I was privileged to be forewarned that this series was about to begin, and having never watched the Disney Channel before, it was that rarest of happenstance that I should become part of what has turned into a massive “underground” fan-base. A fan-base I had no idea existed until 3 or so months ago.

I turned to this show on my television, and for the next hour and half, was entranced by the unique animation style, wittiness, and fast-paced action of this amazing series. I must admit – I couldn’t wait for the next new episode – I was a die-hard fan from then on. But this being the Disney Channel – and perhaps being unwise enough to realize that many other people were just as entranced as I was – I didn’t even begin to imagine that I would be able to do more than wait and watch the series develop. So I did… for the next 2 years.

Much happened in those 2 years as I watched the development of this series. Being a professional, I oftentimes found it difficult to keep up with what might be happening to Kim Possible – but I almost never missed an episode – and when I did miss one it was because of very extenuating circumstances. Besides my simple viewing, I always wondered if other fans might be out there, people of my age group (I’m 30 years old – about one year older than the average age of the “KP” fan – as we’re called), who might be able to share my interest, discuss the subtleties of the show, even share the location of collectibles – a favorite past time of mine.

But what has made this series, in the words of one reviewer, one that “commands legions of avid, underground fans”?(1) I can only answer that for myself, but perhaps many fans will agree.

As I watched this wonderful series, I noted the way the characters had been developed and continued to develop as the story line evolved. Kim Possible – the star of the show – pretty, popular, and intelligent but still a human being with all the vulnerabilities that includes, despite her talents and bravery; Ron Stoppable – the “buffoonish sidekick” who turns out many times to be not so much a slacker (or buffoon) after all; and of course Rufus – Ron’s buddy and compatriot – most likely the coolest and most adorable hairless rodent (pardon – Naked Mole Rat) ever to appear on television.

But Kim and Ron are everyday heroes. Kim, for all her heroism, is after all – as the opening song says – “just your basic average girl”, whose hard work and natural skills go hand-in-hand with the fact that she’s a “regular” teenager. She shops, “crushes” on boys, and spends time with her friends and family – including her twin brothers (whom she calls “the Tweebs”). In one particularly telling episode (“Blush”), she almost literally “dies of embarrassment”. Who among us hasn’t? And the allegory of disappearing, which is Kim’s fate if she’s embarrassed too much, is a nice, almost hidden, gem of writing that harkens back to story-telling of another time, which can only be done with a character of such range as Kim. To add to her normal girl with great fortitude personality, it’s amazing she has time for her studies much less saving the world!

Ron, for all his comedic sidekick status, is more than your average “every guy”. True, he’s a video-game slacker, Bueno Nacho regular who, for all his fears (of monkeys especially) and faults, will always be there when his friend Kim needs him and goes the extra mile – or five thousand – as the occasion requires. His courage is greater than it seems considering how much he has to fear in the world he and Kim encounter on their adventures. In the episode “Exchange” for instance, it’s Ron (facing down Monkey Fist and his ninja-monkey army) who summons his inner strength to save not only the girl, but also the sword that is the magic symbol around which the Ninja school he’s been “exchanged” to has been built. Ron proves that great courage can indeed be found within one who has no idea it existed within them.

And what about Rufus? Well, that’s another entire article altogether, but I’ll try to summarize his greatness as best I can. How talented a Naked Mole Rat really can be (and yes, there are such creatures) is an open question I can’t answer, but Rufus is a hero all his own. As proven at the end of one episode (“The Ron Factor”), Kim and Ron wouldn’t be able to stop the bad guys without this singularly endearing character. He’s a great little crime-fighter, excellent at gnawing his way through the trouble his friends might find themselves in often, lending a paw where the going gets tight, and is the worst nightmare of the many, many food groups teens encounter (especially liking cheese – of course). Is it that obvious he’s my personal favorite?

