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Yakkity Yak

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Yakkity Yak
GenreComedy
Slapstick
Created byMark Gravas
Developed by
Directed by
  • J. Falconer
  • Mark Gravas
  • Greg Sullivan
Creative directorMark Gravas
Voices ofLee Tockar
Brian Drummond
Andrea Libman
Pam Hyatt
Ian James Corlett
Michael Daingerfield
Jason Schombing
ComposersHal Foxton Beckett
Michael Richard Plowman
Country of origin
  • Canada
  • Australia
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes26 (52 segments)
Production
Executive producers
  • Catherine Nebauer
  • Chris Bartleman
  • Tim Brooke-Hunt
  • Greg Ricca
  • Rob Simmons
ProducersKathy Antonsen Rocchio
Jamie Turner
Sandra Walters
Running time22 minutes
Production companiesStudio B Productions
Kapow Pictures
MTV Networks International
Original release
NetworkTeletoon (Canada)
Nickelodeon (Australia)
Release9 November 2002 (2002-11-09) –
12 December 2003 (2003-12-12)

Yakkity Yak is an Australian-Canadian animated television series created by Mark Gravas for Nickelodeon. It was produced by Studio B Productions and Kapow Pictures. It aired on Teletoon (now Cartoon Network) in Canada and on the American version of Nickelodeon in the United States from 9 November 2002 until 12 December 2003. 26 episodes were produced.

The copyright to the show is shared between WildBrain, which bought Studio B Productions in 2007, and Kapow Pictures.[1]

Premise

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The story focuses around an anthropomorphic yak named Yakkity who aspires to become a best-known comedian and his friends, Keo (an anthropomorphic pineapple) and Lemony (a young human girl) in the fictitious Australian town Onion Falls (based on Lithgow, New South Wales).[2]

Theme song

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A modified version of the 1958 song Yakety Yak by The Coasters (in which children and some cast members sing some portions) is used as the show's theme song.[citation needed]

Characters

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  • Yakkity Yak (Lee Tockar): A preteen yak student in Onion Falls High School and the school's mascot who wishes to be a comedian. Yakkity works as the school mascot since his grandfather also served as mascot when the (rugby) football team won the state championship in 1925. The football team, instead of the mascot, got all the glory (despite not winning a match in 77 years), much to Yakkity's distaste. Yakkity lives with his Granny and her boarder Professor Crazyhair. He wears a coat over his bare body. His best friends are Keo (who lives next door) and Lemony. Over the course of the series, his parents have never been seen or mentioned.
  • Keo (Brian Drummond): An anthropomorphic pineapple who is actually a human with a pineapple for a head. He has a crush on Lemony but she is oblivious to it. He is very intelligent but is camera shy and has stage fright. He has rivalries with his father, who is only a pineapple, but deep down, he loves him.
  • Lemony (Andrea Libman): A pretty blonde-haired human girl and Keo's love interest who has a vivid imagination.
  • Reginald Highpants (Ian James Corlett): The town's leading vendor of candy and all things sugar. He also runs many small businesses.
  • Trilo (Jason Schombing): Yakkity's trilobite agent and retired circus performer who owns his own Entertainment Agency, does children's parties for the characters, and is always looking for money. His clients are Yakkity, Fairy Wanda and Chuck Damage, who he uses for parties.
  • Granny Yak (Pam Hyatt): Yakkity's grandmother. While she is a good sounding board in a parental way, she also has some of Yakkity's impulsive genes.
  • Professor Crazyhair (Scott McNeil): A scientist and teacher at Onion Falls High whose hair changes colour like a mood ring, hence his name. He lives in Yakkity's basement, where he built a laboratory. His egg salad recipe is very sought after by evil geniuses who wish to use it to take over the world.
  • Penelope (Tabitha St. Germain): A robot who is Lemony's best friend and works as Professor Crazyhair's assistant but lacks any social skills or confidence. Whenever she's embarrassed, her face turns red and she squirts out fire fighting foams from her arms transforming into fire hoses, squirting everything around her.
  • Rondo (Ian James Corlett): Lemony's (rugby) football playing older brother who is a senior in high school. He is one of Yakkity's enemies often competing for the spotlight.
  • Keo's Dad (Michael Daingerfield): A pineapple who can be bossy and rude at many times, and Keo's father. The identity of his wife (Keo's mother) is unknown and never explored; it can be assumed that they’re divorced or she died before the events of Yakkity Yak. He's only a disembodied pineapple head; as the only time he ever had a body with limbs was in "My Dad the Robot".
  • Wanda Harper (Brenda Crichlow): an African-Australian fairy who works as Onion Falls High's librarian.
  • Jackie Pachyderm: An elephant comedian and successful movie star who is Yakkity's idol.
  • Gary (Terry Klassen): A short, evil, mean-spirited, sadistic, bad-tempered arch-enemy of Yakkity. He tried to steal Professor Crazyhair's egg salad to take over Onion Falls. He hates Yakkity because he once again interfered in his plans and decides to use the giant robot to destroy Onion Falls.

