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{{infoboxshort description|American animated television |series}}
{{pp-semi-indef}}
| show_name = Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends
<!-- Please do not add non-existent follow-up to this template --->
| image = [[Image:FostersLogo2.PNG|150px]]
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}
| caption = Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends logo
{{Infobox television
| format = [[Animated series]]
| image = Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends logo.svg
| runtime = 30 Minutes (including commercials)
| image_alt = A black circle with curves and white dots is under the series' logo, which has a light blue color for the word "Foster's", light pink for "Imaginary", and light orange for "Friends." The words "Home for" are in white.
| creator = [[Craig McCracken]]
| genre = {{Plainlist|
| starring = [[Keith Ferguson]]<br>[[Sean Marquette]]<br>[[Candi Milo]]<br>[[Tom Kenny]]<br>[[Phil LaMarr]]<br>[[Grey DeLisle]]<br>[[Tom Kane]]
* [[Fantasy]]
| country = [[United States|USA]]
* [[Comedy]]
| network = [[Cartoon Network]]
* [[Adventure]]
| first_aired = [[August 13]], [[2004]]
* [[Animated sitcom]]
| last_aired = Present
}}
| num_episodes = 39 (includes pilot episode that counted as three episodes.)<br>31 have aired as of [[October]] [[2005]].
| creator = [[Craig McCracken]]
|}}
| developer = {{Plainlist|
* Craig McCracken
* [[Lauren Faust]]
* Mike Moon
}}
| director = {{Plainlist|
* Craig McCracken
* [[Rob Renzetti]]{{efn|"[[Destination: Imagination]]"}}
}}
| voices = {{Plainlist|
* [[Sean Marquette]]
* [[Keith Ferguson (voice actor)|Keith Ferguson]]
* [[Phil LaMarr]]
* [[Tom Kenny]]
* [[Candi Milo]]
* [[Grey DeLisle]]
* [[Tom Kane]]
}}
| theme_music_composer = [[James L. Venable]]
| composer = {{Plainlist|
* James L. Venable
* [[Jennifer Kes Remington]]
}}
| country = United States
| language = English
| num_seasons = 6
| num_episodes = 79{{efn|Includes 82 segments and 18 shorts}}
| list_episodes = List of Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends episodes
| executive_producer = {{Plainlist|
* [[Brian A. Miller]]
* Craig McCracken
}}
| producer = {{Plainlist|
* Vincent Aniceto
* Ryan Slater
}}
| runtime = 21–23 minutes{{efn|Runtime is 44 minutes for "[[Good Wilt Hunting]]" and 65 minutes for "[[House of Bloo's]]" and "[[Destination: Imagination]]"}}
| company = [[Cartoon Network Studios]]
| network = [[Cartoon Network]]
| first_aired = {{Start date|2004|08|13}}
| last_aired = {{End date|2009|05|03}}
| related = {{Plainlist|
* ''[[The Powerpuff Girls]]''
* ''[[Wander Over Yonder]]''
* ''[[Kid Cosmic]]''
}}
}}
<!-- Please do not add nonexistent follow-up to this template --->
 
'''''Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends''''' is an American [[animation|animated]] [[television programseries]] created and produced by [[animator]] [[Craig McCracken]], whofor also created ''[[TheCartoon Powerpuff GirlsNetwork]]''. It premieredwas onproduced by [[Cartoon Network Studios]] onas the network's first show animated primarily with [[AugustAdobe 13Flash]], which was done both by Cartoon Network Studios in Burbank and in Ireland by [[2004Boulder Media]],. asSet in a ninety-minuteworld in which [[televisionimaginary moviefriend]].s Half-hourcoexist episodes (with commercials)humans, beganthe airingseries thecenters followingon FridayMac, andan continueeight-year-old boy pressured by his mother to doabandon so.his Itimaginary alsofriend playedBloo. twoAfter eleven-minutethe episodesduo threediscover timesan (''Seeingorphanage Red''dedicated wasto pairedhousing withabandoned ''Phoneimaginary Home''friends, ''WhenBloo There'smoves Ainto Wilt,the There'shome Aand Way''is waskept pairedfrom withadoption ''Everyoneas Knowslong It'sas Bendy'',Mac andvisits ''Sighthim forevery Soreday. Eyes''The wasepisodes pairedrevolve witharound Mac and ''Bloo's Brothers''.)as Asthey ofinteract [[Julywith 9]],other [[2005]],imaginary itfriends isand sometimeshouse [[Televisionstaff syndication|syndicated]]and onlive [[WBout Televisiontheir Network|Kids'day-to-day adventures, WB]]often getting caught up in various predicaments.
__TOC__
 
McCracken conceived the series with his partner [[Lauren Faust]] after they adopted two dogs from an [[animal shelter]] and applied the concept to imaginary friends. The series first premiered on Cartoon Network on August 13, 2004, as a 90-minute [[television film]]. On August 20, it began its normal run of 22-minute episodes on the ''Fridays'' block. The series finished its run on May 3, 2009, with a total of 6 seasons and 79 episodes. McCracken left Cartoon Network shortly after the series ended.
<br clear="all"/>
 
''Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends'' received critical acclaim for its animation, humor, writing, characters, and music. It became one of Cartoon Network's most successful original series and received numerous [[List of awards and nominations received by Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends|industry accolades]], including five [[Annie Awards]] and seven [[Emmy Awards]], winning a total of 12 awards out of 35 nominations. It has since been named by ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' as one of the best Cartoon Network shows and by ''[[IGN]]'' in their list of best animated series at number 85.
==Show summary==
 
A [[Spinoff (media)|spinoff]], ''Foster's Funtime for Imaginary Friends'', was announced as having begun development on July 18, 2022, and greenlit to series on June 12, 2024, produced by [[Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe]] with Craig McCracken returning as the creator.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Petski |first=Denise |date=July 18, 2022 |title='Powerpuff Girls' & 'Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends' Animated Series Reboots from Craig McCracken in Works at Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe |url=https://deadline.com/2022/07/powerpuff-girls-fosters-home-for-imaginary-friends-animated-series-reboots-craig-mccracken-hanna-barbera-studios-europe-1235071571/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220906221536/https://deadline.com/2022/07/powerpuff-girls-fosters-home-for-imaginary-friends-animated-series-reboots-craig-mccracken-hanna-barbera-studios-europe-1235071571/ |archive-date=September 6, 2022 |access-date=July 18, 2022 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood|Deadline]]}}</ref> The spinoff, aimed at a [[preschool]] audience, features a new cast of young imaginary friends, along with Bloo and Madame Foster from the original series.<ref>{{Cite web |first1=John |last1=Hopewell |first2=Jamie |last2=Lang |date=June 12, 2024 |title=New 'Regular Show,' 'Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends' Series Unveiled at Annecy (Exclusive) |url=https://variety.com/2024/tv/global/regular-show-fosters-adventure-time-scooby-doo-1236034978/ |access-date=June 13, 2024 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |language=en-US}}</ref>
In the world of ''Foster's,'' an [[imaginary friend]] becomes real the instant a kid [[imagination|imagines]] them. Everyone can see and talk to them, but sometimes, they still outgrow their friends. When that happens, the friends don't disappear, which is why Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends was founded. This [[foster home]] (hence the title) was founded by the elderly Madame Foster to provide a home for abandoned imaginary friends; their motto is "Where good ideas are not forgotten." Children who cannot imagine their own imaginary friends can also [[adoption|adopt]] friends from Foster's Home.
 
