animated interactive television series for preschoolers. Produced by Disney Television Animation, the series was created by Disney veteran Bobs Gannaway.[1] The series originally aired 125 episodes from May 5, 2006, to November 6, 2016, on the Disney Channel's preschool block, Playhouse Disney (later known as Disney Junior), making it the longest-running original series to air on the block.[2] It received generally positive reviews from critics.

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
GenreComedy
Adventure
Fantasy
Preschool
Educational
Based onMickey Mouse and Friends
by Walt Disney
Ub Iwerks
Developed byBobs Gannaway
Directed byBobs Gannaway
Voices ofWayne Allwine (2006–2012)
Bret Iwan (2012–2016)
Russi Taylor
Tony Anselmo
Tress MacNeille
Bill Farmer
Will Ryan
April Winchell
Jim Cummings
Dee Bradley Baker
Frank Welker
Rob Paulsen
Corey Burton
Opening theme"Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Theme Song" sung by They Might Be Giants
Ending theme"Hot Dog!" sung by They Might Be Giants
ComposersMike Himelstein & Michael Turner (score)
Michael Rubin (songs)
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons4
No. of episodes125 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producersBobs Gannaway (season 1)
Rob LaDuca (seasons 2-4)
Running time21–49 minutes
Production companyDisney Television Animation[a]
Original release
Network
ReleaseMay 5, 2006 (2006-05-05) –
November 6, 2016 (2016-11-06)
Related

On August 18, 2023, a revival was revealed to be in production, and is set to be released in 2025.[3][4]

Premise edit

Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy, and Pluto interact with the viewer to stimulate problem solving during a self contained story.

Once the problem of the episode has been explained, Mickey invites the viewers to join him at the Mousekedoer, a giant Mickey-head-shaped computer whose main function is to distribute the day's Mouseketools, a collection of tools needed to solve the day's problem, to Mickey.

One of them is a "Mystery Mouseketool" represented by a Question Mark, in which, when the words "Mystery Mouseketool" are said, the question mark changes into the Mouseketool the viewer gets to use. Another one is a "Mouseke-Think-About-It Tool" represented by a silhouette of Mickey's head with rotating gears, in which characters must think of what to use before telling the Tool "Mouseke-Think-About-It-Tool, we pick the (object)". Once the tools have been shown to Mickey on the Mousekedoer screen, they are quickly downloaded to Toodles, a small, Mickey-head-shaped flying extension of the Mousekedoer. By calling "Oh, Toodles!" Mickey summons him to pop up from where he is hiding and fly up to the screen so the viewer can pick which tool Mickey needs for the current situation.[5][6] Rhymes are used throughout the show. For example, in "Mickey's Silly Problem", when the "Silly switch" turned on, Mickey spoke in rhymes for half of the episode.

The show features two original songs performed by American alternative rock band They Might Be Giants, including the opening theme song, in which a variant of a Mickey Mouse Club chant ("Meeska Mooska Mickey Mouse!") is used to summon the Clubhouse. They Might Be Giants also perform the song used at the end of every episode, "Hot Dog!", which echoes Mickey's first spoken words in the 1929 short The Karnival Kid.[7]

After the show ended in 2016, it was succeeded by Mickey and the Roadster Racers (later renamed Mickey Mouse Mixed-Up Adventures), which ran from 2017 to 2021, and Mickey Mouse Funhouse, which started in 2021.

Episodes edit

SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast airedNetwork
PilotNovember 15, 2005 (2005-11-15)N/A
127May 5, 2006 (2006-05-05)July 27, 2007 (2007-07-27)Playhouse Disney
240January 26, 2008 (2008-01-26)February 20, 2010 (2010-02-20)
33214February 27, 2010 (2010-02-27)January 3, 2011 (2011-01-03)
18February 14, 2011 (2011-02-14)September 28, 2012 (2012-09-28)Disney Junior
426November 5, 2012 (2012-11-05)November 6, 2016 (2016-11-06)