Telecast

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Yakkity Yak first premiered on Teletoon in Canada on 4 January 2003,[3] with the final episode's airing on 28 January 2004.[3] It also aired on BBC Kids. In the United Kingdom, it aired on CBBC. In Italy, it previously aired on Nickelodeon and Canale 21. In Australia, it aired on Nickelodeon and Network 10,[4] and would later air on ABC, ABC1, and ABC3. In the US, it briefly aired on Nickelodeon, from 9 November 2003 to 4 September 2004.[5] It was later run on the Nicktoons channel starting from 22 May 2004 until 23 September 2007. The show also aired on Nickelodeon in Latin America and Europe.[4]

Episodes

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The episode list is listed by production code, not by airdate.

No.TitleDirected byWritten byStoryboard byCanadian air dateU.S. air date [6][7]
1a"Hypnotic Yak"Mark Gravas
J. Falconer
Dennis HeatonTim Pyman9 November 2002 (2002-11-09)24 November 2003
(Nickelodeon)
1b"As the Worm Turns"Story by : J. Falconer & Greg Sullivan
Teleplay by : Steve Sullivan
Steve Moltzen
Yakkity hypnotises everyone into thinking he's funny.
Yakkity finds a magical talking ventriloquist dummy.
2a"The Yak and the Hat"Mark Gravas
J. Falconer
Steve SullivanDaniel Foley2002 (2002)9 November 2003
(Nickelodeon)
2b"Cowinator"Paul GreenbergMike Zarb
Yakkity goes on a TV quiz show with Keo providing answers from within Yakkity's hat.
An historic grass-eating competition between Yakkity's grandfather and "The Cowinator" is replayed between Yakkity and the grandson of "The Cowinator".
3a"3 Cheers for Penelope"Mark Gravas
J. Falconer
Steve SullivanMurray Debus2002 (2002)9 November 2003
(Nickelodeon)
3b"My Dad the Robot"Richard Elliott & Simon RacioppaChris Hauge
When Professor Crazyhair makes a robot girl, Lemony coaches her to improve her social skills.
Professor Crazyhair builds robot legs and arms for Keo's father.
4a"A Tree Grows in Onion Falls"Mark Gravas
J. Falconer
Story by : J. Falconer & Blair Peters
Teleplay by : Dennis Heaton
Russ Crispin2002 (2002)25 November 2003
(Nickelodeon)
4b"Spring Cleaning"Alan LevinSimon O'Leary
Yakkity moves out of home and into a treehouse. But now he must save his family from a thief masquerading as a little boy.
Yakkity and Keo makes a mess in Professor Crazyhair's laboratory, and so must do some house cleaning to make amends. But soon, they turn everyone into zombies.
5a"Dial-a-Yak"Mark Gravas
J. Falconer
Daegan FryklindMike Zarb2002 (2002)1 December 2003
(Nickelodeon)
5b"Darn-It Dog"Story by : Stu Connolly & Vito Viscomi
Teleplay by : Jono Howard
Steve Moltzen

When Yakkity breaks Rondo's war robot, Yakkity must take its place. He wears a phone for communication with Rondo.


