Courage the Cowardly Dog | |
---|---|
Genre | Horror Comedy |
Created by | John R. Dilworth |
Written by |
|
Directed by | John R. Dilworth |
Voices of | |
Opening theme | "Courage the Cowardly Dog" |
Ending theme | "Courage the Cowardly Dog" (Instrumental) |
Composer(s) | Jody Gray Andy Ezrin |
Country of origin | United States |
Original language(s) | English |
No. of seasons | 4 |
No. of episodes | 52 (102 segments) (list of episodes) |
Production | |
Executive producer(s) | John R. Dilworth |
Producer(s) |
|
Running time | 22 minutes |
Production company(s) |
|
Distributor | Cartoon Network |
Release | |
Original network | Cartoon Network |
Picture format |
480i (4:3 NTSC) 1080i (16:9 HDTV) (special) |
Audio format | Stereo |
Original release | November 12, 1999 | – November 22, 2002
Chronology | |
Related shows | What a Cartoon! |
Courage the Cowardly Dog is an American animated horror comedy television series created by John R. Dilworth for Cartoon Network as part of the network's Cartoon Cartoons block. It follows a purple anthropomorphic beagle who lives with a married elderly couple in the middle of Nowhere. The trio are frequently thrown into bizarre misadventures, often involving the paranormal/supernatural. The series is known for its dark, surreal humor and atmosphere.
Dilworth pitched the series to Hanna-Barbera's animated shorts showcase What a Cartoon!, and a pilot (entitled "The Chicken from Outer Space") aired on Cartoon Network in early 1996. The segment was nominated for an Academy Award, but lost to Wallace and Gromit's A Close Shave. Cartoon Network greenlit a series from the short, which premiered on November 12, 1999 and ended on November 22, 2002, with four seasons of 13 episodes each produced. During its run, the series was nominated for 3 Golden Reel Awards and 1 Annie Award. Spin-off media include home video releases and collectible toys.
Courage the Cowardly Dog follows Courage, an easily frightened lavender dog. He was abandoned as a puppy after his parents were forcibly sent into outer space by a crazed vet. He lives in a house with a connected garage near the fictional town of Nowhere, Kansas with Muriel Bagge, a sweet-natured Scottish woman, and her American husband Eustace Bagge, a grouchy, selfish, greedy man who constantly harasses Courage. Courage was found in an alleyway by Muriel, who took him up as her own.
Courage, Muriel and Eustace frequently run into monsters, aliens, demons, mad scientists, zombies and other supernatural perils from myths and legends that Courage must fend off to save his owners, unbeknownst to them. Although most of the creatures that the three face are frightening or disturbing, some turn out to be sweet and simply in distress. The plot generally uses horror conventions, common to horror films. Ironically, given his name, Courage is a genuine coward, but still goes to great lengths to protect his owners.