By Mallory Mattingly
The beloved game show JEOPARDY! and the classic Christian cartoon VEGGIETALES collided, and we’re here for it.
According to Relevant Magazine, for Wednesday night’s final JEOPARDY! clue, show host Ken Jennings read, “Phil Vischer, creator of this show, originally had a candy bar as the lead until his wife nudged him in a healthier direction.”
Of course, the answer was VEGGIETALES.
“I decided in high school that I wanted my filmmaking to promote biblical values,” Vischer told “The Pure Flix Podcast” previously of what sparked his interest in filmmaking. He explained that MTV started when he was in high school, and he realized it would be “trouble.”
“I was only 16, but I knew that the values I learned growing up in Sunday school were not the values that were coming across on many of the music videos that were on MTV,” he explained.
So, in the late ’80s, after being hired as a computer animator, he began working on some characters, eventually landing on a candy bar as the star. Thankfully his wife stepped in.
Related: VEGGIETALES Co-Creator Is Still Sharing the Gospel Through Animation
“Moms are going to be mad if you make their kids fall in love with candy bars,” she told him.
So Vischer ended up with the characters we know and love today: Larry the Cucumber, Bob the Tomato, Junior Asparagus, Laura Carrot, Madame Blueberry, Petunia Rhubarb, LarryBoy, Mr. Lunt, French Peas and Archibald Asparagus, among others. The hit TV show which first launched in 1993.
“I just never could have imagined that in a million years,” Vischer said VEGGIETALES’ success. “You can’t plan…a big success in entertainment and media…you just be true to yourself and enjoy.”
New VEGGIETALES content still keep kids entertained.
In September, they launched the soundtrack for the VERY VEGGIE SILLY STORIES
“From all of us at VeggieTales… It’s finally here! The Very Veggie Silly Stories Soundtrack is out TODAY! Now you can bring the fun, the laughter, and the songs you love with you wherever you go,” VEGGIETALES wrote on social media.
The veggies often show up on social media to share Bible verses.
Last month, the French Peas shared Isaiah 41:10, which reads, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
“Allo! It is us, ze French Peas! Do not be afraid, oui oui! Isaiah 41:10 says God is with you, He will make you strong, and He will hold you up with His righteous right hand. So-how you say-no need to worry, God’s got you covered!” the French Peas wrote in the caption.
Mr. Lunt also shared Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
“Let me tell ya, life makes a lot more sense when we trust God instead of trying to figure it all out on our own. Proverbs 3:5–6 says it best: submit to Him, and He’ll straighten out the path ahead. Now that’s what I call good directions!” he said on Instagram.
It’s great to see VEGGIETALES still leaving a mark for Christ in the culture.
Read Next: JEOPARDY Honors Former Host Alex Trebek With Special Game Category
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