Yakkity does not want to return a library book he borrowed when he was 5. So he tells Wanda he never took it out. Soon, he uses lying to get what he wants at least until he gets a taste of his own medicine.
6a"Yakstravaganza"Mark Gravas
J. Falconer
Story by : Greg Sullivan & J. Falconer
Teleplay by : Steve Sullivan
Andy Bartlett2002 (2002)2 December 2003
(Nickelodeon)
6b"Curly Top"Story by : Greg Sullivan
Teleplay by : Jono Howard
Arthur Filloy
Yakkity encourages Keo's father to relive his showbiz days and join his new show.
Yakkity's fur turns pink while experimenting with one of Granny Yak's hair products.
7a"I Want My Yak TV"Mark Gravas
Greg Sullivan
Story by : Steve Sullivan
Written by : Steve Sullivan
Mike Zarb2002 (2002)3 December 2003
(Nickelodeon)
7b"Election Dysfunction"Mark Gravas
J. Falconer
Kevin WhiteSimon O'Leary
Yakkity's new antler braces start picking up cable TV channels - a rare feat in Onion Falls. Yakkity becomes a popular stage act.
Keo runs against Lemony for school president, but will he promise more than he can deliver?
8a"And That's the Weather"Mark Gravas
J. Falconer
Story by : Terry Saltsman & Greg Sullivan
Teleplay by : Terry Saltsman
Mike Zarb2002 (2002)4 December 2003
(Nickelodeon)
8b"Pineapple Upside-Dead Cake!"Story by : Greg Sullivan
Teleplay by : Dennis Heaton
Rob Boutilier
Yakkity becomes an accurate weather forecaster thanks to Granny Yak's weather-predicting bunions. Complications arise, however, when Granny has her bunions removed.
When Keo's father goes missing and everyone starts acting odd, Yakkity thinks that aliens have taken them.
9a"A Yak and His Fish"Mark Gravas
J. Falconer
Story by : Greg Sullivan
Teleplay by : Dennis Heaton
Stephane Portal2002 (2002)5 December 2003
(Nickelodeon)
9b"Regarding Chuck"Story by : Paul Greenberg
Teleplay by : Vito Viscomi & Darrell Vickers
Steve Moltzen
Yakkity's new pet fish likes to eat a variety of foods.
Yakkity accidentally gives Chuck Damage amnesia.
10a"Double Double Oil and Trouble"Mark Gravas
J. Falconer
Story by : Stu Connolly & Vito Viscomi
Teleplay by : Steve Sullivan
Mike Zarb2002 (2002)8 December 2003
(Nickelodeon)
10b"High Fashion Yak"Story by : J. Falconer & Greg Sullivan
Teleplay by : Paul Greenberg
In a school project, Yakkity and friends try to improve the odor in Onion Falls.
Yakkity and Keo become fashion gurus thanks to Granny Yak's knitting skills.
11a"Nerds Are People Too"Mark Gravas
J. Falconer
Story by : Stu Connolly
Teleplay by : Alan Levin
Tim Pyman2002 (2002)9 November 2003
(Nickelodeon)
11b"The 10% Solution"Mark Gravas
Greg Sullivan
Story by : Ian Boothby
Written by : Ian Boothby
Russ Crispin
Yakkity unexpectedly excels in a test and is invited to a camp for teenage geniuses. But this is all a trap by Gary. Yakkity found out that Gary was his old arch-nemesis. Gary tells Yakkity that he has interfered for the last time, and he decides to use his Giant Robot to destroy Onion Falls. Once Gary activates the Robot, the giant robot does a comedy routine and uses Gary as a microphone to entertain Yakkity, Keo, Penelope, and Stats. Unfortunately, the Robot crashes along with Gary and Gary is now arrested saying "I would've gotten away with it too, if it wasn't for that meddling yak." This is a Scooby-Doo reference.
When times get tough, Yakkity's agentm Trilo claims 10% ... of everything Yakkity receives which is everything in his life.
12a"National Day of Yakking"Mark Gravas
J. Falconer
Paul GreenbergMike Zarb2002 (2002)11 December 2003
(Nickelodeon)
12b"Fairy Yakkity"Story by : Stu Connolly
Teleplay by : Kevin White
Simon O'Leary
It is the Onion Falls' centenary and a parade is announced. Yakkity would like a float built to celebrate his idol - comedian Jackie Pachyderm.
After Trilo asks Yakkity to disguise himself as Fairy Wanda, Rondo finds 'Victoria' strangely attractive.
13a"3 Minutes and Funny"Mark Gravas
J. Falconer
Story by : Stu Connolly
Teleplay by : Jono Howard
Mike Zarb2002 (2002)9 November 2003
(Nickelodeon)
13b"Nature Calls"Story by : Blair Peters & Ian Weir
