Josie and the Pussycats in Outer Space

Josie and the Pussycats in Outer Space
Format	Animated Series
Genre	Mystery, Adventure, Comedy, Science Fiction
Creator	Dan DeCarlo
Starring	Janet Waldo Sherry Alberoni Casey Kasem Jackie Joseph Jerry Dexter Barbara Pariot Don Messick
Country	United States
Language	English
Production
Executive Producer	William Hanna Joseph Barbera
Runtime	22 minutes (approx.)
Company	Hanna-Barbera Productions
Distributor	Warner Bros.
Broadcast
Original channel	CBS
First shown	1972
First aired	September 9, 1972
Last aired	December 23, 1972

Josie and the Pussycats in Outer Space is an American animated television series, that served as a continuation/reimagining of the Hanna-Barbera series Josie and the Pussycats. Sixteen episodes of Josie and the Pussycats in Outer Space aired on CBS in 1972, and were rerun during the 1973-1974 season until January 26, 1974, when CBS canceled the series.

In the mid-1980s, both series, along with a number of other 1970s Hanna-Barbera cartoons, were on board USA Network's "Cartoon Express"; they would next appear on Cartoon Network in 1992, where all 32 episodes were run in the same timeslot. Both series, as of 2012, are in the library of Boomerang (Time Warner's archive cartoon channel) but do not air on a regular basis. When it does air, it is typically as part of the channel's block of mystery-solving cartoons, "Those Meddling Kids!" or pops up in the two-hour tribute block of "Boomeroyalty".

Overview

The series features an all-girl pop music band and their entourage. The group consisted of level-headed lead singer and guitarist Josie McCoy, intelligent tambourinist Valerie Brown, and air-headed blonde drummer Melody Valentine. Other characters included they're cowardly manager Alexander Cabot III, his conniving sister Alexandra, her cat Sebastian, and muscular roadie Alan M. Mayberry

This version of the series launched the characters into outer space; the opening credits sequence shows the group taking a promotional photo at the launch site of a new spaceship and a jealous Alexandra elbowing the cast aside to steal the spotlight from Josie. However, Alexandra is jerked inside as well and triggers the launch sequence, sending them and the ship into deep space. Every episode centered on the Pussycats landing on a strange new world, where they would encounter and often be kidnapped by various alien races before escaping and attempting to return home.

Much like the original series, musical numbers and chase sequences set to newly recorded songs were featured. Josie in Outer Space also added the character Bleep, a pet-sized fluffy alien adopted by Melody, who was the only one who could understand the creature (who only says "Bleep").

Characters

Josie McCoy - the red-haired guitarist and leader of the band. Josie shares an attraction with Alan, the road manager.

Valerie Brown - an African American girl who plays the tambourines. The voice of reason in the group, Valerie is highly intelligent and a mechanical wizard.

Melody Valentine - the band's drummer, Melody is blonde and slightly air headed, but what she lacks in intellect she makes up for in heart, wit, her perpetual sweetness and optimism.

Alan Mayberry - the group's muscular roadie and Josie's love interest.

Alexandra Cabot - the ongoing antagonist of the series, identified by her long black pony-tailed hair with a white streak through the center of it, suggesting a pole-cat, or skunk. Selfish and bullying, Alexandra bills herself as "the real star of the band", though she does little more than stand around scowling with her arms folded, always jealous of the attention the others get, especially Josie. Her sole "talent" is her constant plotting to steal the spotlight and Alan's affections from Josie, only to have every scheme fail in humiliating fashion.

Alexander Cabot III - Alexandra's brother and the group's manager, highly identifiable by his colorful, wacky wardrobe including his green rimmed sunglasses, orange shirt collar, violet-red ascot, green shirt, purple pinstriped pants, yellow shoes, and green socks. Alexander is an admitted coward but, in sharp contrast to Alexandra, is good-hearted. Alexander and Valerie have a slight attraction to one another at times.

Sebastian - Alexandra's pet cat, whose black and white fur resembles Alexandra's hair. He enjoys being mean and sometimes appears to go to the enemy's side. Alexandra sometimes asks Sebastian to do things to Josie, but her tricks usually backfire.

Bleep - a small fluffy alien from the planet Zelcor who was discovered and adopted by Melody. He is pink and covered in white fur and speaks only by saying "Bleep."

Cast

Speaking Voices

• Janet Waldo - Josie McCoy
• Barbara Pariot - Valerie Brown
• Jackie Joseph - Melody Valentine
• Jerry Dexter - Alan M. Mayberry
• Casey Kasem - Alexander Cabot III
• Sherry Alberoni - Alexandra Cabot
• Don Messick - Sebastian the Cat, Bleep

Singing Voices

• Cathy Dougher - Josie McCoy
• Patrice Holloway - Valerie Brown
• Cheryl Ladd - Melody Valentine

Episodes

1. "Where's Josie?"
2. "Make Way for the Multi-Men"
3. "The Sleeping Planet"
4. "Alien Alan"
5. "The Water Planet"
6. "The Sun Haters"
7. "The Mini-Man Menace"
8. "The Space Pirates"
9. "Anything You Can Zoo"
10. "Now You See Them, Now You Don't"
11. "The Four-Eyed Dragon of Cygnon"
12. "The Forward Backward People of Xarock"
13. "The Hollow Planet"
14. "All Hail Goddess Melody"
15. "Outer Space Ark"
16. "Warrior Women of Amazonia"

Home Release

On October 19, 2010, Warner Archive released Josie and the Pussycats in Outer Space: The Complete Series on DVD in Region 1 as part of their Hanna–Barbera Classics Collection of Manufacture-on-Demand (MOD) releases. Josie in Outer Space is available exclusively through Warner's online store and Amazon.com.

Hanna-Barbera Series

• 1950's
• 1960's
• 1970's
• 1980's
• 1990's