Pants 'N Pals

> "Just passed the city, and through the neighborhood, stands a very special house. In this house, there lived a boy named Pants."
> - Each Episode's Opening Quote.
>
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## Pants 'N Pals

### Run time

Unclear, seems to range from 11 to 17 minutes

### Created by

Leonard Grimm
Zoe Arbors

### Language

English

Pants 'N Pals was the first (and only) full Television series produced by The Optical Company. The series ran from January 30th, 1968, to February 9th, 1968, and consisted of ten episodes. It was directed by Leonard Grimm and Zoe Arbors.

While no footage is currently available, we can gather from the merchandising tie-ins that have been recovered that the series focused on the titular character, Pants, and his family. I'll get photos of these merchandising ties when I can, but basically Pants is smaller, rectangular gray monster. His family includes his mother and father, and another character who look to be a human. The series was entirely produced with puppets, and from reports, each episode opened with a sweeping shot through a neighborhood, as the Narrator (voiced by Leonard Grimm himself, introduced us to the setting.

## Actual Info

Taken from a magazine article on the series published in 1966, mid production:

> "Join Pants, and his family, as they take care of a magic house in the middle of a normal neighborhood. There will be lots of hardship along the way, but with the power of teamwork, Pants can overcome all conflict!"
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A statement from Jacob Mitchell, announcing the series properly:

> "Yes we've been working on a very exciting NEW project, from the brilliant minds of Leonard Grimm and Zoe Arbors. We've mostly been known for our commercial work, and comedy shorts that aired with The Eric Oldman Show. Now however, we're branching out to a full length Television Series called Pants 'N Pals. The series is aimed at children, but I think adults will be just as captivated by the world we're creating. So much work has already been done, and it should be ready by the end of the year! I am honored to be the one producing this series!"
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A review from critic, Francis Lauren:

> "Pants 'N Pals is as ambitious as it is odd. For every inspired choice, comes five more choices that simply reek of cheapness, such as series director Leonard Grimm doing the voice for MANY characters, including the titular Pants. Not to mention the series' strange tonal issues, why does it all feel so unsettling? Why does Pants look directly at me, whenever he complains about the situation. Parents will be uncomfortable, and children will be bored. Not to mention the show's inappropriate subject matter. Overall I cannot see this getting very far."
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## Minor Controversy

Despite the show failing to find a large audience, those who did watch it often noted a supposed "Age Inappropriate subject matter." I have... failed to find what this could be. Maybe the series had a politically charged episode? Or perhaps Pants, himself, was a rather status-quo shaking character. It could really be anything, as far as I know, Leonard Grimm had full creative control of the series, so if his vision involved something a bit untouched for the time, it would not shock me, given his other work.

## Merchandising

The series merchandising campaign was very impressive, for such a small series. A lot of projects relating to it were scrapped, but according to my sources, entirely planned.

### Known Products

* A large coloring book
* Posters
* Various toys, plushies, and puzzles
	+ A dollhouse replica of Pants's house
	+ Action figures of the main characters
	+ Plushies and cheaper puppets of the main characters
	+ Four puzzles, one themed around each character
* Lunch boxes
* Novelty items; cups, plates, etc

### Scrapped Projects

* A VHS Release of the first season
	+ This would've included behind the scenes extras, as well as an original short titled "Pants's Birthday"
* A theme park attraction
	+ According to my sources, they were going to build a full scale replica of Pants's house, that you would walk through as a queue line. This would've led to animatronic replicas of Pants and the human character explaining that you were guests. Then you'd go in a little vehicle, and get a tour of the house. Sounds terrifying
* Season 2 of the series

## Recovered Artifacts

So far all the art found were either drawn by Walt Walberg, or an unknown artist.

Concept art of Pants, possibly the earliest piece of artwork we have.Concept art of Pants's parentsConcept art of the human character.A sheet depicting the colors of the Pants familyA page from the Pants 'N Pals coloring book, featuring Pants and the human characterIf you've found anything, email me >v0