Voice cast edit

Main edit

  • Mickey Mouse (voiced by Wayne Allwine in Seasons 1–3 and Bret Iwan in Season 4[8]) is the optimistic and easygoing leader of The Sensational Six. He is very patient and caring, especially towards his pet dog Pluto. He's self-aware and somewhat puts on a Bugs Bunny-esque disposition. He is Minnie's boyfriend.
  • Minnie Mouse (voiced by Russi Taylor[9]) is Mickey Mouse's loving and quick-thinking girlfriend and Daisy's best friend who loves bows. She is often prone to being put in over-the-top experiences.
  • Donald Duck (voiced by Tony Anselmo[10]) is Mickey's short-tempered but good-natured best friend and Daisy's boyfriend. He is often shown to display a short temper that is easily provoked, though it's a noticeably rare occasion in this series.
  • Daisy Duck (voiced by Tress MacNeille[11]) is Donald's girlfriend and Minnie's best friend, who is prone to getting distracted and being talkitive. However, she does mean well, and she also knows how to solve many problems and mysteries.
  • Goofy (voiced by Bill Farmer[12]) is Mickey's innocent but well-meaning best friend. Being the clumsy guy he is, Goofy is often prone to most of the slapstick presented in this series.
  • Pluto (vocal effects provided by Bill Farmer[13]) is Mickey's best pet dog who loves adventure. His arch-nemesis is Butch the Bulldog, whose owner is revealed to be Pete.
  • Toodles (voiced by Rob Paulsen[14]) is a tool-distributing robot that Mickey calls to present the items for every episode. Following the episode "Happy Birthday, Toodles", he gains a face, a personality, and a voice, and even acquires himself a love interest in the episode "Space Adventure."

Recurring edit

Guest appearances edit

Production edit

Mickey Mouse was originally voiced by Wayne Allwine, who died in 2009, upon which Bret Iwan took over the role (the last episode to feature Allwine as Mickey premiered posthumously on September 28, 2012). Bill Farmer, the voice actor for Goofy and Pluto, said in February 2014 that the recording of dialogue for new episodes has ceased, but that "it would be quite a while before the show runs out of new episodes for TV. We have been on the air consistently since 2006 and we started recording in 2004. So there is always a long lead-in time between recording and seeing it on TV. So don't worry more is still to come, we just are not making any more".[15]

Release edit

Broadcast edit

Since Mickey Mouse Clubhouse has ended its run, reruns still air on Disney Junior. The series is also available to stream on Disney+.[16][17]

