Pup stars kids love to watch
IFYOU’RE FLAKEY LOOK AWAY NOW
CARR
WHAT IS PAW PATROL?
Brit TV writer and producer Keith Chapman, who gave us Bob The Builder, is the creative behind the series, which launched in 2013 on Canadian TV before being picked up by US network Nickelodeon. Channel 5 airs an episode most weekday mornings in their Milkshake slot.
It follows a crew of dogs (Pups at Work) and human pal Ryder, who live in Adventure Bay carrying out rescue missions. Each dog has a special skill and vehicle, and the catchphrase once they’ve saved the day is: “Whenever you’re in trouble, just yelp for help”.
Distress calls come into their Mighty Lookout Tower and Ryder selects the best dog for the problem at hand. As they set off, they announce: “No job is too big, no pup is too small.”
There have been eight seasons of 189 episodes shown in 160 countries, plus eight films.
WHO ARE THE ORIGINAL PUPS?
Chase – a German shepherd police dog; Marshall – a Dalmatian firefighter and paramedic; Skye – the air rescue cockapoo; Rocky – a Schnauzer/scottish terrier mix handyman and recycling expert; Zuma – a chocolate Labrador retriever specialising in water rescues and, last but not least, Rubble – a bulldog builder.
OTHER PUPS
As the franchise grew, so have the members who make guest appearances. Now there is Rex – a dinosaur expert Bernese mountain dog; Everest – a snow skilled Siberian husky; Robo-dog – a barking-only mechanical beast; Tracker – a jungle rescue Chihuahua; Tuck and Ella – mighty twin golden retrievers, and dachshund Liberty.
ARE THERE ANY CATS?
Season seven saw Wild Cat – a motorcycle-riding puss with retractable claws on his wheels – join as the first feline Patrol member. There is also Cali, who lives at the Adventure Bay pet parlour.
WHO ARE THEY HELPING? Gaff-prone marine biologist Cap’n Turbot is always on the blower. His French zoologist, artist and nature photographer cousin, Francois, makes guest appearances and is equally haphazard.
Mayor Goodway wanders around with her pet chicken Chickaletta in her handbag, getting into a flap. Katie runs the Adventure Bay pet parlour for all the Pups’ grooming needs, plus
Farmer Al of Moo Juice Dairy Farm and his wife Farmer Yumi pop up, too.
CELEBRITY FANS
You’ll be hard-pressed to find anyone with a child under school age who isn’t familiar with Paw Patrol. Speaking about the show, actress and mum-of-two Keira Knightley says: “It’s like toddler crack.” The theme tune bugged Deadpool actor and dad-of-three Ryan Reynolds so much, he once went on an Instagram rant saying: “Get outta my head Paw Patrol. And take your damn theme song with you.” Kim Kardashian’s brood of four love the show so much she is voicing sassy poodle Delores in Paw Patrol: The Movie, the 2021 flick currently in cinemas. US chat show host Jimmy Kimmel is the voice of Adventure City News Network anchor Marty
Muckraker.