The Weekenders

The Weekenders
Opening credits logo
Also known asDisney's The Weekenders
GenreComedy
Created byDoug Langdale
Directed bySteve Lyons
Julie Morgavi (dialogue) (season !)
Doug Langdale (dialogue) (season 2)
Voices of
Opening theme"Livin' for the Weekend" performed by Wayne Brady
ComposerRoger Neill
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes39 (73 segments)
Production
Executive producerDoug Langdale
EditorArthur D. Noda
Running time22 minutes
Production companyWalt Disney Television Animation
Original release
NetworkABC (Disney's One Saturday Morning)
ReleaseFebruary 26, 2000 (2000-02-26) –
March 17, 2001 (2001-03-17)
NetworkUPN (Disney's One Too)
ReleaseSeptember 9 (2001-09-09) –
December 2, 2001 (2001-12-02)
NetworkToon Disney
ReleaseOctober 19, 2002 (2002-10-19) –
February 29, 2004 (2004-02-29)
Related
Project G.e.e.K.e.R.
Dave the Barbarian

The Weekenders, also known as Disney's The Weekenders, is an American animated television series created by Doug Langdale that premiered on February 26, 2000, with the last episode airing on February 29, 2004, spanning two seasons. It centers on the weekend life of four 12-year-old 7th graders: Tino, Lor, Carver, and Tish. The series originally aired on ABC (Disney's One Saturday Morning) and UPN (Disney's One Too), but was later moved to Toon Disney.

Premise

The Weekenders details the weekends of four best friends: Tino Tonitini, Lorraine "Lor" MacQuarrie, Carver René Descartes, and Petratishkovna "Tish" Katsufrakis. Every episode is set over the course of a weekend, with little to no mentions of school life. Friday sets up the adventure of the episode, Saturday escalates or develops it, and the climatic third act happens on Sunday. The implied "ticking clock" is used to signify the characters running out of time and the problem must be solved before going back to school on Monday. The characters frequent a pizzeria that changes its theme each weekend.

Characters

Production

The series takes place in the fictional city of Bahia Bay, California ("Bahia" is Spanish for "bay"), which is based on San Diego, California where the creator lived.

Theme music

The show's theme song, "Livin' for the Weekend", was performed by Wayne Brady and written by Brady and Roger Neill.[citation needed]

Episodes

Series overview

All episodes were directed by Steven Lyons.

SeasonEpisodesOriginally released
First releasedLast releasedNetwork
113February 26, 2000 (2000-02-26)November 11, 2000 (2000-11-11)ABC
2268January 13, 2001 (2001-01-13)March 17, 2001 (2001-03-17)
13September 9, 2001 (2001-09-09)December 2, 2001 (2001-12-02)UPN
5October 19, 2002 (2002-10-19)February 29, 2004 (2004-02-29)Toon Disney

Season 1 (2000)

All episodes of this season have a copyright date of 2000.

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleWritten byOriginal release dateProd.
code 		Packaging code 
11"Crush Test Dummies"Doug Langdale
Sam Kass & Sharon Lee Watson		February 26, 2000 (2000-02-26)1C10-002ABC-101
"Grow Up"1C10-003

Lor is in love with Thompson, and Carver thinks that she's talking about him.

When Tino is caught bouncing on a bouncy house, he becomes determined to be older and mature. Trouble ensues when Carver and Lor get annoyed with his new maturity (minus an easily impressed Tish).

Pizzeria Theme: "Franken Pizza"
22"Shoes of Destiny"Doug Langdale
Lance Kinsey		March 4, 2000 (2000-03-04)1C10-001ABC-102
"Sense and Sensitivity"1C10-006

Carver wants to stand beside the cool kids on picture day and his new shoes help him be "C.A.R.P.".

Pizzeria Theme: "Pizzas of Eight"

When Lor disappoints her friends, she tries to be nice to make up for it.

