Slimed!: An Oral History of Nickelodeon's Golden Age

by Mathew Klickstein

  ABBY HAGYARD played Mom and the Librarian, along with the other “grown-up” female characters, on You Can’t Do That on Television.

  DENIS HANNIGAN created the music for Rugrats along with Mark Mothersbaugh. Add. Credits Incl.: Adventures in Wonderland, CatDog, and Recess.

  MARY HARRINGTON was the Supervising Producer of Animation at Nickelodeon who worked with Vanessa Coffey and Linda Simensky in establishing Nicktoons.

  MELISSA JOAN HART played eponymous Clarissa Darling on Clarissa Explains It All. Add. Credits Incl.: Sabrina, the Teenage Witch.

  HARVEY (aka John Harvey) was the announcer on Double Dare and its subsequent incarnations. Add. Credits Incl.: Trading Spaces.

  GUS HAUSER is considered the “Father of Nickelodeon.” His extensive background in international law, business affairs, and telephony made him uniquely qualified to help guide WASEC into creating the Movie Channel, MTV, and Nickelodeon. These pioneering efforts, which opened the doors for cable television and the Information Highway, would later make it both practical and viable for future generations to establish the Information Superhighway.

  ALBIE HECHT took on many roles overseeing Nickelodeon’s development, including creating the Kids’ Choice Awards and producing and developing such programs as GUTS, Clarissa Explains It All, and All That. After a stint as Head of Live-Action Production, he became President of Film and TV Entertainment, developing such projects as Snow Day and The Rugrats franchise along with building Nick’s Los Angeles animation studio.

  ELIZABETH HESS was Mom (aka Janet Darling) on Clarissa Explains It All. She works in independent film and theater, teaching on the latter subject at NYU.

  BENNY HESTER cocreated Roundhouse with wife Rita Hester and comedy writer Buddy Sheffield. He was the music director of the show and has enjoyed a long career in music.

  RITA HESTER cocreated Roundhouse with ex-husband Buddy Sheffield and husband Benny Hester. She also directed many of the episodes along with Bruce Gowers and has worked extensively in children’s theater.

  BOB HUGHES worked with Bob Klein and his company, Klein &, to create Nickelodeon’s first branding and promotional concept, known as “the silver ball.” Soon after, Hughes created early Nick series Out of Control.

  ROSS HULL played Gary on Are You Afraid of the Dark? After a string of various other roles, he became a meteorologist for Canada’s CTV. Without his trademark glasses.

  TOBY HUSS created and played the part of Artie, the Strongest Man in the World on The Adventures of Pete & Pete. Add. Credits Incl.: Kahn Souphanousinphone on King of the Hill.

  JOHN INWOOD took over as cinematographer on The Adventures of Pete & Pete after Michael Spiller left the series. He shot many of Katherine Dieckmann’s music videos, such as REM’s “Shiny Happy People,” along with music videos for other directors. Add. Credits Incl.: Scrubs and Parks and Recreation.

  BOB JAQUES was the Animation Director on The Ren & Stimpy Show who also worked as an animator on the pilot, “Big House Blues.” His Carbunkle Cartoons studio was a significant contributor to the “animation renaissance” that took place during the late eighties/early nineties.

  DONNIE JEFFCOAT was a cohost on Wild & Crazy Kids.

  JIM JINKINS created Doug and established Jumbo Pictures to do so. He initially worked as a puppeteer on “pre-Nick” show Pinwheel and on early Nick show Hocus Focus. He later developed such series as PB&J Otter and Pinky Dinky Doo. He now runs Cartoon Pizza with longtime production partner David Campbell.

  DAVID JOHANSEN guest-starred in The Adventures of Pete & Pete episode “On Golden Pete” as Park Ranger Thorsen. He was a key figure of the New York punk scene, fronting seminal punk band the New York Dolls and later performing under the pseudonym Buster Poindexter. Add. Credits Incl.: Scrooged.

  EDD KALEHOFF is a master game show music creator, having composed themes for such Nick shows as Double Dare, Make the Grade, and Finders Keepers. Add. Credits Incl.: The Price Is Right, Family Feud, Concentration, and Monday Night Football.

  YVETTE KAPLAN was an animator on the pilot for Doug before becoming an animation director on the series. Add. Credits Incl.: Beavis and Butt-Head, King of the Hill, and Futurama.

  SANDY KAVANAUGH developed pre-Nick show Pinwheel before becoming the network’s first Director of Programming. She hired Gerry Laybourne before leaving the network in 1983.

  FRED KELLER was one of two directors on Hey Dude who alternated episodes with Ross Bagwell Jr. (deceased). Add. Credits Incl.: 24, New York Undercover, and The Pretender.

