History WesternAnimation / TimeSquad

Unless you count Otto's exposition, this show doesn't even try to be historically accurate, unlike most kids' edutainment shows that focused on history, like ''Liberty's Kids'' and even ''Histeria!'' (though this could also be because ''Time Squad'' is a cable cartoon while ''Liberty's Kids'' and ''Histeria!'' were made for network television[[note]]in the 1990s, the FCC enforced a rule stating that there needed to be three hours' worth of educational content on children's television on network/free-to-air television, which led to a lot of "kids in school" shows, like ''Recess'' and shows like ''Histeria!'', ''Liberty's Kids'', and ''Beakman's World'' that tried to be both educational and funny. Since ''Time Squad'' was on a cable network -- and cable is exempt from FCC rules -- there was no pressure in trying to make it 100% educational, which is why the show feels more like a parody of kids' edutainment shows that focus on history rather than an example played straight[[/note]]). In fact, the basic premise revolves around the inaccuracies. [[FridgeLogic And yet, most of their "successes" often leave behind many more inaccuracies...]]

The show was created by Creator/DaveWasson (the same one who now works on Disney's current crop of Mickey Mouse cartoons and is one of the creators of the upcoming Netflix animated adaptation of the ''Cuphead'' video game), and [[Creator/CartoonCartoons premiered]] on Creator/CartoonNetwork in June 2001 and was canceled in November 2003. It reran for a time between November 2003 and August 2005 in the US, but since then, the show has all but disappeared from the airwaves. Creator/CartoonNetwork did air clips of select episodes on their website as part of the channel's 20th birthday in October 2012, but that was a "limited time only" deal.

Though this show was considered average at best (and, at worst, a flop) in its day, these days, it's considered a CultClassic, not just by those nostalgic for Cartoon Network's "Cartoon Cartoons" era, but by those who are fascinated by how clever and [[GettingCrapPastTheRadar fearless it was in sneaking in risque content]], up to and including featuring a regular character who was heavily implied to be homosexual[[note]]in this era where LGBTQ+ characters are more prevalent, it might not come as a big surprise, but back in the early 2000s, having a homosexual character -- whether implied or explicitly stated -- wasn't done much on children's shows unless it was a VerySpecialEpisode about learning to tolerate those who are different from you[[/note]]. ''Time Squad'', in some online circles, is also the only show where the fan output also includes amateur analytical essays alongside the usual fan art and fanfiction[[note]]and the only show, outside of the original ''Star Trek'', where writing slash fiction for it seems redundant, as ''Time Squad'''s homoerotic subtext is all but stated[[/note]], mostly because of history geeks trying to check the accuracy of the people and events depicted[[note]]which, believe it or not, it does get right sometimes[[/note]] and mostly because, while the show may not seem fully developed[[note]]according to Carlos Ramos' Tumblr[https://thecarlosramos.tumblr.com/post/172800642865/so-how-do-you-develop-the-characters-was-there], Dave Wasson wrote a very small series bible to the show, it had no pilot episode, and Wasson and Ramos only had one month to create most of the first season[[/note]], it did have a sense of continuity[[note]]back when most cable cartoons were episodic, this one stood out as starting out episodic [or at least having a premise that seems tailor-made for episodic writing], but evolving into having continuity between episodes[[/note]] and there was a lot of subtext among the main trio (Larry, Buck, and Otto) that could be picked apart and interpreted the more the viewer watched (especially between Larry and Tuddrussel. See the HoYay page for more details).

