What should the Classic FW 87 88 OT be called?

[sdp]

Online for the most part it was called the OT for "old toon" or "original toon" and the new show 2003 was called the NT for "new toon" but it was also often called 2k3. Of course eventually NT stopped being used since it wasn't new and it was just called 2k3.

People no longer use OT though, it seems very rare and mostly only older issues. I see some people calling it FW for fred wolf, others use 87 or 88, which is a mess some people count the miniseries but others use 88 including the movie Turtles Forever. Can we reach on a consensus of what the classic cartoon should be called?
Most other shows/movies go by their year date so perhaps that but should it be 88 or 87?

[Coola Yagami]

Yeah. Just call it TMNT 88 or TMNT 80's. After all, we call the other 2 TMNT 2K3 and TMNT 2012. Rise is dif cause they had a whole new name for the show.

So I'll agree with TMNT 88.

[mikey0]

It depends on which version of Fred Wolf TMNT you are discussing. The miniseries was the best out of all of them, but most people are thinking of the syndicated series (ran from ‘88 to ‘89) when they bring up the original toon. The ‘88 series ends with The Big Blow Out. It does not extend to Turtles Forever. Turtles Forever is a standalone movie. The 1990 to 1996 CBS episodes are not part of the ‘88 series either. I’m not sure where people got the idea to combine the miniseries with the syndicated series, CBS SATAM series, and Turtles Forever from. I think they’re looking at how the main characters, locations, and synopsis is the same.

I’m voting for ‘88 because those are the stories most people are familiar with. Every ‘89 basic assortment action figure was introduced in the ‘88 syndicated series. Don’t get me wrong, the miniseries was the greatest children’s programming to come out of the late 1980s. The miniseries cannot be glued to the ‘88 series or 1990 series. The miniseries is a 5 parter and that’s it. Lion’s Gate was incorrect in saying it was season 1 of “the whole Fred Wolf original cartoon”. So, it’s ‘88 for me.

Yeah. Just call it TMNT 88 or TMNT 80's. After all, we call the other 2 TMNT 2K3 and TMNT 2012. Rise is dif cause they had a whole new name for the show.

So I'll agree with TMNT 88.

TMNT 80s? You are aware that there was a 1990 CBS SATAM series with a completely different opening and closing along with the Red Sky seasons, right? The ‘90 to ‘96 episodes were not part of the ‘88 syndicated series. The 1990 to 1993 CBS seasons have Turtle Tips at the end of them. Not to mention, Michelangelo is using a grappling hook instead of his chucks. Many Generation XYers, like my cousin, list the CBS series as when everything TMNT was jumping the shark.

It can be divided like this:

Miniseries = Generation XY culture
‘88 Syndicated Series = Generation XY culture
1990 CBS Saturday Morning = Generation Y culture

[PizzaPower1985]

It depends on which version of Fred Wolf TMNT you are discussing. The miniseries was the best out of all of them, but most people are thinking of the syndicated series (ran from ‘88 to ‘89) when they bring up the original toon. The ‘88 series ends with The Big Blow Out. It does not extend to Turtles Forever. Turtles Forever is a standalone movie. The 1990 to 1996 CBS episodes are not part of the ‘88 series either. I’m not sure where people got the idea to combine the miniseries with the syndicated series, CBS SATAM series, and Turtles Forever from. I think they’re looking at how the main characters, locations, and synopsis is the same.

I’m voting for ‘88 because those are the stories most people are familiar with. Every ‘89 basic assortment action figure was introduced in the ‘88 syndicated series. Don’t get me wrong, the miniseries was the greatest children’s programming to come out of the late 1980s. The miniseries cannot be glued to the ‘88 series or 1990 series. The miniseries is a 5 parter and that’s it. Lion’s Gate was incorrect in saying it was season 1 of “the whole Fred Wolf original cartoon”. So, it’s ‘88 for me.



TMNT 80s? You are aware that there was a 1990 CBS SATAM series with a completely different opening and closing along with the Red Sky seasons, right? The ‘90 to ‘96 episodes were not part of the ‘88 syndicated series. The 1990 to 1993 CBS seasons have Turtle Tips at the end of them. Not to mention, Michelangelo is using a grappling hook instead of his chucks. Many Generation XYers, like my cousin, list the CBS series as when everything TMNT was jumping the shark.

