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Max & Ruby

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Max & Ruby
GenreChildren's
Animated
Preschool
Buddy
Educational
Family
Comedy
Fantasy
Created byRosemary Wells
Based onMax & Ruby
by Rosemary Wells
Directed by
  • Jamie Whitney (seasons 1–2)
  • Steven Boeckler (seasons 3–5)
  • Derek Prout (seasons 6–7)
Voices of
Theme music composerGeoff Bennett, Ben Johannesen and André Hirz (seasons 1–5)
TTG Music Lab (seasons 6–7)
ComposersGeoff Bennett, Ben Johannesen and André Hirz (seasons 1–5)
TTG Music Lab (seasons 6–7)
Country of originCanada
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons7
No. of episodes130 (334 segments) (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
  • Michael Hirsh (seasons 1–5)
  • Scott Dyer (seasons 1–4)
  • Tina Peel (seasons 1–5)
  • Vince Commisso (seasons 3–5)
  • Doug Murphy (seasons 3–5)
  • Diana Manson (seasons 3–5)
  • Colin Bohm (seasons 6–7)
  • Megan DeLoach (seasons 6–7)
  • Irene Weibel (seasons 6–7)
  • Axel Jackson (season 7)
Producers
  • Kristin Robertson
  • Tracy Lynch (seasons 1–5)
  • Vanessa Esteves (seasons 6–7)
  • Melissa Graham (seasons 6–7)
Running time8 minutes (each segment, seasons 1–5)
11 minutes (each segment, seasons 6–7)
22–23 minutes (full episode)
Production companies
Original release
NetworkTreehouse TV (Canada)
Nickelodeon (U.S.)
ReleaseMay 3, 2002 (2002-05-03) –
April 9, 2020 (2020-04-09)

Max & Ruby is a Canadian children's preschool animated series based on the book series by Rosemary Wells and produced by Nelvana Limited. The series follows two young rabbit siblings in the 1940s and 1950s.

In 1988 and 1991, the books were adapted into short films. These shorts were later remade into episodes for the television series.

Max & Ruby first aired in Canada on Treehouse TV on May 3, 2002.[1] In the United States, the series first aired on Nickelodeon on the Nick Jr. block on October 21, 2002.[2] 130 half-hour episodes were produced. The final episode aired on April 9, 2020.

Premise

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Max & Ruby follows two young rabbits: Max, a rambunctious and achievement-determined three-year-old and his older sister Ruby, a seldom-patient, goal-oriented and sometimes, annoyingly-restrictive seven-year-old.[3] The series takes place in a town called Eastbunny Hop, in a universe populated by bunnies and other creatures, in the 1940s and 1950s. According to Wells, the series shows the relationship between Ruby, Max and the universal nature of sibling relationships.[4]

Episodes

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SeasonSegmentsEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
Weston Woods shorts22October 7, 1988 (October 7, 1988)January 15, 1992 (January 15, 1992)
13913May 3, 2002 (May 3, 2002)March 14, 2003 (March 14, 2003)
23913July 8, 2003 (July 8, 2003)April 27, 2004 (April 27, 2004)
34214October 27, 2006 (October 27, 2006)May 2, 2007 (May 2, 2007)
43612June 15, 2009 (June 15, 2009)November 3, 2009 (November 3, 2009)
57826December 10, 2011 (December 10, 2011)February 11, 2013 (February 11, 2013)
65026September 18, 2016 (September 18, 2016)September 24, 2018 (September 24, 2018)
75026August 12, 2018 (August 12, 2018)April 9, 2020 (April 9, 2020)

The TV series premiered in 2002, but was preceded by a 1988[5] and 1991[6] short adapting the characters for the first times. The shorts were individually produced and later remade into broadcast episodes.

Characters

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Main

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  • Max Bunny (voiced by Billy Rosemberg in seasons 1-3, Tyler Stevenson in seasons 4-5[a], and Gavin MacIver-Wright in seasons 6-7) is a 4-years-old (starting off at three and a half-year-old) bunny and Ruby's younger brother. He has white fur and wears some clothes including some long overalls. Prior to seasons 3 & 5 and for the first few episodes of seasons 1 and 2, Max only says 1-3 words or phrases (with the exception of a few episodes like Max's Bedtime and Ruby's Candy Store and of voiceover on the title card for episodes featuring Ruby). He does this again in season 5 (voiceover on the episode's title card; except in just the ones featuring Ruby). In seasons 6 and 7, Max (along with Morris) is able to speak in full sentences.
  • Ruby Bunny (voiced by Samantha Morton in seasons 1-2, Rebecca Peters in seasons 3-5, and Lana Carillo in seasons 6-7) is an 8-year-old (starting off at 7 years old) white bunny, and is Max's older sister. She has white fur and has been considered the more level-headed of the siblings. She is also a member of the bunny scouts (a formula similar to the "girl scouts").

