View source for Kiff (TV series)

{{DISPLAYTITLE:''Kiff'' (TV series)}}
{{Tab
|tab1=Main page
|tab2=Gallery}}
{{Youmay|2=the series|[[Kiff Chatterley|the character]]}}
{{Series
|title=''Kiff''
|image=<gallery>
Theme Song 022.jpeg|Title card
Kiff logo.png|Logo
Kiff series poster 2.jpeg|Promotional poster
</gallery>
|genre=Buddy comedy<br>Musical<br>Slice of life
|creator=[[Lucy Heavens]]<br>[[Nic Smal]]
|voices=[[Kimiko Glenn]]<br>[[H. Michael Croner]]<br>[[Eric Bauza]]<br>[[Lauren Ash]]<br>[[James Monroe Iglehart]]<br>[[Tom Kenny]]
|seasons=1 (aired)<br>3 (ordered)
|episodes=[[List of episodes|31]]  
|segments=62
|premiere="[[Thirst to Be the First]]"/"[[The Fourth Bath]]"
|opening="[[Kiff Theme Song|Kiff Main Title Theme]]"
|ending="[[Kiff End Credit Theme]]"
|composer=Nic Smal<br>[[Brad Breeck]]
|executive producers=Nic Smal<br>Lucy Heavens<br>[[Chris Prynoski]]<br>[[Shannon Pryonski]]<br>[[Antonio Canobbio]]<br>[[Ben Kalina]]
|producers=[[Kent Osborne]] (co-producer)<br>[[Winnie Chaffee]] (supervising)<br>[[Kayla Reid]] (line)<br>[[Matt Burns]] (line)
|production companies=Titmouse, Inc.<br>[[Disney Television Animation]]
|running time=22 minutes
|distributor=Disney-ABC Domestic Television
|network=[[Disney Channel]]<br>[[Disney XD]]<br>[[Disney+]] (streaming)
|release date=March 10, 2023 – present}}
'''''Kiff''''' is an American-South African animated comedy TV series created by [[Lucy Heavens]] and [[Nic Smal]]. It is produced by Titmouse, Inc. and [[Disney Television Animation]], and premiered on March 10, 2023.

==Premise==
The series follows [[Kiff Chatterley]], an optimistic squirrel whose best intentions often lead to complete chaos, and her best friend [[Barry Buns]], a sweet and mellow bunny. Set in the bustling city of [[Table Town]], Cape Town, South Africa, where animals and magical creatures live together in harmony, the series features the duo as they take the town by storm with their endless adventures and zest for life.

==Production==
The show was announced in June 2021,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://kidscreen.com/2021/06/18/disney-greenlights-south-african-toon-kiff/|title=Disney greenlights South African toon Kiff|accessdate=July 1, 2023|last=Dickson|first=Jeremy|date=June 18, 2021|work=[[wikipedia:Kidscreen|Kidscreen]]}}</ref> and [[Kimiko Glenn]] and [[H. Michael Croner]] were revealed to be the voices of Kiff and Barry, respectively, in October 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/kimiko-glenn-h-michael-croner-disney-channel-animated-series-kiff-1235394514/|title=Kimiko Glenn, H. Michael Croner to Voice Disney’s New Animated Series ‘Kiff’ (EXCLUSIVE)|accessdate=July 1, 2023|last=Schneider|first=Michael|date=October 6, 2022|work=[[wikipedia:Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref> [[Sam Riegel]] serves as the show's voice director.<ref name="dar">{{cite web|url=https://www.comicsbeat.com/interview-kimiko-glenn-disney-animated-series-kiff/|title=INTERVIEW: Kimiko Glenn gets nutty in new Disney animated series KIFF|accessdate=July 1, 2023|last=Dar|first=Taimur|date=March 8, 2023|work=[[wikipedia:The Beat (comics)|The Beat]]}}</ref> Writing for the main series began in July 2021 and ended in August 2023.<ref>https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-jost-206131172 Hannah Jost - LinkedIn</ref> Production on [[Season 2]] started a month prior.<ref>https://www.linkedin.com/in/allygn/ Allyson Gonzales - LinkedIn</ref>

