Dexter's Laboratory (1996) (TV Series)

Dexter's Laboratory (commonly abbreviated as Dexter's Lab) is an American animated television series created by Genndy Tartakovsky for Cartoon Network. It follows Dexter, a boy-genius and inventor with a hidden laboratory in his room, which he keeps secret from his parents. He is in a constant battle with his older sister Dee Dee, who always finds a way to get inside Dexter's lab and inadvertently foil his experiments. Dexter also engages in a bitter rivalry with a fellow boy-genius named Mandark, who is Dexter's neighbor and classmate. Prominently featured in the series' first two seasons are segments featuring superhero-based characters Monkey, Dexter's pet lab-monkey/superhero, and the Justice Friends, a trio of superheroes who share an apartment.

Tartakovsky pitched the series to Fred Seibert's first animated shorts showcase What a Cartoon! at Hanna-Barbera, basing it on student films Tartakovsky produced at the California Institute of the Arts, and four pilots aired from 1995 to 1996. Viewer approval ratings led to a half-hour series, which initially ran for two seasons with 52 total episodes from April 27, 1996, to June 15, 1998. On December 10, 1999, a made-for-television movie titled Ego Trip aired as the intended series finale, and Tartakovsky left to begin work on Samurai Jack.

In November 2001, the series was revived for two more seasons containing 26 total episodes, which began on November 18 of that year, and ended on November 20, 2003. Due to Tartakovsky's departure from the series, the new seasons were made under Chris Savino and a different production team at Cartoon Network Studios, with various changes to the visual art style and character designs.

Dexter's Laboratory won three Annie Awards, with nominations for four Primetime Emmy Awards, four Golden Reel Awards, and nine other Annie Awards. The series is notable for helping launch the careers of animators Craig McCracken, Seth MacFarlane, Butch Hartman, and Rob Renzetti. Spin-off media include comic books, DVD and VHS releases, music albums, collectible toys, and video games.

Premise
The series revolves around Dexter (voiced by Christine Cavanaugh in seasons 1–3; Candi Milo in seasons 3–4) a bespectacled boy-genius who possesses a secret laboratory hidden behind a bookcase in his bedroom. The laboratory is filled with Dexter's inventions and can be accessed by speaking passwords or by activating hidden switches on Dexter's bookshelf (e.g. pulling out a specific book). Though highly intelligent, Dexter often fails at what he sets out to do when he becomes overexcited and makes careless choices. Although he comes from a typical American family, Dexter speaks with a thick accent of indeterminate origin. Christine Cavanaugh described it as "an affectation, [a] kind of accent, we're not quite sure. A small Peter Lorre, but not. Perhaps he's Latino, perhaps he's French. He's a scientist; he knows he needs [a] kind of accent."[1] Genndy Tartakovsky explained, "he's a scientist. All scientists are foreign and have accents...It's not really a German accent. It's just Eastern European."[2]

Dexter manages to keep his lab a secret from his clueless mother (voiced by Kath Soucie) and father (voiced by Jeff Bennett), who never take notice of it. However, he is frequently in conflict with his hyperactive, but good-hearted, older sister, Dee Dee (voiced by Allison Moore in seasons 1 & 3 and by Kat Cressida in seasons 2 & 4). In spite of Dexter's advanced technology, Dee Dee eludes security, and once inside her brother's laboratory, she delights in playing haphazardly, wreaking havoc with his inventions. Though seemingly dim-witted, Dee Dee outsmarts her brother and even gives him helpful advice. For his part, Dexter, though annoyed by his intrusive sibling, feels a reluctant affection for her and will come to her defense if she is imperiled.

Dexter's nemesis is another boy-genius from his school named Susan (first name revealed in later seasons) "Mandark" Astronomonovundefined (voiced by Eddie Deezen). Just like Dexter, Mandark possesses his own laboratory, but his schemes are generally evil and designed to gain power or downplay or destroy Dexter's accomplishments. In revival seasons, Mandark becomes significantly more evil, becoming Dexter's enemy rather than his rival, and Mandark's laboratory changes from brightly-lit with rounded features to gothic-looking, industrial, and angular. Dexter's inventions are objectively better than his, and Mandark tries to compensate for this by stealing Dexter's plans. Mandark's weakness is his unrequited love for Dee Dee.

