At first, DuckTales was intended as a 1-hour network series. However, when Bob Jacquemin, head of the studio's newly formed syndication unit, learned of the series, he realized that it had the potential to be his first hit. After immense internal lobbying, Jacquemin convinced Michael Einser to let him have DuckTales, and in doing so, he virtually reinvented television animation.
One of the first decisions he announced was that Donald Duck would play a minor role in the series, for the emphasis this time was going to be on Uncle Scrooge and his three nephews. To explain Donald's absence, the writers had him enlist in the Navy after leaving his nephews with Scrooge. The studio also created some new additions to the Disney stable. Among these were Launchpad McQuack, Mrs. Beakley, Webbigail (Webby) Vanderquack, Doofus, Duckworth, Fenton Crackshell, and Bubba Duck.
DuckTales had a special 2-hour premiere in most markets on September 18, 1987, with the first regular episode airing on September 21.
87 episodes were orginally aired, 100 in total if you count the special episodes: Treasure of the Golden Suns, Time Is Money and Super DuckTales that were later split into 30 minute shows.
Taken from The Wonderful World of Disney Television: A Complete History by Bill Cotter
Characters:
Scrooge McDuck - Donald Duck's wealthy uncle, Scrooge McDuck. He is a millionaire who has many businesses all over the world, from oil companies to factories. He takes care of his three newphews when their Uncle Donald enlists in the Navy. Scrooge came into being when comic-book cartoonist Carl Barks needed a miserly old relative for a story, "Christmas on Bear Mountain" (1947). In this tale, Scrooge serves as a mere story prop, a simple caricature of his namesake from the Charles Dickens novel, "A Christmas Carol". Scrooge may seem hard on his nephews, but deep down he cares for them greatly.
Huey, Dewey and Louie - Scrooge takes care of his three nephews after their Uncle Donald joins the Navy. Being identical triplets, Huey, Dewey, and Louie are impossible to tell apart, except by the colors they wear, and historically, red for Huey, blue for Dewey, and green for Louie. At first they disturb Scrooge whilst he is working and irritate him to the point that the nephews overhear him telling Mrs. Beakly that they are too much trouble. As a result, they decide to leave, and end up running into the Beagle Boys who are planning to steal Scrooge's money. The triplets end up saving Scrooge's money and proving they're worth to their uncle. They may seem like trouble, but they are always there for Scrooge when the chips are down.
Launchpad McQuack - Scrooge's pilot Launchpad is somewhat disaster-prone. Launchpad is mistaken for a spy, in Double-O-Duck. Launchpad was created for this series, but went on to act as Darkwing Duck's sidekick in the spin-off of DuckTales - Darkwing Duck, as well as appearing in an occasional comic book story of his own. Launchpad may not be the brightest character in DuckTales, but his loyalty is unquestionable and he is an important member of the DuckTakles team.
Gyro Gearloose - Duckburg's greatest inventor. Scrooge often calls upon Gyro when the Beagle Boys try and break into his money bin, although Gyro's ideas often backfire and he ends up aiding the Beagle Boys. Interesting note: Carl Barks (Gyro's creator) used used Gyro frequently in the comics as did other writers and artists involved in the Duck comics. Gyro himself wasn't a duck, in fact, his exact species is never specified, although it's generally assumed (and confirmed by Barks in interviews) that he's a chicken.
Mrs. Beakly - Mrs. Beakley is the only one who can tolerate Huey, Dewey and Louie's bad behavior and exert some level of control over it. She is hired by Scrooge as the nanny and stays at the McDuck mansion with her Grand-daughter Webby. She agrees with Scrooge to work for room and board for her grand-daughter and herself.
Webby Vanderquack - Mrs. Beakley's granddaughter Webby, lives with Mrs. Beakly at the McDuck Mansion. At first, Scrooge's nephews don't welcome her, and play pranks on her. Webby often follows the boys around Duckburg getting into trouble on the way. Webby is warm-hearted and sweet.
Bubba - A caveduck Scrooge meet when he accidentally traveled into the past. As Scrooge was departing to return to the future, Bubba and his pet triceratops, Tootsie stowed away on the time machine. Ever since then, Bubba has been a part of Scrooge's family.
GizmoDuck/Fenton Crackshell - This character was introduced in the last season of DuckTales. Scrooge hires Fenton as his accountant, whose alter ego is GizmoDuck, a superhero who protects Scrooge's money bin. Aside from Scrooge, the only one who knows GizmoDuck's true identity is his mother.
Donald Duck - Donald enlists in the Navy leaving his nephews in his Uncle Scrooge's care. He pops up from time to time, normally to accidentally get himself in trouble. Today, Donald Duck is recognized by people of all ages, the world over. His face appears on lunch boxes, T-shirts, and thousands of other products, including a long-running brand of frozen orange juice. And, at any given moment, somewhere in the world, in any of a hundred languages, someone is reading a Donald Duck comic book or watching a Donald Duck cartoon.
DuckTales Theme Song -
Life is like a hurricane here in Duck - burg
Race cars, lasers, aeroplanes it's a, duck - blur!
Might solve a mystery, or rewrite hist'ry!
CHORUS
DuckTales! (a - whooh ooh)
Every day they're out there making
DuckTales! (a - whooh ooh)
Tales of daring do bad and good luck tales!
When it seems they're heading for the final curtain
Cool deduction never fails that's for certain
The worst of messes become successes
CHORUS
D-D-D-Danger! (Watch behind you!)
There's a stranger, (out to find you!)
What to do? Just grab on to some DuckTales!
INSTRUMENTAL
CHORUS
D-D-D-Danger! (Watch behind you!)
There's a stranger, (out to find you!)
What to do? Just grab on to some...
CHORUS
Everyday they're out there making
DuckTales! (a-whooh ooh)
Tales of daring do bad and good luck tales! (a-whooh ooh)
Not pony tales or cotton tales, no
DuckTales! (a - whooh ooh)
Where can I watch DuckTales?
Unfortunatly DuckTales no longer airs on the Disney Channel in the United States nor has it been shown in the UK for some years now
Spin offs of DuckTales - DarkWing Duck - Quack Pack
Nominations
1989 Best Animated Series - DuckTales was nominated for the Best Young Artist Award
Check out Mike's House of Cartoons for DuckTales Downloads - http://www.mikes-house-of-cartoons.freeservers.com
