The Smurfs (1981 TV series)

The Smurfs (1981 TV series) is an American animated fantasy-comedy television series produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions for NBC. Based on the Belgian comic book series of the same name created by Peyo (pen name of Pierre Culliford), the show aired for nine seasons from September 12, 1981, to December 2, 1989.

The series follows the adventures of the Smurfs, a community of small, blue, human-like creatures who live in mushroom-shaped houses in a forest known as Smurf Village. The Smurfs are led by Papa Smurf, the oldest and wisest of the group, and each Smurf has a distinct personality trait that is often reflected in their name, such as Brainy Smurf, Grouchy Smurf, and Smurfette (the only female Smurf for most of the series' run).

The main antagonist of the series is Gargamel, an evil wizard who seeks to capture the Smurfs, either to eat them, use them in potions, or discover the secret of their smurfiness. He is often accompanied by his equally incompetent and cowardly cat, Azrael.

Each episode typically involves the Smurfs encountering a problem or facing a threat from Gargamel, and working together to overcome it. The series often emphasized themes of cooperation, community, and the importance of standing up against evil.

The Smurfs (1981 TV series) was a popular and successful show that helped to popularize the Smurfs franchise worldwide. It received numerous awards and nominations, including Daytime Emmy Awards. The series has been rerun in syndication for many years and remains a well-known and fondly remembered part of 1980s children's television. Several feature films have since been created, inspired by the original comics and this animated series.