Steve Reviews: Tugs

[@eldmusic]

I think the biggest thing that stuck out about Tugs is how the characters talk to each other. It’s snappy, witty, and, more often then not, more funny than some popular adult television.

[@MrChickennugget360]

because when you have to be clever rather than just being raunchy you have better diolouge. people need to know that "adult humor" is not adult its adolescent.

[@happysavage6660]

Are they named, after other dwarves, that didn’t appear in Snow White & the Seven Dwarves? Cuz I be getting dat vibe bruh.

[@tomr.644]

Fun fact about Big Mickey: He makes an appearance in Thomas and Friends in the new series and there is a line in the longer version of Munitions that says that Big Mickey fell into shallow water and survived. The theory is that he could have been recovered and shipped off to Sodor which I personally find interesting.

[@ThomasSirHandel]

And he had PTSD given he didn't speak until S21

[@williampulfer-melville8536]

@@ThomasSirHandel which would make a lot of sense if you like me believe that both Thomas and Friends and Tugs take place in the same Universe just different time periods with Tugs taking place in the 1920s and Thomas and Friends taking place in the 1970s

[@Copy_Right_]

Woah thomas and tugs lore

[@retrodude9683]

If you really want to add to the lore, I always figured that when the series began it was just after WWII. Then as new engines and vehicles arrived, it progressed to now I think is the 80s. They are just so remote that computers haven't arrived.

[@retrodude9683]

If you really want to add to the lore, I always figured that when the series began it was just after WWII. Then as new engines and vehicles arrived, it progressed to now I think is the 80s. They are just so remote that computers haven't arrived.

[@Oat_meal_YT]

"Ok boomer" Caught me off guard LOL, this show was ahead of it's time.

[@dr.feelgoodmalusphillips2475]

Except, it wasn't meant to be said in an overused meme way...

[@Max.midd786]

It wasn't in a meme way. His name was boomber idiot

[@nzo_6543]

@@Max.midd786 it would be not funny if his name was still Capt. Harry.

[@watchforever1724]

Lol 😂

[@nzo_6543]

@@Max.midd786 boomer.

[@DaimosZ]

Glad to see TUGS get acknowledged. It's a pretty underrated kids show

[@MrKingkez]

Yeah it needs to be more known, it was a fun and beautiful ride

[@DaimosZ]

@@MrKingkez also good on Steve for not mentioning the horrid Americanized version of TUGS, Salty's Lighthouse. Even if it was my first exposure to TUGS, it didn't make it good lol

[@lugialover2496]

So is Theodore Tugboat.

[@Austin.D]

@@lugialover2496 yeah I remember Theodore Tugboat which I thought was the American version of this one

[@McBean1331]

Uhmmm.

[@leothewhiteranger]

Fun fact: Some of the efforts to recover the models? They were lead by fans on a Thomas forum. TTTE and Tugs fans are generally fairly friendly with each other.

[@manoftruth0935]

Let’s see if we can get together to make it so the 2D animation seasons of Thomas fail to impress.

[@thenewadventuresofhenry6998]

Like Madeline and My Little Pony fans.

[@leothewhiteranger]

@@thenewadventuresofhenry6998 Wait really? Huh. Small internet. I find that's more the case with Star Trek TNG fans and MLP because... well Discord is literally Q

[@LchanOtakudom]

That’s awesome!

[@K1ng1995]

I honestly am not surprised at that.

[@Shellboi-j6n]

Fun factos: Me, an Korean actually got intrest in learning the English language from TTTE. Without him I would never have learned memes have existed.

[@milktar2182]

Lmao

[@TheLordSheogorath]

Memes and nightmares... Thomas terrified me and still dies to this day haha

[@MJ-eg4pl]

I'm so proud of you!

[@sunsetstudios3815]

@@TheLordSheogorath does* ?

[@wolfy9887]

Great job

[@gloomcookie1709]

Steve: "The letter zed" America: "The letter *_WHAT_*

[@lancecurry7538]

Z IS KEY!

[@SwiftNimblefoot]

It's ZOD, not zed. KNEEEEEELLLLL!!!!

[@mechasentai]

That's what he Zaid!

[@pugasaurusrex8253]

I only know how y’all pronounce Z from the ZF clan

[@Toby20]

What I'm supposed to call it z well I say no I call it zed

[@ygaming8880]

Fun fact: There was a rumor that a Thomas movie was being made, that was going to be during World War 2

[@Mr.SM2939OLD]

Hold up, what?

[@troyiveysr4434]

@@Mr.SM2939OLD yeah that was a thing

[@Greenierw]

hello Gustav.

[@Titanusrex1616]

Really?

[@theWanderersnotebook]

I am really intrigued by this tidbit. Can someone send me an article confirming this?

[@chemplay866]

"Tugs" could have an episode where they are getting evergiven unstuck from suez canal

[@johnnymorrow5687]

There was an episode that was exactly that. XD

[@henrytheriverengine8234]

@@johnnymorrow5687 except they blew up the tramp steamer instead of removing it

[@kingtajeel]

"Help me stepboat, I'm stuck"

[@jamesaustin1988]

They do, it's called "Trapped".

[@ianschwartz08]

o

[@SuperGunboy]

“We don’t take Bananas as payment” oh lord I don’t want to even imagine what would happen if that was said in this day and age.

[@tntmage5303]

Well there are ships that transport bananas from plantations but I understand what you mean

[@mFowler1221]

I dont get the joke. Is it referring to slavery or to his race? Edit: wait I get it

[@raptordoniv6779]

@@mFowler1221 what does it mean?

[@mFowler1221]

@@raptordoniv6779 I believe it’s supposed to reference the fact that he comes from somewhere around Latin America and they grow a lot of bananas there.

