Nickelodeon executives have been planning a second "Rugrats" series for several years. But the one that premieres Saturday at 7 and 7:30 p.m. isn't the one they were planning.
And it was the kids who watch the cable network who changed their minds.
Nickelodeon had announced a second animated series that would focus on the characters of Angelica and Susie in preschool. But then came the July 2001 special that featured the characters of Tommy, Chuckie, Phil, Lil, Anjelica and Susie "All Grown Up."
(Well, not quite grown up. The new show takes place a decade after the original, when the familiar "Rugrats" babies — Tommy, Chuckie, Phil and Lil — are on the verge of adolescence. And the obnoxious Anjelica is already a teenager.)
"Quite honestly, the response to the special was so overwhelming that we really felt that we had to continue with it," said Marjorie Cohn, Nickelodeon's senior vice president of programming and development. "It was supposed to be just a stunt to celebrate the 10th anniversary of 'Rugrats,' but the kids spoke.
"One of the reasons we did it to begin with was that kids felt so connected to the characters. They always wondered what they were going to be like when they grew up. We heard that a lot. So we decided, 'Let's do it.' "
What they weren't expecting was the overwhelming response to what was supposed to be a one-time special. But that's part of the history of "Rugrats," a show that took TV and Nickelodeon executives by surprise.
It was successful when it debuted in 1991. But after completing production on the 60th and what-was-supposed-to-be-final episode, Nickelodeon scheduled it five days a week and "it took off like wildfire."
Which led to more episodes, three theatrical movies and now the new series.
"I think what we learned was that there was something about the babies themselves that was relatable to kids of all ages," Cohn said. "And grown-ups could also find something to watch. It was written on two levels — one for kids and one for adults. And the adults' stories were sort of relatable to parents, too, because a lot of the issues were about being parents."
And, over a dozen years, the "Rugrats" have become embedded in the popular culture — and become a part of the lives of millions of kids who've grown up with them.
Which makes you wonder how long the "Rugrats" phenomenon can continue.
"It would be nice to think that these characters are so embedded in kids' minds and hearts that we can grow up with them completely," Cohn said, "but we'll have to wait and see."
E-mail: pierce@desnews.com