The beginning of the new millennium marked a peak period for Nickelodeon. The well-known children’s entertainment network has consistently produced quality content, but its offerings around this time were particularly exceptional. This era gave rise to some of the network’s most memorable shows, such as The Fairly OddParents, Rugrats, and SpongeBob SquarePants. Additionally, it introduced many “forgotten gems.” While these shows might not be as commercially successful as their more famous counterparts, it doesn’t reflect their true quality. Titles like Chalk Zone and Rocket Power may not be likely candidates for future reboots, but they remain outstanding examples of animated excellence.
Amidst the dusty and often ignored remnants of the world’s past optimism, Klasky-Csupo’s eccentric and vibrant show, The Wild Thornberrys, stands out. Unlike some of its peers, this distinctive cartoon isn’t frequently recognized as part of Nickelodeon’s top-tier offerings; instead, many categorize it as “good, but not quite good enough.” Given the studio’s content produced between 1990 and 2010, this perception is understandable, especially since it faced strong competition. Nevertheless, The Wild Thornberrys held a special position on Nickelodeon, lacking the overt humor of Ren & Stimpy and the more subdued comedy style of Doug. Similar to As Told By Ginger and Rugrats, it carved its own unique path.
Similar to many early Nicktoons, The Wild Thornberrys consists of stand-alone episodes, with each one highlighting the show’s main family. This family leads an unusual nomadic existence, living in a zebra-striped RV where Nigel (voiced by Tim Curry) and Marianne (voiced by Jodi Carlisle) create nature documentaries.
Nickelodeon’s inaugural serialized series, As Told By Ginger (also created by Klasky-Csupo), debuted two years following The Wild Thornberrys. The network’s most cherished instance of serialized narrative, Avatar: The Last Airbender, was released even later—seven years after The Wild Thornberrys.
The majority of the storylines focus on Elizabeth “Eliza” Thornberry (voiced by Lacey Chabert), a bright twelve-year-old who possesses the extraordinary power to communicate with animals. She is typically accompanied by her pet chimpanzee, Darwin (voiced by Tom Kane). Eliza and Darwin often find themselves at odds with the eldest Thornberry sibling, Debbie (voiced by Danielle Harris), who frequently voices her discontent about the challenges of living in the wilderness. In contrast, Eliza and Darwin enjoy collaborating with the family’s adopted “feral child,” Donnie (voiced by Flea).
As expected, most episodes rely on Eliza’s enigmatic ability. The pre-teen redhead frequently ends up saving endangered animals, her siblings, or sometimes both from ruthless hunters and industrialists. These audacious rescues are often made more difficult by Eliza’s restriction on revealing her powers, which leads her to create (usually) unlikely sources of information.
What distinguishes this show from others? A brief examination of its predecessors reveals some clues. The first notable difference is in the show’s storytelling approach. Prior to The Wild Thornberrys, many of Nickelodeon’s shows adhered to a “just for kids” philosophy. In fact, the network’s mission statement explicitly states that it seeks to “provide kids with a space to be kids.”
Another significant distinction is its educational value. While The Wild Thornberrys includes some creative aspects, it was developed with input from scientific professionals. The animators worked with zoologists and observed actual animals to accurately replicate their movements. The information presented in the show is more meaningful and coherent compared to the random “brain blast” snippets in Jimmy Neutron.
From the outset, the show was designed to serve as an accessible educational tool. Its founders imagined it as the zoological counterpart to Bill Nye the Science Guy. Moreover, the educational material extended beyond just middle school science classes.
Crucially, the Thornberry parents are not perfect. Nigel frequently becomes engrossed in his career as a documentarian, while Marianne finds it challenging to relate to Debbie’s teenage needs. These challenges, which are an integral part of the Thorneberrys’ story, were also a shared aspect of the Klasky-Csupo team’s attempts to enhance the show’s inclusivity and significance. In fact, these themes originated from research groups that revealed a widening gap between children and their parents.
Regrettably, it appears that The Wild Thornberrys have been tucked away in Nickelodeon’s archives. While Klasky-Csupo’s Rugrats has received a CGI reboot, this educational adventure featuring the Thornberry family seems to be an overlooked part of Nickelodeon’s legacy. Although it may not provide a “just” conclusion to their story, it serves as a fitting narrative closure. The 2002 film, The Wild Thornberrys Movie, acted as a satisfying conclusion to the show’s five-season journey. Similarly, the 2003 crossover film, Rugrats Go Wild, was an enjoyable addition to this charming Nickelodeon series.