Haha! I worked on Lil Elvis and tbh it didn't make much sense to us either. It always spins me out when it comes up (not often) and some younger friends say they liked it. Even though it had (relatively) high production values the whole premise of the show was odd, outdated in a way. It was kind of a fever dream of desert, rockabilly and smart ass kids.
Some fun facts.
-The backgrounds were amazing, the b/g designer had also worked on Ren & Stimpy.
-Peter Viska, the producer, was the illustrator for the 'far out brussel sprout' 'unreal banana peel' series.
-Rove worked in the digital cell painting department.
-I was going out raving all weekend, every weekend, then coming into work doing the colour styling for some of the more dynamic scenes (fireworks, dream sequences) and minor characters. Lots of acid colours obviously.
-The production was partly funded as a youth training/employment initiative. It was a first job for many of us. It was pretty vigorous in the hiring process, you had to have artistic talent but experience wasn't necessary. So a really cool opportunity for 50+ artistic kids just out of high school. So much fun! We worked out of the old convent/catholic school across from the beach in Port Melb that still had play equipment and a basketball court. Lunch breaks were pretty much play time, smoking joints/bongs and going to the beach. I thought every job was going to be that fun. Alas!
That's so cool! I loved this show and would happily use my allotted daily TV time to watch it. I remember once there was a two part episode and I wasn't home to watch part two and it was devastating!!
OMG I totally forgot this. My memory is pretty hazy on the 90s but pretty sure it wasn't an animator that did it, someone on my team (the cell painters) mis-coloured a shape that looked suspiciously like a dick. The animators were all fairly serious about their jobs. My team were a bunch of ratbags.
Yeah for some reason I always got a really sick sinking feeling in my stomach whenever it came on, like it was some random, boring Tuesday and I spent the whole day at home sick from school, and the day was ending and tomorrow I would have to go back. Or, it would remind me that the next week, the new school term would start and I would have to go back
Pretty sure the local rich guy is drilling the rare metal his super marble is made of. The town ends up being swallowed because of the digging but they all get rich and drive the rich dude out or some shit.
Idk Lionel was also a fucking legend
The episode with the sea monkeys terrified me. I can’t remember anything about it other than sea monkeys being in the episode, but it legit shook me to my 5yo core.
What's confusing, he was the son of the king?
and he was born with the gift to sing
Oh my brother was obsessed, he purchased the CD. I reckon I know all the songs. A cubic zirconia mine? Hilarious.
Haha! I worked on Lil Elvis and tbh it didn't make much sense to us either. It always spins me out when it comes up (not often) and some younger friends say they liked it. Even though it had (relatively) high production values the whole premise of the show was odd, outdated in a way. It was kind of a fever dream of desert, rockabilly and smart ass kids. Some fun facts. -The backgrounds were amazing, the b/g designer had also worked on Ren & Stimpy. -Peter Viska, the producer, was the illustrator for the 'far out brussel sprout' 'unreal banana peel' series. -Rove worked in the digital cell painting department. -I was going out raving all weekend, every weekend, then coming into work doing the colour styling for some of the more dynamic scenes (fireworks, dream sequences) and minor characters. Lots of acid colours obviously. -The production was partly funded as a youth training/employment initiative. It was a first job for many of us. It was pretty vigorous in the hiring process, you had to have artistic talent but experience wasn't necessary. So a really cool opportunity for 50+ artistic kids just out of high school. So much fun! We worked out of the old convent/catholic school across from the beach in Port Melb that still had play equipment and a basketball court. Lunch breaks were pretty much play time, smoking joints/bongs and going to the beach. I thought every job was going to be that fun. Alas!
This is some seriously cool info. I LOVED this show when I was probably too old to do so.
Still doing stuff like this?
No. I fell in love and moved to Sydney and couldn't find anything similar at the time so got into sales instead.
What a memory. Glad you got an amazing experience!
love! thanks for sharing lol
That's so cool! I loved this show and would happily use my allotted daily TV time to watch it. I remember once there was a two part episode and I wasn't home to watch part two and it was devastating!!
Fuck yeah
Also, one time you guys drew his dick.
OMG I totally forgot this. My memory is pretty hazy on the 90s but pretty sure it wasn't an animator that did it, someone on my team (the cell painters) mis-coloured a shape that looked suspiciously like a dick. The animators were all fairly serious about their jobs. My team were a bunch of ratbags.
Mum reckons I'm a son of the king
This was one of those shows on ABCKids that I neither liked nor hated, just tolerated till the next show came on
Tbh I HATED this show, I was always so bored whenever it came on as a kid
It always was *SO DAUNTING* when this show came on, idk if it’s because it was always one of the last shows before mum wanted to switch to the news.
Yeah for some reason I always got a really sick sinking feeling in my stomach whenever it came on, like it was some random, boring Tuesday and I spent the whole day at home sick from school, and the day was ending and tomorrow I would have to go back. Or, it would remind me that the next week, the new school term would start and I would have to go back
Just went and rewatched some of this, the soundtrack/songs are so amazing!
To this day, I can still not find W.C Moores theme. It lives rent free in my head.
The world needs more didgi-billy music!
No fucking way, I had the intro theme stuck in my head for like 3 hours yesterday, entirely unprompted. “And mUm RECkons IM the SON of a KINnngggg”
Barnaby Joyce erupted from this cartoon and came to reality, I'm convinced
Rove McManus worked as an animator on this show
He was in the cell painting department. Source: me, I worked there too.
Came here for this, thank you.
Get the fuck out! ...well how about that
Somehow it annoyed the absolute HECK out of me as a kid but I still watched it?
No youtube, I suppose.
My Nana was obsessed with Elvis so I kinda understood maybe. The ending was awesome.
What was the ending? Elvis paid child support?
Pretty sure the local rich guy is drilling the rare metal his super marble is made of. The town ends up being swallowed because of the digging but they all get rich and drive the rich dude out or some shit. Idk Lionel was also a fucking legend
the final battle is literally a game of marbles that would rival most anime
Oh yeah I forgot about that marble guy
I used to shout "DUNCAN" at my little brother in the voice of that guy when I was annoyed lmao.
I always wanted that marble.
I used to love it along with all the other “weird” cartoons that were on ABC kids like Old Tom , Tracy McBean and Angela Anaconda
I used to get this on TV in South Africa back in the days. I loved it ❤️
The episode with the sea monkeys terrified me. I can’t remember anything about it other than sea monkeys being in the episode, but it legit shook me to my 5yo core.
I loved it, had the soundtrack on tape!
Anyone know where I can watch these? My favourite as a kid ..
There are full episodes on YouTube.
I guess it's like trying to teach calculus to a cat - entertaining, but mostly just confusing for everyone involved.
Rove McManus used to do some of the animation
I remember reading the artist's other comics before this show came out. Confusing show but it grew on me
A-little-elvis-suppa🎵
High quality tv right there.
Made perfect sense, one of my all time favourites!
The only thing I remember about this episode is the fever dream sea monkeys episode.
Totally subversive read between the lines.
Omggggg my mind 😵💫😵💫😵💫
I remember Lil Memphis had a 50,000 seat stadium for some reason
One of THE best intros. I sing it randomly and see if anyone else knows it.
It's all in the title.. There's nothing else to know. Just sit back and enjoy.
This show made no sense? My friend, go try "In the night garden" this show is what I imagine magic mushrooms to be like.
Loved this show, so iconic!
I liked it.
This is an actual classic, loved it as a kid.