Animated programs come from many sources, from a sitcom based on the Honeymooners (The Flintstones) to a show born as a small skit on a variety comedy program (The Simpsons). Some have more commercial origins, as is the case with Underdog. The famous canine, who graced over 100 episodes and a full length feature motion picture, was born not out of the traditional sources, but instead came from a breakfast cereal. In 1959 the Dancer Fitzgerald Sample advertising agency in New York handled the General Mills account. They developed a collection of animated shows to promote cereal. One of them was Underdog.
W. Watts Biggers, Chet Stover, Treadwell D. Covington and artist Joe Harris worked together to create the new series. When Underdog became a success they left to form Total Television to continue creating the show, utilizing Gamma Studios in Mexico to produce the animation. The show's success outlasted General Mills's support when they stopped being the primary sponsor in 1969, although General Mills did retain the rights to the series until the mid-90s. But Underdog's popularity stayed strong. Even though the show ceased production in 1973, in 2007 Underdog returned, this time to the big screen in a live action adaptation which generally garnered poor reviews. No word yet on when Underdog's next big return is planned.
-Professor Walter
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