Bird Watch

Ha-ha-ha-HA-ha! With this mischievous laugh, Woody Woodpecker first worked his way into the hearts of cartoon lovers everywhere more than 50 years ago. Don't expect to spot any gray in Woody Woodpecker's feathers, however: Thanks to a new fall TV series, this most beloved (and troublemaking) of birds is getting a much-publicized makeover.

Airing on the Fox Kids Network, "The Woody Woodpecker Show" reunites its title character with favorite friends like Chilly Willy, Buzz Buzzard and Wally Walrus. Although we haven't seen pictures of the supporting cast, Woody himself looks a little bit leaner and a little bit slicker.

Not that looks are the only thing that make the bird. Rumor has it, today's Woody is something of a kinder, gentler Woody. He isn't going cold turkey on the troublemaking, however--a bird's gotta have some fun, after all.

This article was originally published in the October 1998 print edition of Entrepreneur with the headline: Bird Watch.