Is it ridiculous that I think one of most interesting, clever, and exciting things being done with storytelling right now is being done is being done in a children's cartoon? Yes, but that doesn't mean it isn't true. Aside from the fact that Phineas and Ferb is clever, exciting, and hilarious, it is also one of the most ingeniously constructed storytelling structures I have ever seen. Yes, it is repetitive. In its own way, it is as formulaic as Scooby Do or Power Rangers. But it is that very formula that allows for its brilliance. There have been many great shows that have many weak episodes because the writers are unable to come up with sufficiently engaging plots for those episodes. Phineas and Ferb neatly solves this problem by having one engaging plot that it reuses. This plot, or perhaps I should say structure, has all of the beats of tension and interest and momentum to keep the viewer engaged, while at the same time not generating any tension. We are wired by our training to respond to tension and narrative conflict, and Phineas and Ferb taps into this without actually needing to be tense or have serious conflict. How many shows fail because of situations where the show attempts to make you believe the characters are in danger, or are not going to win, but you know they are because they always do? Phineas and Ferb neatly sidesteps this problem by not making it an issue at all.
At the same time, having this tight formula frees up the writers to really indulge their creativity. With a premise as loose as "characters that can basically do anything," and no need to create conflict or narrative structure because those are automatically in place, Povenmire and Marsh have created a serious creativity and fun free-for all.
I could go on like this, analyzing this show and everything it does right for a very long time, but what would be the point of that? Phineas and Ferb is a blast, it is consistently funny and clever, and, oh, did I mention that it's brilliant?moreless
Phineas and Ferb
Friday 8:00 PM on Disney Channel Premiered Aug 17, 2007 In Season
Previously Aired Episode
Show Summary
EDIT
Welcome to the Phineas and Ferb page at TV.com! Looking for something to do when school is out for the summer? Then you should tune in to this hit animated series on the Disney Channels (including Disney XD) as this show can give you all sorts of ideas that two overly creative stepbrothers can come up with during each day to pass the time before school starts in the fall. Of course, in real life, all of them would be impossible to do in one day. But as the master builders they are, Phineas and Ferb are able to bring their grand inventions and structures to life within a few hours, have their fun, and prepare for their next thing to do the next day. In their blended family, Phineas and Ferb are stepbrothers and can come up with the ideas on what to build and do for fun. Phineas' teenage older sister Candace, regards most of what they do as dangerous and unsafe, and in most episodes, tries her best to bust them in their schemes to her mom, Linda Flynn, or occasionally, her stepfather Lawrence Fletcher. However, her efforts are mostly thwarted as the boys' grand structures or inventions miraculously disappear before either parent can see them before arriving home or wherever they're located. Most times, they disappear as a result of their pet, Perry the Platypus, whom unknown to anyone in the family is a secret agent. To the Flynn-Fletcher family, he's a simple-minded pet, but when he gets the opportunity and nobody is looking, he puts on his little fedora hat, sneaks into his secret lair under the family home via various methods, and gets his assignments from Major Monogram. Perry's nemesis is Dr. Heinz Doofenshmirtz, an evil, but goofy scientist who comes up with various schemes of his own in efforts to rule the tri-state area of Danville, hometown of Phineas, Ferb, and company. Doofenshmirtz's schemes are as outrageous as the boys, as are the reasons he came up with them in the first place. But unlike, Phineas and Ferb, Heinz's efforts are usually unsuccessful as Perry is able to thwart the scientist's, and most times, the boys' and Perry's stories intertwine, leading to not just success for Perry, Phineas and Ferb and Doofenshmirtz's defeat, but Candace being denied the chance to bust her brothers. The cycle then starts again the following day in the summer.moreless
 Vincent Martella |
Phineas Flynn |
 Ashley Tisdale |
Candace Flynn |
 Thomas Brodie-Sangster |
Ferb Fletcher |
 Dee Bradley Baker |
Perry the Platypus |
 Caroline Rhea |
Linda Flynn-Fletcher |
Jeff "Swampy" Marsh |
Major Monogram |
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Themes
essence of youth, genius inventor, kids hijinks, musical numbers, no parental guidance