Back in the early 1980s, kids everywhere were crazy about Cabbage Patch Kids. These were cute, plush dolls with chubby cheeks and open arms that made everyone want to hug them. But soon, a funny twist on these dolls came along, and they were called the Garbage Pail Kids. Instead of being adorable, these characters had names like Luke Puke and Messy Tessie, and they were the talk of the playground for a few amazing years. In 2020, they celebrated their 35th anniversary with new card sets, reminding everyone of how time flies.
The Garbage Pail Kids trading cards, made by Topps, were a huge hit when they first came out. But not everyone was a fan. Some parents were worried about them, and even famous ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau had something to say. Let’s dive into the history of the Garbage Pail Kids in this episode of Throwback.
Welcome to our series where we explore some of the coolest pop culture stories from the past. I’m your host, Erin McCarthy. The Garbage Pail Kids became a favorite among kids in America, even though they were a bit gross. But before these cards hit the stores, they had to get out of the Topps offices.
Our story starts with a cartoon baby in a trash can. The Topps Chewing Gum Company was started in 1938 by a Russian immigrant named Maurice Shorin and his four sons. For a long time, Topps sold bubblegum and added fun cards to the packages, like x-ray images in the late 1940s. Later, they became famous for sports cards and sets based on popular movies and TV shows.
In 1984, a creative consultant at Topps named Mark Newgarden had a funny idea to make a parody of the Cabbage Patch Kids, calling it Garbage Pail Kids. He asked artist John Pound to draw a package featuring what Pound described as “a little baby bum in a trash can.” Meanwhile, Topps CEO Arthur Shorin wanted to compete with the Cabbage Patch Kids but couldn’t agree on a deal with their licensing agent.
There was a rumor that the company behind Cabbage Patch Kids thought trading cards were too low-class. Along with Newgarden, Topps put together a team for the project, including artists Stan Hart and Art Spiegelman, who was also working on his famous graphic novel “Maus.”
Spiegelman suggested giving the characters common first names to make them more relatable to kids. The first Garbage Pail Kids set came out in June 1985 and sold for just 25 cents per pack. Kids loved them right away, and stores couldn’t keep them on the shelves.
While kids adored Garbage Pail Kids, many adults didn’t find them funny, and the company behind Cabbage Patch Kids thought the cards were too similar to their dolls. In 1986, they filed a $30 million lawsuit against Topps, claiming copyright infringement and unfair competition.
In August 1986, a judge ordered Topps to stop making the cards until the copyright issue was resolved. Worried about losing the case, Topps decided to settle with the Cabbage Patch company in February 1987. They agreed to pay royalties and change the design of the Garbage Pail Kids characters.
Despite the legal issues, Garbage Pail Kids remained popular with kids, although many schools banned them because they were considered inappropriate. In 1987, Topps made a live-action movie based on the Garbage Pail Kids, but it wasn’t very successful.
By 1988, interest in the Garbage Pail Kids started to fade, and Topps released a total of 15 sets. However, after a 15-year break, the kids made a comeback in 2003 with a brand-new series. Since then, the artists have been recognized for their work, and Topps continues to make cards, celebrating anniversaries and working with authors like R.L. Stine.
So, what made Garbage Pail Kids so popular? They gave kids a chance to laugh at the craziness of life and rebel against the shiny, perfect toys everyone else had. If you have an idea for a future episode of Throwback, let us know in the comments. I’m Erin McCarthy, thanks for tuning in!
Imagine you’re a designer at Topps in the 1980s. Create your own Garbage Pail Kid character. Draw a picture and come up with a funny name that reflects their unique personality. Share your creation with the class and explain why you chose that character.
Using the information from the article, create a timeline that highlights the key events in the history of the Garbage Pail Kids. Include the launch date, legal battles, and their comeback. Present your timeline to the class and discuss the impact of each event.
Participate in a class debate about the impact of parodies like the Garbage Pail Kids. Divide into two groups, with one side arguing that parodies are a fun and harmless way to express creativity, and the other side arguing that they can be harmful or disrespectful. Use examples from the article to support your arguments.
Research another popular toy or trend from the 1980s. Prepare a short report or presentation on its history, popularity, and any controversies it faced. Compare it to the Garbage Pail Kids and discuss what made each unique.
Work in small groups to design a simple trading card game based on the Garbage Pail Kids. Create rules, objectives, and a few sample cards. Present your game to the class and explain how it captures the spirit of the original Garbage Pail Kids cards.
In the early 1980s, kids were obsessed with the Cabbage Patch Kids, a line of plush dolls with cherubic cheeks and outstretched arms that invited lots of affection. A few years later, a parody of the Cabbage Patch line traded those cute faces and huggable bodies for characters with names like Luke Puke and Messy Tessie. They were the Garbage Pail Kids, and for a few glorious years, they were the talk of the schoolyard. They celebrated their 35th anniversary in 2020 with new card sets, reminding us of the inexorable march of time.
