Kootie Pie Rocks

The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3 episode
"Kootie Pie Rocks"
Production number	116
Airdate	October 27, 1990 (English) October 25, 1991 (French)
Writer(s)	Martha Moran Phil Harnage
Featured song	"Blame It on the Rain" (Milli Vanilli) "Girl You Know It's True" (Milli Vanilli)
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“This one's for a real princess! One and a two and a...”

—Rob Pilatus of Milli Vanilli

"Kootie Pie Rocks" is the sixteenth episode of The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3. It aired alongside another episode entitled "Do the Koopa."

In this episode, Milli Vanilli guest stars, voicing themselves, making it the only episode in the series where a guest star appears. It is also notable for being the only episode in the series without a title card, instead opening with a shot of some clouds. It was initially going to be named "Strawberry, Chocolate, or Vanilli?"

Plot synopsis

One evening in the Mushroom Kingdom, Cheatsy Koopa is climbing up the side of the Mushroom Castle, and peeks in through a window, hoping to spy on whatever Mario and Luigi are up to. Looking in, Cheatsy sees that Toad is helping Mario fit into a tuxedo, when Luigi questions why they have to wear dumb "penguin suits". Toad explains that Princess Toadstool will be all dressed up herself, as Toad got word she is attending a concert in the real world, so being a princess it clearly must be some kind of symphony. The Princess makes her grand appearance, but they are shocked to see that she is actually dressed to go to a pop concert, wearing a jersey with "Milli Vanilli", whom she remarks is her favorite band, printed on the front, and torn jeans. Toad comments that he does not understand the real world's "weird customs", and Princess Toadstool points out that everyone at the concert will be too busy looking at Milli Vanilli to notice them. With the knowledge of Princess Toadstool going to a Milli Vanilli concert, Cheatsy retreats back to Kastle Koopa, wondering what Kootie Pie will think.

Upon Cheatsy's return to Kastle Koopa, Kootie Pie is throwing a temper tantrum because Princess Toadstool can go to a pop concert in the real world, while she cannot. After throwing some random objects at King Koopa, Kootie Pie screams until he gives in, and even offers to let her keep Milli Vanilli as well, which he mispronounces as "Silly-the-Willies" and "Filli Banilli". When Kootie Pie runs off to change into a dress, Cheatsy comments that he cannot wait to see Koopa pull off his plan, only for Koopa to order him to fire up the Doomship, and because he instigated all this, he is coming along to see that the kidnapping succeeds.

Milli Vanilli introduce themselves.

At a stadium in New York City, which has been set up for the concert, Milli Vanilli run onto the stage, introduce themselves, and toss a rose into the audience, which Princess Toadstool catches. Mario and Luigi cannot stand the screaming audience, and cover their ears. Milli Vanilli then begin to sing "Blame it on the Rain". After a while, the Doomship flies over to the stadium, and Koopa fires a beam at part of the stage, lifting Milli Vanilli up into the air with it. Soon, Milli Vanilli disappears, and Koopa laughs as the Doomship warps away. Mario figures even in the real world that Koopa causes trouble, and that they need to get back into the pipe headed for Dark Land, specifically Kastle Koopa. Princess Toadstool fears Milli Vanilli is in great danger as Koopa's hostages.

Kootie Pie expecting Milli Vanilli.

At Kastle Koopa, Milli Vanilli is reluctantly introduced to Kootie Pie. She develops a crush on Rob, and Kootie Pie kisses him several times, which disgusts him. Rob and Fab try to leave, but Kootie Pie tells them that they cannot, and demands for them to perform a private concert just for her right away. When they refuse, Kootie Pie pulls out her magic wand, and threatens to transform Rob and Fab into a pair of accountants, to which the two laugh "Accountants? That is a good one!" Annoyed, Kootie Pie makes good on her threat and transforms Milli Vanilli into accountants, to which they shout out, "No! We're nerds! We're dweebs!" Fab tells Kootie Pie to turn them back to normal, but Kootie Pie refuses and tells them that they are stuck in Dark Land forever. Rob and Fab try to escape, but two Sledge Brothers block the exit.

Rob and Fab, having been transformed into accountants.

Kootie Pie threatens to turn Rob and Fab into beetles if they refuse to perform a concert, and Fab is fine with that, saying "Who wants to be a band from the 60s"? Kootie Pie then considers turning them into Ptooies, but Rob has never heard of a band by that name. Fab reasons with Kootie Pie that no matter what her transformations, they are unable to perform a concert with just vocals, they need a backup band, so Kootie Pie remarks that they have to stay as accountants until they can find one.

Princess Toadstool, who is spying into Castle Koopa through a window with her friends, explains that she will never hear her favorite music again if they cannot get Milli Vanilli back to normal. Mario reassures Princess Toadstool that they will save Milli Vanilli from Kootie Pie, but Luigi questions how. Mario then remembers Fab's remark about needing a backup band, so he decides that they should pose as one.

Mario and his friends dressed up as a rock band, called "Backups 'R' We".

