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{{short description|American animated television series}} | |||
{{article issues|primarysources=February 2008|refimprove=February 2008|fancruft =August 2008}} | |||
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{{Infobox Television | |||
{{Infobox television | |||
| show_name = Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends | |||
| image = Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends logo.svg | |||
| image = ] | |||
| image_alt = A black circle with curves and white dots is under the series' logo which has a light blue color for the word "Foster's", light pink for "Imaginary", and light orange for "Friends." The words "Home for" are in white. | |||
| caption = ''Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends'' intertitle | |||
| genre = {{Plainlist| | |||
| genre = ] | |||
* ] | |||
| creator = ] | |||
* ] | |||
| director = | |||
* ] | |||
| creative_director = | |||
* ]}} | |||
| developer = | |||
| creator = ] | |||
| voices = ]<br/>]<br/>]<br/>]<br/>]<br/> ]<br/>]<br/>] | |||
| developer = {{Plainlist| | |||
* Craig McCracken | |||
* ] | |||
* Mike Moon}} | |||
| director = {{Plainlist| | |||
* Craig McCracken | |||
* ]{{efn|"]"}} | |||
}} | |||
| voices = {{Plainlist| | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ]}} | |||
| theme_music_composer = ] | | theme_music_composer = ] | ||
| composer = {{Plainlist| | |||
| opentheme = | |||
* James L. Venable | |||
| endtheme = | |||
* ]}} | |||
| composer = | |||
| country |
| country = United States | ||
| language |
| language = English | ||
| num_seasons = 6 | | num_seasons = 6 | ||
| num_episodes = 79 | | num_episodes = 79{{efn|Includes 82 segments and 18 shorts}} | ||
| list_episodes = List of Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends episodes | | list_episodes = List of Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends episodes | ||
| executive_producer |
| executive_producer = {{Plainlist| | ||
* ] | |||
| co_exec = | |||
* Craig McCracken | |||
| producer = | |||
}} | |||
| supervising_producer = ] | |||
| producer = {{Plainlist| | |||
| asst_producer = | |||
* Vincent Aniceto | |||
| co-producer = | |||
* Ryan Slater | |||
| editor = | |||
}} | |||
| story_editor = | |||
| runtime = 21–23 minutes{{efn|Runtime is 44 minutes for "]" and 65 minutes for "]" and "]"}} | |||
| location = | |||
| company = ] | |||
| cinematography = | |||
| network = ] | |||
| camera = | |||
| first_aired = {{Start date|2004|08|13}} | |||
| runtime = 22 minutes approx. | |||
| last_aired = {{End date|2009|05|03}} | |||
| network = ] | |||
| related = {{Plainlist| | |||
| picture_format = ] (]) <br> ] (]) for ] and ] | |||
* '']'' | |||
| audio_format = | |||
* '']'' | |||
| first_aired = August 13, 2004 | |||
* '']'' | |||
| last_aired = May 3, 2009<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/210200-Cartoon_Network_Ending_Foster_s_Home_for_Imaginary_Friends_.php |title=Cartoon Network Ending 'Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends' |author=Weprin, Alex |date = May 28, 2009 |publisher=Broadcasting & Cable |accessdate=May 3, 3009}}</ref> | |||
}} | |||
| preceded_by = | |||
| followed_by = | |||
| related = | |||
| website = http://www.cartoonnetwork.com/tv_shows/fosters/ | |||
}} | }} | ||
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'''''Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends''''' is an ] winning American ] created and produced at ] by ] ], creator of '']''. It first premiered on ] on August 13, 2004, as a 90-minute ], which led to a series of half-hour episodes. The series currently airs on Cartoon Network and its affiliates worldwide, except in Canada where it has aired on English and Francophone ] networks due to Canadian television ownership regulations. The show finished its run on May 3, 2009 with a total of 79 episodes. | |||
'''''Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends''''' is an American ] created by ] for ]. It was produced by ] as the network's first show animated primarily with ], which was done both by Cartoon Network Studios in Burbank and in Ireland by ]. Set in a world in which ]s coexist with humans, the series centers on Mac, an eight-year-old boy who is pressured by his mother to abandon his imaginary friend Bloo. After the duo discover an orphanage dedicated to housing abandoned imaginary friends, Bloo moves into the home and is kept from adoption as long as Mac visits him every day. The episodes revolve around Mac and Bloo as they interact with other imaginary friends and house staff and live out their day-to-day adventures, often getting caught up in various predicaments. | |||
== Concept == | |||
In the ''Foster's Home For Imaginary Friends'' universe, ]s become physical beings the instant a child ] them; unlike how the concept often works on other shows, an Imaginary Friend takes physical and emotional form after a child creates specific details about that character. Unfortunately for them, the children eventually outgrow them around ages 7–8. When this happens, the friends are left to fend for themselves. Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends was founded by the elderly Madame Foster to provide a ] for abandoned imaginary friends. | |||
McCracken conceived the series with his partner ] after they adopted two dogs from an ] and applied the concept to imaginary friends. The series first premiered on Cartoon Network on August 13, 2004, as a 90-minute ]. On August 20, it began its normal run of 22-minute episodes on the ''Fridays'' block. The series finished its run on May 3, 2009, with a total of 6 seasons and 79 episodes. McCracken left Cartoon Network shortly after the series ended. | |||
There are (according to "Setting A President") 1,340 imaginary friends in Foster's Home; however, at the end of "Emancipation Complication," Madame Foster states that there are 2,038 imaginary friends currently residing in the house, plus Bloo and Mr. Herriman, Madame Foster's imaginary friend whom she never outgrew.<ref>{{cite episode | title = Dinner is Swerved | series = Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends | airdate = 2004-09-10 | season = 1 | number = 7}}</ref> The house motto is "Where good ideas are not forgotten". | |||
''Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends'' received critical acclaim for its animation, humor, writing, characters, and music and became one of Cartoon Network's most successful original series. It received numerous ], including five ] and seven ], winning a total of 12 awards out of 35 nominations. It has since been named by '']'' as one of the best Cartoon Network shows and by '']'' in their list of best animated series at number 85. | |||
The inspiration came when McCracken and his wife, ], adopted a pair of dogs from an adoption shelter. McCracken wondered how things would be if there was a similar place for childhood imaginary friends. | |||
A ], ''Foster's Funtime for Imaginary Friends'', announced as having begun development on July 18, 2022, and greenlit to series on June 12, 2024, produced by ] with Craig McCracken returning as the creator.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Petski |first=Denise |date=July 18, 2022 |title='Powerpuff Girls' & 'Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends' Animated Series Reboots from Craig McCracken in Works at Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe |url=https://deadline.com/2022/07/powerpuff-girls-fosters-home-for-imaginary-friends-animated-series-reboots-craig-mccracken-hanna-barbera-studios-europe-1235071571/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220906221536/https://deadline.com/2022/07/powerpuff-girls-fosters-home-for-imaginary-friends-animated-series-reboots-craig-mccracken-hanna-barbera-studios-europe-1235071571/ |archive-date=September 6, 2022 |access-date=July 18, 2022 |website=]}}</ref> The spinoff, aimed at a ] audience, features a new cast of young imaginary friends, along with Bloo and Madame Foster from the original series.<ref>{{Cite web |first1=John |last1=Hopewell |first2=Jamie |last2=Lang |date=June 12, 2024 |title=New 'Regular Show,' 'Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends' Series Unveiled at Annecy (Exclusive) |url=https://variety.com/2024/tv/global/regular-show-fosters-adventure-time-scooby-doo-1236034978/ |access-date=June 13, 2024 |website=] |language=en-US}}</ref> | |||
== Characters == | |||
{{main|List of characters in Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends}} | |||
== |
==Premise== | ||
''Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends'' is set in a universe in which childhood ] take physical form and become real as soon as children imagine them. Once children outgrow them, friends are relocated to the titular ], where they stay until other children adopt them. The home is run by the elderly Madame Foster, its lovable, kind founder; her rabbit imaginary friend Mr. Herriman, the strict rule-abider and business manager; and her granddaughter Frankie, who handles day-to-day operations. | |||
{{main|List of Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends episodes}} | |||
Because his mother believes he is too old for imaginary friends, eight-year-old Mac is pressured by her to abandon his imaginary friend, Bloo. When Mac takes Bloo to Foster's after seeing a television advertisement, they discover that if Bloo were to live there, he would be available to be adopted by another child. Mac then bargains with Frankie, Herriman, and Madame Foster until they agree to guard Bloo from adoption so long as Mac continues to visit the center daily. Mac continues to visit the home every day after school to experience the escapades of the mischievous Bloo and the array of eccentric, colorful characters inhabiting Foster's and the obstacles with which they are challenged. | |||
The show spanned 79 episodes and six seasons; it has also aired ]. | |||
==Characters== | |||
{{main article|List of Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends characters}} | |||
] | |||
===Main=== | |||
* '''Mac''' (voiced by ]) – A bright and imaginative eight-year-old boy who is Bloo's creator and best friend. Mac visits Foster's every day.<ref name="Characters">{{Cite web |title=Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends Characters |url=http://www.cartoonnetwork.com/tv_shows/fosters/characters/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140722140132/http://www.cartoonnetwork.com/tv_shows/fosters/characters/index.html |archive-date=July 22, 2014 |access-date=December 14, 2015 |publisher=]}}</ref> He is very attached to Bloo and his biggest fear is never seeing him again.<ref name="House">{{Cite episode |title=House of Bloo's |series=Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends |network=] |date=August 13, 2004 |season=1 |number=1}}</ref> Mac is often the voice of reason among his friends when they are making decisions. Mac becomes extremely ].<ref>{{Cite episode |title=Partying Is Such Sweet Soiree |series=Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends |network=] |date=January 21, 2005 |season=2 |number=1}}</ref> He also is attracted to Frankie.<ref>{{Cite episode |title=Frankie My Dear |series=Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends |network=] |date=March 18, 2005 |season=2 |number=9}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Watch Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends Episodes - Season 2 |url=http://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/fosters-home-for-imaginary-friends/episodes-season-2/194647/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220906221541/https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/fosters-home-for-imaginary-friends/episodes-season-2/1000246261/ |archive-date=September 6, 2022 |access-date=December 14, 2015 |magazine=]}}</ref> | |||
