The 2003 series (also known as “Strawberry Shortcake Classic” on the official YouTube channel) refers to the Strawberry Shortcake continuity that ran from 2003 to 2008. This is also the third generation of the franchise, following the short-lived 1991 THQ Line. The theme song of this series was "Straw-Buh-Buh-Buh-Buh-Berry Shortcake."
The Beginning[]
In the early 2000s, stickers and gift paper were being sold in Toys R US and Card/Gift Stores with concept art (dated 1998) for a Strawberry Shortcake revival. Most have her in a dress like in the 80s, but one image has her in jeans and a striped tee. When American Greetings was asked if new Strawberry Shortcake things were planned, they said no. Yet the domain Strawberryshortcake.com was purchased in early 2000 to late 2001. She still had the green leggings, but her hat was the sunhat we now see in 2002. Her pets were realistic. Custard had stripes but was orange. Pupcake's spots were black. The art style was similar to 1980s Holly Hobbie, and more rustic than Strawberry usually was.
The 2003 Revival[]
As with the 1980's Series, the nation of Strawberryland still serves as the primary setting, but it is now divided into districts like Cakewalk, Orange Blossom Acres, Huckleberry Briar and Cookie Corners. Major changes to the characters also took place, with Pupcake and Custard now belonging to Strawberry Shortcake, and Apple Dumplin' being recast as her baby sister. Huckleberry Pie was also given a new pet named Shoofly Frog.
Introduction of fillies[]
The continuity introduced fillies to the franchise. Each of the fillies are tied down to a character, with the main filly, Honey Pie Pony, being the only one able to talk and have a pet. However, when Playmates took over the dolls rights from Bandai, they decided to scrap the existing fillies and introduce new ones. However, the removal has not spread beyond the scope of the toy line.
Film[]
Strawberry Shortcake: The Sweet Dreams Movie, which saw a limited theatrical run and was released on DVD, gained it's share of reputation, for reintroducing the Purple Pieman and Sour Grapes, the villains of the franchise, and their concept of ruling the entirety of Strawberryland.
Promotional Short[]
On February 2004, Sterling Entertainment's Care Bears: Daydreams DVD included a 5-minute long promotional short for the series titled "Growing Better All the Time" as part of its bonus features.
Cast[]
Main Cast[]
- Sarah Heinke as Strawberry Shortcake
- Dejare Barfield as Orange Blossom
- Samantha Triba as Ginger Snap
- Rachel Ware as Angel Cake
- Daniel Canfield (Season 1, Season 4) and James Street (Season 2-3) as Huckleberry Pie
- Sarah Koslosky (Season 1) and Anna Jordan (Season 2-4) as Custard
- Nils Haaland as Pupcake
- Hannah Koslosky as Honey Pie Pony
Recurring Cast[]
- Kate Labosky as Apple Dumplin'
- Bianca Heywood as Blueberry Muffin
- Rebecca Noddle as Peppermint Fizz
- Aubrey Fleming as Plum Puddin'
- Haley Hyden-Soffer as Raspberry Torte
- Mary Waltman as Lemon Meringue
- Laura Grimm as Rainbow Sherbet
- Melissa Deni as Coco Calypso
- Abigail Leib as Seaberry Delight
- Caroline Iliff as Crepes Suzette, Tangerina Torta (2006-2007), Banana Twirl
- Marissa Miliani as Tea Blossom
- Samantha Triba as Frosty Puff
- Dana Donlan as Tangerina Torta (2007-2009)
- Grace Bydalek as Annie Oatmeal
- Anne Sundell as Caramel Corn
- Cork Ramer as The Peculiar Purple Pieman of Porcupine Peak
- Bridget Robbins as Sour Grapes
Minor Cast[]
- Jerry Longe as Licorice Whip, Christmas Elves
- Susan Baer Collins as Fairy Queen, Papaya Parrot
- Laura Marr as Sherry Bobbleberry
- Andrea Ware as Margalo B. Berryglow
- Theresa Sindelar as Periwinkle Pearblossom
- Camille Schmidt as Spring
- Samantha Triba, Theresa Sindelar and Anna Jordan as Berry Fairies
- Unknown as Apricot
- Unknown as Watermelon Kiss
- Cork Ramer as Santa Claus
- Unknown as Sugar Plum Fairy
- Unknown as Carol Carol
- Unknown as Candy Candy Clerk
- Ryle Smith, Jay Hanson as Christmas Elves
- L. Parker Lucas as Lime Light
- Zoe Robb as The Director
Sweet Dreams Movie Cast[]
- John Michael Lee as Sandman
- Kim Jubenville Carlson as PJ
- Nils Haaland as Sleepbug
- Gianno Maliani as Charlie Dreambuilder, Various Citizens
- Samantha Triba as Various Citizens, Female Dreambuilder
- Greer McCain as Raspberry Torte
Episodes[]
Season 1/Original Specials[]
- Meet Strawberry Shortcake
- Spring for Strawberry Shortcake
- Strawberry Shortcake's Get Well Adventure
- Berry Merry Christmas
Season 2[]
- Best Pets Yet
- Adventures on Ice Cream Island
- Play Day Surprise
- Seaberry Beach Party
- Moonlight Mysteries
- Dress-Up Days
Season 3[]
Season 4[]
Trivia[]
- A majority of the voice cast was based out of Omaha, Nebraska, and had no prior voice-acting experience, though some did have experience in local/regional theater, radio, and television work.
- Huckleberry Pie had originally been voiced by Daniel Canfield in Season 1, before being replaced by James Street, son of lead composer Andy Street. Tragically, James Street died in a skateboarding accident on July 4th, 2007 at the age of 12. He was still credited as a voice actor for the rest of the series.
- Many of the characters featured in the series were not brought over to the succeeding show, Strawberry Shortcake's Berry Bitty Adventures, as Hasbro did not want the promotion of unhealthy foods to children.
- Some characters like Peppermint Fizz, Lime Chiffon, and Sherry Bobbleberry would get to appear in Strawberry Shortcake: Berry in the Big City.
- Ginger Snap, while not becoming a character, appeared in a one-second cameo in Strawberry's Bad Day! via stock footage of the Classic series, technically making her first onscreen appearance since "Hurray for Berrywood!"
- Strawberry Shortcake Classic has the longest gap between its predecessors and the shortest gap between its successor. The Classic series began in 2003, nearly 17 years after the last Strawberry Shortcake special in 1985, Strawberry Shortcake Meets the Berrykins, and 12 years after the short-lived THQ Line in 1991. While its successor, Berry Bitty Adventures, began in 2009, less than a year after the final episodes aired on syndication.
- While the episodes would air in syndication, the DVD releases were fairly erratic, with the last of the episodes being released on physical media in 2012, 3 years after Berry Bitty Adventures started and became the primary series for the franchise.
Gallery[]
