Dave Seville

## David "Dave" Seville

Ross Bagdasarian, Jr.
80s Series
CGI Series

### Likes

Respect, politeness, honesty, obedience, boats, writing songs, spending time with his kids, the Chipmunks,

### Dislikes

The Chipmunks (formerly), Theodore eating too much sweets before dinner, Simon's dangerous experiments, Alvin's antics, Alvin and Brittany arguing, cats, snakes, parties, extreme activities, having stress-related issues, rebelliousness, defiance, disobedience, lies, rudeness, selfishness, immaturity, stubbornness, impulsiveness, stupidity and bad mannered

### Quote

"*ALVINNN!!!!*"

**David** "**Dave**" **Seville** is the overall tetartagonist of all the Chipmunk series and many of the films and the sole deuteragonist of the first live-action film. He is The Chipmunks' confidant and adoptive father, The Chipettes' legal guardian (dependent of the incarnation), and the son of Grandma and Grandpa Seville.

Dave is the loving father of The Chipmunks, despite his children, especially Alvin driving him crazy in most of the cartoon episodes and CGI/live-action films. Like any other single parent trying to raise their kids, Dave has his patience tested on a daily basis. Dave is actually based on the creator of Alvin and the Chipmunks and *The Alvin Show*, Ross Bagdasarian, Sr., whose stage name was David Seville. Bagdasarian, Sr. released many singles under this name before the creation of The Chipmunks.

## Personality

David Seville, or Dave to his friends and the Chipmunks, has his patience and sanity tested in practically every episode, song, and film he is included in with the Chipmunks.

Beginning in *The Alvin Show* series, Dave is seen as the boys' songwriter and producer with the ability to play the piano and guitar. He tries extremely hard to keep the group focused during performances but he always has the challenge to deal with such as getting them to practice and keeping them focused. When Alvin plays up, Dave yells his famous yell, "*ALVIN!!!!*" to which Alvin replies with "*Okay!*".

In the 80’s series, his fatherly side is shown more. Though he gets tested at times, Dave has always been a very loving and caring father. The Chipmunks have to remind him sometimes that even though things are tough, they wouldn't be the same without him. For instance, in *The Chipmunks* episode Dave's Wonderful Life, Dave believes that the boys are better without him, but their failures without him guiding and loving then become clear. In "We're So Glad It's You," the boys tell him they aren't better without him.

Dave in the CGI / live-action films can seem more like their manager at times than a father. Throughout *Alvin and the Chipmunks*, he denies for most of the film that he is their father. By the end of the film, he finally claims that they are family. His role in *Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel* is minor since he is in the hospital for most of the film. Dave is finally seen as more of a father in *Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked*. He talks about setting rules and seems to take more of a disciplined role. He tries taking advice from Simon to give them the chance to prove themselves, which turns out as a disaster. When the chipmunks go overboard, he does everything he can to get them back. By *Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip*, Dave changes careers and decides to become a music producer. The career swap leaves no time for the boys to tour and less time for Dave to be involved as a father, but, as a result of uncertainties, Dave finally decides to formally adopt them and cement the idea that they are indeed family.

In the *ALVINNN!!! and The Chipmunks* series, Dave is once again portrayed as the caring father as in the 80s series. In this 2015 reboot he is flanderized as a strict father who takes his punishments way too far. Though he still remains tolerable for the most part. In the new era, Dave has to overcome his weakness with improving technology with the help of his boys, a notable difference from previous incarnations. His kids especially Alvin still push his buttons. Dave is also stated to be an Eagle Scout in Kickin' It Old School, which gives additional insight into his character and experience. In Snake Charmer it's revealed that Dave is afraid of snakes due to being bitten by a snake as a kid. In Glory Days it's revealed that Dave used to be in a band. In The Dinner it's revealed that Dave has a rival.

## Alternate Identities

* Chipmunk Vice - Bartender at the Lavender Orchid
* Elementary, My Dear Simon - Detective Seville of Scotland Yard
* Treasure Island - Long John Silver
* Alvin in Neverland - Captain Hook
* Bigger! - Dave Smith, Alvin Smith's father
* Chip Tracy - Police Chief Bland
* Irrational Buffoon's European Vacation - Clark Sevillewald

## David Seville Singles

David Seville was originally the stage name for Ross Bagdasarian, Sr. before the name was applied to the character. At this time, in the late fifties and early sixties, Bagdasarian produced singles independent and even prior to his idea of Alvin and the Chipmunks. The following tracks are performed without The Chipmunks:

* **1956**: "Armen's Theme"/"Carousel in Rome" (Liberty 55041)
* **1957**: "Gotta Get to Your House"/"Camel Rock" (Liberty 55079)
* **1958**: "Witch Doctor"/"Don't Whistle at Me Baby" (Liberty 55132)
* **1958**: "The Bird on My Head"/"Hey There Moon" (Liberty 55140)
* **1958**: "Little Brass Band"/"Take Five" (Liberty 55153)
* **1958**: "Almost Good" (Liberty 55168)
* **1959**: "Mediocre" (Liberty 55179)
* **1959**: "Judy"/"Maria From Madrid" (Liberty 55193)
* **1959**: "Flip Side" (Liberty 55200)
* **1960**: "Copyright 1960" (Liberty 55233)
* **1960**: "Sack Time" (Liberty 55277)
* **1961**: "Freddy, Freddy"/"Oh Judge, Your Honor, Dear Sir, Sweetheart" (Liberty 55314)

## Trivia

* The stage name 'David Seville' came from a city in Spain where Ross Bagdasarian, Sr. was stationed during World War II.
* David Seville was created because 'Ross Bagdasarian' was too ethnic and too long to fit on a 45.
* Sometimes Alvin acts more like The Chipmunks' manager than Dave.
* Dave is shown to hate parties.

## References

1. ↑ Little Golden Books *Alvin and the Chipmunks: Happy Birthday, Dave!*
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Alvin and the Chipmunks, Web.archive.org, Retrieved 2015-11-14.