Flipper was a family adventure drama, based on a 1963 film of the same name, which ran on NBC from 1964 until 1968. The series was similar to Lassie, and focused on Sandy and Bud Ricks, their father Porter, and their pet dolphin, Flipper. The show later spawned further feature films and TV sequels. The dolphin has proved popular enough, that it came in third in Animal Planet's 50 Greatest TV Animals, directly behind Kermit.

References

• In episode 304 of The Jimmy Dean Show, Rowlf the Dog is given a mask while receiving some laughing gas. He quips to the audience, "Remember me, Flipper?"

• Flipper was also mentioned by B.P. Richfield in the Dinosaurs episode "Changing Nature": "Don't be one of those environmental doomsdayers, Sinclair! 'Boo-hoo! It's raining acid! You're hurting Flipper!'"

• The series was spoofed in Muppets Tonight episode 110 with "Flippers," which starred Kermit the Frog in the dolphin's role, along with Marty Short and Bud. Flippers' attempts to communicate a warning of danger to his young human friend Sandy, played by Short, result in frustration when the boy assumes Flippers is asking for fish.

• One of Oscar's pets is a dolphin named "Ripper" in Episode 3714 of Sesame Street.

Connections

• Jessica Alba played Maya Graham in the 1990s version
• Martin Sheen played Phil Adams in "Flipper and the Seal" (1967)
• Jessica Walter played Elena Darman in "300 Feet Below" and "S.O.S. Dolphin" (1964)