* '''Bloo''' (voiced by ]) – Mac's imaginary best friend. Bloo is a blue, supple, domed cylinder not unlike a ] with two eyes. He is often self-centered and egotistical, with a knack for getting in trouble.<ref name="Characters" /> Despite all this, Bloo apologizes for his actions. He loves ]s and claims to be the best at them, despite not making the ball hit the paddle.<ref>{{Cite episode |title=Let Your Hare Down |series=Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends |network=] |date=March 6, 2008 |season=5 |number=13}}</ref> | |||
* '''Wilt''' (voiced by ]) – A very tall, friendly and incredibly nice imaginary friend with only a right arm and a crooked left eye-stalk. His overtly passive demeanor is often taken advantage of by the other imaginary friends.<ref name="Characters" /> He is a ] player and fan, and is the former imaginary friend of Jordan Michaels (a parody of ]). Wilt's left arm got crushed during a basketball game where he saved Jordan from getting hurt, and a ball hit the back of his left eye after the final point was scored that cost them the game, permanently leaving the eye-stalk crooked. Fearing the latter would be disappointed by how they lost, he left Jordan. Three decades later, Wilt goes on a search to re-encounter him, learning he felt guilty over his imaginary friend's injuries and was grateful to have been saved.<ref name="GWH">{{Cite episode |title=Good Wilt Hunting |series=Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends |network=] |date=November 23, 2006 |season=4 |number=12-13}}</ref> | |||
* '''Eduardo''' (voiced by ]) – A Latin American monster created by a young girl, Nina Valerosa, to protect her in a dangerous neighborhood.<ref name="GWH" /> Eduardo is big, hairy and purple, and has horns, a snout, a pointy demon-like tail, and large teeth. Despite his large size, overwhelming strength, and menacing appearance, Eduardo is docile, timid and scared of almost anything.<ref name="Characters" /> However, he can be ferocious if angered or when danger befalls his friends.<ref name="House" /> | |||
* '''Coco''' (voiced by ]) – A chicken-like friend with a palm tree-like head who can only say or write her name. She has the ability to lay colorful, plastic eggs containing a plethora of objects, at will.<ref name="Characters" /> Other characters usually understand her when she speaks. Despite her appearance and behavior, she can demonstrate intelligence and kindness. Her creator is unknown, as she was found on a South Pacific island by two scientists named Adam and Douglas.<ref name="GWH" /> | |||
* '''Francis "Frankie" Foster''' (voiced by ]) – Madame Foster's 22-year-old<ref>{{Cite episode |title=Frankie My Dear |series=Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends |network=] |date=March 18, 2005 |season=2 |number=6}}</ref> redheaded granddaughter who is referred to as "Miss Frances" by Mr. Herriman. Frankie is the caregiver at Foster's and helps keep everything in order.<ref name="Characters" /> She is usually very friendly, easygoing, hard-working, caring, and sweet, but occasionally loses her patience with Bloo and Mr. Herriman. According to her driver's license, she was born on July 25, 1984.<ref>{{Cite episode |title=Bus the Two of Us |series=Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends |network=] |date=August 1, 2006 |season=4 |number=7}}</ref> | |||
* '''Mr. Herriman''' (voiced by ]) – A gray and white elderly ] ] friend imagined by Madame Foster who speaks with an English accent. He wears a tailcoat, white gloves, a top hat, and a ]. He presents himself as head of business affairs<ref name="Gates" /> of the house and later as President of the house,<ref>{{Cite episode |title=Setting a President |series=Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends |network=] |date=February 17, 2006 |season=3 |number=12}}</ref> and is extremely strict about rules and the maintenance of order in the home.<ref name="Characters" /> He frequently punishes Bloo for his various misdemeanors and scolds Frankie for her perceived laziness, despite all her hard work. | |||
* '''Madame Foster''' (voiced by Candi Milo) – The caring founder of Foster's and grandmother of Frankie.<ref name="Characters" /> She is the creator of Mr. Herriman. Despite being elderly, Madame Foster has childlike boundless energy and occasionally becomes hyperactive and mischievous. | |||
Other recurring characters include Terrence (voiced by ]), Mac's older brother who constantly bullies him; Duchess (also voiced by Grey DeLisle), a friend with a ]-looking face<ref name="Gates" /> and a pompous, narcissistic personality; Cheese (also voiced by Candi Milo), a dim-witted and childish yellow friend who first appeared in season two; and Goo (also voiced by Grey DeLisle), a talkative young girl who is highly imaginative and constantly creates new friends, first appearing in season three. | |||
==Episodes== | |||
{{main article|List of Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends episodes}} | |||
The show has 79 episodes in 6 seasons; it has also aired 18 shorts. | |||
{{:List of Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends episodes}} | |||
==Production== | |||
{{Quote box | |||
|quote = "We wondered what their life was like before they came to us, and I thought, 'You could apply that to imaginary friends as well.'" | |||
|author = ] on adopting two dogs and coming up with the idea for the series<ref name="JoyNYT" /> | |||
|width = 30% | |||
}} | |||
The series was created by ], who had also created '']'' for ]. McCracken developed the idea for the series after adopting two dogs from an ] with his then-fiancée ] and Mike Moon; he adapted the concept of ] to that of ].<ref name="JoyNYT">{{Cite news |last=Press |first=Joy |date=August 15, 2004 |title=Television; The Retirement Home for Imaginary Friends |work=] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/15/arts/television-the-retirement-home-for-imaginary-friends.html?_r=1 |url-status=live |access-date=December 14, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210515151140/https://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/15/arts/television-the-retirement-home-for-imaginary-friends.html?_r=1 |archive-date=May 15, 2021}}</ref> The show has an art style which is meant to evoke, according to McCracken, "that period of late 60's ] when ] stylings were coming into trippy poster designs". McCracken wanted ''Foster's'' to be similar to '']'', which he believed was a "fun, character driven show that the whole family could enjoy".<ref name="JoyNYT" /><ref name="Newsrama">{{Cite web |last=Fritz |first=Steve |title=Animated Shorts: Craig McCracken - Back to Foster's |url=http://www.newsarama.com/1626-animated-shorts-craig-mccracken-back-to-foster-s.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160129103111/http://www.newsarama.com/1626-animated-shorts-craig-mccracken-back-to-foster-s.html |archive-date=January 29, 2016 |access-date=December 14, 2015 |website=]}}</ref><ref name="Boston">{{Cite news |last=Gardner |first=Jenara |date=November 27, 2008 |title="Foster's Home" Fosters Adult Imaginations |work=] |url=http://www.boston.com/ae/tv/articles/2008/11/27/fostering_adult_imaginations/ |url-status=live |access-date=December 14, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220906221530/http://archive.boston.com/ae/tv/articles/2008/11/27/fostering_adult_imaginations/ |archive-date=September 6, 2022}}</ref> | |||
] in 2007 holding the ] won by ''Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends'' as Best Animated TV Production.]] | |||
Animation for the show was done using a process involving ] software ], ] and ].<ref name="BaisleyAWN">{{Cite web |last=Baisley |first=Sarah |title=McCracken's Imaginary Friends Premieres Aug. 13 |url=http://www.awn.com/news/mccracken-s-imaginary-friends-premieres-aug-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151223063835/http://www.awn.com/news/mccracken-s-imaginary-friends-premieres-aug-13 |archive-date=December 23, 2015 |access-date=December 14, 2015 |publisher=]}}</ref> McCracken directed, executive produced and story edited the series. Most of the episodes were produced at the ] in ], while the rest were produced at ] in ], Ireland.<ref name="BaisleyAWN" /><ref name="AMRat">{{Cite web |last=Ball |first=Ryan |date=August 17, 2004 |title=Foster's Home Nabs Big Ratings |url=http://www.animationmagazine.net/tv/fosters-home-nabs-big-ratings/ |access-date=December 16, 2015 |magazine=]}}</ref> The theme song was composed by ], who had originally collaborated with McCracken on ''The Powerpuff Girls''.<ref name="BaisleyAWN" /> Craig described the music as "] ]".<ref name="JoyNYT" /> Additional music was composed by Venable and ].<ref name="Credits">Credits from the show.</ref> | |||
] was the casting and recording director for the show.<ref name="BaisleyAWN" /><ref name="Credits" /> ] was cast as Mac, and ] was cast as Bloo. ''The Powerpuff Girls'' voice actors ], ] and ] were cast in ''Foster's'' as Mr. Herriman, Eduardo and Terrence, respectively. ] was cast as Frankie Foster, ] was cast as Wilt, and ] was cast as Coco and Madame Foster. From season two onwards, Milo also lent her voice to Cheese. DeLisle also voiced Goo after the character's debut in season three.<ref name="Credits" /> | |||
''Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends'' premiered on August 13, 2004, as a 90-minute ] titled "]". The series' run began on August 20 on its normal timeslot of Fridays at 7:00 PM.<ref name="JoyNYT" /> The special was Cartoon Network's highest-rated premiere at the time.<ref name="AMRat" /> 18 shorts were produced from 2006 to 2007. In addition to the premiere episode, two other specials were produced: "]", which premiered on November 23, 2006,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Baisley |first=Sarah |title=Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends First Feature Movie Airs November 23 |url=http://www.awn.com/news/fosters-home-imaginary-friends-first-feature-movie-airs-nov-23 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220906221542/https://www.awn.com/news/fosters-home-imaginary-friends-first-feature-movie-airs-nov-23 |archive-date=September 6, 2022 |access-date=December 15, 2015 |publisher=]}}</ref> and "]", which premiered on November 27, 2008.<ref name="Newsrama" /> The final episode, titled "Goodbye to Bloo", aired on May 3, 2009, preceded by a 6-hour marathon of other episodes from the series. McCracken expressed a certain sadness at the series' end, but stated that he was "crazy proud of the work" that he and the production team had done "on Foster's and the fact that it worked just the way wanted it to".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fritz |first=Steve |title=Animated Shorts: McCracken on the End of Foster's |url=http://www.newsarama.com/2788-animated-shorts-mccracken-on-the-end-of-foster-s.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731213247/http://www.newsarama.com/2788-animated-shorts-mccracken-on-the-end-of-foster-s.html |archive-date=July 31, 2018 |access-date=December 15, 2015 |website=]}}</ref> During its original run, ''Foster's'' was one of Cartoon Network's highest-rated shows.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ball |first=Ryan |date=October 4, 2004 |title=Foster's Home Fully Adopted by Cartoon Network |url=http://www.animationmagazine.net/tv/fosters-home-fully-adopted-by-cartoon-network/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220906221543/https://www.animationmagazine.net/2004/10/fosters-home-fully-adopted-by-cartoon-network/ |archive-date=September 6, 2022 |access-date=December 16, 2015 |magazine=]}}</ref><ref name="AWN-Game">{{Cite web |last=Baisley |first=Sarah |title=Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends Game Launches |url=http://www.awn.com/news/foster-s-home-imaginary-friends-game-launches |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151223062143/http://www.awn.com/news/foster-s-home-imaginary-friends-game-launches |archive-date=December 23, 2015 |access-date=December 15, 2015 |publisher=]}}</ref><ref name="TFL-Game">{{Cite press release |title=CartoonNetwork.com Extends Year-Long Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends Interactive Game. |publisher=] |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/CartoonNetwork.com+Extends+Year-Long+Foster%27s+Home+for+Imaginary...-a0163670241 |access-date=December 15, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160317061811/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/CartoonNetwork.com+Extends+Year-Long+Foster%27s+Home+for+Imaginary...-a0163670241 |archive-date=March 17, 2016 |via=]}}</ref><ref name="HotT">{{Cite web |last=Baisley |first=Sarah |title=Foster's a Hot Topic for the Holidays |url=http://www.awn.com/news/fosters-hot-topic-holidays |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220906221559/https://www.awn.com/news/fosters-hot-topic-holidays |archive-date=September 6, 2022 |access-date=December 15, 2015 |publisher=]}}</ref> The show proved to be popular among both younger and older audiences.<ref name="Boston" /> | |||
==Reception== | ==Reception== | ||
''Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends'' was named the 85th best animated series by ], calling it very funny and endearing.<ref name="ign100">{{cite web |title=85, Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends |url=http://tv.ign.com/top-100-animated-tv-series/85.html |publisher=] |accessdate=2009-01-24 |date=2009-01-23}}</ref> Mike Pinsky, in a review on DVD Verdict, praised the art design and the characterizations,<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.dvdverdict.com/reviews/fostershomeseason1.php |title= Case Number 11045: Foster's Home For Imaginary Friends: The Complete Season 1 |accessdate=2009-02-25 |last=Pinsky |first=Mike |coauthors= |date=2007-03-21 |work=DVD Verdict |publisher= }}</ref> particularly singling out Cheese as possibly “the quintessence of Foster's surreal charm" in his season two review.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.dvdverdict.com/reviews/fostersseason2.php |title= Case Number 12469: Foster's Home For Imaginary Friends: The Complete Season 2 |accessdate=2009-02-25 |last=Pinsky |first=Mike |coauthors= |date=2007-11-28 |work=DVD Verdict |publisher= }}</ref> | |||
== |
===Critical response=== | ||
''Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends'' received critical acclaim and became one of Cartoon Network's most successful original series. Anita Gates of '']'' praised the series' premiere {{frac|1|1|2}}-hour episode and stated that the series would promise to be an "admirable tale of loyalty and adventure-based learning with a contagious sense of fun".<ref name="Gates">{{Cite news |last=Gates |first=Anitas |date=August 13, 2004 |title=Television Review; Where Imaginary Friends Wait for Real Love |work=] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/13/movies/television-review-where-imaginary-friends-wait-for-real-love.html |url-status=live |access-date=December 13, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210526131512/https://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/13/movies/television-review-where-imaginary-friends-wait-for-real-love.html |archive-date=May 26, 2021}}</ref> Mike Pinsky, in a review on '']'', praised the art design and the characterizations,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pinsky |first=Mike |date=March 21, 2007 |title=Case Number 11045: Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends: The Complete Season 1 |url=http://www.dvdverdict.com/reviews/fostershomeseason1.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090102162948/http://www.dvdverdict.com/reviews/fostershomeseason1.php |archive-date=January 2, 2009 |access-date=February 25, 2009 |website=]}}</ref> particularly singling out Cheese as possibly "the quintessence of Foster's surreal charm" in his Season 2 review.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pinsky |first=Mike |date=November 28, 2007 |title=Case Number 12469: Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends: The Complete Season 2 |url=http://www.dvdverdict.com/reviews/fostersseason2.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080411220149/http://www.dvdverdict.com/reviews/fostersseason2.php |archive-date=April 11, 2008 |access-date=February 25, 2007 |website=]}}</ref> David Cornelius of '']'' called the series "one of the best shows of any kind on television, a winner for viewers of any age" and "a wildly inventive mix of creative wonder, comic genius, and well-crafted chaos". In a Season 2 review, also on ''DVD Talk'', Cornelius called the show "flat-out perfect".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cornelius |first=David |title=Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends - The Complete Season 1 |url=http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/27052/fosters-home-for-imaginary-friends-the-complete-season-1/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222091435/http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/27052/fosters-home-for-imaginary-friends-the-complete-season-1/ |archive-date=December 22, 2015 |access-date=December 17, 2015 |website=]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cornelius |first=David |title=Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends - The Complete Season 2 |url=http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/27052/fosters-home-for-imaginary-friends-the-complete-season-2/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220906221533/https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/27052/fosters-home-for-imaginary-friends-the-complete-season-2/ |archive-date=September 6, 2022 |access-date=December 17, 2015 |website=]}}</ref> Joly Herman of ], an advocacy group focused on appropriate technology and media for children, was less enthusiastic about the show, rating it 2 stars out of 5. Herman praised the creativity and diversity of the characters and the show's premise, but criticized the storyline and writing, which presented "confusing messages" for young children.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Herman |first=Joly |date=October 2007 |title=Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends TV Review |url=https://www.commonsensemedia.org/tv-reviews/fosters-home-for-imaginary-friends |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210605150951/https://www.commonsensemedia.org/tv-reviews/fosters-home-for-imaginary-friends |archive-date=June 5, 2021 |access-date=December 14, 2015 |publisher=]}}</ref> | |||
=== Annie Awards === | |||
] | |||
The show was nominated for four ]s in 2004,<ref>{{cite web |url= http://annieawards.org/32ndwinners.html |title= Legacy: 32nd Annual Annie Award Nominees and Winners (2004) |accessdate=2009-03-05 |publisher=International Animated Film Society, ASIFA-Hollywood }}</ref> and 5 more in 2005, winning two awards that year for Best Original Music in a Television Series (] and Jennifer Kes Remington for "Duchess of Wails") and Production Design in an Animated TV Series (McCracken with Mike Moon, David Dunnet and Martin Ansolabehere for the Christmas episode "A Lost Claus").<ref>{{cite web |url=http://annieawards.org/33rdwinners.html |title=Legacy: 33rd Annual Annie Award Nominees and Winners (2005) |accessdate=2009-03-05 |last= |first= |coauthors= |date= |work= |publisher=International Animated Film Society: ASIFA-Hollywood }}</ref> Five more nominations came in 2006, with three wins as Best Animated Television Production, Best Original Music in a TV Series (Venable and Remington winning again for "One False Movie") and Production Design in a TV Series (Ansolabehere by himself for the one-hour "Good Wilt Hunting" episode).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://annieawards.org/34thwinners.html |title=Legacy: 34th Annual Annie Award Nominees and Winners (2006) |accessdate=2009-03-05 |publisher=International Animated Film Society, ASIFA-Hollywood }}</ref> Venable and Remington teamed up for the show's lone Annie nominee in 2007, for their original music in a TV series for "The Bloo Superdude and the Magic Potato of Power".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.awn.com/index.php?ltype=search&range=all&search=DIC&newsitem_no=21608&dir=2 |title=Ratatouille Cooks Up Most Annie Nominations |accessdate=2009-03-07 |date=2007-12-03 |publisher=Animation World Network }}</ref> | |||
The series was named the 85th best animated series of all time in a list of the top 100 animated series by '']'', which called it very funny and endearing.<ref name="ign100">{{Cite web |date=January 23, 2009 |title=85, Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends |url=http://www.ign.com/top/animated-tv-series/85.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140515005523/http://www.ign.com/top/animated-tv-series/85.html |archive-date=May 15, 2014 |access-date=January 24, 2009 |website=]}}</ref> '']'' named the show the sixth best Cartoon Network show in their top 10 list, praising its "catchy magical-realist setting" and the characters "you genuinely learned to care about".<ref>{{Cite web |title=10 Best Cartoon Network Shows: We Rank 'Em! |url=http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20609141_20634962_21220975,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021143639/http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20609141_20634962_21220975,00.html |archive-date=October 21, 2013 |access-date=December 14, 2015 |magazine=]}}</ref> | |||
