October 17, 1997 – December 31, 1999
Ned's Newt is an animated television series created by Andy Knight and Mike Burgess and is co-produced by Nelvana and German company TMO Film GmbH (later renamed as "TMO-Loonland Film GmbH" in seasons 2-3) in conjunction with Studio B Productions. It aired on Teletoonfrom October 17, 1997 to December 31, 1999. In the United States, the series aired on Fox Kids starting on February 7, 1998 on Saturday mornings, but later changed to weekday mornings on October 5, 1998 to January 1, 1999. However, only the first season aired on Fox Kids in the U.S. while the series was never rebroadcast for many years.
The series also aired on the now-defunct Qubo (with seasons 2-3) from March 28, 2016 to July 27, 2018, and again starting from March 30, 2020 to July 24, 2020. Teletoon Retro aired reruns of all 39 half-hour episodes on September 5, 2011 until it pulled off the air in early 2012.
Summary[]
The series begins with 9-year-old Ned Flemkin finally scraping up enough money to buy a pet. However, upon reaching the pet store, the only thing he can afford is a newt. Ned names his new pet Newton, but quickly tires it since Newton lies on the rock in his bowl. Complaining to the pet store owner that his new pet is not very active, the owner gives Ned a can of Zippo for Newt pet food but warns Ned not to give his pet too much. Ned feeds Newton a little, but Newton does nothing. Ned leaves the can beside Newton's bowl and goes to bed.
That night, Newton crawls from his bowl and gulps down several mouthfuls of Zippo. Thus, the eats too much warning comes true, Newton grows 6 feet tall, can talk (voiced by Harland Williams), and has the power to shapeshift. After Ned realizes this, he and Newton become the best of friends, but unfortunately, the effects of Zippo do not last forever. Newton often gets Ned into trouble, at which point the Zippo dissolves off. Newton shifts back to his small form, leaving Ned alone to convey the wrath of his parents.
The series recounts the misadventures of Ned attempting to live life normally while trying to keep Newton from being discovered.