VeggieTales

Because when you think of the bible, you think vegetables.

“ I am the Englishman who went up the hill, and came down with all the bananas... ”

— Makes just as much sense in context

VeggieTales is a Christian children's television program featuring anthropomorphic bible-thumpin' salad ingredients who portray Bible stories and Christian-values lessons in a "kid-friendly" manner, with each episode containing a "Silly Song" musical number as wraparounds. In addition to being based upon Bible stories, other inspirations include Monty Python, Gilligan's Island, Saw, and Will & Grace. Fun stuff.

Unlike certain other Christian series, VeggieTales is about the nicer bits of Christian morality (not being a dick, being generous, respecting parents, avoiding consumerism, etc.). The show is often portrayed as being a nutritious and wholesome alternative to the satanic, violent filth that pervades mainstream children's television.

Plant welfare activists have criticized the show for reinforcing harmful negative stereotypes of plants.

Characters

• Bob the Tomato – A slightly pessimistic tomato who is seen as the more intelligent of the veggie duo.
• Larry the Cucumber – A dim-witted cucumber whose "Silly Songs" can actually be funny.
• Junior Asparagus
• The French Peas – Two peas with French accents who are, oddly, sometimes villainous.
• Evil Scallions – Get it? Rapscallions... never mind.
• Professor Archibald
• Jimmy and Jerry – Two food-obsessed singing gourds.
• PA Grape
• Mr. Lunt
• Mr. Nezzer

Notable episodes

Rack, Shack, and Benny (1995)

Based on the Bible story Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, this episode can be taken as a massive anti-corporate screed. The villains of the piece are a corporate executive and his sadistic henchman, while the employees have poor working conditions, poor pay, and are forced to worship an enormous chocolate bunny.

Larry-Boy and the Fib from Outer Space! (1997)

It's kinda a mix between a Batman parody and a monster movie with a message about lying added. Also features (along with its sequel) the only time you will hear the phrase "Super Suction Ears" in a sentence.

Josh and the Big Wall (1997)

Based on the Bible story of Joshua and the Battle of Jericho. Here, the walls of Jericho are defended by soldiers with slushees — French soldiers with slushees. Known as Josè and the Big Wall in Mexico.

Madame Blueberry (1998)

Despite the name, Madame Bovary this ain't. Madame Blueberry buys lots of stuff from... er, StuffMart, and then realizes that material possessions do not make her happy. Unfortunately, when trying to move the stuff out of her house, the house accidentally gets destroyed.

Larry-Boy and the Rumor Weed (1999)

Another Batman parody/B-movie combo with a jazzy musical number and a moral about how spreading rumors is wrong.

King George and the Ducky (2000)

Based on the Bible story of David and Bathsheba; here, Bathsheba has been replaced with a rubber duck.

Controversy

Series character Archibald Asparagus was the focus of a controversy in 1999 due to his English accent and eccentric, flamboyant mannerisms. A February 1999 article in the National Liberty Journal, published by Jerry Falwell, warned parents that Archibald could be a hidden gay symbol, saying "Archibald is green (which we know is the color that gay men wear on Thursday), he wears a bow tie, he speaks with a prissy British lilt, and in one episode, he is even seen receiving sodomy."

This opinion immediately loses merit, seeing as how most asparagus are indeed green, therefore killing Falwell's point about Archibald's "skin" color, not to mention that other vegetables in VeggieTales, not just asparagus, are... well, green (i.e. Larry the Cucumber, the French Peas). Verification is still needed to prove that he received sodomy in any of his appearances; seeing as how the show's cast consists of produce, this act would be deemed scientifically impossible by a vast majority.

See also

• Bibleman