=== Emmy Awards === | |||
The show has won a total of five ]s. The episode "House of Bloo's" won two Emmy Awards for art direction (Mike Moon) and character design (Craig McCracken). "World Wide Wabbit" won an Emmy for best storyboard (Ed Baker). The show's theme song (described by McCracken as "] ]" and written by ]) was nominated for Best TV Show Theme in 2005, but lost to ]'s theme to '']''. The episode "Go Goo Go" was nominated for Best Animated Program Under One Hour in 2006, and Character Design supervisor Shannon Tindle won an Emmy that same year for that same episode. The 2006 episode "Good Wilt Hunting" was nominated in 2007 for Best Animated Program One Hour or Longer, but lost to the ''] ''episode "]". However, David Dunnet won an Emmy for his background key design for said episode. The 2008 ] "Destination Imagination" was nominated in 2009 for Best Animated Program One Hour or Longer. | |||
===Awards=== | |||
{{main article|List of awards and nominations received by Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends}} | |||
''Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends'' received many industry accolades. The series received 12 awards out of a total of 35 nominations. At the ], the show received a total of 20 nominations from 2004 to 2009, and won 5, including Best Animated Television Production in 2007.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Legacy: 32nd Annual Annie Award Nominees and Winners (2004) |url=http://annieawards.org/32ndwinners.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090907163442/http://annieawards.org/32ndwinners.html |archive-date=September 7, 2009 |access-date=December 30, 2015 |website=AnnieAwards.org |publisher=]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Legacy: 33rd Annual Annie Award Nominees and Winners (2005) |url=http://annieawards.org/33rdwinners.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216062346/http://annieawards.org/33rdwinners.html |archive-date=December 16, 2008 |access-date=December 30, 2015 |website=AnnieAwards.org |publisher=]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Legacy: 34th Annual Annie Award Nominees and Winners (2006) |url=http://annieawards.org/34thwinners.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100815022713/http://annieawards.org/34thwinners.html |archive-date=August 15, 2010 |access-date=December 30, 2015 |website=AnnieAwards.org |publisher=]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Legacy: 35th Annual Annie Award Nominees and Winners (2007) |url=http://annieawards.org/35thwinners.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100815023042/http://annieawards.org/35thwinners.html |archive-date=August 15, 2010 |access-date=December 30, 2015 |website=AnnieAwards.org |publisher=]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=36th Annual Annie Award Nominees and Winners (2008) |url=http://annieawards.org/foryourconsideration.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090217224351/http://annieawards.org/foryourconsideration.html |archive-date=February 17, 2009 |access-date=December 30, 2015 |website=AnnieAwards.org |publisher=]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Worth |first=Stephen |title=2009 Annie Award Nominations By Category |url=http://www.asifa-hollywood.org/2009_12_01_archive.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100304110130/http://www.asifa-hollywood.org/2009_12_01_archive.html |archive-date=March 4, 2010 |access-date=December 30, 2015 |website=ASIFA-Hollywood.org |publisher=]}}</ref> At the ], the show received nine nominations, and won seven awards, including five Outstanding Individual Achievements in Animation and one Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming One Hour or More) award.<ref>{{Cite web |title=57th Emmy Awards Nominees and Winners |url=http://www.emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners/2005?page=3 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160630035220/http://www.emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners/2005?page=3 |archive-date=June 30, 2016 |access-date=December 31, 2015 |website=Emmys.com |publisher=]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=58th Emmy Awards Nominees and Winners |url=http://www.emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners/2006?page=3 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160424055304/http://www.emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners/2006?page=3 |archive-date=April 24, 2016 |access-date=December 31, 2015 |website=Emmys.com |publisher=]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=59th Emmy Awards Nominees and Winners |url=http://www.emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners/2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921065406/http://www.emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners/2007 |archive-date=September 21, 2013 |access-date=December 31, 2015 |website=Emmys.com |publisher=]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=60th Emmy Awards Nominees and Winners |url=http://www.emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners/2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161127113820/http://www.emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners/2008 |archive-date=November 27, 2016 |access-date=December 31, 2015 |website=Emmys.com |publisher=]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=61st Emmy Awards Nominees and Winners |url=http://www.emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners/2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161127150140/http://www.emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners/2009 |archive-date=November 27, 2016 |access-date=December 31, 2015 |website=Emmys.com |publisher=]}}</ref> At the 2005 Pulcinella Awards, ''Foster's'' received the award for Best TV Series for All Audiences and Bloo was named "Best Character of the Year."<ref>{{Cite web |last=DeMott, Rick |date=May 2, 2005 |title=Avatar, Foster's & Peppa Win at Cartoons on the Bay |url=http://www.awn.com/news/awards/avatar-foster-s-peppa-win-cartoons-bay |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115031151/https://www.awn.com/news/avatar-fosters-peppa-win-cartoons-bay |archive-date=November 15, 2020 |access-date=December 30, 2015 |website=]}}</ref> At the ], the show received a nomination for Outstanding Achievement in Children's Programming.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Crix pick hits |url=http://www.post-gazette.com/tuned-in/2006/05/31/Crix-pick-hits/stories/200605310144 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160810053427/http://www.post-gazette.com/tuned-in/2006/05/31/Crix-pick-hits/stories/200605310144 |archive-date=August 10, 2016 |access-date=December 31, 2015 |website=]}}</ref> At the 2007 ], the series won Best Television Animation for Children.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2007 Award Winners |url=http://ottawa.awn.com/archives/OIAF07Archive/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=408&Itemid=734 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090524033250/http://ottawa.awn.com/archives/OIAF07Archive/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=408&Itemid=734 |archive-date=May 24, 2009 |access-date=December 31, 2015 |website=AWN.com |publisher=]}}</ref> | |||
==Merchandising and media== | |||
===Video games=== | |||
There are 2 video games based on ''Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends''. The first has the same name as the show and was developed by Collision Studios and ] by ] for the ]. It was released on October 17, 2006.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends - GBA |url=http://www.ign.com/games/fosters-home-for-imaginary-friends/gba-826193 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151224114435/http://www.ign.com/games/fosters-home-for-imaginary-friends/gba-826193 |archive-date=December 24, 2015 |access-date=December 14, 2015 |website=]}}</ref> In the game, players control Mac or Bloo while collecting items to complete objectives.<ref name="IGN1">{{Cite web |last=Devries |first=Jack |title=Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends Review |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2006/11/23/fosters-home-for-imaginary-friends-review |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151224114447/http://www.ign.com/articles/2006/11/23/fosters-home-for-imaginary-friends-review |archive-date=December 24, 2015 |access-date=December 14, 2015 |website=]|date=November 23, 2006}}</ref> Jack Devries of '']'' rated it a 5 1/2 out of 10, stating that it "falls short" and is "skippable".<ref name="IGN1" /> The second game, titled ''Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends: Imagination Invaders'', was developed by ] and published by ] on November 12, 2007, for the ]. In the game, the player controls Bloo, who performs tasks and completes quests while fighting against "Space Nut Boogies".<ref name="IGN2">{{Cite web |last=Devries |first=Jack |title=Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends: Imagination Invaders Review |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2007/11/17/fosters-home-for-imaginary-friends-imagination-invaders-review |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151224123331/http://www.ign.com/articles/2007/11/17/fosters-home-for-imaginary-friends-imagination-invaders-review |archive-date=December 24, 2015 |access-date=December 14, 2015 |website=]|date=November 17, 2007}}</ref> Devries rated it 4 out of 10, calling it "terrible to play" and "completely worthless".<ref name="IGN2" /> Characters from the show also appear on the games '']'' and '']''.<ref>{{Cite video game |title=] |developer=] |publisher=] |platform=] |date=June 2, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite video game |title=] |developer=], Grigon Entertainment |publisher=] |platform=] |date=January 14, 2009}}</ref> | |||
On May 15, 2006, ] introduced an online game, ''Big Fat Awesome House Party'', which allowed players to create an online friend to join Bloo and the others in a one-year game online, earning points that would give them gifts, cards and other online "merchandise" for their albums. A player's friend, made from one of over 900,000 possible characters, could wind up in a future episode of ''Foster's''.<ref name="AWN-Game" /><ref name="TFL-Game" /> Over 13 million users were registered to play the game after its launch in May 2006. Because of its success and popularity, Cartoon Network announced in May 2007 that the game would continue for six more months, into November of that year.<ref name="TFL-Game" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Big Fat Awesome House Party |url=http://awesomehouseparty.com/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071029173816/http://awesomehouseparty.com/ |archive-date=October 29, 2007 |access-date=November 23, 2013 |publisher=]}}</ref> | |||
