Rugrats - a TV cartoon series

The Rugrats - A cartoon series for children (or adults!)
This loveable cartoon depicts untypical family life in a way that is humourous and relateable.

Rugrats is a term which describes young children who crawl or 'coast' around the carpets.

The main strength of this series is the way the characters are portrayed and react to one another.

Characters

Tommy

Tommy is the main character of the cartoon, being the superhero, stable, level-headed baby. If Tommy can't do it, then no one can! He is the first born son of Stu and Didi Pickles, and is approximately one year old. Although, his appearance doesn't reflect this character. He has a bald, bumpy head, and with very few teeth (if any!) he is the youngest of all the Rugrats.

Tommy is the bravest of the rugrats and loves going on adventures. In one episode he is depicted as Indiana Jones from the Raiders of the Lost Arc, holding a whip and wearing the typical 'Indie-hat'. This is a clearly not a baby to be messed with. He can solve any problem, with only a screwdriver in his 'diaper'.

Tommy's greatest love is that for his parents, and his bottle. He is still being bottle fed, but is rarely seen doing this (the most seen part is the opening credits when he spills some on the viewer).

Chuckie

Tommy's best friend Chucky - he's got red spiky hair, and big square glasses, and some adenoid problem. Chuckie lives with his dad, who is remarkably like Chuckie.

Chuckie is the complete opposite of Tommy. He is fearful of nearly anything which is unfamiliar (even the guy on the oatmeal box!). Chuckie is especially afraid of clowns, whilst all the other Rugrats love clowns. Chuckie's fears are all deep-seated and stem back from early experiences. In one episode Chas (Chuckie's father) reveals that Chucky's mother died, tragically, at an early age. We are left to believe that this could be the cause of Chuckie's insecurities.

Chuckie faces the dilemma nearly every episode of whether he should avoid all the adventure and intrigue that the other rugrats get into, or whether to participate. He fear of the unknown tells him that he should avoid all the scrapes that the other babies find themselves in. However, his trust in Tommy and the knowledge of morality and doing the right thing, spurs Chuckie on in nearly every episode.

More recent episodes have seen Chuckie's family adopt a sister for him, called Kimmy.

Angelica

Angelica is Tommy's older cousin. She is approximately 2-3 years old and has a phenomenon where she can communicate both with the Rugrats and with adults. Angelica's father, Drew, is the brother of Tommy's father Stu - but we'll come on to them later. :)

Angelica's parents are both quite influential professionals, with XXXXXXX (Angelica's mother) working for a large corporation. Hence, this family are relatively affluent, and this adds to Angelica's personality, by her being spoilt. She is very demanding and gets pretty much what she wants. For example, in one episode, she wants a huge toy for her birthday, but her parents disagree, but Angelica unwittingly telephones a lawyer advertised on the radio and asks for assistance. The lawyer pursues the case by taking Angelica's parents to court claiming damages. However, everything is resolved by Angelica's father waking up realising it was all a bad dream.

Angelica carries around with her Cynthia, a toy doll, akin to Barbie or Sindy, which has a pained expression on her face. Angelica is very fond of Cynthia, and in a few episodes is forced to rescue her from perils (floating away attached to a balloon and being gobbled up by a huge swordfish.)

Phil and Lil

Phil is the identical brother of Lil. When Phil and Lil get into fights they call each other their full names and Phil is short for Philip. Together with his sister they will eat bugs, mud or garbage at any opportunity given. They are approximately 1 and half years old.

Phil's Mum, Betty, does a lot of weight lifting and working out, although this does not show because she has a very plump figure. His Dad, Howard, is a very quiet and panicky person.

Phil wears an aqua Dungaree type skirt with a yellow duck on, Underneath, he wears a pink shirt. He uses his diper (dipee) to store candy and his favorite snack of worms. The only way Phil is told apart from Lil is because he doesn't wear a bow in his hair and she does also his voice is a lot lower than hers.