Teacher's Pet

About Teacher's Pet

Teacher's Pet is an American animated television series produced by Walt Disney Television Animation and directed by Timothy Björklund. The series follows a 9-year-old boy, Leonard Helperman, and his pet dog, Spot, who has the ability to talk and read. He is so fascinated by school that he disguises himself as a human boy named Scott Leadready II to attend Leonard's school.

Making / Production

The series was created by artist Gary Baseman, who developed it with television writer and producer Bill Steinkellner and Cheri Steinkellner. The production of each episode was quite elaborate, involving the adaptation or creation of illustrated storyboards, background art, character design, colouring, and multiple stages of animation. It aired on ABC's One Saturday Morning block from 2000 to 2002.

Actors

• Nathan Lane as Spot Helperman/Scott Leadready II - The talented actor voiced the role of Spot with a lively energy, perfectly encapsulating the character's thrill for education and school life.
• Shaun Fleming as Leonard Helperman - Shaun played the role of Leonard proficiently, bringing forth the character's innocence and lovable nature.
• Debra Jo Rupp as Mrs. Mary Lou Moira Angela Darling Helperman - Debra did an excellent job in voicing Leonard's caring and sweet-natured mother, who also happens to be his teacher.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The series was originally going to be titled "The Pooch and the Pauper", "Tail of a Dog" and "Caught Red-Handed" in its early stages of development.
• Despite taking place in East-Westland, the map shown in the series resembles California.

Awards

Teacher's Pet won the Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Special Class Animated Program. Nathan Lane also won the Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program for his role as Spot

Quotes

• Spot Helperman: "School is the best place for a dog to be."
• Leonard Helperman: "I wish I was the one who loved school as much as my dog does."

Music, Soundtrack

• Take the Money and Run - Steve Miller Band
• You Are Dog Now - Shaun Fleming