Recurring

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  • Grace (voiced by Julie Lemieux) is one of Max and Ruby's new baby siblings and Oliver's older twin sister. Like Max, Grace likes getting dirty.
    • Lemieux also voiced Oliver (the other one of Max and Ruby's new baby siblings and Grace's younger twin brother who, like Ruby, likes being clean) and Louise (Ruby's best friend with tan/auburn fur who is also 7 years old).[7][8]
  • Mom (also known as Mrs. Bunny;[9] voiced by Carolyn Larson) is Max and Ruby's mother. She and Ruby are close and she trusts Ruby's ability to help out with Max. She is Grandma's daughter-in-law and Grandpa's daughter.
  • Dad (also known as Mr. Bunny;[9] voiced by Paul Bates) is Max and Ruby's father. He is Grandma's son and Grandpa's son-in-law.
  • Grandma (voiced by Kay Hawtrey) has grey fur and is the paternal grandmother to Max and Ruby. Max and Ruby sometimes compete as to whose ideas are better in order to impress her, but in the end she likes both of their ideas equally. She is Dad's mother and Mom's mother-in-law.
  • Baby Huffington "Baby H" (voiced by Julie Lemieux) is Mr. and Mrs. Huffington's baby son and Bunny Scout Leader's grandson.
  • Mrs. Huffington (voiced by Emily Scott in seasons 1–5 and Catherine Disher in seasons 6–7) is the wife of Mr. Huffington, mother of Baby Huffington and daughter of Bunny Scout Leader.
  • Mr. Huffington (voiced by John Torres) is the husband to Mrs. Huffington, father of Baby Huffington, and son-in-law of Bunny Scout Leader.
  • Valerie (voiced by Loretta Jafelice) is a friend of Ruby; she has brown fur.
  • Martha (voiced by Tabitha St. Germain) is a friend of Ruby; she has gold fur.
  • Morris (voiced by Cameron Ansell in seasons 1–5 and Nicholas Fry in seasons 6–7) is Louise's two-year-old cousin[10] and Max's best friend.
  • Roger Piazza[11] (voiced by Kenan Thompson in seasons 2–3 and Joanne Vannicola in seasons 4–7) is the son of Mr. Piazza. He is older than Ruby and Louise, standing at 7+12 years old.[8][12]
  • Bunny Scout Leader (voiced by Sarah Adams) is the leader of the Bunny Scouts and Mrs. Huffington's mother and Mr. Huffington's mother-in-law and Baby Huffington's maternal grandmother.
  • Mr. Piazza (voiced by Jamie Watson) runs the local market in East Bunnyhop and is the father of Roger.
  • Candi (voiced by Linda Ballantyne) is the owner of the candy shop in East Bunnyhop.
  • Rosalinda (voiced by Anne Hill) is the owner of a gift shop that sells jewelry and collectibles and a friend of Max and Ruby's grandmother, Mary.
  • Katie (voiced by Yvonne Craig) is the waitress at the diner in East Bunnyhop.
  • Miss Bunty (voiced by Judy Price) is Max's preschool teacher.
  • Winston (voiced by Ethan Tavares) is one of Max's classmates who is confined to a wheelchair. He is also Max's second best friend.
  • Lily (voiced by Isabella Leo) is one of Max's classmates who is also one of Max's love interests.
  • Priya (voiced by Labbiah Santos) is one of Max's classmates who is also another one of Max's love interests.
  • Mr. Estévez (voiced by Carlos Díaz) is Ruby, Louise, and Valerie's teacher in school.
  • Antônio (voiced by Emílio Virguez) is one of Ruby's classmates. He is Max and Ruby's new friend.

Production

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Nelvana Limited produced the show in association with Silver Lining Productions for its first five seasons (in 2005, Silver Lining itself was acquired by Chorion).[13] 9 Story Entertainment overtook producing the animation from Nelvana in season 3 (and continues animating the series for seasons 4 and 5 while Chorion co-produced at the same time); with season 6, Nelvana still handles production of the series and also for the rest of its run.

Shortly after Chorion and its division Silver Lining Productions both close their doors when season 5 finished production, Atomic Cartoons overtook co-producing the series, season 6 of which premiered on September 18, 2016,[14] with a new main voice cast and theme song, along with each episode now having 2 10-minute segments per half-hour, rather than having 3 7-minute segments as in the previous five seasons.

