Summary of Characters[]
The Care Bears are characters created by American Greetings in 1981 for use on greeting cards. The original artwork for the cards was painted by artist Elena Kucharik. In 1983, Kenner turned the Care Bears into plush teddy bears. The Care Bears appeared in their own TV specials called The Care Bears in the Land Without Feelings (1983) and The Care Bears Battle the Freeze Machine (1984). They also had their own television series from 1985 to 1988, in addition to three feature films: The Care Bears Movie (1985), Care Bears Movie II: A New Generation (1986), and The Care Bears Adventure in Wonderland (1987).
Each Care Bear comes in a different color and has a specialized insignia on its belly that represents its duty and personality. This insignia was known as their "tummy symbol." However, the movie Care Bears: Oopsy Does It! renamed them "belly badges". Adding to the Care Bear family are the "Care Bear Cousins", which feature a lion, rabbit, penguin, raccoon, and other such animals created in the same style as the teddy bears.
In 2002, the bears were reintroduced with new toys. Made by Play-Along Toys, the new toys offered features such as illuminated bellies upon touch, aerobic bears, and glow-in-the-dark bears. As part of this comeback, the Bears have appeared in two computer-animated movies: Care Bears: Journey to Joke-a-lot (2004) and The Care Bears' Big Wish Movie (2005). In 2007, the franchise celebrated its 25th anniversary; another relaunch took place, as well as the release of Care Bears: Oopsy Does It!.
As of 2011, Care Bears are still being marketed. During 2008 and 2009, Canada's Cookie Jar Group and France's MoonScoop Group attempted to acquire the franchise from AGC, with no apparent success.
For more information about Care Bears, visit here or here.
Appearances in MAD[]
Season 1[]
- Episode 20 Law & Ogre: Grumpy Bear appeared as the suspect to the crime of Papa Bear's death.
Season 2[]
- Episode 2 (28) Super 80's: The Care Bears appeared riding on My Little Ponies while holding torches.
- Episode 12 (38) Green Care Bear: Care Bears: Adventures in Care-a-lot gets spoofed along with Green Lantern.
Season 4[]
- Episode 1 (79) Keeping Up with the Carebearshians: The setting is Care-a-Lot in Adventures in Care-a-Lot format.