Pizzeria Theme: "Paris Pizza"
33"The Perfect Weekend"Evan Gore & Heather Lombard
Larry Spencer		March 11, 2000 (2000-03-11)1C10-005ABC-103
"Throwing Carver"1C10-013

Tino plans out the perfect weekend, but his friends bail out.

Pizzeria Theme: "War and Pizza"

Tish takes an art class at the museum and makes an ugly statue of Carver. Carver himself, and the others try to keep their mediocre reviews to themselves.

Pizzeria Theme: "Pizzanaut"
44"home@work"David Warick & Amy DeBartolomeis
Jonathan Rosenthal		March 18, 2000 (2000-03-18)1C10-004ABC-104
"To Be or Not to Be"1C10-008

Lor needs her friends to help her pass an upcoming test or face going to military school.

Pizzeria Theme: "Pizza Pilot"

When Tish's friends make fun of Shakespeare, she stops hanging out with them.

Pizzeria Theme: "Platypus Pizza"
55"Sitters"Rachel Powell
Steve Atinsky & Dan O'Connor		March 25, 2000 (2000-03-25)1C10-012ABC-105
"Band"1C10-015

Carver's mom and dad go to a conference, so Carver has to babysit his little brother Todd.

Pizzeria Theme: "Hula Pizza"

Carver lies that Chum Bukket will dedicate the show to him and his friends.

Pizzeria Theme: "Pizzamergency"
66"Makeover"Sharon Lee Watson
Sam Kass		April 1, 2000 (2000-04-01)1C10-010ABC-106
"The New Girl"1C10-011

Lor gets asked out by Thompson and gets a whole new makeover by two girly girls.

Pizzeria Theme: "The Great Wall of Pizza"

Tish's mom tries to become Americanized by hanging out with her friends.

Pizzeria Theme: "Pizza Farm"
77"Party Planning"Dan O'Connor & Steve Atinsky
Evan Gore & Heather Lombard		April 22, 2000 (2000-04-22)1C10-009ABC-107
"Pudding Ball"1C10-021

The gang gets invited to a party. It turns out to be clownless and they have to know each other's gender.

Pizzeria Theme: "Pizza of Mind"

The gang competes in a pudding throwing contest, but aggression and competing go near the heads of the gang.

Pizzeria Theme: "Deep Dish Nine"
88"Dead Ringer"Brian Palermo
Rachel Powell		May 6, 2000 (2000-05-06)1C10-007ABC-108
"Carver the Terrible"1C10-018

Tino tries not to look like a geek while playing horseshoes.

Carver's classmates thinks he's a bully when they see him trip on Laird.
99"Radio Drama"Evan Gore & Heather Lombard
Sam Kass		September 9, 2000 (2000-09-09)1C10-014ABC-109
"The Tradition"1C10-019

Tish gets bossy over a radio contest.

Pizzeria Theme: "Pizza Pie'oneer"

Tish must study for a coming-of-age ceremony.

Pizzeria Theme: "We the Pizza"
1010"To Each His Own"Larry Spencer
Japhet Asher		September 16, 2000 (2000-09-16)1C10-020ABC-110
"Diary"1C10-022

Each member of the gang wants to go to events that cater to their interests.

Pizzeria Theme: "The Pizza's Court"

Carver, Tino, and Lor think that Tish is moving after "accidentally" reading her diary.

Pizzeria Theme: "ShakesPizza"
1111"The Invited"Doug Langdale
Evan Gore & Heather Lombard		September 23, 2000 (2000-09-23)1C10-016ABC-111
"Real Fake"1C10-023

Tino and Tish secretly get ready for a costume party, that Lor and Carver aren't invited to.

The group gets filmed for a movie and emulate TV characters when they think their normal selves are too boring.

Pizzeria Theme: "Slice Capades"
1212"Super Kids"Sam Kass
Japhet Asher		November 4, 2000 (2000-11-04)1C10-024ABC-112
"Crevasse of Dreams"1C10-017

After a seminar, everyone tries to do something meaningful with their weekends.

Pizzeria Theme: "Amazing Pizzerini"

Tino remembers a former hang-out spot and tries to convince the gang of its existence.

