Malachi and Friends

Malachi and Friends is an American animated variety television series. It was created by Mala Miles, an animation veteran whose extensive credits include working on Scooby-Doo. It first premiered on CBS on September 6, 1980, which led to a series of half-hour episodes. New original series episodes were produced from 1986 to 1989 as part of The Funtastic World of Hanna-Barbera block, and then by Fox Broadcasting Company's Fox Kids Network on April 27, 1991. It initially ran a total of 300 episodes, along with two feature-length films, Malachi: The Movie and Malachi 2: The Rise of Evil, excluding cliffhanger episodes and specials. In 1990, Malachi and Purple also teamed up with other well-known cartoon characters (such as Bugs Bunny and Garfield) for the drug abuse-prevention special Cartoon All-Stars to the Rescue.

Mala Miles created the characters for media advertising, as well as an unpublished comic book series in the 1970s, and later reluctantly pitched the series to CBS as a Saturday morning cartoon. The series was envisioned by Miles in the early 1970s; he later brought the rest of the creative team aboard to develop storylines and characters to pitch the show while Mala Miles designed the characters for the show. The network gave the staff a large amount of creative freedom, with the writers targeting both children and adults. Malachi was conceived by Austin Miles in 1976 shortly before a solicitation for a series of animated shorts. Austin created a world and named the characters.

Malachi and Friends is a variety show, with short skits featuring a large cast of characters. While the show had no set format, the majority of episodes were composed of three short mini-episodes, each starring a different set of characters, and bridging segments. Hallmarks of the series included its music, satirical social commentary, pop culture references, character catchphrases, and innuendo directed at an adult audience.

The show was commercially successful, establishing Malachi as the mascot of Bear Bones Productions, and spawned a successful franchise, and adaptations into other media, such as video games, toys, comic books, and films. Merchandise for Malachi and Friends includes toys, video games, films, and print media.

In April 1991, the series was revived for more seasons, which began on April 27 of that year and ended on November 28, 1997. Due to Hanna-Barbera's departure from the series, the new seasons were made under a different production team, with various changes to the visual style and character designs.

Segments

 * Malachi & His Pals - The misadventures of a cartoon boy and his friends.
 * Toon Friends - The series chronicles the adventures of Jarek, Riley, Felix, Amy, Kayson, Zoey, and more in the fictional town of Toonpolis.
 * Jake the Robot - In 1974 A.D., robots have become a threat to mankind. To stop these robots, Symbiosis Technologies develops a robot named Jake to rid the evil robots, and to help people with certain problems.
 * Sarah - The series focuses on Sarah, a teenage girl, and a group of various misfits. They live their lives in the wonderful town called Rollerbound, where they have to outwit various threats throughout the town, including a group of mad scientists, led by Arpeggio, and Screiel, Arpeggio's nephew.
 * The Animal Farm - The series chronicles the adventures of an anthropomorphic pig named Scott J. Pig and his friends in the fictional town/farm of Animalcity.
 * Wonderful Darlene - They follow the misadventures of a mischievous girl named Darlene and a dog named Chewy, who likes to outsmart her enemies.
 * The Royal Kingdom - A young boy who lives his life as a prince and falls in love with a princess, while dealing with the problem with an evil lord.
 * Evil Twin - An evil duo of the twin who tries to take over the world. A dark red-haired boy named Juan and his light purple-haired twin sister named Solei.
 * The Adventures of Lotta - A cyan-haired girl named Lotta goes on an adventure.
 * Beverly Hills Tina - The series takes place in Beverly Hills, California, and follows a fictional "College Club". The lead protagonist is Tina, a female college student and fashion model who is shown to be kind and generous to her friends.
 * Officer Otto Fox and Coco Crow - A fox and crow working at the police station, they must stop criminals.
 * Aaron & Lyra - A man and a woman have different situations and live in the city.
 * Life in the Famous Class - A group of students is doing many things to become famous.
 * Daydream Mouse - A female mouse who tried to reach her dreams by being a star, but fails.

Mini-segments
Between the three main segments in the original series and the revival series are brief mini-segments, which often feature only Malachi. Other characters that star in these include "The Jumbo Super Live Show!", a brown elephant named Jumbo the Elephant, and "Sunny the Flower", A pretty flower without petals named Sunny.

