A GPK Mess ... But Worth It
A. J. BOOTON | Colorado, USA | 04/12/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"So I'm scoring this with 5 stars, based SOLELY on that fact that the complete series can be found on DVD, and one does not have to purchase an internationally dubbed version for a higher price without all 13 episodes. I, much like other 80's GPK collectors, impatiently waited for the GPK Saturday morning cartoon... I even remember having my Mom's TV Guide highlighted so I wouldn't forget... and it never came on.
I was NEVER a fan of the GPK movie... ever. But I've grown to appreciate the cartoon. But you do have to realize, this is NOT the GPK cards... much like the D&D cartoon was NOT the D&D RPG.
Each of the 13 episodes are broken down into the same sections making up a compilation of cartoon shorts -- in general, most of the 22 minute cartoon is very non-GPK related, a hodge-podge of weird ideas. A 30 second 'kids are strange' beginning starts out the program quickly followed by the GPK title introduction lasting for approximately 1 minute. From here, the first 10 minute segment begins, usually showcasing crazy characters not found in the card series. This section is more reminiscent of episodes of the older Loony Tunes cartoon, a wacky strange tale, with bizarre characters -- with only a few GPK characters sporatically seen throughout the skit. A 30 second 'buy this gizmo' GPK commercial follows which reminds me of those fun items one can "buy" from Bazooka Joe comics... and then a 30 second "GPK Groaner" joke section follows. Finally, the cartoon title segment begins, running 10 minutes -- this actually showcases the 5 GPK stars of the cartoon, what could have been called the "Garbage Gang" had the title been created at that time. This section is much more reminiscent of episodes of Scooby Doo, where a mystery or problem needs to be solved -- overall, the best storytelling, animation and GPK related section of the whole cartoon happens here (besides the title intro). Lastly, a 30 second "GPK Award" or "Wanted" section follows the last cartoon segment closing out the episode."
ITS BAD and GOOD and then BAD again but not GROSS
Gregorio J. Narvasa | 10/10/2006
(3 out of 5 stars)
"For a die hard fan i say have it in your collection, but it was a bad series concept. Its not GROSS how the cards are, no vomit, no boogers, no dismemberment. WHY because it was a netowrk cartoon from the 80's with im sure poor judgemnt on what to do with it. If it were made now im sure ADULT SWIM and FAMILY GUY humor witht he excess vomiting and snot would have made it a hit. For you comic fans Geoff Darrow (big guy and rusty) he did the character modeling and KREE SUMMERS who has doen a million voices did work on this too!
>>SIGH"
Three stars for being GPK, but just not a good cartoon, like
Wiseguy 945 | Cedar Rapids, IA | 12/22/2006
(3 out of 5 stars)
"I was a huge GPK fan, series 4-16 of the originals with the alternate in the 4th series. I have posters and many of the toys that were released as well. And when the movie was released on DVD, great memories returned. But when I ran across this on Amazon, it suprised me. Now I see from the web and other reviewers that this series never aired. So now I have these "lost treasures"....but they aren't that great. I skipped around a little to see if the episodes varied in quality of content, but they don't, there just blah. They aren't gross, and the characters are just bad interpretations (and drawings) of some of the GPK cards. To bad. Could have been something, just executed wrong. But, I can imagine that it would be hard to write a cartoon from so many strange characters, Kudos for trying. A collectors item for hardcore fans, but not a must have. Get the movie, it cheesy, but funny."
An interesting show for the GPK fan audience
Wooldoor J. Sockbat | Louisville, KY, USA | 05/15/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"In 1987, CBS was forced by parent groups to ban the show from airing on Saturday Mornings due to the popularity of the "extremely gross" cards that they were based on. If anyone who has bought this and watch all 13 episodes can agree with me that this was an example of parents overreacting to a harmless cartoon. The series itself is not gross enough to turn anyone away, except people who were expecting the show to be gross. The series was obviously made before the days of "Ren and Stimpy" and "Beavis and Butt-head". In my personal opinion I believe that this show is enjoyable and I may have become a bigger fan of the series if the show had aired on CBS back in 1987.
The series follows five extra-mild gross kids, "Split Kit", "Clogged Duane", "Terri Cloth", "Patty Putty" and "Elliot Mess" who used their GPK alter-ego to stop bad guys and help people. Typical 80s cartoon, but a great show none of the less.
I highly recommend this show to anyone who is a big fan of cartoons, "Garbage Pail Kids" (just don't expect it to be real gross) or anyone that like to have a little piece of television treasure."