===Promotions and products=== | |||
From 2006 to 2008, Cartoon Network made a ''Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends'' float as part of the ]. The float was fashioned as a replica of the home.<ref name="AWN-Macys">{{Cite web |last=Baisley |first=Sarah |title=Foster's Riding High as Macy's Parade Float & Marketing Blitz |url=http://www.awn.com/news/fosters-riding-high-macys-parade-float-marketing-blitz |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151223011235/http://www.awn.com/news/fosters-riding-high-macys-parade-float-marketing-blitz |archive-date=December 23, 2015 |access-date=December 15, 2015 |publisher=]}}</ref> On Thanksgiving Day, 2006, characters from the show performed ]' "]". In 2007, the characters performed "You're My Best Friend" by Queen. In 2008, the characters' performance of ]'s theme song to '']'' later reused for '']''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carroll |first=Larry |title=The secret life of the Macy's parade: 10 little-known facts about a holiday tradition |url=http://zap2it.com/2015/11/macys-parade-10-facts-thanksgiving-day/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222130054/http://zap2it.com/2015/11/macys-parade-10-facts-thanksgiving-day/ |archive-date=December 22, 2015 |access-date=December 15, 2015 |publisher=]}}</ref> was interrupted by ] singing "]", reproducing the Internet phenomenon of ].<ref name="rickroll-macys">{{Cite web |last=McCarthy |first=Caroline |date=November 27, 2008 |title=Thanksgiving parade gets a live 'Rickroll' | The Social - CNET News |url=http://news.cnet.com/8301-13577_3-10109517-36.html |access-date=November 3, 2013 |publisher=]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=December 28, 2008 |title=Macy's Parade Rick Rolled: Rick Astley Sings On Thanksgiving (VIDEO) |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/27/macys-parade-rickrolled-r_n_146896.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222110630/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/27/macys-parade-rickrolled-r_n_146896.html |archive-date=December 22, 2015 |access-date=December 14, 2015 |website=]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Donnelly |first=Tim |date=November 26, 2014 |title=10 historic moments from Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade |url=https://nypost.com/2014/11/26/10-historic-moments-from-macys-thanksgiving-day-parade/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151220123700/http://nypost.com/2014/11/26/10-historic-moments-from-macys-thanksgiving-day-parade/ |archive-date=December 20, 2015 |access-date=December 14, 2015 |newspaper=]}}</ref> | |||
In 2006, the network promoted the show with billboards that read "I pooted" and "I'm a hot toe picker" (as said by Cheese and Bloo, respectively) in about 25 cities within the United States, one being placed next to Interstate 40/85 through ].<ref>{{Cite web |last=W. Patterson |first=Donald |date=June 26, 2006 |title=Network hoping billboards create buzz |url=https://greensboro.com/business/network-hoping-billboards-create-buzz/article_b7d538b6-185b-5fcd-bc4e-aaede359ba97.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508125841/https://greensboro.com/business/network-hoping-billboards-create-buzz/article_b7d538b6-185b-5fcd-bc4e-aaede359ba97.html |archive-date=May 8, 2021 |access-date=May 7, 2021 |website=Greensboro.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Daljit |first=Kalsit |date=July 6, 2007 |title=Baffling Billboard Messages |url=https://www.goupstate.com/news/20060706/baffling-billboard-messages |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508130939/https://www.goupstate.com/news/20060706/baffling-billboard-messages |archive-date=May 8, 2021 |access-date=May 7, 2021 |website=GoUpstate}}</ref> Some time later, one of the "I pooted" billboards (along ]) was taken down due to concerns by the ]. One of their associates, who claimed the advertisement did not represent their purpose and mission, said that "some people didn't understand if this was something in connection with the university." Both parties came to an agreement, and the billboard was replaced with one that read "Shiny, shiny. Pretty, pretty", a line from the cartoon '']''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=W. Patterson |first=Donald |date=June 29, 2006 |title='I Pooted' Promotion Gets Booted from One Billboard |url=https://greensboro.com/business/i-pooted-promotion-gets-booted-from-one-billboard/article_88916eef-c9b5-5a41-9f44-0a94d13b8b8f.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508130424/https://greensboro.com/business/i-pooted-promotion-gets-booted-from-one-billboard/article_88916eef-c9b5-5a41-9f44-0a94d13b8b8f.html |archive-date=May 8, 2021 |access-date=May 7, 2021 |website=Greensboro.com}}</ref> | |||
In March 2006, toys of characters from the show were featured in ]'s Kids Meals.<ref name="AWN-Macys" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Gurman |first=Sarah |date=April 10, 2006 |title=Foster's Friends Spice Up BK Menu |url=http://www.animationmagazine.net/licensing/fosters-friends-spice-up-bk-menu/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222093644/http://www.animationmagazine.net/licensing/fosters-friends-spice-up-bk-menu/ |archive-date=December 22, 2015 |access-date=December 16, 2015 |magazine=]}}</ref> In December 2007, Cartoon Network and ] retail stores in the United States set up a boutique for a product line based on the series, with over 693 locations featuring products such as clothing, accessories and ] releases by ].<ref name="HotT" /> | |||
===Home media=== | |||
The episodes from the series are available for digital purchase on ] and ], with the exception of ]. The show's second season was available on ] until March 2015.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Watch Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends |url=http://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/fosters-home-for-imaginary-friends/194647/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150929104143/http://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/fosters-home-for-imaginary-friends/194647/ |archive-date=September 29, 2015 |access-date=December 15, 2015 |magazine=]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Acuna |first=Kirsten |date=February 25, 2015 |title=Here's everything leaving Netflix in March |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/netflix-everything-leaving-in-march-2015-2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160913015953/http://www.businessinsider.com/netflix-everything-leaving-in-march-2015-2 |archive-date=September 13, 2016 |access-date=March 18, 2016 |website=]}}</ref> All 6 seasons were added to Hulu in May 2015<ref>{{Cite web |last=Plaugic |first=Lizzie |date=April 23, 2015 |title=Hulu Snags Cartoon Network and Adult Swim Shows in Exclusive Deal |url=https://www.theverge.com/2015/4/23/8484309/hulu-cartoon-network-adult-swim-stream |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731152700/https://www.theverge.com/2015/4/23/8484309/hulu-cartoon-network-adult-swim-stream |archive-date=July 31, 2017 |access-date=August 24, 2017 |website=]}}</ref> until its removal from the service on October 1, 2022.{{citation needed|reason=Went to the Hulu app days ago as informed the show would no longer be on the service, which is now unavailable|date=October 2022}} The show was available to watch on ] from May 2020 until it was removed in May 2023.<ref>{{Citation |title=Watch Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends - Stream TV Shows {{!}} HBO Max |url=https://www.hbomax.com/series/urn:hbo:series:GXnJ9_wWT34CgwwEAAADK |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210614021814/https://www.hbomax.com/series/urn:hbo:series:GXnJ9_wWT34CgwwEAAADK |language=en-us |access-date=June 14, 2021 |archive-date=June 14, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://comicbook.com/anime/news/hbo-max-cartoon-network-shows-removed-missing/ |title=HBO Max Removes Tons of Major Cartoon Network Shows|date=May 13, 2023 |access-date=February 21, 2024 |website=] |last=Valdez |first=Nick}}</ref> | |||
== DVDs == | |||
=== Season Sets === | |||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
|- | |- | ||
! DVD title | |||
!Foster's Home For Imaginary Friends, Season 1 | |||
! Season(s) | |||
! Episode count | |||
! Release date | ! Release date | ||
! Episodes | |||
|- | |- | ||
| colspan= |
| colspan=4 style="background:#0567b0| | ||
|- align="center" | |||
| Season 1 | |||
| March 6, 2007 | |||
| 1-13 | |||
|- | |- | ||
| style="text-align: center|'']: Sooper Hugest Missions: File 1'' | |||
| colspan="3" | | |||
| style="text-align: center|1 | |||
All 13 episodes from Season One, including the pilot movie, "House of Bloo's" (released here as three separate parts). Also included: | |||
| style="text-align: center|3 | |||
* Commentary on "Store Wars" by Mac, Bloo and Frankie. | |||
| style="text-align: center|October 26, 2004 (Region 1) | |||
* "What Happens When Your Imagination Runs Wild?" featurette with creator Craig McCracken. | |||
* Five promotional advertisements for Foster's. | |||
* "Gallery of Friends": A gallery of some of the lesser known friends of the Home. | |||
* Trailers for '']'' Season One, '']'' Season One, and ]. | |||
* A code for use on ''Foster's ]''. | |||
* Hidden easter eggs on each disc, including an animation test, and a few clips from the show. | |||
|- | |- | ||
| colspan=4|Features "House of Bloo's" as a bonus feature. | |||
! Foster's Home For Imaginary Friends, Season 2 | |||
! Release date | |||
! Episodes | |||
|- | |- | ||
| colspan= |
| colspan=4 style="background:#0567b0| | ||
|- align="center" | |||
| Season 2 | |||
| September 11, 2007 | |||
| 14-26 | |||
|- | |- | ||
| colspan=" |
| colspan=4 style="background:#052286| | ||
All 13 episodes from Season Two. Also included: | |||
* A new gallery of lesser-known friends. | |||
* A music video featuring Cheese - "Cheesequest" | |||
* Five more promos for the show. | |||
* End of episode gags. | |||
* Commentary by Cheese on "Mac Daddy." | |||
* Random interruptions by Cheese before and during episodes. | |||
* Trailers for ''Ben 10'' Season 2, '']'' Season 2, '']'' Season 1, '']'', and ''] Toaster Pastries Presents "S'mores on Mars"'' | |||
|- | |- | ||
| style="text-align: center|''Cartoon Network Halloween 3: Sweet Sweet Fear!'' | |||
| style="text-align: center|1 | |||
! Foster's Home For Imaginary Friends, Season 3 | |||
| style="text-align: center|1 | |||
! Release Date | |||
| style="text-align: center|September 12, 2006 (Region 1) | |||
! Episodes | |||
|- | |- | ||
| colspan= |
| colspan=4|Features "Bloooo". | ||
|- align="center" | |||
| Season 3 | |||
| March 25, 2010 | |||
| 27-39 | |||
|- | |- | ||
| colspan=4 style="background:#052286| | |||
|- | |- | ||
| colspan=4 style="background:#e53325| | |||
! Foster's Home For Imaginary Friends, Season 4 | |||
|- | |||
! Release date | |||
| style="text-align: center|''Cartoon Network Fridays'' | |||
