Save the Ducks!!!

As of the fall of 2002, MD:TAS has existed for 6 years. However, the show only lived for a single television season, and has since been run in syndicaton. We fans have been striving since the date of its cancellation to get Mighty Ducks: The Animated Series back on the air with new episodes. We want to give the show the run that it deserves. Here's where you can get the skinny on the fandom's efforts to save our Ducks!

The Rise and Fall of the Ducks

The original concept for MD:TAS was reportedly the brainchild of Disney CEO Micheal Eisner. Pre-production went very quickly for even a TV series, with the head writer David Wise given mere weeks to create the show's premise, and a week's time to write two episodes as pre-production went on. Despite the haste, the result was one of the biggest hits that Disney TV Animation has ever known. Ratings on both of the original airing networks were high, as well as sales of merchandise.

So why end it with merely one season? My personal theory is because of a change in management at Disney TV Animation. In 1997, then president of Disney TV Animation Dean Valentine was replaced by the former president of Nickelodeon. The change in management drastically changed Disney's direction with its shows. Nearly all of the shows in production at the time were cancelled, including the Ducks. Replacing them were shows like Recess, Pepper Ann, and the new incarnation of Doug. A shift from superhero-oriented programs to those intended for a younger, family-friendly audience also drastically affected the ratings for Disney's animation blocks. The only true action shows Disney TV has left are Tarzan and Buzz Lightyear of Star Command, both of which have also been cancelled.

So what can we do?

After six years, a quest for the Ducks to regain airtime seems hopeless. However, such a worthy cause deserves attention. Wouldn't you go a little out of your way to see the Ducks back in action? Of course you would. Here's some things you can do to make a difference:

Write: Letter campaigns are more effective than people think. A constant trickle of just a few letters from a few fans every month ensures that something gets through to Disney. After three years of trying to get some response from the pencil-pushers in California, I received this reply:

Thank you for your letter regarding "Mighty Ducks: The Animated Series." We are very glad that you like the show so much. It is always nice to know that what we do here is appreciated. You may know that there are 65 episodes of the series. We do not have plans at this time to make any further episodes, but we have other shows that you might enjoy...

Blah blah blah, the rest of this is a form letter advertising other Disney shows on the air at the time. The only thing in this letter worthy of mention is the mention of 65 episodes. This is a far cry from the 26 episodes that were aired. This is the only mention of more episodes that has been heard of in the fan community from any official source. Is it possible that Disney produced the episodes and then decided not to air them? Highly unlikely. I'm still trying to get Disney's clarification on this.

Want to write a letter of your own? Here is the address of the man who wrote the letter above:

Jeff White

09-4K1-5300

500 South Buena Vista Street

Burbank, CA 91521

To write to the president of Disney TV Animation, address your letter here:

Walt Disney Television Animation

500 South Buena Vista Street

Burbank, CA 91521-7600

Also, don't forget the voice actors! Although they have no say in whether or not the Ducks get back on the air, they love and deserve praise for their roles on the show. Check out my Cast and Credits page for their addresses!

Petition: Online petitions spring up all of the time. Do a general search on the Internet and you're sure to come up with something. Petitions offer a unique way to collect signatures around the theme of renewing the show, and send them all off to Disney at once! So go ahead and sign away, or start one of your own.

Good luck Ducks fans!