View source for My Gym Partner's a Monkey

{{short description|American animated television series}}
{{Good article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox television
| image                = Title-card-Mgpam.png
| image_alt            = The words "My Gym Partner's a Monkey" written on a chalkboard with plants and vines surrounding it.
| genre                = {{Plainlist|
* [[Slice of life]]
* [[Slapstick]]
* [[Adventure]]
* [[Animated sitcom]]
}}
| creator              = [[Julie McNally Cahill]]<br />[[Tim Cahill (producer)|Timothy Cahill]]
| voices               = {{unbulleted list|[[Nika Futterman]]|[[Tom Kenny]]|[[Rick Gomez]]|[[Grey DeLisle]]|[[Maurice LaMarche]]|[[Phil LaMarr]]}}
| writer               = {{unbulleted list|Julie McNally Cahill|Timothy Cahill|Tom Sheppard|Roger Eschbacher|[[M.A. Larson|Mitch Larson]]|Adam Pava}}
| director             = Timothy Cahill
| theme_music_composer = Tom Sheppard<br />[[Pat Irwin]]
| opentheme            = "My Gym Partner's a Monkey" sung by Nika Futterman and Tom Kenny
| composer             = Tom Sheppard {{small|(original songs)}}
| country              = United States
| language             = English
| channel              = {{ubl|[[Cartoon Network]]}}
| executive_producer   = Julie McNally-Cahill<br />Timothy Cahill<br />[[Brian A. Miller]]
| producer             = {{unbulleted list|Victoria McCollum {{small|(seasons 1–3)}}|Haven Alexander {{small|(season 4)}}}}
| company              = [[Cartoon Network Studios]]
| animator             = 
| num_seasons          = 4
| num_episodes         = 56 (102 segments)
| list_episodes        = List of My Gym Partner's a Monkey episodes
| runtime              = 22 minutes<br />11 minutes for regular segments<br />22 minutes for special segments<br />44 minutes for TV movies
| first_aired          = {{Start date|2005|12|26}}
| last_aired           = {{End date|2008|11|27}}
}}

'''''My Gym Partner's a Monkey''''' is an American [[animated television series]] created by [[Tim Cahill (producer)|Tim Cahill]] and [[Julie McNally Cahill]] for [[Cartoon Network]]. It aired from December 26, 2005, to November 27, 2008, ending with a total of four seasons and 56 episodes.<ref name=Perlmutter>{{cite book |last1=Perlmutter |first1=David |title=The Encyclopedia of American Animated Television Shows |date=2018 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |isbn=978-1538103739 |pages=415–416}}</ref> The series follows Adam Lyon, a human who, after a clerical error listed his surname as "Lion", is forced to transfer to Charles Darwin Middle School, a school for local [[anthropomorphic]] zoo animals, where he is partnered with Jake Spidermonkey in gym, and quickly becomes best friends with him.

[[Saerom Animation]] provided the animation. The series won an [[Emmy Award]] in 2007 and was nominated for four [[Annie Awards]].

== Summary ==
A 12-year-old student named Adam Lyon is transferred to a [[middle school]] established for anthropomorphic zoo animals due to a spelling error making his surname "Lion". There, he is befriended by a mischievous, eccentric [[spider monkey]] named Jake, hence the title of the series, along with a sassy [[toucan]] named Lupe, a giraffe named Ingrid, who is infatuated with Adam, the intelligent, wise gorilla Windsor, and Slips the easygoing python. In spite of his usual kindness and fondness for his friends, Adam despises being banished to Charles Darwin Middle School because of something beyond his control and longs for his previous human middle school.

Usually, the episodes are focused on Adam's experiences at Charles Darwin Middle School due to his inability to fit in with his anthropomorphic schoolmates, the challenges that he must face (such as the presumed stupidity of his peers, being schooled in subjects of use only to animals, the introductions of new students of odd, dangerous, or strange species to the school or the misadventures that Adam stumbles into with them, or the common effects of adolescence as they are experienced by zoo animals).

== Episodes ==
{{Main|List of My Gym Partner's a Monkey episodes}}
{{:List of My Gym Partner's a Monkey episodes}}

== Characters ==
===Main===
[[File:Mgpam.jpg|thumb|The central characters: Adam and Jake]]
* Adam Lyon (voiced by [[Nika Futterman]])
* Jacob P. "Jake" Spidermonkey (voiced by [[Tom Kenny]])
* Windsor Gorilla (voiced by [[Rick Gomez]])
* Slips Python (voiced by [[Rick Gomez]])
* Guadalupe "Lupe" Toucan (voiced by [[Grey DeLisle]])
* Ingrid Giraffe (voiced by [[Grey DeLisle]])
* Virgil "Bull" Sharkowski (voiced by [[Phil LaMarr]])
* Principal Poncherello W. Pixiefrog (voiced by [[Maurice LaMarche]])