Recurring segments
Every Dexter's Laboratory episode, with the exception of "Last But Not Beast", is divided into different stories or segments, each being 7–12 minutes long. Occasionally, a segment centers on characters other than Dexter and his family. Two segments are shown primarily during season one: Dial M for Monkey and The Justice Friends.[5] Dial M for Monkey is the middle segment for six episodes of season one, and The Justice Friends takes its place until season one's end. Dial M for Monkey shorts feature Dexter's pet laboratory monkey named Monkey (vocal effects provided by Frank Welker), who Dexter believes is an ordinary monkey and nothing more. However, Monkey secretly has superpowers and fights evil as a superhero named Monkey. Monkey is joined by his partner Agent Honeydew (voiced by Kath Soucie) of Global Security, Commander General (voiced by Robert Ridgely in season 1, Earl Boen in season 2), and a team of assembled superheroes. Dial M for Monkey was created by Genndy Tartakovsky, Craig McCracken, and Paul Rudish.[6] Monkey's superpowers include super strength, telekinesis, flight, and super speed, among others. The Justice Friends consists of Major Glory (a spoof of Captain America with the abilities and personality of Superman, voiced by Rob Paulsen), Valhallen (a spoof of Thor with the personality of Eddie Van Halen, voiced by Tom Kenny), and the Infraggable Krunk (a spoof of the Incredible Hulk, voiced by Frank Welker), a trio of superhero roommates residing in an apartment called Muscular Arms. Their adventures deal less with superhero life and more with an inability to agree with each other; it is presented much like a sitcom, including a laugh track. Genndy Tartakovsky's inspiration for The Justice Friends came from reading Marvel Comics when learning how to speak English. Tartakovsky stated in a 2001 IGN interview that he was disappointed with how The Justice Friends turned out, saying, "it could have been funnier and the characters could have been fleshed out more."undefined Between the three main segments in seasons one and two are brief mini-segments, which often feature only Dexter and Dee Dee. Other characters that star in these include "The Puppet Pals", two live-action puppets named Puppet Pal Mitch (Rob Paulsen) and Puppet Pal Clem (Tom Kenny).
 * Dial M for Monkey
 * The Justice Friends
 * Mini-segments

Followed by
Dexter's Laboratory: Ego Trip (1999) (TV Movie)

Dexter's Laboratory: Chicken Scratch (2002) (Short)

Spun-off from
What a Cartoon! (1995) (TV Series)

Referenced in
WCW Monday Nitro: Dial M For Mongo (1996) (TV Episode) Eric Bischoff mentions that Randy Savage voices a character in the "Dial M For Monkey" segment of this show.

P.U.N.K.S. (1999) Miles' shirt.

The Powerpuff Girls: Beat Your Greens/Down 'n Dirty (1999) (TV Episode) Dexter's dad can be seen

The Powerpuff Girls: Imaginary Fiend/Cootie Gras (2000) (TV Episode) In "Imaginary Fiend", one imaginary friend Bubbles conjures up to battle Patches is Koosalagoopagoop

The Powerpuff Girls: Criss Cross Crisis (2000) (TV Episode) As the Professor keeps switching bodies to get them right, Dexter appears as one of the many combinations

The Powerpuff Girls: Hot Air Buffoon/Ploys R' Us (2000) (TV Episode) Toy versions of Dexter, Dee Dee and Monkey appear in Ploys R' Us.

Charlie's Angels (2000) The line "Dee Dee, Get out of my Laboratory!" is said in Dexter's Laboratory. Poster is seen during the battle between Natalie Cook & Vivian Wood. Dexter and Dee Dee from the show was narrating throughout "Charlie's Angels".

Lizzie McGuire: Timmy Turner's First Day of HillRidge Junior High (2001) (TV Special) Lizzie describes Timmy's children's show as "The dorkiest kids show since Dexter's Lab". Dib Membrane imitates Mandark. Bubbles quotes Dee Dee's line "Ooh, what does this button do?" Dexter, Dee Dee and Mandark appears as one of the many cool kids at Digital Bean.

Spy Kids (2001)

Lizzie McGuire: Night of the Day of the Dead (2001) (TV Episode) Referenced in dialogue

The Powerpuff Girls Movie (2002) Dexter, Dee Dee and the Justice Friends appear in the Cartoon Network logo.

Taz Wanted (2002) (Video Game) Taz is dressed up as Dexter, complete with the white coat, black shoes and purple gloves.

The Lizzie McGuire Movie (2003) Dexter, Dee Dee and Mandark appears as one of the crowds at the Italian Music Awards.

