Channel Umptee-3 (Season 1)

Channel Umptee-3 is a Saturday morning animated television series created by Jim George and produced by Norman Lear that aired on The WB in 1997. Ogden Ostrich, Sheldon S. Cargo, and Holey Moley drive around the world in a van with their own underground television station, while fleeing the wrath of corporate-villain Stickley Rickets. This one-season cartoon show was designed to teach kids to appreciate the wonders of everyday things, such as sleep and water. The title is derived from the fictitious number “umpteen.”

  • Poster for The Music Show

    The Music Show (Episode 1)

    Writer: James L. George

    Air date: 1997-10-25

    Runtime: 30 min

    Overview: Ogden steals a band-leader's orchestra baton and tries to learn the meaning of music. Stickley must possess this thing called 'music' and kidnaps Clifton to make music for him.

  • Poster for Umptee Sunrise

    Umptee Sunrise (Episode 2)

    Writer: James L. George

    Air date: 1997-11-01

    Runtime: 30 min

    Overview: Ogden Ostrich, Sheldon S. Cargo, and Holey Moley (a mole, of course) drive around the world in a van with their own underground television station, while fleeing the wrath of corporate-villain Stickley Rickets.

  • Poster for The U.F.O. Show

    The U.F.O. Show (Episode 3)

    Writer: James L. George

    Air date: 1997-11-08

    Runtime: 30 min

    Overview: When Ogden becomes convinced that UFO's are real and extra-terrestrials exist, Professor Relevant explains that, according to scientific evidence, life only exists on Earth.

  • Poster for What's So Funny?

    What's So Funny? (Episode 4)

    Writer: James L. George

    Air date: 1997-11-15

    Runtime: 30 min

    Overview: Ogden tries to understand what makes something funny and how laughter can be the best medicine. Meanwhile, Stickley tries to buy laughter and copyright it.

  • Poster for The Now Voyagers

    The Now Voyagers (Episode 5)

    Writer: James L. George

    Air date: 1997-11-22

    Runtime: 30 min

    Overview: Ogden goes on a personal search for an answer to an elusive question: 'What is now and when is now?' Stickley doesn't know the answer, but he loves the concept of making all his tenants pay their rent now, and yearns for it always to be now.

  • Poster for Just Add Water

    Just Add Water (Episode 6)

    Writer: James L. George

    Air date: 1997-12-06

    Runtime: 30 min

    Overview: As Ogden tries to find the perfect location for the opening of the water show, the gang explores the concept of water and learns that Sheldon can't swim and that he is afraid of water. Meanwhile, Stickley drops the Umptees in the middle of the Sahara.

  • Poster for Perchance to Dream

    Perchance to Dream (Episode 7)

    Writer: James L. George

    Air date: 1997-12-19

    Runtime: 30 min

    Overview: When Ogden has a terrible nightmare, he and the gang learn about sleep and dreams. In the meantime, Stickley instructs Bud and Ed to tire out the Umptees by keeping them awake so he can put them in a box once and for all.

  • Poster for Sale of the Century

    Sale of the Century (Episode 8)

    Writer: Mark Evanier

    Air date: 1998-01-02

    Runtime: 30 min

    Overview: Ogden discovers the 'magic' of money when gumball machines turn quarters into gum. Meanwhile, Stickley offers Ogden a million dollars to buy the station. Will Ogden succumb to the lure of wealth?

  • Poster for The Fear Show

    The Fear Show (Episode 9)

    Writer: James L. George

    Air date: 1998-01-09

    Runtime: 30 min

  • Poster for Weather or Not

    Weather or Not (Episode 10)

    Writer: Mark Evanier

    Air date: 1998-01-16

    Runtime: 30 min

    Overview: As rain ruins Sheldon's kite show, the gang explores the concept of weather. Meanwhile, Stickley hopes to get rid of the Umptees by luring them into the eye of a terrible storm.

  • Poster for Yours, Mine, and Ours

    Yours, Mine, and Ours (Episode 11)

    Writer: Robert Keats

    Air date: 1998-02-06

    Runtime: 30 min

    Overview: The concept of possession captures the gang's attention as Sheldon and Ogden argue over the ownership of 'The Harvey Award,' a chocolate bunny that was presented to Channel Umptee-3.

  • Poster for The Whole Truth

    The Whole Truth (Episode 12)

    Writer: Mark Evanier

    Air date: 1998-02-13

    Runtime: 30 min

    Overview: Ogden lies to the gang about his mother's illness when, instead of rescheduling the show, he has a great time at a party. In the meantime, Stickley wants to capture the 'Little White Lie' in order to take over the world.

  • Poster for Words Are Weird

    Words Are Weird (Episode 13)

    Writer: James L. George

    Air date: 1998-02-20

    Runtime: 30 min

    Overview: Ogden asks why some sounds have meaning and others don't, and why some are words and others are not?

Channel Umptee-3

Seasons