Amy Winfrey created Making Fiends as a webshow back when she was attending UCLA. The Nicktoons Network caught wind of the little operation and bought it for their Saturday morning line-up. The show definitely doesn't have the best animation when compared to other Nicktoons shows, but it definitely has the same spark and content quality typical of Nicktoons' standards. Anyone who enjoys the twisted and doesn't mind a spattering of puns between "fiend" and "friend" should definitely give this toon a shot.
Clamburg Under Utter Terror From Little Girl
Clamburg seems like a normal town, except that everyone that dwells within the town is under a constant terror alert from a little girl named Vendetta. Vendetta has the ability to create fiends -- demonic, evil creatures that do her every bidding -- and she uses them to get whatever she wants from the citizens of Clamburg. She usually wants every to be miserable and afraid of her, so it doesn't take much effort on her part except for making the fiends.
And then Charlotte graces Clamburg and Vendetta's elementary school. Charlotte is the proverbial Pollyanna, who is fairly immune to all of Vendetta's evil plans. No matter what scheme she cooks up, no matter what fiend she creates, Charlotte always finds a way to make the best of every situation and nothing horrible ever happens to her. Case in point, Vendetta throws a rock at Charlotte, and Charlotte brings the rock to show and tell, thanking Vendetta for giving her such a pretty rock.
The Cleverness Makes Up for What the Animation Lacks
Making Fiends will win no Emmys for best animation. The art style is incredibly simplistic; each character is one solid color, including skin, hair, and and clothing. The colors do not even stay within the characters' outlines, similar to a page out of a young child's coloring book.
However, the animation isn't what makes this cartoon charming; it's the clever dialogue between Vendetta and Charlotte. It's hard not to laugh at how Charlotte is able to twist every evil thing Vendetta says into something else. When Vendetta's hamster cuts the chains supporting the swing Charlotte is on, Vendetta boasts that his scissors can cut more than just chains. Charlotte immediately starts asking about every possible thing the scissors could cut, including paper, rope, and cardboard, and leaving out the insinuated threat.
Suitable for Pre-Teen and Older Audiences
Despite the simple art style and the young characters, Making Fiends is not exactly suitable for young viewers. Vendetta does spend each episode trying to kill Charlotte, which may be a bit much for viewers younger than ten. Young children may also not be able to grasp the clever yet twisted and dark humor of the show, and therefore not be as entertaining for them.
Making Fiends airs every Saturday morning on the Nicktoons Network at 11:30 a.m. EST.
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