==Premise==
The show is produced entirely in-house using computer [[vector graphics]] programs, including [[Macromedia Flash]], [[Adobe Illustrator]] and [[Adobe After Effects]]. This all-digital animation method is relatively inexpensive, and unlike most American [[traditional animation|traditionally animated]] shows, none of the animation is done overseas.
''Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends'' is set in a universe in which childhood [[imaginary friends]] take physical form and become real as soon as children imagine them. Once children outgrow them, friends are relocated to the titular [[orphanage]], where they stay until other children adopt them. The home is run by the elderly Madame Foster, its lovable, kind founder; her rabbit imaginary friend Mr. Herriman, the strict rule-abider and business manager; and her granddaughter Frankie, who handles day-to-day operations.
 
Because his mother believes he is too old for imaginary friends, eight-year-old Mac is pressured by her to abandon his imaginary friend, Bloo. When Mac takes Bloo to Foster's after seeing a television advertisement, they discover that if Bloo were to live there, he would be available to be adopted by another child. Mac then bargains with Frankie, Herriman, and Madame Foster until they agree to guard Bloo from adoption so long as Mac continues to visit the center daily. Mac continues to visit the home every day after school to experience the escapades of the mischievous Bloo and the array of eccentric, colorful characters inhabiting Foster's and the obstacles with which they are challenged.
''Foster's Home'' is known to attract older viewers with its quirky humor and odd plots. Hidden throughout the show are jokes, [[pun]]s and references aimed at older children and [[young adults]] that they would understand, while the sarcastic, wise-cracking Bloo is an atypical character among standard children's fare.
 
==Characters==
<br clear="all"/>
{{main|List of Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends characters}}
[[File:Foster's characters.jpg|thumb|left|The main characters of the show. From left to right: Coco, Bloo, Mac, Eduardo, Frankie Foster, and Wilt|alt=Picture featuring the main characters from the show.]]
 
===Main Characters===
* '''Mac''' (voiced by [[Sean Marquette]]) – A bright and imaginative eight-year-old boy who is Bloo's creator and best friend. Mac visits Foster's every day.<ref name="Characters">{{Cite web |title=Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends Characters |url=http://www.cartoonnetwork.com/tv_shows/fosters/characters/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140722140132/http://www.cartoonnetwork.com/tv_shows/fosters/characters/index.html |archive-date=July 22, 2014 |access-date=December 14, 2015 |publisher=[[Cartoon Network]]}}</ref> He is very attached to Bloo and his biggest fear is never seeing him again.<ref name="House">{{Cite episode |title=House of Bloo's |series=Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends |network=[[Cartoon Network]] |date=August 13, 2004 |season=1 |number=1}}</ref> Mac is often the voice of reason among his friends when they are making decisions. Mac becomes extremely [[Sugar high|hyperactive when he eats sugar]].<ref>{{Cite episode |title=Partying Is Such Sweet Soiree |series=Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends |network=[[Cartoon Network]] |date=January 21, 2005 |season=2 |number=1}}</ref> He also is attracted to Frankie.<ref>{{Cite episode |title=Frankie My Dear |series=Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends |network=[[Cartoon Network]] |date=March 18, 2005 |season=2 |number=9}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Watch Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends Episodes - Season 2 |url=http://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/fosters-home-for-imaginary-friends/episodes-season-2/194647/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220906221541/https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/fosters-home-for-imaginary-friends/episodes-season-2/1000246261/ |archive-date=September 6, 2022 |access-date=December 14, 2015 |magazine=[[TV Guide]]}}</ref>
[[Image:0813foster-a.jpg|left|350px|thumb|Standing, From Left to Right: Coco, Frankie, Mr. Herriman, Wilt, Eduardo. Seated, From Left to Right: Bloo, Madame Foster, Mac]]
* '''Bloo''' (voiced by [[Keith Ferguson (voice actor)|Keith Ferguson]]) – Mac's imaginary best friend. Bloo is a blue, supple, domed cylinder not unlike a [[Bollard (traffic)|bollard]] with two eyes. He is often self-centered and egotistical, with a knack for getting in trouble.<ref name="Characters" /> Despite all this, Bloo apologizes for his actions. He loves [[paddle ball]]s and claims to be the best at them, despite not making the ball hit the paddle.<ref>{{Cite episode |title=Let Your Hare Down |series=Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends |network=[[Cartoon Network]] |date=March 6, 2008 |season=5 |number=13}}</ref>
*'''The Best Friends'''
* '''Wilt''' (voiced by [[Phil LaMarr]]) – A very tall, friendly and incredibly nice imaginary friend with only a right arm and a crooked left eye-stalk. His overtly passive demeanor is often taken advantage of by the other imaginary friends.<ref name="Characters" /> He is a [[basketball]] player and fan, and is the former imaginary friend of Jordan Michaels (a parody of [[Michael Jordan]]). Wilt's left arm got crushed during a basketball game where he saved Jordan from getting hurt, and a ball hit the back of his left eye after the final point was scored that cost them the game, permanently leaving the eye-stalk crooked. Fearing the latter would be disappointed by how they lost, he left Jordan. Three decades later, Wilt goes on a search to re-encounter him, learning he felt guilty over his imaginary friend's injuries and was grateful to have been saved.<ref name="GWH">{{Cite episode |title=Good Wilt Hunting |series=Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends |network=[[Cartoon Network]] |date=November 23, 2006 |season=4 |number=12-13}}</ref>
**Mac
* '''Eduardo''' (voiced by [[Tom Kenny]]) – A Latin American monster created by a young girl, Nina Valerosa, to protect her in a dangerous neighborhood.<ref name="GWH" /> Eduardo is big, hairy and purple, and has horns, a snout, a pointy demon-like tail, and large teeth. Despite his large size, overwhelming strength, and menacing appearance, Eduardo is docile, timid and scared of almost anything.<ref name="Characters" /> However, he can be ferocious if angered or when danger befalls his friends.<ref name="House" />
**Blooregard Q. Kazoo (Bloo for short)
* '''Coco''' (voiced by [[Candi Milo]]) – A chicken-like friend with a palm tree-like head who can only say or write her name. She has the ability to lay colorful, plastic eggs containing a plethora of objects, at will.<ref name="Characters" /> Other characters usually understand her when she speaks. Despite her appearance and behavior, she can demonstrate intelligence and kindness. Her creator is unknown, as she was found on a South Pacific island by two scientists named Adam and Douglas.<ref name="GWH" />
*'''Humans'''
* '''Francis "Frankie" Foster''' (voiced by [[Grey DeLisle]]) – Madame Foster's 22-year-old<ref>{{Cite episode |title=Frankie My Dear |series=Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends |network=[[Cartoon Network]] |date=March 18, 2005 |season=2 |number=6}}</ref> redheaded granddaughter who is referred to as "Miss Frances" by Mr. Herriman. Frankie is the caregiver at Foster's and helps keep everything in order.<ref name="Characters" /> She is usually very friendly, easygoing, hard-working, caring, and sweet, but occasionally loses her patience with Bloo and Mr. Herriman. According to her driver's license, she was born on July 25, 1984.<ref>{{Cite episode |title=Bus the Two of Us |series=Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends |network=[[Cartoon Network]] |date=August 1, 2006 |season=4 |number=7}}</ref>
**Madame Foster
* '''Mr. Herriman''' (voiced by [[Tom Kane]]) – A gray and white elderly [[Anthropomorphism|anthropomorphic]] [[Lop rabbit|lop ear rabbit]] friend imagined by Madame Foster who speaks with an English accent. He wears a tailcoat, white gloves, a top hat, and a [[monocle]]. He presents himself as head of business affairs<ref name="Gates" /> of the house and later as President of the house,<ref>{{Cite episode |title=Setting a President |series=Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends |network=[[Cartoon Network]] |date=February 17, 2006 |season=3 |number=12}}</ref> and is extremely strict about rules and the maintenance of order in the home.<ref name="Characters" /> He frequently punishes Bloo for his various misdemeanors and scolds Frankie for her perceived laziness, despite all her hard work.
**Frances "Frankie" Foster
* '''Madame Foster''' (voiced by Candi Milo) – The caring founder of Foster's and grandmother of Frankie.<ref name="Characters" /> She is the creator of Mr. Herriman. Despite being elderly, Madame Foster has childlike boundless energy and occasionally becomes hyperactive and mischievous.
**Terrence.
*'''Imaginary Friends'''
**Eduardo
**Wilt
**Coco
**Mr. Herriman
**Her Royal Duchess Diamond Persnickety, The First, Last and Only (Duchess for short).
 