[@raptordoniv6779]

@@mFowler1221 oh okay

[@DDLAFFEY724]

Thomas becomes cgi* Everyone:” look how they massacred my boy”

[@ABellEngine]

"My day be so fine. Then boom, 2D animated Thomas coming soon."

[@TEO.187]

The cgi looks BAD

[@cascas9656]

@@verdisinsaqu1502 Was my favorite show, when I was a little kid.

[@harrisonallen651]

Not to mention the upcoming 2021 reboot

[@AHAproductions712]

Hmm agreed

[@wendaythepotato2979]

Interesting thing about Big Mickey: He was genuinely planned to die, even having a cut scene in Ghosts were his ghost appears. The reason he appears alive in later episodes is that the episodes were actually aired out of order.

[@BigDank166]

YIKES

[@toainsully]

He was even in Thomas and Friends, but didn't speak until Series 21

[@chellastation]

This sister show doesn't f*ck around for sure.

[@r.cdahuman7682]

The original didn't either lol.

[@AbeTheBabe6233]

i absolotley hate this comment tugs is good

[@AbeTheBabe6233]

@SEVASTIAN VALDEZ ok

[@AbeTheBabe6233]

@SEVASTIAN VALDEZ ok

[@AbeTheBabe6233]

@SEVASTIAN VALDEZ yes captain star

[@screamingcactus1753]

I LOVE this aesthetic. The whole "model town come to life" look is criminally underrepresented in media.

[@Lovinia1]

Right? Reminds me of playing with my mini plushes and figures

[@itsblitz4437]

Its like using puppetry in movies, they are underused most of the time because its not cost effective.

[@galacticalanimator1693]

Trueeeeeee

[@BasilBoy_]

The set design was my favorite part of the show

[@wumpus976]

I really wish there could be a show that seeks itself purely on it being made with sets and puppets, and that it would be made for those nostalgic over Thomas and Tugs.

[@obama_chan1252]

"Meeting the queen, again and becoming a dragon overlord " I laughed hard when he said that and started choking on water

[@thegermanofsodor]

14:23 Fun fact: TUGS episodes were released and aired incredibly out of order, the episode where Big Mickey appears in after Munitions actually takes place before those events, because of that the TV airing of the episode (which was also cut down to 15 minutes instead of 20 that the original version was) had an extra line of narration added to mention that Big Mickey survived even though that originally wasn't the plan.

[@larrychilders6599]

Tv shows being aired out of order? Ah TV, never change

[@MiaBohe]

Hey! I love your work! I will take this serie and put spanish subtitles to expandend the fan base (maybe). You are a inspiration to doing it!

[@gregkiteos1936]

Yes, the scene where the Star Tugs are at the briefing doesn't appear at all in the 15 minute TV version. Here, Captain Star thanks Big Mac for getting him the steel contract, thus implying that this episode takes place after High Tide.

[@worldcomicsreview354]

@@larrychilders6599 Especially kids' shows. When I was young we used to make fun of the X-Men series for it's "plot that makes no sense". Actually it was just because the suits chucked on whatever tape they picked up first because "fuck it, they're only kids".

[@larrychilders6599]

@@worldcomicsreview354 it's even worse with Power Rangers Samurai, where they aired the whole show out of order and the first two episodes towards the end of the season

[@sully1492]

Seeing a life size Thomas the tank engine is my oldest memory. My brother would be born a few weeks later and I have no recollection of seeing him for the first time. My mind is very bad at prioritizing important memories.

[@emperormajorian112]

I would say it went by importance

[@nathangamble125]

It's not "Thomas the train", it's "Thomas the tank engine". He's the engine, not the whole train.

[@doodoohead7381]

no its not

[@merlinandmurdoch7837]

@@doodoohead7381 it is THOMAS THE TANK ENGINE

[@diogenesofsinope7465]

@@merlinandmurdoch7837 he said no it’s not because he said his brain is bad at prioritizing memories not the engine thing

[@AdventureHusky]

Never watched Tugs, but damn the quality of this is amazing. Thomas was scary and artistically appealing, but Tugs man, they're on a whole new level.

[@wyattmaldonado-zu5ks]

Thomas isn't scary

[@plumberchoochooman]

How is Thomas scary? Its just a show about Trains talking and doing work.

[@juzoinui4627]

Wow they were saying “Okay Boomer” Long before anyone else

[@thecircleoft.e.d2121]

We’ve discovered the roots of the meme....and they’re British?! Didn’t expect that to be he case.

[@saftabi1511]

I beg to differ. *Gestures at The Fox and the Hound*

[@zerotonero4290]

I love the editing in the bit

[@GaelicMongrel2023]

Battlestar Galactica

[@shroomyboiakabigboydru10ex85]

PT BOOMER?

[@CreatureCal]

Tugs: You took everything from me! Thomas: I don’t even know who you are!

[@CreatureCal]

@@Gman-441 LOL! Don’t worry! I fixed it.

[@thenewadventuresofhenry6998]

Tugs: "YOU WILL..."

[@lemmythebulldog8812]

Thomas: You took my charm, my image, my life lessons you took everything good away Mattel: It’s free real estate

[@oishi_sammich4542]

7 minutes in: Forgot this was geared towards kids 9 minutes in: Fascinated by the production of the show 10 minutes in: Forgot about existence and just enjoying the aesthetic of the show :]

[@scrambled5948]

Imagine an alternate universe where there’s a tugs land at Drayton manor and a video on an obscure model 80’s kid’s show called Thomas the tank engine

[@milktar2182]

Bruh

[@SavageGirl1930.]

I mean I wouldn't be surprised tbh with you I mean it probably already exists already

[@edwinlowiequisumbing9843]

@@SavageGirl1930. HOLD UP

[@SavageGirl1930.]

@@edwinlowiequisumbing9843 what is it?

[@Wilhelm-Von-Hohenzollern]

200th like :)

[@thatrecord5313]

Fans: *Thomas the Tank* Engine will always hold a special place in our hearts... *Thomas & Friends*: Exists Fans: Kill it! Kill it with fire!