It can be divided like this:

Miniseries = Generation XY culture
‘88 Syndicated Series = Generation XY culture
1990 CBS Saturday Morning = Generation Y culture

All of that IS technically true, BUT since each season of the original 80's cartoon is lumped in with and part of the same show that aired in 1987, however peripherally, whether spin-off or not, I always refer to the 10 season show 1987 to 1997 and TMNT87, or the 87 Toon!

[MikeandRaph87]

I call it TMNT (1987) outside and within this forum. Sometimes people offline refer to it as the original cartoon, but I never heard anyone refer to it as the Fred Wolf cartoon outside of this website. Its the best there was, the best there is, and the best there will be.

Its the one that has staying power in the minds of people for better or worse.

[CyberCubed]

LOL @ these replies.

People, it's basically just called "the original TMNT cartoon" to most of the general public or casuals. I've never seen anyone call it "the '87 series" seriously where is that coming from?

[neatoman]

FW or Fred Wolf. There are a number of reasons to do so:

It is the only TMNT cartoon produced by Fred Wolf and the only one that ever will be. Assuming you know the production company, there isn't anything else it can be confused for.
Calling it 1987 might seem straight forward but adding up starting years to anything simply called Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles gets confusing in the long run. Here an extreme example list; TMNT'84, TMNT'87, TMNT'89, TMNT'90, TMNT'91, TMNT'93, TMNT'01, TMNT'03, TMNT'07, TMNT'11, TMNT'12, TMNT'13, TMNT'14. This may be a little hyperbolic but it will actually get confusing in the long run.
OT is a misleading initalism. Sure, I'm told it mean "old toon" but it could just as easily mean "Original Turtles". Since it is an adaptation, it isn't original by default and I refuse to use a shorthand that could be interpreted as such.
Also, let's say old toon could not be misread. The 4Kids show is almost 20 years old, that's pretty old if you ask me.

[mikey0]

All of that IS technically true, BUT since each season of the original 80's cartoon is lumped in with and part of the same show that aired in 1987, however peripherally, whether spin-off or not, I always refer to the 10 season show 1987 to 1997 and TMNT87, or the 87 Toon!

The miniseries should not be lumped in together with the very late 80s regular show and 90s CBS toon. The miniseries was meant to sell the Reagan era figures (wave 1) and nothing else. The regular syndicated show sells the rest of the 80s toys from 1989. Lastly, the CBS show was supposed to be a mix of 30 minute toy commercials for everything sold from 1990 to 1995 and an average animated television series, but it was a Saturday morning show (meaning it could not be completely like the weekday series).

LOL @ these replies.

People, it's basically just called "the original TMNT cartoon" to most of the general public or casuals. I've never seen anyone call it "the '87 series" seriously where is that coming from?

Lion’s Gate made the miniseries into “the first season” for their DVD collection in the 2000s.

[Zachatello00]

I simply refer to it as "The classic TMNT cartoon", or the "classic toon" with people who know what I'm talking about.

[Leo656]

In real life I've only ever heard people call it "The old show" or "the first show" or "The one from the 80s." Nobody remembers the year it came out and nobody knows what "Fred Wolf" is.

Quite literally, it's most often called "The old one, you know, the one from the '80s" but that is rather unwieldy. In rarer cases a person will tack "You know, before they got stupid with it" onto the end of that for further clarification. But yeah, that's how most people refer to it.

-------------------
Unrelated, but you'd think after 20 f*cking years on this forum people would remember not to put 8 and ) next to each other. Duh.

[Cyndaquilfan123]

I almost always call it the OT or 1987.

[mikey0]

Most fans look at “the start date for the whole series”, but I know both the regular series and CBS SATAM series were promoted quite often in the very late 80s and very early 90s. Those animated TV programs are separate entities from the miniseries.

There were cards featuring scenes from the miniseries, but all of merchandise for the Fred Wolf turtles came out during the time of the syndicated series and CBS SATAM series (1989 to 1991). The only non-Playmates Toys items released during the miniseries school year (1987 to 1988 ) was the Roseart Pizza Power Game and puzzles.

The syndicated series from 1988 was the most popular out of the miniseries, regular weekday show, and CBS SATAM series, so I voted for 1988.

[Wesley]

“The 80s/90s TMNT cartoon.” I call it the 90s TMNT cartoon outside this forum, though, as the people I know who watched it back in the day grew up in the 90s like me.

[mikey0]

I think some shell-heads group the ‘87 miniseries, ‘88 regular weekday series, and 1990 CBS series together because the USA Cartoon Express aired them all back to back.