Though this show was considered average at best (and, at worst, a flop) in its day, these days, it's considered a CultClassic, not just by those nostalgic for Cartoon Network's "Cartoon Cartoons" era, but by those who are fascinated by how clever and [[GettingCrapPastTheRadar fearless it was in sneaking in risque content]], up to and including featuring a regular character who was heavily implied to be homosexual[[note]]in this era where LGBTQ+ characters are more prevalent, it might not come as a big surprise, but back in the early 2000s, having a homosexual character -- whether implied or explicitly stated -- wasn't done much on children's shows unless it was a VerySpecialEpisode about learning to tolerate those who are different from you[[/note]]. ''Time Squad'', in some online circles, is also the only show where the fan output also includes amateur analytical essays alongside the usual fan art and fanfiction[[note]]and the only show, outside of the original ''Star Trek'', where writing slash fiction for it seems redundant, as ''Time Squad'''s homoerotic subtext is all but stated[[/note]], mostly because of history geeks trying to check the accuracy of the people and events depicted and mostly because, while the show may not seem fully developed[[note]]according to Carlos Ramos' Tumblr[https://thecarlosramos.tumblr.com/post/172800642865/so-how-do-you-develop-the-characters-was-there], Dave Wasson wrote a very small series bible to the show, it had no pilot episode, and Wasson and Ramos only had one month to create most of the first season[[/note]], it did have a sense of continuity[[note]]back when most cable cartoons were episodic, this one stood out as starting out episodic [or at least having a premise that seems tailor-made for episodic writing], but evolving into having continuity between episodes[[/note]] and there was a lot of subtext among the main trio (Larry, Buck, and Otto) that could be picked apart and interpreted the more the viewer watched (especially between Larry and Tuddrussel. See the HoYay page for more details).

Though this show was considered average at best (and, at worst, a sign that Cartoon Network's quality was on the down slope) in its day, these days, it's considered an underrated CultClassic, not just by those nostalgic for Cartoon Network's "Cartoon Cartoon Fridays" days, but by those who are fascinated by how clever and [[GettingCrapPastTheRadar fearless it was in sneaking in risque content]], up to and including featuring a regular character who was heavily implied to be homosexual[[note]]in this era where LGBTQ+ characters are more prevalent, it might not come as a big surprise, but back in the early 2000s, having a homosexual character -- whether implied or explicitly stated -- wasn't done much on children's shows unless it was a VerySpecialEpisode about learning to tolerate those who are different from you[[/note]]. ''Time Squad'', in some online circles, is also the only show where the fan output also includes amateur analytical essays alongside the usual fan art and fanfiction[[note]]and the only show, outside of the original ''Star Trek'', where writing slash fiction for it seems redundant, as ''Time Squad'''s homoerotic subtext is all but stated[[/note]], mostly because of history geeks trying to check the accuracy of the people and events depicted and mostly because, while the show may not seem fully developed[[note]]according to Carlos Ramos' Tumblr[https://thecarlosramos.tumblr.com/post/172800642865/so-how-do-you-develop-the-characters-was-there], Dave Wasson wrote a very small series bible to the show, it had no pilot episode, and Wasson and Ramos only had one month to create most of the first season[[/note]], it did have a sense of continuity[[note]]this was one of the first kids' cartoons to have continuity between episodes while also being episodic, which was more common for cartoons back then[[/note]] and there was a lot of subtext among the main trio (Larry, Buck, and Otto) that could be picked apart and interpreted the more the viewer watched (especially between Larry and Tuddrussel. See the HoYay page for more details).

* TheCameo: While Tuddrussell and Larry are trying to find another ChildProdigy orphan on the series finale "Orphan Substitute," one of them is...[[WesternAnimation/DextersLaboratory Dexter]] ([[TheOtherDarrin voiced by Candi Milo, not Christine Cavanaugh]]), who points out he's not an orphan.

The show was created by Creator/DaveWasson (the same one who now works on Disney's current crop of Mickey Mouse cartoons and is one of the creators of the upcoming Netflix animated adaptation of the ''Cuphead'' video game), and [[Creator/CartoonCartoons premiered]] on Creator/CartoonNetwork in June 2001 and was cancelled in November 2003. It reran for a time between November 2003 and August 2005 in the US, but since then, the show has all but disappeared from the airwaves. Creator/CartoonNetwork did air clips of select episodes on their website as part of the channel's 20th birthday in October 2012, but that was a "limited time only" deal.

