# Cars Toons

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Not to be confused with [Cartoon](/source/Cartoon).

***Cars Toons*** is an American animated short series based on the [*Cars*](/source/Cars_(franchise)) franchise. It features [Lightning McQueen](/source/Lightning_McQueen), [Mater](/source/Mater_(Cars)), and their friends in comedic antics and adventures canonical to the films. [Larry the Cable Guy](/source/Larry_the_Cable_Guy) reprises his role as Mater while [Keith Ferguson](/source/Keith_Ferguson_(voice_actor)) replaces [Owen Wilson](/source/Owen_Wilson) as the voice of Lightning McQueen until "The Radiator Springs 500 ½", when Wilson reprises his role.

The series premiered on October 27, 2008, with "Rescue Squad Mater" on [Disney Channel](/source/Disney_Channel), [Toon Disney](/source/Toon_Disney) and [ABC Family](/source/Freeform_(TV_channel)). Not exclusive to television, the shorts were also released on home media and/or as theatrical shorts. The series ended on May 20, 2014, with "The Radiator Springs 500 ½".

## Premise

### *Mater's Tall Tales*

The series presumably takes place between the events of *[Cars](/source/Cars_(film))* and *[Cars 2](/source/Cars_2)* (sometime after *[Mater and the Ghostlight](/source/Mater_and_the_Ghostlight)*), seeing as it was aired mostly before 2011, and judging by Lighting McQueen retaining his "Radiator Springs" appearance from the end of *Cars*. This doesn't apply for the "Time Travel Mater" episode though, where he retains his "World Grand Prix" appearance from *Cars 2* and *Mater's Tall Tales: Tales from Radiator Springs*.

All *Cars Toons* in *Mater's Tall Tales* follow a shared formula: Each episode opens with Mater saying, "If I'm lying, I'm crying!" and then the title card. Next, McQueen and Mater see something that results in the latter proceeding to tell the former a “[tall tale](/source/Tall_tale)” about something he supposedly did in the past, before the action shifts to the [flashback](/source/Flashback_(psychology)) of Mater's story. At a midway point, the action briefly shifts back to Mater and McQueen in which McQueen questions Mater over whether the events in the story actually occurred (or in some episodes asks him what he did next), resulting in Mater proclaiming that McQueen was also involved ("You was there too!"). The flashback then resumes with McQueen's sudden and usually unwilling participation in the story's events. After Mater finishes his tall tale, McQueen denies the fact that Mater's tale is real before one or more characters/elements involved in the story coincidentally appear to McQueen's shock (with the exceptions of "Tokyo Mater", "Unidentified Flying Mater" and "Time Travel Mater"), paradoxically suggesting that Mater's story really happened.

All episodes also feature [Mia and Tia](/source/List_of_Cars_characters#Mia_and_Tia_Miata) and various pit crew [forklifts](/source/Forklift) in supporting roles (with the exception of "Time Travel Mater").

### *Tales From Radiator Springs*

All *Cars Toons* in *Tales from Radiator Springs* follow the daily lives of McQueen, Mater and their friends in their hometown [Radiator Springs](/source/Radiator_Springs), following the events of *[Cars 2](/source/Cars_2)*.

## Voice cast

Main article: [List of Cars characters](/source/List_of_Cars_characters)

- [Larry the Cable Guy](/source/Larry_the_Cable_Guy) as [Mater](/source/Mater_(Cars))
- [Keith Ferguson](/source/Keith_Ferguson_(voice_actor)) (2008–2013) / [Owen Wilson](/source/Owen_Wilson) (2014) as [Lightning McQueen](/source/Lightning_McQueen)
- [George Carlin](/source/George_Carlin) (2009, archive recordings) / [Lloyd Sherr](/source/Lloyd_Sherr) (2013–2014) as Fillmore
- [Tony Shalhoub](/source/Tony_Shalhoub) as Luigi
- Guido Quaroni as Guido
- [Michael Wallis](/source/Michael_Wallis) as Sheriff
- [Katherine Helmond](/source/Katherine_Helmond) as Lizzie
- Lindsey Collins as Mia
- [Elissa Knight](/source/Elissa_Knight) as Tia
- Jerome Ranft as Red (only in *Tales from Radiator Springs*)

## Production

Production of the series began in 2006 following the success of *[Cars](/source/Cars_(film))*. The first nine shorts were produced by [Pixar](/source/Pixar), while all the following shorts were produced by Pixar's subsidiary, [Pixar Canada](/source/Pixar_Canada).[1]

"Tokyo Mater" premiered in theaters with *[Bolt](/source/Bolt_(2008_film))* on December 12, 2008. The short is the first [Disney](/source/Disney)/[Pixar](/source/Pixar) production presented in [Disney Digital 3-D](/source/Disney_Digital_3-D).[2] However, it is not featured on the film's home media releases. [Sulley](/source/James_P._Sullivan) and [Mike](/source/Mike_Wazowski) from *[Monsters, Inc.](/source/Monsters,_Inc.)* make [cameo appearances](/source/Cameo_appearance) in "Tokyo Mater" as their car forms from the credits of the first film.

