The Rocketeer (2019 TV series)
The Rocketeer (titled Rocketeer in the UK and other countries) is an American computer-animated children's television series. It was debuted on Disney Junior and Disney Channel in the United States on November 8, 2019, and on November 10 on Disney Junior in Canada.[1][2] Based on the comic book superhero of the same name by Dave Stevens and the 1991 film, the series focuses on Katherine "Kit" Secord, a seven-year-old girl who receives the family jet pack for her seventh birthday.[3] This series is aimed for ages 2–5.
The Rocketeer | |
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Also known as | Rocketeer (UK and other countries) |
Genre | Superhero Adventure Action Science fiction Comedy |
Based on | The Rocketeer by Dave Stevens |
Developed by | Nicole Dubuc |
Directed by |
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Voices of |
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Opening theme | "Rocketeer to the Rescue", performed by Tammy Infusino |
Ending theme | "Heart of a Hero", performed by Tammy Infusino |
Composers |
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Country of origin | United States |
Original language | English |
No. of seasons | 1 |
No. of episodes | 22 (42 segments) |
Production | |
Executive producers |
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Running time | 22 minutes (two 11-minute segments per half-hour) |
Production company | Wild Canary Animation |
Distributor | Disney-ABC Domestic Television |
Release | |
Original network | Disney Junior |
Picture format | HDTV 1080i |
Original release | November 8, 2019 – present |
External links | |
Website |
Plot
In the town of Hughesville, seven-year-old Kit Secord learns she is secretly next in line to become The Rocketeer, a jet pack-wearing superhero who can fly. Armed with her cool new gear and secret identity, Kit takes to the skies to protect Hughesville and its residents from danger. Assisting her on her heroic adventures are her best friend Tesh, bulldog sidekick Butch, and airplane mechanic grandfather Ambrose Secord.
Characters
Main
- Katherine "Kit" Secord (voiced by Kitana Turnbull) – A seven-year-old girl who receives the family jet pack for her seventh birthday which reveals that she is next in line to become the Rocketeer, Hughesville's very own local town hero. She is the great-granddaughter of Cliff Secord. When operating as the Rocketeer, Kit's catchphrase is "Never fear, I'm the Rocketeer." She is a new character introduced in this series.
- Ambrose Secord (voiced by Frank Welker) – Kit's grandfather who works as a mechanic at the Hughesville Airport. He is the son of Cliff Secord.
- Mitesh "Tesh" Cheena (voiced by Callan Farris) – Kit's eight-year-old best friend who serves as Ground Control when Kit takes to the skies. He is also the inventor of the hi-tech gadgets and upgrades for her jet pack. Tesh is the inventor of kitcom and the kit tracker
- Butch (vocal effects provided by Frank Welker) – Kit's pet bulldog and sidekick.
Recurring
- Dave Secord (voiced by Billy Campbell) – Kit's father who is a former World War II pilot turned stunt pilot, which is where Kit gets her passion for flying. Campbell also played Cliff Secord, the original hero in the film, reprising his role in a newsreel seen in the episode "First Flight."
- Sareena Secord (voiced by Kathy Najimy) – Kit's mother who works as the manager and chef of the Bulldog Café.
- Valerie d'Avion (voiced by Navia Robinson) – Kit's flight school classmate and aspiring pilot whose parents own the Valkyrie Flight Academy. She owns her own plane called the Korsican Skyfang 75. Her superhero identity is the Valkyrie.
- Snickerdoodle (vocal effects provided by Frank Welker) – Valerie's pet chihuahua.
Antagonists
- Laura and Harley (voiced by Maria Bamford and Kari Wahlgren respectively) – Two thieving sisters who like stealing things to use in their heists which often has them running from the authorities and the Rocketeer. Harley serves as the brains of the group and Laura has a ditzy personality. They are a clear homage of the golden-age comedy duo Laurel and Hardy.
- Sylvester Slapdash (voiced by Maurice LaMarche) – A thief and a master of disguise who utilizes many costumes in his capers. He is also known as the "Costumed Bandit." Sylvester is a homage of early 20th Century vaudeville actor and quick change artist Sylvester Schaffer Jr.
