Little Mermaid, The

1 9 9 2 – 1 9 9 5 (USA)
31 x 30 minute episodes

Based on the hit Disney full-length cartoon movie of the same name (1989), which in turn was derived from Hans Christian Anderson’s fairy tale, this animated CBS series presented gentle stories of Ariel (voiced by Jodi Benson) in the time before the film was set (when she was a teenager).

Sebastian (Samuel E Wright) was her cowardly crab chum, while Flounder (Edan Gross) was a more adventurous yellow youngster.

The trio often managed to get into messes, but using their brains and respect for one another typically got things straightened out before the end of each show.

King Triton (Kenneth Mars) was Ariel’s wise, bearded dad.

The cartoon was quite a faithful adaptation of the Disney movie, using many of the same voices and similar artwork and music.

Episodes also introduced new characters, including Ariel’s “merboy” friend – an orphan named Urchin (Danny Cooksey), a snobbish merteen called Pearl (Cree Summer), the Lobster Mobster (Joe Alaskey), Evil Manta (Tim Curry), and an orca that Ariel named “Spot”.

Not to be confused with a ripoff cartoon syndicated in 1991, officially titled Sabans’ Adventures of the Little Mermaid Fantasy.

Ariel
Jodi Benson
Sebastian
Samuel E. Wright
Flounder
Edan Gross
Triton
Kenneth Mars