  BOB KLEIN ran Klein &, the company that gave Nickelodeon its first brand identity, known as “the silver ball” campaign. He executive-produced early Nick shows Wild Rides and Out of Control.

  MIKE KLINGHOFFER began on pre-Nick show Pinwheel as an associate director and stayed on the network throughout the years to become Vice President of Production, working in the On-Air Promotions Department as well as producing and developing a number of shows, including Double Dare, Finders Keepers, Think Fast!, and Don’t Just Sit There. He later helped develop Comedy Central.

  MICHAEL KOEGEL was the assistant to in-house casting director Rich Ross, with whom he cast the majority of live-action series at Nick during this period, including Hey Dude, Clarissa Explains It All, The Adventures of Pete & Pete, and Salute Your Shorts.

  JOHN KRICFALUSI (aka John K.) created The Ren & Stimpy Show. Along with originally voicing Ren Höek and creating Spumco—the studio that initially produced Ren & Stimpy—he directed, wrote, and produced many episodes of the show before being contentiously fired by Nickelodeon. He has worked extensively in numerous cartoon series, has produced animated music videos for the likes of Björk, and is a noted animatophile who is considered by many in the field to be the greatest living artist in their industry.

  MITCHELL KRIEGMAN created Clarissa Explains It All. In addition, he worked as the story editor on Doug, Rugrats, and The Ren & Stimpy Show. Though he was equally maligned and embraced by his colleagues at Nickelodeon, he greatly informed the network’s aesthetic and sensibility. Add. Credits Incl.: Saturday Night Live, Bear in the Big Blue House (creator), and Rocko’s Modern Life.

  KEVIN KUBUSHESKIE was a cast member on You Can’t Do That on Television.

  DEE LADUKE began at Nickelodeon as a scheduler before working her way up into the position of Director of Programming, helping with the creation of Double Dare and later creating Hey Dude. Add. Credits Incl.: Designing Women.

  TIM LAGASSE is an artist and puppeteer who worked on various Nick shows, such as Allegra’s Window, and who helped develop the network’s “Stick Stickley” promotional character. Add. Credits Incl.: Chappelle’s Show and Sesame Street.

  DAVID LASCHER played Ted McGriff on Hey Dude. Add. Credits Incl.: Sabrina, the Teenage Witch, Blossom, and Clueless (television series).

  BARRY LATHER was Roundhouse’s wunderkind choreographer. He’s worked in the past with the likes of Janet Jackson, Paula Abdul, Sting, and George Michael.

  SHEILA LAWRENCE was a writer on Roundhouse. Add. Credits Incl.: Mad About You, Desperate Housewives, Gilmore Girls, and Ugly Betty.

  GERRY LAYBOURNE was Nickelodeon in the minds of those who worked under her as the president of the network from 1984 to 1996. Originally a schoolteacher who began freelancing in the early days of Nick, she was brought in as Director of Acquisitions before becoming Director of Programming and finally, after Cy Schneider resigned, President. She, perhaps more than any other person, led Nick into its golden age with an eye for innovation and, ultimately, kid-first fun. She later founded the Oxygen Network, in addition to her various other endeavors in media and humanitarianism.

  LISA LEDERER was the initial costume designer on Clarissa Explains It All.

  ANNETTE LESURE was an original cohost on Wild & Crazy Kids. Add. Credits Incl.: CSI and House M.D.

  CRYSTAL LEWIS was a singer and cast member on Roundhouse. S
he also enjoys an award-winning career as a Christian pop/gospel singer.

  VANESSA LINDORES was a cast member on You Can’t Do That on Television.

  BECCA LISH voiced Doug’s sister, Judy Funnie, and friend Connie Benge along with other characters on Doug.

  WENDY LITWACK was the casting director on Doug and has a long history of casting voice actors in both commercials and other series.

  ANDREA LIVELY was the elusive announcer on Nick Arcade.

  HEIDI LUCAS played Dina Alexander on Salute Your Shorts.

  TOMMY LYNCH created The Secret World of Alex Mack. Add. Credits Incl.: Kids, Inc.

  ERIK MACARTHUR played Michael Stein on Salute Your Shorts.

  D.J. MACHALE created Are You Afraid of the Dark? Add. Credits Incl.: Encyclopedia Brown, Pendragon (novel series), and Morpheus Road (novel series).

  MICHAEL MARONNA played Big Pete on The Adventures of Pete & Pete. Add. Credits Incl.: Home Alone and Slackers.

  DAVE MARTEL played the recurring role of Teddy Forzman, Big Pete’s best friend and classmate, on The Adventures of Pete & Pete.

