Red20’s Nic Izzi announced on Thursday that he is developing a new version of the 1980s animated children’s show “Rude Dog and the Dweebs,” which is reimagined as an animated series for adults.
The character, created by Brad McMahon in the 1980s, was originally a Sun Sportswear mascot. In 1989, he got his own animated series from Marvel Productions and became part of the CBS Saturday morning lineup. Rob Paulsen, who voiced Yakko on “Animaniacs” and Pinky on “Pinky and the Brain,” provided the pooch’s voice with the rugged ‘tude.
“Rude Dog and his brand left an indelible mark on his generation,” Izzi said. “The story of Rude Dog turns into a satire of the broken institutions that left the working class behind. Audiences have embraced adult animation’s broad spectrum, from joke-filled comedies to sophisticated rebuilding stories, which is exactly the vibe conjured up by Rude Dog.
The adult animated series evokes an anti-hero vibe, as “The Man” attempts to muzzle Rude Dog and his moronic pals.
After a long brand quest that was finally resolved in 2018, Rude Dog is back home with its creator. “When I started drawing Rude Dog in 1985, I was grooveing to New Wave music and Ska-2 Tone, which Rude Dog originated from,” McMahon explained. “His original design reflected the music of that era: angular, stark, black and white, muscular, punchy and alternative. Somewhere in this anthropomorphic dog are hints of a bull terrier and someone you know.
The success of the Rude Dog brand has lasted beyond television, as the merchandising is still going strong after 30 years, with surf and skate shirts and shorts still in high demand.
Izzi produced the Netflix thriller ‘1BR’ and ‘The Chaperone’, which starred Haley Lu Richardson as silent film star Louise Brooks and was based on the bestselling novel by Julian Fellowes. He also produced the 2018 documentary Magnetic Film “The Case” about Vladimir Putin and the mysterious death of his mentor Anatoly Sobchak.
Izzi is replaced by Will Jacobson at Goodman, Genow, Schenkman, Smelkinson & Christopher.