! Episodes | |||
| style="text-align: center|2 | |||
| style="text-align: center|1 | |||
| style="text-align: center|September 19, 2006 (Region 1) | |||
|- | |||
| colspan=4|Features "Bloo's Brothers". | |||
|- | |||
| colspan=4 style="background:#e53325| | |||
|- | |||
| colspan=4 style="background:#171836| | |||
|- | |||
| style="text-align: center|''Cartoon Network Christmas 3'' | |||
| style="text-align: center|1 | |||
| style="text-align: center|1 | |||
| style="text-align: center|October 3, 2006 (Region 1) | |||
|- | |||
| colspan=4|Features "Store Wars". | |||
|- | |||
| colspan=4 style="background:#171836| | |||
|- | |||
| colspan=4 style="background:#cf4789| | |||
|- | |||
| style="text-align: center|''The Complete 1st Season'' | |||
| style="text-align: center|1 | |||
| style="text-align: center|13 | |||
| style="text-align: center|March 6, 2007 (Regions 1 and 4) | |||
|- | |||
| colspan=4|This two-disc release contained the entire first season in production code order. | |||
|- | |||
| colspan=4 style="background:#cf4789| | |||
|- | |||
| colspan=4 style="background:#5a2d66| | |||
|- | |||
| style="text-align: center|''The Complete 2nd Season'' | |||
| style="text-align: center|2 | |||
| style="text-align: center|13 | |||
| style="text-align: center|September 11, 2007 (Regions 1 and 4) | |||
|- | |||
| colspan=4|This two-disc release contained the entire second season in production code order. | |||
|- | |||
| colspan=4 style="background:#5a2d66| | |||
|- | |||
| colspan=4 style="background:white| | |||
|- | |||
| style="text-align: center|''Cartoon Network: Mash-Up'' | |||
| style="text-align: center|1 | |||
| style="text-align: center|1 | |||
| style="text-align: center|August 10, 2009 (Region 2) | |||
|- | |||
| colspan=4|Features "Store Wars". | |||
|- | |||
| colspan=4 style="background:white| | |||
|- | |||
| colspan=4 style="background:#12598d| | |||
|- | |||
| style="text-align: center|''The Complete 3rd Season'' | |||
| style="text-align: center|3 | |||
| style="text-align: center|13 or 14 | |||
| style="text-align: center|May 5, 2010 (Region 4)<br />November 12, 2014 (] in Region 1) | |||
|- | |||
| colspan=4|This two-disc release contained the entire third season. | |||
|- | |||
| colspan=4 style="background:#12598d| | |||
|- | |||
| colspan=4 style="background:black| | |||
|- | |||
| style="text-align: center|''4 Kid Favorites: The Hall of Fame Collection Volume 2'' | |||
| style="text-align: center|1 | |||
| style="text-align: center|8 | |||
| style="text-align: center|March 12, 2013 (Region 1) | |||
|- | |||
| colspan=4|Features "House of Bloo's" (included in ''Codename: Kids Next Door: Sooper Hugest Missions: File 1''), and ''Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends: The Complete Season 1, Disc 2''. | |||
|- | |||
| colspan=4 style="background:black| | |||
|- | |||
| style="text-align: center|''4 Kid Favorites: The Hall of Fame Collection Volume 3'' | |||
| style="text-align: center|1 | |||
| style="text-align: center|3 | |||
| style="text-align: center|June 23, 2015 | |||
|- | |||
| colspan=4|Features "House of Bloo's" (included in ''Codename: Kids Next Door: Sooper Hugest Missions: File 1''). | |||
|- | |||
| colspan=4 style="background:black| | |||
|- | |||
| colspan=4 style="background:yellow| | |||
|- | |||
| style="text-align: center|''The Complete Series'' | |||
| style="text-align: center|1-6 | |||
| style="text-align: center|79 | |||
| style="text-align: center|October 18, 2022<ref>{{Citation |title=Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends: The Complete Series |date=October 18, 2022 |url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BBN7WCRK |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220824002554/https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BBN7WCRK |publisher=] |access-date=August 25, 2022 |archive-date=August 24, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
|- | |- | ||
| colspan="4" |11-disc release containing the complete series. | |||
| colspan="3" bgcolor="#50A6C2" | | |||
|- align="center" | |||
| Season 4 | |||
| TBA | |||
| 40-52 | |||
|- | |- | ||
| colspan=4 style="background:yellow| | |||
|} | |} | ||
== Notes == | |||
There has been no announcement as to the release date of '''Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends: The Complete Season 5'''. | |||
{{Notelist}} | |||
{{Reflist|group=nb}} | |||
== |
==References== | ||
{{Reflist}} | |||
* ''Cartoon Network Halloween Vol. 3: Sweet, Sweet Fear!''—"Bloooo" | |||
* ''Cartoon Network Fridays, Vol. 1''—"Bloo's Brothers" | |||
* ''Cartoon Network Christmas Vol. 3''—"Store Wars" | |||
<!-- -Do not report rumors on other DVDs.- --> | |||
==External links== | |||
== Merchandising == | |||
{{portal|Cartoon Network|Animation|United States|Television}} | |||
Other than in-house items such as Cartoon Network's internet shop (T-Shirts, a Bloo plush, etc.), there has not been much as far as major products. As of 2006, there has been a statue series with Bloo, Mac, and Eduardo featured in the first statue. A second statue features Frankie, Madame Foster, and Mr. Herriman released in December 2006, and the third in the series featuring Wilt and Coco was released in January 2007. Two limited edition ] (]) ]s—one with the cast posing for a picture, the other styled like a ]—were also created. Since then, the merchandising has begun to pick up steam. ] Books has printed game and story books based on episodes, and all six seasons were made available on Apple's ] downloading service as well as a ] ] created by CRAVE Entertainment made its' debut in the Fall of 2006. A new game for ] debuted in the fall of 2007 titled "Imagination Invaders". However, both games have received generally less than satisfactory reviews. | |||
Since January 2007, as part of an overall deal with Cartoon Network, ] has released items related to the mass marketing of the show. Additionally, ] and other merchandise featuring the characters made by punk rock clothing maker Mighty Fine and accessories made by Loungefly have been appearing in popular teen stores such as ], who have also produced a gift card featuring Mac and Cheese. | |||
==Promotions== | |||
===Online=== | |||
==== "Adoption" online ==== | |||
In 2005, gave viewers a chance to adopt an imaginary friend online, with Wilt, Coco, and Eduardo as their choices. Similar to ], the players gave their friends food to eat (some good, some not so good) and games to play to keep their imaginary friend happy. At the end of the promotional period, the adopters got a certificate thanking them for participating. | |||
In September 2005, a similar month long game was launched in the United States on Cartoon Network's , along with a separate link at FostersFriends.com. In addition to the three previously mentioned friends, players could adopt Uncle Pockets, Cheese, or Ivan. This updated version also used the voice actors associated with those characters, improved graphics, and increased use of Flash animation. Until December 10, 2005, those who made adoptions were able to keep an eye on them. Many of the character reactions have been incorporated into bumpers since May 29, 2006 on Cartoon Network. Through late 2006 and into 2007, this game was known as "Adopt An Imaginary Friend 2" on Cartoon Network's Latin American site. | |||
==== Big Fat Awesome House Party ==== | |||
{{main|Big Fat Awesome House Party}} | |||
On May 15, 2006, ] introduced a new online game, '']'', which allows players to create an online friend to join Bloo and the others in a one-year game online, and earn points that would give them gifts cards and other on-line "merchandise" for their albums and that friend made from one of over 900,000 possible characters could wind up in a future episode of ''Foster's''. The game became so popular, in May 2007, that Cartoon Network announced that the game would continue for six more months, into November of that year.<ref></ref> | |||
===Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade=== | |||
Between 2006 and 2008, Cartoon Network furnished a ''Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends'' float as part of the ]. The float was fashioned as a replica of the home. | |||
Each year, the imaginary friends cover a pop song about friendship when the float arrives in front of Macy's Herald Square store. Bloo, Wilt, Coco and Eduardo performed ]' "]" in 2006; Cheese made a silent cameo at the end. The following year, Cheese covered ] "]" and screamed his catchphrase, "I like chocolate milk," at the end. | |||
In 2008, the group began to sing "Best Friend"—originally recorded by ] as the theme song to '']''—when the song suddenly stopped, and ] came out of the house singing "]," effectively ] everyone watching the parade. At this time, Cheese exclaims, "I Like Rickrolling!" <ref name="rickroll-macys">http://news.cnet.com/8301-13577_3-10109517-36.html</ref> | |||
== See also == | |||
* ] | |||
== References == | |||
{{reflist}} | |||
== External links == | |||
{{Wikiquote}} | {{Wikiquote}} | ||
* {{IMDb title}} | |||
* | |||
* {{imdb title|0419326|Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends}} | |||
* {{tv.com|28101|Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends}} | |||
{{Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends}} | {{Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends}} | ||
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{{Annie Award for Best Animated Television Production}} | |||
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Latest revision as of 03:53, 22 December 2024
American animated television series
Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends | |
---|---|
Genre | |
Created by | Craig McCracken |
Developed by |
|
Directed by |
|
Voices of | |
Theme music composer | James L. Venable |
Composers |
|
Country of origin | United States |
Original language | English |
No. of seasons | 6 |
No. of episodes | 79 (list of episodes) |
Production | |
Executive producers |
|
Producers |
|
Running time | 21–23 minutes |
Production company | Cartoon Network Studios |
Original release | |
Network | Cartoon Network |
Release | August 13, 2004 (2004-08-13) – May 3, 2009 (2009-05-03) |
Related | |
Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends is an American animated television series created by Craig McCracken for Cartoon Network. It was produced by Cartoon Network Studios as the network's first show animated primarily with Adobe Flash, which was done both by Cartoon Network Studios in Burbank and in Ireland by Boulder Media. Set in a world in which imaginary friends coexist with humans, the series centers on Mac, an eight-year-old boy who is pressured by his mother to abandon his imaginary friend Bloo. After the duo discover an orphanage dedicated to housing abandoned imaginary friends, Bloo moves into the home and is kept from adoption as long as Mac visits him every day. The episodes revolve around Mac and Bloo as they interact with other imaginary friends and house staff and live out their day-to-day adventures, often getting caught up in various predicaments.