Malachi

 * Mala Miles as Malachi / Purple Guy / NaPurple (1988-95) / Walachi (1986-95) / Noah / Ethan / Lucas / Rele Pira
 * Frank Welker as Takashi / Fatty / Jack / Freddy  / Squd / Moley / Baggy (robotic voice)
 * Patricia Parris as Jenny (original series)
 * Mary Kay Bergman as Jenny (revived series)
 * Julie McWhirter as Kally / Brenna / Rick (original series)
 * E.G. Daily as Kally / Brenna / Rick (revived series)
 * Jim Cummings as Oscar / Dr. Doom (revived series)
 * Steve Bulen as Derek
 * Bob Holt as Dr. Wilfil (1980-86)
 * Gregg Berger as Dr. Wilfil (1986-97)
 * Susan Blu as Tiana
 * Patric Zimmerman as Grant / Pingux / Bob (revived series)
 * Pat Fraley as MC Jo-Jo / Monster Lizard
 * Michael Bell as Elijah / Stinky
 * Don Messick as Bob (original series) / Edgar / Jay / Robert
 * Jim MacGeorge as Lignen (original series)
 * Doug Lawrence as Lignen (revival series)
 * Heather North as Ms. Fuffy (original series)
 * Jennifer Hale as Ms. Fuffy (revived series)
 * B.J. Ward as Poisonflower / Betty / Shania
 * Corey Burton as Demetris
 * Charlie Adler as Sam / Deshaun
 * Russi Taylor as Cindy / Moctor / Lolly / Sid / Dick
 * Gary Owens as Captain Turbo
 * Brad Garrett as Dope / Remington
 * John Stephenson as Aarex
 * Cree Summer as Kila / Julie / Serenity (revival series)
 * Mona Marshall as Mekal
 * Kath Soucie as Tanya
 * Paul Winchell as Dr. Wack / Donald (original series)
 * Jeff Bennett as Dr. Wack / Donald / Jules / Polar (revival series)
 * Maurice LaMarche as Noel / Sharptooth (revival series)
 * Danny Goldman as Santed Sailor (1980-91)
 * Billy West as Cory / Santed Sailor (1991-95)
 * Peter Cullen as Gangster Sailor / Lighting Galax
 * Mel Blanc as Whalestook (original series)
 * Dan Castellaneta as Whalestook / Christopher (revived series)
 * Hal Smith as Santa Claus

Evil Twin

 * Lennie Weinrib as Juan (original series)
 * Rob Paulsen as Juan (revived series)
 * Marilyn Schreffler as Soiel (original series)
 * Sherry Lynn as Soiel (revived series)
 * Frank Welker as Spikey the Dog

Jake the Robot

 * Frank Welker as Jake
 * Don Messick as Zach
 * Heather North as Liz
 * Sherry Lynn as Liz (revival series)
 * Allan Melvin as Dr. Shizzion
 * Marilyn Schreffler as April (original series)
 * Tress MacNeille as April (revival series)
 * Neil Ross as Leo
 * Howard Morris as Mic-93
 * Mel Blanc as Jumper (original series)
 * Dave Coulier as Jumper (revival series)
 * Tim Matheson as Robbie
 * Chuck McCann as Nut-Nut
 * John Stephenson as Luther
 * Janet Waldo as Donnie
 * Kathy Gori as Shani (original series)
 * Kimmy Robertson as Shani (revival series)
 * Brian Cummings as Brown
 * June Foray as Laci
 * Dan Gilvezan as Stuart
 * Sorrell Booke as Austin (1980-1994)
 * Alan Young as Austin (1994-1997)
 * Peter Cullen as Anderson
 * Jack Angel as Matinez
 * Danny Goldman as Apple
 * Marshall Efron as Arthno
 * William Callaway as Saber (1980-1993)
 * Gregg Berger as Saber (1996-1997)
 * Julie Bennett as Aqua
 * Dick Gautier as Razor
 * Ed Gilbert as Steam
 * Hamilton Camp as Hydercore
 * Julie McWhirter as ARUM (original series)
 * Candi Milo as ARUM (revival series)
 * Ronnie Schell as 3-4E
 * Alan Oppenheimer as Volkbot
 * Leo De Lyon as Aunots
 * Michael Bell as Husky