Other recurring characters include Terrence (voiced by [[Tara Strong]]), Mac's older brother who constantly bullies him; Duchess (also voiced by Grey DeLisle), a friend with a [[Cubism|Cubist]]-looking face<ref name="Gates" /> and a pompous, narcissistic personality; Cheese (also voiced by Candi Milo), a dim-witted and childish yellow friend who first appeared in season two; and Goo (also voiced by Grey DeLisle), a talkative young girl who is highly imaginative and constantly creates new friends, first appearing in season three.
For their biographies, see [[List of Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends characters]].
 
==Episodes==
{{-}}
{{main|List of Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends episodes}}
{{:List of Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends episodes}}
 
==Episode ListProduction==
{{Quote box
|quote = "We wondered what their life was like before they came to us, and I thought, 'You could apply that to imaginary friends as well.'"
|author = [[Craig McCracken]] on adopting two dogs and coming up with the idea for the series<ref name="JoyNYT" />
|width = 30%
}}
The series was created by [[Craig McCracken]], who had also created ''[[The Powerpuff Girls]]'' for [[Cartoon Network]]. McCracken developed the idea for the series after adopting two dogs from an [[animal shelter]] with his then-fiancée [[Lauren Faust]] and Mike Moon; he adapted the concept of [[pet adoption]] to that of [[imaginary friends]].<ref name="JoyNYT">{{Cite news |last=Press |first=Joy |date=August 15, 2004 |title=Television; The Retirement Home for Imaginary Friends |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/15/arts/television-the-retirement-home-for-imaginary-friends.html?_r=1 |url-status=live |access-date=December 14, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210515151140/https://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/15/arts/television-the-retirement-home-for-imaginary-friends.html?_r=1 |archive-date=May 15, 2021}}</ref> The show has an art style which is meant to evoke, according to McCracken, "that period of late 60's [[psychedelia]] when [[Victorian era|Victorian]] stylings were coming into trippy poster designs". McCracken wanted ''Foster's'' to be similar to ''[[The Muppet Show]]'', which he believed was a "fun, character driven show that the whole family could enjoy".<ref name="JoyNYT" /><ref name="Newsrama">{{Cite web |last=Fritz |first=Steve |title=Animated Shorts: Craig McCracken - Back to Foster's |url=http://www.newsarama.com/1626-animated-shorts-craig-mccracken-back-to-foster-s.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160129103111/http://www.newsarama.com/1626-animated-shorts-craig-mccracken-back-to-foster-s.html |archive-date=January 29, 2016 |access-date=December 14, 2015 |website=[[Newsarama]]}}</ref><ref name="Boston">{{Cite news |last=Gardner |first=Jenara |date=November 27, 2008 |title="Foster's Home" Fosters Adult Imaginations |work=[[The Boston Globe]] |url=http://www.boston.com/ae/tv/articles/2008/11/27/fostering_adult_imaginations/ |url-status=live |access-date=December 14, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220906221530/http://archive.boston.com/ae/tv/articles/2008/11/27/fostering_adult_imaginations/ |archive-date=September 6, 2022}}</ref>
 
[[File:Craig McCracken, 34th Annual Annie Awards (2007).jpg|thumb|[[Craig McCracken]] in 2007 holding the [[Annie Award]] won by ''Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends'' as Best Animated TV Production.|alt=A man with short, curly brown hair wearing a black suit with a red tie holding an Annie Award, facing forward.]]
===Season One===
Animation for the show was done using a process involving [[Adobe Systems|Adobe]] software [[Adobe Illustrator|Illustrator]], [[Adobe Flash|Flash]] and [[Adobe After Effects|After Effects]].<ref name="BaisleyAWN">{{Cite web |last=Baisley |first=Sarah |title=McCracken's Imaginary Friends Premieres Aug. 13 |url=http://www.awn.com/news/mccracken-s-imaginary-friends-premieres-aug-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151223063835/http://www.awn.com/news/mccracken-s-imaginary-friends-premieres-aug-13 |archive-date=December 23, 2015 |access-date=December 14, 2015 |publisher=[[Animation World Network]]}}</ref> McCracken directed, executive produced and story edited the series. Most of the episodes were produced at the [[Cartoon Network Studios]] in [[Burbank, California]], while the rest were produced at [[Boulder Media Limited]] in [[Dublin]], Ireland.<ref name="BaisleyAWN" /><ref name="AMRat">{{Cite web |last=Ball |first=Ryan |date=August 17, 2004 |title=Foster's Home Nabs Big Ratings |url=http://www.animationmagazine.net/tv/fosters-home-nabs-big-ratings/ |access-date=December 16, 2015 |magazine=[[Animation Magazine]]}}</ref> The theme song was composed by [[James L. Venable]], who had originally collaborated with McCracken on ''The Powerpuff Girls''.<ref name="BaisleyAWN" /> Craig described the music as "[[Psychedelic music|psychedelic]] [[ragtime]]".<ref name="JoyNYT" /> Additional music was composed by Venable and [[Jennifer Kes Remington]].<ref name="Credits">Credits from the show.</ref>
Season One was comprised of ten episodes plus the movie, equal to three episodes.
 
[[Collette Sunderman]] was the casting and recording director for the show.<ref name="BaisleyAWN" /><ref name="Credits" /> [[Sean Marquette]] was cast as Mac, and [[Keith Ferguson (voice actor)|Keith Ferguson]] was cast as Bloo. ''The Powerpuff Girls'' voice actors [[Tom Kane]], [[Tom Kenny]] and [[Tara Strong]] were cast in ''Foster's'' as Mr. Herriman, Eduardo and Terrence, respectively. [[Grey DeLisle]] was cast as Frankie Foster, [[Phil LaMarr]] was cast as Wilt, and [[Candi Milo]] was cast as Coco and Madame Foster. From season two onwards, Milo also lent her voice to Cheese. DeLisle also voiced Goo after the character's debut in season three.<ref name="Credits" />
'''MOVIE:''' ''House of Bloos''. (Pun on the [[House of Blues]].)
# ''Store Wars''. (Pun on the ''[[Star Wars]]'' movie series.)
# ''The Trouble With Scribbles''.(Pun on the ''[[Star Trek]]'' episode titled "[[The Trouble with Tribbles]]".)
# ''Busted''.
# ''Dinner is Swerved''. (Pun on "Dinner is Served")
# ''World Wide Wabbit''. (Pun on [[World Wide Web]])
# ''Berry Scary''. (Pun on "Very Scary")
# ''a. Seeing Red./b. Phone Home''. (b. From a line by the titular character of [[Steven Spielberg]]'s [[1982]] movie ''[[E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial]]''.)
# ''Who Let the Dogs In?''. (Reference to the song [[Who Let The Dogs Out?]] by [[Baha Men]].)
# ''Adoptcalypse Now''. (Pun on [[Francis Ford Coppola]]'s [[1979]] movie ''[[Apocalypse Now]]''.)
# ''Bloooooo!''
 
''Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends'' premiered on August 13, 2004, as a 90-minute [[television film|special]] titled "[[House of Bloo's]]". The series' run began on August 20 on its normal timeslot of Fridays at 7:00 PM.<ref name="JoyNYT" /> The special was Cartoon Network's highest-rated premiere at the time.<ref name="AMRat" /> 18 shorts were produced from 2006 to 2007. In addition to the premiere episode, two other specials were produced: "[[Good Wilt Hunting]]", which premiered on November 23, 2006,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Baisley |first=Sarah |title=Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends First Feature Movie Airs November 23 |url=http://www.awn.com/news/fosters-home-imaginary-friends-first-feature-movie-airs-nov-23 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220906221542/https://www.awn.com/news/fosters-home-imaginary-friends-first-feature-movie-airs-nov-23 |archive-date=September 6, 2022 |access-date=December 15, 2015 |publisher=[[Animation World Network]]}}</ref> and "[[Destination: Imagination]]", which premiered on November 27, 2008.<ref name="Newsrama" /> The final episode, titled "Goodbye to Bloo", aired on May 3, 2009, preceded by a 6-hour marathon of other episodes from the series. McCracken expressed a certain sadness at the series' end, but stated that he was "crazy proud of the work" that he and the production team had done "on Foster's and the fact that it worked just the way [they] wanted it to".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fritz |first=Steve |title=Animated Shorts: McCracken on the End of Foster's |url=http://www.newsarama.com/2788-animated-shorts-mccracken-on-the-end-of-foster-s.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731213247/http://www.newsarama.com/2788-animated-shorts-mccracken-on-the-end-of-foster-s.html |archive-date=July 31, 2018 |access-date=December 15, 2015 |website=[[Newsarama]]}}</ref> During its original run, ''Foster's'' was one of Cartoon Network's highest-rated shows.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ball |first=Ryan |date=October 4, 2004 |title=Foster's Home Fully Adopted by Cartoon Network |url=http://www.animationmagazine.net/tv/fosters-home-fully-adopted-by-cartoon-network/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220906221543/https://www.animationmagazine.net/2004/10/fosters-home-fully-adopted-by-cartoon-network/ |archive-date=September 6, 2022 |access-date=December 16, 2015 |magazine=[[Animation Magazine]]}}</ref><ref name="AWN-Game">{{Cite web |last=Baisley |first=Sarah |title=Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends Game Launches |url=http://www.awn.com/news/foster-s-home-imaginary-friends-game-launches |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151223062143/http://www.awn.com/news/foster-s-home-imaginary-friends-game-launches |archive-date=December 23, 2015 |access-date=December 15, 2015 |publisher=[[Animation World Network]]}}</ref><ref name="TFL-Game">{{Cite press release |title=CartoonNetwork.com Extends Year-Long Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends Interactive Game. |publisher=[[Business Wire]] |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/CartoonNetwork.com+Extends+Year-Long+Foster%27s+Home+for+Imaginary...-a0163670241 |access-date=December 15, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160317061811/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/CartoonNetwork.com+Extends+Year-Long+Foster%27s+Home+for+Imaginary...-a0163670241 |archive-date=March 17, 2016 |via=[[The Free Library]]}}</ref><ref name="HotT">{{Cite web |last=Baisley |first=Sarah |title=Foster's a Hot Topic for the Holidays |url=http://www.awn.com/news/fosters-hot-topic-holidays |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220906221559/https://www.awn.com/news/fosters-hot-topic-holidays |archive-date=September 6, 2022 |access-date=December 15, 2015 |publisher=[[Animation World Network]]}}</ref> The show proved to be popular among both younger and older audiences.<ref name="Boston" />
===Season Two===
# ''Partying is Such Sweet Soireé''. (Pun on the line from [[William Shakespeare]]'s [[Romeo and Juliet]] "Parting is such sweet sorrow.")
# ''The Big Leblooski''. (Pun on the title of the film ''[[The Big Lebowski]]''.)
# ''a. Where There's A Wilt, There's A Way./b. Everyone Knows It's Bendy''. (a. Refers to the phrase "When there's a will, there's a way"; b. Reference to a line from [[The Association]]'s Number One hit "Windy", citing "Everyone knows it's Windy".)
# ''a. Sight for Sore Eyes./b. Bloo's Brothers''. (b. Play on words of the [[Dan Aykroyd]]-[[John Belushi]] [[Saturday Night Live]] characters [[The Blues Brothers]].)
# ''Cookie Dough''.
# ''Frankie, My Dear''. (Pun on the line from the [[1939]] adaptation of ''[[Gone With The Wind]]'' as [[Clark Gable]] said "Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn.")
# ''Mac Daddy''. (Refers to the rap duo [[Kris Kross]] which featured Chris Kelly, a/k/a "The Mac Daddy.")
# ''Squeakerboxxxx''. (Pun on part of [[OutKast]]'s double album ''[[Speakerboxxx/The Love Below]]''.)
# ''Beat With A Schtick''. (Puns the [[cliché]] "Beat with a stick".)
# ''The Sweet Stench of Success''. (Plays off the [[1957]] movie ''[[Sweet Smell of Success]]''.)
# ''Bye Bye Nerdy''. (Title spoofs the musical ''[[Bye Bye Birdie]]''.)
# ''Bloo Done It''. (Plays off the phrase "Whodunit?" for mysteries.)
# ''My So-Called Wife''. (Pun on the [[Claire Danes]] TV series ''[[My So-Called Life]]''.)
 
===Season Three=Reception==
# ''Eddie Monster''. (Pun on the character Eddie Munster of ''[[The Munsters]]''.)
# ''Hiccy Burp''. (Pun on a [[Quincy Jones]] song called "Hikky Burr" which served the theme of ''The [[Bill Cosby]] Show'' from 1969 to 1971.)
# ''Camp Keep A Good Mac Down''. (Pun on the phrase "You can't keep a good man down.")
# ''Imposter's Home For Um…Make 'Em Up Pals''. (A reworded version of the series' title.)
# ''Duchess of Wails''. (Scheduled to premiere on [[September 23]], 2005.) (Pun off the royal name of the [[Princess of Wales]], the title may be changed for UK viewers.)
 