Pizzeria Theme: "Paleolithic Pizza"
1313"Dixon"Doug LangdaleNovember 11, 2000 (2000-11-11)1C10-025ABC-113
1C10-026

An amusement park is re-opening and the gang tries to earn tickets while Tino frets about his mom's upcoming date, but after finding out his mom's date, Dixon, is cool, Tino tries to make sure they get together.

Pizzeria Theme: "Mission: Impizzable"

Season 2 (2001–04)

All episodes of this season have a copyright date of 2001.

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleWritten byOriginal release dateProd.
code 		Packaging code 
141"Taking Sides"Jonathan Goldstein
Doug Langdale		January 13, 2001 (2001-01-13)1C10-1XXABC-114
"To Tish"1C10-1XX

Tino and Carver get into a fight which splits the group in two.

Tish's name becomes a slang term and it really bugs her to the max.

Pizzeria Theme: "Sherlock Pizza"
152"Tickets"Larry Spencer
Doug Langdale		January 27, 2001 (2001-01-27)1C10-1XXABC-115
"Vengeance"1C10-1XX

Tino wins 2 tickets to a Chum Bukket concert and he has a tough time deciding which of his friends to take.

Pizzeria Theme: "Surreal Pizza"

Carver seeks revenge, after being tricked by a girl at school.

Pizzeria Theme: "Prison Pizza"
163"Murph"Evan Gore & Heather Lombard
Doug Langdale		February 3, 2001 (2001-02-03)1C10-1XXABC-116
"Uncool World"1C10-1XX

Tino worries that people don't like him.

Pizzeria Theme: "Mount Pizza-Uvius"

When one of the cool kids stops being cool, the gang helps her get accustomed to being uncool.

Pizzeria Theme: "Cirque du Pizza"
174"My Punky Valentine"Doug Langdale
David Warick & Amy DeBartolomeis		February 10, 2001 (2001-02-10)1C10-1XXABC-117
"Brain Envy"1C10-1XX

Tino has a crush on the punk girl and his friends try to "un-crush" him. In addition, the gang also has a run-in with Jennifer Love Hewitt.

Pizzeria Theme: "Pizza! The Musical!"

Lor is jealous when the boy she likes pays attention to Tish's academics.

Pizzeria Theme: "Pizza Aerobics"
185"Tish's Hair"Peter GaffneyFebruary 17, 2001 (2001-02-17)1C10-1XXABC-118
"I Want to Be Alone!"1C10-1XX

Tish gets a new hairdo and the gang is too afraid to tell her it's ugly.

Pizzeria Theme: "Pizzaquarium"

Tish decides to spend the weekend alone and the gang goes on a mission to discover why.

Pizzeria Theme: "Pie Kwan Do"
196"Baskets for Bucks"Dan O'Connor & Steve Atinsky
Susan Leslie		March 3, 2001 (2001-03-03)1C10-1XXABC-119
"Pru"1C10-1XX

Lor is under pressure when she must sink three baskets in a row to win money, and thinks that losing will end her friendship with the others.

A popular girl makes the gang popular to get back at her friends.
207"Talent Show"Larry Spencer
David Warick & Amy DeBartolomeis		March 10, 2001 (2001-03-10)1C10-1XXABC-120
"Relative Boredom"1C10-1XX

Lor tries out for the talent show.

Tino's super geeky cousin is coming over for the weekend, conflicting his plans to see the new Chum Bukket movie.

Pizzeria Theme: "Inflatable Pizza"
218"New Friends"Evan Gore & Heather LombardMarch 17, 2001 (2001-03-17)1C10-1XXABC-121
"The Awful Weekend"1C10-1XX

After Tino meets his mom's former best friend, he decides that the differences he has with his friends will only end in tears.

Pizzeria Theme: "Lord of the Pies"

The gang experiences a terrible weekend, but end up laughing in the end because it's so terrible.