In an interview with Nickelodeon, Wells has stated about Max and Ruby's unseen parents that "we don't see Max and Ruby's parents, because [she] believe[s] that kids resolve their issues and conflicts differently when they are on their own. The television series gives kids a sense about how these two siblings resolve their conflicts in a humorous and entertaining way."[4] However, in season 6, the series finally introduced Max and Ruby's parents.[15]

Telecast and home media

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Max & Ruby first aired on Treehouse TV in Canada on May 3, 2002.[1] In the United States, the series first aired on the Nick Jr. Channel on October 21, 2002.[2] The series also featured a British English dub that first aired on Nick Jr. in the UK and Ireland in February 2003.[when?]

DVDs

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United States

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Paramount Home Entertainment is the DVD distributor for the series in the United States. As of March 29, 2012, 2.9 million DVD units of the series from Nickelodeon have been sold in the U.S. These DVDs (see below) only have episodes from the first five seasons.[16]

Main series
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Name Release Date Number of Episodes Episode Titles
Max & Ruby's Christmas October 26, 2004 12
  • "Max's Christmas" / "Ruby's Snow Queen" / "Max's Rocket Run"
  • "Ruby's Figure Eight" / "Ruby's Surprise Party" / "Ruby's Tent"
  • "Ruby's Tea Party" / "Max Is It" / "Ruby's Science Project"
  • "Ruby Writes a Story" / "Max's Dominoes" / "Grandma's Attic"
Springtime for Max & Ruby March 1, 2005 12
  • "Max's Chocolate Chicken" / "Ruby's Beauty Shop" / "Max Drives Away"
  • "Camp Out" / "Ruby's Clubhouse" / "Max's Picnic"
  • "Ruby's Merit Badge" / "Max's Apple" / "Quiet Max"
  • "Max Misses the Bus" / "Max's Worm Cake" / "Max's Rainy Day"
Max & Ruby's Halloween August 30, 2005 12
  • "Max's Halloween" / "Ruby's Leaf Collection" / "The Blue Tarantula"
  • "Ruby's Panda Prize" / "Ruby's Roller Skates" / "Ghost Bunny"
  • "Max's Shadow" / "Max Remembers" / "Ruby's Candy Store"
  • "Max's Thanksgiving" / "Max's Pretend Friend" / "Fireman Max"
Party Time with Max & Ruby February 14, 2006 12
  • "Max's Birthday" / "Max's New Suit" / "Goodnight Max"
  • "Bunny Cakes" / "Bunny Party" / "Bunny Money"
  • "Max's Bug Salad" / "Ruby's Beach Party" / "Super Max to the Rescue"
  • "Hide & Seek" / "Max's Breakfast" / "Louise's Secret"
Afternoons with Max & Ruby August 1, 2006 12
  • "Max's Froggy Friend" / "Max's Music" / "Max Gets Wet"
  • "Max's Dragon Shirt" / "Max's Rabbit Racer" / "Roger's Choice"
  • "Ruby's Hiccups" / "The Big Picture" / "Ruby's Stage Show"
  • "Ruby's Piano Practice" / "Max's Bath" / "Max's Bedtime"
Easter with Max & Ruby March 13, 2007 12
  • "Ruby's Easter Bonnet" / "Max's Easter Parade" / "Max and the Easter Bunny"
  • "Ruby's Loose Tooth" / "Ruby Scores" / "Ruby's Sandcastle"
  • "Max's Work of Art" / "Max Meets Morris" / "Ruby's Scavenger Hunt"
  • "Max's Check Up" / "Max's Prize" / "Space Max"
Summertime with Max & Ruby June 5, 2007 12
  • "Ruby's Lemonade Stand" / "Ruby's Rummage Sale" / "Ruby's Magic Act"
  • "Ruby's Hippity Hop Dance" / "Ruby's Bird Bath" / "Super Max Saves the World"
  • "Ruby's Pajama Party" / "Baby Max" / "Bunny Scout Brownies"
  • "Max's Valentine" / "Ruby Flies a Kite" / "Super Max"
A Merry Bunny Christmas October 2, 2007 12
  • "Grandma's Present" / "Max and Ruby's Christmas Tree" / "Max's Snow Plow"
  • "Max's Snow Day" / "Max's Snow Bunny" / "Max's Mix Up"
  • "Max's Fireflies" / "Max and Ruby's Fashion Show" / "Ruby's Sing-a-Ling"
  • "Ruby's Puppet Show" / "Sugar Plum Max" / "Max's Ant Farm"
Berry Bunny Adventures February 26, 2008 12
  • "Grandma's Berry Patch" / "Ruby's Bunny Scout Banner" / "Ruby's Detective Agency"
