Ruby Gloom
| Ruby Gloom | |
|---|---|
 Ruby Gloom title card | |
| Genre | Goth, Comedy, Animation |
| Developed by | Nelvana |
| Country of origin |  Canada |
| Production | |
| Running time | 23 mins. (approx) |
| Original release | |
| Network | YTV |
| Release | 13 October, 2006 – present |
Ruby Gloom is a Gemini Award-nominated[1] television show based on an apparel franchise. The show is produced by Nelvana and began airing on 13 October 2006 in Canada on the YTV network.[2] This show stars the voices of Sarah Gadon, Emily Hampshire, and Peter Keleghan, amongst others.
Franchise origins
The Ruby Gloom apparel franchise that led to the television show was created by the American company Mighty Fine, and is part of a stationery franchise, usually featured on pencil cases and backpacks. Recently this product line has been expanded to clothing, keychains and plush toys. The character of Ruby Gloom is a small girl with bright red hair almost similar to a Powerpuff Girl in proportion wearing traditional gothic clothing. She is usually accompanied by her pet cat, Doom Kitty, and is described as "The Happiest Girl in the World."
Synopsis
Ruby Gloom is an ironic comedy with an emphasis on the importance of friendship.
In a Victorian mansion on the outskirts of Gloomsville lives Ruby Gloom. Some kids might be afraid of the dark, the eccentric neighbours and the unknown things that dwell in the closet, but Ruby is different - she befriends these strange and sometimes scary creatures. In fact, Ruby finds them all delightful. She pays no attention to their unusual appearances, perceptive only to their hearts and souls. As Ruby likes to point out "Always look on the bright side - unless of course the dark side is your bright side and that's okay too!" Ruby's perfect day is a gloomy one, full of creativity and adventure with her offbeat circle of friends. Despite the series' gothic overtones, the characters in Ruby Gloom actually have a lot of parallels to characters of the old Harvey Comics brand, such as Riche Rich and Casper the Friendly Ghost.
Main Characters
Ruby Gloom
The titular character, Ruby has earned her title of "The Happiest Girl in the World". Ruby is a girl who can find happiness in anything. "Look on the bright side" is a phrase she chants like a mantra, and it serves her well. There isn't a single thing in the world that gets her down or a single negative that she can't turn into a positive. And her solution to any problem usually seems to involve throwing a party of some kind, although Ruby never has any problem finding a reason to have a party. Her positive attitude is actually quite helpful, as it allows Ruby to act as the voice of reason in the mansion, while her friends tends to lose focus on real issues. Ruby also has a crush on Skullboy, a bony companion of hers. Her upbeat outlook also makes Ruby very loyal to her friends and there's almost nothing she wouldn't do for any of them. She enjoys to have quiet time to write in her diary and sew.
Doom Kitty
As Ruby's pet cat, Doom Kitty has complete free rein of the mansion. As such, she is usually the only one who knows 100% what's going on in any given area of the house. This keeps her one step ahead of Ruby and the others most of the time, because whenever something strange happens in the mansion, Doom will usually have all the facts already while everyone else is still trying to figure things out. Unfortunately, since Doom can't talk, her only hope of communicating with the others is through pantomime. Ruby usually has a pretty easy time understanding her, but it doesn't always work.
Doom Kitty hates it when she is trying to communicate, and her friends think she is playing charades.
Iris
Like Ruby, Iris goes through life without a care in the world, but in a much different way. Where Ruby finds happiness in anything, Iris finds adventure. From safaris to fighting wild animals to even shooting herself out of a cannon, there isn't a single thing this cyclops girl won't try at least once, as long as she thinks it's fun. Unfortunately, Iris' adventuresome nature also makes her quite impulsive and she has a bad habit of jumping into a situation (often literally) without considering potential consequences. This usually results in trouble she didn't expect. However, Iris never seems to learn from this and as soon as the trouble is gone, she's off again on the next adventure.
Misery
Misery (voiced by Emily Hampshire in the cartoon) doesn't mean to be a walking disaster area. Her mishaps are usually a combination of clumsiness and extraordinary bad luck. Evidently, these traits run in her family, as Misery has had relatives who have been present at every single major disaster in recorded history (the lost city of Atlantis, the city of Pompeii, just to name a few). Fortunately, her friends are all kindhearted enough to take this in stride. Misery spends most of the time in a state of detached apathy and with ever-present trails of tears running from her eyes.