Though this show was considered average at best (and, at worst, a sign that Cartoon Network's quality was on the down slope) in its day, these days, it's considered an underrated CultClassic, not just by those nostalgic for Cartoon Network's "Cartoon Cartoon Fridays" days, but by those who are fascinated by how clever and [[GettingCrapPastTheRadar fearless it was in sneaking in risque content]], up to and including featuring a regular character who was heavily implied to be homosexual[[note]]in this era where LGBTQ+ characters are more prevalent, it might not come as a big surprise, but back in the early 2000s, having a homosexual character -- whether implied or explicitly stated -- wasn't done much on children's shows unless it was a VerySpecialEpisode about learning to tolerate those who are different from you[[/note]]. ''Time Squad'', in some online circles, is also the only show where the fan output also includes amateur analytical essays alongside the usual fan art and fanfiction[[note]]and the only show, outside of the original ''Star Trek'', where writing slash fiction for it seems redundant, as ''Time Squad'''s homoerotic subtext is all but stated[[/note]], mostly because of history geeks trying to check the accuracy of the people and events depicted and mostly because, while the show may not seem fully developed[[note]]according to Carlos Ramos' [https://thecarlosramos.tumblr.com/post/172800642865/so-how-do-you-develop-the-characters-was-there Tumblr], Dave Wasson wrote a very small series bible to the show, it had no pilot episode, and Wasson and Ramos only had one month to create most of the first season[[/note]], it did have a sense of continuity[[note]]this was one of the first kids' cartoons to have continuity between episodes while also being episodic, which was more common for cartoons back then[[/note]] and there was a lot of subtext among the main trio (Larry, Buck, and Otto) that could be picked apart and interpreted the more the viewer watched (especially between Larry and Tuddrussel. See the HoYay page for more details).

* HartmanHips: Due to Dave Wasson's art style, most of the women including Officer Sheila Sternwell and Betsy Ross have this.

Though this show was considered average at best (and, at worst, a sign of Cartoon Network's decline in quality) in its day, these days, it's considered a CultClassic, not just by those nostalgic for Cartoon Network's "Cartoon Cartoon Fridays" days, but by those who loved how [[GettingCrapPastTheRadar fearless it was in sneaking in risque content]], up to and including featuring a regular character who was heavily implied to be homosexual[[note]]in this era where LGBTQ+ characters are more prevalent, it might not come as a big surprise, but back in the early 2000s, it was a big deal to feature one in a way that didn't feel forced[[/note]]. ''Time Squad'', in some online circles, is also the only show where the fan output also includes ''analytical essays'' alongside the usual fan art and fanfiction, mostly because of history geeks trying to check the accuracy of the people and events depicted and mostly because the character interactions between Tuddrussel, Larry, and Otto are ripe with subtext (especially between Larry and Tuddrussel. See the HoYay page for more details).

Though this show was considered average at best (and, at worst, a sign of Cartoon Network's decline in quality) in its day, these days, it's considered a CultClassic, not just by those who remember Cartoon Network's more outrageous output back in the late 1990s into the early 21st century, but because of how [[GettingCrapPastTheRadar fearless it was in sneaking in risque content]], up to and including featuring a regular character who was heavily implied to be homosexual[[note]]in this era where LGBTQ+ characters are more prevalent, it might not come as a big surprise, but back in the early 2000s, it was a big deal to feature one in a way that didn't feel forced[[/note]]. ''Time Squad'', in some online circles, is also the only show where the fan output also includes ''analytical essays'' alongside the usual fan art and fanfiction, mostly because of history geeks trying to check the accuracy of the people and events depicted and mostly because the character interactions between Tuddrussel, Larry, and Otto are ripe with subtext (especially between Larry and Tuddrussel. See the HoYay page for more details).