Pizzeria Theme: "Black Tie Pie"
229"Crushin' Roulette"Doug Langdale
Larry Spencer		September 9, 2001 (2001-09-09)1C10-1XXFO-22
"Lucky Shoes"1C10-1XX

Tish feels left out when she is the only one without a crush, and tries to find the right person.

Pizzeria Theme: "Thera-Pizza"

Carver loses his lucky shoes, and his confidence with them.

Pizzeria Theme: "Discount Pizza"
2310"Cry"Brian Palermo
Peter Gaffney		September 16, 2001 (2001-09-16)1C10-1XXFO-23
"The Perfect Son"1C10-1XX

After Tino cries during Romeo and Juliet in class and is made fun of, he decides to give up all his emotions. The lost emotions plan seems to backfire among the gang.

Pizzeria Theme: "Pizza Byte"

Carver gets jealous when Tino spends the weekend at his house, and his parents seem to like Tino better than him.

Pizzeria Theme: "Pizza Spy"
2411"Listen Up"Evan Gore & Heather Lombard
David Warick & Amy DeBartolomeis		September 23, 2001 (2001-09-23)1C10-1XXFO-24
"Never Say Diorama"1C10-1XX

The gang becomes Preteen Pals courtesy of Helpers Helping the Helpless, to help kids get over middle school fears, but Carver has a tough time listening and being helpful.

Pizzeria Theme: "Leftover Pizza"

Lor and Carver are suffering from "Homework Paralysis Syndrome", and Tish and Tino must help them complete their assignment.

Pizzeria Theme: "Superhero Pizza"
2512"Secret Admirer"Larry Spencer
Peter Gaffney		September 30, 2001 (2001-09-30)1C10-1XXFO-25
"The Lone Wolves Club"1C10-1XX

Carver tries to discover who his secret admirer is, and becomes unhappy when he learns who it is.

Pizzeria Theme: "Gladiator Pizza"

Tino gets invited to join a super secret and coveted club.
2613"The Most Dangerous Weekend"Evan Gore & Heather Lombard
Dan O'Connor & Steve Atinsky		October 7, 2001 (2001-10-07)1C10-1XXFO-26
"Charity Case"1C10-1XX

Tino becomes paranoid and overcautious, after breaking his arm.

Tish decides that the gang should help a girl who seems to be an unpopular loser.

Pizzeria Theme: "Pizza Dungeon"
2714"Best"David Warick & Amy DeBartolomeis
Evan Gore & Heather Lombard		October 14, 2001 (2001-10-14)1C10-1XXFO-27
"Broken"1C10-1XX

Tino tries to get "Best" designation in the yearbook.

Tino lets Carver borrow the scooter Dixon made for him, but Carver breaks it. Carver promises to fix it, but forgets. Tino is reluctant to remind him, because he's worried Carver will accuse him of nagging.
2815"Father's Day"Doug Langdale
Peter Gaffney		October 21, 2001 (2001-10-21)1C10-1XXFO-28
"Follow the Leader"1C10-1XX

It's Father's Day this weekend but for Tino, what does Father's Day mean to him since his dad doesn't live with him?

Pizzeria Theme: "Night of the Living Pizza"

The group can't decide what to do for the weekend, so they decide to make just one friend decide for the whole weekend.

Pizzeria Theme: "E.S.-Pizza"
2916"Careers"Peter Gaffney
Larry Spencer		October 28, 2001 (2001-10-28)1C10-1XXFO-29
"Tutor"1C10-1XX

The group puzzles over their career test results.

Pizzeria Theme: "You Won't Believe It's a Pizza""

Once again, Lor's grades are slipping and she needs a tutor to help her.
3017"The Tao of Bluke"Evan Gore & Heather Lombard
David Warick & Amy DeBartolomeis		November 4, 2001 (2001-11-04)1C10-1XXFO-30
"An Experimental Weekend"1C10-1XX

The group has a team challenge called "Bluke".