===Critical response===
For a complete synopsis of these episodes, see [[List of Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends episodes]].
''Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends'' received critical acclaim and became one of Cartoon Network's most successful original series. Anita Gates of ''[[The New York Times]]'' praised the series' premiere {{frac|1|1|2}}-hour episode and stated that the series would promise to be an "admirable tale of loyalty and adventure-based learning with a contagious sense of fun".<ref name="Gates">{{Cite news |last=Gates |first=Anitas |date=August 13, 2004 |title=Television Review; Where Imaginary Friends Wait for Real Love |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/13/movies/television-review-where-imaginary-friends-wait-for-real-love.html |url-status=live |access-date=December 13, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210526131512/https://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/13/movies/television-review-where-imaginary-friends-wait-for-real-love.html |archive-date=May 26, 2021}}</ref> Mike Pinsky, in a review on ''[[DVD Verdict]]'', praised the art design and the characterizations,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pinsky |first=Mike |date=March 21, 2007 |title=Case Number 11045: Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends: The Complete Season 1 |url=http://www.dvdverdict.com/reviews/fostershomeseason1.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090102162948/http://www.dvdverdict.com/reviews/fostershomeseason1.php |archive-date=January 2, 2009 |access-date=February 25, 2009 |website=[[DVD Verdict]]}}</ref> particularly singling out Cheese as possibly "the quintessence of Foster's surreal charm" in his Season 2 review.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pinsky |first=Mike |date=November 28, 2007 |title=Case Number 12469: Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends: The Complete Season 2 |url=http://www.dvdverdict.com/reviews/fostersseason2.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080411220149/http://www.dvdverdict.com/reviews/fostersseason2.php |archive-date=April 11, 2008 |access-date=February 25, 2007 |website=[[DVD Verdict]]}}</ref> David Cornelius of ''[[DVD Talk]]'' called the series "one of the best shows of any kind [then] on television, a winner for viewers of any age" and "a wildly inventive mix of creative wonder, comic genius, and well-crafted chaos". In a Season 2 review, also on ''DVD Talk'', Cornelius called the show "flat-out perfect".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cornelius |first=David |title=Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends - The Complete Season 1 |url=http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/27052/fosters-home-for-imaginary-friends-the-complete-season-1/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222091435/http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/27052/fosters-home-for-imaginary-friends-the-complete-season-1/ |archive-date=December 22, 2015 |access-date=December 17, 2015 |website=[[DVD Talk]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cornelius |first=David |title=Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends - The Complete Season 2 |url=http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/27052/fosters-home-for-imaginary-friends-the-complete-season-2/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220906221533/https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/27052/fosters-home-for-imaginary-friends-the-complete-season-2/ |archive-date=September 6, 2022 |access-date=December 17, 2015 |website=[[DVD Talk]]}}</ref> Joly Herman of [[Common Sense Media]], an advocacy group focused on appropriate technology and media for children, was less enthusiastic about the show, rating it 2 stars out of 5. Herman praised the creativity and diversity of the characters and the show's premise, but criticized the storyline and writing, which presented "confusing messages" for young children.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Herman |first=Joly |date=October 2007 |title=Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends TV Review |url=https://www.commonsensemedia.org/tv-reviews/fosters-home-for-imaginary-friends |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210605150951/https://www.commonsensemedia.org/tv-reviews/fosters-home-for-imaginary-friends |archive-date=June 5, 2021 |access-date=December 14, 2015 |publisher=[[Common Sense Media]]}}</ref>
 
The series was named the 85th best animated series of all time in a list of the top 100 animated series by ''[[IGN]]'', which called it very funny and endearing.<ref name="ign100">{{Cite web |date=January 23, 2009 |title=85, Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends |url=http://www.ign.com/top/animated-tv-series/85.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140515005523/http://www.ign.com/top/animated-tv-series/85.html |archive-date=May 15, 2014 |access-date=January 24, 2009 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref> ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' named the show the sixth best Cartoon Network show in their top 10 list, praising its "catchy magical-realist setting" and the characters "you genuinely learned to care about".<ref>{{Cite web |title=10 Best Cartoon Network Shows: We Rank 'Em! |url=http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20609141_20634962_21220975,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021143639/http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20609141_20634962_21220975,00.html |archive-date=October 21, 2013 |access-date=December 14, 2015 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]}}</ref>
Currently (as of [[September]] [[2005]]) the show airs at the following times in the [[United States of America|USA]]:
*Monday through Friday — 4 PM and 7 PM with an additional airing Friday at 10 PM.
*Saturday and Sunday — 10 AM and 2 PM with an additional airing Sunday at 7 PM.
''(All times are Eastern and Pacific.)''
 
==Trivia=Awards===
{{main|List of awards and nominations received by Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends}}
*''The Big Leblooski'' isn't the only reference from "The Big Lebowski" used during the series. In the premiere movie, Bloo spoofs The Dude's meeting with vandals in his house by saying "Right, right or Blooey, Bloo the Blue Dude, El Blooderino, or hey, how about just plain Bloo?" after Terrence calls him ''bloofus'' in the first two minutes. Also in ''The Big Leblooski'' character's looking very similar to The Dude, Donny and Walter appear at the bowling alley.
*Both Mr. Herriman and Townsville's Mayor in ''The Powerpuff Girls'' have these similarities: they both wear black top hats and waistcoats, monocles over their left eye, and have thinning white hair just above their temples.
*Frankie is loosely based on series supervising producer (and real-life fiancée of series creator Craig McCracken) [[Lauren Faust]]. She always wears a stylized Powerpuff Girls t-shirt, and bears a resemblance to [[Vicky the Babysitter]] from ''[[The Fairly OddParents]]'', right down to the voice actress who provides both their characters &mdash; [[Grey DeLisle]]. However, Frankie and Vicky are polar opposites.
*'''[[Mojo Jojo]]''' (The Powerpuff Girls' arch-nemesis) is also seen in the Foster's TV movie during the part when Wilt is showing all the friends in Foster's. Mojo is considered an '''un'''imaginary friend, as in a friend "copied" from TV shows.
* In ''Cookie Dough'', not only does Bloo pay [[homage]] to Lady Tremaine and her daughters, Anastasia and Drizella, in ''[[Cinderella (1950 movie)|Walt Disney's "Cinderella"]]'', he also &mdash; albeit with fierce anger &mdash; shouts [[Donald Trump]]'s [[catch phrase]] from ''[[The Apprentice]]'', "You're fired!" (listen when he says "YOU'RE ALL FIRED! F-I-R-D! FIRED!").
*The character Wilt is obviously a reference to [[Wilt Chamberlain]], the legendary basketball player.
*The character Coco is probably a reference to the [[Cocos Islands]], which is thought quite possibly to be the island that ''[[Robinson Crusoe]]'' became shipwrecked on.
*In the episode ''Bye Bye Nerdy'' after Bloo puts on his sunglasses, he and Frankie perform a scene that is an homage to a scene in the 1980 film ''[[The Blues Brothers]]'' where Bloo says "It's a hundred and six blocks to Mac, I've got a full bladder, half a mind, it's Tuesday and I'm wearing sunglasses", and Frankie opens the window and says "Hit it!"
 
''Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends'' received many industry accolades. The series received 12 awards out of a total of 35 nominations. At the [[Annie Awards]], the show received a total of 20 nominations from 2004 to 2009, and won 5, including Best Animated Television Production in 2007.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Legacy: 32nd Annual Annie Award Nominees and Winners (2004) |url=http://annieawards.org/32ndwinners.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090907163442/http://annieawards.org/32ndwinners.html |archive-date=September 7, 2009 |access-date=December 30, 2015 |website=AnnieAwards.org |publisher=[[ASIFA-Hollywood]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Legacy: 33rd Annual Annie Award Nominees and Winners (2005) |url=http://annieawards.org/33rdwinners.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216062346/http://annieawards.org/33rdwinners.html |archive-date=December 16, 2008 |access-date=December 30, 2015 |website=AnnieAwards.org |publisher=[[ASIFA-Hollywood]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Legacy: 34th Annual Annie Award Nominees and Winners (2006) |url=http://annieawards.org/34thwinners.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100815022713/http://annieawards.org/34thwinners.html |archive-date=August 15, 2010 |access-date=December 30, 2015 |website=AnnieAwards.org |publisher=[[ASIFA-Hollywood]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Legacy: 35th Annual Annie Award Nominees and Winners (2007) |url=http://annieawards.org/35thwinners.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100815023042/http://annieawards.org/35thwinners.html |archive-date=August 15, 2010 |access-date=December 30, 2015 |website=AnnieAwards.org |publisher=[[ASIFA-Hollywood]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=36th Annual Annie Award Nominees and Winners (2008) |url=http://annieawards.org/foryourconsideration.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090217224351/http://annieawards.org/foryourconsideration.html |archive-date=February 17, 2009 |access-date=December 30, 2015 |website=AnnieAwards.org |publisher=[[ASIFA-Hollywood]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Worth |first=Stephen |title=2009 Annie Award Nominations By Category |url=http://www.asifa-hollywood.org/2009_12_01_archive.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100304110130/http://www.asifa-hollywood.org/2009_12_01_archive.html |archive-date=March 4, 2010 |access-date=December 30, 2015 |website=ASIFA-Hollywood.org |publisher=[[ASIFA-Hollywood]]}}</ref> At the [[Emmy Awards]], the show received nine nominations, and won seven awards, including five Outstanding Individual Achievements in Animation and one Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming One Hour or More) award.<ref>{{Cite web |title=57th Emmy Awards Nominees and Winners |url=http://www.emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners/2005?page=3 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160630035220/http://www.emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners/2005?page=3 |archive-date=June 30, 2016 |access-date=December 31, 2015 |website=Emmys.com |publisher=[[Academy of Television Arts & Sciences]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=58th Emmy Awards Nominees and Winners |url=http://www.emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners/2006?page=3 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160424055304/http://www.emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners/2006?page=3 |archive-date=April 24, 2016 |access-date=December 31, 2015 |website=Emmys.com |publisher=[[Academy of Television Arts & Sciences]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=59th Emmy Awards Nominees and Winners |url=http://www.emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners/2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921065406/http://www.emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners/2007 |archive-date=September 21, 2013 |access-date=December 31, 2015 |website=Emmys.com |publisher=[[Academy of Television Arts & Sciences]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=60th Emmy Awards Nominees and Winners |url=http://www.emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners/2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161127113820/http://www.emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners/2008 |archive-date=November 27, 2016 |access-date=December 31, 2015 |website=Emmys.com |publisher=[[Academy of Television Arts & Sciences]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=61st Emmy Awards Nominees and Winners |url=http://www.emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners/2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161127150140/http://www.emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners/2009 |archive-date=November 27, 2016 |access-date=December 31, 2015 |website=Emmys.com |publisher=[[Academy of Television Arts & Sciences]]}}</ref> At the 2005 Pulcinella Awards, ''Foster's'' received the award for Best TV Series for All Audiences and Bloo was named "Best Character of the Year."<ref>{{Cite web |last=DeMott, Rick |date=May 2, 2005 |title=Avatar, Foster's & Peppa Win at Cartoons on the Bay |url=http://www.awn.com/news/awards/avatar-foster-s-peppa-win-cartoons-bay |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115031151/https://www.awn.com/news/avatar-fosters-peppa-win-cartoons-bay |archive-date=November 15, 2020 |access-date=December 30, 2015 |website=[[Animation World Network]]}}</ref> At the [[22nd TCA Awards]], the show received a nomination for Outstanding Achievement in Children's Programming.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Crix pick hits |url=http://www.post-gazette.com/tuned-in/2006/05/31/Crix-pick-hits/stories/200605310144 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160810053427/http://www.post-gazette.com/tuned-in/2006/05/31/Crix-pick-hits/stories/200605310144 |archive-date=August 10, 2016 |access-date=December 31, 2015 |website=[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]]}}</ref> At the 2007 [[Ottawa International Animation Festival]], the series won Best Television Animation for Children.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2007 Award Winners |url=http://ottawa.awn.com/archives/OIAF07Archive/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=408&Itemid=734 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090524033250/http://ottawa.awn.com/archives/OIAF07Archive/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=408&Itemid=734 |archive-date=May 24, 2009 |access-date=December 31, 2015 |website=AWN.com |publisher=[[Animation World Network]]}}</ref>
==Awards==
*Blooregard Q. Kazoo was the winner in the Best Character category and the series was also named the winner of the Best Cartoon Series for All Audiences by being honored with two [[Pulcinella]] Awards at the 2005 Cartoons on the Bay Festival in Positano, Italy.
*The show was nominated for four [[Annie Awards]] in [[2004]]
* ''House of Bloo's'' won two [[Emmy Awards]] for art direction (Mike Moon) and character design (Craig McCracken) as well as ''World Wide Wabbit'' winning an Emmy for best storyboard (Ed Baker).
*The show's theme song [http://www.venablemusic.com/soundclips/fosters/fosters-main-full.mp3] — described by McCracken as "[[psychedelic music|psychedelic]] [[ragtime]]" and written by James L. Venable — was nominated for Best TV Show Theme in [[2005]]. It lost to [[Danny Elfman]]'s theme to ''[[Desperate Housewives]]''.
 
==Merchandising and media==
==Titles in other languages==
The show is now seen on Cartoon Network channels in Europe, Asia and Latin America as well as [[Teletoon]]/[[Télétoon]] in [[Canada]]. The titles are as follows in their native languages:
 