[@projp9057]

In deed.

[@understarzzzwastaken]

You're talking about the 2d animated reboot?

[@singletona082]

It's like they ranimated the corpse.

[@kira-dk2mx]

This is literally me after seeing a glimpse of the new Thomas after so many years.

[@ThomasSirHandel]

Honestly, the show probably should have ended at Seasons 7 or 8 with continuing on as a toy franchise.

[@riesenflugzeug]

fact: the tanker ship that exploded was called "krakatoa" like that volcano

[@malaysiansulthan4694]

my patriotism levels are rising like the lava

[@CyborgCharlotte]

This is called subtlety 😛

[@masterfarr8265]

Captain Magma

[@vegavisions97]

Ironic, huh.

[@pierrebegley2746]

Should have called him Halifax.

[@collinpace6522]

The “Boom” episode is probably based on an actual event that occurred in Halifax during WWII when a munitions freighter literally blew up the entire harbor. I was actually in Halifax when a local told me this story.

[@101Volts]

Yeah, it was *the* worst peacetime disaster of its day, and for a long time after that. The ship became a bomb that blew up the whole harbor *and* a sizable portion of the town.

[@rhs0263]

It was in WWI actually, and is estimated to have had a blast yield of approx. 2 Kilotons. For reference, Little Boy, the bomb dropped on Hiroshima, had a yield of about 15-20 kilotons.

[@kazer4]

That's actually mad

[@rogersstinson4019]

Or it’s based on the black Tom fire

[@MCYTJHONY]

@@rhs0263 actually it happened December, 6, 1917, during world war I

[@IamJacksSTD]

Tugs was cancelled because the tub they filmed it in cracked when they kept throwing firecrackers in it, from the looks of the clips.

[@redmage9730]

Neat.

[@rainalystre1877]

Cause a kid’s show can never have too much fire. The production studio may have a limit, but never the episode.

[@jackcunningham5605]

Lol, I think the problem was funding issues, you can tell it was an expensive show, I think they said they wanted to film most of the second season up river

[@AndrewThompson383]

No that never happened

[@beareble-lion4446]

No it was the endless masterbation joke's.

[@kreigguardsman3355]

I’m honestly impressed by the whole set design and models

[@VictorTanzig1]

Nice to know I wasn't the only one traumatised by the "Pirate" episode! lol

[@JinUykio1234]

Hey Victor

[@miscellaneoussarnian5282]

I wonder if The Stories of Sodor is inspired off of TUGS?

[@e2tankengine528]

@@miscellaneoussarnian5282 it is

[@steamerfan2212]

I've watched all 13 episodes at least 20 times

[@lemmythebulldog8812]

Hey it’s Victor Tanzig!!! I wonder if unluckytug is gonna comment next or EE93

[@gmanplaysgames256]

I also remember there being a more lighthearted Thomas-type show, also about tug boats, called Theodore Tugboat.

[@thenewadventuresofhenry6998]

The creator of Tugs actually co-created Theodore! His dream was realized.

[@JohnSmith-jp5bj]

Even cooler still, the original models used in Theodore the Tugboat are on display at the Halifax Naval Museum in Nova Scotia, Canada.

[@wall4818]

Thankfully that series lasted much longer. It still holds up pretty well today but is much more simplistic in design. The crew even used a painted lego boat with googly eyes in the 2nd episode as a main character

[@surreal-starwhale9984]

I loved Theodore Tugboat!

[@VeradanaGriffin]

I remember that show a little too! Not any specific specific episodes though, unfortunately.

[@KlaxontheImpailr]

If I were designing the Z tugs, I’d have one named something silly like Quimby as a joke at first, but I’d make it a secret why his name doesn’t match the others and build some hidden lore with clues planted through out the series for people to discover.

[@mikekomarinski]

Thomas actually started as a series of Children's books in the 40's.

[@JoseGarcia-gp8ch]

Actually it started as stories the creator would say to his kid and then eventually turn into the books 👌

[@harrisonallen651]

Happy anniversary Thomas

[@KiwiTheRetroGal]

*w h a t*

[@ktsp2538]

@Joshua W56 until they took it out

[@littlecreamcurry7933]

Really....ok

[@thrifty0255]

I now want to believe that 'OK Boomer' came from this show.

[@natethethird3330]

Never thought I hear a British speaker say boomer hahahahah

[@thisguyhere5837]

"He will be remembered as Boris the Oppressor." -James May

[@olololololjq2248]

*Also, He's Not Dead. Confirmed. There's An Extended Version Of Captain Star Saying That The Crane Survived Due To Low Waters.*

[@gregkiteos1936]

He says that in the shorter version that was edited for TV. In the VHS version there is no narration throughout the explosion scene.

[@wall4818]

there was a planned scene for Ghosts to show Big Mickey with a frankenstein-styled mouthless face with stiches, but due to it never making it into the episode, it's not canon. Plus, Big Mickey speaks in episode right after.

[@aidanpinto2431]

That’s also why it failed

[@dinoricky5188]

@@gregkiteos1936 cool

[@editordimentio]

Oh my god I had forgotten about all of that but I remember being terrified about it for some reason

[@smorgasbord9940]

Being from the US I never once even thought of the idea of “racism” towards Australia

[@Predator20357]

If anything it would be stereotyping

[@GeorgeBPryor]

We convicts are a proud people. Now givvus ya dinas, ya whacker!

[@Theultimate_nothing]

@@GeorgeBPryor true that

[@notquitehuman5097]

Isn't xenophobia when It involves nationalities instead of races?

[@GeorgeBPryor]

@@notquitehuman5097 Xenophobia can be distrust/hostility towards anyone outside of "your group", be that your friend group, ethnic group, nation or race, based on the fact that they're different rather than any informed reason.