  • "Surprise Ruby" / "Ruby's Birthday Party" / "Ruby's Birthday Present"
  • "Ruby's Safari" / "Max's Mud Bath" / "Max's Lost Lizard"
  • "Ruby Riding Hood" / "Max and the Beanstalk" / "The Froggy Prince"
Perfect Pumpkin August 26, 2008 12
  • "Max and Ruby's Perfect Pumpkin / "Max's Jack O Lantern" / "Max's Big Boo"
  • "Max's Rocket Racer" / "Max and Morris Blast Off" / "Max's Candy Apple"
  • "Ruby Delivers" / "Getting Crabby at the Beach" / "Max Babysits"
  • "Max Cleans Up" / "Max's Cuckoo Clock" / "Ruby's Jewelry Box"
Playtime with Max & Ruby! January 5, 2010 12
  • "Max's Thanksgiving" / "Max's Pretend Friend" / "Fireman Max"
  • "Ruby's Figure Eight" / "Ruby's Surprise Party" / "Ruby's Tent"
  • "Max Misses the Bus" / "Max's Worm Cake" / "Max's Rainy Day"
  • "Ruby's Piano Practice" / "Max's Bath" / "Max's Bedtime"
A Visit with Grandma June 15, 2010 12
  • "Grandma's Treasure Hunt" / "Ruby's Jigsaw Puzzle" / "Ruby's Recital"
  • "Ruby's Rainbow" / "Home Tweet Home" / "Max's Mudpie"
  • "Ruby's Home Run" / "Ruby's Missing Tune" / "Ruby's Handstand"
  • "Ruby's Good Neighbor Report" {"Ruby's Report") / "Candy Counting" / "Ruby's New Shoes"
Everybunny Loves Winter September 21, 2010 12
  • "Ruby's Snowbunny" / "Ruby's Snowflake" / "Duck Duck Goose"
  • "Ruby's Gingerbread House" / "Max's Christmas Passed" / "Max's New Year"
  • "Ruby's Horn of Plenty" / "Ruby's Big Kick" / "Max Says Goodbye"
  • "Max's Balloon Buddies" / "Ruby's Penny Carnival" / "Ruby's Big Win"
Bunny Tales January 11, 2011 12
  • "The Princess and the Marbles" / "Emperor Max's New Suit" / "Max and the 3 Little Bunnies"
  • "Ruby's Real Cinderella" / "Ruby's Hoola Hoop" / "Max and the Martians"
  • "Max's Castle" / "Bunny Hopscotch" / "Max's Grasshopper"
  • "Ruby's Water Lily" / "Max Saves the Parade" / "Super Max's Cape"
Rainy Day Play April 12, 2011 12
  • "Ruby Writes a Story" / "Max's Dominoes" / "Grandma's Attic"
  • "Bunny Cakes" / "Bunny Party" / "Bunny Money"
  • "Ruby's Safari" / "Max's Mud Bath" / "Max's Lost Lizard"
  • "Ruby's Rainbow" / "Home Tweet Home" / "Max's Mudpie"
Everybunny Loves Spring February 11, 2014 12
  • "Max and Ruby's Groundhog Day" / "Ruby's First Robin of Spring" / "Grandma's Geraniums"
  • "Max's Ducky Day" / "Ruby's Earth Day Checklist" / "Ruby's Earth Day Party"
  • "Ruby Gets The Picture" / "Ruby's Birdie" / "Max Plays Catch"
  • "Max's Night Light" / "Ruby's Bird Walk" / "Max Goes Fishing"
Sweet Siblings February 17, 2015 12
  • "Max Says Hello" / "Ruby's Spa Day" / "Ruby's Tai Chi"
  • "Engineer Max" / "Max's Toy Train" / "Max's Train Ride"
  • "Max and Ruby's Train Trip" / "Go to Sleep Max" / "Conductor Max"
  • "Space Bunny" / "Max's Sprinkler" / "Max's Pogo Stick"
Sharing and Caring June 2, 2015 12
  • "Picture Perfect" / "Detective Ruby" / "Super Bunny Saves the Cake"
  • "Max's Ride" / "Max on Guard" / "Ruby's Real Tea Party"
  • "The Bunny Who Cried Lobster" / "Max and the Three Bears" / "Little Ruby Hen"
  • "Ruby's Autograph" / "A Toy For Baby Huffington" / "Max's Big Dig"
Episodes on Nick Jr. compilation DVDs
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Name Release Date Number of Episodes Episode Titles
Nick Jr. Celebrates Spring March 2, 2004 1
  • "Max's Chocolate Chicken"
Nick Jr. Favorites Vol. 1 May 24, 2005 3
  • "Max's Work of Art" / "Max Meets Morris" / "Ruby's Scavenger Hunt"
Nick Jr. Favorites Vol. 2 October 18, 2005 3
  • "Ruby's Lemonade Stand" / "Ruby's Rummage Sale" / "Ruby's Magic Act"
Nick Jr. Favorites Vol. 3 February 7, 2006 3
  • "Ruby's Pajama Party" / "Baby Max" / "Bunny Scout Brownies"
Nick Jr. Favorites Vol. 4 June 6, 2006 3
  • "Max Cleans Up" / "Max's Cuckoo Clock" / "Ruby's Jewelry Box"
Nick Jr. Favorites Holiday September 26, 2006 3
  • "Max's Christmas" / "Ruby's Snow Queen" / "Max's Rocket Run"
Nick Jr. Favorites Vol. 5 March 13, 2007 3
  • "Ruby Writes a Story" / "Max's Dominoes" / "Grandma's Attic"

