Fungies!, The
Entry updated 7 June 2021. Tagged: TV.
US animated tv series (2020-current). Cartoon Network Studios. Created by Stephen P Neary. Supervising Director Nick Edwards. Writers include Jonathan Feria-Moreno, Mark Galez, Stephen P Neary and Kyle Neswald. Voice cast includes Tama Brutsche, Jennifer Coolidge, Stephen P Neary and Harry Teitelman. 40 eleven-minute episodes. Colour.
The show is set during the age of the Dinosaurs and concerns a civilization of fungus people who are vaguely humanoid in shape, but with detachable body parts; their society and culture are very similar to ours. The protagonist is Seth (Teitelman), a child who lives in a village with his mother, Dr Nancy (Coolidge), elder brother Pascal (Neary) and unnamed younger twin sisters (Brutsche). Seth wants to be a Scientist and spends most of his time examining the world around him, where most creatures – including a tree stump – can talk. He follows the experimental method when working out how to bring a snowball down from a mountain (make it big, keep it out of the sun and don't drop it); works out the Moon's orbit and is sceptical of an apparent ghost (see Supernatural Creatures), eventually debunking it. There are some Ecological lessons learnt, regarding erosion and natural checks and balances.
Seth uses the local radio station (whose Power Source is electric eels) to contact Aliens so he can explore the galaxy: he succeeds, but they turn out to be part of an exploitative business conglomerate who view Earth as the ideal site for a resort and spa, once the northern hemisphere is removed. This comes to nothing, but their leader ("I'm an entrepreneur!") is a recurring character, next seen attempting to use the planet as a toxic waste dump (see Pollution).
The promotion of the scientific worldview is to be applauded, though it is combined with warnings about becoming too detached from those around you; fortunately Seth is, at heart, a kindly fungal soul. This is very much a series aimed at young children: early on, the humour and morals are usually simplistic, but later there is some Satire, with lessons on law and society – including justification for civil disobedience; as well as some amusing asides and jokes for adults. [SP]
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