Home media edit

Title Season(s) Episode count Release date Episodes
Mickey Saves Santa and Other Mouseketales 1 3 November 14, 2006 Episode 03 ("Goofy's Bird"), 10 ("Mickey-Go-Seek"), and 20 ("Mickey Saves Santa")
Mickey's Great Clubhouse Hunt 1 2 March 20, 2007 24 ("Mickey's Great Clubhouse Hunt") and 27 ("Donald's Hiccups")
Mickey's Treat 1 4 August 28, 2007 18 ("Mickey's Treat"), 21 ("Goofy the Great"), 25 ("Doctor Daisy, M.D."), and A Little Einsteins Halloween
Mickey's Storybook Surprises 1, 2 4 September 2, 2008 Episode 07 ("Donald the Frog Prince"), 18 ("Minnie Red Riding Hood"), 19 ("Sleeping Minnie"), and 50 ("Minnie's Mystery")
Mickey's Big Splash[18] 1, 2 4 May 5, 2009 Episode 06 ("Mickey Goes Fishing"), 43 ("Pluto's Bubble Bath"), 57 ("Pete's Beach Blanket Luau"), and 58 ("Donald's Ducks")
Mickey's Adventures in Wonderland 2 2 September 8, 2009 Episode 64 ("Goofy Goes Goofy") and 65 ("Mickey's Adventures In Wonderland")
Choo-Choo Express[19] 2 2 December 1, 2009 41 ("Mickey's Big Job") and 60 ("Choo-Choo Express")
Minnie's Bow-Tique 2, 3 4 February 9, 2010 32 ("Minnie's Picnic"), 61 ("Minnie's Bee Story"), 75 ("Minnie's Pajama Party"), and 83 ("Minnie's Bow-Tique")
Road Rally 1-3 5 October 21, 2010 76 ("Road Rally") and 82 ("Pluto Lends A Paw")
Numbers Round-Up 1–3 5 November 16, 2010 Episode 01 ("Daisy Bo-Peep"), 42 ("Mickey's Round-Up"), 67 ("Mickey's Big Surprise"), 70 ("Super Goof's Super Puzzle"), and 87 ("Mickey's Show and Tell")
Minnie's Masquerade 1–3 5 February 8, 2011 Episode 02 ("A Surprise For Minnie"), Episode 47 ("Secret Spy Daisy"), 55 ("The Friendship Team"), 81 ("Minnie's Mouseke-Calendar"), and 84 ("Minnie's Masquerade")
Mickey's Great Outdoors 1–3 5 May 24, 2011 14 ("Daisy in the Sky"), 38 ("Mickey and Minnie's Jungle Safari"), 39 ("Mickey's Camp Out"), 78 ("Daisy's Grasshopper"), and 88 ("Mickey's Fishy Story")
Space Adventure 1-3 5 November 8, 2011 89 ("Space Adventure") and 94 ("Goofy's Thinking Cap")
I Heart Minnie 1–3 5 February 7, 2012 8 ("Minnie's Birthday"), Episode 11 ("Daisy's Dance"), 40 ("Daisy's Pet Project"), 53 ("Minnie's Rainbow"), and 95 ("Minnie and Daisy's Flower Shower")
Mickey and Donald Have a Farm 1–4 5 December 11, 2012 23 ("Goofy's Petting Zoo"), 29 ("Goofy the Homemaker"), 52 ("Clarabelle's Clubhouse Mooo-sical"), 98 ("Donald Hatches an Egg"), and 100 ("Mickey and Donald Have A Farm")
Minnie's the Wizard of Dizz 3, 4 4 August 13, 2013 91 ("Goofy's Gone"), 99 ("The Golden Boo Boo"), and 104 ("Minnie's the Wizard of Dizz")
Quest for the Crystal Mickey 2–4 5 May 21, 2013 59 ("Goofy's Coconutty Monkey"), 71 ("Donald of the Desert"), 77 ("Donald the Genie"), 85 ("Goofy's Giant Adventure"), and 101 ("Quest For the Crystal Mickey")
Super Adventure! 3, 4 4 December 3, 2013 79 ("Mickey's Mousekersize"), 80 ("Mickey's Little Parade"), 97 ("Aye, Aye, Captain Mickey"), and 105 ("Super Adventure")
Minnie-Rella 2–4 4 February 11, 2014 40 ("Daisy's Pet Project"), 63 ("Mickey and the Enchanted Egg"), 93 ("Pluto's Tale"), and 108 ("Minnie-rella")
Disney Junior Holiday 1 1 October 23, 2018 20 ("Mickey Saves Santa")

Reception edit

Critical response edit

Alessandra Stanley of The New York Times compared the television series to Wonder Pets!, saying that "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse is simpler, and sometimes less is more", writing, "For much of his television career, the mouse was more a master of ceremonies than a comic lead. Now he has been whittled down to a Mister Rogers role — kindly and didactic".[20] Larisa Wiseman of Common Sense Media rated the show a 4 out of 5 stars, complimented the educational value, saying the series teaches early mathematics skills, and praised the depiction of positive messages and role models, citing, teamwork, positive interactions, and encouragement of social interactions.[21]

Stuart Heritage of The Guardian included Mickey Mouse Clubhouse in their "Best Shows to Watch on Disney+" list, stating that preschoolers will respond enthusiastically and accept eagerly the show, compared to older children and adult who are likely to have less interest.[22] Charles Curtis of USA Today ranked the television series 9th in their "20 Best Shows For Kids Right Now" list, asserting, "Whether it's Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Mickey and the Roadster Racers or Mickey Mouse Mixed-Up Adventures, they're all good."[23]

Matthew Huff of BuzzFeed ranked Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 28th in their "51 Of The Best TV Shows To Stream On Disney+ In August" list, calling the show "oddly enthralling".[24] Nathan Rabin of Fatherly ranked Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 60th in their "100 Best Kids TV Shows Of All Time" list, writing, "It's a brightly colored, tune-filled, and strangely meme-friendly romp for small children that uses music, repetition, computers, tools, and some of the most beloved characters in pop culture to educate and entertain plus its insanely infectious opening and closing songs are by They Might Be Giants".[25]

David Perlmutter in The Encyclopedia of American Animated Television Shows says that the show "was yet another case of vintage cartoon characters embarrassing themselves for the enjoyment of preschoolers in a heavily dumbed-down format. While it demonstrated the wide appeal of the Disney brand, it also indicated that this brand could be compromised as any other could through association with an inferior product."[2]

