Time Squad (2001–2003) User Reviews (21)

Underestimated, Underrated, and Very Warped, Even For Cartoon Network

[candaceelder2002 · 19 October 2002]

I think the title explains itself, doncha think?

If there's one thing I learned from watching this cartoon is this: Do NOT underestimate its content.

When I first watched "Time Squad", I was not impressed with it. I too thought it was dull and annoying. I figured that it was going to be another stupid made-for-Cartoon Network cartoon (a "Cartoon Cartoon") that would become overrated overtime.

Imagine my surprise when I was reunited with this insane show.

I found myself laughing at it from the parodies, the pop culture references, the puns, the stupidity, the way the historical characters are corrupted, the campiness, the broad humor that can get really racy at times...it was all there.

However, I think of this show as a show for the older crowd who still watches cartoons (I mean, what kids is going to watch a show like this when they have those annoying Nicktoons?).

This show is really dear to me and its proven to be a favorite if you have the attention span for it and if you don't watch Cartoon Network for the classic cartoons (which aren't bad, but they get overplayed).

Smart and enjoyable...therefore, doomed!

[planktonrules · 9/10 · 22 July 2013]

Perhaps this will come off as a bit smug, but sometimes TV shows are too clever and too transcendent--and therefore they are doomed to fail. I think this is the case with "Time Squad". While the basic story idea is basically a reworking of "Mr. Peabody and Sherman" (with Otto looking an awful lot like Sherman), the show had a really smart style and writing that probably baffled audiences. In some ways, much of the humor was lost of kids (such as the jokes and the rather 'special' relationship between Tuddrussel and Larry) and adults, who might have enjoyed the show, avoided it because it was a cartoon. As for me, I showed a few of the episodes to my history classes and the kids loved them--even if the stories were highly suspect historically speaking. But, the show WAS quite funny.

By the way, I have no idea why but the IMDb page for this show is VERY incomplete. It doesn't even list the full cast and most of the episodes aren't even listed or their air dates. Odd. And, it also makes it appear as if the show is STILL on--though it ended in November, 2003.

Here's why it was canceled

[nameless_monster · 9/10 · 8 September 2007]

I have been searching for this for quite awhile. Was SO glad I finally found all the episodes! During my search, I discovered a lot of things about the show I never knew - enough to convince me that, not only, won't the show be returning to Cartoon Network (or any other network); but I seriously doubt it will make it to commercial release anytime soon. From what I understand, Cartoon Network was forced to cancel Time Squad in 2003, after an episode involving a mission to snap George W. Bush out of an obsession with a giant ball of twine. So much for 'Free country', huh? I loved this show - it was a cartoon with tons of hidden adult jokes (the best kind of cartoons!). It lags at times during the episodes, but picks right up quickly enough to not lose my interest. Would love to see a live-action version of this show!

Time Squad is a very good show

[dannylafontaine13 · 10/10 · 24 August 2017]

Time Squad is a very good show. but its not for kids. it has lots of sexual innuendo. and homosexual innuendo. there's a episode were some hippies with red eyes offer the main characters. there special brownies. larry acts like hes drunk in 2 episodes. and larry and some presidents go skinny dipping. and there's some really offensive jokes and steroetypes. with that being said i think Time Squad is not for kids. and is a very good show for teens and adults.

I love it so much.

[x-47348 · 10/10 · 8 August 2018]

Even though Cartoon Network has always been a well known kids' channel in my country, I've never heard anyone mention this particular cartoon. Having been born in '02 I couldn't really watch it when it aired but by some miracle I discovered it 15 years after it ended. The idea of a time travelling dysfunctional family sounds pretty damn stupid but this show managed to make it into a solid and quirky show that is "Time Squad". I love the dynamic between Tuddrussel and Larry, how Otto is more mature than both of them even though he is still a child. Also, correct me if I'm wrong but I think this is the first cartoon to portray a family consisting of 2 dads and an adopted son. I love how every character has their strong and weak points, their differences and similarities and how well they fit as a family.

In conclusion, this show is random, charmingly stupid at times but on the other hand it's got some sweet moments as well. Although it revolves around history it's not very educational and I highly encourage everyone to watch it, regardless of age.

Simply fantastic!

[Animany94 · 10/10 · 21 March 2019]

This is one hell of a cartoon that takes history out of the classroom and makes it hilarious with far-fetched parodies that will crack you up more than once, that's for sure.

These time traveling characters are so funny individually and they play off each other perfectly as an over-the-top doof and a straight man (or here robot) with this boy who knows about the historical figures. I can't pick a favourite episode, but since I both enjoy music and literature, I'll always remember the ones with Ludwig Van Beethoven and Edgar Allan Poe respectively.

A totally underrated show that both could and should be revived due to the fact that world history is so rich and with these writers (or any good one for that matter) they could make so much more and actually teach kids something. I'd trade this show's revival for the demise of Teen Titans Go! at any time.

