Foxbusters

And I mean that with all the love and admiration a Yank can have for the Empire.

While many American children's TV shows try to be oh, so hip and oh, so cool, with their pop references and in-jokes, "Foxbusters" cuts right to the bone with bawdy language and sight gags that will never pass Standards and Practices at Cartoon Network, even if they cablecast it at midnight. Remember, this is a series aimed at the 8-years-and-up crowd!

A few prime examples:

Sims (one of the Foxbusters, a hen, in a voice over): "It is spring and the thoughts of young animals turn to love. The sheep are leaping. The goats are doting. And the ducks are getting on rather well."

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Todd (a fox, reading an instant food label): "'Just add hot water.' Now, how are foxes supposed to do that? I can only heat water by passing it through me."

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Farmer (talking to the old tractor he's about to retire): "Oh, we were young and full of life then, and neither of us had any problem with leaking fluids."

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An online acquaintance from England sent me a CD ROM containing 6 episodes and not a single one could be aired unedited in the USA. The only real hope Americans might have of seeing the series uncut is as a "cult" item in home video. We in the colonies can only hope it happens soon.

In a world where 'animation' these days means twee, harmless, bland Disney-type dross it's nice to see that there are still at least some genuinely good cartoon series out there. This one involves three hens who defend the innocent animals around their farm and countryside from foxes.

The characters are all interesting and the scripts are well-written. What sets this apart from most cartoons these days is that anybody of any age can appreciate it. The satirical election episode (a thinly-disguised parody of the '97 election)is an all-time gem of animation. "We've created a monster. No, worse. We've created a politician!"