''Kiff'' was inspired both by [[Lucy Heavens]] and [[Nic Smal]]'s childhoods in [[wikipedia:Cape Town|Cape Town, South Africa]], and by various animated series, with ''[[wikipedia:The Simpsons|The Simpsons]]'' cited as a major influence.<ref name="davis">{{cite web|url=https://www.awn.com/animationworld/kiff-cape-town-inspired-buddy-comedy-captures-soul-hand-drawn|title=‘Kiff’: A Cape-Town-Inspired Buddy Comedy that Captures the Soul of Hand-Drawn|accessdate=June 28, 2023|last=Davis|first=Victoria|date=March 8, 2023|work=[[wikipedia:Animation World Network|Animation World Network]]}}</ref> The primary location of the series, Table Town, is named for Cape Town's [[wikipedia:Table Mountain|Table Mountain]], and the [[Table Town Middle School|school]] Kiff and Barry go to is modeled after Smal's primary school.<ref name="murphy">{{cite web|url=https://www.animationscoop.com/interview-the-gift-of-kiff-with-creators-of-new-disney-series/|title=INTERVIEW: The Gift Of “Kiff” With Creators Of New Disney Series|accessdate=July 1, 2023|last=Murphy|first=Jackson|date=March 6, 2023|work=Animation Scoop}}</ref>

Smal has stated the writers often draw from life experience when brainstorming for ideas, whether they be childhood memories or inspired by things that happened to them as adults.<ref name="murphy"/> Heavens and Smal value the show's positivity, and state they try not to make the series too cynical or sarcastic.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/kiff-creators-what-inspired-characters-humor-disney-new-series/|title=Kiff Creators Reveal What Inspired the Characters and Humor of Disney's New Series|accessdate=July 1, 2023|last=Aguilar|first=Matthew|date=April 3, 2023|work=[[wikipedia:ComicBook.com|ComicBook.com]]}}</ref> The series is two dimensional and hand drawn; the only digital process used for the series is [[wikipedia:Toon Boom#Harmony|Toon Boom Harmony]], which scans the drawings and also colors them.<ref name="davis"/>

Every episode of the show begins with a title card on a billboard, and has a "[[List of episode sponsors|sponsor]]", an advertisement placed on the aforementioned billboard for an establishment or item that appears at some point in the episode. These are typically businesses or products, but can also be simple concepts (such as art, in "[[Ghost Wolf's Art]]"). In an interview, Heavens and Smal explained that as they were developing the series the two realized the wide variety of jobs the characters had, and began the opening sponsor gag in response to that.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.laughingplace.com/w/articles/2023/03/08/kiff-interview/|title=Spending Some Time With “Kiff” Creators Nic Smal and Lucy Heavens|accessdate=July 2, 2023|last=Betti|first=Tony|date=March 8, 2023|work=Laughing Place}}</ref>

Kimiko Glenn noted in a 2023 interview that she and H. Michael Croner are allowed to go off-script and improvise during recording sessions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/kimiko-glenn-talks-bringing-disneys-kiff-life-delightful-new-series/|title=Kimiko Glenn Talks Bringing Disney's Kiff to Life in Delightful New Series|accessdate=June 28, 2023|last=Aguilar|first=Matthew|date=April 15, 2023|work=[[wikipedia:ComicBook.com|ComicBook.com]]}}</ref> When Glenn auditioned as Kiff, she was tasked with singing various songs, as music and songs are a crucial part of the series.<ref name="dar"/>

==Voice cast==
''Main articles: [[List of characters]] and [[List of Species]]''

Cast list adapted from ''[[wikipedia:Animation Magazine|Animation Magazine]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/2023/01/kiff-brings-nutty-animated-comedy-to-disney-channel-march-10/|title=‘Kiff’ Brings Nutty Animated Comedy to Disney Channel March 10|accessdate=July 2, 2023|last=Milligan|first=Mercedes|date=January 24, 2023|work=[[wikipedia:Animation Magazine|Animation Magazine]]}}</ref>

===Main cast=== 
*[[Kimiko Glenn]] as [[Kiff Chatterley]]
*[[H. Michael Croner]] as [[Barry Buns]]

===Supporting cast===
*[[James Monroe Iglehart]] as [[Martin Chatterley]]
*[[Lauren Ash]] as [[Beryl Chatterley]] and [[Beverly]]
*[[Deedee Magno Hall]] as [[Miss Deer Teacher]]
*[[Eugene Cordero]] as [[The Pone]] and [[Secretary Prince]] 
*[[Josh Johnson]] as [[Harry Buns]] 
*[[Eric Bauza]] as [[Roy Fox]], [[Reggie]], [[Lance Contract]] and [[Billiam]]
*[[Vella Lovell]] as [[Candle Fox]]
* [[Steve Little]] as [[Glarbin Gloobin]] 
*[[Kent Osborne]] as [[Sweepy Steve]]
*[[Mary Mack]] as [[Renée du Bedat]]
*[[Tom Kenny]] as [[Trevor Angstrom]], [[Gareth]], [[Darryn]], and [[Markus Plue]]
*[[Nichole Sakura]] as [[Terri Buns]]
* [[Rachel House]] as [[Mary Buns]]
*[[Lucy Heavens]] as [[Helen]]
*[[Nic Smal]] as [[Principal Secretary]]
*[[Andy Merrill]] as [[Pat Chatterley]]
*[[Andy Daly]] as [[Scarm Scaremly]]
*[[Jimmy Fowlie]] as [[Tarryn Plue]] and [[Tyler]]
==Episodes == 
{{Main|List of episodes}}
==Reception==
''Kiff'' received highly positive reviews, with praise going toward its animation, morals, characters, songs, faithfulness, constant callbacks to previous episodes, and voice acting, particularly from [[Kimiko Glenn]], [[James Monroe Iglehart]], [[Nic Smal]] and [[Eric Bauza]]. On [[wikipedia:IMDB|IMDb]], 83% of 697 ratings were positive, with an average rating of 7.7/10; the average rating of an episode on the site is 8.2/10.