- Lilith (vocal effects provided by Frank Welker) – Sylvester's pet ferret. Lilith is a homage to Sylvester Schaffer's wife and assistant Lily Kruger.
- The Great Orsino (voiced by Charlie Adler) – A magician that targets Kit's jet pack so that he can become the first flying magician.
- Deany (voiced by Parvesh Cheena) – The Great Orsino's hapless assistant. In "Super Deany," it is revealed that Deany has an engineering background where he helped to fix the Rocketeer's jet pack. His name is a play on Harry Houdini which is reinforced by frequent dialog of "Who? Deany."
- Doctor Doodlebug (voiced by Luca Padovan) – Rolland Poly is a kid genius who wears pillbug-themed armor. He invents machines suitable for his schemes out of the garbage that he steals.
- Newton (voiced by D. C. Douglas) – An A.I. that resides in Doctor Doodlebug's wristwatch. Newton advises his master on the course of action to take.
- Xena Treme (voiced by Stephanie Lemelin) – An extreme sports athlete determined to stay on the top through whatever means possible.
- Cast-Iron Chef (voiced by Ted Allen) – A food truck chef who will target any secret recipes in order to improve his business. He wields a high-tech gauntlet that enables him to use any kitchen tool it contains.
- Norman Sinclair (voiced by Raphael Alejandro) – The descendant of Neville Sinclair. He conspires to be the new Rocketeer by taking the jet pack from Kit.
Hughesville citizens
- Lucille (voiced by Marianne Muellerleile) – An old lady who works as a cashier at the Bulldog Café.
- Alfonzo (voiced by Eric Bauza) – A sous chef at the Bulldog Café.
- Officer Crowfoot (voiced by Robbie Daymond) – A police officer who arrests the bad guys thwarted by the Rocketeer.
- Mayor Primshell (voiced by Kevin Michael Richardson) – The mayor of Hughesville.
- Richard (voiced by Julian Edwards) – A boy who resides in Hughesville.
- Taffy – Richard's cat that is often rescued by the Rocketeer.
- Mr. Coleman (voiced by Eugene Byrd) – Kit's teacher at the Valkyrie Flight Academy.
- Ben (voiced by Antonio Raul Corbo) – A boy who is Kit's classmate at the Valkyrie Flight Academy.
- Logan (voiced by Ian Chen) – A boy who is Kit's classmate at the Valkyrie Flight Academy.
- Farmer McGinty (voiced by Mark L. Taylor) – An elderly farmer.
- Goose (voiced by Roger Craig Smith) – A clown that wears an airplane costume.
- Malcolm (voiced by Carlos Alazraqui) – An air traffic controller who works at Hughesville's air field.
- Aarush Cheena (voiced by Rahul Kohli) – Tesh's father, owner of Cheena Hardware, and Scoutmaster of the Hughesville Trailblazers.
- Chandi Cheena (voiced by Saruya Rao) – Tesh's mother.
- Irma Philpot (voiced by Susan Silo) – An old lady who lives near Hughesville.
- Chantal d'Avion (voiced by Yvette Nicole Brown) – Valerie's mother, and co-owner of the Valkyrie Flight Academy.
- Captain Michael d'Avion (voiced by Imari Williams) – Valerie's father, a Navy Captain and co-owner of the Valkyrie Flight Academy.
Episodes
Like other Disney Junior shows from the time, the episode titles are spoken and do not appear in text.
