OT Season 7 phasing out characters

[THGhost]

Watching season 7 of the 80s show right now and have noticed that a lot of the show's characters are making their final appearances in its early episodes. Namely James Avery's Shredder voice, Zach, Tempestra, Leatherhead, Slash, Chrome Dome, the Neutrinos, Kerma, Groundchuck and Dirtbag. As well as Shredder & Krang's original Transport Modules and Shell-Ri-La. It's kinda sad to see some of them go, especially after not seeing them for a while.

Also for some reason, Jim Cummings didn't voice Leatherhead in his final appearance. Peter Renaday did.

I guess this was partly due to the fact that the last 3 seasons were retooled to be more serious? And because Shredder's voice was taking its toll on Avery's voice?

[DarkFell]

I think James Avery actually got cut from voicing Shredder and I wouldn't be surprised if it was due to money issues because I think that was why Rob Paulsen eventually left.

If I'm wrong, then feel free to correct me because I don't mind it at all.

[cammy85]

James Avery was also doing "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" at the same time. It was in its third season by the time Season 7 of TMNT started. He managed to do three episodes and two of the European episodes on the DVDs. Poor guy, stuck in the Gobi Desert.

[ToTheNines]

I'm pretty sure the reason for his sub was the fact that voicing Shredder was so rough on his throat.

[MrPliggins]

I'm pretty sure the European episodes which were released as part of "season 7", were actually produced around Season 4. They just didn't air until '93 in the US, but aired years earlier in Europe. Correct me if I'm wrong.

[CyberCubed]

Its too bad Season 8 only had 8 episodes. Had it been at least 13 episodes I wonder if Baxter and Leatherhead would have gotten a final appearance in that season just like Rat King did.

[Sumac]

Its too bad Season 8 only had 8 episodes. Had it been at least 13 episodes I wonder if Baxter and Leatherhead would have gotten a final appearance in that season just like Rat King did.

Unlikely, IMO.
It seems creators of Season 8 were hellbent on taking Turtles into very different direction than before and phasing as much old characters as possible.

[neatoman]

Excuse me if I'm wrong here, but weren't most characters just incidental at best? For example, Casey Jones is a major character in most TMNT incarnations and has pretty much been around since the start, but in the first cartoon he's only in 6 episodes out the 194 episodes it had by the end of season 10.

Season 8 marked a status quo change, of course characters were dropped but I don't think their removal was intentional, just circumstantial.

In fact, just look this list of character appearences (and keep in mind, the show had 170 episodes by the end of season 7, 194 by the end of season 10):
Zach, 7 Episodes.
Tempestra, 2 Episodes.
Leatherhead, 4 Episodes.
Slash, 3 Episodes.
Chrome Dome, 2 Episodes.
Neutrinos, 4 (?) Episodes.
Casey Jones, 6 Episodes.
Rat King, 10 Episodes.

My research was shoddy and halfhearted so I might be wrong on some of these, but I think you get the point anyway. It's not like any of of the characters THGhost mentioned were that important in the first place. Now the Channel 6 crew on the other, they intentionally removed in the Red Sky seasons.

[THGhost]

I was under the impression that Avery last voiced Shredder in episode 5 of season 7 - White Belt, Black Heart. At least that's what episode guides would have you believe.

Interesting how everyone's talking about Shredder. What about all the other characters I mentioned, huh?

Originally Posted by neatoman

Excuse me if I'm wrong here, but weren't most characters just incidental at best? For example, Casey Jones is a major character in most TMNT incarnations and has pretty much been around since the start, but in the first cartoon he's only in 6 episodes out the 194 episodes it had by the end of season 10.

Season 8 marked a status quo change, of course characters were dropped but I don't think their removal was intentional, just circumstantial.

In fact, just look this list of character appearences (and keep in mind, the show had 170 episodes by the end of season 7, 194 by the end of season 10):
Zach, 7 Episodes.
Tempestra, 2 Episodes.
Leatherhead, 4 Episodes.
Slash, 3 Episodes.
Chrome Dome, 2 Episodes.
Neutrinos, 4 (?) Episodes.
Casey Jones, 6 Episodes.
Rat King, 10 Episodes.

My research was shoddy and halfhearted so I might be wrong on some of these, but I think you get the point anyway. It's not like any of of the characters THGhost mentioned were that important in the first place. Now the Channel 6 crew on the other, they intentionally removed in the Red Sky seasons.

