Creepy Crawlers (TV series)

Creepy Crawlers
File:Creepy Crawlers.jpg
Country of origin	United States
No. of episodes	23
Production
Running time	30 minutes approx.
Original release
Network	Syndication
Release	fall 1994 – winter 1994

Origins

Creepy Crawlers was inspired by the Thingmaker also known as Creepy Crawlers which was a series of die-cast metal molds, into which are poured a liquid chemical substance called Plasti-Goop, which came in many colors and varieties. The mold is then heated atop an open-face electric hot plate oven. The Plasti-Goop is cured by the heat, and when cooled, is removed from the mold, forming solid, rubbery replicas.

Show premise

The show is about Chris Carter, an ordinary kid who is interested in magic. Coming across a strange box, he accidentally creates three mutants based on bugs that he dubs "Goop-Mandos" (a portmantau of "Goop", i.e. the special goop that created the mutants, and "commandos").

However, an evil failed magician named Professor Guggengrime becomes interested in the box and uses it to make his own monsters to take over the world. Chris and the Goop-Mandos must fight together and defeat the latest creations of Professor Guggengrime and Crime Grimes. As the series went on, more Goop-Mandos were created. In addition, a young girl named Sam became a close ally (and while it was never outrightly stated, she was essentially Chris' girlfriend). Sam would be of great help in many fights, but constantly complained that she was underestimated because she "was just a girl."

Some sitcom style humor was derived by the concept that the Goop-Mandos were required to recharge after missions by hanging upside-down in the large closet in Chris' room. Although the Carter parents never made an appearance on the show, Chris' older brother Todd, a vain and surly "valley dude", was constantly suspicious of the extracurricular goings-on around the house. Furthermore, when the Goop-Mandos needed transportation to a battle site, they would often confiscate Todd's custom dune buggy, using doses of "Goop" to transform it temporarily into the "Goo-Zooka" assault Vehicle. Typically, Todd would walk out just after their departure and wail, "Not again!"

Later on in the show Professor Guggengrime creates a formaule to try destroy the Goop-Mandos but it backfires transforming them, making them stronger. The Goop-Mandos change colours, gain new abilities and become much stronger.

Main characters

Goop-Mandos

Chris Carter- Once an ordinary kid interested in magic, one day while visiting Professor Guggengrime magic shop he discovers a magic box called the Magic Maker and with some goo accidentally creates his loyal friends the Goop-Mandos, he is thrown into a world of magic, monsters and awesome battles as he and his Goop-Mandos must fight Professor Guggengrime and his creatures and try and take back the Magic Maker before Professor Guggengrime takes over the world.

Samantha "Sammy" Reynolds- A pretty but tomboyish girl, Sammy is one of Chris' closest friends (and possibly his girlfriend). Fit and courageous, she would occasionally save the day, but complain that villians (and occasionally the heroes) would overlook her solely because she is a girl.

During an episode when Chris was infected by Goop and began transforming into a human-bug hybrid, he and Sam went to the school dance together. Chris' older brother Todd is apparently interested in her.

Volt Jolt- Created from a floating light bulb and based on a lightning bug, Volt Jolt is one of the three original Goop-Mandos, he always a pair of lightning shaped shades. He has electrical powers and can fire electricity to zap the Crime Grimes. He is also able to transfer his power to Chris Carter, although Chris has a difficult time controlling it.

T-3 (Tick Trick Tick)- Created from a pack of cards and based on a tick, T-3 is one of the original Goop-Mandos who is the largest of the groupand is their strong man. He is able to fire card like darts shaped like the different suits with amazing speed and accuracy. He also has a "little buddy" named T-Flee based on a flea that he kept with him. Later on in the show, T-3's brother was revealed named T-4.

Hocus Locust- Created from rope and based on a locust, Hocus Locust is one of the original Goop-Mandos and is the jokester of the group always having fun. He has rope coiled around his body which he can control to attack or use for many other purposes, he also is the only Goop-Mando to have four arms. After the Goop-Mandos get their upgrade his rope becomes nylon cords with sharp ends.

Sting Ring- Created from inter-connecting rings and based on a wasp, Sting Ring was accidentally created when some rings fell into the Magic Maker without the Goop-Mandos knowledge, but once they met up with him realised he was one of them, he joined up. He has the power to throw his rings with great power to knock out or cut up enemies. After the Goop-Mandos upgrades his rings are able to many things like exploding and many other things.

