Tutenstein (original) (raw)

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2003 American TV series or program

Tutenstein
Genre ActionAdventureScience fantasyHorror
Created by Jay Stephens
Directed by Bob Richardson Norton Virgien Rob LaDuca
Voices of Jeannie Elias Donna Cherry Crystal Scales Leah Lynette Daran Norris David Lodge
Composer Guy Michelmore
Country of origin United States
Original language English
No. of seasons 3
No. of episodes 39 + 1 film
Production
Executive producers William T. BaumannPaul CumminsJessica HanlonBruce D. Johnson
Producers Siobhán Ní Ghadhra Tom Gleason Mark Seidenberg
Editor Tony Mark
Running time 18–22 minutes per episode
Production company PorchLight Entertainment
Original release
Network Discovery Kids
Release November 1, 2003 (2003-11-01) –October 11, 2008 (2008-10-11)

Tutenstein is an American animated television series, produced by Porchlight Entertainment for Discovery Kids based on the comics by Jay Stephens. The series was first premiered on Discovery Kids' Saturday morning block on NBC on November 1, 2003. It ended on October 11, 2008.[1] The series features young mummy Tutankhensetamun (based on real-life Tutankhamun and usually called "Tutenstein" as in the title) who is awakened about 3,000 years after his accidental death and now must face the fact that his kingdom is gone.[2] The name is a portmanteau of Tutankhamun and Frankenstein.

Beginning in August 2020, Yippee TV, the current owners of the series, made the series officially available for streaming on YouTube.[3]

In October 2022, it was announced that a reboot is currently in the works.[4] It will have a completely new look.

Tutankhensetamun was an impulsive but kindhearted young Egyptian Pharaoh who lived a luxurious but short life. He died because back in Ancient Egypt he saved a friend of his from being smashed by rocks from a collapsing temple, so he himself was crushed to death. He carries the mighty Sceptre of Was, and the circumstances of his death are unknown at first.

In the 21st century, 12-year-old middle school student Cleo Carter accidentally witnesses his awakening after a bolt of lightning hits the mummified body of Tut that is on display at the local museum. She with her anthropomorphic pet cat Luxor must now help Tut to find his way around in the modern world. During the whole series, Set, god of disorder and violence, attempts to destroy Tut and gain possession of the Sceptre to become the ruler of all.

The almighty and responsible gods of ancient Egypt are often overseers of all the events of the immortal world and the underworld.

Season 1 (2003–2004)

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Season 2 (2004–2005)

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Season 3 (2006–2007)

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Note: All episodes in this season were directed by Norton Virgien.

Television film (2008)

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ABN reported "with regard to the ongoing theme of ancient temples and history found in his animated shows Tutenstein and The Secret Saturdays, [Jay] Stephens quips, "I'm a nerd. I like reading about history and mythology. And the past is full of surprises."[5] Stephens spent many years developing the show for television, coming up with the new setting and cast of characters that diverged significantly from the original comics. Stephens became the creative consultant of the show, with character designer Fil Barlow reinterpreting the look of the entire series. Barlow was the production designer until his contracted 20 episodes expired and was fired. His successor was his student, Thomas Perkins.

The production company, PorchLight Entertainment, which is based in Los Angeles, California, has won Emmys for the first and second seasons of the series. Irish TV production company Telegael, which is based in An Spidéal, Co Galway, also won an Emmy Award for the second season.

Historical accuracy

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Many of the gods portrayed in the series resemble their historical portrayals and all the Egyptian myths mentioned in the show are genuine.[_citation needed_] The Scepter of Was being portrayed as an all-purpose magic wand is fictional, though the Was itself is a genuine Egyptian symbol. Unlike Tutankhamun, who died at the age of 19, Tut (Tutahnkensetamun) died when he was 10. On the other hand, Tutenstein is drawn with a cleft lip, just like the real Tutankhamun. The ancient game senet did exist, but as no precise rules for the game have been preserved, the rules as shown in the series are not accurate.[6] Egyptologist Kasia Szpakowska served as a consultant to the series.