But what are heroes without their villainous counterparts? Among the most oft seen are Dr. Drakken, the blue-skinned genius (“But has he ever been tested?” one must ask quite often) who is Kim’s most ardent foe, and his assistant in villainy Shego, an attractive and dangerous counterpart in Drakken’s plans, and often Kim’s more serious adversary. Between Shego’s deadly fighting skills (not to mention the destructive glowing green hands) and Drakken’s never ending schemes to rule the world, Kim, Ron, and Rufus certainly have their hands full.

Then of course there’s Duff Killigan, the crazed golfer from Scotland, whose obsession has caused him to be banned from every course in the world – and if you know a golfer yourself – you know they don’t take banishment quietly.

And Monkey Fist, the wealthy English Lord whose obsession with simians and his never-ending search for complete “Mystical Monkey Power” have caused him to have himself genetically engineered to be as monkey-like as he can be, much to Ron’s chagrin of course.

And the list goes on; exhibiting the perfection of the story telling skill used in this series by the creators Bob Schooley and Mark McCorkle. The voice talent is inspired as well, including Disney talents Christy Carlson Romano (Kim), Will Friedle (Ron), and Raven Symone (Monique). Several famous actors of screen and voice such as Nancy Cartwright of Simpsons fame (Rufus), Nicolle Sullivan (Shego), Gary Cole (Kim’s Dad – Mr. Dr. Possible), Jean Smart (Kim’s Mom – Mrs. Dr. Possible), John DiMaggio (Dr. Drakken), and Ricardo Montalban (Senior Senior Senior) also round out the cast. And not to forget the animation designed by Art Director Steven Silver and music written by Adam Berry, which both make Kim Possible a more exemplary series than it is already. (2)

So, this is what makes for good television! Other studios and production companies could certainly take a cue (or five) from Kim Possible.

As time went on, I started to seek out information about the series. The day Kim Possible initially appeared, I had read three brilliant positive reviews (3) of the series just before it started (actually just about an hour before it’s premiere). I wondered if there were any more, and even more so, if Disney was promoting it in a material way as well (remember I’m a collector). A Google search brought up over one and half million sites (some search variations resulting in just over two million). I could see I had my work cut out for me and I was, to be quite honest, more than a little overwhelmed.

To my surprise, the series was not only receiving positive reviews, but also absolutely rave reviews. Of the many I found, mainly concerning the two DVD’s from the series, and from site after site I visited, I noted words like “Kim Possible… is so inspired” and of Kim herself “the most likeable, original Disney character to come to TV in a long, long time”(4). I also found out that the premiere episode “Crush” had been nominated for a 2003 Primetime Emmy award. (5) Surely an honor to be proud of in the field of “children’s animation”, and perhaps proof that Kim had reached a far wider and diverse audience than originally intended or hoped for by the Disney Channel.

From a purely commercial point of view, the facts are just as favorable. It was later I learned that Kim was one of the top 50 Fictional Characters in terms of revenue (an honor shared by the likes of Mickey Mouse, Winnie the Pooh, and a certain yellow square-shaped sea creature).(6) In many ways Kim was becoming a phenomena that normally should not have happened to a “kids show”, but Kim Possible is no normal show. In 2004 – during the Halloween season – Kim Possible outfits ranked third in sales among young girls costumes, a sure sign of the continuing popularity and staying power of this series. (7)

Also not having known about the DVD’s before, and while purchasing the first one, I noted the sales figures for both “The Secret Files” and “A Sitch In Time” were quite amazing – ranking in the top 5 percent and 2 percent respectively on Amazon.com – the former a year after it’s initial release! I thought for sure that perhaps this was a series I could get behind and stay involved in enjoying for many years to come based on this information – not to mention my (obvious) overwhelming enjoyment of the series.

But one day, on October 15th of 2004, I saw an episode that made me wonder – “Is this the end of Kim Possible?” Having noticed that new episodes weren’t appearing earlier to my knowledge, I had considered that this episode was an ending of sorts. Having some free time – and a bit of determination to find out – I started looking around the Internet for news, information, anything that would answer my question.