Tish has her mind set on winning a psychology prize.
3118"Celebrity"Doug LangdaleNovember 11, 2001 (2001-11-11)1C10-139FO-31
WEEK-34
1C10-145

Tish stars in an episode of Teen Canyon and becomes a celebrity, so Carver tries to teach her how to behave like one, but she soon starts to act rude and superior.

Pizzeria Theme: "Tish Pizza"
3219"Clown"Larry SpencerNovember 18, 2001 (2001-11-18)1C10-135FO-32
WEEK-31
"Testing Dixon"1C10-140

Tino tries to cure himself of his coulrophobia.

Pizzeria Theme: "Clown Pizza"

Tino decides to test Dixon to see if he's stepfather material.

Pizzeria Theme: "Alpine Pizza"
3320"Croquembouche"Peter Gaffney
David Warick & Amy DeBartolomeis		November 25, 2001 (2001-11-25)1C10-138FO-33
WEEK-33
"Imperfection"1C10-142

The gang visit a food festival with presentations.

Pizzeria Theme "Where's the Pizza?"

Tish tries to overcome her perfectionist ways.

Pizzeria Theme: "Pizza Lounge"
3421"The Worst Holiday Ever"Evan Gore & Heather LombardDecember 2, 2001 (2001-12-02)1C10-136FO-34
WEEK-32
1C10-137
The Christmas season approaches, but because each member of the gang celebrates different holidays – Lor celebrates Christmas, Tino celebrates Solstice, Tish celebrates Hanukkah, and Carver celebrates Kwanzaa – they all plan to spend the weekend at Lor's grandmother's farm, but her RV gets stuck in a blizzard.
3522"Nevermore"Evan Gore & Heather LombardOctober 19, 2002 (2002-10-19)1C10-148WEEK-37
1C10-150
Tino goes through a revenge rampage when his friends won't go trick-or-treating with him and they think they're "too old".
3623"Brain Dead"Evan Gore & Heather Lombard
Larry Spencer		November 7, 2003 (2003-11-07)1C10-144WEEK-35
"Lor's Will"1C10-141

Tish loses her title as "Brain" when she gets a B on a test.

Lor has an injury that she thinks may be fatal, so she writes a will for her friends and family, but Tish feels betrayed when she isn't mentioned.
3724"Radio Free Carver"David Warick & Amy DeBartolomeis
Larry Spencer		November 14, 2003 (2003-11-14)1C10-146WEEK-36
"Dinner Party"1C10-147

Carver becomes the new DJ of the Bahia Bay Middle School with disastrous results.

Pizzeria Theme: "Pizza Spa"

Tish hosts a salon party and "invites" Tino, Carver, Lor, and Bluke.
3825"Laundry Day"David Warick & Amy DeBartolomeis
Peter Gaffney		November 21, 2003 (2003-11-21)1C10-149WEEK-38
"Penny McQuarrie"1C10-143

Lor enlists the gang to help her do her family's laundry.

Pizzeria Theme: "Ninja Pizza"

When Carver's sister Penny is dating one of Lor's brothers, both Carver and Lor get involved.

Pizzeria Theme: "You Can Eat a Pizza!"
3926"Tino's Dad"Doug LangdaleFebruary 29, 2004 (2004-02-29)1C10-151WEEK-39
1C10-152

Tino's dad is visiting for the first time in 8 years, and he must plan the perfect weekend to bond with his dad.

Pizzeria Theme: "Focus Group Pizza"

Broadcast and home media

The series premiered on February 26, 2000, as part of Disney's One Saturday Morning on ABC. From 2001 to 2002, it also aired as part of Disney's One Too on UPN on Sunday mornings. In September 2002, the series moved to Toon Disney, and the remaining episodes would be aired from October 19, 2002, finishing on February 29, 2004; the last four episodes of the series would air in Canada on Family Channel, ahead of their US premieres, in November 2002. Reruns of the series continued to air on Toon Disney from 2004 to 2006, and on Disney Channel in 2003.

