Disney+ has an extensive catalogue of films and TV shows from Walt Disney Pictures, Fox, Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, and more, including a cartoon best remembered as one of the Nicktoons from the 1990s: Doug. But why are Doug Funnie’s adventures available on Disney+? Created by Jim Jinkins, Doug followed a young teenager and his life in Bluffington, focusing on his daily predicaments and his very active imagination, which sometimes put him in funny or embarrassing situations.

Doug aired on Nickelodeon from 1991 to 1994, and along with Rugrats and The Ren & Stimpy Show is one of the original Nicktoons. The three shows premiered on the same day and Doug was not immediately popular as the others were, mainly because it was aimed at a different audience (older than that of Rugrats but younger than Ren & Stimpy’s target audience) and was much quieter – but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t good. Doug addressed topics such as self-esteem, bullying, platonic and romantic relationships, social pressure, and more, and his constant daydreaming was something viewers could identify with.

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Still, Doug wasn’t given enough TV time, and the series came to an end after four seasons and a total of 52 episodes. Naturally, the first thing to come to mind when thinking of this series is Nickelodeon, so it came as a surprise to many that it was included in Disney+’s catalogue – but there’s a good explanation for this.

Doug Was Revived By Disney In 1996

Disney's Doug

The original deal between Nickelodeon and Jumbo Pictures (Jinkins’ animation studio founded to produce Doug) required the latter to produce 65 episodes which would air in blocks of 13 per season. However, after four seasons and 52 episodes, Nickelodeon declined to order the rest due to the show’s expensive budget. Nickelodeon then had a two-year window in which it could change its mind, but in the meantime, other networks were showing their interest on the series. In 1996, Disney purchased ABC and Doug in the process, reviving the series that same year.

Doug went through a makeover, and was renamed Brand Spanking New! Doug before being retitled Disney’s Doug in 1998. Doug and company changed not only physically (not drastically, but the differences are evident) but also behind the scenes: Billy West, the voice of Doug and Roger, was replaced by Tom McHugh and Chris Phillips, and the tone of the series changed as well. Although Disney’s Doug was not received as positively as the original series, Disney went on to produce the characters first and only feature film, appropriately titled Doug’s 1st Movie. And that’s why both the revival and the film are now available on Disney+.

Not all cartoon characters can say they had a double life in two different networks, and while Disney’s Doug wasn’t quite at the level of Nickelodeon’s version, it did help introduce more viewers to Doug Funnie, his peculiar adventures, and his never-ending daydreams.

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