Accolades edit

Year Award Category Recipient(s) and nominee(s) Result Ref.
2010 Annie Awards Best Animated Television Production for Children Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Nominated [26]
2011 Daytime Emmy Awards Outstanding Pre-School Children's Series Nominated [27][28]
Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program Bill Farmer Nominated [29][30]
Outstanding Music Direction and Composition Mike Himelstein, Michael Turner Nominated
2012 Annie Awards Best Animated Television Production - Preschool Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Nominated [31]
2013 iKids Awards Best Web/App Series Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
  • For the episode "Road Rally Appisode"
Won [32]
Behind the Voice Actors Awards Best Vocal Ensemble in a Television Series - Children's/Educational Bret Iwan, Tony Anselmo, Bill Farmer, Russi Taylor, Tress MacNeille, Jim Cummings, Corey Burton, April, Winchell, Dee Bradley Baker, Will Ryan Won [33]
2014 Behind the Voice Actors Awards Best Vocal Ensemble in a Television Series - Children's/Educational Nominated [34]
Best Female Vocal Performance in a Television Series - Children's/Educational Russi Taylor Nominated
April Winchell Nominated
Best Male Vocal Performance in a Television Series - Children's/Educational Bill Farmer Nominated
Tony Anselmo Nominated
2015 Daytime Creative Arts Emmy Awards Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program Dick Van Dyke
  • For the voice of Captain Goof Beard
Nominated [35][36]

Spin-off edit

Minnie's Bow-Toons is a spin-off series which premiered in November 2011.[37] It aired in the daytime Disney Junior programming block for younger audiences. It is based on the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse episode "Minnie's Bow-tique" and depicts Minnie's continuing adventures in business as proprietor of her own store which makes and sells bows for apparel and interior decoration with her friend Daisy. She interacts with many of the characters seen in the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse series. The show has been revived with new episodes starting April 2021 renamed to Minnie's Bow-Toons: Party Palace Pals, with the animation style of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse's successor, Mickey Mouse Mixed-Up Adventures.[38]

Notes edit

  1. ^ Known as Walt Disney Television Animation from 2006 to 2012. Animation outsourced to DQ Entertainment and Toon City.

