The California Raisin Show

The California Raisin Show is a 1989 American animated television series based on the claymation advertising characters The California Raisins. The show is based on the claymation special, Meet the Raisins!, which originally aired on CBS in 1988. After the show's 13-episode run, a sequel to the original special, Raisins: Sold Out!: The California Raisins II, aired in 1990.

While the characters are traditionally depicted in claymation, the TV show was cel animated by Murakami-Wolf-Swenson. It did, however, maintain Will Vinton as creative director and executive producer. It takes place in a world populated by anthropomorphic fruits and vegetables and focuses on the main characters, the California Raisins: A.C. (vocals), Beebop (drums), Stretch (bass), and Red (guitar/piano). Each episode has one or more musical numbers, all of which were originally performed by most Motown artists.

Cast

 * Cam Clarke as Beebop Arborman
 * Brian Cummings as Lick Broccoli
 * Jim Cummings as A.C. Arborman, Leonard Limabean
 * Brian Mitchell as Red Raisin
 * Dorian Harewood as Stretch Thompson, Red ("No Business Like Shoe Business")
 * Gaille Heidemann as Shirelle
 * Michele Mariana as Lulu Arborman (Mom)
 * Rebecca Gilchrist as Dixie
 * Willard E. Pugh
 * Cree Summer as Crystal
 * Todd Tolces as Rudy Bagaman

Home media
On November 15, 2011, Hen's Tooth Video released The California Raisins Collection on DVD in Region 1 for the first time. The 2-disc set features all 13 episodes of the series as well as the two original claymation specials, Meet the Raisins! and The Raisins: Sold Out!: The California Raisins II, along with 4 original TV ads.