The Lolliwinks was a short-lived syndicated Saturday morning animated television series that aired from October 8, 1983, to December 17, 1983. The series was based on the fictional singing K-tel Records quartet of the same name.
Synopsis[]
The Lolliwinks followed the adventures of the titular quartet as they navigated through various musical and comedic escapades. The show shared a similar format with other animated musical groups of the time, such as Jackson 5ive, Josie and the Pussycats, Alvin and the Chipmunks, and The Partridge Family. Each episode featured the band members getting into and out of trouble while performing catchy tunes from their 1981 album and solving problems. However, a couple of songs were originals that were never heard before.
Characters[]
The voices of the Lolliwinks were Lawrence Tamblyn and Ida Nessett.
- Farfi: The charismatic lead singer of The Lolliwinks, known for his energetic performances and leadership qualities.
- Rifkin: The cool and collected guitarist, often providing the voice of reason within the group.
- Blinky: The quirky keyboardist, known for his humorous antics and offbeat personality.
- Erfo: The laid-back drummer, who often found himself caught up in the group's various misadventures.
Episodes[]
Bold indicates a song from The Lolliwinks' 1981 album.
Bold Italic means an original never heard before song from The Lolliwinks.
| No. | Title | Airdate | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Band's All Here | October 8, 1983 | The Lolliwinks sign up for a band contest. However, Erfo is missing and the band must find him. This is the series premiere.
Songs featured: Get Movin', Listen If You Can, Determination |
| 2 | Art! Glorious Art! | October 15, 1983 | The Lolliwinks prepare for a performance at an art show. However, Rifkin makes a wish that colors never existed. The others convince him that colors are good for the world.
Songs featured: When I Paint the World, Yellow Balloon, If There Were No Colors |
| 3 | On The Road! | October 22, 1983 | The Lolliwinks journey on a road trip across the country.
Songs featured: Planning Ahead, A Fiddler Like Me |
| 4 | A Counting Catastrophe | November 5, 1983 | Farfi has trouble counting backwards, so the others help him remember how to count.
Songs featured: Counting Backwards From Ten, You Need It |
| 5 | A Super Play Day | November 5, 1983 | The Lolliwinks are bored and find different ways to play.
Songs featured: Busy-Doin'-Nothin' Day, When I Go Out To Play |
| 6 | Time To Party! | November 19, 1983 | The Lolliwinks plan a party for all their friends at their house.
Songs featured: Misty Morning, Wink At Me, Hands Up |
| 7 | Thank You, Friends! | November 26, 1983 | The Lolliwinks thank all their friends and family for all that they do for them. This is the Thanksgiving special.
Songs featured: Thank You, Friends! |
| 8 | Nifty Nature | December 3, 1983 | The Lolliwinks save a group of birds from construction workers.
Songs featured: I Once Heard An Inchworm |
| 9 | Memories | December 10, 1983 | The Lolliwinks reflect back on how they started as a group. (Note: This episode was the last produced episode, but it wound up being the second to last aired episode.)
Songs featured: Just Blink |
| 10 | Merry Christmas, Lolliwinks! | December 17, 1983 | The Lolliwinks celebrate Christmas with all their friends and family. This is the Christmas special and the series finale.
Songs featured: Feliz Navidad, Winter Wonderland, Jingle Bells, Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, We Wish You A Merry Christmas (traditional Christmas songs, but never before heard on any Lolliwinks album) |
Cancellation[]
Despite its vibrant characters and musical elements, The Lolliwinks struggled to capture a significant audience. The series faced stiff competition from other popular children's shows of the era and ultimately suffered from poor ratings. This led to its cancellation after just one season. The series was never released on home video.