===Video games===
*'''Chinese'''
There are 2 video games based on ''Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends''. The first has the same name as the show and was developed by Collision Studios and [[Video game publisher|published]] by [[Crave Entertainment]] for the [[Game Boy Advance]]. It was released on October 17, 2006.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends - GBA |url=http://www.ign.com/games/fosters-home-for-imaginary-friends/gba-826193 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151224114435/http://www.ign.com/games/fosters-home-for-imaginary-friends/gba-826193 |archive-date=December 24, 2015 |access-date=December 14, 2015 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref> In the game, players control Mac or Bloo while collecting items to complete objectives.<ref name="IGN1">{{Cite web |last=Devries |first=Jack |title=Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends Review |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2006/11/23/fosters-home-for-imaginary-friends-review |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151224114447/http://www.ign.com/articles/2006/11/23/fosters-home-for-imaginary-friends-review |archive-date=December 24, 2015 |access-date=December 14, 2015 |website=[[IGN]]|date=November 23, 2006}}</ref> Jack Devries of ''[[IGN]]'' rated it a 5 1/2 out of 10, stating that it "falls short" and is "skippable".<ref name="IGN1" /> The second game, titled ''Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends: Imagination Invaders'', was developed by [[Sensory Sweep Studios|Sensory Sweep]] and published by [[Midway Games|Midway]] on November 12, 2007, for the [[Nintendo DS]]. In the game, the player controls Bloo, who performs tasks and completes quests while fighting against "Space Nut Boogies".<ref name="IGN2">{{Cite web |last=Devries |first=Jack |title=Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends: Imagination Invaders Review |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2007/11/17/fosters-home-for-imaginary-friends-imagination-invaders-review |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151224123331/http://www.ign.com/articles/2007/11/17/fosters-home-for-imaginary-friends-imagination-invaders-review |archive-date=December 24, 2015 |access-date=December 14, 2015 |website=[[IGN]]|date=November 17, 2007}}</ref> Devries rated it 4 out of 10, calling it "terrible to play" and "completely worthless".<ref name="IGN2" /> Characters from the show also appear on the games ''[[Cartoon Network: Punch Time Explosion]]'' and ''[[FusionFall]]''.<ref>{{Cite video game |title=[[Cartoon Network: Punch Time Explosion]] |developer=Papaya Studio |publisher=[[Crave Entertainment]] |platform=[[Nintendo 3DS]] |date=June 2, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite video game |title=[[FusionFall]] |developer=[[Cartoon Network]], Grigon Entertainment |publisher=[[Cartoon Network]] |platform=[[Microsoft Windows]] |date=January 14, 2009}}</ref>
**'''Taiwan''': 親親麻吉 (qìn qìn má jí)
* '''French''': ''Foster, la maison des amis imaginaires''. (Also Canada {French})
* '''Italian''': ''Gli amici immaginari di Casa Foster''.
* '''Japanese''': フォスターズ・ホーム (fosutāzu hōmu; Foster's home.) ''The show will premiere in [[Japan]] on [[October 30]], 2005.''
* '''Norwegian''' and '''Danish''': ''Fosters hjem for fantasivenner''.
* '''Polish''': ''Dom dla zmy&#347;lonych przyjació&#322; pani Foster''.
* '''Portuguese'''
** '''Brazil''': ''A Mansão Foster para Amigos Imaginários''.
* '''Spanish'''
** '''Spain''': ''Foster, La Casa de los Amigos Imaginarios''.
** '''Latin America''': ''Mansión Foster para Amigos Imaginarios''.
* '''Swedish''': ''Fosters hem för påhittade vänner''.
 
On May 15, 2006, [[Cartoon Network]] introduced an online game, ''Big Fat Awesome House Party'', which allowed players to create an online friend to join Bloo and the others in a one-year game online, earning points that would give them gifts, cards and other online "merchandise" for their albums. A player's friend, made from one of over 900,000 possible characters, could wind up in a future episode of ''Foster's''.<ref name="AWN-Game" /><ref name="TFL-Game" /> Over 13 million users were registered to play the game after its launch in May 2006. Because of its success and popularity, Cartoon Network announced in May 2007 that the game would continue for six more months, into November of that year.<ref name="TFL-Game" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Big Fat Awesome House Party |url=http://awesomehouseparty.com/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071029173816/http://awesomehouseparty.com/ |archive-date=October 29, 2007 |access-date=November 23, 2013 |publisher=[[Cartoon Network]]}}</ref>
Some of the characters have slightly different names to fit their particular language. Check [[List of Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends characters#Foreign Character Names|here]].
 
===Promotions and products===
From 2006 to 2008, Cartoon Network made a ''Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends'' float as part of the [[Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade]]. The float was fashioned as a replica of the home.<ref name="AWN-Macys">{{Cite web |last=Baisley |first=Sarah |title=Foster's Riding High as Macy's Parade Float & Marketing Blitz |url=http://www.awn.com/news/fosters-riding-high-macys-parade-float-marketing-blitz |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151223011235/http://www.awn.com/news/fosters-riding-high-macys-parade-float-marketing-blitz |archive-date=December 23, 2015 |access-date=December 15, 2015 |publisher=[[Animation World Network]]}}</ref> On Thanksgiving Day, 2006, characters from the show performed [[the Beatles]]' "[[With a Little Help from My Friends]]". In 2007, the characters performed "You're My Best Friend" by Queen. In 2008, the characters' performance of [[Harry Nilsson]]'s theme song to ''[[The Courtship of Eddie's Father (TV series)|The Courtship of Eddie's Father]]'' later reused for ''[[Rob & Big]]''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carroll |first=Larry |title=The secret life of the Macy's parade: 10 little-known facts about a holiday tradition |work=Zap2It |date=25 November 2015 |url=http://zap2it.com/2015/11/macys-parade-10-facts-thanksgiving-day/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222130054/http://zap2it.com/2015/11/macys-parade-10-facts-thanksgiving-day/ |archive-date=December 22, 2015 |access-date=December 15, 2015 |publisher=[[Zap2It]]}}</ref> was interrupted by [[Rick Astley]] singing "[[Never Gonna Give You Up]]", reproducing the Internet phenomenon of [[Rickrolling]].<ref name="rickroll-macys">{{Cite web |last=McCarthy |first=Caroline |date=November 27, 2008 |title=Thanksgiving parade gets a live 'Rickroll' &#124; The Social - CNET News |url=http://news.cnet.com/8301-13577_3-10109517-36.html |access-date=November 3, 2013 |publisher=[[CNET]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=December 28, 2008 |title=Macy's Parade Rick Rolled: Rick Astley Sings On Thanksgiving (VIDEO) |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/27/macys-parade-rickrolled-r_n_146896.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222110630/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/27/macys-parade-rickrolled-r_n_146896.html |archive-date=December 22, 2015 |access-date=December 14, 2015 |website=[[The Huffington Post]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Donnelly |first=Tim |date=November 26, 2014 |title=10 historic moments from Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade |url=https://nypost.com/2014/11/26/10-historic-moments-from-macys-thanksgiving-day-parade/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151220123700/http://nypost.com/2014/11/26/10-historic-moments-from-macys-thanksgiving-day-parade/ |archive-date=December 20, 2015 |access-date=December 14, 2015 |newspaper=[[The New York Post]]}}</ref>
 
In 2006, the network promoted the show with billboards that read "I pooted" and "I'm a hot toe picker" (as said by Cheese and Bloo, respectively) in about 25 cities within the United States, one being placed next to Interstate 40/85 through [[Greensboro, North Carolina]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=W. Patterson |first=Donald |date=June 26, 2006 |title=Network hoping billboards create buzz |url=https://greensboro.com/business/network-hoping-billboards-create-buzz/article_b7d538b6-185b-5fcd-bc4e-aaede359ba97.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508125841/https://greensboro.com/business/network-hoping-billboards-create-buzz/article_b7d538b6-185b-5fcd-bc4e-aaede359ba97.html |archive-date=May 8, 2021 |access-date=May 7, 2021 |website=Greensboro.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Daljit |first=Kalsit |date=July 6, 2007 |title=Baffling Billboard Messages |url=https://www.goupstate.com/news/20060706/baffling-billboard-messages |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508130939/https://www.goupstate.com/news/20060706/baffling-billboard-messages |archive-date=May 8, 2021 |access-date=May 7, 2021 |website=GoUpstate}}</ref> Some time later, one of the "I pooted" billboards (along [[U.S. Route 29]]) was taken down due to concerns by the [[North Carolina A&T State University]]. One of their associates, who claimed the advertisement did not represent their purpose and mission, said that "some people didn't understand if this was something in connection with the university." Both parties came to an agreement, and the billboard was replaced with one that read "Shiny, shiny. Pretty, pretty", a line from the cartoon ''[[My Gym Partner's a Monkey]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=W. Patterson |first=Donald |date=June 29, 2006 |title='I Pooted' Promotion Gets Booted from One Billboard |url=https://greensboro.com/business/i-pooted-promotion-gets-booted-from-one-billboard/article_88916eef-c9b5-5a41-9f44-0a94d13b8b8f.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508130424/https://greensboro.com/business/i-pooted-promotion-gets-booted-from-one-billboard/article_88916eef-c9b5-5a41-9f44-0a94d13b8b8f.html |archive-date=May 8, 2021 |access-date=May 7, 2021 |website=Greensboro.com}}</ref>
 