Commantis- Created from kung fu/karate and samurai tapes and based on a praying mantis, Commantis was created when Spooky Goopy accidentally dropped his takes into the Magic Maker and created Commantis, at first Commantis worked for Professor Guggengrime, but after realising he was evil he joined up with the Goop-Mandos. Commantis is noble like a samurai and carries two samurai swords on his back which he can use to slice up opponents. After the Goop-Mandos' upgrade he is able to blend into his surroundings.

He was also based on a ventriloquist dummy and sword swallower and this he is able to throw his voice. On one occasion, after Chris was injured following a battle, he suggested amputation as a treatment. Luckily for Chris, Sam quickly pointed out it was only a sprained ankle.

Fire Eyes- Created from chillies, peppers, hot sauce and various other hot stuff and based on a firefly, Fire Eyes was created to help combat an ice monster created by Professor Guggengrime to freeze the city. He is able to shoot heat beams from his eyes instantly melting stuff.

Crime Grimes

Professor Guggengrime- A failed illusionist who after discovering the Magic Maker decides to try take over the world, he begins to create monsters to help but is constantly stopped by the pests, the Goop-Mandos. His first creation and constant companion is Spooky Goopy. His motto is “Make, bake, overtake!”

Spooky Goopy- Was created from trick handcuffs and is Professor Guggengrime's right-hand monster. He is able to use his cuffs to capture monsters for Professor Guggengrime and is also sometimes the comic relief. Not talking for himself, he lets his top hat do all the talking for him.

Shockaroach- A nasty, roach-based monster, Guggengrime unleashed swarms of these ravenous pests on the city time and again, only to be thwarted time and again by The Creepy Crawlers Goop-Mandos!

2-Ugly- This dual monster doesn't seem to correspond to any particular insect type, but is plenty horrific anyway! 2-Ugly is able to separate its head from its body, causing double trouble wherever it writhes!

Grumble Bee- Envision, if You will, a grotesque, crazed bee the size of a small car. Now imagine a swarm of such bees. Confidentially, They STING!

Squirminator- Based on a worm, a monstrous creation of Professor Guggengrime that is powerful and deadly. His tail has a mace on the end of it and is able to knock the Goop-Mandos out cold, he is also able to utilize his army of squirmy worms which he carries with him at all times. Being grotesque and ugly, he is a challenge for the Goop-Mandos.

Episodes

• Season One:
• Episode 1: "The Night Of The Creepy Crawlers" (Original Air Date: 10/04/1994)
• Episode 2: "Sugar Frosted Crawlers" (10/11/1994)
• Episode 3: "Who's Afraid Of Bees?" (10/18/1994)
• Episode 4: "Chris Explains It All" (10/25/1994)
• Episode 5: "Power Play" (11/01/1994)
• Episode 6: "Vanishing Act" (11/15/1994)
• Episode 7: "One Creepy Brother" (11/22/1994)
• Episode 8: "I Was A Teenage Crawler" (12/06/1994)
• Episode 9: "Mauler Amuck" (12/27/1994)
• Episode 10: "The Glob" (01/24/1995)
• Episode 11: "All The Way To China" (01/31/1995)
• Episode 12: "Double Trouble" (02/07/1995)
• Episode 13: "Attack Of the Fifty Foot Googengrime" (02/14/1995)
• Episode 14: "Return Of The Crime Grimes" (Never Aired)

• Season Two:
• Episode 15: "Dawn Of The Super Goop" (09/16/1995)
• Episode 16: "Deja Goop" (09/23/1995)
• Episode 17: "A Real Numb Skrull" (09/30/1995)
• Episode 18: "Camp Nightmare" (11/04/1995)
• Episode 19: "Bugzilla" (11/11/1995)
• Episode 20: "T-4-2" (01/06/1996)
• Episode 21: "Cold Snap" (01/13/1996)
• Episode 22: "Revenge Of The Mutant Stink Bugs" (01/20/1996)
• Episode 23: "The Incredible Shrinking Creepy Crawlers" (03/30/1996)

Trivia

• Each one of the Goop-Mandos is based on a magic trick. Volt Jolt - floating light bulb trick, T-3 - card trick, Hocus Locust - rope trick, Sting Ring - inter-connecting rings trick, Commantis - sword swallower trick and Fire Eyes - a fire trick.

• The Magic Maker box is based on the design of the Thingmaker toy.