Teleplay by : Vito Viscomi & Ian Weir
Marlon Dean
The people of Onion Falls partake in a video competition where the most popular video featuring an onion will win. Yakkity favors a comedic genre.
Keo and Lemony are concerned when Yakkity starts behaving oddly. Has it something to do with the pimple on his nose?
14a"Fount Onion"Mark Gravas
J. Falconer
Steve SullivanTim PymanTBA28 May 2006
(Nicktoons Network)
14b"Ice Scream, You Scream"Story by : Vito Viscomi
Teleplay by : Steve Sullivan
Stephane Portal
Keo reveals Yakkity's secret swimming hole.
Yakkity becomes a bike-riding ice cream salesman. But he starts eating all the merchandise (which counts as stealing) in order to get free stuff.
15a"Cabin Fever"Mark Gravas
J. Falconer
Story by : Paul Greenberg
Teleplay by : Kevin White
Steve MoltzenTBA11 June 2006
(Nicktoons Network)
15b"Due Back Tomorrow"Story by : Mark Gravas & Stu Connolly
Teleplay by : Steve Sullivan
Greg Ingram
Keo, Keo's father and Yakkity go camping, but seem to forget to pack vital items. At least Yakkity brings some marshmallows.
Keo and Yakkity find work in a video shop. Yakkity recommends all of Jackie Pachyderm's funny films, except for A-Pach-Alypse Now.
16a"End of the Line"Mark Gravas
J. Falconer
Daegan FryklindRob BoutilierTBA18 June 2006
(Nicktoons Network)
16b"House Sitters"Story by : Kevin White
Teleplay by : Paul Greenberg
Junko Aoyama
A nature documentary explains that yaks are an endangered species. Keo and Lemony must place Yakkity and his grandmother inside a glass bubble in order to save them.
Mr Highpants must attend a Confectionery Convention. He asks Yakkity and Keo to look after his hi-tech home, warning the boys not to touch any buttons ... and only to feed Mr Littlepants "Chimp-Chow".
17a"Teachers Pet"Mark Gravas
J. Falconer
Story by : Kevin White
Teleplay by : Steve Sullivan
Greg IngramTBA25 June 2006
(Nicktoons Network)
17b"Yakeo"Story by : J. Falconer & Greg Sullivan
Teleplay by : Steve Sullivan
Daniel Foley
Professor Crazyhair gives Lemony a high grade for her science project, but Keo believes that flattery had a lot to do with it.
Note: The title was previously known as "The Yakking".
After failing to be picked for the football team, Yakkity and Keo invent their own sport.
18a"Sharing Bear"Mark Gravas
J. Falconer
Story by : Greg Sullivan
Teleplay by : Steve Sullivan
Chris HaugeTBAUnaired
18b"Lucky Undies"Steve SullivanMike Zarb
Yakkity still loves Sharing Bear - the children's TV presenter, but Keo and Lemony think he is for babies.
Everything is going right for Yakkity. Is it because of the underpants he has been wearing since last Tuesday?
19a"Techno Prisoners"Mark Gravas
J. Falconer
Steve SullivanTim PymanTBA16 July 2006
(Nicktoons Network)
19b"It's a So-So Life"Story by : Terry Saltsman
Teleplay by : Vito Viscomi & Terry Saltsman
Greg Ingram
When Grandma Yak turns against modern conveniences, Yakkity has to sneak off to the Techno-seum with his science class.
Yakkity leaves the services of Trilo to pursue a career as a headline act in the Circus Maximus.
20a"Camp Onion"Mark Gravas
J. Falconer
Story by : Stu Connolly & Vito Viscomi
Teleplay by : Paul Greenberg
Stephane PortalTBA30 July 2006
(Nicktoons Network)
20b"Snow Biz"Jono HowardSteve Moltzen
The Onioneers are on winter camp, and Lemony is hoping to win all of the merit medals. But she and Mr. Highpants get stuck on top of Mt. Onion. Now Yakkity, Keo and Wanda must save them.
It is All Onions Eve, and the children of Onion Falls are getting ready to leave their boots of onion soup out over night for the Snow Cow to replace with chocolate milk. However Yakkity's friends no longer believe in the Snow Cow...
21a"The Fan"Mark Gravas
J. Falconer
Richard Elliott & Simon RacioppaMike ZarbTBA13 August 2006
(Nicktoons Network)
21b"From Boom to Bust"Jono HowardStephane Portal
Yakkity's cousin Jasper is a cute yak with a natural stand-up comedy style. But Yakkity becomes envious and ruins Jasper's show.