  BRENDA MASON took over the role of director on You Can’t Do That on Television after Geoffrey Darby left to become involved in developing Nickelodeon.

  CHRISTINE MCGLADE (aka “Moose”) was perhaps the most iconic cast member, oftentimes host, and later creative consultant on You Can’t Do That on Television.

  DIZ MCNALLY played Diz Asster on Out of Control and is known for her signature Fast-Told Fairy Tales and high-pitched “Diz Call.”

  WILL MCROBB was “the smartest guy in the room” at Nickelodeon, beginning in the On-Air Promotions Department where Chris Viscardi and he, among other things, helped to establish Nick at Nite. The duo would later create The Adventures of Pete & Pete along with Katherine Dieckmann before McRobb was tapped by Nick to be a story editor on The Ren & Stimpy Show and Doug. Viscardi and he continue to work together and have produced such projects as Snow Day.

  LISA MELAMED was a writer on Hey Dude. Add. Credits Incl.: Party of Five, Mad About You, and Lipstick Jungle.

  THOMAS MINTON cowrote Nick’s first foray into original animation, Christmas in Tattertown, which was produced by Ralph Bakshi. He is a longtime friend and colleague of The Ren & Stimpy Show creator John Kricfalusi and was the main inspiration for “Brain” on Animaniacs and Pinky and the Brain.

  KARIM MITEFF cocreated Nick Arcade with James Bethea.

  BOB MITTENTHAL began working at Nickelodeon in the On-Air Promotions Department, where he helped to develop Double Dare. He later developed and created such shows as Welcome Freshmen.

  PHIL MOORE was the host on Nick Arcade. Add. Credits Incl.: Figure It Out and You’re On!

  JOSH MORRIS was a writer on You Can’t Do That on Television.

  MARK MOTHERSBAUGH composed the music for Rugrats along with Denis Hannigan. He also cofounded techno-pop new wave band Devo. Add. Credits Incl.: Pee-wee’s Playhouse, the films of Wes Anderson, and—as art teacher—Yo Gabba Gabba!

  MARK MULCAHY wrote and performed the theme song for The Adventures of Pete & Pete along with his “fictional” group Polaris, which was actually an incarnation of his well-known indie rock group Miracle Legion. He also appeared essentially as himself in the episode “Hard Day’s Pete” and continued to contribute music to the show under the name Polaris. His solo career has been lauded by the likes of Radiohead’s Thom Yorke.

  FRED NEWMAN voiced Skeeter, Mr. Dink, Porkchop, and myriad others on Doug. He also created the show’s music, along with Dan Sawyer, and the majority of the series’ sound effects with his signature “mouth sounds.” He was a host on early Nick show Livewire, was prominently featured in an episode of Out of Control, and was instrumental to the early development of the network. He now performs on A Prairie Home Companion and is the writer of the book MouthSounds.

  KRISTEN NIKOSEY is the stepdaughter of Don “Mr. Wizard” Herbert and is Vice President of Mr. Wizard Studios.

  TOM NIKOSEY worked for Don “Mr. Wizard” Herbert for more than thirty years. Also married to Herbert’s stepdaughter, Kristen Nikosey, he runs Mr. Wizard Studios and MrWizardStudios.com.

  JOE O’CONNOR played Dad (aka Marshall Darling) on Clarissa Explains It All. Add. Credits Incl.: The West Wing, Reno 911!, and Mad Men.

  LARISA OLEYNIK played Alex Mack on The Secret World of Alex Mack. She also guest-starred as a young nurse on The Adventures of Pete & Pete episode “Dance Fever.” Add. Credits Incl.: 10 Things I Hate About You, Mad Men, and 3rd Rock from the Sun.

  RON OLIVER directed a number of episodes of Are You Afraid of the Dark? Add. Credits Incl.: Goosebumps, Degrassi: The Next Generation, and The Tomorrow People.

  SEAN O’NEAL played bedroom window interloper Sam Anders on Clarissa Explains It All.

  BOB POMANN owns and runs Pomann Sound, the audio facility where the majority of Doug was recorded.

  DOUG PREIS was the voice of Doug’s dad—Phil Funnie—as well as Bill Bluff, Chalky, and others on Doug. Add. Credits Incl.: Thundercats and Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law.

  ROGER PRICE created You Can’t Do That on Television, based on his kids’ TV show for Britain’s Thames, You Can’t Be Serious, and with some development by Geoffrey Darby. Both he and his show brought the “on the side of the child” philosophy to Nick, along with the green slime and “messy” aesthetic that would become network trademarks. He left the business altogether in the earliest stages of Nick’s development in order to pursue a provincial life in the French countryside. Add. Credits Incl.: The Tomorrow People (creator).