Matthew Aguilar of ''[[wikipedia:ComicBook.com|ComicBook.com]]'' asserted, "Those who watch will soon find themselves transported to a delightful animated world full of hilarious scenarios that always find a way to also be relatable."<ref>https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/kiff-creators-what-inspired-characters-humor-disney-new-series/ Kiff Creators Reveal What Inspired the Characters and Humor of Disney's New Series</ref> Joel Keller of ''[[wikipedia:Decider (website)|Decider]]'' wrote, "''Kiff'' is lots of surreal fun, with a warm friendship at its center. Most of all, parents will enjoy it for its smart humor almost as much as their kids will enjoy the colors, sounds, and pratfalls."<ref>https://decider.com/2023/03/15/kiff-disney-plus-review/ 'Kiff' Disney Plus Review: Stream It Or Skip It?</ref> Ashley Moulton of ''[[wikipedia:Common Sense Media|Common Sense Media]]'' compared ''Kiff'' favorably to Australia's ''[[wikipedia:Bluey (2018 TV series)|Bluey]]'' "with its simultaneous imagination and real-life truisms". She wrote that ''Kiff'' "pays loving tribute to childhood friendships" and complimented its visual style and moments of mature humor, concluding, "The whole family can enjoy the quirky characters and the ridiculous situations they find themselves in."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.commonsensemedia.org/tv-reviews/kiff|title=Kiff TV Review|accessdate=July 1, 2023|last=Moulton|first=Ashley|date=2023|work=[[wikipedia:Common Sense Media|Common Sense Media]]}}</ref> and gave the series a grade of four out of five stars, praised the depiction of positive messages and role models, citing the presence of characters demonstrating kindness, and said, "Quirky buddy comedy celebrates kid friendships."<ref>https://www.commonsensemedia.org/tv-reviews/kiff Kiff TV Review {{!}} Common Sense Media</ref>

''Kiff'' was placed at the #10 spot in DirecTV's "Top 10 Cartoons for Kids on TV" list countdown.<ref>''[https://www.directv.com/insider/top-cartoons-for-kids/ Top 10 cartoons for kids on TV]''. (2024, October 4). DirecTV. Retrieved November 27, 2024</ref>
===Accolades===
{| style="margin: 0.5em 0.5em 0.5em 1em; padding: 0.5em; background: ; border: 1px black solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 90%; text-align: center;" width="95%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="4" border="2"
|- style="background: #ff850a; color: #000000;"
!Year
!Award
!Category
!Nominee(s)
!Result
!Ref.
|-
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" |[[wikipedia:2nd Children's and Family Emmy Awards|2023]]
| rowspan="2" |[[wikipedia:Children's and Family Emmy Awards|Children's and Family Emmy Awards]]
|Outstanding Main Title and Graphics
|''Kiff''
| style="background:#FFE3E3;" |Nominated
| rowspan="2" |<ref>https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/childrens-family-emmy-awards-nominations-2023-1235635652/ Children's & Family Emmy Awards: Disney Dominates Nominations</ref><ref>https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/childrens-family-emmys-2023-nominations-full-list-1235778198/ Children's & Family Emmys 2023 Nominees Announced, as NATAS Works Out Ceremony Plans (FULL LIST)</ref>
|-
|Outstanding Voice Directing for an Animated Series
|[[Sam Riegel]]
| style="background:#FFE3E3;" | Nominated
|}

