January 17, 2005 (2005-01-17) – February 27, 2006 (2006-02-27)
Auto-B-Good is a 2005-2006 Americanpreschoolanimated series. The series features short stories set in the fictional City of Auto, in which all the citizens are cars.[1] The program is explicitly designed to teach children lessons in moral character and values. Auto-B-Good was produced by Wet Cement Productions. The show was shown on certain PBS stations on PBS Kids before moving to Smile of a Child/TBN until early 2019.
Issadora (Izzi) is the main protagonist of the entire series. She is an innocent, bright-eyed, and curious 7-year-old car who loves to play with EJ, but can get frustrated at being the littlest and not always able to do what the others can.
Johnny is cool and daring. He loves high speeds and a glossy shine. His best friends are Derek, Cali, Maria, and Miles. His favorite thing to do is race to Squeakies Car Wash to get “squeaky clean” and show off his shine.
One of the “little cars,” Eric Jacobson "EJ" Mini puts his all into everything he does. He tries hard to keep up with the big guys and wants to be just like Johnny when he grows up. His best friend is his classmate Izzi.
Professor's inventions would be world-renowned, except they usually go awry. He is a bit eccentric and very analytical but has a heart of gold that makes him beloved by all.
Old and wise, Franklin has lived a full life and speaks from experience to give advice on almost anything. He and the Professor are good friends and both act as mentors to the “kids.”
Miles is the conscience of the group who knows what's right and tries to steer the others in that direction. Miles' maturity gives a balance to the friendship with Johnny and Cali.
With her love of adventure and four-wheeling, Maria is the trailblazer of the group. She coaches the little cars' soccer team and has a job at the park. Maria is friends with Derek.
Derek is a red pickup truck. He is the biggest, strongest, and toughest of the group. With his mild manner and gentle spirit, Derek is often the group's peacemaker and mediator.
Century-old Elrod fight in the great war with CJ Willy, Franklin, and Mr. Morgan. He lived alone for many years after the war and later reconciled with his friends. He currently is the owner and operator of Elrod's Mini Golf.
Franklin, Mr. Morgan, and Elrod's drill instructor and sergeant in charge during the great war. Lost his life in the line of duty. His image is cast in bronze as the statue in Memorial Park.
A vaudeville performer who, along with his comedy partner, Dip Stick, teaches Miles that enthusiasm is the secret of success.
Billy
Billy was lost in the wilderness at a young age and was raised by Big Horns. When the other cars found him on a camping trip, they brought him back to the City of Auto and learned to see all the wonderful things in their city through new eyes.
Dave Simmons as Miles (same voice used for Noils in Ewe Know)
John Farrell as Franklin
Len Goodman as Professor
Episodes
The first season consisted of 36 episodes, each focusing on a particular character trait.
Season 1 (2005)
Overall #
Episode Title
Air Date
1
Timely Treats
January 17, 2005
2
Picture Perfect
3
Moving Forward Together
4
Growing Responsible
January 24, 2005
5
Red Card To Respect
6
The Land of the Odds
7
No Rules Allowed
January 31, 2005
8
Shop 'Til You Drop
9
Center of the Universe
10
Slippery Slope
February 7, 2005
11
Car Tune Pirates
12
Bully Bully
13
Friends in High Places
February 14, 2005
14
Heavenly Event
15
Sunny Side Up?
16
Up from the Depths
February 21, 2005
17
Cooler Heads Prevail
18
Digging For Gold
19
A Miles In Their Tires
February 28, 2005
20
Stage Fright
21
Izzi and The Giant
22
Rumors of War
March 7, 2005
23
The Price of Freedom
24
No Greater Love
25
Miles to the Rescue
March 14, 2005
26
The Secret Force
27
Gopher It!
28
The Secret of Success
March 21, 2005
29
The Winning Goal
30
The Road Rage
31
Road Test For Maturity
March 28, 2005
32
Uninvited Guests
33
A Tidy Plan
34
Too Rough Around The Edges
April 4, 2005
35
Crowning Car Of The Year
36
Friends To The Rescue!
Season 2 (2006)
Wet Cement completed 27 episodes for the second season.
Season 2 #
Episode Title
Air Date
1
Movie "FX"
January 2, 2006
2
Cheaters U-Turn
3
The Cobra Canyon Leap
4
The Integrity Project
January 9, 2006
5
Rising To The Occasion
6
The Gift of Golf
7
Breaking Par
January 16, 2006
8
Daring Dreamers
9
Unusual Suspect
10
The Missing Statue
January 23, 2006
11
Get the OOMPH!
12
A Taxing Problem
13
Billy and the Big Horns
January 30, 2006
14
Home Sweet Home
15
The Quest For Power
16
Monster Trap!
February 6, 2006
17
CAR-Nival
18
Lug Nut
19
Issadora's Box
February 13, 2006
20
Extreme Overhaul
21
Breaking New Ground
22
Level Thirty-Nine!
February 20, 2006
23
Western Hero
24
COTU Comics
25
Scared-y Car
February 27, 2006
26
Car Tuned & Ready
27
Squeaky Clean!
DVD Versions
Auto-B-Good DVDs come in three versions: a retail version[2] for home audiences, an education version[3] used in school classrooms across the country and a Special Edition[4] with Christian music videos featuring the music of Rick Altizer that enhance the positive character lessons with a spiritual application.
Storybooks
In 2009, Rising Star Studios produced six kids' storybooks,[5] written by Phillip Walton. Each is an original story focusing on lessons in trustworthiness, respect, caring, responsibility, citizenship and fairness.
EJ and the Bully (a lesson in Respect)
Queen for a Day (a lesson in Fairness)
Citizen Miles (a lesson in Citizenship)
Sticking to it! (a lesson in Trustworthiness)
Mean Ole Crankfender (a lesson in Caring)
Attack of the Runaway Robot (a lesson in Responsibility)
References
^The Video Librarian: Volume 20. Randy Pitman. 2005. p. 49.