  CRAIG PRYCE was a director on Are You Afraid of the Dark? Add. Credits Incl.: Goosebumps.

  RICHARD PURSEL was a writer on The Ren & Stimpy Show who, as with others involved in the series, worked myriad jobs, including storyboard artist, layout artist, and even assistant to show creator John Kricfalusi. Add. Credits Incl.: SpongeBob SquarePants and Cow and Chicken.

  HARDY RAWLS played Dad (aka Don Wrigley) on The Adventures of Pete & Pete.

  CHRIS RECCARDI took on a number of roles on The Ren & Stimpy Show, including storyboard artist, layout artist, writer, director, and also musician. Add. Credits Incl.: Samurai Jack, The Powerpuff Girls, Tiny Toon Adventures, and SpongeBob SquarePants.

  ADAM REID was a cast member and later writer on You Can’t Do That on Television.

  JULENE RENEE-PRECIADO was a cast member and dancer on Roundhouse. Add. Credits Incl.: Mars Needs Moms, Beowulf, and Avatar.

  DAVE RHODEN played Merv on Welcome Freshmen.

  ROBIN RUSSO (aka Robin Marrella) originally came aboard Double Dare as a production assistant before joining the stage with Marc Summers and Harvey. She was also featured in What Would You Do? and the various iterations of Double Dare.

  DAN SAWYER created the music for Doug along with Fred Newman. Add. Credits Incl.: 101 Dalmatians and Allegra’s Window.

  HERB SCANNELL was an integral part of the “new” Nickelodeon brand, developing a variety of programming on the network as well as Nicktoons. He took over as network president after Gerry Laybourne left. During this period, he broadened Nickelodeon into the multifaceted powerhouse it is today. Among other endeavors, he later became President of BBC America.

  KEN SCARBOROUGH was the head writer on Doug and wrote the lyrics to the song “Bangin’ on a Trashcan.” Add. Credits Incl.: The Adventures of Pete & Pete, Saturday Night Live, and Arthur (animated series).

  MARTY SCHIFF played Hern Burferd on Out of Control. Add. Credits Incl.: Dallas and Creepshow.

  MARK SCHULTZ was the in-house audio engineer/designer at Nick who worked in various audio capacities on nearly all of the shows in production at this time, including Double Dare, Nick Arcade, and Clarissa Explains It All.

  FRED SEIBERT cofounded Fred/Alan with Alan Goodman. Their team led the rebranding of Nickelodeon in 1984, which resulted in the ratings going from worst to
first in cable within six months. As a consultant and producer for the channel in the new millennium, he was the executive producer of such programs as The Fairly OddParents. Before working on Nick, he was Vice President of Creative Services at MTV Networks, where Alan Goodman and he also helped brand that channel, developing the iconic MTV logo and animation bumpers.

  BLAKE SENNETT (aka Blake Soper) played Ronald Pinsky on Salute Your Shorts before cofounding indie rock band Rilo Kiley with fellow child actor Jenny Lewis. Add. Credits Incl.: The Wonder Years, Boy Meets World, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and 3rd Rock from the Sun.

  LISA SHAFTEL helped construct Double Dare’s iconic obstacle courses and physical challenges.

  BUDDY SHEFFIELD cocreated Roundhouse with ex-wife Rita Hester and musical director Benny Hester. He was the head writer of the show, running the writing department. He has also worked extensively in live theater. Add. Credits Incl.: In Living Color.

  HEATHER SHEFFIELD was a writer on Roundhouse and is the daughter of show creators Buddy Sheffield and Rita Hester.

  CONNIE SHULMAN was the voice of Patti Mayonnaise on Doug. Add. Credits Incl.: Sweet and Lowdown and Fried Green Tomatoes.

  DAVID SIDONI was a cast member on Roundhouse.

  ALAN SILBERBERG was the head writer on Double Dare who would appear on the show as a slightly exaggerated version of himself, “Al Silvers.” He also wrote for Doug, on which he penned lyrics for Beets hits “Killer Tofu,” “Mo’ Allowance,” and “Where’s My Sock?” Add. Credits Incl.: The All New Mickey Mouse Club.

  MARJORIE SILCOFF was a cast member on You Can’t Do That on Television.

  LINDA SIMENSKY was the Manager of Animation who developed the original three Nicktoons along with Vanessa Coffey and Mary Harrington. She is also a noted animatophile. Add. Credits Incl.: Samurai Jack, Home Movies, Johnny Bravo, and The Powerpuff Girls.

  STEVE SLAVKIN created Salute Your Shorts, loosely based on the book he wrote with cocreator Tom Hill. In addition to writing the bulk of the show, he voiced incorporeal camp director Dr. Kahn.