===Recurring===
* Mrs. Geraldine Sharon Warthog (voiced by [[Grey DeLisle]])
* Nurse Jacqueline Gazelle (voiced by [[Grey DeLisle]])
* Henry Armadillo (voiced by [[Tom Kenny]])
* Coach Tiffany Gills (voiced by [[Brian Doyle-Murray]])
* Miss Anna Chameleon (voiced by [[Nika Futterman]])
* Mr. Cyrus Q. Hornbill (voiced by [[Maurice LaMarche]])
* Mrs. Eugenia Tusk (voiced by [[Cree Summer]])
* Mr. Maurice Mandrill (voiced by [[Maurice LaMarche]])
* Kerry Anderson (voiced by [[Cree Summer]])
* Larry "Mr. I Didn't" (voiced by [[Phil LaMarr]])

===Minor===
* Phineas Porpoise (voiced by [[Phil LaMarr]])
* Margaret Rhino (voiced by [[Nika Futterman]])
* LaTanya Hippo (voiced by [[Cree Summer]])
* Joanie Ox (voiced by [[Grey DeLisle]])
* James Ant (voiced by [[Rick Gomez]])
* Dickie Sugarjumper  (voiced by [[Tom Kenny]])
* Endugu Elephant (voiced by [[Phil LaMarr]])
* Superintendent Wolverine (voiced by [[Chris Edgerly]])
* Vice Coach Horace Ferret (voiced by [[Tom Kenny]] / [[Robert Goulet]] in "Animal School Musical")
* Mr. Otto Blowhole (voiced by [[Maurice LaMarche]])
* Mr. Ernesto Cheetah (voiced by [[John DiMaggio]])
* Euripides Sharkowski (voiced by [[Phil LaMarr]])
* Deidre Koala (voiced by [[Kath Soucie]])
* Deb Ape (voiced by [[Kath Soucie]])
* Dustin Flounder (voiced by [[Tom Kenny]])
* Bruce Wolf (voiced by [[Tom Kenny]])
* Vanna Flamingo (voiced by [[Cree Summer]])
* Janet Musk Ox (voiced by [[Grey DeLisle]])
* Eddie Panther (voiced by [[Cree Summer]])
* Phillip "Lippy" Zebra (voiced by [[Maurice LaMarche]])

== Release ==
=== Broadcast ===
The series aired its first episode on December 26, 2005 during [[Cartoon Network]]'s “Sneak Peek Week” along with Cartoon Network original series ''[[Ben 10]]'', Cartoon Network European co-production ''[[Robotboy]]'' and Canadian acquired series ''[[Zixx]]''. The series began its regular run with a two-episode premiere on Cartoon Network's "Fridays" block on February 24, 2006.<ref name=RatingsPremiere/> The ''My Gym Partner's a Monkey''-based [[television film]] ''The Big Field Trip'' aired on January 14, 2007, as part of season 3.<ref name=iTunes>''My Gym Partner's a Monkey'' Seasons at the ''[[iTunes Store]]'': [https://itunes.apple.com/us/tv-season/my-gym-partners-monkey-season/id266137774 1] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016054818/https://itunes.apple.com/us/tv-season/my-gym-partners-monkey-season/id266137774 |date=2013-10-16 }}, [https://itunes.apple.com/us/tv-season/my-gym-partners-monkey-season/id266137925 2] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131015203901/https://itunes.apple.com/us/tv-season/my-gym-partners-monkey-season/id266137925 |date=2013-10-15 }}, [https://itunes.apple.com/us/tv-season/my-gym-partners-monkey-season/id258874309 3] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016054753/https://itunes.apple.com/us/tv-season/my-gym-partners-monkey-season/id258874309 |date=2013-10-16 }}, [https://itunes.apple.com/us/tv-season/my-gym-partners-monkey-season/id341137553 4] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016055038/https://itunes.apple.com/us/tv-season/my-gym-partners-monkey-season/id341137553 |date=2013-10-16 }}. Retrieved June 12, 2012</ref> A special episode, "That Darn Platypus", aired on Cartoon Network on May 18, 2007,<ref name=TVGuide>{{cite news|first=Sarah|last=Baisley|title=''My Gym Partner's a Monkey'' First Feature Movie Airs Jan. 14|url=http://www.awn.com/news/television/my-gym-partners-monkey-first-feature-movie-airs-jan-14|work=[[Animation World Network]]|date=January 12, 2007|access-date=July 1, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004225119/http://www.awn.com/news/television/my-gym-partners-monkey-first-feature-movie-airs-jan-14|archive-date=October 4, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> as part of Cartoon Network Invaded, a mini-series that aired 5 specials of different series from May 4 to May 28, 2007.<ref name=Halloween>{{cite web|url=http://www.awn.com/news/television/cartoon-network-scares-halloween-programming |title=Cartoon Network Scares Up Halloween Programming |access-date=May 10, 2012 |date=October 27, 2005 |work=[[Animation World Network]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005021154/http://www.awn.com/news/television/cartoon-network-scares-halloween-programming |archive-date=October 5, 2013 }}</ref> The series ended its 4 season-run on November 27, 2008, with the episode "A Thanksgiving Carol".<ref name=TVGuide/> The series was also shown on the revived block Cartoon Planet from 2012 to 2014.<ref>{{cite news|title=Cartoon Network Brings Back 'Powerpuff Girls,' 'Dexter's Laboratory' And More With 'Cartoon Planet' (VIDEO)|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/29/cartoon-network-cartoon-planet_n_1388362.html|work=[[The Huffington Post]]|publisher=[[AOL]]|access-date=May 5, 2012|date=March 29, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120508050130/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/29/cartoon-network-cartoon-planet_n_1388362.html|archive-date=May 8, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> In Latin America, the series currently airs on [[Tooncast]] since 2013. In Ukraine, the series aired on [[Novyi Kanal]]. The show runs in India on channel [[Cartoon Network (India)|Cartoon Network]] by the name "Samsher Sikander Chuddie Buddie".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/programmes/samsher-sikander-chuddie-buddie/params/tvprogramme/programmeid-10000001411890000/channelid-10000000000760000/starttime-201602191830|title=TV Serial & New Episodes On – Latest News, Photos & Videos|website=The Times of India|access-date=28 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180215155705/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/programmes/samsher-sikander-chuddie-buddie/params/tvprogramme/programmeid-10000001411890000/channelid-10000000000760000/starttime-201602191830|archive-date=15 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Reception ==

