Sgt. Killer Death Machine on The Jim Henson Hour
G.I. Joe is a toy franchise created in 1964 and owned by Hasbro, a line of army toys aimed at boys. The term action figure was first coined to promote them, in contrast to Barbie dolls, although at the time the differences were minimal.
Originally based on actual US military branches, the line, a 1980s relaunch featured smaller scale figures, playsets, vehicles, and a plotline pitting specifically named "G.I. Joe" squad members against the evil COBRA. This incarnation spawned a Marvel Productions animated series, a Marvel Comics title, several later sequels, and eventually live-action film versions.
References[]
- The action figure Sgt. Killer Death Machine, in the toy tea party sketch in The Jim Henson Hour episode 108, is a broad G.I. Joe parody, combined with an Arnold Schwarzenegger accent and Rambo-style attitude and headwear.
- In The Animal Show episode, "Siberian Tiger & Reindeer," Stinky the Skunk gets an action figure, G.I. Jake, that looks like Jake the Polar Bear.
- The Nightmares & Dreamscapes episode "Battleground," with digital character animation by Jim Henson's Creature Shop, adapts a Stephen King story in which an assassin is sent a G.I. Joe Vietnam Footlocker, whose contents come to life to attack him. In the adaptation, the generic name "Jungle Army Footlocker" is used instead.
Connections[]
- Gregg Berger voiced Cutter, Firefly, Rip Cord, and Sparks on the animated series (1983-1986)
- Corey Burton voiced Tomax played on the animated series (1983-1986)
- François Chau voiced Quick Kick on the animated series (1983-1986)
- Brian Cummings voiced Dr. Mindbender on the animated series (1983-1986)
- Barbara Goodson played additional voices on the animated series (1983-1986)
- Johnny Haymer played additional voices on the animated series (1983-1986)
- John Hostetter voiced Bazooka on the animated series (1983-1986)
- Maurice LaMarche voiced Destro, Flint, and others on the animated series (1989-1992)
- Mona Marshall played additional voices on the animated series (1983-1986)
- Rob Paulsen voiced Snow Job and Tripwire on the animated series (1983-1986)
- Patrick Pinney voiced Mainframe on the animated series (1983-1986)
- Hal Rayle voiced Deep Six and Admiral Ledger on the animated series (1983-1986)
- Will Ryan voiced Footloose on the animated series (1983-1986)
- John Stephenson voiced General Flagg on the animated series (1983-1986)
- Frank Welker voiced Torch, Copperhead, Wild Bill, and others on the animated series (1983-1986)
- Marv Wolfman wrote the episodes "Lasers in the Night" (1985), "Nightmare Assault" (1986), "Assault from the Deep" (1989) and "Operation: Underground" (1996, for G.I. Joe: Extreme)