And yet a lot of those characters have become well-known parts of the franchise, despite only appearing a handful of times. Except for Zach and the Neutrinos. They bugged the hell out of me, was glad to see them go.

Leatherhead only appeared 4 times? That can't be right!

[MikeandRaph87]

As far as phasing out characters I doubt at the time the episodes were produced that was the intention. It just looks that way when looking back. Season 7 was about making the serious more on the serious side while still fun as it got slapstick while under the CBS banner at that point. Part of what would do that would require plots that involved other characters. While it was a step towards Red Sky those episodes were most likely commissioned until some time after season 7 finished its production cycle.

On James Avery, I believe it was merely his schedule would not allow for him to voice The Shredder, perform as Uncle Phil, and do other projects all at the same time. The typical sitcom took one week to produce which would eat much of James's work week from August until possibly March. During that time its required that the voice actors gather for the latest recording and his duties butt heads the sitcom over a voice over would be deemed more lucrative for his career.

[ssjup81]

It's still hard to believe that Casey was around less than I remember. I loved his character as a kid. I just always thought he was there or maybe the reruns aired his eps a lot, but revisiting the series I was super surprised.

[THGhost]

Originally Posted by ssjup81

It's still hard to believe that Casey was around less than I remember. I loved his character as a kid. I just always thought he was there or maybe the reruns aired his eps a lot, but revisiting the series I was super surprised.

So was I. He's a major character is almost every version, so you'd think he would be in the original series.

[Icebot]

They probably intended to phase out the characters beginning in season 9 rather than season 8, especially the Channel 6 workers Irma, Vernon and Burne since that's when April switched jobs to be a freelance reporter.

At least Casey Jones was in a season 8 episode!

[ssjup81]

Originally Posted by THGhost

So was I. He's a major character is almost every version, so you'd think he would be in the original series.

I mean for the OT. I loved him for it. He was insane! Anyone who can go on a job interview in a suit and a hockey mask while waving around a bat and still get hired as opposed to getting the cops called on you is awesome in my book.

[THGhost]

Just watched some more of season 7. Baxter Stockman, Z, Napoleon Bonafrog, Genghis Frog and Mondo Gecko also make their final appearances. No Attila the Frog or Rasputin the Mad Frog however, making their season 5 episode their final appearance. While possibly not intentional, it definitely feels like the show was about to make some very big changes, i.e. Red Sky.

To my knowledge:

Attila & Rasputin, alongside Napoleon & Genghis - 3 episodes
Napoleon & Genghis, by themselves - 1 episode
Z & Mondo Gecko - 2 episodes
Baxter Stockman - 9 episodes

[CyberCubed]

Yep, the only old characters in Season 8 is Rat King and Casey Jones.

The Channel 6 news screw also makes it through Season 8 but that's their last season.

[Sumac]

Just watched some more of season 7. Baxter Stockman, Z, Napoleon Bonafrog, Genghis Frog and Mondo Gecko also make their final appearances. No Attila the Frog or Rasputin the Mad Frog however, making their season 5 episode their final appearance. While possibly not intentional, it definitely feels like the show was about to make some very big changes, i.e. Red Sky.

Hm. I just thought about it and came to conclusion that Night of the Rogues and Dirk Savage: Mutant Hunter!!, certainly felt like a send off to the characters and style of the past seasons.

[THGhost]

Originally Posted by Sumac

Hm. I just thought about it and came to conclusion that Night of the Rogues and Dirk Savage: Mutant Hunter!!, certainly felt like a send off to the characters and style of the past seasons.

They certainly are. They're also pretty solid episodes (imho) too which makes it even better.

[Sumac]

Night of the Rogues certainly was one of the best episodes in the series. Dirk Savage...I think it was average. Though, it had Rahzar and Tokka.

All in all, I wish those old characters had more definite closing and saw more use.

On the other hand, they rare appearances is exactly what made every episode with them so special.

[Don77]

Originally Posted by Sumac

Night of the Rogues certainly was one of the best episodes in the series. Dirk Savage...I think it was average. Though, it had Rahzar and Tokka.

All in all, I wish those old characters had more definite closing and saw more use.

On the other hand, they rare appearances is exactly what made every episode with them so special.

Rewatch it latelty. Didn't see Rahzar and Tokka episode for many years. They were great. And I like this Rahzar a lot more than Nick Rahzar. It's a shame that they were only in a one episode. By the way they even could become allies