The miniseries is darker than the regular weekday series and CBS toon. The turtles still punch and sometimes take out their weapons (including nunchucks) in the regular syndicated series. The CBS cartoon is brighter than both the miniseries and weekday series because it was a Saturday morning show. None of the shows are the same despite the main characters, location, and lingo used on the programs.

[FredWolfLeonardo]

I think 87 works best because its consistent with how all the other cartoons without a special title are commonly referred to as.

Tmnt 1987, 2003 and 2012.

[srmff]

I generally refer to it as the '87 series. In real life, I'd refer to it as the 80s series.

[mikey0]

I think 87 works best because its consistent with how all the other cartoons without a special title are commonly referred to as.

Tmnt 1987, 2003 and 2012.

I generally refer to it as the '87 series. In real life, I'd refer to it as the 80s series.

It’s not the same.

Would you group Rise Of The TMNT with the 2012 series since they were both on Nickelodeon?

Back to the Sewer and Fast Forward were not part of the 2003 series.

There isn’t a 1987 series. 1987 was the year of the miniseries.

The ‘88 series was even listed on the back of the Classic Collection figures.

It’s as follows:

1987 - Miniseries
1988 - Weekday syndicated series
1990 - CBS Saturday morning series

[FredWolfLeonardo]

The 1987 series might have been divided into different syndications or whatever, but it was still the same continuity from the 1st to the 193rd episode.

And Fast Forward and Back to the Sewers are absolutely canon to the 2003 series, tonally jarring as they may be.

[mikey0]

The 1987 series might have been divided into different syndications or whatever, but it was still the same continuity from the 1st to the 193rd episode.

And Fast Forward and Back to the Sewers are absolutely canon to the 2003 series, tonally jarring as they may be.

No one in the late 80s and 90s referred to the miniseries, weekday series, and CBS SATAM cartoon as the ‘87 series. Even F.H.E. released the 5 part miniseries before the regular weekday series episodes and Lion’s Gate referred to the miniseries as “the Turtles’ greatest adventures”. A user on the website BoneTheFish said everything went downhill after the 5 part miniseries. You must admit that the tone of the miniseries was different from both the ‘88 series and ‘90 series.

[FredWolfLeonardo]

You must admit that the tone of the miniseries was different from both the ‘88 series and ‘90 series.

The tone was different I admit, but it wasn't all bad after season 1.

Seasons 2 onwards fleshed out the character's personalities more (especially the villains), the comedy got better and we still got some decent action here and there.

And for those people who really like season's 1 more action oriented style, season 7 comes quite close to emulating that.

[IndigoErth]

I tend to call it the '87 series. To a lesser extent sometimes use OT or FW.

[Musashi]

I think that anything where the meaning is clear and it's not too unwieldy is fine. I personally call it That Thing From Years Ago with the Green Guys and the Fighting and the Thing That Goes Underground, You know What I Mean, That Thing...

[srmff]

It’s not the same.

Would you group Rise Of The TMNT with the 2012 series since they were both on Nickelodeon?

Back to the Sewer and Fast Forward were not part of the 2003 series.

Rise has completely different animation, personalities and plot to the 2012 series. That is no comparison for the 80s series.

Despite what people might wish or want to believe, Back to the Sewers and Fast Forward are part of the 2003 series.

No one in the late 80s and 90s referred to the miniseries, weekday series, and CBS SATAM cartoon as the ‘87 series. Even F.H.E. released the 5 part miniseries before the regular weekday series episodes and Lion’s Gate referred to the miniseries as “the Turtles’ greatest adventures”. A user on the website BoneTheFish said everything went downhill after the 5 part miniseries. You must admit that the tone of the miniseries was different from both the ‘88 series and ‘90 series.

Of course they didn't call it the '87 series back in the 80s and 90s. It was the only turtles cartoon at the time. They just called it Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

A name is not going to be agreed on for the original show. People generally know what show is being referred to if they say FW, OT, '87, etc (at least in these forums). FW and OT weren't clear to me straight away what they stood for when I saw them at first but knew the show being referred to given the context.

[mikey0]

Rise has completely different animation, personalities and plot to the 2012 series. That is no comparison for the 80s series.

Despite what people might wish or want to believe, Back to the Sewers and Fast Forward are part of the 2003 series.

Which 80s series? There was the ‘87 mini-series and ‘88 series.



Of course they didn't call it the '87 series back in the 80s and 90s. It was the only turtles cartoon at the time. They just called it Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

A name is not going to be agreed on for the original show. People generally know what show is being referred to if they say FW, OT, '87, etc (at least in these forums). FW and OT weren't clear to me straight away what they stood for when I saw them at first but knew the show being referred to given the context.