The Lizzie McGuire Movie (2003) (Video Game)

The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy (2006) (Video Game) In the movie "Underfist: Halloween Bash" Billy is seen wearing the same white coat, black shoes and purple gloves that Dexter wears. He is also seen without his hat to show his red hair just like Dexter's

Yu-Gi-Oh! The Abridged Series: Shine on, You Crazy Devlin (2007) (TV Episode) Kaiba laughs just like Mandark

The Grim Adventures of the KND (2007) (TV Short) Dexter, Dee Dee, and Mandark are assimilated into the Delightful Reaper

Yu-Gi-Oh! The Abridged Series: She Blinded Me with Card Games (2008) (TV Episode) Marik laughs just like Mandark

Nostalgia Critic: Mr. Nanny (2010) (TV Episode) "Tell Dee-Dee to stay out of my room!"

MarzGurl Reviews: MarzGurl Loves Don Bluth - Rock-a-Doodle (2011) (TV Episode) points out the voice of Mandark

Animation Lookback: Don Bluth Part 5 (2012) (TV Episode) Eddie Deezen, an actor originally considered for voicing a character in Space Ace later voiced Mandark in this TV series.

My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic: A Friend in Deed (2012) (TV Episode) Pinkie's line "Ooh, what does this bauble do?"

Hewy's Animated Movie Reviews: The Top 10 80's Cartoon Intros (2012) (TV Episode) Clip shown as Paranormal Rob discusses intros.

Mad: Taking Nemo/Once Upon a Toon (2012) (TV Episode) Dexter & Dee Dee appear in the Once Upon a Toon skit.

AniMat's Reviews: Hotel Transylvania (2012) (TV Episode) Mentioned as one of Genndy Tartakovsky's previous works.

Hewy's Animated Movie Reviews: Hotel Transylvania (2012) (TV Episode) Hewy discusses on the animated shows Gennedy Tartakovsky work on.

Double Rainboom (2013) (Short) The Monkey is one of Fluttershy's animal friends in a fantasy sequence, and Dexter appears in a crossover wormhole that Rainbow Dash passes through.

Animated Atrocities: Johnny's Royal Flush (2013) (TV Episode) Enter calls Johnny Test a rip-off of this series.

I Know That Voice (2013) Discussed in the film

ZTV News: Episode #1.5 (2013) (TV Episode) Image of the cartoon is shown.

The Cinema Snob: E.T. XXX: A DreamZone Parody (2014) (TV Episode) Fry J. Phillip (from Futurama): "Is this a science lab or Dexter's murder room? You mixed up the Dexters, bad idea!"

Steven Universe: Say Uncle (2015) (TV Episode) Dexter and Dee-Dee are listed as helped in Uncle Grandpa's list.

Honest Game Trailers: Until Dawn (2015) (TV Episode) "I wonder what this button does."

AniMat's Reviews: Hotel Transylvania 2 (2015) (TV Episode) A TV series by Hotel Transylvania director Genndy Tartakovsky.

Nostalgia Critic: Conquest of the Commercials (2015) (TV Episode) "...by looking like a mix between a Nascar driver and Dexter's mom."

Honest Game Trailers: Tales from the Borderlands (2016) (TV Episode) Krunk mentioned

Uncle Grandpa: Pizza Eve (2016) (TV Episode) At "The Grampies" short, Dexter and Dee Dee are seen in the audience.

Honest Game Trailers: Uncharted 4: A Thief's End (2016) (TV Episode) "Oooh, what does this button do?"

Nostalgia Critic: Fant4stic (2017) (TV Episode) "I am also working on a foolproof plan to keep Dee Dee out of my Laboratory."

OK K.O.! Let's Be Heroes: Mystery Science Fair 201X (2018) (TV Episode) The show is referenced throughout this episode.

AniMat's Crazy Cartoon Cast: Incredibles Beat Minions (2018) (TV Episode) Brought up as a show on the Boomerang streaming service.

OK K.O.! Let's Be Heroes: Crossover Nexus (2018) (TV Episode) Dexter and Monkey appear in this crossover

AniMat's Crazy Cartoon Cast: Will Smith turns into a Pidgeon (2018) (TV Episode) Brought up as an Older Cartoon Network show.

Nostalgia Critic: The Powerpuff Girls Movie (2018) (TV Episode) Mentioned.

Nostalgia Critic: Toonami (2019) (TV Episode) The show is mentioned.

AniMat's Crazy Cartoon Cast: Is Maleficent Sexy? (2019) (TV Episode) Brought up in Genndy Tartakovsky's filmography.

AniMat's Crazy Cartoon Cast: Elsa's Enchanted Event (2019) (TV Episode) Brought up in Genndy Tartakovsky's filmography.