=== Ratings ===
''My Gym Partner's a Monkey'' was a ratings success for [[Cartoon Network]]. On the series' Cartoon Network "Fridays" block two-episode premiere at 9:00 and 9:30 P.M. [[Eastern Time Zone|EST]], the first episode was seen by 1.2 million and the second by 1.3 million children ages 2–11, according to preliminary data from [[Nielsen Media Research]].<ref name=RatingsPremiere>{{cite web|title=''My Gym Partner's a Monkey'' Delivers Ratings Gains for Cartoon Network|url=https://animesuperhero.com/my-gym-partners-a-monkey-delivers-ratings-gains-for-cartoon-network/|work=ToonZone|author=Zedd|date=March 3, 2006|access-date=May 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190511134330/https://animesuperhero.com/my-gym-partners-a-monkey-delivers-ratings-gains-for-cartoon-network/|archive-date=May 11, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> The 9:30 P.M. telecast ranked as the #1 telecast on all television, broadcast and cable, with both boys 6–11 and boys 2–11 in the time period.<ref name=RatingsPremiere/> The series went on top the Fridays block ratings, gaining millions of viewers.<ref name=TopRatings>{{cite web|url=https://animesuperhero.com/cns-my-gym-partners-a-monkey-tops-fridays-ratings-in-third-week-toonami-ratings/|title=CN's "My Gym Partner's a Monkey" Tops FRIDAYS Ratings in Third Week; TOONAMI Ratings|work=ToonZone|author=Zedd|date=March 18, 2006|access-date=May 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190511135054/https://animesuperhero.com/cns-my-gym-partners-a-monkey-tops-fridays-ratings-in-third-week-toonami-ratings/|archive-date=May 11, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Critical response ===
William Barker of Web Wombat gave the ''King of the Jungle'' DVD a positive review, awarding it with a score of 70%, saying: "With an original – dare I say unique? – premise, ''My Gym Partner's a Monkey'' makes for a somewhat refreshing change from super heroes and mutants, and the cut-out animation style is captivating, though far from novel. It's not the most impressive cartoon show I've ever seen, but it's quite cute and fairly amusing – even for the older primates among us."<ref name=WebWombat>{{cite web|title=''My Gym Partner's a Monkey''|url=http://www.webwombat.com.au/entertainment/dvds/mgpam.htm|work=Web Wombat|first=William|last=Barker|access-date=June 8, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111105054742/http://www.webwombat.com.au/entertainment/dvds/mgpam.htm|archive-date=November 5, 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> Larisa Wiseman of [[Common Sense Media]] awarded the series three out of five stars, saying: "It's difficult to tell what age group the show's producers were aiming at – the animation style and slapstick by themselves would seem to appeal mainly to grade-schoolers, while the jokes and life lessons are definitely aimed at the tween set. The sly humor may even give some adults the occasional laugh-out-loud moment. Overall, ''My Gym Partner's a Monkey'' is commendable for its effort to include a subtle message in each episode. Younger viewers will probably find Jake's sometimes-annoying goofiness amusing, and will definitely find the story lines entertaining."<ref name=CommonSense>{{cite web|title=''My Gym Partner's a Monkey''|url=http://www.commonsensemedia.org/tv-reviews/my-gym-partners-monkey|work=[[Common Sense Media]]|first=Larisa|last=Wiseman|access-date=June 8, 2012}}</ref>

