Strawberry Shortcake (2003 TV series)

Strawberry Shortcake is an American direct-to-video animated series produced by DIC Entertainment based on the franchise of the same name that debuted in March 2003. The series consists 44 episodes, plus one short and one movie. Part of the series was broadcast on television including by HBO and HBO Family, and in broadcast syndication. None of the voice actors from the 1980s Strawberry Shortcake animated specials returned to reprise their roles, with producers instead opting for younger and lesser known voice actors.

Strawberry Shortcake
Genre	Animated series, E/I
Created by	Those Characters From Cleveland American Greetings
Developed by	DIC Entertainment
Theme music composer	Andy Street, Judy Rothman Rofe
Opening theme	Straw Buh-buh-buh-buh-berry Shortcake by Peter Lurye (uncredited)
Ending theme	Straw Buh-buh-buh-buh-berry Shortcake (Instrumental)
Composer(s)	Andy Street, Judy Rothman Rofe, Nick Brown, Sandy Powell
Country of origin	United States
Original language(s)	English
No. of seasons	4
No. of episodes	22 (40 segments) [1]
Production
Executive producer(s)	Andy Heyward Michael Maliani Kathy McConaughy Mike Brown
Producer(s)	Karren Brown
Running time	45 Minutes[2]
Production company(s)	American Greetings DIC Entertainment Corporation
Distributor	DIC Entertainment 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Release
Picture format	NTSC 480i
Audio format	Stereo sound
Original release	March 11, 2003 (2003-03-11) – September 11, 2008 (2008-09-11)[3]
Chronology
Preceded by	1980s Strawberry Shortcake specials
Followed by	Strawberry Shortcake’s Berry Bitty Adventures (2010)

To coincide with the series' reboot in 2009, the 2003 series was succeeded by Strawberry Shortcake's Berry Bitty Adventures in 2010.

Release information

Home Video

20th Century Fox Home Entertainment began releasing the series direct-to-video beginning in March 2003. The first few episodes were released on both DVD and VHS, and bundled with certain toys; later episodes are DVD-only. They are also available on VideoCD through various fourth party licensees in South-East Asia and in certain other markets. The first four videos contain only one story but run for twice the length of subsequent episodes.

From Season 2 onwards, the DVDs and VHS's are presented as "compilations" in which Strawberry recounts the featured adventures using her "remembering book" or for Season 4, showcases the featured stories as simple flashbacks.

22 Volumes (1 including the movie) have been released for the series overall.

Television

In the United States, although promoted as a Direct-to-Video series in the country, the series did air on television as well. Season 1 gained one-off airings on HBO and HBO Family in late 2003,[4] with shortened Season 1 and Season 2 episodes airing on selected syndicated TV channels, mostly on The CW affiliates. It would then gain a slot on the KEWLopolis block on CBS in September 2007.

In international markets, DIC pre-sold the series to GMTV in the United Kingdom and Fox Kids Europe in some European territories in 2004.[5] In 2008, DIC pre-sold the series to more broadcasters including M6, Canal J and Tiji in France, Tiny Pop in the United Kingdom and Mediaset in Italy.[6] Season 1 episodes are broadcast as two parts instead of being shortened, doubling the episode count to eight.

From Season 2 onwards, the episodes are presented individually on the TV broadcasts rather than being compilations, although this depended on the broadcaster (e.g., Disney Channel Asia aired the first four episodes as two-parters),.

Some networks, like GMTV and Minimax in CEE aired Season 1 uninterrupted as one, full-length part akin to the DVD releases, while Season 2 onwards are broadcast exactly like on the DVDs with the compilation format.

Shorts and PSAs

A five-minute Strawberry Shortcake short, "Growing Better All the Time", is available exclusively in the Care Bears: Daydreams DVD (released October 14, 2003) as a bonus feature. Numerous scenes from the short were used in the 2000s (decade) series' second opening sequence, and the song from the short was released on the "Strawberry Jams" CD.

