Pop Culture | TV | 90s

6 Facts About 'Rolie Polie Olie' Other Than He's Small And Smart And Round

By Maya |

PBS/Twitter

I don't think I'm alone when I say one of my first memories of watching television included the children's show Rolie Polie Olie.

I remember being in awe of the family-friendly robots and their zany activities. It offered a world I otherwise would have never imagined, and delivered life lessons I still remember to this day.

To celebrate this awesome series, here are six facts that'll make you wish you could travel back in time and watch this show with fresh eyes again!

1. Rolie Polie Olie was one of the first completely CGI television cartoons for preschoolers

This helped the one-of-a-kind show won a Daytime Emmy Award for "Outstanding Special Class Animated Program" in both 1999 and 2000.

2. Michael Cera was the voice of little Gizmo

He's also credited as doing the voice work for The Berenstain Bears, Braceface, and The Lego Batman Movie.

3. The series was based on the children's books by William Joyce

In 2012, he won an Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film for The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore. He was also the creator of the popular animated children's show, George Shrinks.

Even more fun facts await!

4. The popular show was aired in eight different countries

They include the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Slovakia, France, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

5. There are terrestrial Crustaceans that are actually called a roly poly

Otherwise known as a pillbug, they're closely related to shrimp, and are often found underneath rocks.

6. In 2002's Rolie Polie Olie: The Great Defender of Fun, James Woods voices the role of Gloominus Maximus, the fun-stealing pirate

He would later be replaced by Paul Haddad.

Who was your favorite Rolie Polie Olie character?

[H/T: Factolex,  Rolie Polie Olie Wiki]

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