Mack & Moxy

Mack & Moxy is a children's education show that focuses on causes. Each episode teaches children life-long lessons of charity and compassion, while celebrating the joy of helping others.^[1] Created by Brahm Wenger and Alan Green, the show combines 3D animation, live-action puppets, and original songs and music. The show is being distributed by American Public Television^[2] and currently airs on PBS stations across America.^[3][4][5] The complete first season began streaming on Netflix in October 2016.^[6]

Overview

Each episode includes two 14-minute segments and follows Mack, a lovable, moose-like lummox, and Moxy, a feisty, raccoon/fox-inspired go-getter as they take off on another adventure.^[7] Together with a helpful Trooper (child), they set out to rescue another Great Helpee in a far off mystical place called HelpeeLand.

Along the way, Mack & Moxy meet a new Friend-In-Need who introduces Mack & Moxy (and the kids at home) to a new important cause.

A number of non-profits and government organizations have partnered with Mack & Moxy for the show's first season. These include: American Heart Association, American Red Cross, Citizen Schools, Easter Seals,^[8] Feeding America, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, National Park Foundation, Orange County Sheriff’s Department, Playworks, President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition, Save the Children^[9] and World Wildlife Fund.

Production

Mack & Moxy was created by executive producer Brahm Wenger, who has worked for Walt Disney Pictures for over 17 years, producing and writing the scores and songs for over 40 children’s films – including the complete Air Bud and Air Buddies series. The show is co-produced by Bardel Entertainment,^[10] one of the world's leading animation houses that has done animation for Fox, DreamWorks, Warner Bros., Nickelodeon, Disney, and Cartoon Network.

Characters

• Mack - A moose-like gentle giant – the enthusiastic, fun-loving instant best buddy of everyone he meets. He’s always ready to lead – or follow – or dance – depending on the situation. He is portrayed by Brian Drummond
• Moxy - A power-packed perky pink raccoon who's filled with endless energy and eternal optimism. She is portrayed by Kathleen Barr
• The Trooper - Each episode features a guest Trooper, a child selected with, and for, the non-profit and their cause. The Trooper helps Mack & Moxy on their adventure to rescue the Great Helpee, while sharing knowledge about the cause.
• Friend-In-Need - In each episode, Mack & Moxy meet a Friend-in-Need on one of their many adventures to save another Great Helpee. The Friend-in-Need introduces Mack & Moxy (and the audience at home) to a new and important cause.
• The Admirable - The leader of the Great Helpee Heroes who sends Mack & Moxy on their mission to save another Great Helpee. Sometimes played by a guest celebrity. Season 1 guest stars include: Kal Penn, Keegan-Michael Key, Dean Norris, Eva LaRue, Matt Lucas, Melissa Fumero, Josh Duhamel, and Rachael Ray.
• Clixx - A classic, scatter-brained brainiac robot. Clixx's job is to provide technical help and guidance via Instant Moosaging to Mack & Moxy on their adventure to save the Great Helpee. Voiced by James Murray
• The Great Helpee - Magical creatures whose powers bring happiness and helpfulness to the world. In each episode, a new Great Helpee is about to hatch in HelpeeLand and the show's Heroes are on a mission to find it first.
• Shelfish Sheldon - A little lobster with big problems. He’s a selfish, claw-rubbing schemer who is obsessed with keeping all the The Great Helpees for himself. He is portrayed by Hank Azaria.