AniMat's Crazy Cartoon Cast: Shaq the Cartoon Cheapskate (2019) (TV Episode) Brought up in Genndy Tartakovsky's filmography and as show where the actors would make offensive jokes in-between recording sessions.

AniMat's Crazy Cartoon Cast: ...So The Funko Movie is Happening (2019) (TV Episode) Brought up in Teddy Newton's filmography.

The Making of Ollie & Scoops (2020) (TV Special) A Dexter & DeeDee figurine can be seen among Nico's toy collection.

AniMat's Crazy Cartoon Cast: Popeye's NOT Dead (2020) (TV Episode) Brought up in Genndy Tartakovsky's filmography.

AniMat's Crazy Cartoon Cast: The HARDCORE Powerpuff Girls (2020) (TV Episode) Mentioned in dialogue.

AniMat's Crazy Cartoon Cast: Big Screen, Bigger Problems (2020) (TV Episode) Brought up in Genndy Tartakovsky's filmography.

Featured in
Charlie's Angels (2000) Dexter and Dee Dee from the show was narrated throughout the whole movie.

Even Stevens (2000) (TV Series) Characters from the show are featured.

The 1st 13th Annual Fancy Anvil Awards Show Program Special: Live in Stereo (2002) (TV Special)

Signs (2002) One of the kids is watching TV.

White Oleander (2002) The cartoon that Owen and Davey are watching when Star introduces Astrid to the family

Dark Water (2005) End credits feature a 'courtesy of Cartoon Network' acknowledgement for use of this show

Eureka: E=MC...? (2007) (TV Episode) Henry watches this in the lab.

Hewy's Animated Movie Reviews: The Polar Express (2010) (TV Episode) Hewy recognizes Mandark's voice in "The Polar Express," footage compared

Animation Lookback: Hanna-Barbera Part 1 (2010) (TV Episode) Intro clip shown during introduction.

Animation Lookback: Hanna-Barbera Part 4 (2010) (TV Episode) TV series is talked about, clips shown.

Animation Lookback: Hanna-Barbera Part 5 (2010) (TV Episode) Number 6 in the top 10 Hanna-Barbera franchises.

Cartoon Network: Punch Time Explosion (2011) (Video Game) Dexter and Monkey are playable characters. Deedee, Mandark, Major Glory, and Valhallen appear as assists.

RebelTaxi: Top 10 WORST CARTOON NETWORK MOMENTS (Cartoon Network Rant) (2012) (TV Episode) Footage is shown when Sym-Bionic Titan is discussed.

Nostalgia Critic: Sharknado (2013) (TV Episode) "You do know that the science you've been listening to in Dexter's Lab is not real science don't you."

WatchMojo: Top 10 Cartoon Moms from TV (2014) (TV Episode) Dexter's Mom gets an honorable mention.

WatchMojo: Top 10 Kids' Shows That Adults Enjoy (2014) (TV Episode) Dexter's Laboratory is #10.

WatchMojo: Top 10 Cartoon Network Shows (2014) (TV Episode) Dexter's Laboratory is #3.

WatchMojo: Top 10 Sci-Fi Comedy TV Shows (2014) (TV Episode) Dexter's Laboratory is #7.

WatchMojo: Top 10 Fictional TV Inventors (2015) (TV Episode) Dexter is #3.

Animation Lookback: Top 10 Controversial Cartoons (2015) (TV Episode) clips shown.

WatchMojo: Top 10 TV Creepypastas (2015) (TV Episode) All in Dexter's Head gets an honorable mention.

WatchMojo: Top 10 Funniest Cartoon Villains (2015) (TV Episode) Mandark gets an honorable mention.

WatchMojo: Top 10 Socially Awkward Cartoon Characters (2015) (TV Episode) Dexter gets an honorable mention.

WatchMojo: Another Top 10 Sexual Innuendos in Kids' Animated Series (2016) (TV Episode) 50 Bucks Extra is #10.

WatchMojo: Top 10 Memorable TV Cartoon Characters of the 1990s (2016) (TV Episode) Dexter is #10.

WatchMojo: Top 10 Superheroes on Non-Superhero TV Shows (2016) (TV Episode) The Justice Friends are #7.

MsMojo: Top 10 Most Bullied Animated Characters (2016) (TV Episode) Dexter gets an honorable mention.

WatchMojo: Top 10 Most Annoying Cartoon Voices (2016) (TV Episode) The voice of Dee Dee is #7.

MsMojo: Top 10 Favorite TV Cartoon Siblings (2017) (TV Episode) Dexter & Dee Dee are #9.

