50 Things You Didn’t Know About Rugrats

1. Creation: "Rugrats" was created by Arlene Klasky, Gábor Csupó, and Paul Germain, premiering on Nickelodeon in 1991.

2. Original Pitch: The original concept for the show was pitched in just two minutes and quickly greenlit by Nickelodeon.

3. Title Meaning: The term "Rugrats" is a slang term referring to toddlers or young children.

4. Main Characters: The main characters are Tommy Pickles, Chuckie Finster, Phil and Lil DeVille, and Angelica Pickles.

5. Voice Acting: Tommy Pickles was voiced by E.G. Daily, who also provided voices for other popular characters, like Buttercup from "The Powerpuff Girls."

6. Chuckie’s Voice: Chuckie Finster was originally voiced by Christine Cavanaugh, who also voiced Dexter in "Dexter's Laboratory."

7. Angelica’s Voice: Angelica Pickles was voiced by Cheryl Chase, who has continued to voice the character in various reboots and specials.

8. Animation Studio: The show was produced by Klasky Csupo, the same studio behind "The Simpsons" and "Aaahh!!! Real Monsters."

9. Cultural Impact: "Rugrats" was one of the first animated series to portray Jewish cultural events, such as Hanukkah and Passover.

10. Tommy’s Iconic Outfit: Tommy Pickles is known for his blue shirt and diaper, which he wears throughout the series.

11. Reptar: Reptar, the dinosaur character within the show, is a parody of Godzilla and is a favorite among the Rugrats.

12. First Emmy: "Rugrats" won its first Daytime Emmy Award in 1993 for Outstanding Animated Program.

13. Music: The show's theme music was composed by Mark Mothersbaugh of the band Devo.

14. Real-Life Inspirations: The character of Angelica was inspired by Arlene Klasky's childhood experiences and her interactions with younger cousins.

15. Spin-Off: "All Grown Up!" is a spin-off of "Rugrats" that features the characters as pre-teens and teenagers.

16. Merchandise: "Rugrats" has inspired a vast range of merchandise, including toys, video games, and clothing.

17. Revival: The show was revived with a CGI reboot on Paramount+ in 2021.

18. Voice Consistency: Many of the original voice actors returned for the CGI reboot, maintaining continuity for fans.

19. Dil Pickles: Tommy’s younger brother, Dil, was introduced in the 1998 film "The Rugrats Movie."

20. Film Success: "The Rugrats Movie" was the first non-Disney animated film to gross over $100 million at the box office.

21. Crossover: "Rugrats" crossed over with "The Wild Thornberrys" in the movie "Rugrats Go Wild."

22. Chuckie’s Mom: Early in the series, Chuckie’s mom was mentioned but not shown. She was later revealed to have passed away, and her story was explored in "Mother's Day."

23. Parody Episodes: The show often included parodies of popular films and TV shows, such as "The Godfather" and "Indiana Jones."

24. Animation Evolution: The animation style evolved over the years, with noticeable improvements in quality and detail.

25. Diverse Characters: The show included diverse characters and backgrounds, reflecting the creators' commitment to representing different cultures.

26. Christmas Specials: "Rugrats" featured several holiday specials, including Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa episodes.

27. Celebrity Cameos: Various celebrities lent their voices to the show, including Alex Trebek, Tony Bennett, and Busta Rhymes.

28. Pop Culture References: The show frequently referenced pop culture, making it enjoyable for both children and adults.

29. Award Nominations: "Rugrats" was nominated for more than 20 Daytime Emmy Awards during its original run.

30. Voice Actress Trivia: Nancy Cartwright, the voice of Bart Simpson, briefly voiced Chuckie Finster after Christine Cavanaugh retired.

31. Longevity: "Rugrats" is one of the longest-running Nickelodeon shows, airing from 1991 to 2004.

32. Nickelodeon’s Big Three: "Rugrats" was part of Nickelodeon’s original “Big Three” cartoons, along with "Doug" and "Ren & Stimpy."

33. Parental Voices: The voices of the parents were performed by actors who often appeared in other Klasky Csupo productions.

34. Tommy’s Hair: Tommy was originally drawn with more hair, but the creators decided that a mostly bald look suited him better.

35. Phil and Lil: The DeVille twins, Phil and Lil, were voiced by Kath Soucie, who used a different tone for each twin.

36. Theme Park Attractions: "Rugrats" had themed attractions at various amusement parks, including Universal Studios.

37. Comic Books: The show inspired a series of comic books, expanding on the adventures of the Rugrats.

38. Angelica’s Doll: Cynthia, Angelica’s doll, is a parody of the Barbie doll.

39. Educational Value: Despite being a comedy, the show often taught lessons about friendship, family, and understanding different cultures.

40. Phil and Lil’s Differences: Though twins, Phil and Lil have distinct personalities and interests, adding depth to their characters.

41. Rugrats in Paris: The second Rugrats movie, "Rugrats in Paris," introduced Kimi Watanabe, who became Chuckie’s stepsister.

42. Critical Acclaim: The show received critical acclaim for its unique perspective, humor, and cultural references.

43. DVD Releases: All episodes of "Rugrats" have been released on DVD, allowing new generations to enjoy the series.

44. Legacy: "Rugrats" has left a lasting legacy in popular culture, influencing later animated series.

45. Theme Song Lyrics: The theme song is instrumental, but fan-made lyrics have circulated online, showing the show's impact on its audience.

46. Didi’s Heritage: Didi Pickles, Tommy’s mom, is of Russian-Jewish descent, adding to the show’s cultural diversity.

47. Stu’s Inventions: Many episodes feature Stu Pickles’ wacky inventions, often leading to the Rugrats’ adventures.

48. Angelica’s Complex: Angelica often exhibits behavior that suggests she feels neglected or needs more attention from her parents.

49. Futuristic Episodes: Some episodes explored futuristic themes, imagining the Rugrats in various sci-fi scenarios.

50. Fan Theories: Over the years, numerous fan theories about the show have emerged, ranging from dark interpretations of the characters' adventures to speculations about their future lives.