Dressed as a rock band, Mario and his friends enter Castle Koopa through a Warp Pipe, and head for the throne room, while Kootie Pie throws a temper tantrum about how Koopa forgot to bring her a backup band in addition to Milli Vanilli. Toad worries that they have no musical ability, but Luigi says this is the best they can do on short notice, their sole mission to rescue Milli Vanilli. After Mario's group arrives, Fab recognizes Princess Toadstool from the audience at their concert back in New York City, and she whispers that they are here to save them. Mario introduces his group to Kootie Pie as the traveling backup band "Backups 'R' We", whom Kootie Pie is thrilled to see have arrived so suddenly. Princess Toadstool asks who will sing while their group plays "...these two accountants?", and tricks Kootie Pie into using her magic wand to revert Milli Vanilli to normal.

Toad playing the music.

With Rob and Fab restored, Rob tells Mario to play "Girl You Know It's True". However, Mario and his friends cannot play their instruments at all, and everyone but Kootie Pie cannot stand the music. Koopa comes in to complain, but Toad's drumstick goes flying into his mouth, and he flees from the bad music, as do some Sledge Brothers and Goombas. Still playing, Mario and his friends lead Milli Vanilli out of the room, and head for the Warp Pipe. Kootie Pie, upset over the loss of her concert, runs to tell Koopa, and threatens to scream if he does not bring it back. Koopa, who is wearing earmuffs, refuses to do so. Putting his foot down, he prefers her screaming than that racket. Kootie Pie claims that she will just bring them back herself, but Koopa grabs her, and threatens to throw her in the dungeon unless she promises to forget about the band, to which Kootie Pie agrees.

Back at their real concert, Milli Vanilli are back on stage, and announce that their next song is dedicated to a real princess, as they start to play "Girl You Know It's True". Watching from backstage, Princess Toadstool starts looking at them dreamily. Mario and Luigi, who are now in their usual clothes, also watch the concert, albeit more grounded. Mario makes a comment that if they keep up their band they can become as big as Milli Vanilli. Toad and Luigi are not too keen on that, and when Mario asks the Princess for her input, she makes no remark, simply watching dreamily as her favorite group plays.

Cast

• Walker Boone — Mario
• Tony Rosato — Luigi
• Tracey Moore — Princess Toadstool
• John Stocker — Toad
• Harvey Atkin — King Bowser Koopa
• James Rankin — Cheatsy Koopa
• Paulina Gillis — Kootie Pie Koopa
• Catherine Gallant — girl
• Rob Pilatus — himself
• Fab Morvan — himself

Animation and continuity errors

• Most of the background music and sound effects in this episode are muffled, while many sound effects are missing, such as the sound played for scene transitions.
• Before Cheatsy climbs down a trellis, his face is the same color as his body. This also occurs with his head when he asks, "What good side?", along with Kootie Pie being briefly layered over King Koopa.
• In his initial appearance, Toad has his normal outfit instead of his suit.
• When Mario and his friends are surprised by Princess Toadstool, the stripe and bowtie on Luigi's suit is colored green like the rest of the suit instead of pink, while the sleeves are Toad's suit are colored yellow instead of red. This also happens when Princess Toadstool is impressed by Milli Vanilli's exit.
• When Mario asks if Princess Toadstool's outfit is appropriate, his hair is colored black like Luigi's instead of brown. This also happens when Princess Toadstool is impressed by Milli Vanilli's exit.
• When Princess Toadstool says, "Next stop, the real world!", her right ear flashes.
  • In the same scene, part of her shirt briefly turns the same color as her hair.
• When Mario catches Princess Toadstool, his shirt is briefly colored red instead of white while the stripe on it is missing.
• When King Koopa dodges what Kootie Pie throws at him, part of the rim of his shell turns the same color as the rest of the shell.
• When Kootie Pie says that it is nice to be able to keep Milli Vanilli, her bracelets are colored gray instead of yellow. This also happens when Kootie Pie says that Rob and Fab are not accountants.
• Throughout the episode, Rob's necklace changes color several times.
• At the beginning of the concert and the end of the episode, a sign misspells presenting as "preseting."
• When Mario says he has never seen so many tonsils in his life, the woman in front on the left has her left arm constantly cropped.
• When Milli Vanilli's song starts, Toad's suit is missing.
• In some scenes, Rob and Fab's voices are switched.
• During the concert, some of the audience members' clothes flash.
• During the concert, some of the audience members' noses are missing, though this is usually intentional for characters who are farther away from the screen.
• When Mario asks Luigi why they do not get as much attention as Milli Vanilli when doing a good job, Luigi's sideburns are the same color as his cap.
• Due to the changes in later airings, King Koopa's mouth moves with no sound before he chuckles.
  • In the same scene, he instantly turns to Cheatsy without movement.
• When King Koopa starts laughing, his hand is holding the Doomship's steering wheel, but it is completely layered in front of it.
• When a woman tries to make contact Milli Vanilli, Rob has his hand outstretched, but in the next shot, it is Fab.
• When Princess Toadstool says that Milli Vanilli has been kidnapped, her lower body is missing.
• When Mario says that they can save Milli Vanilli, the red linings on his suit turn white like his gloves.
• When Kootie Pie grabs Milli Vanilli, the band on Fab's suit changes to the color of Rob's. This also occurs when she turns them into accountants.
• When Kootie Pie stops Milli Vanilli from leaving, her underbelly is colored brown instead of cream.
• When Kootie Pie says that she likes Rob's dreadlocks, her eyes are black instead of blue.
• When Kootie Pie threatens to turn Rob and Fab into accountants, her wand is blue, but when they laugh, it turns pink.
• When Rob and Fab make fun of Kootie Pie's threat, their mouth movement is unsynchronized.
• When Mario says they will help Milli Vanilli, part of his face is unpainted above his right eye.
• When Luigi looks at Mario after saying they will save Milli Vanilli, the color of his eyes swaps for a frame.
• When Mario and his friends run over to Milli Vanilli, the sleeves on Toad's shirt are missing while his and Luigi's shoes are pink instead of purple.
  • When they are shown running a second time, Luigi is instantly put right behind Princess Toadstool when they are about to reach Milli Vanilli.
• When Kootie Pie whines about having a band, the screen shakes.
• When Princess Toadstool asks who is going to sing with her and her friends, her sclerae are the same color as her skin.
• When Kootie Pie says that the accountants are Milli Vanilli, her shell is colored green like her dress instead of pink.
• When Milli Vanilli is changed back to normal, the light around them is misplaced.
• When Mario and his friends start playing, Toad's shirt is briefly colored blue instead of purple,
• When Kootie Pie runs to King Koopa, the background loops incorrectly.
• When King Koopa says that his castle sounds better without the music, the spikes on his tail are colored orange instead of white.
  • In the same scene, King Koopa can be seen wearing earmuffs, but they disappear for the rest of the scenes.
• When Kootie Pie is saying the music had to end sometime, King Koopa is moving his arm for some reason.

