Television Review: Duck Dodgers

By Deirdre Sheppard

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What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know that this sci-fi cartoon has its fair share of mild violence, innuendo, and nagging humor. But none of these factors outweighs the show's positive, fun elements, which include humor and a sense of adventure.

Families can talk about heroism. What does it mean to be a hero? How should heroes treat other people? Who's the real hero in this series, Duck Dodgers or Cadet Porky Pig? Why do we like Daffy, even though he's usually so selfish?

DUCK DODGERS chronicles the adventures and mishaps of aspiring superhero Duck Dodgers (Daffy Duck, voiced in this incarnation by Joe Alaskey) and his assistant, Eager Young Space Cadet Porky Pig (Bob Bergen). Inspired by the original 1953 Duck Dodgers cartoon short (which starred the voice talents of the incomparable Mel Blanc), the series follows the outer-space adventures of Duck Dodgers and Porky as they face off against villains like fussy Marvin the Martian (Alaskey again).

Ironically, Duck Dodgers is a rude, lazy, selfish hero -- just as Daffy has always been rude, lazy, and selfish in all of his cartoon appearances. Of course, it's those qualities that make his interactions with monotone, arrogant Marvin so funny. Meanwhile, it's Cadet Porky Pig who usually ends up saving the day for the Earthlings; it's because he's too humble to take the credit that Duck Dodgers gets away with being lazy! Parents should be sure to tell kids that, in real life, repeated laziness catches up with everyone.

Since this is a destroy-and-conquer type of show, futuristic weapons are regularly featured. Also, Queen Martian, ruler of Mars, is a rather risqué dresser -- parents might find her push-up bra and sheer skirt a little iffy. But all in all, the show's offenses are minor and the storylines are so engaging that kids won't get lost in the slightly eye-popping details.