Apart from that, a Public Service Announcement for the ASPCA was produced and aired in the US. The PSA features Strawberry Shortcake talking about the basics of pet ownership.

Cast

• Sarah Heinke (born in 1990 in Omaha, Nebraska) as Strawberry Shortcake
• Rachel Ware as Angel Cake
• Anna Jordan/Sarah Kolosky as Custard the Cat
• Samantha Triba as Ginger Snap
• Daniel Canfield/James Street as Huckleberry Pie
• Dejare Barfield as Orange Blossom
• Nils Haaland as Pupcake, additional pet sounds
• Pam Carter as Sea Beast
• Susan Collins as Papaya Parrot
• Melissa Deni as Coco Calypso
• Laura Grimm as Rainbow Sherbet
• Bianca Heyward as Blueberry Muffin
• Hannah Koslosky as Honey Pie Pony
• Katie Labosky as Apple Dumplin'
• Abbey Leib as Seaberry Delight
• Rebecca Noddle as Peppermint Fizz

Episodes

This is a list of all the episodes released to date, including placeholders for episodes known to exist but whose title is as of the moment unknown (i.e. the title is not shown on the start of the program). Some episodes are released under different names in different regions. This will be listed down as alternative titles if available. The episodes are classified as E/I - educational content - in the US.

Throughout the series, the theme song has been changed a total of three times, the voice of Custard the Cat was changed from Sarah Koslosky to Anna Jordan and the voice of Huckleberry Pie was changed to Daniel Canfield from James Street due to the latter's death in a skateboard accident.[7] In most cases, the word "very" in the show is pronounced as "berry", but this rule is not always followed.

Beginning of Year 4 episode Big Country Fun, the artwork style of the characters was changed. The design style of the artwork leaves an impression that the characters have aged into teenagers. This illusion of the aging of the characters was further backed by the fact that Strawberry Shortcake was seen applying for a job and later driving a car in Big Country Fun. Honey Pie and the other fillies were relegated to the role of background characters, with the character of Honey Pie Pony not having spoken since the Meet Apricot/Let's Dance episode. She was implied to have moved to Ice Cream Island permanently in the book The Friendship Trip,[8] which featured the Year 4 characters, logically explaining why she appeared less in the series for the season.