Common Sense Media gave the show a rating of 3 stars out of 5, saying "The character of Tut is amusing, with his combination of childishness and egotism, and his interaction with Cleo and Luxor can be quite funny. The resolutions of the stories are fairly predictable – Tut uses his powers for good to help his friends, and harmony is restored – but the situation is unusual enough to keep the show fresh."[7] DVD Verdict said "To be fair, as a product of the Discovery Channel, the producers have tried something slightly different with Tutenstein. Its educational children's programming, the attempt of an educational station to compete with more popular stations. Each episode incorporates some educational tidbits: explaining aspects of ancient Egyptian mythology and history. Unfortunately, the learning gets a bit mixed up with all the other nonsense."[8] The Sydney Morning Herald wrote "It's The Mummy for kids... There's no Brendan Fraser or Rachel Weisz here, but the humorous dialogue – and the inclusion of a talking cat – should be a winner among younger viewers."[9]

Awards and nominations

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The series aired on Discovery Kids and premiered in the United States on November 1, 2003 (along with Kenny the Shark). The final episode aired on January 13, 2007. A TV movie entitled Tutenstein: Clash of the Pharaohs aired on October 11, 2008, ending the series. After the series ended, reruns continued to air on The Hub until December 30, 2012.

In August 2003, Fox Kids Europe acquired the show's television, home video and consumer products rights for Europe, Israel, India and French-speaking Africa, with Buena Vista International Television servicing television distribution. Following the rebrand of the company as Jetix Europe in 2004, the series premiered on the European Jetix networks around that time.[10]

In 2004 the series had its British terrestrial television debut on ITV – first as part of the Saturday morning children's program Ministry of Mayhem, and later in a weekday afternoon slot on CITV, where it was one of the highest-rating shows for kids aged 4–15.

It also aired on Nickelodeon and ABC in Australia, and Maxi TV in Turkey.

In East and Southeast Asia, it aired on Disney Channel.[11]

Beginning on August 18, 2020, the series was officially made available for streaming on YouTube without charge by Yippee TV.[12][13][14]

The series, with the exception of the third season, and television special are also available for streaming on Hoopla. The series is also available on the Common Sense Media-owned streaming service Sensical.

  1. ^ Erickson, Hal (2005). Television Cartoon Shows: An Illustrated Encyclopedia, 1949 Through 2003 (2nd ed.). McFarland & Co. p. 875. ISBN 978-1476665993.
  2. ^ Perlmutter, David (2018). The Encyclopedia of American Animated Television Shows. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 665. ISBN 978-1538103739.
  3. ^ Lanham, Megan (13 May 2021). "Cartoon Callback: Tutenstein". The Bridge. Archived from the original on 9 July 2021. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  4. ^ "Pre-MIPCOM Round-Up: New Titles & Fave Toons from Mondo, Guru, FuturumKids, Winsing, TAG & Toonz". 5 October 2022. Archived from the original on 6 October 2022. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
  5. ^ "Secret Origins of 'The Secret Saturdays'". Animation World Network. Archived from the original on January 20, 2019. Retrieved January 19, 2019.
  6. ^ Piccione, P. A. (1980), 'In search of the meaning of Senet', Archaeology, 33, 55–58.
  7. ^ "Tutenstein - TV Review". www.commonsensemedia.org. January 7, 2011. Archived from the original on August 19, 2016. Retrieved January 19, 2019.
  8. ^ "DVD Verdict Review - Tutenstein: Volume 1: The Beginning". Archived from the original on 2014-10-29. Retrieved 2014-10-29.
  9. ^ "Tutenstein". The Sydney Morning Herald. September 7, 2004. Archived from the original on January 20, 2019. Retrieved January 19, 2019.
  10. ^ "Tutenstein". Jetix Europe. June 9, 2004. Archived from the original on August 20, 2017. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
  11. ^ www.suksuk.co.kr https://www.suksuk.co.kr/etc/06TV_sky04.htm#p. Retrieved 2024-08-13.
  12. ^ Tutenstein - Official Channel (August 18, 2020). "Tutenstein: The Awakening (Full Episode)". YouTube. YouTube, LLC. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
  13. ^ Tutenstein - Official Channel (August 18, 2020). "Tutenstein: Curse of the Pharaoh (Full Episode)". YouTube. YouTube, LLC. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
  14. ^ Tutenstein - Official Channel (August 19, 2020). "Tutenstein: Clash of the Shabitis (Full Episode)". YouTube. YouTube, LLC. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved September 16, 2020.