[@fanofgenericwtlalt]

If we love how Patrick Allen makes everything dramatic, watch his cameo in the first series of Blackadder, where he is Philip of Burgundy, known to his enemies as "The Hawk". Or just simply listen to the Annihilation remix of Frankie Goes to Hollywood's "Two Tribes", where he provides instructions on how to survive a nuclear holocaust. I am a mid-90s Australian kid so it is so much fun finding out that such a classic voice was also in other works.

[@bigredvlogs1928]

Fun fact - tugs was filmed at shepperton studios and my uncle was a security guard during the filming of tugs and he used to play with the model boats during the night shift! I have PSTD from tugs especially one episode where the whole dock was on fire!

[@williampulfer-melville8536]

That's awesome

[@thegreensaddletank1636]

Munitions?

[@bigredvlogs1928]

@@thegreensaddletank1636 yep. I have PTSD from that episode

[@MKtheinstrumentalist]

​@@bigredvlogs1928 Please contact me either on twitter or by email (my address is on my channel's About page). Info about the series is scarce and anything, literally _anything_ you can provide would be absolutely invaluable. :D

[@mythomasfriends7130]

@@MKtheinstrumentalist Oh dear I've never expected to see you commenting here... Are you still planning to upload your instrumentals or just use twitter?

[@Steamenginesunited3456]

Munitions is a perfect example of just how good children's programs used to be.

[@smugfortune9977]

Same can not be said about Thunderbirds that show also had massive action set peices

[@larrychilders6599]

@@smugfortune9977 hey it led to Team America: World Police

[@henryhunter9643]

While my VHS 'collection' of Tugs never had all the episodes, Munitions was always my favourite episode.

[@thomaslawrence2375]

In fairness TUGS I feel was kind of the filler show whilst we were waiting for Series 3 of Thomas in the UK because everyone thought it would have been out in 1988 (because the trend for new seasons was every 2 years (e.g. S1 - 1984 and S2 - 1986) but when Ringo didn’t renew his contract the reason why it took until 1992 to get a new series in the UK because Michael Angelis didn’t get selected to become narrator until 1990

[@rezhaadriantanuharja3389]

Filler show is supposed to have lower production value and shorter production time though, this is pretty over the top to be that

[@toainsully]

That makes sense

[@the4tierbridge]

That tanker that blew up in munitions actually had a very clever name. “Kraka toa”. A reference to the world’s second deadliest volcanic eruption, the eruption of Krakatoa. Very clever, considering the tanker blew up.

[@jailcatjones3250]

Just watched the series here on KZbin and I have to say the amount of work that went into this show is staggering. It's criminal they didn't keep making more.

[@lemmythebulldog8812]

Bankruptcy, life is a bitch

[@fordshojoe8080]

That's probably one of the main reasons why it went br

[@saximaphone]

This was a surprising series to see because I grew up watching "Theodore Tugboat" which also involved Robert Cardona and is identical in style to Tugs. It was much more popular and had a much longer run. Would be neat to see a 'compare and contrast' video on it.

[@WildNorWester]

"Have their name changed once they're recruited." I don't think that's likely, given that the series had an entire episode revolving around how it's unlucky to change a tugboat's name.

[@williampulfer-melville8536]

The Superstition is if you change the name of a vessel in general like what we saw with Boomer since he was originally called Captain Harry but then after he was bought by a new owner he wanted to change his name for some reason

[@cameronknapp7315]

I don’t think 💭 captain 🧑‍✈️ zero is superstitious.

[@tsm688]

you don't recruit a boat, you build a boat

[@istvanbrooks5319]

@@tsm688 or buy one Or hire a crew

[@101Volts]

I've heard it said that changing one's name was an ancient practice of showing dominion over that person. Like how in the Bible, God changes Abram's name to Abraham. There's more detail of what Abram's / Abraham's names mean (like job descriptions,) but I won't explain that in this comment.

[@danieltaylor4185]

So, this wasn't a fever dream I had when I was a child? Good to know.

[@Theultimate_nothing]

"I mean what next your going to tell me the only Australian character is a criminals" . me: -gasp- finally some Australian representation (I'm Australian btw)

[@renworksfornow]

I fully thought this was Theodore Tugboat, how many tugboat shows were there in the 80s and 90s

[@inubaka07]

I thought the same. I loved Theodore tugboat as a kid.

[@williampulfer-melville8536]

Fun fact after Tugs' cancellation Robert D Cardona would move to Canada where he became the producer of Theodore Tugboat

[@Chaos-94]

Me too. I just remembered watching a show about tugboats, so I found myself confusing the two up until now.

[@williampulfer-melville8536]

@@Chaos-94 I liked both shows since tugboats are my favourite type of vessel

[@amberkelliher6555]

Theodore Tugboat was much tamer in comparison to Tugs.

[@bladeobrian2144]

TUGS actually doesn’t take place in England, It takes place in the States, other than the accents, it very clearly takes place in the USA. The Star Tugs were based on San Francisco tugs and the Z Stacks were based on NYC tugs. Bigg City Port was based on USA ports in general, and there’s an episode where they celebrate the 4th of July. As for Izzy Gomez, yeah.... If TUGS ever came back, his character would need to be seriously changed, or even left out altogether...... As for the opening song, for the longest time, I thought it was made by a full orchestra. Imagine how blown my mind was when I found out that every part of it besides the saxophone was done on a synthesizer!

[@leothewhiteranger]

Oh yeah, the duo behind the songs could work miracles with a synthesiser. Listen to some classic season 1 and 2 Thomas tracks - they used more instruments come season 3 on.

[@gregkiteos1936]

@Abrilla M Racial stereotypes. E.g. Sleepy Mexican.