Toon Friends

 * Mala Miles as Jarek
 * B.J. Ward as Riley
 * Mel Blanc as Felix (1981-88) / Pablo (1981-88) / / Lord Toonheart (1981-89)
 * Daws Butler as Joe (1981-88) / Harold (1981-88)
 * Rob Paulsen as Felix (revived series)
 * Cam Clarke as Joe (revived series)
 * Nancy Cartwright as Amy
 * Pat Fraley as Gerald
 * Michael Bell as Kayson
 * Joan Gerber as Zoey
 * Russi Taylor as Daisy
 * Frank Welker as Julius / Meatball
 * Casey Kasem as Scott
 * Kath Soucie as Alaina
 * Daws Butler as Hugo (1981-88)
 * Maurice LaMarche as Hugo (revived series)
 * Charlie Adler as Pablo (revived series)
 * Janet Waldo as Kayla (1981-88)
 * Jeannie Elias as Kayla (revived series)
 * Jerry Dexter as Travis (1981-88)
 * Jeff Bennett as Travis (revived series)
 * Don Messick as Zeke (1981-94)
 * Jess Harnell as Zeke (1993-94)
 * Heather North as Rebecca (1981-91)
 * Debi Derryberry as Rebecca (revived series)
 * Billy West as Harold (revived series)
 * Shannon Farnon as Destiny (1981-88)
 * Tress MacNeille as Destiny (revived series)
 * Jim Cummings as Lord Toonheart (revived series)
 * Jason Marsden as Marc (1990-94)
 * Tara Charendoff as Ricky (1996-97)

Sarah

 * B.J. Ward as Sarah (1980-1994)
 * Anndi McAfee as Sarah (1994-1997)
 * Casey Kasem as Nate (1980-1994)
 * Charlie Adler as Nate (1994-1997)
 * Frank Welker as Ratchet
 * Tress MacNeille as Arpeggio
 * Maurice LaMarche as Screiel

The Animal Farm

 * Frank Welker as Scott J. Pig
 * Lucille Bliss as Hilda Cat
 * Don Messick as Logan Lion
 * Paul Winchell as Sean Sheep (original series)
 * Scatman Crothers as Tony Dog (1979-1985)
 * Marshall Efron as Tony Dog (1986-1992)
 * Corey Burton as Tony Dog (1992-1997)
 * Janet Waldo as Gabrielle Giraffe
 * Daws Butler as Chucky Chicken (original series)
 * Bob Bergen as Chucky Chicken (revival series)
 * Leo De Lyon as Killer K. Fox
 * Michael Bell as Mire Panther
 * Jack Angel as Timmy Alligator
 * William Callaway as Lloyd Bear
 * June Foray as Emma and Ethan
 * Danny Goldman as Carl Cow
 * Chuck McCann as Eric Elephant
 * Julie McWhirter as Amile Horse
 * Julie Bennett as Ariel Sheep
 * Peter Cullen as Big Fat Pig
 * Larry Storch as Old MacDonald

Wonderful Darlene

 * Julie McWhirter as Darlene / Tommy (original series)
 * Kath Soucie as Darlene / Tommy (revival series)
 * B.J. Ward as Deowie
 * Frank Welker as Chewy / Darlene's father
 * Janet Waldo as Darlene's mother
 * Nancy Cartwright as Jopler
 * E.G. Daily as Vanessa
 * Mary Kay Bergman as Brandy
 * Daws Butler as Javier (original series)
 * Patric Zimmerman as Javier (revival series)

Officer Otto Fox and Coco Crow

 * Daws Butler as Otto Fox / Mr. Hypno (original series)
 * Joe Alaskey as Otto Fox / Mr. Hypno (revived series)
 * Paul Winchell as Coco Crow (original series)
 * Jim Cummings as Coco Crow (revival series)
 * Michael Bell as Clydsel
 * Mae Questel as Jillian Fox / Weasnnie (original series)
 * Nancy Cartwright as Jillian Fox (revived series)
 * Tress MacNeille as Weasnnie (revived series)
 * Jackson Beck as Chief Black Cat (original series)
 * Jim Cummings as Chief Black Cat (revived series)
 * Jack Mercer as Seller J. Dog / Scrooge the Bat (1980-1985)
 * Maurice LaMarche as Seller J. Dog / Scrooge the Bat (1985-1997)
 * Don Messick as Don Birdo (1980-1996)
 * Frank Welker as Don Birdo / Sneaky Rat (1996-1997)
 * Casey Kasem as Sneaky Rat (original series)
 * Heather North as Chamilia Chameleon (original series)
 * Mary Kay Bergman as Chamilia Chameleon (revived series)
 * June Foray as Mrs. Hypno

Beverly Hills Tina

 * B.J. Ward as Tina
 * Linda Gary as Becky (1985-1996)
 * Sandy Fox as Becky (1996-1997)
 * Susan Blu as Nikki
 * Scott Menville as Jerry
 * Nancy Cartwright as Josie
 * Maurice LaMarche as Lex
 * Michael Bell as Darwin
 * Phil Hartman as Thomas
 * Jeannie Elias as Kari
 * Brian George as Kyle
 * Patricia Parris as Konica
 * Bettina Bush as Joha
 * Jeannie Elias as Hesla
 * Rob Paulsen as Gig
 * Charlie Adler as Williams

Additional voices

 * Lennie Weinrib
 * Marvin Kaplan
 * Allan Melvin
 * Hal Smith as Jumbo the Elephant (original series)
 * Frank Welker as Jumbo the Elephant (revived series)
 * Marilyn Schreffler
 * Melissa Disney as Britt (1996)

Development
Coming soon!

