In sharp contrast to Disney’s more traditional programming, Cartoon Network rose to prominence in the 1990s by embracing quirky, frequently unconventional animated series. ‘Cow and Chicken’, a ridiculous television sitcom about two siblings in a fantastical environment, is one notable example from this era. After the show’s pilot episode was prohibited for its objectionable nature, it faced criticism despite gaining a devoted following.
The premise of ‘Cow and Chicken’ centres on the peculiar relationship between the cynical elder brother Chicken and the attention-seeking younger sister Cow. They go on crazy escapades with Red Guy, their perennial enemy, despite their incessant arguing. David Feiss’s series was first part of Cartoon Network’s ‘What a Cartoon!’ series, which tested short pilots before turning the most successful into a full-length program. Although the ‘Cow and Chicken’ pilot was warmly received, its mature themes—such as smoking and references to Satan—made it controversial.
Image Courtesy: IMDb
In the pilot episode ‘No Smoking,’ Chicken, who was approximately eleven years old, was shown smoking in secret. The tale takes a dark turn into Hell when Red Guy, who is portrayed as the Devil, kidnaps Chicken. Despite the show’s efforts to make smoking seem repulsive, Cartoon Network deemed the theme unsuitable for a young audience. Furthermore, the way Hell and the Devil were portrayed raised questions about how it would affect young viewers.
‘Cow and Chicken’ became a popular series in spite of these early failures. It received multiple accolades and deals for merchandise, including Taco Bell toys. ‘I Am Weasel’, a spin-off of the series, demonstrated the ongoing appeal of Feiss’ distinct animation style. Despite being outlawed, ‘Cow and Chicken’ eventually prospered by adapting its plot to appeal to a wider audience and became a classic of 90s animation.
–Farheen Ali