[@lemmythebulldog8812]

@@gregkiteos1936 I’d say keep him as a Mexican the rest of the tugs are already mixed nationalities

[@greatOaktree1]

Big city port is 1920 new York the Brooklyn bridge is visible in most episodes

[@bladeobrian2144]

@@greatOaktree1 yeah there’s that too....

[@thejackshammer7654]

4:51- 5:04 Alright I like the use of clips there. Gordon is all "What?!" And Tomas is all "Yeah....I'm not dealing with this one."

[@addieb1314]

“What next? You’re going to tell me the one Australian character happens to be a criminal?” Me: *confused in American*

[@petehill7280]

Australia was originally a British prison colony.

[@williammerkel1410]

I'm pretty sure that the large majority of Americans know that Australia was originally a British prison colony, unfortunately smart and sensible people do not get half the attention that dumb people get, people don't want to listen to anything about America that does not involve someone that is overweight, stupid, arrogant, and doesn't know anything about the rest of the world.

[@ArmlessSteve4487]

@@williammerkel1410 I’m a American and I agree

[@williammerkel1410]

@NickPix for many decades the US has been a net exporter of media and exposure, and that carried over into the cable news and internet/social media era, and disproportionate exposure always leads to things like this. I remember seeing an episode of Arthur in the early 2000's that dealt with the issue of popular media not being an accurate measure of other places, a lesson that many could use now.

[@sterlingodeaghaidh5086]

Trust me, America and Australia have had similar histories. Just fewer people were forced to come to our shores at the hands of armed guards.

[@thenewadventuresofhenry6998]

The creator of Tugs who also worked on Thomas went on to do Theodore the Tugboat, which had five seasons, so his dream was indeed realized! I always loved shows about industry like Thomas and Theodore as a kid. So many good values that don't seen to be taught today.

[@markdevonport3274]

Fun fact: part of the crew that worked on TUGS also worked on the original Thunderbirds series. That's how they were able to pull off all the explosions in Munitions.

[@TankEngine97]

Tugs was definitely an amazing show. Regarding the way how the boats moved, they were going to have motors but they were too heavy and prevented the models from moving.

[@Overlord99762]

>Is clearly a Mexican stereotype >Zorran calls him South American

[@braysfinds7479]

From what I heard, Gloria Tors the writer for that episode liked that jeer so much she just kept it in the script.

[@lordgzstg6181]

Eh we mexicans and south americans probably all look the same to the english. England 2.0 ( the USA) certainly sees us as one and the same.

[@Overlord99762]

@@lordgzstg6181 I know, despite this, us Mexicans are from North America, not South America

[@brandonbrown6922]

@@lordgzstg6181 Yeah, and you can't tell the difference between Americans. Get over it.

[@imwastedhere]

@@Overlord99762 true true mexico is considered to be north American due to sonora and Tijuana.

[@nerdygem8620]

Christ, there was a VHS tape at the local video rental shop that had 3 or 4 episodes of Tugs. Apparently I loved it as a small child, and I do vaguely remember it. My paremts said they tried to get a copy for my 21st birthday as a joke but couldn't find any. But they missed the museum!

[@tomaibetter]

Man, this honestly hit me with nostalgia. I use to climb into my mum's bed in the early morning and watch this as well as animals of farthing wood.

[@PixelBoye6546]

Okay but same here though, memories 😩👌

[@jibbs1710]

That must have been cute

[@tomaibetter]

@@jibbs1710 Not really, she was trying to sleep and it was like 3 or 4 in the morning. Oh the joys of raising me. lol

[@williampulfer-melville8536]

Fun fact OJ's voice actor Timothy Bateson voiced a few characters in the animals of farthing wood

[@kbnz85]

Omg I loved Animals of farthing wood! I used to collect all the magazines.

[@derekhoeung9920]

Munitions is one of those episodes that I watch over and over again. The production, action, music, everything was amazing.

[@willvanauger3273]

until about a year ago I literally thought I invented this show. never seen it even mentioned anywhere and I remember really loving it as a kid. Watched it around another kids house and then never saw it again. Good to know I wasnt just having a feaver dream and other people saw it too

[@jeffwolcott7815]

I remember a similar show called "Theodore Tugboat." It never got as big as "Thomas" did but still had a pretty long run on it's own.

[@russellgxy2905]

I believe a few staff from TUGS actually went on to create Theodore Tugboat too, so there's still a connection!

[@williampulfer-melville8536]

Fun fact after Tugs' cancellation David Mitton would go back to working as a Director on Thomas and Friends while Robert D Cardona would move to Canada where he became the producer of another show featuring tugboats Theodore tugboat

[@narottamcecil1803]

The “Tugs” episode “Munition” had the most pyrotechnics than any other episode of its show & “Thomas’”.

[@dolphinlover2413]

In Canada we had a similar show to Tugs called Theodore Tugboat. Same style as Thomas the Tank Engine but featured in Halifax, Nova Scotia. It had 5 seasons from 1993-2001. But I don't think it was as dark as Tugs, more like Thomas where it had its dark moments.

[@russellbrown6888]

I watched that show all the time as a kid. I remember being scared of the submarine for some reason.

[@amberkelliher6555]

@@russellbrown6888 They had some sea monster in season 1 that was pretty scary-looking IMO, contender with King Neptune's face in Tugs Ghost episode (which I'm surprised he didn't mention; just the boat.)

[@amberkelliher6555]

I didn't realize it was made the year I was born. Also, it looks like it was more cheaply produced than Tugs, which is probably why it lasted longer. Though I do have to give TT props for giving everything and I mean EVERYTHING a face, or eyes at least. I felt like not enough Tugs characters had faces.

[@asalways1504]

I remember Theodore from my childhood more than I remembered Tugs under the name Salty's Lighthouse

[@williammerkel1410]

Like other Canadian shows I'm pretty sure it aired on PBS stations in the northern US states, I remember watching it.

[@darkheart713]

Everybody in Comments: "Wow, I never knew there was a tugboat show like Thomas!" Theodore Tugboat: "Am I a Joke to you?"