Unless you count Otto's exposition, this show doesn't even try to be historically accurate, unlike most kids' edutainment shows that focused on history, like ''Liberty's Kids'' and even ''Histeria!'' (though this could also be because ''Time Squad'' is a cable cartoon while ''Liberty's Kids'' and ''Histeria!'' were made for network television[[note]]in the 1990s, the FCC enforced a rule stating that there needed to be three hours' worth of educational content on children's television on network/free-to-air television, which led to a lot of "kids in school" shows, like ''Recess'' and shows like ''Histeria!'', ''Liberty's Kids'', and ''Beakman's World'' that tried to be both entertaining and funny. Since ''Time Squad'' was on a cable network -- and cable is exempt from FCC rules -- there was no pressure in trying to make it 100% educational, which is why the show feels more like a parody of kids' edutainment shows that focus on history rather than an example played straight[[/note]]. In fact, the basic premise revolves around the inaccuracies. [[FridgeLogic And yet, most of their "successes" often leave behind many more inaccuracies...]]

Unless you count Otto's exposition, this show doesn't even try to be historically accurate, unlike most kids' edutainment shows that focused on history, like ''Liberty's Kids'' and even ''Histeria!''. In fact, the basic premise revolves around the inaccuracies. [[FridgeLogic And yet, most of their "successes" often leave behind many more inaccuracies...]]

The show was created by Creator/DaveWasson, and [[Creator/CartoonCartoons premiered]] on Creator/CartoonNetwork in June 2001 and was cancelled in November 2003. It reran for a time between November 2003 and August 2005 in the US, but since then, the show has all but disappeared from the airwaves. Creator/CartoonNetwork did air clips of select episodes on their website as part of the channel's 20th birthday in October 2012, but that was a "limited time only" deal.

Unless you count Otto's exposition, this show doesn't even try to be historically accurate. In fact, the basic premise revolves around the inaccuracies. [[FridgeLogic And yet, most of their "successes" often leave behind many more inaccuracies...]]

The show was created by Creator/DaveWasson, and [[Creator/CartoonCartoons premiered]] on Creator/CartoonNetwork in June 2001 and was cancelled in November 2003. It reran for a time between November 2003 and August 2005 (strangely, [[PeripheryDemographic yet, given its content, appropriately]], after Adult Swim's weeknight line-up before they extended it by an hour and had it end at 6:00 a.m. Eastern standard time), but since then, the show has all but disappeared from the airwaves. Creator/CartoonNetwork did air clips of select episodes on their website as part of the channel's 20th birthday in October 2012, but that was a "limited time only" deal.

* VisualInnuendo: Lots of it, mostly centered on [[FoodPorn food]] (the "gravy-filling" scene from "Ex Marks the Spot" comes to mind) and [[GunPorn Tuddrussel's phasers]].

* AllPsychologyIsFreudian: Literally. UsefulNotes/SigmundFreud is the only psychologist who appears in canon. On a more tangentially related note, the series is obviously influenced by Freudian theory, given the constant sexual imagery and the trio representing the Id, the Ego, and the Superego.

* TheAce: Implied to be the case with JT Laser and Lance 9 Trillion.

Enter the Time Squad, who travel through time making sure that the past stays right on track. The show follows one section of Time Squad: Buck Tuddrussel, who likes to shoot first and forget the questions, Larry 3000, an uppity, effeminate, snarky robot who originally worked with kings, senators, and diplomats, and Otto, an orphaned history buff picked up along the way who assists with his knowledge of the past. "Enforcing the past to protect our future."

* KarmaHoudini: Sister Thornley, the [[DudeNotFunny vividly abusive]] owner of the OrphanageOfFear where Otto used to live, is never punished for her crimes.

* [[MonsterClown Mobster Clown]]: In "The Clownfather," Al Capone forces a group of clowns to take over his crimninal empire while he and his gang take over the clown entertainment business.