No. | Title [4] | Directed by | Written by | Storyboarded by | Original air date [5] | Prod. code [6][7] | U.S. viewers (millions) |
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1a | "First Flight" | Carin-Anne Anderson and Paul Demeyer | Nicole Dubuc | Maria Nguyen, Ray Smyth, and Arthur Valencia | November 8, 2019 | 101 | 0.39[8] |
Song: "Heart of a Hero" performed by Tammy Infusino | |||||||
1b | "Pilot Error" | Carin-Anne Anderson | Nicole Dubuc | Ray Smyth | November 8, 2019 | 101 | 0.39[8] |
2a | "Skyway Robbery" | Paul Demeyer | Nicole Dubuc | Arthur Valencia | November 8, 2019 | 102 | 0.35[8] |
2b | "A Doggone Adventure" | Paul Demeyer | Brian Hohlfeld | Arthur Valencia | November 8, 2019 | 102 | 0.35[8] |
Song: "Side by Side With You" performed by Beau Black | |||||||
3a | "Ground Control to Rocketeer" | Carin-Anne Anderson | Brian Hohlfeld | Kate Brusk | November 15, 2019 | 103 | 0.27 |
Song: "Fast" sung by Tesh | |||||||
3b | "Save the Statue" | Paul Demeyer | Claudia Silver | Rudi Berden | November 15, 2019 | 103 | N/A |
4a | "Carnival Caper" | Carin-Anne Anderson | Kendall Michele Haney | Kate Brusk | November 22, 2019 | 104 | 0.26 |
4b | "Songbird Soars Again" | Paul Demeyer | Claudia Silver | Rudi Berden | November 22, 2019 | 104 | 0.26[8] |
Song: "Walking on Air" sung by May Songbird | |||||||
5a | "Downhill Derby" | Paul Demeyer | Greg Johnson | Arthur Valencia | December 6, 2019 | V105 | 0.24 |
Song: "Doodlebug Manifesto" sung by Doctor Doodlebug | |||||||
5b | "Flight Class Heroes" | Carin-Anne Anderson | Claudia Silver | Ray Smyth | December 6, 2019 | V105 | N/A |
6a | "Hypnotic Hughesville" | Carin-Anne Anderson | Kendall Michele Haney | Kate Brusk | December 13, 2019 | V106 | N/A |
6b | "The Piggy Bank Caper" | Monica Tomova | Brian Hohlfeld | Derek Lee Thompson | December 13, 2019 | V106 | 0.31[8] |
7a | "X-Treme Hero" | Monica Tomova | Claudia Silver | Katya Bowser | January 10, 2020 | 110 V107 | 0.31[9] |
7b | "Hot on the Trail" | Paul Demeyer | Kristofer Wellman | Rudi Berden | January 10, 2020 | 110 V107 | 0.31[9] |
Song: "Share the Open Air with You" performed by Tammy Infusino | |||||||
8a | "Valerie the Valkyrie" | Paul Demeyer | Claudia Silver | Rudi Berden | January 17, 2020 | 108 | 0.34[10] |
Song: "Valkyrie Theme Song" sung by Valerie | |||||||
8b | "Follow that Bulldog" | Carin-Anne Anderson | Kristofer Wellman | Kate Brusk | January 17, 2020 | 108 | 0.34[10] |
9a | "Recipe for Disaster" | Paul Demeyer | Brian Hohlfeld | Arthur Valencia | January 24, 2020 | 105 V109 | 0.23[11] |
Song: "Enjoy Your Meal" performed by Leila Milki | |||||||
9b | "The Critter Gang" | Carin-Anne Anderson | Kendall Michele Haney | Ray Smyth | January 24, 2020 | 105 V109 | 0.23[11] |
10a | "Cleared for Takeoff" | Michael Daedalus Kenny | Nicole Dubuc | Bill Breneisen, Tamal Henley, and Robert Sledge | February 7, 2020 | V110 | 0.32[12] |
Song: "A Beautiful View" performed by Tammy Infusino | |||||||
10b | "First Class" | Carin-Anne Anderson | Nicole Dubuc and Brian Hohlfeld | Tamal Henley and Ray Smyth | February 7, 2020 | V110 | 0.32[12] |
11a | "Underground Doodlebug" | Monica Tomova | Kendall Michele Haney | Katya Bowser | February 21, 2020 | V111 | 0.23[13] |
Song: "Sparkle Sunset Unicorn Song" sung by Sparkle Sunset Unicorn Tractor-Machine | |||||||
11b | "Bruce Goose" | Paul Demeyer | Brian Hohlfeld | Rudi Berden | February 21, 2020 | V111 | 0.23[13] |
Song: "A Friend Like You" performed by Beau Black | |||||||
12a | "Runaway Lilith" | Carin-Anne Anderson | Kendall Michele Haney | Ben Adams | March 13, 2020 | V201 | 0.33[14] |
Song: "Ferret on a Mission" performed by Beau Black | |||||||