I think casual viewers are going to lump the mini-series with the weekday series and Saturday morning cartoon. Dedicated viewers know the difference. VH1 and BBC even had the TMNT in their I Love 1988 specials. The mini-series ends with The Shredder is Splintered. There is not an ‘87 series.

The mini-series, first and second season of the regular syndicated series, and CBS Saturday morning cartoon is referred to as the classic cartoon. Of course, the regular syndicated series aired more than the mini-series and a whole generation was raised on the CBS cartoon.

Instead of naming all of the shows with Super Friends in the title, most people just call it “Super Friends”. It’s easier that way. Same thing with the Fred Wolf TMNT shows.

[Leo656]

The original mini-series and the subsequent syndicated series had:

- The same theme song
- The same intro sequence
- The same voice cast
- The same art style and animation
- The same cast of characters
- The same direct line of storyline continuity

The syndicated series and the Saturday Morning series shared everything except the specific intro animation.

By the "Red Sky" Seasons, they changed the intro and SOME of the voice cast but things were mostly the same.

It's ONE show that underwent a few creative changes near the end after being on the air for a long time. That's literally it. You're more or less saying that because there was a few months between the inaugural mini-series and the syndicated show's debut, that makes it two "separate" shows. Despite absolutely everything about them being exactly the same.

I'm sorry, that's ridiculous. It's ONE show that ran for a long time with a few small breaks and a few tiny artistic changes. It's NOT two or even three shows. It's one show.

There's "pedantic" and then there's flat-out wrong.

[CyberCubed]

Any TV show in existence usually goes through changes as it goes on especially ones that last multiple seasons. Trying to split up the original cartoon is the most absurd thing I've ever seen.

Do you guys not watch any other TV shows outside of TMNT? This is baffling.

[Leo656]

Do you guys not watch any other TV shows outside of TMNT? This is baffling.

Given the type of people who hang out here? It's a distinct possibility. :lol:

[Coola Yagami]

It’s not the same.

Would you group Rise Of The TMNT with the 2012 series since they were both on Nickelodeon?

Back to the Sewer and Fast Forward were not part of the 2003 series.

There isn’t a 1987 series. 1987 was the year of the miniseries.

The ‘88 series was even listed on the back of the Classic Collection figures.

It’s as follows:

1987 - Miniseries
1988 - Weekday syndicated series
1990 - CBS Saturday morning series


Don't overcomplicate it.

Just TMNT 87/88 or TMNT 80's. The mini series is part of the same thing. So is the CBS and not many people would remember. Just call the final season Red Sky like everyone has for years.

Then 2003 and 2012. Like it or not, Fast Forward and Back to the Sewers still fall under 2003, same continuity.

As for Rise, Rise is Rise, it actually has a different title. No one is gonna confuse Rise for 2012.

[mikey0]

The original mini-series and the subsequent syndicated series had:

- The same theme song
- The same intro sequence
- The same voice cast
- The same art style and animation
- The same cast of characters
- The same direct line of storyline continuity

The syndicated series and the Saturday Morning series shared everything except the specific intro animation.

By the "Red Sky" Seasons, they changed the intro and SOME of the voice cast but things were mostly the same.

It's ONE show that underwent a few creative changes near the end after being on the air for a long time. That's literally it. You're more or less saying that because there was a few months between the inaugural mini-series and the syndicated show's debut, that makes it two "separate" shows. Despite absolutely everything about them being exactly the same.

I'm sorry, that's ridiculous. It's ONE show that ran for a long time with a few small breaks and a few tiny artistic changes. It's NOT two or even three shows. It's one show.

There's "pedantic" and then there's flat-out wrong.

Why isn’t there any mention of the show starting in 1987 on the back of the 2012 Playmates Classic Collection figures with the 34 points of articulation then?

Don't overcomplicate it.

Just TMNT 87/88 or TMNT 80's. The mini series is part of the same thing. So is the CBS and not many people would remember. Just call the final season Red Sky like everyone has for years.

Then 2003 and 2012. Like it or not, Fast Forward and Back to the Sewers still fall under 2003, same continuity.

As for Rise, Rise is Rise, it actually has a different title. No one is gonna confuse Rise for 2012.

I’m not over-complicating it. I’m simply stating facts. It all goes by the same title, but there was a 1988 weekly syndicated series and CBS Saturday morning cartoon.

[CyberCubed]

This almost feels like borderline trolling at this point.

What does it matter what timeslot a show aired in the 80's or early 90's that most people will never remember or think about?