The Topps trading cards were a smash hit upon their release but also drew intense criticism from concerned parents and even renowned ocean diver Jacques Cousteau. We’re taking a closer look at the history of the Garbage Pail Kids in this installment of Throwback.
Welcome back to the series where we take a deep dive into some of the most fascinating pop culture stories and events you might remember from your childhood. I’m your host, Erin McCarthy. The Garbage Pail Kids worked their way into the hearts of America’s children, leaking bodily fluids all the way. But before those cards made it to stores, they needed to make it out of the Topps offices.
Our story begins with a cartoon baby in a dumpster. The Topps Chewing Gum Company was founded in 1938 by Russian immigrant Maurice Shorin and his four sons. For years, Topps was content to sell bubblegum, then began including novelty cards in packages, including x-ray images in the late ’40s. Later, the company found success with sports cards and sets inspired by popular movies and television shows.
In 1984, a Topps creative consultant named Mark Newgarden came up with an idea that parodied the Cabbage Patch Kids doll line, calling it Garbage Pail Kids. Newgarden had artist John Pound draw a package featuring what Pound called “a little baby bum in a trash can.” Meanwhile, Topps CEO Arthur Shorin was looking to take a bite out of the Cabbage Patch Kids himself but could never agree on terms with the licensing agent.
The rumor was that the company behind the Cabbage Patch line thought trading cards were too lowbrow. In addition to Newgarden, Topps put together a team for the project, including artists Stan Hart and Art Spiegelman, who was simultaneously preparing to publish his landmark graphic novel “Maus.”
Spiegelman suggested naming the characters with common first names, making them more relatable to kids. The first Garbage Pail Kids set was released in June 1985 and sold for just 25 cents per pack. Kids were hooked immediately, and stores across the country couldn’t keep the cards in stock.
However, while children loved Garbage Pail Kids, adults didn’t find them particularly funny, and the company behind the Cabbage Patch Kids felt the cards crossed the line from parody to copyright infringement. In the spring of 1986, Original Appalachian filed a $30 million lawsuit against Topps, alleging copyright infringement and unfair competition.
In August 1986, a federal judge ordered Topps to stop producing the cards until the copyright issue could be sorted out. Fearing a massive judgment, Topps decided to settle with the Cabbage Patch company in February 1987, paying royalties and changing the design of their Garbage Pail Kids characters.
Despite the legal troubles, the Garbage Pail Kids continued to be popular among children, but many schools banned the cards due to concerns about their appropriateness. In 1987, Topps signed a deal for a live-action movie based on the Garbage Pail Kids, which turned out to be a major disappointment.
By 1988, interest in the Garbage Pail Kids had waned, and Topps released a total of 15 sets. However, after a 15-year hiatus, the kids made a comeback in 2003 with an all-new series. Since then, artists have been recognized for their contributions, and Topps continues to print cards, celebrating anniversaries and collaborating with authors like R.L. Stine.
So what made Garbage Pail Kids so sought after? They provided kids with a chance to rebel against shiny consumerism and mass-market collectibles, offering a humorous take on the absurdities of life. If you have an idea for a future episode of Throwback, leave it in the comments. I’m Erin McCarthy, thanks for watching!
Garbage – Waste material or unwanted items that are discarded. – In ancient cities, garbage was often thrown into the streets, which led to unsanitary conditions.
Pail – A bucket, typically used for carrying liquids or other substances. – During the Renaissance, artists often used a pail to mix and carry their paints.
Kids – Young people or children. – In history, kids often learned trades from their parents, helping with tasks from a young age.
History – The study of past events, particularly in human affairs. – Learning about the history of ancient civilizations helps us understand how modern societies developed.
Art – The expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture. – The art of the Middle Ages often depicted religious themes and was used to educate people about biblical stories.
Culture – The social behavior and norms found in human societies, including beliefs, arts, laws, and customs. – The culture of Ancient Egypt is well-known for its pyramids, hieroglyphs, and pharaohs.
Parody – An imitation of the style of a particular writer, artist, or genre with deliberate exaggeration for comic effect. – The play included a parody of a famous historical figure, making the audience laugh at its exaggerated portrayal.
Controversy – A prolonged public disagreement or heated discussion. – The controversy over the construction of the Eiffel Tower in Paris was intense, with many critics initially opposing it.
Legacy – Something handed down by a predecessor, often referring to cultural or historical achievements. – The legacy of the Roman Empire can still be seen today in modern architecture and legal systems.
Trading – The action or activity of buying, selling, or exchanging goods and services. – Trading along the Silk Road allowed for the exchange of goods and ideas between different cultures and civilizations.