12b | "The Hughesville Howler" | Monica Tomova | Claudia Silver | Derek Lee Thompson | March 13, 2020 | V201 | 0.33[14] |
13a | "Friends and Family Picnic" | Paul Demeyer | Claudia Silver | Arthur Valencia | April 3, 2020 | V202 | N/A |
13b | "Lights, Camera, Action Hero!" | Carin-Anne Anderson | Kendall Michele Haney | Ray Smyth | April 3, 2020 | V202 | N/A |
14a | "Special Delivery" | Monica Tomova | Brian Hohlfeld | Katya Bowser | April 10, 2020 | V203 | N/A |
Song: "Welcome, Sonal" sung by Tesh | |||||||
14b | "The Hunt for Hughesberries" | Paul Demeyer | Kendall Michele Haney | Rudi Berden | April 10, 2020 | V203 | N/A |
15a | "Super Deany" | Carin-Anne Anderson | Brian Hohlfeld | Jake Kim | April 17, 2020 | V204 | 0.40 |
Song: "Super Deany to the Rescue" sung by Deany and the Hughesville Citizens | |||||||
15b | "Dr. Doodlebug's Fair Game" | Monica Tomova | Kendall Michele Haney, Brian Hohlfeld, and Claudia Silver | Derek Lee Thompson | April 17, 2020 | V204 | 0.40 |
16a | "The Valkyrie Cleans-Up" | Carin-Anne Anderson | Kendall Michele Haney | Ray Smyth | April 24, 2020 | V205 | 0.48 |
Song: "Best Team Ever" performed by Beau Black | |||||||
16b | "The Bank Job" | Paul Demeyer | Nicole Dubuc | Arthur Valencia | April 24, 2020 | V205 | 0.48 |
17a | "Big Top Problems" | Monica Tomova | Brian Hohlfeld | Katya Bowser | July 4, 2020 | TBA | N/A |
Song: "The Circus is in Town" sung by Ivan the Strongman | |||||||
17b | "One Trick Phony" | Paul Demeyer | Kristofer Wellman | Rudi Berden | July 4, 2020 | TBA | N/A |
18a | "Pack-A-Doodle" | Carin-Anne Anderson | Kendall Michele Haney, Greg Johnson, and Claudia Silver | Jake Kim | July 11, 2020 | TBA | N/A |
Song: "Pack-a-Doodle-Do" sung by Dr. Doodlebug | |||||||
18b | "Sitti's Visit" | Monica Tomova | Brian Hohlfeld | Derek Lee Thompson | July 11, 2020 | TBA | N/A |
19a | "The Haunted House" | Carin-Anne Anderson | Brian Hohlfeld | Kate Brusk | July 16, 2020 | TBA | N/A |
19b | "The Halloween Heist" | Paul Demeyer | Kendall Michele Haney | Rudi Berden | July 16, 2020 | TBA | N/A |
Song: "Halloween Round-Up" performed by Beau Black | |||||||
20 | "The Christmas Star" | Carin-Anne Anderson and Paul Demeyer | Brian Hohlfeld | Ray Smyth and Arthur Valencia | July 17, 2020 | TBA | N/A |
Songs: "It's That Time of Year" / "Look for the Light" sung by Hughesville citizens | |||||||
21a | "Scarlett's Search" | Monica Tomova | Kendall Michele Haney | Katya Bowser | July 18, 2020 | TBA | N/A |
Song: "Keep on Trying" performed by Tammy Infusino | |||||||
21b | "Rocketeer Day" | Carin-Anne Anderson | Kristofer Wellman | Ray Smyth | July 18, 2020 | TBA | N/A |
22 | "Heart of a Hero" | Carin-Anne Anderson (part 1) Monica Tomova (part 2) | Nicole Dubuc (part 1) Greg Johnson (part 2) | Jake Kim (part 1) Derek Lee Thompson (part 2) | July 25, 2020 | TBA | 0.17[15] |
Song: "Villains' Lament" sung by Sylvester Slapdash, Dr. Doodlebug and Valerie | |||||||
23a | "Win Some, Lose Some" | Monica Tomova | Greg Johnson | Derek Lee Thompson | August 2, 2020 | TBA | N/A |
23b | "The Great Rocket-Pack Heist" | Carin-Anne Anderson | Nicole Dubuc | Ray Smyth | August 2, 2020 | TBA | N/A |
Broadcast
The Rocketeer had its first international debut when it premiered on Canada's Disney Junior on November 10, 2019. It premiered in Spain on July 20, 2020. It will premiere on Southeast Asia's Disney Junior & France's Disney Junior in 2021. It will premiere on LittleBe and Disney+ in the United Kingdom in 2021. It will premiere on Rai YoYo and Disney+ in Italy in 2021. Finally, it will premiere on the Dutch Disney Channel in the Netherlands in 2021.