Its Actually Very Good

[wdgreen · 12 October 2001]

I felt compelled to respond to the first review. While Cartoon Network has become a shill for Warner Bros (thanks to the buy out) it still does some gutsy stuff and Time Squad is a good example. It is quick witted and does some brilliant parody. Sure, its no Ren and Stimpy or even Dexter's Lab, but, its not Cardcaptors or Grim and Evil either(there is a cartoon that is DOA). If you watch Cartoon Network simply for the Looney Tunes, you will not enjoy Time Squad. But, if you are willing to look at it with an open mind, you will get a laugh.

Why is Big Guy and Rusty not on Cartoon Network?

Forget what I said about this show...

[dootuss · 5 October 2002]

Because it's great!! I feel that I didn't give this show a chance when I commented on it one year ago today, so I decided to watch more of it, and it sucked me in. It's a really funny show that can't be missed. I love Tudrussel. He's such an idiot. The time traveling can teach you a thing or two in each episode as well.

Forget what I said before, this show rules.

(In my opinion) My favourite show on CCF.

[Mysteriousstarlight · 14 October 2001]

In my most humble opinion, Time Squad is the best show on Cartoon Network. Its interesting characters and plain silliness make it stand out. My favourite aspect of Time Squad is the way the characters interact. Although I am, apparently, the only true fanatic of Time Squad, I would recommend this to anyone who simply likes the pure zany humour that I find in this show.

As TV Tome editor for Time Squad...

[DanMat6288 · 1 August 2002]

...I have to say that I really like this show. I also have fun editing for it and the quotes that people send in. I also like competiting with the cartoon strip-miner, Candace Elder (aka candy17)(who Angel-Marie sounds suspisiously like), on what's a goof and what's not (ex: "when Tuddrussel was screwing Larry's head on his body (after being beaten up by the farmers), Larry's expression changes when Tuddrussel says..." and "Al Capone's cigar changes length throughout the episode."). Plus I get word about new episodes from a myserious contributer named "BURGERTRAINS". Plus I post many episode ideas in the viewer comments, enspired by a contributer named "vze28cxg". In short, Time Squad is fun to watch and fun to edit.

One Of The Only Cartoon-Cartoons That I Can Actually Enjoy

[Angel-Marie · 27 April 2002]

To tell you the truth, I only watch Cartoon Network for Looney Tunes, the adult-oriented anime (i.e., "Cowboy Bebop" and "Yuyu Harshuko"), and the cartoons on Adult Swim. The "Cartoon-Cartoons" that permeate CN's airwaves are either horribly overrated (i.e., Powerpuff Girls, Dexter's Lab) or a complete waste of writers and animators (i.e., Courage the Cowardly Dog, Sheep in the Big City, Grim and Evil, etc).

However, there are only five "Cartoon-Cartoons" that I'll watch: Johnny Bravo (the episodes before Pops and Carl), Cow and Chicken, Ed Edd and Eddy, Samurai Jack, and Time Squad (which I had to learn to like over time).

IMO, Time Squad is just like "Toonsylvania" and "Ren and Stimpy" because all three of them tap into the warped humor of theatrical cartoons (and TV cartoons before the 1990's) and all of them (save R&S) are underrated shows that people either hate with a passion or have never heard of.

My verdict for Time Squad is simply this: I love it, even more than Looney Tunes! It's very rare to find cartoons that are halfway decent these days, and this (along with the other four "Cartoon Cartoons") is one of those cartoons you have to catch (in full) before it becomes a vague memory.

highly underated

[jamsam-2 · 16 January 2002]

this little known series is a gem worthy of being discovered by good clean family comedy loving people everywhere . a lesson can be learned each week also , if you aren't too particular about details that is . the humor is broad enough to appeal to adults as well as goofy enough to appeal to kids . the main characters meet up with a different famous historical figure each episode and try to put them back on the path which will later lead them to their individual claim to fame . this often leads to hilarious results . you'll never look at LINCOLN , NAPOLEAN , EINSTEIN , or even GENGIS KHAN the same way again . bravo , to the cartoon network , for airing this little jewel . if only more people would discover it then maybe this cartoon would enjoy a long life on the cable network .

Educational But Incredibly Inaccurate At The Same Time

[dino_cale16 · 28 October 2007]

Time Squad has historical figures that in retarded way still manages to educate kids about history. Eli Whitney, Sigman Freud, Copernicus, Kubla Khan, Earl Sandwich, Buffalo Bill, Hatfields and McCoys, Louis Pasteur, Hernando de Soto, Alfred B. Nobel, Samuel Morris, Al Capone, General Patton are 13 historical figures among the 63 historical figures covered that many kids might not know about. Some like Kubla Khan and Hernando De Soto aren't even household names that grown-up might not know. These are also the ONLY 13 historical figures out of 63 historical figures are some of I didn't know about until I saw Time Squad. I am actually a history whiz like Otto. As I said Time Squad is really educational show, but is really, really off when it comes to history. On one mission when they back in time to see Amelia Earhart one of the Time Squad told her to get lost in the Bermuda Triangle from California in real life she was supposed to die in Japan because the Japanese thought she was in a fighter plan. She was the first woman to fly across the Atlantic first, and the Pacific. Also an episode to see Albert Einstein the historical alarm showed that he was in Texas. Albert Einstein was a German physicist not an American mathematician. On another one when they had to go see Socrates they got a lot of the setting of Ancient Greece wrong. They made it like first century AD, Pompeii, Italy. On another one to see George Washington the screen said 1778 and they went back to convince him not to resign. In real life the US didn't have an official president to 1789. On a mission to see George Washington…Carver, an African American he actually died around 1915 and invented more than 101 uses for the peanut, but more than like 900! On a mission to see Abraham Lincoln they said who he was about to see a play at the Ford Theatre and die in 1863. In real life he died in 1865. Lastly on a mission to see Johan Gutenberg and Joan of Arc they were mixed up in professions by names. In real life Gutenberg lived about sixty years after Joan of Arc. From saying that Africa is mostly jungle to saying Bush is democrat it is a funny yet stupid show.

