The VeggieTales gang have been let out of the crisper for another season of their show on Netflix. The fourth season of VeggieTales in the House, released September 23, continue the adventures of Bob the Tomato, Larry the Cucumber, and an assortment of familiar food characters. (Try not to think about it over dinner.)
In the 1990s, Big Idea Entertainment launched the cartoon in a direct-to-video format. The VeggieTales series quickly became a sensation, thanks to its combination of biblical lessons, character-driven humor, and catchy songs (many of which were openly admitted to be “silly”). Soon the property grew to include CDs, games, books, and even a couple of movies.
Today, Big Idea is owned by DreamWorks Animation, which led to the Netflix series. The format for VeggieTales in the House includes two all-new stories with original songs in each episode. The series also marks the first time in the history of VeggieTales that Bob the Tomato, Larry the Cucumber and the rest of the veggie regulars have jumped off the countertop.
Mike Nawrocki, co-creator of VeggieTales (and voice of Larry the Cucucmber), told Kidscreen that the big difference between the original VeggieTales series and the Netflix series VeggieTales in the House is the format.
“Our DVDs are mini movies with a more traditional three-act structure and hero’s journey,” he said. “The new 11-minute shorts are more like situational comedies. The scale is also different. With the DVD series, the veggies were scaled to human size, but now they are scaled to vegetable size in a human kitchen and home.”
Despite the new platform, Nawrocki says that Christian values are still the heart of of VeggieTales. “Our biggest goal,” he told Kidscreen, “is to be a resource for parents who want to help pass on biblical values to their kids with wholesome entertainment that is fun to watch.”
VeggieTales co-creator Phil Vischer (who also happens to be the voice of Bob the Tomato) told BP News that the Netflix series means that Bob and Larry are now available on tablets, phones, and all kinds of devices. The series is easier than ever for parents—and kids—to find.
“Whenever parents are looking for Bob and Larry to help teach values to their kids,” he said, “it’s just a push button away.”
Watch a clip: VeggieTales in the House – Silly No More