She does have tiny moments of happiness throughout the series, but unless they're few and far between, her bad luck rears its ugly head and strikes her down with a vengeance, usually in the form of lightning bolts. Friday the Thirteenth is the only time her inherent bad luck gives her a break; nothing but good things happen to her, while everyone around her gets a day-long dose of Misery's bad luck. Sugar is also something that Misery needs to stay away from, because whenever she has any sweets, she goes into a hyper autistic frenzy, running around spouting everything that has ever gone wrong in the history of the world, from major catastrophes like an earthquake in China to small non-events like stubbing her toe in the kitchen.
Despite these problems though, Misery has actually been revealed to be an incredibly gifted singer. However, this talent only shines through whenever she's asleep. Otherwise, her singing just comes out as banshee-like screams. Still, it was enough for Frank and Len to recruit her as lead singer for their band, R.I.P., during a major concert event. Their performance was a huge success, but it remains to be seen if Misery has become a full-time member of the group.
Her family is surprisingly large, considering how often they find themselves in or responsible for disasters, and when the entire family meets (thankfully only once a millenium), the destruction can be impressive.
Skull Boy
A man of many talents, Skull Boy is the mansion's official Jack of All Trades. From film directing to painting, cooking to cavern exploring, robotics to private investigating, Skull Boy can pretty much do it all. His only problem is that he can't seem to find one thing and stick to it for any serious length of time. But if Skull Boy doesn't know where he's going, it's mostly because he doesn't know where he's been. He spends a lot of time trying to discover his roots, hoping that this knowledge will give him a direction to focus his life in. There have been subtle hints that Ruby definitely has a crush on him. There are also points leading to Skull Boy having a crush on Ruby. In one episode, Skull boy goes up to Ruby to ask her an important question. But it turns out he was just asking her to turn his books pages as he was playing.
Frank and Len
Rockers by nature, these two patchwork brothers live in the mansion's garage. Appropriate settings, considering that they have their own garage band, known as R.I.P (pronounced RIP). To their credit, Frank and Len are actually incredibly gifted musicians. Unfortunately, that's about all they're gifted at, as they both tend to lose focus on anything that isn't their music. They can hardly focus on something if it doesn't have a beat. Frank is actually the more intelligent of the two. and seems to know much more than Len. Even though they seem upbeat for their music, the two of them are almost never on the same page (even though they're both in the same body). Plus, One of them always takes things too literally and the other one sees things completely illiterally. Who can tell which one is which?
Scaredy Bat
Just as his name suggests, Scaredy is pretty much...scaredy. Where Ruby finds happiness and Iris finds adventure, Scaredy finds only fear. He's afraid of reading nursery rhymes. Despite being a bat, he's afraid of flying and afraid of the dark. And as it turns out, he's literally afraid of his own reflection. Still, this constant state of fear is perfect for Boo Boo, the mansion's ghost, since Scaredy is the only one who's afraid of him. The only thing he's not afraid of is a crumpet. He speaks with an Indian accent.
Boo Boo
The mansion's ghost, Boo Boo sees it as his job to haunt. Unfortunately, it's a little difficult for him to do that when everyone thinks he's cute (and he hates being thought of as cute). When he first arrived at the mansion, Boo Boo wasn't an official ghost in that he couldn't phase through walls and only cats and psychics could see him. According to the leaders of the Ghost Family (two large, mobster-type ghosts who go by the names of Mr. White and Mr. White), Boo Boo couldn't become a full ghost until he had scared at least one person and Ruby's mansion was the house they'd selected for him. But since Boo Boo couldn't go through walls and Doom Kitty was the only one in the house who could see him, his job was next to impossible. However, when Doom Kitty splashed milk on him to reveal his presence, Boo Boo got a slight scare out of Misery when he almost splashed milk onto a tablecloth owned by Misery's great-great-really great-grandmother. Apparently, it was enough of a scare for Boo Boo to become a full fledged ghost, since he can now phase through walls and everyone can now see him. After that though, his only real motivation for staying in the mansion has been to torture Scaredy Bat, as he hasn't been able to scare anyone else since. Boo enjoys pranking more than he enjoys scaring.