WatchMojo: Top 10 Cartoons That Deserve Their Own Live Action Movie (2018) (TV Episode) Dexter's Laboratory gets an honorable mention.

WatchMojo: Top 10 Cartoon MILFs (2018) (TV Episode) Mom is #10.

MsMojo: Top 10 Funniest Female Animated Characters (2018) (TV Episode) Dee Dee is #10.

The Know's Top 10s: Top 10 Secret Lairs (2018) (TV Episode) Dexter's Lab is the #10 pick.

WatchMojo: Top 10 Unexpectedly Dark Episodes in Kids' Cartoons (2018) (TV Episode) Dexter's Laboratory: Way of the Dee Dee/The Justice Friends: Say Uncle Sam/Tribe Called Girl (1996) is #7.

MsMojo: Top 10 Musical Episodes in Animated Shows (2018) (TV Episode) Dexter's Laboratory: Dyno-Might/LABretto (1998) gets an honorable mention.

MsMojo: Top 10 Animated Male TV Characters Voiced by Women (2018) (TV Episode) Dexter is #3.

MsMojo: Top 10 Cartoon Network Theme Songs (2018) (TV Episode) The theme song for "Dexter's Laboratory" is #10.

MsMojo: Top 10 Unique Cartoon Character Voices on TV (2018) (TV Episode) Christine Cavanaugh as Dexter is #5.

Brain Dump: The Apu That I Know (2018) (TV Episode) Clips shown.

WatchMojo: Top 10 Cartoon Network Series of the 1990s (2018) (TV Episode) Dexter's Laboratory is #2.

WatchMojo: Top 10 Cartoon Network Christmas Specials (2018) (TV Episode) Dexter's Laboratory: Dexter and Computress Get Mandark!/The Justice Friends: Pain in the Mouth/Dexter vs. Santa's Claws (1998) is #10.

MsMojo: Top 10 '90s Cartoons That Deserve a Reboot (2019) (TV Episode) Dexter's Laboratory is #7.

WatchMojo: Top 10 Secret Cartoon Network Easter Eggs (2019) (TV Episode) Samurai Jack Action Figure is #7.

MsMojo: Top 10 Cartoon Sisters We LOVE (2019) (TV Episode) Dee Dee is #7.

WatchMojo: Top 10 Smartest Characters in Cartoons (2019) (TV Episode) Dexter is #2.

MsMojo: Top 10 Most Iconic Cartoon Families (2019) (TV Episode) Dexter's Family gets an honorable mention.

WatchMojo: Top 10 Male Characters Voiced by Women (2019) (TV Episode) Dexter is #3.

WatchMojo: Top 10 Cartoon Network Series of ALL TIME (2019) (TV Episode) Dexter's Laboratory is #4.

WatchMojo: Top 10 Greatest Cartoon Network Villains of all Time (2019) (TV Episode) Mandark is #9.

MsMojo: Top 10 Cartoon Network Shows That Will Make You Nostalgic (2019) (TV Episode) Dexter's Laboratory is #2.

MsMojo: Top 10 Movie & TV Musicals We Wish Existed (2019) (TV Episode) "LABretto" gets an honorable mention.

WatchMojo: Top 10 Best Cartoon Network Characters (2019) (TV Episode) Dexter is #6.

MsMojo: Top 10 Darkest Cartoon Network Episodes (2020) (TV Episode) Dexter's Laboratory: Filet of Soul/Golden Diskette (1997) is #10.

MsMojo: Top 10 Cartoon Siblings You're Glad Aren't Yours (2020) (TV Episode) Dee Dee is #3.

Spoofed in
Arthur: The Contest/Prove It (1999) (TV Episode) When thinking of ideas for episodes to submit to the tv show writing contest, the Brain starts to describe his and we see a cut-away sequence spoofing Dexter's Laboratory.

Spy Kids (2001)

Lizzie McGuire: Lizzie's Misadventures in HillRidge (2002) (Video Game)

Yu-Gi-Oh! 3D: Bonds Beyond Time Abridged (2011) (TV Movie) Paradox parodies Mandark and has the same laugh.

Ultimate Cartoon Fighting: Dexter vs. Stewie - UCF Round 3 (2012) (TV Episode) Dexter fights Stewie Griffin from Family Guy with lightsabers from Star Wars. Also, Dee Dee and Mandark appears.

Frizzle and the Magic School Bus (2014) (Video) Dexter and Dee Dee appears as one of Ms. Frizzle's students

Robot Chicken: Never Forget (2018) (TV Episode) Parody skit.