[@williammerkel1410]

That show was the only reason I clicked this, I thought this WAS Theodore Tugboat.

[@zobblewobble1770]

@@williammerkel1410 Same lol. Couldn’t believe there were 2 live action Thomas the tank engine-like show about tugboats.

[@k-leb4671]

9:37 I love that you're showcasing S.A. Music here. It's such a great channel for Thomas the Tank Engine music recreations.

[@olololololjq2248]

*The Fact That You Reviewed This Underrated Show AND Played Warrior's Theme In The Background Makes Me Love This Channel Even More.*

[@ZipZeroYT]

Actually, big Mickey didn’t die, A, he shows up later, and even appears in Thomas after season 21, named

[@russellgxy2905]

Doesn't his fate differ depending on which version of the episode Munitions? (One was 15 minutes and the other 20)

[@ntfoperative9432]

Well his operator is definitely dead

[@lucaswatson1913]

They fish him outta that harbour?

[@mostirrational]

Big Mickey was what introduced me to Tugs.

[@TransmissionEpicts]

Yeah, when it was shown on telly they wimped out and added a narration to explain how Micky survived the explosions. But on the VHS, nope he dead. Which is what you'd expect if a crane collapsed into a dock and sank. It felt real and the explosions had real, deadly consequences, and you don't usually get that level of nuance in kids shows.

[@kreeaite335]

As someone who had watched Thomas the Tank Engine as a child, I have respect for the people who made this show. It's a shame that there are little to no shows out there like "Tugs" and "Thomas and Friends" where they use models like that anymore. Now "Thomas the Tank Engine" is replaced with "Thomas the FAKE Engine". I'm so mad about it to this day, even if their excuse is cost efficiency. >:(

[@Idk211]

I agree

[@godzillavkk]

Hey, we're not kids anymore.

[@VelociraptorsOfSkyrim]

Funny thing is, it would probably be cheaper to do things the old way. CGI is expensive.

[@beartheconfused6798]

@@VelociraptorsOfSkyrim I mean when it comes to explosions or smoke I imagine CGI is cheaper. What are they gonna do make Irish pipe bombs?

[@雪者]

Wow, me too

[@COBO2]

I believe Thomas and Tugs are in the same universe because one of the Crane characters Big Mickey got transferred to Sodor was faceless at first but now has a face and even speaks,

[@parkerproductions4546]

It’s so good to see a big KZbinr shed a light on TUGS at last. Its production history is so fascinating to read about and goes more than what lies on the surface. You’ve pretty much covered the show’s history well here, although Bigg City Port was never set in England as the tug fleets were based more on the American fleets of San Francisco and New York and using words like “garbage”. To add what you’ve explained in your video, TVS going bust wasn’t the sole reason the show was cancelled: it was also because of its clumsy marketing strategy brought about by its production trouble. TUGS’ production had gone overbudget (possibly a result from Mitton’s creative indulgence and the additional time needed to film the “upriver” episodes) and they were running into financial trouble already at that point. So the UK VHSs were released _before_ the TV debut with the first VHS released in November 1988. Half of the episodes were already on video before the public was properly exposed to TUGS on TV (crazy isn’t it?)! Anyway, the reason Castle Communications (which had a stake in TUGS Ltd) did this was just to bring the money in so they could stay afloat and the international markets (like Japan and Australia) were pushed in the desperate attempt to cover their debts. Then the trouble started when Castle Comms slapped the “From the Producers of Thomas The Tank Engine & Friends” slogan on all the TUGS video titles in the hope that it would give the sales an extra push (despite the episodes not airing on TV yet). Because of the Thomas marketing tag, the public were lead to believe TUGS was like “Thomas but with boats” and were let down when the episodes finally aired on TV. As a consequence, older children (the target demographic) thought it was too young for them and simplistic looking like Thomas and parents thought the show was too mature for young children to be involved. So what was believed to be a well-meaning marketing strategy kinda backfired…. Robert Cardona was hoping they’d be able to sell it in America with a US voice cast because the Americans would identify far more with the tugboat/maritime industry as it was a far bigger thing in the US than it was in the UK. But unfortunately the money ran out before any network would agree to pick it up. Before TVS lost the bid, TVS did think about remodelling the episodes with a single storyteller in place (because judging from Thomas’s formula, they knew that’s what contemporary audiences liked) and repeating the show with these changes. But then, Thomas Series 3 had just been announced to ITV which was a huge game changer now TTTE was huge in America and Japan, and so ITV’s interest would shift over to giving Thomas airtime as opposed to TUGS. So it is reasonable to assume that Thomas’s success could have put paid to TUGS being given a second chance at winning an audience. TUGS was a series with so much future potential and can only imagine where Mitton would have taken the series. Maybe one day the 13 episodes will be released on DVD at long last and given the proper attention it deserved. A second series is unlikely, but one can dream can’t they?

[@varrio7197]

"Thomas had never seen such bullSHIT before." 🤣 Oh that cracked me up

[@samuelsocha8384]

all my childhood shows: becomes CGI me: "look how they masacred my boy"

[@sonicrobbin4070]

Do you know where the duck is?

[@JayTohab]

Or use flash animation.

[@nickthepick8043]

Fun Fact: The 3D Animated Thomas the Tank Engine series is animated here in Canada. Problem is, it's not good. We Canadians never get to work on anything good.

[@Cyberbrickmaster1986]

@@nickthepick8043 Australia has a poor track record when it comes to cartoons, especially the animation. Not all of it is bad, but quite a number of them are needlessly ugly. But thanks to the rise of indie animators and the new video gaming inspired series: Meta Runners, things may hopefully change for the better.

[@nickthepick8043]

@@Cyberbrickmaster1986 That's awesome to hear! Meta Runners, huh? I'll check it out. Thanks buddy!