[mikey0]

This almost feels like borderline trolling at this point.

What does it matter what timeslot a show aired in the 80's or early 90's that most people will never remember or think about?

It’s not trolling.

The miniseries came first, then the ‘88 series. The ‘88 series blew up in popularity in the ‘89 and ‘90 school year and then CBS aired TMNT on Saturday mornings in the 90s. You could make a case for the CBS show being a continuation to the ‘88 syndicated series, but the miniseries was better written than both of the shows that came afterward.

[Leo656]

https://memegenerator.net/img/instances/68039098.jpg

[mikey0]

https://memegenerator.net/img/instances/68039098.jpg

Everyone looks at it differently.

Some people see it as a series that aired from 1987 to 1996, while others realize there was an ‘87 miniseries, ‘88 series, and ‘90 series.

[Leo656]

Or they understand that it was THE SAME SHOW that occasionally had a different time slot or whatever. There's nothing about it that's different otherwise!

Sometimes Hulk Hogan wore a red shirt, sometimes he wore a yellow one. Is he now a completely different f*cking GUY because there's a 1% difference in the presentation? By your logic, Yes He Is. :lol:

It's one show that had a short break in the beginning and a shifting airing schedule afterwards.

This sh*t is bananas.

[mikey0]

It’s like the Back To The Future Trilogy when you think about it.

‘87 miniseries: Back To The Future
‘88 regular syndicated series: Back To The Future Part 2
‘90 CBS Saturday morning show: Back To The Future Part 3

The miniseries was the only show we needed. The punk frogs, fly Baxter, Casey Jones, Metalhead, Slash, and etcetera never sold as well as the first wave action figures.

[FredWolfLeonardo]

I think the real issue is that you refuse to accept that anything post season 1 is part of the 87 universe.

It's fine to like season 1 better than all the rest, but to be so elitist that you refuse to acknowledge anything after season 1 as being part of the same show (when the creators clearly intended everything post season 1 as canon) is beyond personal preference, and into the territory of ignoring facts.

It's not any different from some people who think that Red Sky is a seperate universe from the first 7 seasons of the 1987 series, or people who think that the Mutant Apocalypse is an alternate timeline that has nothing to do with the 2012 series. In both examples, it's people ignoring the clear intentions of the creators and spinning up their own narrative/headcanons in order to spare themselves the babyrage.

[Roseangelo]

It depends on which version of Fred Wolf TMNT you are discussing. The miniseries was the best out of all of them, but most people are thinking of the syndicated series (ran from ‘88 to ‘89) when they bring up the original toon. The ‘88 series ends with The Big Blow Out. The 1990 to 1996 CBS episodes are not part of the ‘88 series either. I’m not sure where people got the idea to combine the miniseries with the syndicated series, CBS SATAM series

Yeah, it's all the same show. There is literally no separation. The first five episodes were syndicated the same as the rest of the series. The CBS episodes aired on CBS and had more consistency, but it's still the same series. And it's still all the same series when it changed to the red sky format.

I don't know why you think people lump Turtles Forever in with it, because no one does.

[CyberCubed]

Considering the guy also thinks Rise is part of the 2012 series just because Nick made both cartoons even though they're completely separate series, I don't understand him at all.

[mikey0]

I think the real issue is that you refuse to accept that anything post season 1 is part of the 87 universe.

It's fine to like season 1 better than all the rest, but to be so elitist that you refuse to acknowledge anything after season 1 as being part of the same show (when the creators clearly intended everything post season 1 as canon) is beyond personal preference, and into the territory of ignoring facts.

It's not any different from some people who think that Red Sky is a seperate universe from the first 7 seasons of the 1987 series, or people who think that the Mutant Apocalypse is an alternate timeline that has nothing to do with the 2012 series. In both examples, it's people ignoring the clear intentions of the creators and spinning up their own narrative/headcanons in order to spare themselves the babyrage.

What ‘87 universe? Only the miniseries aired in ‘87. I think you meant ‘88 or ‘90 universe.

You appear to follow Lion’s Gate’s episode list, but not everyone does.

It’s not the same show to me. I know the title, theme song (minus the Red Sky years), characters, locations, lingo, and plot are the same, but the openings, closings, animation, weapons (in some cases), and new characters are different.

‘87 miniseries = Made to sell the ‘88 figures
‘88 series = Marketing the ‘89 figures
‘90 to ‘96 series = 30 minute advertisement for the ‘90 to ‘94 (or ‘95) figures

I refuse to see it as the same show.