#	Episode	Year[9]/ Series	Release date	Songs	Notes
1/2	Meet Strawberry Shortcake	1	3/11/2003	The Cookie Song, Friendship Grows Like a Flower, A Berry Happy Birthday, Strawberry Girl in a Strawberry World	45 minutes length, broadcast version either edited to 22 minutes, or presented as a two-part series.
3/4	Spring for Strawberry Shortcake	1	3/11/2003	Springtime, Work Together, Jammin', I Put the Zing in Spring	45 minutes length, broadcast version either edited to 22 minutes, or presented as a two-part series.
5/6	Get Well Adventure	1	10/14/2003	Have a Good Trip, That's Imagination, Gettin' Better Boogie Woogie, It's All How You Look At It	45 minutes length, broadcast version either edited to 22 minutes, or presented as a two-part series. Released in the UK as Horse Tales.
7/8	Berry Merry Christmas	1	10/14/2003	Call Me Santa, Call Me Clause, Holiday Land, Hello Ho Ho, Gift of Friendship	45 minutes length, broadcast version either edited to 22 minutes, or presented as a two-part series.[10]
P1	Growing Better All the Time	1/2	10/14/2003	Growing Better song	5 minute promo released with the Care Bears: Daydreams DVD. Appears to be produced sometime between season 1/2 as the song from the promo appears on the first CD, Strawberry Jams, while scenes from the promo was used in the opening credits of the Second series of the show.
9	Horse of a Different Color	2	8/31/2004	Prancing Paradise, Back Together	New opening sequence from previous 4/8 episodes, shorter credit sequence. The voice of Custard the Cat has changed from Sarah Koslosky to Anna Jordan for the rest of the series.
10	Festival of the Fillies	2	8/31/2004	My Gift Horse Gift, Festival of the Fillies
11	Here Comes Pupcake	2	8/31/2004	I Love Custard, That Doggone Dog
12	Peppermint's Pet Peeve	2	8/31/2004	The Best Pet Yet, You're My Berry Best Friend
13	The Mystery of Seaberry Beach	2	2/15/2005	Seaberry Shore, Seaberry Shore & More
14	Legend of the Lost Treasure	2	2/15/2005	Wonder Time, I'll Treasure You
15	Angel Cake in the Outfield	2	2/15/2005	Be a Good Sport, Fun for Fun's Sake
16	Win Some, Lose Some	2	2/15/2005	Waiting for the Fun to Start, Giving It Your All
17	Ginger Snap's No-Light Night of Fright	2	8/30/2005	An Itty Bitty Scare, Scaredy Little Me
18	The Blueberry Beast	2	8/30/2005	Chasin' the Boos Away, Never Be Afraid to Make Friends
19	The Play's the Thing	2	10/18/2005	If I Glittered, Beautiful You
20	The Costume Party	2	10/18/2005	I Can Be, Not Like Me
21	The Friendship Club	3	2/7/2006	Join the club, My Friend, Mon Amie	New opening sequence from previous episodes, credit sequence no longer includes a thumbnail version of the opening theme sequence.
22	A Festival of Friends	3	2/7/2006	The Friendship Tour, How Do You Make a Friendship Cake?
23	When the Berry Fairy Came to Stay	3	8/22/2006	Merry Berry Fairy, That Makes You Beautiful
24	The Legend of Sherry Bobbleberry	3	8/22/2006	Everything I Touch, The Legend of Sherry Bobbleberry
25	Baby Takes the Cake	3	11/14/2006	I'm Not Too Little, Big Like Me
26	Piece of Cake	3	11/14/2006	Recipe for Fame, The Right Ingredients
27	Mind Your Manners	3	5/1/2007	Man Oh Man Oh Manners, Pass the Fun
28	Queen for a Day	3	5/1/2007	The Berry Blossom Festival, Make Some Noise
29	Everybody Dance	3, released as 4	10/2/2007	Get the Moves, Let's Dance	Released as part of Season 4. The voice of Huckleberry Pie is changed from James Street to Daniel Canfield for the remainder of the series.
30	Let's Dance	3, released as 4	10/2/2007	Shortcake Swing, A True Friend	Released as part of Season 4.
31	It Takes Talent	4	1/7/2008	Why Can't I, All Together Now	Aired on Disney Channel Asia on the same date. It was released in cinemas in the U.S. under the collective title Rockaberry Roll with "Playing to Beat the Band" in October 2008. Beginning with this episode, the series features yet another opening theme sequence change, the fourth opening theme since the series' beginning in 2003 (which can be seen in the Big Country Fun DVD). However it received an advance release on DVD on August 12, 2008.
32	Playing to Beat the Band	4	1/8/2008	You Can't Not Try, Hope You Like It	Aired on Disney Channel Asia on the same date. It was released in cinemas in the U.S. under the collective title Rockaberry Roll with "It Takes Talent" in October 2008. However it received an advance release on DVD on August 12, 2008.
33	Strawberry's Big Journey	4	3/14/2008	A Little Bump in the Road, Getting There is All the Fun	Aired on Disney Channel Asia on the same date. The DVD compilation containing this episode, Berry Big Journeys, was released in the US on March 31, 2009, having been available in South Africa since 2008.