==International release ==
{| style="margin: 0.5em 0.5em 0.5em 1em; padding: 0.5em; background: ; border: 1px black solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 90%; text-align: center;" width="95%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="4" border="2"
|- style="background: #ff850a; color: #000000;"
! scope="col" |'''Country'''
! scope="col" |'''Language'''
! scope="col" |'''Original network'''
! scope="col" |'''Premiere date'''
|-
|{{CAN}} Canada
|English
|[[Disney Channel]]
|March 10, 2023
|-
|{{UK}} United Kingdom
| rowspan="2" |English
| rowspan="2" |[[Disney+]]
| rowspan="2" |March 29, 2023
|-
|{{IRE}} Ireland
|-
|{{AUS}} Australia
| rowspan="2" |English
| rowspan="2" |Disney+
| rowspan="2" |April 5, 2023
|-
|{{NZ}} New Zealand
|-
|{{PRT}} Portugal
| rowspan="3" |Portuguese
| rowspan="3" |Disney Channel
| rowspan="3" |May 15, 2023
|-
|{{AGO}} Angola
|-
|{{MOZ}} Mozambique
|-
|{{TWN}} Taiwan
| rowspan="2" |Chinese<br>Cantonese<br>Mandarin
| rowspan="2" |Disney+
| rowspan="2" |May 17, 2023
|-
|{{HKG}} Hong Kong
|-
|{{ESP}} Spain
| rowspan="2" |European Spanish
| rowspan="2" |Disney+<br>Disney Channel
| rowspan="2" |May 20, 2023
|-
|{{AND}} Andorra
|-
| rowspan="2" |{{LAT}} Latin America
|{{MEX}} Latin Spanish
| rowspan="2" |Disney+<br>Disney Channel
| rowspan="2" |June 7, 2023 (Disney+)<br>September 11, 2023 (Disney Channel)
|-
|{{BRA}} Brazilian Portuguese
|-
|{{KOR}} South Korea
|Korean
|Disney+
|June 14, 2023
|-
|{{ISR}} Israel
|Hebrew
|Disney Channel
|June 25, 2023
|-
|{{PHI}} Philippines
|English
|Disney+
|July 17, 2023
|-
|{{ITA}} Italy
|Italian
|Disney+
|July 24, 2023
|-
|{{TUR}} Turkey
|Turkish
|Disney+
|July 29, 2023
|-
| rowspan="6" |MENA
|English
| rowspan="6" |Disney Channel
| rowspan="6" |August 21, 2023
|-
|{{EGY}} Arabic
|-
|{{GRC}} Greek
|-
|{{SWE}} Swedish
|-
|{{FIN}} Finnish
|-
|{{NOR}} Norwegian
|-
|{{NLD}} Netherlands
| rowspan="2" |Dutch, French
| rowspan="2" |Disney Channel
| rowspan="2" |September 4, 2023
|-
|{{BEL}} Belgium
|-
|{{FRA}} France
| rowspan="4" |French
| rowspan="4" |Disney Channel
| rowspan="4" |September 9, 2023
|-
|{{LUX}} Luxembourg
|-
|{{CHE}} Switzerland
|-
|{{HTI}} Haiti
|-
|{{JAP}} Japan
|Japanese
|Disney Channel
|September 30, 2023
|-
| rowspan="5" |{{EU}} Central and eastern Europe
|{{BGR}} Bulgarian
| rowspan="5" |Disney Channel
| rowspan="6" |October 2, 2023
|-
|{{CZE}} Czech
|-
|{{HUN}} Hungarian
|-
|{{ROU}} Romanian
|-
|{{POL}} Polish
|-
|{{SVK}} Slovakia
|Slovakian
|Disney+
|-
|{{QC}} Quebec
|French
|La Chaîne Disney (Disney Channel)
|March 2, 2024
|-
|}

==Trivia==
*This is the first Disney TVA animated show to premiere episodes simultaneously on [[Disney Channel]] and [[Disney XD]].
*This is [[Kimiko Glenn]]'s third animated series voicing the protagonist after ''Centaurworld'' and ''Baby Shark's Big Show!''.
*This is the fifth animated Disney Channel Original Series to have been Co-Created (following ''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kim_Possible Kim Possible]'', ''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phineas_and_Ferb Phineas and Ferb]'', ''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_City_Greens Big City Greens]'', and ''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ghost_and_Molly_McGee The Ghost and Molly McGee]'').
*This is the first Disney TVA show that is produced entirely in New York City, Titmouse NY (which is a unionized east coast location) is the studio that made it.
*In the Hungarian dub of the series, a majority of the students at [[Table Town Middle School]] are voiced by children and teenagers, with Barry and Trevor being notable examples.
* As of October 2024, the series has yet to receive a German dub, or to release in Germany or Austria in any way; it is likely due to the definition of Kiff's name in the language, meaning "smoke weed".
** Despite this, nine episodes of the series are available to stream on Disney+ outside of the aforementioned countries with German subtitles.
==Videos==
<gallery>
File:Kiff Theme Song - NEW SERIES - @disneychannel
File:Kiff Teaser - NEW SERIES 💥 - Disney Channel Animation
</gallery>

==References==
<references />
[[Category:Series]]