## Release

### Merchandise

The *Disney·Pixar Cars Die-Cast Line* included die-casts of various characters from the shorts, including "Rescue Squad Mater", "Mater the Greater", and "El Materdor", in the toy line.

### Video game

A [video game](/source/Video_game) based on the series titled *Cars Toon: Mater's Tall Tales* was developed by Papaya Studio and released on October 19, 2010 for the [Wii](/source/Wii).[3][4] A [PC](/source/Personal_Computer) version was also released outside the United States and on [Steam](/source/Steam_(service)) worldwide in 2014.[5][6][7]

### Home media

A [DVD](/source/DVD) and [Blu-ray](/source/Blu-ray) compilation of the first nine shorts, titled *Cars Toons: Mater's Tall Tales*, was released on November 2, 2010. The compilation includes "Mater the Greater", "Rescue Squad Mater", "Monster Truck Mater", "Unidentified Flying Mater", "El Materdor", "Moon Mater", "Heavy Metal Mater", "Mater Private Eye" and "Tokyo Mater".[8] "Moon Mater" and "Mater Private Eye" debuted in this set.[9]

"Air Mater" and "Time Travel Mater" were released on *[Pixar Short Films Collection, Volume 2](/source/Pixar_Short_Films_Collection,_Volume_2)*, while the former was also released as a bonus short on home media releases of *Cars 2*. "Hiccups", "Bugged", and "Spinning" were released on [Disney.com](/source/Disney.com) and [YouTube](/source/YouTube). "The Radiator Springs 500 ½" was released on *[Pixar Short Films Collection, Volume 3](/source/Pixar_Short_Films_Collection,_Volume_3)*.

### YouTube

Mater's Tall Tales were added to the [Disney Jr.](/source/Disney_Jr.) [YouTube](/source/YouTube) channel from January through August 2024, where they accumulated about 22 million views with the most-watched episodes being "Tokyo Mater" (17M) and "Monster Truck Mater" (5M).

### Unreleased short

In addition to "The Radiator Springs 500 ½", which was released in 2014, director Rob Gibbs revealed at the 2013 [Disney D23](/source/Disney_D23) Expo a fifth *Cars Toons: Tales from Radiator Springs* episode titled "To Protect and Serve". The short was expected to debut in 2015 on Disney Channel,[10] but it ended up being unreleased for unknown reasons.[11] Despite never being released, it did receive merchandise, including die-cast models and a book. The book contains several images from the short. In the short, Sheriff goes on a mandatory vacation, leaving 2 squad cars in charge. However, the squad cars soon wreak havoc on the town by ticketing everyone for minor offenses.

## Characters

### *Mater's Tall Tales*

Characters Rescue Squad Mater Mater The Greater El Materdor Tokyo Mater Unidentified Flying Mater Monster Truck Mater Heavy Metal Mater Moon Mater Mater Private Eye Air Mater Time Travel Mater Mater Larry the Cable Guy Lightning McQueen Keith Ferguson Tia Elissa Knight Mia Lindsey Collins Lindsey Collins Guido colspan="2" Guido Quaroni Guido Quaroni colspan="2" Fillmore colspan="2" Sheriff Michael Wallis Kabuto Mach Tony Kobayashi Ito-San Robert Ito Skipper Stacey Keach Judge Davis Jonathan Adams Sparky[12] Danny Mann[13] Stanley John Michael Higgins Lizzie Katherine Helmond

### *Tales from Radiator Springs*

Character Hiccups Bugged Spinning The Radiator Springs 500 ½ Lightning McQueen Keith Ferguson Keith Ferguson Owen Wilson[11] Mater Larry the Cable Guy Larry the Cable Guy Sally Bonnie Hunt Bonnie Hunt Luigi Tony Shalhoub Tony Shalhoub Guido Guido Quaroni Guido Quaroni Flo Jenifer Lewis Jenifer Lewis Sarge Paul Dooley Paul Dooley Fillmore Lloyd Sherr Lloyd Sherr Sheriff Michael Wallis Michael Wallis Red Jerome Ranft colspan="2" Ramone Cheech Marin Lizzie Katherine Helmond

- *Note*: A gray cell indicates the character was not in the episode.

## References

1. ["All Films"](https://web.archive.org/web/20130826023333/http://pixarcanada.com/all-films). Pixar Canada. Archived from [the original](http://pixarcanada.com/all-films/) on August 26, 2013. Retrieved August 23, 2013.

