Beethoven (TV series)

Beethoven is a 1994 American Saturday morning cartoon television series loosely based on the 1992 motion picture of the same name. The series was produced by Northern Lights Entertainment and Universal Cartoon Studios, and aired for one season on CBS Saturday Mornings, with 13 episodes with two 10 minute segments produced. Dean Jones, who played Dr. Varnick in the film, voiced the role of George Newton. Nicholle Tom, who played teenage daughter Ryce in the film and Beethoven's 2nd, was the only cast member from the films to reprise her role in the series, partly due to her presence in CBS's own prime time series, The Nanny, in where she was contractually obliged to portray the Maggie Sheffield character.

Premise
The Newton family love Beethoven, their St. Bernard dog. But the father, George, has his moments with Beethoven, who gets in different mishaps time after time. When not with the Newton family, Beethoven spends time with three other dogs, Sparky (the stray from the first film), Ginger, and Caesar.

Unlike the film, Beethoven has a speaking voice, at least among the other animals. The same plot was used in another animated series, Free Willy, where the main character also could talk.

Cast

 * Dean Jones as George Newton
 * J.D. Daniels as Ted Newton
 * Bill Fagerbakke as Caesar the Great Dane
 * Brian George as Mr. Huggs
 * Tress MacNeille as Ginger the Collie
 * Joel Murray as Beethoven, the dog named after the German composer Ludwig van Beethoven.
 * Joe Pantoliano as Sparky the Jack Russel Terrier
 * Francesca Marie Smith as Emily Newton
 * Kath Soucie as Alice Newton
 * Nicholle Tom as Ryce Newton
 * Maurice LaMarche as Doberman

Additional voices

 * René Auberjonois
 * Hank Azaria as Killer the Poodle
 * Gregg Berger as Mailman
 * Mark Campbell
 * Dan Castellaneta as Blind Shep (in "Scent of a Mutt")
 * Christine Cavanaugh as Rosebud (in "Cyrano de Beethoven")
 * Brian Cummings
 * E.G. Daily as Peanut (in "Puppy Time")
 * Stephen DeStefano
 * Paul Dooley
 * David Doyle as Blind Shep (episode "The Mighty Cone-Dog")
 * Jess Harnell as Singing Donut (in "The Big One")
 * Bill Henderson
 * Dana Hill as Timmy (in "The Kindergarten Caper")
 * Tony Jay as Watson (in "Scent of a Mutt")
 * Scott Menville
 * Art Metrano
 * Tim Neil
 * John Schuck
 * Pamela Segall
 * Justin Shenkarow as Roger (in "Mr. Huggs Wild Ride")

Crew

 * Paul Germain - producer, story editor and voice director

Home release
Universal and Goodtimes released episodes of the show on VHS. In July 2020, the series became available on the Peacock streaming service.