Good show

[ashleighm · 24 October 2002]

Time squad is one of the funniest cartoons I've ever watched. However, I can't stand the Larry 3000. He comes off as a whiny, effeminate robot with an elitist attitude and few redeeming qualities. The other two main characters don't bug me as much.

Pretty good

[William1965 · 19 July 2002]

My wife first saw this and had me watch it. It's pretty cute, actually. Historically near-accurate, it provides a humorous look at those great figures in our world history. The Wright Brothers as a pair of incompetent stunt artists. Beethoven as a professional wrestler. The occasional reference can be heard to Mark Hammill's more famous role--"Help him Tudrussell, you're our only hope"--comes to immediate mind. Pay attention to the puns and the idiotic behaviors. And don't forget, it's only a cartoon!

The best kept Secret..Soo Good!

[hawkinsCHICA · 11 June 2005]

This show was one of the best! Just how the most unlikely characters were tossed together in the show: Otto Osworth: An orphan, and proud history whiz, The Lawrence 3000 (Larry): A sissy, sarcastic robot with a classical taste, and Buck Tuddrussel: An idiotic Time Squad cop that always seems to say the wrong thing, at the wrong time. Together, they work to put history back in order to keep the future from changing drastically, or for the worse.

There is always some hilarious obstacle, like the Boston Tea Party actually being a Tea Party, Sigmund Freud hypnotizing his patients to act like animals, Napolean always being dragged away by his wife, the Mafia acting as Clowns, or Abraham Lincoln joining a band of pranksters. Somehow, the job always seems to get done, and history is saved.

Makes me think of Sherman and Mr. Peabody

[BlackCat725 · 8 April 2002]

I stumbled across this cartoon while digesting my Easter dinner and I have to admit, it's great! It makes me think of the old Bullwinkle Show and how Mr. Peabody and his boy Sherman would teach me about history. I agree with another comment, it's funny AND educational. I watch it with my 4 1/2 year old son and I know he's not 'getting' 1/2 the jokes but he still loves it. I personally am not that fond of a lot of the "Cartoon Cartoon" shows (except for Dexter and Powerpuff) but this one is good. I do have a hard time not thinking of Bobby Hill though when Otto is talking....

Hillarious History

[Agent99 · 1 November 2002]

This is a great show in the same vein as The Tick and Animaniacs. The animation is reminiscent of the Powerpuff Girls and Dexter's Laboratory. The humor is geared to be appealing to both kids and adults but I think its got enough tongue and cheeky-ness to keep the grown-ups in stitches. Its humor also reminds me a bit of Freakazoid too. Excellent voice acting by Mark Hamill, Rob Paulsen and Pamela Segall, as always, these guys are pros when it comes to making the characters memorable and endearing. An A++ from Me!

Time Squad is hilarious!

[beowulf_prime · 24 February 2002]

This show is hilarious! The characters are a riot, the dialogue cleverly written and the the way historical figures are corrupted is a scream. Where else will you see Beethoven as a professional wrestler, DaVinci as a beatnick, Churchill as a nudist or The Earl of Sandwich wondering why no one will buy his new invention of two slices of bread with meat in between is not selling when he has such a clever name for it as "stinky pile of poo." Most of the jokes will go way over the heads of children watching as they require some knowledge of the historical people being lampooned. What kid is going to get the Benny Hill homage at the end of the Churchil story? I highly recommend this show if you have a warped sense of humor!

Funny in it's own cracked way

[K-Slicer · 15 October 2002]

I saw the first episode of "Time Squad" last night on Cartoon Network. It was funny but it's not The Eds or Courage (grade A+). (spoiler) I found it very strange that Eli Whitney would create flesh-eating robots and that's demented enough. Many of the gags were funny but it doesn't have the satirical bite like that some of the other Cartoon Network staples. In one sense, you may never see history the same way again after you watch "Time Squad". In the other, I think that you might want to keep the view you already have. Grade B- for a decent effort.

Enjoyable

[bridgette_macbride · 25 July 2002]

OK, so this isn't everyone's cup of tea, but I enjoy it a lot. There have been but a few episodes that I thought weren't that great. But, admittedly, I'm an historian and I enjoy shows that make fun of history.

I could go into all the reasons why I enjoy it, but I won't. I enjoy it. If you get a kick out of historical figures getting the stuffing knocked out of their legends, then watch. IF, however, you are a purist to the mythology of history, then you probably won't enjoy Time Squad at all.