I visited many sites, mostly ones containing episode information, and found that indeed Kim Possible was coming to an end, but not quite the way I expected. I found I’d missed some previous episodes (“no big” as Kim would say – they get repeated almost endlessly – which isn’t a bad thing in the case of this series), but I also found that the series was scheduled to abruptly stop at episode 65. I was curious, why episode 65? Some of the pages I had visited contained links to other sites, and one, “Save Kim Possible” appeared over and over again. I had a feeling I had to take a look at this.

I was, no exaggeration, floored by the information presented. This ending was a policy set in place by the Walt Disney Company concerning all animated television series – all shows must end at 65 episodes. But there was more. Information was supplied, and inspiring words of determination not to see this series end this way, that made me wonder if this travesty could be stopped – even avoided entirely before the last episode.

I found information that also led to a Yahoo interest group called Mission Kim Possible. (6) After joining, I requested further information as to how I could help – but that’s again – another story. I followed the advice on the Save Kim Possible site page, and wrote several letters to Disney personnel – among those included were George Mitchell (Chairman of the Disney Board of Directors); Richard Ross (President and Director of the Disney Channel); and of course Michael Eisner (the CEO of The Walt Disney Company).

A new group was also founded shortly afterwards – Save Disney Shows – dedicated to the ideal that not only should Kim Possible be saved, but that many other examples of quality programming from the Disney television archive (both past and present) should be saved as well. That effort is now underway. (7)

It was in the Save Disney Shows forum that information was posted that led to this article. But I thought to myself, why not give more than just one fan’s interpretation of “why I love KP”. Why not let some of the other fans speak for themselves about a show that one reviewer describes as a “show commands legions of avid, underground fans”. So, in that spirit, I wish to give to you – the reader – some idea of why this show is important, what it means to the millions of viewers who tune in every day to watch it – and perhaps give some small impression of why people wish it to continue – and are willing to give their time and energies to the effort this requires.

These are only seven of the over 300 membership request notes gathered from the Mission Kim Possible group, that explain why they wish to join the forum. These are not edited – save for punctuation and capitalization. These are the fans feelings, in their own words. I hope they will speak volumes about why fans like us care so much about our little Kimmie-cub:

“Kim has helped save so many others, now I must help save her!”

“I have always believed that Kim was a hero, and she deserves more than just 65 episodes.”

“I want to join because I love KP, she’s my hero. If it weren’t for KP I wouldn’t be the crazy wild cheerleader that I am now. I’m definitely more of a risk taker too.”

“She is a great role model for girls and I would hate to see them replace her with something as mind numbing and tasteless as Braceface or Brandy and Mr. Whiskers. Save KP!!”

“Admittedly a new convert to Kim Possible. Gotta say, I love it because for once, I can watch a Disney show with wit!”

“I am a 27 year old mother of 2 sons. We watch the show everyday! It’s been a long time since a great cartoon has been on. I can’t believe the show may be cancelled!”

Finally, perhaps the most moving comment of the many I’ve been privileged to see is this one, from which I will end this article. It neatly sums up the feelings of many fans, in a fashion that touched me quite deeply:

“I absolutely LOVE Kim Possible and I would hate to see it die. I’ve had too many of my fav(orite) cartoons cancelled already. I don’t want this one to die too.”

I’ve often heard the expert’s say that kids today – and people in general – don’t get involved enough, that we all don’t have enough positive role models. As you can see, there’s a cause that has inspired many people of all ages to get involved, for Kim Possible is that role model the experts (and we the public who know even more) seek to see on our televisions. Yet the Disney Company wishes to end it for no rational cause at all.

It’s our hope and our determination that we will convince Disney not to disappoint the millions of fans, to not let such a positive force end prematurely – to not let Kim Possible die.