McCracken conceived the series with his partner Lauren Faust after they adopted two dogs from an animal shelter and applied the concept to imaginary friends. The series first premiered on Cartoon Network on August 13, 2004, as a 90-minute television film. On August 20, it began its normal run of 22-minute episodes on the Fridays block. The series finished its run on May 3, 2009, with a total of 6 seasons and 79 episodes. McCracken left Cartoon Network shortly after the series ended.
Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends received critical acclaim for its animation, humor, writing, characters, and music and became one of Cartoon Network's most successful original series. It received numerous industry accolades, including five Annie Awards and seven Emmy Awards, winning a total of 12 awards out of 35 nominations. It has since been named by Entertainment Weekly as one of the best Cartoon Network shows and by IGN in their list of best animated series at number 85.
A spinoff, Foster's Funtime for Imaginary Friends, announced as having begun development on July 18, 2022, and greenlit to series on June 12, 2024, produced by Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe with Craig McCracken returning as the creator. The spinoff, aimed at a preschool audience, features a new cast of young imaginary friends, along with Bloo and Madame Foster from the original series.
Premise
Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends is set in a universe in which childhood imaginary friends take physical form and become real as soon as children imagine them. Once children outgrow them, friends are relocated to the titular orphanage, where they stay until other children adopt them. The home is run by the elderly Madame Foster, its lovable, kind founder; her rabbit imaginary friend Mr. Herriman, the strict rule-abider and business manager; and her granddaughter Frankie, who handles day-to-day operations.
Because his mother believes he is too old for imaginary friends, eight-year-old Mac is pressured by her to abandon his imaginary friend, Bloo. When Mac takes Bloo to Foster's after seeing a television advertisement, they discover that if Bloo were to live there, he would be available to be adopted by another child. Mac then bargains with Frankie, Herriman, and Madame Foster until they agree to guard Bloo from adoption so long as Mac continues to visit the center daily. Mac continues to visit the home every day after school to experience the escapades of the mischievous Bloo and the array of eccentric, colorful characters inhabiting Foster's and the obstacles with which they are challenged.
Characters
Main article: List of Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends charactersMain
- Mac (voiced by Sean Marquette) – A bright and imaginative eight-year-old boy who is Bloo's creator and best friend. Mac visits Foster's every day. He is very attached to Bloo and his biggest fear is never seeing him again. Mac is often the voice of reason among his friends when they are making decisions. Mac becomes extremely hyperactive when he eats sugar. He also is attracted to Frankie.
- Bloo (voiced by Keith Ferguson) – Mac's imaginary best friend. Bloo is a blue, supple, domed cylinder not unlike a bollard with two eyes. He is often self-centered and egotistical, with a knack for getting in trouble. Despite all this, Bloo apologizes for his actions. He loves paddle balls and claims to be the best at them, despite not making the ball hit the paddle.
- Wilt (voiced by Phil LaMarr) – A very tall, friendly and incredibly nice imaginary friend with only a right arm and a crooked left eye-stalk. His overtly passive demeanor is often taken advantage of by the other imaginary friends. He is a basketball player and fan, and is the former imaginary friend of Jordan Michaels (a parody of Michael Jordan). Wilt's left arm got crushed during a basketball game where he saved Jordan from getting hurt, and a ball hit the back of his left eye after the final point was scored that cost them the game, permanently leaving the eye-stalk crooked. Fearing the latter would be disappointed by how they lost, he left Jordan. Three decades later, Wilt goes on a search to re-encounter him, learning he felt guilty over his imaginary friend's injuries and was grateful to have been saved.
- Eduardo (voiced by Tom Kenny) – A Latin American monster created by a young girl, Nina Valerosa, to protect her in a dangerous neighborhood. Eduardo is big, hairy and purple, and has horns, a snout, a pointy demon-like tail, and large teeth. Despite his large size, overwhelming strength, and menacing appearance, Eduardo is docile, timid and scared of almost anything. However, he can be ferocious if angered or when danger befalls his friends.
- Coco (voiced by Candi Milo) – A chicken-like friend with a palm tree-like head who can only say or write her name. She has the ability to lay colorful, plastic eggs containing a plethora of objects, at will. Other characters usually understand her when she speaks. Despite her appearance and behavior, she can demonstrate intelligence and kindness. Her creator is unknown, as she was found on a South Pacific island by two scientists named Adam and Douglas.
- Francis "Frankie" Foster (voiced by Grey DeLisle) – Madame Foster's 22-year-old redheaded granddaughter who is referred to as "Miss Frances" by Mr. Herriman. Frankie is the caregiver at Foster's and helps keep everything in order. She is usually very friendly, easygoing, hard-working, caring, and sweet, but occasionally loses her patience with Bloo and Mr. Herriman. According to her driver's license, she was born on July 25, 1984.
- Mr. Herriman (voiced by Tom Kane) – A gray and white elderly anthropomorphic lop ear rabbit friend imagined by Madame Foster who speaks with an English accent. He wears a tailcoat, white gloves, a top hat, and a monocle. He presents himself as head of business affairs of the house and later as President of the house, and is extremely strict about rules and the maintenance of order in the home. He frequently punishes Bloo for his various misdemeanors and scolds Frankie for her perceived laziness, despite all her hard work.
- Madame Foster (voiced by Candi Milo) – The caring founder of Foster's and grandmother of Frankie. She is the creator of Mr. Herriman. Despite being elderly, Madame Foster has childlike boundless energy and occasionally becomes hyperactive and mischievous.
Other recurring characters include Terrence (voiced by Tara Strong), Mac's older brother who constantly bullies him; Duchess (also voiced by Grey DeLisle), a friend with a Cubist-looking face and a pompous, narcissistic personality; Cheese (also voiced by Candi Milo), a dim-witted and childish yellow friend who first appeared in season two; and Goo (also voiced by Grey DeLisle), a talkative young girl who is highly imaginative and constantly creates new friends, first appearing in season three.
Episodes
Main article: List of Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends episodesThe show has 79 episodes in 6 seasons; it has also aired 18 shorts.
Season | Episodes | Originally aired | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
First aired | Last aired | |||
1 | 13 | August 13, 2004 (August 13, 2004) | October 22, 2004 (October 22, 2004) | |
2 | 13 | January 21, 2005 (January 21, 2005) | July 15, 2005 (July 15, 2005) | |
3 | 14 | July 22, 2005 (July 22, 2005) | March 24, 2006 (March 24, 2006) | |
4 | 13 | April 28, 2006 (April 28, 2006) | November 23, 2006 (November 23, 2006) | |
Shorts | 18 | June 14, 2006 (June 14, 2006) | August 7, 2007 (August 7, 2007) | |
5 | 13 | May 4, 2007 (May 4, 2007) | March 6, 2008 (March 6, 2008) | |
6 | 13 | March 13, 2008 (March 13, 2008) | May 3, 2009 (May 3, 2009) |
Production
Craig McCracken on adopting two dogs and coming up with the idea for the series"We wondered what their life was like before they came to us, and I thought, 'You could apply that to imaginary friends as well.'"
The series was created by Craig McCracken, who had also created The Powerpuff Girls for Cartoon Network. McCracken developed the idea for the series after adopting two dogs from an animal shelter with his then-fiancée Lauren Faust and Mike Moon; he adapted the concept of pet adoption to that of imaginary friends. The show has an art style which is meant to evoke, according to McCracken, "that period of late 60's psychedelia when Victorian stylings were coming into trippy poster designs". McCracken wanted Foster's to be similar to The Muppet Show, which he believed was a "fun, character driven show that the whole family could enjoy".
Animation for the show was done using a process involving Adobe software Illustrator, Flash and After Effects. McCracken directed, executive produced and story edited the series. Most of the episodes were produced at the Cartoon Network Studios in Burbank, California, while the rest were produced at Boulder Media Limited in Dublin, Ireland. The theme song was composed by James L. Venable, who had originally collaborated with McCracken on The Powerpuff Girls. Craig described the music as "psychedelic ragtime". Additional music was composed by Venable and Jennifer Kes Remington.
Collette Sunderman was the casting and recording director for the show. Sean Marquette was cast as Mac, and Keith Ferguson was cast as Bloo. The Powerpuff Girls voice actors Tom Kane, Tom Kenny and Tara Strong were cast in Foster's as Mr. Herriman, Eduardo and Terrence, respectively. Grey DeLisle was cast as Frankie Foster, Phil LaMarr was cast as Wilt, and Candi Milo was cast as Coco and Madame Foster. From season two onwards, Milo also lent her voice to Cheese. DeLisle also voiced Goo after the character's debut in season three.
Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends premiered on August 13, 2004, as a 90-minute special titled "House of Bloo's". The series' run began on August 20 on its normal timeslot of Fridays at 7:00 PM. The special was Cartoon Network's highest-rated premiere at the time. 18 shorts were produced from 2006 to 2007. In addition to the premiere episode, two other specials were produced: "Good Wilt Hunting", which premiered on November 23, 2006, and "Destination: Imagination", which premiered on November 27, 2008. The final episode, titled "Goodbye to Bloo", aired on May 3, 2009, preceded by a 6-hour marathon of other episodes from the series. McCracken expressed a certain sadness at the series' end, but stated that he was "crazy proud of the work" that he and the production team had done "on Foster's and the fact that it worked just the way wanted it to". During its original run, Foster's was one of Cartoon Network's highest-rated shows. The show proved to be popular among both younger and older audiences.
Reception
Critical response
Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends received critical acclaim and became one of Cartoon Network's most successful original series. Anita Gates of The New York Times praised the series' premiere 1+1⁄2-hour episode and stated that the series would promise to be an "admirable tale of loyalty and adventure-based learning with a contagious sense of fun". Mike Pinsky, in a review on DVD Verdict, praised the art design and the characterizations, particularly singling out Cheese as possibly "the quintessence of Foster's surreal charm" in his Season 2 review. David Cornelius of DVD Talk called the series "one of the best shows of any kind on television, a winner for viewers of any age" and "a wildly inventive mix of creative wonder, comic genius, and well-crafted chaos". In a Season 2 review, also on DVD Talk, Cornelius called the show "flat-out perfect". Joly Herman of Common Sense Media, an advocacy group focused on appropriate technology and media for children, was less enthusiastic about the show, rating it 2 stars out of 5. Herman praised the creativity and diversity of the characters and the show's premise, but criticized the storyline and writing, which presented "confusing messages" for young children.
The series was named the 85th best animated series of all time in a list of the top 100 animated series by IGN, which called it very funny and endearing. Entertainment Weekly named the show the sixth best Cartoon Network show in their top 10 list, praising its "catchy magical-realist setting" and the characters "you genuinely learned to care about".
Awards
Main article: List of awards and nominations received by Foster's Home for Imaginary FriendsFoster's Home for Imaginary Friends received many industry accolades. The series received 12 awards out of a total of 35 nominations. At the Annie Awards, the show received a total of 20 nominations from 2004 to 2009, and won 5, including Best Animated Television Production in 2007. At the Emmy Awards, the show received nine nominations, and won seven awards, including five Outstanding Individual Achievements in Animation and one Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming One Hour or More) award. At the 2005 Pulcinella Awards, Foster's received the award for Best TV Series for All Audiences and Bloo was named "Best Character of the Year." At the 22nd TCA Awards, the show received a nomination for Outstanding Achievement in Children's Programming. At the 2007 Ottawa International Animation Festival, the series won Best Television Animation for Children.
Merchandising and media
Video games
There are 2 video games based on Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends. The first has the same name as the show and was developed by Collision Studios and published by Crave Entertainment for the Game Boy Advance. It was released on October 17, 2006. In the game, players control Mac or Bloo while collecting items to complete objectives. Jack Devries of IGN rated it a 5 1/2 out of 10, stating that it "falls short" and is "skippable". The second game, titled Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends: Imagination Invaders, was developed by Sensory Sweep and published by Midway on November 12, 2007, for the Nintendo DS. In the game, the player controls Bloo, who performs tasks and completes quests while fighting against "Space Nut Boogies". Devries rated it 4 out of 10, calling it "terrible to play" and "completely worthless". Characters from the show also appear on the games Cartoon Network: Punch Time Explosion and FusionFall.
On May 15, 2006, Cartoon Network introduced an online game, Big Fat Awesome House Party, which allowed players to create an online friend to join Bloo and the others in a one-year game online, earning points that would give them gifts, cards and other online "merchandise" for their albums. A player's friend, made from one of over 900,000 possible characters, could wind up in a future episode of Foster's. Over 13 million users were registered to play the game after its launch in May 2006. Because of its success and popularity, Cartoon Network announced in May 2007 that the game would continue for six more months, into November of that year.
Promotions and products
From 2006 to 2008, Cartoon Network made a Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends float as part of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The float was fashioned as a replica of the home. On Thanksgiving Day, 2006, characters from the show performed the Beatles' "With a Little Help from My Friends". In 2007, the characters performed "You're My Best Friend" by Queen. In 2008, the characters' performance of Harry Nilsson's theme song to The Courtship of Eddie's Father later reused for Rob & Big was interrupted by Rick Astley singing "Never Gonna Give You Up", reproducing the Internet phenomenon of Rickrolling.
In 2006, the network promoted the show with billboards that read "I pooted" and "I'm a hot toe picker" (as said by Cheese and Bloo, respectively) in about 25 cities within the United States, one being placed next to Interstate 40/85 through Greensboro, North Carolina. Some time later, one of the "I pooted" billboards (along U.S. Route 29) was taken down due to concerns by the North Carolina A&T State University. One of their associates, who claimed the advertisement did not represent their purpose and mission, said that "some people didn't understand if this was something in connection with the university." Both parties came to an agreement, and the billboard was replaced with one that read "Shiny, shiny. Pretty, pretty", a line from the cartoon My Gym Partner's a Monkey.
In March 2006, toys of characters from the show were featured in Burger King's Kids Meals. In December 2007, Cartoon Network and Hot Topic retail stores in the United States set up a boutique for a product line based on the series, with over 693 locations featuring products such as clothing, accessories and DVD releases by Warner Home Video.
Home media
The episodes from the series are available for digital purchase on iTunes and Amazon Video, with the exception of the Christmas special. The show's second season was available on Netflix until March 2015. All 6 seasons were added to Hulu in May 2015 until its removal from the service on October 1, 2022. The show was available to watch on HBO Max from May 2020 until it was removed in May 2023.
DVD title | Season(s) | Episode count | Release date |
---|---|---|---|
Codename: Kids Next Door: Sooper Hugest Missions: File 1 | 1 | 3 | October 26, 2004 (Region 1) |
Features "House of Bloo's" as a bonus feature. | |||
Cartoon Network Halloween 3: Sweet Sweet Fear! | 1 | 1 | September 12, 2006 (Region 1) |
Features "Bloooo". | |||
Cartoon Network Fridays | 2 | 1 | September 19, 2006 (Region 1) |
Features "Bloo's Brothers". | |||
Cartoon Network Christmas 3 | 1 | 1 | October 3, 2006 (Region 1) |
Features "Store Wars". | |||
The Complete 1st Season | 1 | 13 | March 6, 2007 (Regions 1 and 4) |
This two-disc release contained the entire first season in production code order. | |||
The Complete 2nd Season | 2 | 13 | September 11, 2007 (Regions 1 and 4) |
This two-disc release contained the entire second season in production code order. | |||
Cartoon Network: Mash-Up | 1 | 1 | August 10, 2009 (Region 2) |
Features "Store Wars". | |||
The Complete 3rd Season | 3 | 13 or 14 | May 5, 2010 (Region 4) November 12, 2014 (manufacture on demand in Region 1) |
This two-disc release contained the entire third season. | |||
4 Kid Favorites: The Hall of Fame Collection Volume 2 | 1 | 8 | March 12, 2013 (Region 1) |
Features "House of Bloo's" (included in Codename: Kids Next Door: Sooper Hugest Missions: File 1), and Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends: The Complete Season 1, Disc 2. | |||
4 Kid Favorites: The Hall of Fame Collection Volume 3 | 1 | 3 | June 23, 2015 |
Features "House of Bloo's" (included in Codename: Kids Next Door: Sooper Hugest Missions: File 1). | |||
The Complete Series | 1-6 | 79 | October 18, 2022 |
11-disc release containing the complete series. | |||
Notes
- "Destination: Imagination"
- Includes 82 segments and 18 shorts
- Runtime is 44 minutes for "Good Wilt Hunting" and 65 minutes for "House of Bloo's" and "Destination: Imagination"
- 14 segments
- 15 segments
References
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External links
Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends | |
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Characters | |
Episodes | |
Media | |
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Craig McCracken | |
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TV series |
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Films |
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Other works | |
Related |
Former Cartoon Network original programming | |
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1990s debuts |
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2000s debuts |
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2010s debuts |
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2020s debuts |
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See also |
Kids' WB | |||||||||
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General programming topics |
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Asian cartoons and anime dubbed in English |
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Decode Entertainment/ DiC Entertainment/ Cookie Jar Group/ WildBrain |
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Marvel/ Disney–ABC Domestic Television |
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Adelaide Productions/ Sony Pictures Television |
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Universal Animation Studios/ DreamWorks Animation/ NBCU TV Distribution |
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Nelvana |
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Warner Bros. Animation/ Warner Bros. Television |
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Misc. programs |
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- Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends
- 2000s American animated television series
- 2000s American comedy-drama television series
- 2004 American television series debuts
- 2004 animated television series debuts
- 2009 American television series endings
- American children's animated adventure television series
- American children's animated comedy television series
- American children's animated drama television series
- American children's animated fantasy television series
- American flash animated television series
- Animated television series about birds
- Animated television series about children
- Animated television series about orphans
- Cartoon Network original programming
- Television series by Cartoon Network Studios
- American English-language television shows
- Television series created by Craig McCracken