Watch Monster By Mistake

Monster By Mistake was a Canadian children's television series that aired on Toonscape between 1996 and 2006. The show followed the adventures of 10-year-old Warren Patterson who, after moving into a new home with his family, discovers a strange book in the attic. The book is a spell book, and when Warren reads a spell out loud, he unintentionally turns himself into a monster. What follows are hilarious and often dangerous adventures as Warren tries to navigate the world as a monster while keeping his secret from his family and friends.

The show was created by Agnes Bristow and developed by Vancouver-based production company CinéGroupe. It was a blend of live-action and animation, with Warren's transformation into a monster being achieved through CGI animation. The show was aimed at children aged 6 to 12 and was widely praised for its humour, fast-paced action, and relatable characters.

The main character, Warren, was played by Jonathan Wilson, who perfectly captured the awkwardness and vulnerability of a 10-year-old boy. Warren was a likeable protagonist, always well-intentioned but prone to making mistakes. His best friend, Josh, was played by Alex Hood, and together they provided plenty of comedic moments as they tried to keep Warren's secret from his family.

Warren's family was a central part of the show, with Susan Roman playing his mother, Doris, and Ellen-Ray Hennessy playing his aunt, Dolores. Doris was a caring mother who was always trying to connect with Warren, but often found herself frustrated by his strange behaviour. Dolores, on the other hand, was a larger-than-life character who provided a lot of the show's humour. She was always coming up with outlandish schemes and had a habit of barging in unannounced.

The show's villains were also a highlight, with Brent Strait playing Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, a mad scientist who was determined to capture Warren and use his monster DNA for his experiments. Other villains included a greedy land developer, a rival monster, and a ghostly librarian.

One of the strengths of the show was its ability to combine comedy and adventure. Each episode saw Warren getting into a new scrape as he tried to navigate the world as a monster. Whether he was escaping from the clutches of Dr. Jekyll or trying to win a school race, there was always a sense of danger and excitement. However, the show never took itself too seriously, and there were plenty of jokes and gags to keep younger viewers entertained.

The animation for the monster transformation was ahead of its time, with the CGI seamlessly blending in with the live-action footage. The show also made use of practical effects such as prosthetics and animatronics to bring the monsters to life. The overall look of the show was colourful and vibrant, with lots of bright colours and fun set pieces.

The show was well-received during its run, winning several awards including a Leo Award for Best Animated Production in 2000. It also spawned a spin-off series called Monster By Mistake: The Monster Mall, which saw Warren and his friends working in a mall populated by monsters.

In conclusion, Monster By Mistake was a fun and entertaining show that blended comedy and adventure in a unique and engaging way. Its relatable characters, clever animation, and fast-paced storytelling made it a hit with children and adults alike. While it may not be as well-known as some other children's shows from the same era, it is still fondly remembered by those who grew up watching it.

Monster By Mistake is a series that is currently running and has 3 seasons (52 episodes). The series first aired on October 31, 1996.