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Drew Davis voiced Max in the season 5 intro dialogues.

References

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  1. ^ a b "Ruby's Piano Practice; Max's Bath; Max's Bedtime". Screener. Archived from the original on May 25, 2013. Retrieved November 11, 2016.
  2. ^ a b "The Hays Daily News from Hays, Kansas on October 18, 2002". Newspaper.com. October 18, 2002. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved November 11, 2016.
  3. ^ "Activities for Blue's Clues, Dora, Diego, LazyTown, Wonderpets". Archived from the original on January 4, 2007. Retrieved June 24, 2008.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link). Nick Jr. Channel.
  4. ^ a b "MEET THE CREATOR OF MAX & RUBY". Archived from the original on May 12, 2015. Retrieved February 18, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link). Nick Jr. Channel.
  5. ^ DataBase, The Big Cartoon. "Max's Christmas (Michael Sporn Animation, Weston Woods Studios)". Big Cartoon DataBase (BCDB). Retrieved December 29, 2023.[dead link]
  6. ^ Max's Chocolate Chicken by Rosemary Wells, April 12, 2020, archived from the original on December 29, 2023, retrieved December 29, 2023
  7. ^ "Max & Ruby – Characters –". treehousetv.com. Archived from the original on February 13, 2018. Retrieved February 6, 2018. Louise is Ruby's best friend and classmate, and part of Bunny Scouts. She's 7 years old and sits right next to Ruby at school.
  8. ^ a b "Roger's Choice". Max and Ruby. Ruby "He's nearly 7 1/2." Louise "A whole half year older than we are."
  9. ^ a b Cooper, Gael (September 19, 2016). "Hoppy news: Cartoon bunnies Max and Ruby's parents aren't dead after all". cnet.com. Archived from the original on January 10, 2018. Retrieved February 6, 2018. on Sunday, "Max and Ruby" returned with new episodes for the first time since 2013, and who should show up at last but Mr. and Mrs. Bunny? .. It was a big weekend for "Max and Ruby." Not only were Mr. and Mrs. Bunny introduce, but Max, who could previously only spit out 1 or 2 words at a time, is suddenly speaking full sentences and attending preschool.
  10. ^ "Max & Ruby – Characters – Morris". Archived from the original on February 2, 2018. Retrieved February 6, 2018. Morris is Louise's 2-year-old little cousin.
  11. ^ in Roger's Choice, Louise says "we're going to play with Roger Piazza"
  12. ^ "Max & Ruby – Characters – Roger". Archived from the original on February 14, 2018. Retrieved February 6, 2018. Roger Piazza is in Ruby and Louise's class at school. He is 7 1/2 years old, which gives him an elevated status in Ruby and Louise's eyes.
  13. ^ "Business | Noddy embarks on global adventure". BBC News. September 21, 2009. Archived from the original on October 7, 2023. Retrieved October 17, 2011.
  14. ^ "Max's Preschool; Grandma's Storytime Sleepover". Screener. Archived from the original on May 10, 2017. Retrieved November 11, 2016.
  15. ^ Gael Fashingbauer Cooper (September 19, 2016). "Cartoon bunnies Max and Ruby's parents aren't dead after all". CNET. Archived from the original on November 11, 2016. Retrieved November 11, 2016.
  16. ^ "Nelvana Acquires Chorion's Interest in Max & Ruby". March 29, 2012. Archived from the original on November 13, 2020. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
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