34	Around the Berry Big World	4	4/30/2008	Sailing Toward Tomorrow, Home is Love	Aired on Disney Channel Asia on the same date. The DVD compilation containing this episode, Berry Big Journeys, was released in the US on March 31, 2009, having been available in South Africa since 2008. This episode is a loose adaptation of, and directly references the classic novel Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne.
35	Back in the Saddle	4	3/4/2008	Down on the Ranch, Giddy Up	Released on the DVD Big Country Fun
36	Down on the Farm	4	3/4/2008	The Best Place Ever, Welcome to the Country Fair	Released on the DVD Big Country Fun
37	One Small Step	4	5/1/2008	A Step at a Time, Don't Stop Now	Aired on Disney Channel Asia on the same date. The DVD compilation containing this episode, Growing Up Dreams, was released in the US on August 30, 2011, having been available in South Africa since 2008.
38	The Good Mayor	4	5/2/2008	The Thing You Want to Be, When We're All Grown Up	Aired on Disney Channel Asia on the same date. The DVD compilation containing this episode, Growing Up Dreams, was released in the US on August 30, 2011, having been available in South Africa since 2008.
39	Toto's Tale	4	9/6/2008	It's In There, Now's the Time	Aired on Playhouse Disney Channel Asia on the said date, although it has aired on UK children's TV channel Tiny Pop a month earlier. The DVD compilation containing this episode, Berry Brick Road, was released in the US on October 6, 2012, having been available in South Africa since 2008. Pupcake speaks in this episode. In both this episode and the episode after this, Where the Gem Berries Glow, Sour Grapes (as Gladys, the Wicked Witch) appears without the Purple Pieman. A slightly aged version of Plum Puddin' portrays the role of Glinda, the Good Witch.
40	Where the Gem Berries Glow	4	9/7/2008	Let's Keep the Green World Green, That One Little Word	Aired on Playhouse Disney Channel Asia on the said date, although it has aired on UK children's TV channel Tiny Pop a month earlier. The DVD compilation containing this episode, Berry Brick Road, was released in the US on October 6, 2012, having been available in South Africa since 2008. In both this episode and the episode prior to this, Toto's Tale, Sour Grapes (as Gladys, the Wicked Witch) appears without the Purple Pieman. A slightly aged version of Plum Puddin' portrays the role of Glinda, the Good Witch. Both this episode and Toto's Tale were loosely inspired by the classic book The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum.
41	Sleeping Beauty	4	9/8/2008	Pretty on the Inside, If We Take the Time to Listen	Aired on Playhouse Disney Channel Asia on the said date, although it has aired on UK children's TV channel Tiny Pop a month earlier. The DVD compilation containing this episode, Happily Ever After, was released in the US on February 3, 2009, having been available in South Africa since 2008.
42	A Princess Named Rap	4	9/9/2008	The Real Me, A Princess Like That	Aired on Playhouse Disney Channel Asia on the said date, although it has aired on UK children's TV channel Tiny Pop a month earlier. The DVD compilation containing this episode, Happily Ever After, was released in the US on February 3, 2009, having been available in South Africa since 2008. This episode is based on the classic fairy tale Rapunzel (the "Rap" in the title referring to the title character).
43	Hooray for Berrywood!	4	9/10/2008	Me, Me, Me!, Everyone's a Star	Aired on Playhouse Disney Channel Asia on the said date, although it has aired on UK children's TV channel Tiny Pop a month earlier. The DVD compilation containing this episode, Berrywood Here We Come, was released in the US on August 31, 2010, having been available in South Africa since 2008. This episode reintroduces Lime Chiffon, but is referred to here as "Lime Light" (a pun on the showbiz term "limelight").
44	Lights... Camera...	4	9/11/2008	Let's Talk it Out, How Could I Ever Forget	Aired on Playhouse Disney Channel Asia on the said date, although it has aired on UK children's TV channel Tiny Pop a month earlier. The DVD compilation containing this episode, Berrywood Here We Come, was released in the US on August 31, 2010, having been available in South Africa since 2008. Broadcast order-wise, "Lights... Camera..." is the finale of the 2003 series. It features the reformation of the Purple Pieman and thus seals the reformation of his loyal sister, Sour Grapes.

