The Smurfs (1981 TV series)
Animated sitcom based on the Belgian Smurfs comics.
Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
The Smurfs is an American animated sitcom produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions, based on the Belgian comic series created by Peyo. It originally aired on NBC from September 12, 1981 to December 2, 1989, becoming one of the most successful and longest-running Saturday morning cartoons in television history.
- First aired
- September 12, 1981
- Last aired
- December 2, 1989
- Network
- NBC
- Number of episodes
- 256 (417 stories)
- Production company
- Hanna-Barbera Productions
- Creator of source material
- Peyo
Lore & Background
The Smurfs debuted on NBC in 1981 in an hour-long timeslot, produced by Hanna-Barbera in association with SEPP International S.A. (1981–1987) and Lafig S.A. (1988–1989). The series became a major success for the network, one of the few hits from the Fred Silverman era. It spawned seven spin-off television specials and was nominated multiple times for Daytime Emmy Awards, winning Outstanding Children's Entertainment Series in 1982–1983.
By 1989, the show had reached its ninth season and the 200-episode threshold, an extreme rarity for cartoons of the era. In an effort to keep the show fresh, NBC changed the format to a lost-in-time concept similar to The Time Tunnel. The last original episode aired December 2, 1989, and NBC later cancelled the show along with other Saturday-morning cartoons to make way for live-action programming on April 9, 1990. Creator Peyo ended further collaborations with Hanna-Barbera in protest over the use of the Smurfs in the 1990 special Cartoon All Stars to the Rescue without his permission.
Reader's Guide
The Smurfs holds a significant place in television history as one of the few hits from the Silverman era at NBC and one of the most successful and longest-running Saturday morning cartoons. Its 256 episodes (417 stories) far exceeded the typical 65-episode run of first-run syndicated shows of the time. The series was noted for its use of classical music as background themes, composed by Hoyt Curtin, incorporating works by composers such as Bach, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, and Stravinsky. The show's popularity led to extensive merchandising, including figurines and dolls that became hugely successful. The series aired in syndication as Smurfs' Adventures and later on Cartoon Network, Boomerang, Discovery Family, and MeTV Toons. Despite high DVD sales of the first season, no further seasons were released by Warner Home Video.
Did You Know?
- The series was based on the Belgian comic 'Les Schtroumpfs' by Peyo, who served as story supervisor.
- NBC President Fred Silverman bought a Smurf doll for his daughter Melissa while visiting Aspen, Colorado, which inspired him to consider a Smurfs series.
- The show used classical music excerpts from over 50 works by composers including Bach, Beethoven, and Tchaikovsky.
- The final original episode aired December 2, 1989, and the last re-run on NBC was August 25, 1990.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Smurfs (1981 TV series)?
It is an American animated sitcom produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions, adapted from the Belgian comic strip originally created by artist Peyo. The show follows the lighthearted adventures of a village of small blue magical creatures known as Smurfs who live together in a forest.
When did The Smurfs (1981 TV series) first and last air?
The series premiered on NBC on September 12, 1981, and concluded with its final broadcast on December 2, 1989. Over that nearly eight-year run, it became one of the longest-running Saturday morning cartoons in American television history.
How many episodes of The Smurfs (1981 TV series) were produced?
A total of 256 episodes were made, which together contained 417 individual stories. Each episode was typically structured around multiple short segments rather than one continuous plot.
Who is the original creator behind The Smurfs (1981 TV series)?
The Smurfs characters were devised by Belgian comic artist Peyo in the late 1950s. The 1981 animated adaptation was then developed and produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions for an American audience.
Why is The Smurfs (1981 TV series) considered important in animation history?
By holding a prime Saturday morning slot on NBC for over eight years, it became one of the most successful and enduring cartoons of its era. Its broad international reach introduced Peyo's magical Smurf world to a generation of young viewers across multiple countries.
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