The Off-Beats is an American animated series that was created by Mo Willems. The first episodes were produced as standalone short animated films for Nickelodeon; but after the series was nominated for a CableACE Award, more segments were produced for Kablam!. The series was initially called The Misfits, but Nickelodeon had Willems change the series' title (and re-animate the intro) at the last moment before its television debut. The series was the first to end on KaBlam! after Willems moved to Cartoon Network to create Sheep in the Big City; it too was cancelled after two years on the air.
The show features a distinct art style, with flat, dry colors. The animation is similar to that of UPA, and Hanna-Barbera cartoons. The series itself (especially in story and concept) pays homage to the classic Peanuts TV specials, especially since the majority of the voice cast are child actors. Each episode is composed with a jazz genre, occasionally includes big-band music, but mostly including a combination of a piano, drums and a double bass. Each segment was two to four minutes in length. Most of the soundtracks in the shorts are similar to The Pink Panther cartoon shorts.
After 15 years of being considered lost, the Off Beats Valentine Special can be viewed on YouTube as of February 27, 2014.
Theme song
The opening introduction to the shorts always consisted of a short poem, spoken by Grubby Groo (voiced by Mo Willems). The introduction to the original pre-Kablam shorts used a different version. The Valentine's Day special used a new version of the theme song specifically for the special.
Characters
The Off-Beats
Betty Anne Bongo - Betty Anne is the realistically thinking "leader" of the group, but sometimes not very bright. She can usually be found playing her bongo set. She often sings her own short theme song: "My name is Betty Anne Bongo, I sing this little song-O, I sing it all day long-O!" along with rapidly banging on her bongos (although on one occasion, she sings it without the help of her bongos). Betty is originally against puppy love as she does not see the point of it since friendship is another option, but then develops a crush on Brad Groo. She is voiced by Mischa Barton.
Tommy - Tommy loves his plaid coat, so much so that in one episode it is the basis for the plot when it is sent to the cleaners and he goes temporarily insane. On some occasions, he breaks his calm nature and loses his temper, causing him to shout with words coming out of his mouth, usually startling his friends and himself. Betty is able to copy Tommy's movements and yelling voice at ease, and Repunzil is able to do the same as shown in the Valentine's Day special. His catchphrase is "Let me just say..." when confronting the Populars, accompanied by his yelling (voiced by Kevin Seal). He also spends most of his time being outside instead of being inside, as in a literal outsider. He seems to love fishing as he did in the pilot and "The Statistic". Tommy is voiced by Mark Wagner.
Repunzil - Repunzil is the youngest girl in the group and can be quite naive. She is known for her floor-length long hair (named after the princess Rapunzel). She can be dim-witted at times because of her young age and does not know how to tie her shoes. Repunzil is an animal lover; she owns a lot of animals (and a toaster) in the "Sweepstakes" episode and sets up September with a duck and an elephant as a crush in the Valentine's Day special. In the same special she has a crush on Tommy and tries to give him a box of chocolates on Valentine's Day before eating it. She gets angry at her mother for doing her hair in a silly way. She tends to say: "Sometimes I hate my mom". She is voiced by Trisha Hedgecock.
August - August is the most technologically inclined brain of the Off-Beats, but many of his gadgets fail or backfire unexpectedly. While some episodes imply that August makes his gadgets himself, others imply that he purchases them. He has an interest in impressing The Populars and gaining their respect. August is the only character to appear at least once in every episode. He may have a crush on Tina since he tries to get her to be his valentine with an invention he made, which results in him being thrown into the punchbowl at the party. He is voiced by Dylan Roberts.