=== Awards and nominations ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Year !! Award !! Category !! Nominee !! Result
|-
| rowspan="2"| 2006
| rowspan="2"| [[Annie Award]]s
| Writing in an Animated Television Production<ref name=AnnieAwards1>{{cite web|title=Legacy: 34th Annual Annie Award Nominees and Winners (2006) |url=http://annieawards.org/34thwinners.html |work=[[Annie Award]]s |access-date=June 8, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509064413/http://annieawards.org/34thwinners.html |archive-date=May 9, 2008 }}</ref>
| Tom Sheppard<br /><sup>for "[[List of My Gym Partner's a Monkey episodes#Season 2: 2006 - 2007|Nice Moustache]]{{Broken anchor|date=2024-12-26|bot=User:Cewbot/log/20201008/configuration|target_link=List of My Gym Partner's a Monkey episodes#Season 2: 2006 - 2007|reason= The anchor (Season 2: 2006 - 2007) [[Special:Diff/497115480|has been deleted]].}}"</sup>
| {{nom}}
|-
| Production Design in an Animated Television Production<ref name=AnnieAwards1/>
| Dan Krall<br /><sup>for "[[List of My Gym Partner's a Monkey episodes#Season 3 (2007)|Grub Drive]]"</sup>
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="3"| 2007
| [[Emmy Award]]s
| Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation<ref name=EmmyAwards>{{cite web|title=Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Announces Emmy® Award Winners in Costumes for a Variety or Music Program and Individual Achievement in Animation |url=http://www.emmys.tv/2009/academy-television-arts-sciences-announces-emmy%C2%AE-award-winners-costumes-variety-or-music-progra |work=[[Emmy Award]]s |date=August 21, 2007 |access-date=June 8, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100907031112/http://www.emmys.tv/2009/academy-television-arts-sciences-announces-emmy%C2%AE-award-winners-costumes-variety-or-music-progra |archive-date=September 7, 2010 }}</ref>
| Narina Sokolova<br /><sup>for ''[[List of My Gym Partner's a Monkey episodes#Film: 2007|The Big Field Trip]]{{Broken anchor|date=2024-12-26|bot=User:Cewbot/log/20201008/configuration|target_link=List of My Gym Partner's a Monkey episodes#Film: 2007|reason= The anchor (Film: 2007) [[Special:Diff/618412793|has been deleted]].}}''</sup>
| {{won}}
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[Annie Award]]s
| Writing in an Animated Television Production<ref name=AnnieAwards2>{{cite web|title=Legacy: 35th Annual Annie Award Nominees and Winners (2007) |url=http://annieawards.org/29thwinners.html |work=[[Annie Award]]s |access-date=June 8, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120313093521/http://annieawards.org/29thwinners.html |archive-date=March 13, 2012 }}</ref>
| Tom Sheppard<br /><sup>for "[[List of My Gym Partner's a Monkey episodes#Season 3 (2007)|The Butt of Jake]]"</sup> 
| {{nom}}
|-
| Best Animation Production Artist<ref name=AnnieAwards2/>
| Jim Worthy<br /><sup>for "[[List of My Gym Partner's a Monkey episodes#Season 3 (2007)|Meet the Spidermonkeys]]"</sup> 
| {{nom}}
|}

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
{{wikiquote}}
* {{IMDb title}}
{{Portal|Cartoon Network|Animation|Cartoon|United States|Animals|Television
}}{{Former Cartoon Network original programming}}

[[Category:2000s American animated comedy television series]]
[[Category:2000s American children's comedy television series]]
[[Category:2000s American school television series]]
[[Category:2005 American animated television series debuts]]
[[Category:2008 American television series endings]]
[[Category:American children's animated adventure television series]]
[[Category:American children's animated comedy television series]]
[[Category:Animated television series about apes]]
[[Category:Animated television series about birds]]
[[Category:Animated television series about frogs]]
[[Category:Animated television series about monkeys]]
[[Category:Animated television series about giraffes]]
[[Category:Television series about snakes]]
[[Category:Cartoon Network original programming]]
[[Category:Television series by Cartoon Network Studios]]
[[Category:American English-language television shows]]
[[Category:Middle school television series]]
[[Category:Television shows set in Minnesota]]
[[Category:Animated television series about children]]
[[Category:Television series created by Julie McNally Cahill and Timothy Cahill]]
[[Category:Children's television series about talking animals]]
[[Category:Fictional monkeys]]
[[Category:Anthropomorphic monkeys]]
[[Category:Television series about gorillas]]