[@marikroyals7111]

Meanwhile 4 years later in Canada Theodore Tugboat (1993-2001) is so popular that a real-life Theodore Tugboat is made and does harbour rides for locals and tourists in the real-life city of Halifax where the show takes place. Of which after lookup to get the name correct was sadly put up for sale.

[@geekygamergirl7259]

Holy shit! I actually remember Tugs! Most cartoons of the time I missed out on or don't remember when people talk back about them so seeing someone bringing up one of the less popular ones I DO remember is actually a shock to me! ...Wait, it came out and ended the year I was born!? Damn, it must have aired on PBS for a while because that and Nick were my main channels as a kid. Think I remember Zebedee, Ten Cents, and Big Mickey best. Mostly because Ten Cents was the most like Thomas to me so mentally to me he was the main character and Zebedee because even as a kid I adored "bad" characters that weren't evil and he showed his group was just following orders the best. Still, TY for this! It was a show that was there than gone for me for me as a kid to the point I honestly thought it was a side-thing on Thomas the Tank Engine because the similar style did attract me at first. I actually remember loving it more because I felt like I had found a rare gem as I didn't hear about it as much. Or maybe its because I was a really weird kid at 5-7 where I had a better understanding of adult and loved how it talked to me like I could understand. All it was missing was my favorite part of Thomas: when the kids would ask for some money and look through that thing that I feel bad for forgetting what it was because I learned later in life so I'll just describe it as a moving viewfinder like I viewed it as a kid. It was my "Was that real?" show from the 90s that I missed the most and I can look it up to relive it now! TY! Also if anyone is reading this and knows what they're called, please refresh my memory. I love learning about older technology which is why I'm sad I forgot what they were called. I want to say they were nickelodeons but I'm not sure if they were also called that along with actual theaters that played moving pictures for a nickel. Also this has to be one of the few things I was a fan of I would love to get the models of. Luke's lightsaber? Meh. Dorthy's shoes? Meh. One of the tug boat models? Yes! God, I either blocked out or happened to miss Munitions, though. Did I hear right at 13 episodes? If you can't tell I'm typing this as I watch it. Damn, it felt like so much more and yet I missed the episode with lots of explosions. I do remember the episode shown where Zebedee helped out, though.

[@HellbirdIV]

Tugs: Also Tugs: "Why don't we have any money for a second series?"

[@lemmythebulldog8812]

Clearwater Features went bankrupt all programs under its ownership got cancelled

[@storiesfromdifferenteras]

TVS was providing the money for Clearwater Features and they ended up bankrupt not being able to pay the production leading to their closer. So your joke doesn't make sense.

[@railbaron1]

Ok it's official bugging Me, Kraka-Toa isn't a Tanker she's a _Tender_ Also A weird thing about both Tugs and Thomas their are some vehicles that aren't alive.

[@viscountrainbows6452]

In Theodore Tugboat it bugs me that there's a living bridge. And the buoys must be SUFFERING out there

[@railbaron1]

@@viscountrainbows6452 This is what you follow the logic of the expression "If it could talk the stories it could tell." and to make stories based on that premise.

[@geekygamergirl7259]

While I understand his mistake, I love the learning experience of your correction.

[@scanida5070]

Something very noteworthy which you didn‘t mention: Tugs has a lot of lost stuff, like A LOT. Originally, every episode was meant to be 30 minutes long but due to concerns that children wouldn‘t watch that long they were cut down to 20 minutes. Then TV channels complained that 20 minutes wouldn‘t fit into their timeslots so they yet again cut them down to 15 minutes. This is why all TV episodes are 15 minutes long while some VHS episodes have the original 20 minutes. This means that many scenes were cut out, including a very infamous one. You can actually see part of it at 10:48 See that crane? That’s supposed to be Big Mickey’s ghost. O.J. would’ve seen it and some ghostly face. The ghost would be there to represent O.J.‘s. guilt for being partly responsible for Mickey’s death. It is never implied that O.J. was at fault but maybe it is revealed in some cut out content, maybe it had something to do with the marker buoys he layed. Tugs also had a planned 2nd season with 96 scripts already written, imagine that! There were also two episodes which didn‘t make it past the writing stage. For example: The first one called „Hercules“ revolved around Hercules having to tow in 3 damaged Ocean Liners but it was deemed to difficult to film, let alone making another 2 Ocean liner models. A Diesel Tug called „Deisel“ was also meant to be introduced in the 2nd season and if you look closely enough, you can actually see his hull at Lucky‘s Yard and how he gets progressively more finished. Also, funfact: The Z-Stacks were originally meant to be called „Black-Stacks“ which is a reference to the „Black Hat“ mafia gangs… I think you can all see why it didn‘t make it past the writing stage…

[@MrJoeyWheeler]

Did anyone catch an error? You called Thomas a "three-wheeled" engine. He has six wheels, three axles.

[@Lightningstrike1220]

I was a tad bit offended by that too. O.o

[@BobbinRobbin777]

holy shit, *its THE TRAIN GODS!*

[@robertharris6092]

@Joshua W56 tricycles?

[@Delta4280]

He also said Tugs took place in England, while it really takes place in the US

[@littlecreamcurry7933]

I did not notice the error

[@skweksi]

I remember this as a fever dream my childhood imagination created. I can’t believe that this was actually real and I recognized it.

[@the_victorious_1]

I had a book that was a part of this series and lost it fairly young so only remembered this entire franchise as a creepy nightmare of a fever dream... it was real!

[@PowerJugs]

This takes me way back. Wow. Thanks for covering this. I forgot how much I enjoyed this show. Between Thomas the Tank Engine and stopping the train falling into the water episode cemented my love for steam traisn when I was young.

