In 1991, a legitimate sensation landed on children's television. Rugrats - a cartoon following the adventures of a group of babies and toddlers - spawned several seasons, a successful film franchise and a lucrative merchandise range. Now, it's coming back in CGI form.
It's easy to see why it was popular. It had humour and warmth and wit. But it also meant something to people. Episodes that focused on the Pickles family's Jewish faith gave some kids at home the representation they had previously missed out on. Susie Carmichael - an intelligent, measured foil to Angelica's spoiled brat - is rightly lauded as one of the greatest Black cartoon characters of all time. But my favourite? Charlotte Pickles.
My instinct there was to write Charlotte Motherf***ing Pickles. Because that character was the ultimate example of a powerful woman on television. She didn't even make her debut until the 14th episode of the second series, but she made her mark on the show's legacy. Her look alone was iconic. A high, tightly wound blonde ponytail made it clear that she meant business at all times. Did we ever see her with her hair down? Her skirt suits - never trousers - were well-tailored, complete with shoulder pads, cinched waists and silk ties. She never wore flats, as if to say: 'I can do whatever the men do, backwards and in heels.' Her whole aesthetic was a statement. She did not try to be masculine in an effort to be like the men. She made her sex explicitly clear, presenting it as a strength. In short, she had Girl Power years before the Spice Girls answered that fateful ad in The Stage, and she had BDE before Pete Davidson was born. Aged 34 at the show's debut, she is a Libra, because of course she is, and in the All Grown Up spin-off she is the only character to get evident Botox. Again, because of course she is.
She is also rarely without her flip phone - a rare sight in 1991 - usually using it to bark demands at her subordinate, Jonathan. He is rarely seen, presumably because he is terrified of her. She is the Miranda Priestly to his Andy Sachs. She even calls him during The Rugrats Movie, saying 'Why aren't you answering the phone? I need you to divert a tropical storm!' Classic Charlotte Pickles behaviour.
Charlotte is married to relative sap Drew Pickles (I am surprised she took his name, but there we are) and is the undeniable boss in the relationship. She is also the main breadwinner, as the CEO of the dauntingly named Mega Corp. We are never left in any doubt that she has earned her place at the table. She is a little aggressive, yes, but always passionate, and while she can be harsh with her young daughter she makes it painfully clear that she wants Angelica to have a good life and find success. In Season 4, for example, she attempts to teach her daughter to share:
'Angel,' she begs. 'When you don't share, well, it... it won't look good on the application for Harvard.'
Is she wrong? And when questioned on if Angelica is a little spoiled, which she is, she responds 'If Angelica's ever gonna make it in a male-dominated power structure, she's gotta eat, breathe, drink and sweat self-esteem.'
That said, her happiness and success do not play second fiddle or suffer during moments of maternal feeling: she wants both. She is the Queen of the juggle, or at least is aware of the possibility of doing both at different times. As she says to her sister-in-law Didi: 'I can't mother and merger at the same time.'
In short, Charlotte Motherf***ing Pickles is a feminist icon. She is a woman who refuses to be defined or labelled, whose own success and happiness is a priority, and whose child is raised to be self-assured and confident that she is loved. Is she a little harsh? Sure. Does Jonathan wish her dead? Probably. But you don't get ahead in life without stepping over a few weaklings.
When will Rugrats be on TV?
The Rugrats revival is part of US service Paramount +'s 2021 rollout. We'll have to wait and see for a UK release date.
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