‘Underdog’: There’s No Need to Fear, 7 Facts About the ’60s Cartoon Celebrating 50 Years Are Here
Discover which 'Underdog' character Hollywood legend Marilyn Monroe inspired
There’s no need to fear, because facts about the Underdog TV show are here, and they’re just as heroic as you would think! From which 1950’s Hollywood actress inspired one of the show’s characters to what actor starred in no less than two series before this one, these facts are must-reads to believe and prove that even Saturday morning television from yesteryear can be exciting!
Underdog is a classic TV cartoon that aired for three seasons from 1964 to 1967 for a total of 62 episodes (and 124 10-minute segments). The setting is your average city populated by people and animals who walk, talk, wear clothes, work, are good guys and bad guys. One of the former is a meek and mild dog named Shoeshine Boy, who, when reporter Sweet Polly Purebread (a female dog) is in trouble, transforms into the superhero and costumed Underdog (usually by saying, “When Polly’s in trouble, I am not slow; it’s hip, hip, hip, and away I go!”) and takes off to rescue her.
Just keep scrolling for the shows seven best behind-the-scenes secrets!
1. The Underdog TV show was referenced in Friends
Although Friends might have aired 21 years after Underdog, that didn’t stop the sitcom from referencing the cute cartoon dog in season 1. The episode was entitled “The One Where Underdog Gets Away” and follows the gang after they get locked on the roof of their apartment building on Thanksgiving. There was even an hilarious exchange between Chandler Bing (Matthew Perry) and Joey Tribbiani (Matt LeBlanc) where Chandler yells, “Oh, my God! Underdog has broken loose and is flying over the city,” to which Joey responds,”The balloon?” Chandler fires back, “No, no… The actual cartoon character. Of course the balloon!”
2. Marilyn Monroe was the inspiration for Sweet Polly Purebred in the Underdog TV show
Sex symbol Marilyn Monroe served as the personality inspiration for Sweet Polly Purebred (voiced by Norma MacMillan). Polly was Underdog’s love interest, a news reporter who was — as noted —oftentimes in need of saving. Also similar to Monroe was Polly’s stark white hair, which was what the late actress often sported.
3. Underdog was in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
The giant Underdog balloon was a staple in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade for many years, beginning on November 25, 1965 and remaining a part of the festivities until November 22, 1984. Weirdly enough, though, the float was still referenced a full decade after its retirement in the aforementioned Friends episode, which really does demonstrate how prominent the character was.
4. Underdog only spoke in rhymes
Underdog (voiced by Wally Cox) only ever spoke in rhymes, however there was one time when he didn’t! In the Season 2 episode entitled “Simon Says, ‘No Thanksgiving’!” the superhero says “Not plane nor bird nor even frog. It’s not even little old me, Underdog. It’s a balloon.” This episode also contains a lot of racist remakes toward Native Americans and has not been well received over the past 60 years.
5. The Underdog TV show was produced in New York City
All of the voice work for Underdog was recorded in New York City. However Norma MacMillan — who voiced Sweet Polly Purebred — recorded her lines in Los Angles. This was all according to George S. Irving. He voiced the Narrator and a many other supporting characters throughout the show’s run.
6. Underdog was voiced by the late Wally Cox
There’s something kind of ironic in the fact that superhero Underdog was voiced by the seemingly mild Wally Cox. Born on December 6, 1924 in Detroit, Michigan, he first came to fame as the star of the 1952 to 1955 television sitcom Mister Peepers, co-starring Tony Randall. Then, from 1956 to 1961, he played several roles on the series The Adventures of Hiram Holiday, which was followed mostly by guest roles in different series. He was married three times and was the father of two. Cox died on February 15, 1973 at age 48 from a heart attack caused by coronary occlusion.
7. Only one character was in every single episode
Even though Underdog was the titular character, he shockingly wasn’t in every single episode! Only the show’s Narrator (George S. Irving.) can be heard in all 124 episodes. Underdog (Cox) can be heard in 199 episodes, Simon-Bar-Sinister (Allen Swift) was in 114 and Sweet Polly Purebreed (MacMillan) was in 113 total episodes.
For more classic TV, keep scrolling!
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