Lloyd in Space, an American animated TV show, was the brainchild of Joe Ansolabehere and Paul Germain, who also created “Recess.” It debuted on ABC on February 3, 2001, gracing Saturday mornings.
The pilot episode was penned by Ansolabehere, Germain, and Mark Drop, with character designs crafted by Eric Keyes. The show enjoyed a run of four seasons, concluding on February 27, 2004.
Networks: Toon Disney, American Broadcasting Company
First episode date: February 3, 2001 (USA)
Lloyd in Space (2001-2004)
Recall the golden era of Saturday morning cartoons from the 70s? Then you’ll absolutely adore this show. It boasts excellent writing, captivating storylines that see themselves through to the end, unlike some shows I could name.
The animation stands out, both clear and vibrant. It delivers a clean, sharp, and well-expressed experience that satisfies my nostalgia.
Kudos to Disney! I hope you plan to recreate this success!
Created by:
- Joe Ansolabehere
- Paul Germain
A Galactic Setting Like No Other
When Disney ventures into animation, magic follows, and “Lloyd in Space” is no exception. Transporting us to the outer realms of the universe, the show conjures a world teeming with aliens, bustling space stations, and intergalactic adventures.
Unlike most TV shows‘ classic, earthly settings, “Lloyd in Space” plunges viewers into the depths of the cosmos. What’s not to love about a space station school or shopping on the moon?
This fantastic setting fosters imaginative plots that whisk viewers off their feet. It invites us to dream, explore, and believe in the endless possibilities of a universe yet to be fully explored.
What Was Lloyd in Space About?
From the minds behind “Recess” emerges a futuristic series set shortly after the cataclysmic events of World War IX.
Dive into the adventures of Lloyd Nebulon, a green-skinned Verdigrean alien with peculiar ears and a standout antenna. Lloyd calls the Intrepidville Space Station home, living alongside his psychically-gifted sister, Francine, and their mother, Commander Norah Li Nebulon, who leads Intrepidville.
Joining Lloyd’s escapades are his pals:
- Eddie R. Horton, a red-haired human teen
- Kurt Blobberts, a vast one-eyed purple blob from the Blobullons
- Douglas McNoggin, a walking, talking giant brain from the Cerebellians
The narrative is enriched with cartoon characters like Station, the station’s AI; Mrs. Bolt, Lloyd’s stern robot teacher; and Brittany, Lloyd’s sought-after yet haughty crush.
Relatable Characters in an Unreal World
While “Lloyd in Space” boasts a galactic setting, its characters’ trials, tribulations, and adventures strike a chord close to home. Lloyd Nebulon, our green-skinned protagonist, tackles the age-old challenges of adolescence but with a cosmic twist.
Whether finding a date for the lunar dance, battling bullies, or dealing with family dilemmas, Lloyd’s experiences are universally relatable. His circle of friends, each unique and vibrant, highlight the diversity and camaraderie that echoes our world’s multicultural fabric.
Disney reminds us that regardless of our background or where we come from, growing up remains a shared experience.
Melding Humor with Profound Lessons
With a knack for seamlessly blending humor with deep lessons, “Lloyd in Space” never ceases to entertain while educating. The humor is clever, packed with puns and cultural references that appeal to children and adults.
One moment, you’re laughing out loud at Eddie’s latest goof-up, and the next, you’re pondering the profound messages embedded within. Themes like acceptance, friendship, responsibility, and the value of differences are artfully interwoven.
Through its episodes, the show teaches its audience that being different is a strength, not a weakness, and that true friendship transcends all barriers.
Success & Cancellation
Introduced in early 2001 on Disney’s One Saturday Morning on ABC, “Lloyd in Space” surpassed its initial ratings expectations. This success led Disney to promptly commission more episodes, with some set to premiere in the second season.
The show was officially discontinued in 2004, yet its production had already halted in 2003 after the One Saturday Morning block terminated. Although Toon Disney broadcasted reruns until October 23, 2006, the show vanished from TV and has remained unavailable on television and digital platforms since.
Of 40 “Lloyd in Space” episodes released across North America, Europe, and Asia, “Cheery Theerlap, Lloyd” didn’t air in Asia due to its religious holiday satire. Additionally, Asia never received “Commander Lloyd,” “Day One,” “Go Crater Worms,” and “Ride Along.” Conversely, “Picture Perfect” was exclusively for Asia and never reached North American audiences.
Lloyd in Space Characters
Lloyd Nebulon: The central character of the series, Lloyd is a teenage green-skinned alien belonging to the Verdigrean race. Characterized by his unique ears and a single antenna on his head, Lloyd is often curious, well-meaning, and sometimes finds himself in typical teenage dilemmas, navigating both the challenges of adolescence and the complexities of intergalactic life.
Francine Nebulon: Lloyd’s younger sister who possesses telekinetic and telepathic abilities. She’s clever and can often use her psychic powers in tricky situations. As with many younger siblings in family-based cartoons, she sometimes gets on Lloyd’s nerves but ultimately shares a strong bond with her brother.
Commander Norah Li Nebulon: The mother of Lloyd and Francine, she is the head of the Intrepidville Space Station. A strong, authoritative figure, she manages the responsibilities of the space station while also caring for her children. She often serves as a moral compass for Lloyd, guiding him through his teenage troubles.
Eddie R. Horton: One of Lloyd’s closest friends, Eddie is a red-haired human teenager. He’s known for his cheerful demeanor and is always there to support Lloyd in his endeavors and misadventures.
Kurt Blobberts: A lovable, massive purple blob from the Blobullons species, Kurt has a single eye and is not the brightest of the bunch. Nevertheless, his loyalty and big heart make him an indispensable part of Lloyd’s friend group.
Douglas McNoggin: A sentient giant brain from the Cerebellians species. As you might guess from his appearance, Douglas is the brains of the operation, often providing logical solutions to the group’s problems. Despite his intellect, he too faces typical teenage issues, emphasizing that smarts don’t exempt one from the challenges of growing up.
Supporting Characters
Station: The sentient computer AI of the Intrepidville Space Station. He assists Commander Norah and ensures the smooth functioning of the space station. Like many AI characters in animated series, Station often provides comic relief while serving an essential role in the station’s operations.
Mrs. Bolt: Lloyd’s robot teacher, she is often depicted as stern and no-nonsense, emphasizing discipline and academic rigor. While she might seem strict, her primary concern is the education and well-being of her students.
Brittany: Lloyd’s crush, Brittany is portrayed as the typical popular girl in school. She’s somewhat vain and can come across as stuck-up, but she has her moments of depth and complexity. Her interactions with Lloyd range from indifference to moments of genuine connection.
Dunkirque: He is often at odds with Lloyd and his group and serves as a sort of antagonist in several episodes. Like Brittany, Dunkirque is part of the “popular” clique at the space station school.
Boomer: Another one of Lloyd’s friends, Boomer hails from the gas giant planet and needs to wear a special suit to survive in environments that aren’t primarily gaseous.
Cindy: She’s a pink, jellyfish-like alien, and another classmate of Lloyd. Cindy is also one of Brittany’s friends and sometimes gets caught up in the dynamics of the school’s social circles.
Larry: A floating brain who’s another one of Lloyd’s classmates. Like Douglas, he belongs to the Cerebellians, but he’s not as close a friend to Lloyd as Douglas is.
Voices of
- Courtland Mead
- April Winchell
- Brian George
- Justin Shenkarow
- Pamela Hayden
- Bill Fagerbakke
- Pamela Adlon