Episodes

1. "A Friend Who Reads Is A Friend Indeed" (February 5, 2016) Mack & Moxy set out with Trooper Kaitlyn on a colorful adventure to HelpeeLand in search of a Great Helpee. They meet Nolie, a lovable little puffball who has never had any pals to play with. As the Heroes become her first friends, they share and sing about the joys of reading books. Meanwhile, Shelfish Sheldon lurks nearby, scheming and sledding to the Great Helpee so he can keep all its happiness for himself. The episode supports Save the Children, which has provided quality preschool programs to underserved children around the world since 1932.
2. "Feeding Rainbow" (February 5, 2016) Mack & Moxy zip-line over the Sky Islands in HelpeeLand with Trooper Francesca and accidentally fall on a fatigued new friend, Rainbow. He’s a lethargic Pegasus who hasn’t had any breakfast. Since his parents have lost their jobs, there’s not enough food to eat. Rainbow’s strength is renewed once the Heroes locate a nearby food pantry and enjoy a nutritious feast. But Shelfish Sheldon jets ahead on a flying vacuum, trying to swoop the Great Helpee and keep all its happiness for himself. The episode supports Feeding America, an organization that feeds 46 million people every day across the US.
3. "Ty the Grrr" (February 5, 2016) Mack & Moxy hula to HelpeeLand, along with Trooper Tyree, to rescue another Great Helpee. While in the Cool Green Jungle, they’re pounced on by a playful cub named Ty the Grrrr who explains how all his friends have moved away because there’s nowhere left to live. Together they find a solution. And of course, Shelfish Sheldon tries to snatch the Great Helpee first so he can keep all its happiness for himself. The episode supports the World Wildlife Fund, which is committed to saving nature, conserving habitats, and protecting wildlife.
4. "Always Be Prepared" (March 18, 2016) When Mack & Moxy zoom off to HelpeeLand with Trooper Jax to save another Great Helpee, they meet a cool kid named Kendling Pop-Pop Jr. He’s busy drafting an escape plan for his house in case there’s a fire. As they’re looking for the Great Helpee in the house, the Kendling’s smoke detector beeps. Remembering how to stay safe, they “get low and go.” Meanwhile, Shelfish Sheldon scurries about to get the Great Helpee first so he can keep all its happiness for himself. The episode supports American Red Cross, which teaches emergency preparedness and provides disaster relief across the globe.
5. "A Bop-Topus' Garden" (March 18, 2016) Mack & Moxy, along with Trooper Georgia, plunge in to Helpee Land Sea and get hugged by a bubbly octopus named Penny and her multi-tasking mom, Mrs. Squiggly. As they bop their way toward the Great Helpee, Mrs. Squiggly loses steam because she’s been too busy to eat properly. Together the Heroes grow their own nutritious garden and with the energy from fresh fruits and vegetables, save the day! Meanwhile, Shelfish Sheldon spies and swiftly swims to the Great Helpee so he can keep all its happiness for himself. The episode supports the American Heart Association, which has helped build heart healthy lives for kids, families, and communities since 1924.
6. "Get Up, Get Going" (June 3, 2016) Mack & Moxy jump into action with Trooper Lauren and bump into a friendly teenager named Blump who spends his time playing video games and eating candy bars. When asked to help the Heroes find the Great Helpee at the top of the mountain, Blump slumps and sighs. But once he breaks a sweat and gets into shape bike riding, hooping, and hiking up the hill, he reaps the rewards of exercise. As always, Shelfish Sheldon tries to beat them to the Great Helpee so he can keep all its happiness for himself. The episode supports the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition, whose mission is to engage, educate, and empower all Americans to adopt a healthy lifestyle that includes regular physical activity and good nutrition.
7. "A Spectrum of Possibilities" (June 3, 2016) Mack & Moxy are joined by Trooper Charlie, a boy with autism. They land high atop a colorful tree and see a Little Bird building his nest nearby. Confused as to why their new friend won’t look at or talk to them, Trooper Charlie recognizes that Little Bird also has autism. Once they all celebrate the joys of being different, Little Bird’s unique talents help them find their way to the Great Helpee! But cliff-climbing Shelfish Sheldon almost has it in his grasp, eager to keep all its happiness for himself. The episode supports Easter Seals, an international charitable organization devoted to providing opportunities for children and adults with physical disabilities.^[11][12]
8. "S.T.E.M. Strong" (June 3, 2016) On this mission to save another Great Helpee, the Heroes need Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. With Trooper Xolo, an aspiring engineer, Mack & Moxy head to HelpeeLand and come across a math-loving new friend named Munch Munch. But they’re in for a big surprise when they discover that the Great Helpee is hatching atop a volcano covered in hot lava! Together they solve the problem by building a robot. Only one variable – Shelfish Sheldon is bounding up the hillside on a pogo-stick, perfectly poised to pounce and keep all the Great Helpee’s happiness for himself. The episode supports Citizen Schools, an education program that, through mentoring, helps thousands of middle school students across the US discover and achieve their dreams.
9. "Ready, Set, Hike!" (August 5, 2016) Mack & Moxy head to HelpeeLand National Park with Trooper Tigran. They’re welcomed by Ranger Rosey, an extroverted outdoor enthusiast who is delighted to introduce them to the wonders of nature. Along the way they breathe in the fresh air, explore the terrain, discover different types of plants, learn about the park’s history, and take photos to share, inspiring others to enjoy the majestic lands. But sharing doesn’t work for Shelfish Sheldon, who scrambles to the Great Helpee, set on keeping all its happiness for himself. The episode supports the National Park Foundation, the official charity of America's national parks.
10. "Buckle Up For Safety" (August 5, 2016) As Mack & Moxy head out on a road trip with Trooper Sade, they wind up on the wrong side of HelpeeLand. The Heroes meet a happy young duckling named Chuckle and luckily get a ride from Mr. Roadster, an open-aired mini-van who happily beeps, honks, and toots along the canyon. As they sit in their proper car seats and buckle up for safety, they hit the road heading to the Great Helpee. But Shelfish is zooming along ahead of them, confident that this time he’ll keep all its happiness for himself! The episode supports Safe Kids Worldwide, a global organization dedicated to protecting kids from unintentional injuries.
11. "Play It Again, Mack" (August 5, 2016) Mack & Moxy team up with Trooper Sydnee to save another Great Helpee. When they bounce over to HelpeeLand School, they run into a rabbit named Patch who is sad because recess has become too rowdy and no one wants to play anymore. To cheer Patch up, the Heroes start a lively game of foursquare. But when a disagreement develops over who won, Trooper Sydnee suggests Rock, Paper, Scissors to settle the dispute. It works like a charm except for one problem – Shelfish Sheldon is about to snatch the Great Helpee and keep all its happiness for himself! The episode supports PlayWorks, a nation-wide program that supports learning and physical health by providing safe and inclusive play to low-income students in urban schools.
12. "Help Is On The Way" (August 5, 2016) Mack & Moxy and Trooper Noel meet Sheriff Hiya, an amiable eagle who’s always of service to the residents of HelpeeLand. As the Sheriff’s assistance is requested by a neighbor in need, the Heroes continue on their journey. But when Shelfish Sheldon plays a sneaky trick so he can keep the Great Helpee for himself, the Heroes fall to the bottom of a very deep pit and can’t get out. Then they remember Sheriff Hiya’s advice about dialing 9-1-1 if there’s an emergency. They call the number and help is immediately on its way – just in time for the Great Helpee to hatch! The episode supports the Orange County Sheriff’s Department and local law enforcement.

Awards

• 2016: Won the Parents' Choice Award for Spring 2016 Television^[13]
• 2016: Won the Mom's Choice Award^[14]

References

External links

• Mack & Moxy at the Internet Movie Database
• Official website