We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, Arnold was the original cartoon who rocked the football-shaped head look. HEY ARNOLD! was one of the staple late 90’s cartoon, and today, the season that started it all is out on DVD!
HEY ARNOLD! tells the never ending story of the life and times of an ordinary the fourth grader who lives with his hilarious and quirky grandparents and pet pig, Abner. Often, the episodes would revolve around Arnold helping out one of his friends Gerald, Harold, or even Helga, the mean spirited girl who secretly loves Arnold.
One notable recurring gag in the series would be Helga insulting or demeaning Arnold in some way, then finding a quiet corner where she could secretly profess her love to a picture of Arnold, only to find that her heavy breathing stalker, Brainy, has been listening the whole time. Helga would end up punching Brainy in the face, and he would never say a word throughout the whole thing. Ah, recurring gags. Where would we be without them?
Fun fact: Arnold’s Grandpa Phil was voiced by Dan Castellaneta, the same guy who famously voices Homer Simpson. Other ties to THE SIMPSONS include the creators being related (Craig Bartlett is brothers in law with Matt Groening), and the ARNOLD comic strip appearing in the SIMPSON’S ILLUSTRATED magazine. Plus, it’s the only other cartoon (that we know of) where the characters have only 4 fingers.
Season 1 highlights include:
– Arnold and Gerald lost in the city dressed as a large banana and strawberry
– Arnold’s grandma teaching him martial arts
– Helga going unconscious, dreaming that everyone’s lives would be better without her
– Arnold needing to tutor a bully
– Gerald and Arnold stumble upon a counterfeit penny operation