[@BlackNovember_94]

Great review mate. I remember watching this show on a VHS tape in 2000. My favourite episode was Munitions & I used to hide behind the couch when King Neptune appeared in “Ghosts”. I loved trains & boats through my childhood but because of their accents I can barely understand them, after I turned 18 the show was still amazing. It’s great to know Tugs isn’t forgotten.

[@MxDae]

Thomas: (is CGI) Me: *DESGOSTANG!!*

[@MxDae]

@Doctor Whos Whooo, things are heating up in the Thomas the Tank fandom! 🔥

[@MxDae]

@Doctor Whos Dude, I promise you, from the bottom of my heart, that it is not that serious.

[@RetrospectionRegression]

@@MxDae wait thomas has a.... FANDOM!?!?!?!!!?!!?

[@3layerdipstack726]

@@RetrospectionRegression that’s pretty cringe

[@dddf27]

CGI is not the problem the WRITING is the problem (and i hate how thomas loco chassis able to move)

[@u0aol1]

I saw this sometime in the 90's as a kid. Had forgotten of it existed, thanks for the nostalgia trip.

[@KotaJMomo]

I grew up with the Japanese dub of Thomas, where each character had their own voice actors.

[@williammerkel1410]

As a kid an aspect I really detested about Thomas and the Magic Railroad was that all of the engines had different voice actors.

[@MegaMan87]

Ever Heard of Theodore Tugboat? Its likely a tamed version of Tugs.

[@RhythmJigoku]

Yes, yes, I'd love to see him cover Theodore Tugboat, too! I loved that show when I was younger. :D

[@Eidolon1andOnly]

One of the producers from Tugs was also part of the production of Theodore Tugboat.

[@cyberdragonessmaster]

I remember that it was a cute show

[@RhythmJigoku]

@@cyberdragonessmaster | A lot of the show's up on KZbin, btw! ^w^

[@cyberdragonessmaster]

@@RhythmJigoku ill have to check it out

[@MarvelMTs]

As a kid, I watched Salty’s Lighthouse which recycled stock footage from TUGS (with some changes like Sunshine and Captain Starr getting female voices). Just last year during the pandemic, I looked up the origin of said footage (including here), and watched TUGS start to finish the next day after work, and oh boy I am I hooked now

[@ElectroBlastLuigi]

1:19 Thomas is also getting a reboot series and going to 2D animation this time...

[@gandalflotr2898]

As a Beatles fans I hope Ringo will come back or guest

[@astrochaos4182]

Gandalf LOTR same but I don’t think it will happen :/

[@sonictailsx4690]

It is shame TUGS was cancelled but regardless, it will always be one of the greatest kids show ever made. It may have been forgotten but it's legacy still lives on.

[@amberkelliher6555]

Maybe they will consider making a reboot of Tugs in the near future. (Though seeing how TtTE ended up, that could go either direction.)

[@ktsp2538]

It will live on in the reused models and assets in its older sister and the fans

[@filipkolasny908]

its*

[@narottamcecil1803]

“Tugs” should get a reboot to go along with the CGI “Thomas & Friends”.

[@Gordonjamesheneryproductions]

Don't give Mattel any ideas

[@fanofthomas96]

@@Gordonjamesheneryproductions Technically, Mattel doesn't own Tugs, fortunately.

[@ABellEngine]

There was going to be a CGI reboot of TUGS made by fans a couple of years ago, but that never came to be.

[@youcantbeatk7006]

5:33 This is a perfect "Damn you got the whole squad laughin'." reaction image.

[@spaghettthesomeone9625]

Actually... it is fitting

[@delete---7593]

😑

[@MiddletownBranchProd.]

just made it ;)

[@mschakakhan]

Holy crap I remember around 2009/2010 seeing reruns of this show in that Qubo channel and I remember being so sad when I started noticing there was a lot of repeating episodes

[@RogueRail]

Fun fact for you Steve, Hercules’ real life counter part still exists to this very day. He can be found at the Hyde Street Pier in San Francisco. If you already knew, sorry.

[@williampulfer-melville8536]

You'll also find Eppleton Hall the Basis for O.J. their to

[@xcross5017]

"Only has 13 episodes" Me: *sweats*

[@delete---7593]

Why?.

[@r.hernandez04]

@@delete---7593 Everything

[@lennyzagara4600]

Tugs should definitely live on and I love how this amazing video proves that even if there’s some stuff I disagree with good job and keep up with the good work

[@thenewadventuresofhenry6998]

It did live on through Theodore Tugboat which was in fact created by the same guy!

[@woffydoggy686]

DUDE, what a jewel! Thanks to discover this to me. I'm not a fan of Thomas, but Tugs is really beautiful!

[@samleake2528]

Oh my God I remember watching this as a kid. This is literally the FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE SINCE THEN I've even thought about Tugs, even though I've seen every episode, back in the day. It really was good, and did disappear. Hercules was also my fave.

[@agsproductions4303]

Omg thanks so much I’ve just discovered this recently and it’s a criminally underrated gem

[@goodbabushkafarm1481]

Huh i never expected someone who dosent make thomas content and only mentions it sometimes thats actually a fan of thomas and review tugs and youre right tugs is underrated great video lad

[@animeluiag939]

I watched Thomas all the time as a kid sometimes he would creep me out like teletubbies but once I got older I’m glad I knew them and watched them my little bro loved Thomas as a kid

[@lejlaposkovic9900]

I'd like to think the "Ok Boomer" from Tugs is directed towards Thomas The Tank Engine 🤣

[@Howwitz]

I had to search for this because my Mum recently said I was obsessed with this when I was a kid and it used to drive her up the wall!! I could not remember it for the life of me but as soon as I saw the Mexican ship and the ghost ships and heard that music it all came flooding back! Thanks for reviewing this I'll subscribe for more nostalgia! Cheers!

[@malkavianfreak]

I'm pretty sure the reason you are one of my favourite reviewers is because puns. I truly do love a good pun and respect a person who can commit to their puns.