A to Z of Animation Studios: K Is for Klasky-Csupo
The studio that made '90s Nickelodeon look lumpy, weird and wonderful.
K is for Klasky-Csupo
Founded: 1982, by Arlene Klasky and Gábor Csupó, reportedly starting out of a spare room in their home in Hollywood.
The big break: REAL: Klasky-Csupo animated the very first Simpsons shorts on The Tracey Ullman Show in 1987, and then the first three seasons of The Simpsons series. Csupó helped choose the Simpsons' famous yellow skin.
Greatest hits
Rugrats (1991). The world from a baby's point of view. Tommy, Chuckie, Phil, Lil and the unforgettable Angelica. REAL: it was one of Nickelodeon's first three original cartoons, launched the same day as Doug and The Ren & Stimpy Show.
Aaahh!!! Real Monsters (1994). Young monsters at monster school, learning how to scare people.
The Wild Thornberrys (1998). A girl who can talk to animals travels the world with her nature-documentary family.
Rocket Power (1999). Skateboards, surfboards and snack shacks.
As Told by Ginger (2000). A thoughtful show about middle school friendships.
All Grown Up! (2003). The Rugrats as preteens.
The Klasky-Csupo formula
Ugly on purpose. Lopsided heads, crooked eyes, strange colors. It looked like nothing else on TV, and that was the point.
Kid's-eye view. The world is huge, adults are confusing, and everything is an adventure.
Weird sound. Composer Mark Mothersbaugh's quirky music gave Rugrats its sound.
The struggle
As the 2000s went on, Nickelodeon's style changed, and Klasky-Csupo's output shrank. The look that made them famous fell out of fashion.
Honorable mention: Jumbo Pictures
The studio behind Doug (1991), created by Jim Jinkins. REAL: Disney bought Jumbo in 1996, and Doug moved to ABC as Brand Spanking New! Doug.
The lesson
Klasky-Csupo proves you don't need to be pretty to be beloved. A strong, strange style can become a whole generation's childhood.
Up next
L is for Laika.
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