In the United States, the entire series is now available on DVD on two volume sets sold exclusively through the Disney Movie Club, which makes The Weekenders the first Disney animated television show to have a full release on DVD. Due to the first-sale doctrine in the United States, the discs can be legally resold and are regularly available from sellers on eBay and other similar sites.

DVD nameEp #Release date
The Weekenders: Volume 120March 5, 2013
The Weekenders: Volume 219March 5, 2013

The series was made available to stream on Disney+ on May 25, 2026.

Reception

Critical reception

The Weekenders has received very positive reviews from critics and fans for its solid writing, upbeat energy and multi-dimensional characters.

Ratings

TV Guide called The Weekenders as "the show that killed Pokémon", because ABC stole the ratings when they aired it at 10:00 am – the same time Pokémon aired on Kids' WB. In addition, Variety reported that The Weekenders took the number one rating on Saturday morning television, which knocked off Pokémon from its 54 consecutive weeks as the top spot.

Notes

  1. ↑ Working title: "Each to His Own"
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 This episode first premiered on UPN.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 This episode first aired on Toon Disney.
  4. ↑ This episode first premiered in Canada on Family Channel on November 15, 2002.
  5. ↑ This episode first premiered in Canada on Family Channel on November 18, 2002.
  6. ↑ This episode first premiered in Canada on Family Channel on November 19, 2002.
  7. ↑ This episode first premiered in Canada on Family Channel on November 20, 2002.

References

Citations

  1. ↑ Erickson, Hal (2005). Television Cartoon Shows: An Illustrated Encyclopedia, 1949 Through 2003 (2nd ed.). McFarland & Co. pp. 271–272. ISBN 978-1476665993.
  2. ↑ Miereanu 2000, pp. 5–6.
  3. ↑ Miereanu 2000, p. 13.
  4. 1 2 3 Miereanu 2000, p. 6.
  5. 1 2 Miereanu 2000, p. 7.
  6. ↑ Miereanu 2000, p. 16.
  7. ↑ Miereanu 2000, p. 14.
  8. ↑ "Mega Mirror: Hangin' With 4 Friends". The Mirror. November 11, 2000.
  9. 1 2 3 4 "Disney's The Weekenders: Copyright Public Records search". United States Copyright Office. Retrieved May 21, 2026.
  10. 1 2 Miereanu 2000, p. 17-20.
  11. 1 2 "Episodes: The Weekenders (01-02 Season)". United Paramount Network (Unofficial) Schedule Archive. Retrieved May 21, 2026.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 "Family Channel CRTC logs (Nov 2002)". Internet Archive. Retrieved May 25, 2026.
  13. ↑ DataBase, The Big Cartoon. "Disney's The Weekenders Episode Guide -Disney Studios @ BCDB". Big Cartoon DataBase (BCDB). Retrieved June 30, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  14. ↑ Godfrey, Leigh (July 1, 2002). "Toon Disney Premieres Eight New Series In Fall 2002". Animation World Network. Retrieved April 4, 2014.
  15. ↑ "So wait there were episodes of the Weekenders that didn't air on ABC?". Anime Superhero. March 25, 2005. Retrieved June 3, 2022.[better source needed]
  16. ↑ "OVD Opinion Piece: What "The Weekenders" Means for Disney TV Cartoons on DVD". Disney Afternoon Forever. February 6, 2013.
  17. ↑ "NEWS: The Weekenders hits DVD!". Disney Afternoon Forever. February 4, 2013.
  18. ↑ "Want to Buy DMC DVDs Without Joining the DMC? Now You Can!". Disney Afternoon Forever. July 14, 2013.
  19. ↑ "It's Time to Rewind! Disney+ Hulu Throwbacks Turn Back the Clock with Summer of Nostalgia". Press Disney Plus. May 21, 2026.
  20. ↑ "Disney's The Weekenders". Archived from the original on September 25, 2013. Retrieved June 28, 2016 – via HighBeam Research.
  21. ↑ Schneider, Michael (May 5, 2000). "'The Weekenders' defeats 'Pokemon'". Variety.

Bibliography