When Professor Crazyhair's experiments in the basement blow up the dining room a second time, Granny Yak evicts him from the house.
22a"Rondo Reversal"Mark Gravas
J. Falconer
Story by : Stu Connolly
Teleplay by : Steve Sullivan
Simon O'LearyTBA20 August 2006
(Nicktoons Network)
22b"The Damage is Done"Vito Viscomi
Granny Yak is having surgery done on her antlers and Keo has Pineapple Pox, so Yakkity has a sleepover at Lemony's place. There he discovers some embarrassing secrets about Lemony's brother Rondo. When he reveals all at school, Yakkity unintentionally assumes the position of the school bully. This soon causes everything to be out of whack.
When Chuck Damage becomes Yakkity's personal trainer, Yakkity begins to use him as his body guard. However how will Chuck Damage fare against The Cement Mixer?
23a"My Fair Crazy Hair"Mark Gravas
J. Falconer
Story by : Greg Sullivan
Teleplay by : Dennis Heaton
Daniel FoleyTBA27 August 2006
(Nicktoons Network)
23b"Practically Funny"Story by : Mark Gravas & Stu Connolly
Teleplay by : Steve Sullivan
Mike Zarb
Granny Yak has a new boyfriend - Chatterbox Ox, but Yakkity is suspicious, and Professor Crazyhair tries to win back Granny's affections.
Things go wild in Onion Falls after Yakkity receives the Jackie Pachyderm Practical Joke box, but someone else knows a few good practical jokes.
24a"Onion Falls Most Wanted"Mark Gravas
J. Falconer
Story by : Mark Gravas & Stu Connolly
Teleplay by : Steve Sullivan
Roger ClarkeTBAUnaired
24b"Blue Rinse Test"Story by : Stu Connolly
Teleplay by : Steve Sullivan
Chris Hauge
A robber is stealing from homes by blowing bubblegum bubbles and floating up to upstairs windows. Trilo is suspected, but is he really the Bubblegum Bandit?
When Granny Yak moves to a nursing home, Yakkity moves in with her.
25a"Daddy Uh-Oh"Mark Gravas
J. Falconer
Story by : Mark Gravas & Stu Connolly
Teleplay by : Jono Howard
Steve MoltzenTBA8 September 2007
(Nicktoons Network)
25b"Yaks a Plenty"Story by : Mark Gravas & Stu Connolly
Teleplay by : Steve Sullivan
Suzanne White
Keo is embarrassed by his old bike, but his father won't let him spend his film school money on a new one. With poor finances, will the family have to move to freezing Bergville?
Yakkity keeps putting off study for a biology test due the next day. However, an educational animation video featuring Alan Amoeba helps teach Yakkity about cellular replication.
26a"Home School"Mark Gravas
J. Falconer
Story by : Kevin White
Teleplay by : Steve Sullivan
Murray Debus & Chris Hauge12 December 2003 (2003-12-12)3 September 2006
(Nicktoons Network)
26b"The Onion Falls 500"Story by : Vito Viscomi
Teleplay by : Dennis Heaton
Steve Moltzen
Yakkity and Keo leave school to be taught by Keo's father.
A soapbox race is announced, and the prize is a year's supply of Professor Crazyhair's Egg Salad. When Lemony forms a team with Keo, Yakkity eventually pairs with a peculiar new neighbour. The inclusion of an egg salad recipe is a tribute to Woody Allen's What's Up, Tiger Lily?

Awards

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The show was nominated for a Leo Award for "Best Musical Score" in 2004.

References

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  1. ^ "WebVoyage Record View 1".
  2. ^ Erickson, Hal (2005). Television Cartoon Shows: An Illustrated Encyclopedia, 1949 Through 2003 (2nd ed.). McFarland & Co. p. 929. ISBN 978-1476665993.
  3. ^ a b "Television Program Logs". Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission. 2 March 2016.[dead link] Alt URL
  4. ^ a b Ball, Ryan (7 January 2004). "Nick Yokes Yakkity Yak Worldwide". Animation Magazine. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
  5. ^ "Last Yakkity Yak airing on Nickelodeon". Citizens' Voice. 4 September 2004. p. 28. Retrieved 7 October 2021 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  6. ^ "Yakkity Yak - Aired Order - Season 1 - TheTVDB.com". www.thetvdb.com. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
  7. ^ "Yakkity Yak". Anime Superhero Forum.
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