Video releases

Below are a list of videos released to date. In the US, up until World of Friends, the videos were released on both VHS and DVD. However, subsequent video releases after World of Friends were DVD only.

These videos are released on DVD by Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.

#	Video (VHS/DVD/VCD)	Release Date	Stories	Notes
1	Meet Strawberry Shortcake	March 11, 2003	Meet Strawberry Shortcake	45-minute story
2	Spring for Strawberry Shortcake	March 11, 2003	Spring for Strawberry Shortcake	45-minute story
3	Berry Merry Christmas	October 14, 2003	Berry Merry Christmas	45-minute story
4	Get Well Adventure	October 14, 2003	Get Well Adventure	45-minute story, released in the UK as Horse Tales.
5	Adventures on Ice Cream Island	August 31, 2004	Horse of a Different Color Festival of the Fillies	Villains: Licorice Whip and Raven
6	Best Pets Yet	August 31, 2004	Here Comes Pupcake Peppermint's Pet Peeve	Villains: Peppermint Fizz and Cola
7	Seaberry Beach Party	February 15, 2005	The Mystery of Seaberry Shore Legend of the Hidden Treasure
8	Play Day Surprise	February 15, 2005	Angel Cake in the Outfield Win Some, Lose Some	Villains: Peppermint Fizz and Cola
9	Moonlight Mysteries	August 30, 2005	Ginger Snap's No-Light Night of Fright The Blueberry Beast
10	Dress-up Days	October 18, 2005	The Play's the Thing The Costume Party
11	World of Friends	February 7, 2006	The Friendship Club A Festival for Friends
12	Berry Fairy Tales	August 22, 2006	When the Berry Fairy Came to Stay The Legend of Sherry Bobbleberry
13	Cooking Up Fun	November 14, 2006	Baby Takes the Cake Piece of Cake
14	The Sweet Dreams Movie	February 6, 2007	The Sweet Dreams Movie	Villains: The Purple Pieman and Sour Grapes
15	Berry Blossom Festival	May 1, 2007	Mind Your Manners Queen for a Day	Like the theatrical release of The Sweet Dreams Movie before it, this was shown at select cineplexes across the US (in April '07) prior to its DVD release. It was released in VideoCD format in Singapore and Malaysia in late April, but not in cinemas. The Purple Pieman and Sour Grapes appear only in the episode "Queen for a Day", while Raspberry Torte is featured in a Peppermint Fizz like role in "Mind Your Manners".
16	Let's Dance	October 2, 2007	Dancin' in Disguise Everybody Dance	Like Berry Blossom Festival before it, this was screened at select cineplexes across the US one month (September 2007) prior to the DVD release. It was then released on October 2, 2007. "Everybody Dance", also known as "Dancin' in Disguise" or "Dance, and Know the Steps", features Sour Grapes reforming from her role as villain. Presumably out of having a loyal nature, she remains her brother's partner in crime for episodes to come. However, it can be argued that she clearly had a greater conscience and desire to do right throughout the remainder of this series, despite her so-called reversion. Let's Dance is also called Everybody's Dancin'.
17	Big Country Fun	April 4, 2008	Back on the Saddle Down on the Farm	Beginning with this release, the characters are now aged into teenagers, with their "All-New Look", to be more consistent with that of the current official artwork by American Greetings, as well as the "World of Friends" toyline by Playmates Toys.
18	Rockaberry Roll	July 2, 2008	It Takes Talent Playing to Beat the Band	Announced to be released to cinemas by October 2008. It received an advance DVD release on August 12, 2008. Prior to the announcement of the official title of the movie/DVD, many fans who have seen Disney Channel Asia's airing of the episodes have taken to calling the DVD Berry Blossom Festival II due to the said festival being mentioned in the series. Some fans still addresses the pair under the fan-coined title despite the official announcement.
19	Happily Ever After	February 3, 2009	Sleeping Beauty A Princess Named Rap	Title has already been released in South Africa[11] and episodes apparently already aired in the UK, and was released in the US on February 3, 2009.
20	Berry Big Journeys	March 31, 2009	Strawberry's Big Journey Around the Berry Big World	Announced to be an upcoming DVD released by Koch Records, music is already available on the Let's Dance CD.[12] The release date for the DVD in the US was March 31, 2009, and it was already released in South Africa.[11] Both parts of the DVD have already aired on Disney Channel Asia.
21	Berrywood, Here We Come!	August 31, 2010	Hooray for Berrywood! Lights... Camera...	Title has already been released in South Africa[11] and episodes apparently already aired in the UK. It was released in the US on August 31, 2010. "Hooray for Berrywood" features the reintroduction of Lime Chiffon, now named Lime Light.
22	Growing Up Dreams	August 30, 2011	The Good Mayor One Small Step	Title has already been released in South Africa,[11] and was released in the US on August 30, 2011. Both parts have already aired on Disney Channel Asia.
23	Berry Brick Road	March 6, 2012	Toto's Tale Where the Gem Berries Glow	Title has already been released in South Africa[11] and episodes apparently already aired in the UK. Finally released in the US on March 6, 2012.