Cancellation hoax
It has been reported that, according to series developer and executive producer Nicole Dubuc, the series was cancelled after one season.[16] However, she obliquely denied this rumor on her Twitter feed claiming that her NDAs don't allow her to announce show pick-ups or cancellations before press releases as that decision is up to the studio.[17]
Reception
The show received a positive review from Vodzilla, which praised the attention to detail in vehicle design, the strength of the characterization, and the diversity of the cast.[18]
Awards and nominations
The Rocketeer has been nominated for five awards in the 47th Daytime Emmy Awards.[19] The nominations are for: Outstanding Main Title for an Animated Program, Outstanding Performance in a Preschool Animated Program (for Maurice LaMarche in the role of Sylvester Slapdash), Outstanding Writing for a Preschool Animated Program, Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Preschool Animated Program, and Outstanding Sound Editing for a Preschool Animated Program.[20]
References
- "Disney's The Rocketeer Cartoon Adds Two New Cast Members". Comic Book. 2019-07-27. Retrieved 2019-08-27.
- "Disney Junior's "The Rocketeer" Premieres Friday, Nov. 8, on Disney Channel, Disney Junior and DisneyNOW". The Futon Critic. October 10, 2019.
- Trumbore, Dave (February 27, 2018). "'The Rocketeer' Set to Return … As an Animated Disney Junior Series?". Collider. Retrieved February 27, 2018.
- "The Rocketeer". TV Guide.
- "The Rocketeer". Zap2it.
- "The Rocketeer". Futon Critic.
- https://www.wdtvpress.com/disneyjunior/shows/the-rocketeer/episodes/
- Mitch Metcalf (November 11, 2019). "Top 150 Friday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 11.8.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved November 11, 2019.
- http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-friday-cable-originals-network-finals-1-10-2020.html
- http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-friday-cable-originals-network-finals-1-17-2020.html
- http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-friday-cable-originals-network-finals-1-24-2020.html
- http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-friday-cable-originals-network-finals-2-7-2020.html
- http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-friday-cable-originals-network-finals-2-21-2020.html
- http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-friday-cable-originals-network-finals-3-13-2020.html
- http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-saturday-cable-originals-network-finals-7-25-2020.html
- "Disney Jr.'s 'The Rocketeer' Cancelled After Single Season". RenewCancelTV. March 26, 2020.
- "Friendly reminder that my NDAs don't allow me to announce show pick ups or cancellations before press releases, sorry! You gotta ask the studio for that kind of info". Nicole Dubuc's Twitter. July 12, 2020.
- Turner, Matthew (November 1, 2020). "Disney+ TV review: The Rocketeer (Disney Junior)". Vodzilla. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
- The Emmys (May 21, 2020). "NOMINEES ANNOUNCED FOR THE 47TH ANNUAL DAYTIME EMMY® AWARDS". The Emmys. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
- The Emmys (May 21, 2020). "Nominees announced for the 47th annual daytime Emmy® awards" (PDF). The Emmys. Retrieved June 10, 2020.