Yeah, it's all the same show. There is literally no separation. The first five episodes were syndicated the same as the rest of the series. The CBS episodes aired on CBS and had more consistency, but it's still the same series. And it's still all the same series when it changed to the red sky format.

I don't know why you think people lump Turtles Forever in with it, because no one does.

Technically, they are separate shows. I know that the ‘87 miniseries and ‘88 series were on the same networks and the ‘87 miniseries was shown many times before the ‘88 series in the very late 80s and early to mid 90s, but they are separate shows. The miniseries took itself serious and that’s why it was far better than the ‘88 show and CBS Saturday Morning cartoon.

Considering the guy also thinks Rise is part of the 2012 series just because Nick made both cartoons even though they're completely separate series, I don't understand him at all.

You weren’t listening to me. I asked the user if they would group Rise with the 2k12 series because they aired on the same channel. To me, that would be no different from a person saying that the ‘88 show was connected to the ‘87 miniseries because both shows were syndicated. They are separate shows. That’s what I was saying. I know that Rise is a different show from the 2k12 show.

[sdp]

https://i.imgflip.com/4on196.jpg

General consensus here based on votes is to call it the 87 series, this matches up with Wikipedia and IMDB so let's just go along with that. I believe the old NinjaTurtles.com also had it this way. Can't get more official than that.

[mikey0]

Well, Coola Yagami and I know that most people are referring to the ‘88 series when they discuss the old TMNT show. Though, I must admit that the miniseries was awesome.

[Original TMNT Cartoon Fan]

Call them whatever you want, as long as the word "new" is avoided.

[garsh]

Out of curiosity, why does the fandom credit Fred Wolf in particular? I always tend to first think "MWS" when I want to denote the series, as that's the production company, and it escapes me why "FW" is ever singled out instead.

[neatoman]

Out of curiosity, why does the fandom credit Fred Wolf in particular? I always tend to first think "MWS" when I want to denote the series, as that's the production company, and it escapes me why "FW" is ever singled out instead.

Because the company eventually changed it's name to Fred Wolf and Fred Wolf is the guy holding onto the rights. Not to mention how Fred Wolf also claims he was the one to secure the rights after the first season.

[garsh]

Because the company eventually changed it's name to Fred Wolf and Fred Wolf is the guy holding onto the rights. Not to mention how Fred Wolf also claims he was the one to secure the rights after the first season.


So, because of changes that happened after the lifespan of the show itself?

[neatoman]

So, because of changes that happened after the lifespan of the show itself?

Maybe but "Fred Wolf" is just easier to remember. Plus, I'm pretty sure these changes happen during the show's run.

[sdp]

I think we should just refer to it as the Murakami-Wolf-Swenson TMNT cartoon from now on so we don't get confused.

[Roseangelo]

I don't like calling it the Fred Wolf series, myself. I just say "old toon" or "original toon."

[garsh]

Maybe but "Fred Wolf" is just easier to remember. Plus, I'm pretty sure these changes happen during the show's run.

I thought about it, and I think I do remember seeing a transition to just "Fred Wolf" in later seasons. Anyway, thanks for the quick answer. That makes sense.

Not too long ago a friend of mine referred to it as "the Playmates cartoon" which really caught me off guard. That was the first time I ever heard that one.

[CyberCubed]

Nobody outside of an obscure TMNT forum has ever heard the name "Fred Wolf."

If you go to someone and say, "Have you watched the Fred Wolf Turtle cartoon?" they won't know what the hell you're talking about. They'll think you're referring to "The Boy who cried wolf" or something like that.

[Cordial Bird]

I had never heard the term "Fred Wolf Series" before I started visiting this site.
It was always the "original 'toon" or the "80's 'toon." in my friend circles.

In one animation group I was in, someone more than one called it the MWS Turtle series which I don't mind even though I had to blink twice to process what he was saying at first. I don't get why Wolf gets all da credit.

[ssjup81]

I personally just call it the OT in places here or writing something out online, but in actual conversation, I interchangeably go back and forth between "the original show" or the "1987 series". Guess it just depends, but for here, I stick with saying the OT. Everyone knows what it refers to.

[sdp]

With Shredder's Revenge pretty much all media outlets have called it the 1987 show, so that's the de facto official name of the show now.

[Prowler]

I've gotten used to referring to it as the FW series since the Nick Toon debuted.

Like you said, OT was what it was still called when I joined this place. There were only 2 different Ninja Turtles cartoon series at the time still.

Outside of this forum? I refer to it as the 87 TMNT series.