Game Boy Advance Video

Majesco has also released Strawberry Shortcake episodes as a Game Boy Advance Video cartridge:

Strawberry Shortcake Volume 1

• Meet Strawberry Shortcake
• Spring for Strawberry Shortcake

Note: The episodes released on Game Boy Advance Video are the 22-minute edited broadcast version of the episodes (some markets show these episodes as a two-part series without cutting off scenes instead), unlike the video versions which are 45 minutes in length each. Presumably this decision was made to keep the costs of producing the cartridges down (as the need for higher density memory chips would drive the cost of the cartridge up). As a result, two songs and a significant number of scenes from "Meet Strawberry Shortcake", as well as two songs and half of the scenes from "Spring for Strawberry Shortcake" were missing from the GBA Video release if compared to the other videos. Also notable is that the song Friendship Grows Like a Flower was shortened.

References

1. Season 1 featured 4 single 45-minute episodes (which when aired on TV, air as two part series or are shortened to 22 minutes, which don't apply here), while Seasons 2-4 featured two related 22-minute segments which were shown in a "Compilation" format (which are also separated when aired on TV). A promotional 5-minute short episode was also made, but doesn't count as an official episode.
2. The segments, when separated, air for 22 Minutes.
3. The date listed is when the final episode: "Lights... Camera..." aired in Asia. In the show's home country of the United States, the final DVD for the series - Berry Brick Road, containing the last two episodes, was not released until March 6, 2012. Season 4 never aired on television in the United States
4. https://web.archive.org/web/20051227022635/http://www.dicentertainment.com/press/details.php?8
5. https://www.awn.com/news/natpe-news-dic-sends-shortcake-sabrina-stan-lees-super-7-natpe
6. https://www.animationmagazine.net/tv/its-a-strawberry-shortcake-world-after-all/
7. James Street at Find a Grave
8. Megan E. Bryant (Author), Laura Thomas (Illustrator); The Friendship Club Book #3: The Friendship Trip; Grosset and Dunlap; 2007; ISBN 0-448-44557-3
9. The internal season counting method used by DiC, Fox and affiliated licensees. Apparently the seasons are identified by the different opening theme sequences
10. Crump, William D. (2019). Happy Holidays—Animated! A Worldwide Encyclopedia of Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and New Year's Cartoons on Television and Film. McFarland & Co. p. 302. ISBN 9781476672939.
11. "Take 2 South Africa online store catalog". Archived from the original on 2011-08-10. Retrieved 2016-08-10.
12. "Koch Records' page for the Let's Dance Music CD". Archived from the original on 2008-05-14. Retrieved 2016-08-10.

External links

• Strawberry Shortcake on IMDb
• Strawberry Shortcake at TV.com