* NegativeContinuity: Averted in the case of some episodes as some of the episodes do make references to past ones as well as reintroduce past characters which was the case of episodes featuring Julius Caesar, Sigmund Freud, George Washington, Blackbeard, and the Boston Tea Party. However some episodes do play it straight as Larry's implication of him and Tuddrussel sharing a bed seems to negate the previous establishments that Larry and Tuddrussel had their own beds and rooms to sleep in separately.
* NoHoldsBarredBeatdown: Napoleons wife Josephine beats the crap out of him, Tuddrussel, Otto, Larry and ''the entire French army''.
* NoodleIncident: There's often moments where the show's humor relies on the characters bringing up past events for one reason or another:

* PlotWhatPlot: "Day of the Larrys" and "Ex Marks the Spot" seem to exist just so Dave Wasson and his animation crew can piss off the censors with as much HoYay as possible and remove the pesky "ambiguous" from Larry's "AmbiguouslyGay" description (NotThatTheresAnythingWrongWithThat). "Ex Marks The Spot" ''at least'' had a historical mission (no matter how thin and easily-resolved it was) to pad things out; "Day of the Larrys"...didn't -- and the writers don't seem to mind.

* GettingCrapPastTheRadar: Like most of Cartoon Network's in-house programming back in the days of the Cartoon Cartoons, this show played fast and loose with Standards and Practices (even before ''WesternAnimation/RegularShow'' and ''WesternAnimation/AdventureTime'' did the same), and, what's more, it was done in excess. Other shows are content to just wing one past the radar at least once or twice an episode, but this show did a consistent job of getting away with:
** References to homosexuality, ''a lot'' of which centered around the Larry 3000 and made up a sizable chunk of what got past (the HoYay page will fill in any and all details)
** Drug humor (season one's "Eli Whitney's Flesh-Eating Mistake" and season two's "Pasteur Packs O'Punch" had Larry acting drunk and both of those times, the "drunken" Larry has muttered something about wanting to drive or being okay to drive despite being under the influence [and the obvious fact that the Time Squad doesn't have a car]; in "Betsy Ross Flies Her Freak Flag," Betsy Ross and George Washington's army all have red-rimmed eyes and act like stoners. On top of that, there was a strange, white cloud around the "Magical Farm Place Farm" and they gave Tuddrussel some of their special brownies).
** [[DoubleEntendre Lines of dialogue that come off as rather...risque]].
** Some light racial/ethnic stereotyping (Larry saying the orphans looked cute with their "black faces" [which they got from mining coal] in "Orphan Substitute"; UsefulNotes/AttilaTheHun portrayed as a [[WesternAnimation/FamilyGuy Mort Goldman]]-esque Jewish stereotype in "A Thrilla at Atilla's") [[note]]Although (for the "black face" remark), considering how big of a fan of history this show was, it may have been a reference to Creator/WilliamBlake's poems "Little Black Boy" and "The Chimney Sweeper". The former criticized the idea of blacks being punished with dark skin, and the latter compared the cruel treatment of the "black-marked" chimney sweeping children to the enslavement of Africans[[/note]].
** Even a couple of the titles were iffy, particularly "To Hail With Caesar" (try affecting a Southern accent and saying it out loud) and "Big Al's Big Secret" (which comes from watching too much ''WesternAnimation/SouthPark'').
** According to Creator/RobPaulsen's ''Podcast/TalkinToonsWithRobPaulsen'' podcast with Creator/MarkHamill, Pamela Adlon was notorious for cursing during her recordings for Otto (so much so that Paulsen and Hamill had to tell her to cool it whenever a tour came in), so even behind-the-scenes, the show wasn't squeaky-clean.

* EroticEating: In the opening of "Ex Marks the Spot," Larry gives a gravy-drowned turkey to Tuddrussel, who eats it on the couch. The camera cuts away from Tuddrussel, but we hear him devour the turkey voraciously, suggestively splattering gravy on the wall and on Larry, who ''moans'' when the gravy lands on him.

* DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything: This show lived and breathed on this trope, thanks to the seemingly constant flashes of HoYay and AmbiguouslyGay behavior. Examples:

** "Ex Marks the Spot," from the literal take on FoodPorn to Larry declaring that Tuddrussel is sleeping on the sofa ([[GuiltByAssociationGag even though Tuddrussel did nothing to deserve it]]).

%%* RuleOfFunny