References edit

  1. ^ Crump, William D. (2019). Happy Holidays—Animated! A Worldwide Encyclopedia of Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and New Year's Cartoons on Television and Film. McFarland & Co. p. 192. ISBN 9781476672939.
  2. ^ a b Perlmutter, David (2018). The Encyclopedia of American Animated Television Shows. Rowman & Littlefield. pp. 387–389. ISBN 978-1538103739.
  3. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (August 18, 2023). "'Mickey Mouse Clubhouse' Revival Leads Disney Junior Slate; Taye Diggs To Voice King Triton With Amber Riley As Ursula In 'Ariel' Animated Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
  4. ^ Thompson, Jaden (August 18, 2023). "'Mickey Mouse Clubhouse' To Be Revived, As Disney Junior Reveals New Slate Including Shows With Taye Diggs, Cynthia Erivo, More". Variety. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  5. ^ "Oh Toodles! Clubhouse Stories – Mickey Mouse Clubhouse – Playhouse Disney". Archived from the original on June 7, 2008. Retrieved June 7, 2008.
  6. ^ "Playhouse Disney's Mouskatool and Handy Manny Morning". Archived from the original on July 25, 2008. Retrieved June 7, 2008.
  7. ^ Nordyke, Kimberly (August 16, 2019). "Disney Junior's Mickey Mouse Series Gets New Title, Updated "Hot Dog!" Theme Song for Season 3 (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
  8. ^ "Voice Of Mickey Mouse – Behind The Voice Actors". Behind The Voice Actors. Check marks indicates role has been confirmed using screenshots of closing credits and other reliable sources{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
  9. ^ "Voice Of Minnie Mouse – Behind The Voice Actors". Behind The Voice Actors. Check marks indicates role has been confirmed using screenshots of closing credits and other reliable sources{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
  10. ^ "Voice Of Donald Duck – Behind The Voice Actors". Behind The Voice Actors. Check marks indicates role has been confirmed using screenshots of closing credits and other reliable sources{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
  11. ^ "Voice Of Daisy Duck – Behind The Voice Actors". Behind The Voice Actors. Check marks indicates role has been confirmed using screenshots of closing credits and other reliable sources{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
  12. ^ "Voice Of Goofy Goof – Behind The Voice Actors". Behind The Voice Actors. Check marks indicates role has been confirmed using screenshots of closing credits and other reliable sources{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
  13. ^ "Voice Of Pluto – Behind The Voice Actors". Behind The Voice Actors. Check marks indicates role has been confirmed using screenshots of closing credits and other reliable sources{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
  14. ^ "Voice Of Toodles – Behind The Voice Actors". Behind The Voice Actors. Check marks indicates role has been confirmed using screenshots of closing credits and other reliable sources{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
  15. ^ Gencarelli, Mike (February 9, 2014). "Disney Legend, Bill Farmer talks about voicing Goofy and new Disney Junior series "The 7D"". Media Mikes. Retrieved November 10, 2014.
  16. ^ Murphy, Rachel (April 22, 2020). "Disney+ shows, movies that kids, teens should watch, based on their age". USA Today. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
  17. ^ Rogers, Reece (July 7, 2021). "All the new kids' shows you can watch on Disney Plus — from 'Monsters at Work' to 'Mickey Mouse Clubhouse'". Business Insider. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
  18. ^ "Disney Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Mickey's Big Splash | Now On DVD | Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment". Archived from the original on May 5, 2012. Retrieved April 22, 2012.
  19. ^ "Disney Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Mickey's Choo-Choo Express | Now on DVD | Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment". Archived from the original on April 26, 2012. Retrieved April 22, 2012.
  20. ^ Stanley, Alessandra (May 5, 2006). "For Today's Preschooler, a Slick New Mickey Mouse". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  21. ^ Wiseman, Larisa. "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse TV Review | Common Sense Media". Common Sense Media. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  22. ^ Heritage, Stuart (March 24, 2020). "From Mickey Mouse to the Simpsons: the best shows to watch on Disney+". The Guardian. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  23. ^ Curtis, Charles (March 27, 2020). "The 20 Best Shows For Kids Right Now (March 2020)". USA Today. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  24. ^ Huff, Matthew (August 16, 2022). "51 Of The Best TV Shows To Stream On Disney+ In August". BuzzFeed. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
  25. ^ Rabin, Nathan (May 4, 2023). "The 100 Best Kids TV Shows Of All Time". Fatherly. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  26. ^ "Up, Princess Lead Annie Noms". IGN. December 1, 2009. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
  27. ^ Powers, Lindsay (May 11, 2011). "'General Hospital' Is No. 1 in Daytime Emmy Award Nominations With 21 | Hollywood Reporter". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  28. ^ "THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF TELEVISION ARTS & SCIENCES ANNOUNCES THE 38th ANNUAL DAYTIME ENTERTAINMENT EMMY® AWARD NOMINATIONS, WAYNE BRADY TO HOST THE LIVE TELECAST | The Emmy Awards - The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences". Archived from the original on August 16, 2017. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
  29. ^ "List of nominees for 2011 Daytime Emmy Awards". CBS News. May 11, 2011. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
  30. ^ "Children's Emmy nominees announced". Kidscreen.com. May 12, 2011. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
  31. ^ Giardina, Carolyn (February 4, 2012). "'Rango' Wins Annie Award for Best Animated Feature". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
  32. ^ "Winner of inaugural iKids Awards announced". Kidscreen.com. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  33. ^ "2013 BTVA Voice Acting Awards". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  34. ^ "2014 BTVA Voice Acting Awards". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  35. ^ "The 42nd Annual Daytime Entertainment Emmy Award Nominations" (PDF). National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. March 31, 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 16, 2016. Retrieved April 29, 2015.
  36. ^ "Daytime Emmy Awards 2015: Complete Winners List". TheWrap. April 26, 2015. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
  37. ^ "Minnie's Bow-Toons (2011)". Behind The Voice Actors.
  38. ^ Milligan, Mercedes (March 29, 2021). "First Look: Disney Junior Debuts 'Minnie's Bow-Toons: Party Palace Pals'". Animation Magazine. Retrieved April 4, 2023.

External links edit

  • Official website
  • Mickey Mouse Clubhouse at IMDb