Edgar, Allan and Poe
Three dapper uptown ravens, Edgar, Allan and Poe live in an attached addition to the mansion. However, of the three of them, Poe is the one who is seen the most. Edgar and Allan are hardly seen and when they are, they never speak (it's unclear whether it's because they can't talk or because they simply don't have anything worth saying). As such, they seem to spend most of their time in the series acting as Poe's bodyguards and servants. Poe meanwhile, as a man of culture and sophistication (if he does say so himself), likes to think of himself as a role model to the rest of the mansion's residents. Unfortunately, he tends to be a little too attached to his image and likes to cover up the parts of him that make him look like less than what he makes himself out to be. For example, he'd rather tell people he's performing in an actual opera than admit that he's staying home to listen to opera records. Poe's pampered nature also tends to make him overreact to things that everyone else would more or less take in stride. There is at least some evidence that Poe's cultured accent is an affectation. Edgar, Allan and Poe's names are an obvious reference to Edgar Allan Poe and his poem The Raven.
Mr. Buns
Is he "just a stuffed sock" or is he the mansion's "special, one-of-a-kind friend"? The jury's still out, but one thing's for sure. It's always interesting whenever Mr. Buns is around. A stuffed rabbit that Ruby created from one of her leftover socks, the floppy, yet enigmatic Mr. Buns loves tea cozies and pretty much finds himself in the middle of almost all the action in the mansion. But always the questions remain, is it real or coincidence? Did he really make off with a tray of Ruby's pastries right after she finished making him? Is he really Poe's talent agent? What will he do next? Is he even doing these things at all? Only time will tell if these questions will ever have any answers.
Minor Characters
Mr White & Mr White
These two large ghosts are the mentors and teachers of young Boo Boo in his learning to be a ghost. Distinguished by their glasses and high rank within "The Family", they typically act in a mafia orientated manner (even having their own pasta making skit and Italian music playing in the backgorund), often threatening to take Boo Boo away if he does not complete enough scares or if he is pulling pranks, such as the line "Less Taunt. More Haunt". Noticeably, the Mr White with the hat is a higher rank than the other Mr White, (who is usually driving their modes of transport (eg. car, gondola)). Also, the Mr Whites seem to be able to produce environs within closets, usually much larger than the actual closet, such as swamps, beachs, classrooms, restuarants and roads to drive on.
Squig
A large flying worm that Iris befriended in her travels. Althouth he is not often, he accompanies Iris on all her adventures, as both her companion and sometimes her mode of transport. He is about five times as big as Iris, is black and red with patterns down his back and has small set of wings at the end of his tail.
Venus
Another of Iris's many pets, Venus is a venus flytrap. When Venus first appeared, she was very voracious and typically acted as a pet. However, after she ate the heart that Skull Boy made in "Science Fair or Foul", she became much more caring and knowledgable, eventually becoming a successful writer and being able to speak very eloquently, as seen in the skit "Suspense Writing with...?". Venus speaks with a thick French accent, because the record Iris used to teach her was dictated by a French woman.
Mr Mumbles
Ruby and the gang's nextdoor neighbour, Mr Mumbles lives in a glass house with his pet, a frog named Socrates. Mr Mumble received his named from Poe in Poe-Ranoia, where Poe thought that he was a murder, and since then the name has stuck. After a revelation that Mr Mumbles designs and creates amusement park rides, he can be seen in later episodes testing these new rides. His rides are designed to make people happy, sometimes have features that tickle the passengers. Mr Mumbles also follows the rule "Safety First", however his rides seem to bend in the opposite direction to being safe, include massive spirals, gaps and fire on the tracks.
Malady & Malaise
These two sisters are Misery's cousins, who, when both are together, cause a localized ice age. Malady apparently suffers from every known disease, symptom and allergy almost simultaneously, and when asked about them, she runs through all the events and procedures that lead to one injury, which usually lasts hours until the conclusion. Malaise suffers from narcolepsy and can often be seen lying on a couch or bed or even asleep on the floor randomly. She is companied by many creatures like a snake, spiders, an octopus, snails and butterflies. Despite their faults, Misery loves her cousins.
The Skele-Tunes
A group of Jazz musicians that befriend Skull Boy (referring to him as "SB"). The band contains four skeletons. The vocalist is the jazzy Skele-T, instantly recognised by his outfit, ear hole rings and gold tooth. The other skeletons each have a different instrument, one with a accordian, one with a tuba and one using his rib cage as a xylophone. They are shown to be "Jokers", disappearing and joking around with Skull Boy. Skele-T does most of the talking, using jazz slang and phrases, such as "You're straight from the fridge daddio" and throwing in skeleton puns like "You fracture me" instead of "You crack me up".
Misery's Cousins
In addition to Maladay & Malaise, episode 37, "I'll be home for Misery" introduces Misery's other relatives throughout the ages for their "once in a millenium" family reunion. Along with Malady and Malaise we are introduced to;
Mayhem - a cavegirl version of Misery that chased away the dinosaurs. She chases scaredybat throughout the episode shouting "Here Birdy, Birdy, Birdy". She is also seen in SkullBoy's "Time Flies" episode.