Production
Outsourced production work was done by Wang Film Productions/Cuckoo's Nest Studios and Toei Animation in the original series.

In the revival episodes for each season, animation production studios included Wang Film Productions/Cuckoo's Nest Studios, Hong Ying Animation, Bear Bones Australia, Fil-Cartoons, Saerom Animation, Tokyo Movie Shinsha, Shanghai Morning Sun Animation, AKOM, Freelance Animators New Zealand, Encore Cartoons, StarToons, D'Ocon Films Productions, Lacewood Productions, and Kennedy Cartoons.

United States

 * CBS (1980-1989)
 * Fox Kids (1991-1997)
 * Fox Family (1998-1999)
 * Nickelodeon (1999-2001)
 * Syndication / Bear Bones Lineup (1998-2005)
 * Bear Bones Channel (2005-2017)
 * USA Network (1982-1996)
 * Cartoon Network (1993-1999; 2001-2008; 2015)
 * Boomerang (2002-2012; 2015-18; 2020)
 * Hub Network/Discovery Family (2012-2014)
 * BBToons (2014-present)
 * Kabillion (2021-)
 * Netflix (2015-2021; 2022-)
 * Amazon Prime (2019-)
 * Tubi (2022-)
 * The Roku Channel (2022-)
 * HBO Max (2021-22; purged)
 * AFN Family

Canada

 * Global Television Network (1980-1981; 1991-1999)
 * CTV
 * YTV (1992-2002; 2010)
 * Teletoon (1998-2007; 2014-2017; 2020)
 * Teletoon Retro (2007-2015)
 * ICI Radio Canada (French) (1980-1998)
 * Télétoon (French) (1998-2007)
 * Télétoon Rétro (French) (2007-2015)

United Kingdom & Ireland

 * BBC (1981-1992)
 * CITV (1992-1997)
 * Fox Kids (1997-2000)
 * Sky1 (1999-2003)
 * TCC (reruns)
 * CBBC (2000-2003)
 * Pop/Kix (2016-2018)
 * Cartoon Network (1993-2003)
 * Boomerang (2001-2013)
 * RTÉ2 (2000-2003)

Latin America and Brazil

 * Tooncast (2008-present)
 * Cartoon Network (1999-2006; 2012; 2015)
 * Nickelodeon (1993-2005)
 * Boomerang (2001-2009)
 * Warner Channel (1997-2002)
 * Netflix (2015-2021)
 * HBO Max (2021-present)
 * Canal 5 (Mexico) (1970-2004)
 * ZAZ (1992-1998)
 * Canal 6 (El Salvador) (1980-2001)
 * Chilevisión (Chile) (1970-present)
 * Cablín (Argentina) (1990-1996)
 * TV Pública (Argentina) (1980-2004)
 * Magic Kids (Argentina) (1997-2006)
 * The Big Channel (Argentina) (1992-2001)
 * TaTeTi (Argentina) (2010-2017)
 * TaTeTi (Chile) (2010-2017)
 * Tacho Pistacho (Colombia) (2017-present)


 * Rede Globo (Brazil) (1980-2005)
 * SBT (Brazil) (1994-2018)
 * Gloob (2014-2017)

Australia & New Zealand

 * ABC (1971-1984)
 * Nine Network (1984-1989; 2003-2010)
 * Seven Network (1992-2001)
 * Network Ten (2002-2005)
 * TVNZ 2 (1997-2015)
 * Cartoon Network (1999-2004)
 * Boomerang (2001-2017)

Southern Asia

 * Cartoon Network (1999-2005)
 * Boomerang (2006-2013)

Philippines

 * ABS-CBN (1974-2008)

India

 * Cartoon Network (1995-2010)
 * Sony Entertainment Television (1995-2004)
 * Pogo (2014-2018)
 * Disney Channel (2010-2014)
 * Hungama TV (2009-2014)
 * Sony Yay! (2018-)

