The Addams Family (1992 animated series)

The Addams Family is the second animated series based on Charles Addams' iconic comic characters. It was produced by Hanna-Barbera for ABC in 1992 as a continuation of the previous year's theatrical film. It was the second-last Hanna-Barbera series to air on ABC.

Overview[]

This series differed from the previous Addams Family cartoon primarily in the character designs and voice acting. Two seasons were produced, and each half-hour episode comprised between one and three stories.

The first episode to air involved a plot against Uncle Fester by his "arch nemesis", a faceless gangster. The episode was aired out of production order, however, and relied on the viewers having seen previous episodes for context, thus leaving the audience in the dark as to why Uncle Fester had an arch nemesis. Later episodes would introduce the series' most frequently recurring villains, an underwear-obsessed family named the Normanmeyers, who lived next door to the Addams and despised them for their lifestyle being an affront to typical suburban living (with the exception of their son, N.J.).

Episodes dealing with the Normanmeyers usually involved Norman and Normina trying to rid Happydale Heights of the Addams Family or spying on the Addams; N.J. is friends with Wednesday and Pugsley, inevitably leading to conflict between the families. At the end of several episodes, when the conflict was resolved, Gomez usually suggested a family dance. The first suggestion for the dance was usually rejected because of some weird requirement. Uncle Fester is usually the one to point out the reason the first suggestion should not be accepted, albeit sometimes Gomez and Uncle Fester found themselves in a role reversal (with Uncle Fester making the suggestion and Gomez pointing out the reason not to follow it). The second suggestion was accepted and there was usually a requirement for that dance, too.

Voice cast[]

John Astin as Gomez Addams
Dick Beals as N.J. Normanmeyer
Carol Channing as Grandmama Addams
Jim Cummings as Lurch, Spy Twins, Underwear Hitman "Fingers," Harry Palmer, RumpCo CEO, Mega Fingers and Hairdo
Debi Derryberry as Wednesday Addams
Jeannie Elias as Pugsley Addams
Pat Fraley as Cousin Itt
Nancy Linari as Morticia Addams
Edie McClurg as Normina Normmanmeyer
Rob Paulsen as Norman Normanmeyer, Van Swash and Uncle Cleaver
Rip Taylor as Uncle Fester