Movieline Remembers: 65 Years of Television Pets
There used to be a time when television audiences could look to on-screen pets for crucial plot turns -- like when Lassie saved Timmy from an abandoned mine, Santa's Little Helper enrolled in the Police Dog Academy or the army drafted Arnold Ziffel. Even as those meaty plot lines depleted, animals were still thrown an occasional bone for easy laughs ("Comet ate the rump roast!"). But as reality and workplace shows replace standard family-centered fare, the number of roles written for pets dwindles. Unfortunately for animal actors, pet wranglers are expensive, dogs have no business in hospitals and even sadder, pigs cannot improvise. With this sad trend in mind, Moveline looks back on 65 years of television's furry (and scaly) companions and their most memorable storylines. Enjoy and please contribute your own memories in the comments section below.
Brian, Family Guy (1999 - 2002, 2005 - Present)
Voiced By: Seth MacFarlane
Classification: Dog (Anthropomorphic)
Memorable Storyline: In a sixth season episode called "The Former Life of Brian," Brian discovers that he has an unruly teenaged son by a former girlfriend. After smoking up together, the two forge a bond and Brian eventually becomes an overprotective father, scaring the son back to his mother.
Happy, 7th Heaven (1996 - 2007)
Played By: Happy the Dog
Classification: Dog (Mixed breed)
Memorable Storyline: A year after adopting a dog, the Camdens realize that Happy is actually "Whitey" in a season two episode, when Happy's original owners see her on television and threaten legal action unless she is returned. Once the original owners take back "Whitey" though, they realize that she is miserable without the Camdens and return her.
Salem Saberhagen, Sabrina the Teenage Witch (1996 - 2000)
Voiced By: Nick Bakay
Classification: Warlock-turned-talking-cat
Memorable Storyline: In a season two episode, Salem swallows a time device and unwittingly transports everyone back to the 1960s where Sabrina enjoys herself -- until she realizes how oppressed the women are.
Marcel, Friends (1994 - 2004)
Played By: Katie, Monkey
Classification: Monkey (White Throated Capuchin)
Memorable Storyline: In season one's "The One Where the Monkey Gets Away," Marcel slips out the door while Rachel babysits him. The dramatic goings-on eventually spur Ross to attempt to woo Rachel, but her ex-boyfriend Barry foils his plan by declaring his love for her. For further petcare insights, please see Matt LeBlanc's 1996 non-documentary Dunston Checks In.
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Comments
where is Brandon?! What about Punky Brewster... i'd like to speak to the manager.
What about Florida's own Flipper? He outswam a tidal wave in one memorable episode.
yes! Marcel is included and thus, mes amis, is how i came up with my nom de snark. Marcel was always the smart one amongst the friends. the smart monkey.
I've got a call into PETA to see if it's acceptable to classify a horse as a pet, but, if it is, where the heck is Mr. Ed on this list?
No Mister Ed?
How do you honestly forget Scooby-Doo?
I still remember Matthew with Ross, and when Matthew grab Ross`s finger. They are happy when having each other.
Scooby-Doo is a pretty big ommition. Nonetheless, it's rather interesting how forgettable the characters are at first glance, then realizing when they are showcased like this list, just how big of a role these animals really had on their respective shows.