Spain

 * La 1 (1971-2002)
 * La 2 (1992-2008)
 * TVE Clan (2005-2007)
 * Cartoon Network (1999-2013)
 * Boing (2010-2014)
 * Canal Sur 2 (1998-2010)
 * Antena 3 (2000-2006)

Portugal

 * RTP1 (1972-1991)
 * RTP2 (1991-2006)
 * Canal Panda (1997-2012)
 * SIC (1997-2009)
 * SIC K (2009-2012)
 * Biggs (2012-present)
 * Cartoon Network (2013-2018)
 * Boomerang (2015-present)

France

 * TF1 (formerly ORTF) (1981-1997)
 * France 3 (2005-2010)
 * Canal J (1985-2012)
 * Cartoon Network (1993-2004)
 * Télétoon (1996-2009)
 * Canal+ (1988-2006)
 * Canal+ Family (2007-2011)
 * TF! (1997-2005)
 * TFOU (2005-2008)
 * Boomerang (2004-2012)
 * Gulli (2005-present)
 * Boing (2015-present)

Italy

 * Rai 1 (1981-1991)
 * Italia 1 (1992-2008)
 * Canale 5 (1984; 1994-1997)
 * Rete 4 (1991-2000)
 * Boing (2004-2018)
 * Hiro (2009-2011)
 * Cartoonito (2014-present)
 * Cartoon Network (1993-2003)
 * Boomerang (2005-2017)

Germany

 * ZDF (1981-1992)
 * ProSieben (1992-2007)
 * Super RTL (1999-2013)
 * RTL II (1993-2005)
 * Kabeleins (2002-2005; Junior)
 * KiKA (2010-2012)
 * Junior (2000-2006)
 * Fox Kids (1998-2004)
 * Jetix (2005)
 * Disney Channel (2003-2007)
 * Toon Disney (2004-2006)
 * Nicktoons (2014-2019)
 * Boomerang (2006-2012)
 * SRF 2 (Switzerland) (2000-2012)
 * ORF eins (Austria) (1993-2007)

Netherlands

 * NPO 1 (1981-1989)
 * RTL 4 Telekids (1989-1999)
 * Fox Kids (1999-2005)
 * Jetix (2005-2008)
 * Nickelodeon (2008-2013)
 * Nicktoons (2013-2017)
 * Kindernet (2012-2013)
 * Cartoon Network (2000-2009)

Poland

 * TVP1 (1983-2016)
 * TVP2 (season 1-16) (1992-2003)
 * TVP Kids (2016-2018)
 * Fox Kids (1999-2005)
 * Jetix (2005-2006)
 * Polsat (1997-2007)
 * Puls 2 (2012-present)
 * Top Kids (2015-present)
 * Minimax (1999-2004)
 * ZigZap (2004-2007)
 * Cartoon Network (1998-2013)
 * Boomerang (2005-2016)
 * KidsCo (2010-2014)

Denmark

 * DR 1/DR Ramasjang/DR Ultra (1983-2007)
 * TV2 (1990-2009)
 * Cartoon Network (2000-2016)
 * Boomerang (2008-2016)
 * HBO Nordic (Toonix)

Norway

 * NRK1 (1983-1994)
 * TV2 (1994-2007)
 * Cartoon Network (2000-2016)


 * Boomerang (2008-2016)
 * HBO Nordic (Toonix)

Sweden

 * SVT1 (1983-1993)
 * Kanal 5 (1989-1998)
 * TV4 (1993-2007)
 * Cartoon Network (2000-2016)
 * Boomerang (2008-2016)
 * HBO Nordic (Toonix)

Ratings
Coming soon!

Critical reception
Coming soon!

Awards and nominations
Coming soon!

Legacy
Coming soon!

Influence
With the success of Malachi and Friends and Aiden & Koop, these shows noticeably influenced the golden age generation of mainstream animated television series. After the ninth season of Malachi and Friends, the series inspired similar animated series starring cartoon series, including Garfield and Friends, Tiny Toons Adventures, The Ren & Stimpy Show, ''Eek! The Cat, and Animaniacs''.

Home media
Various VHS tapes and LaserDisc releases came out during the 1980s by Worldvision and Family Home Entertainment.

From 1992 to 1994, Sony Wonder released several VHS tapes of the series.

Home media distributors

 * Worldvision Home Video (1985-1988)
 * Kids Klassics (1988-1990)
 * Hanna-Barbera Home Video (1990-1992)
 * Family Home Entertainment (1992-1998)
 * Shout! Factory (2006-2018)
 * Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (2018-2021)

In popular culture

 * Malachi and Purple appeared in the 1990 drug prevention video Cartoon All-Stars to the Rescue.