• 

  Cheatsy's miscolored face

• 

  Cheatsy's miscolored head

• 

  The misspelled sign

Edited reruns

"Kootie Pie Rocks" was aired before Frank Farian, the real-world producer for Milli Vanilli, revealed in November of 1990 that frontmen Fab Morvan and Rob Pilatus had not actually contributed to the band's studio recordings and simply lip-synced to vocals recorded by session singers John Davis, Brad Howell, and Charles Shaw. As a result, in later airings, the songs were replaced with the "Mega Move" instrumental, and all references to Milli Vanilli's songs were removed. However, the original version of the episode is used in the Greek, Italian, Spanish, Swedish, and Brazilian Portuguese dubs, with the Brazilian Portuguese dub even translating the songs. Also at the end of the episode, when Milli Vanilli sings for the princess, the part when Mario talks about starting their own band was cut.

Dub edits

• In the Brazilian Portuguese dub, Kootie Pie's groaning as Milli Vanilli laughs at her threat of transforming them to accountants is removed.
  • On a related note, Kootie Pie transforms Milli Vanilli into playboys instead of accountants.

Names in other languages

Language	Name	Meaning	Notes
Chinese (simplified)	温蒂的摇滚 Wēndì De Yáogǔn	Wendy's Rock 'n' Roll
French	La groupie	Groupie
German	Das Privatkonzert[?]	The Private Concert
Italian	Il concerto dei Milli Vanilli	The Concert of Milli Vanilli
Korean	쿠타파이 POP콘사트 Kuti Pai Pop Konseoteu	Kootie Pie's Pop Concert
Polish	Rockowa Kootie	Kootie's Rock
Portuguese	O Rock da Kootie Pie	Kootie Pie's Rock
Russian	Крысотка и рок Krysotka i rok	Kootie Pie rocks
Spanish	Kootie Pie y el rock and roll	Kootie Pie and Rock 'n' Roll
Spanish (NOE)	Kootie Pie baila el rock	Kootie Pie rocks	original dub

Trivia

• In the original version, Mario's made-up traveling backup band, "Backups 'R' We," is a parody on the toy store chain Toys "R" Us and its spinoff stores.
• This episode is one of the two episodes where the Grass Land intro is played with a down-tempo mix, the other being, "Oh, Brother!."
• The stadium where the concert takes place looks like the Shea Stadium in New York City, which was the home of Major League Baseball's New York Mets from 1964 to 2008.
• When a woman tries to reach Milli Vanilli while they are being kidnapped by the Koopas, she and Fab touch each others' fingers, a reference to the 1982 science-fiction film E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.
• After being transformed into accountants, Rob and Fab are threatened to be turned into beetles. In response, Rob says, "Great, who wants to be a band from the '60s?", a reference to The Beatles.
  • In the Italian dub, the animals used for the threat are chameleons, keeping the punchline unaltered with a reference to the Italian pop-rock band I Camaleonti.
  • In the Latin American Spanish dub, this is replaced with Los Bukis ("the kids" in Purépecha language), a Mexican grupero band.