Mildew - a Japanese geisha version of Misery. She speaks in respectful tones but clashes the most with Mayhem
Migraine - Arriving on the Titanic, Migraine usually has her arms back yelling "I'm the queen of the world". She also talks like a valley girl and has a hawaiian flower in her hair. She is also seen in SkullBoy's "Time Flies" episode.
Morose - Truly goth, Morose has dyed green/black hair and green and black striped stockings a la "wicked witch of the west". Instead of tears, thick runs of eyeshadow streak down her face. She is also a singer who unlike Misery, can sing while awake and performs a song with Frank & Len while playing keyboards. The boys love it until their house falls in around her. One of Morose's only happy moments all episode is here when she said "cool... another verse?"
Mopey - the optimistic member of Misery's family, she has hair just like Ruby's... which Ruby compliments and Mopey says "Right back atcha"
Motley - Apparently burnt in the great fire of London, Motley has almost no hair left and seems generally singed all over with the bit of remaining hair on fire. She looks exactly like Misery in some of the episodes that she's been hit by lightning.
Myopic, Malice & Misbegotten - the triplets are little kids that seem pretty happy for members of the misery family. The dance and laugh around Morose leading Morose to wail "Children, laughing... Why?! Why?!"
In addition to these named family members, 4 others are shown. A Misery in a French Peasant Maid's outfit, one in a Medieval Princess gown and pointy hat, one dressed as a 70's soul sister with a white steak of hair like Frankenstein's bride and finally a Misery with White hair in braided pigtails curved up like bullhorns with a spider web in the middle.
The end of the episode suggests that the entire reunion was a dream, so the question remains how many of them are actually Misery cousins (such as Maladay, Malaise, Mayhem etc) and how many are from Misery's imagination as they just look like Misery in different getups from other episodes (Motley, Mopey, the 70's Soul Sister etc). Time will tell.
Cast
- Ruby Gloom — Sarah Gadon
- Boo Boo — Barbara Mamabolo
- Frank — David Berni
- Iris — Stacey DePass
- Len — Jeremy Harris
- Misery — Emily Hampshire
- Poe — Adrian Truss
- Scaredy Bat — Peter Keleghan
- Skull Boy — Scott McCord
Episodes
These are the episodes that have currently aired on television and also ones that are soon to be shown. All episodes contain a short skit at the beginning and end of the episodes (except "Gloomer Rumor" only having an ending skit).
- 01 - Gloomer Rumor
- 02 - Grounded in Gloomsville
- 03 - Doom with a View
- 04 - Missing Buns
- 05 - Iris Springs Eternal
- 06 - Science Fair or Foul
- 07 - Poe-Ranoia
- 08 - Unsung Hero
- 09 - Quadro-Gloomia
- 10 - Skull Boys Don't Cry
- 11 - Bad Hare Day
- 12 - Happy Yam Ween (Special)
- 13 - Ruby Cubed
- 14 - Once in a Blue Luna
- 15 - Shaken, Not Scared
- 16 - Time Flies
- 17 - Lucky Me
- 18 - Misery Loves Company
- 19 - Sunny Daze
- 20 - Broken Records
- 21 - Gloomates
- 22 - Tooth or Dare
- 23 - Venus De-Gloomsville
- 24 - Seeing Eye to Eyes
- 25 - Name that Toon
- 26 - Skull in the Family
- 27 - Writing on the Wall
- 28 - Deja Vu - Again
- 29 - Ubergloom
- 30 - Pet Poepulation
- 31 - Hair(Less): The Musical - Part 1
- 32 - Hair(Less): The Musical - Part 2
- 33 - The Beat Goes On
- 34 - Out of this World
- 35 - Forget Me Not
- 36 - Frank and Len: Unplugged
- 37 - I'll Be Home For Misery
- 38 - Disaster Becomes You
- 39 - The Last Train To Gloomsville: Part 1
- 40 - The Last Train To Gloomsville: Part 2
DVD Releases
Each DVD contains four episodes. Also, a short character profile can be found on the inside of the case. As of the 5th March 2008, Volume 1(episodes 1-4) and Volume 2(episodes 5-8) have been released. Volume 3(episodes 9-12) is scheduled to be released on the 4th June 2008.
Reception
Ruby Gloom was nominated for a 2007 Gemini Award in the category of "Best Animated Program or Series."