1. ["Disney-Pixar to Premiere Its First Disney Digital 3-D(TM) Short Film Oscar(R)-Winner John Lasseter Directs Animated Short Based on "Cars" Character"](https://web.archive.org/web/20101230122911/http://www.pixar.com/companyinfo/press_box/news/20081208.htm). Pixar. 2008-12-09. Archived from [the original](http://www.pixar.com/companyinfo/press_box/news/20081208.htm) on 2010-12-30. Retrieved 2011-02-17.

1. ["Cars Toon: Mater's Tall Tales"](http://www.gamefaqs.com/wii/997656-cars-toon-maters-tall-tales/data). *[GameFAQs](/source/GameFAQs)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20110513070717/http://www.gamefaqs.com/wii/997656-cars-toon-maters-tall-tales/data) 2011-05-13 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2011-02-17.

1. ["Cars Toon: Mater's Tall Tales"](https://web.archive.org/web/20100912192225/http://wii.ign.com/objects/077/077614.html). *[IGN](/source/IGN)*. Archived from [the original](http://wii.ign.com/objects/077/077614.html) on 2010-09-12. Retrieved 2011-02-17.

1. ["Cars Toon : Mater's Tall Tales (Game, PC)"](http://www.flipkart.com/cars-toon-game/p/itmczarrmdhawpud). Flipkart.com. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20121126181541/http://www.flipkart.com/cars-toon-game/p/itmczarrmdhawpud) November 26, 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 2, 2012.

1. ["Disney•Pixar Cars Toon: Mater's Tall Tales on Steam"](https://store.steampowered.com/app/316320/DisneyPixar_Cars_Toon_Maters_Tall_Tales/). *store.steampowered.com*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20221016234114/https://store.steampowered.com/app/316320/DisneyPixar_Cars_Toon_Maters_Tall_Tales/) 2022-10-16 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2022-10-16.

1. ["SteamDB"](https://steamdb.info/app/316320/). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20221016234113/https://steamdb.info/app/316320/) 2022-10-16 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2022-10-16.

1. ["Cars Toon: Mater's Tall Tales Blu-ray"](http://www.pixartalk.com/blu-ray/cars-toon-blu-ray/). Pixar Talk. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20120106035711/http://www.pixartalk.com/blu-ray/cars-toon-blu-ray/) January 6, 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 2, 2012.

1. Bastoli, Mike (August 13, 2010). ["Report: Cars Toons BD/DVD on Nov. 2; no 'Nemo' Blu-ray (2 UPDATES)"](https://archive.today/20130118081228/http://www.bigscreenanimation.com/2010/08/report-cars-toons-bddvd-on-nov-2-no.html). *Big Screen Animation*. Archived from [the original](http://www.bigscreenanimation.com/2010/08/report-cars-toons-bddvd-on-nov-2-no.html) on January 18, 2013. Retrieved August 2, 2012.

1. Bryko (August 11, 2013). ["D23 Expo Round-Up: 'Toy Story of Terror', New Cars Toons on the Way"](http://pixarplanet.com/blog/d23-expo-round-up-toy-story-of-terror-new-cars-toons-on-the-way). *Upcoming Pixar*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150319202610/http://pixarplanet.com/blog/d23-expo-round-up-toy-story-of-terror-new-cars-toons-on-the-way/) March 19, 2015 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 11, 2013.

1. Labrecque, Jeff (March 13, 2014). ["Lightning McQueen revs his engine off-road in Pixar's new Radiator Springs short – EXCLUSIVE"](http://family-room.ew.com/2014/03/13/cars-short-radiator-springs-500/). *Entertainment Weekly*. Retrieved March 13, 2014.

1. Landy, Tom (October 21, 2011). ["High-Def Digest Attends Virtual Roundtable with Pixar's Rob Gibbs"](https://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Pixar/Disney/Tom_Landy/Rob_Gibbs/High-Def_Digest_Attends_Virtual_Roundtable_with_Pixars_Rob_Gibbs/7889). *bluray.highdefdigest.com*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210605235941/https://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Pixar/Disney/Tom_Landy/Rob_Gibbs/High-Def_Digest_Attends_Virtual_Roundtable_with_Pixars_Rob_Gibbs/7889) June 5, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved June 5, 2021.

1. ["Klay Hall Planes"](https://www.girl.com.au/klay-hall-planes.htm). *Girl.com.au*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210605235940/https://www.girl.com.au/klay-hall-planes.htm) June 5, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved June 5, 2021.

## External links

- [Official website](https://www.pixar.com/cars-toons)
- [Mater's Tall Tales](http://cars.disney.com/maters-tall-tales) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20130426010917/http://cars.disney.com/maters-tall-tales) 2013-04-26 at the Wayback Machine on Disney.com
- [Cars Toons](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1384816/) at IMDb

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Cars Toons](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cars_Toons) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cars_Toons?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.