In March 2006, toys of characters from the show were featured in [[Burger King]]'s Kids Meals.<ref name="AWN-Macys" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Gurman |first=Sarah |date=April 10, 2006 |title=Foster's Friends Spice Up BK Menu |url=http://www.animationmagazine.net/licensing/fosters-friends-spice-up-bk-menu/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222093644/http://www.animationmagazine.net/licensing/fosters-friends-spice-up-bk-menu/ |archive-date=December 22, 2015 |access-date=December 16, 2015 |magazine=[[Animation Magazine]]}}</ref> In December 2007, Cartoon Network and [[Hot Topic]] retail stores in the United States set up a boutique for a product line based on the series, with over 693 locations featuring products such as clothing, accessories and [[DVD]] releases by [[Warner Home Video]].<ref name="HotT" />
 
===Home media===
The episodes from the series are available for digital purchase on [[iTunes]] and [[Amazon Video]], with the exception of [[List of Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends episodes#ep36|the Christmas special]]. The show's second season was available on [[Netflix]] until March 2015.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Watch Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends |url=http://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/fosters-home-for-imaginary-friends/194647/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150929104143/http://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/fosters-home-for-imaginary-friends/194647/ |archive-date=September 29, 2015 |access-date=December 15, 2015 |magazine=[[TV Guide]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Acuna |first=Kirsten |date=February 25, 2015 |title=Here's everything leaving Netflix in March |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/netflix-everything-leaving-in-march-2015-2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160913015953/http://www.businessinsider.com/netflix-everything-leaving-in-march-2015-2 |archive-date=September 13, 2016 |access-date=March 18, 2016 |website=[[Business Insider]]}}</ref> All 6 seasons were added to Hulu in May 2015<ref>{{Cite web |last=Plaugic |first=Lizzie |date=April 23, 2015 |title=Hulu Snags Cartoon Network and Adult Swim Shows in Exclusive Deal |url=https://www.theverge.com/2015/4/23/8484309/hulu-cartoon-network-adult-swim-stream |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731152700/https://www.theverge.com/2015/4/23/8484309/hulu-cartoon-network-adult-swim-stream |archive-date=July 31, 2017 |access-date=August 24, 2017 |website=[[The Verge]]}}</ref> until its removal from the service on October 1, 2022.{{citation needed|reason=Went to the Hulu app days ago as informed the show would no longer be on the service, which is now unavailable|date=October 2022}} The show was available to watch on [[HBO Max]] from May 2020 until it was removed in May 2023.<ref>{{Citation |title=Watch Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends - Stream TV Shows {{!}} HBO Max |url=https://www.hbomax.com/series/urn:hbo:series:GXnJ9_wWT34CgwwEAAADK |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210614021814/https://www.hbomax.com/series/urn:hbo:series:GXnJ9_wWT34CgwwEAAADK |language=en-us |access-date=June 14, 2021 |archive-date=June 14, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://comicbook.com/anime/news/hbo-max-cartoon-network-shows-removed-missing/ |title=HBO Max Removes Tons of Major Cartoon Network Shows|date=May 13, 2023 |access-date=February 21, 2024 |website=[[ComicBook.com]] |last=Valdez |first=Nick}}</ref>
 
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! DVD title
! Season(s)
! Episode count
! Release date
|-
| colspan=4 style="background:#0567b0|
|-
| style="text-align: center|''[[Codename: Kids Next Door]]: Sooper Hugest Missions: File 1''
| style="text-align: center|1
| style="text-align: center|3
| style="text-align: center|October 26, 2004 (Region 1)
|-
| colspan=4|Features "House of Bloo's" as a bonus feature.
|-
| colspan=4 style="background:#0567b0|
|-
| colspan=4 style="background:#052286|
|-
| style="text-align: center|''Cartoon Network Halloween 3: Sweet Sweet Fear!''
| style="text-align: center|1
| style="text-align: center|1
| style="text-align: center|September 12, 2006 (Region 1)
|-
| colspan=4|Features "Bloooo".
|-
| colspan=4 style="background:#052286|
|-
| colspan=4 style="background:#e53325|
|-
| style="text-align: center|''Cartoon Network Fridays''
| style="text-align: center|2
| style="text-align: center|1
| style="text-align: center|September 19, 2006 (Region 1)
|-
| colspan=4|Features "Bloo's Brothers".
|-
| colspan=4 style="background:#e53325|
|-
| colspan=4 style="background:#171836|
|-
| style="text-align: center|''Cartoon Network Christmas 3''
| style="text-align: center|1
| style="text-align: center|1
| style="text-align: center|October 3, 2006 (Region 1)
|-
| colspan=4|Features "Store Wars".
|-
| colspan=4 style="background:#171836|
|-
| colspan=4 style="background:#cf4789|
|-
| style="text-align: center|''The Complete 1st Season''
| style="text-align: center|1
| style="text-align: center|13
| style="text-align: center|March 6, 2007 (Regions 1 and 4)
|-
| colspan=4|This two-disc release contained the entire first season in production code order.
|-
| colspan=4 style="background:#cf4789|
|-
| colspan=4 style="background:#5a2d66|
|-
| style="text-align: center|''The Complete 2nd Season''
| style="text-align: center|2
| style="text-align: center|13
| style="text-align: center|September 11, 2007 (Regions 1 and 4)
|-
| colspan=4|This two-disc release contained the entire second season in production code order.
|-
| colspan=4 style="background:#5a2d66|
|-
| colspan=4 style="background:white|
|-
| style="text-align: center|''Cartoon Network: Mash-Up''
| style="text-align: center|1
| style="text-align: center|1
| style="text-align: center|August 10, 2009 (Region 2)
|-
| colspan=4|Features "Store Wars".
|-
| colspan=4 style="background:white|
|-
| colspan=4 style="background:#12598d|
|-
| style="text-align: center|''The Complete 3rd Season''
| style="text-align: center|3
| style="text-align: center|13 or 14
| style="text-align: center|May 5, 2010 (Region 4)<br />November 12, 2014 ([[manufacture on demand]] in Region 1)
|-
| colspan=4|This two-disc release contained the entire third season.
|-
| colspan=4 style="background:#12598d|
|-
| colspan=4 style="background:black|
|-
| style="text-align: center|''4 Kid Favorites: The Hall of Fame Collection Volume 2''
| style="text-align: center|1
| style="text-align: center|8
| style="text-align: center|March 12, 2013 (Region 1)
|-
| colspan=4|Features "House of Bloo's" (included in ''Codename: Kids Next Door: Sooper Hugest Missions: File 1''), and ''Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends: The Complete Season 1, Disc 2''.
|-
| colspan=4 style="background:black|
|-
| style="text-align: center|''4 Kid Favorites: The Hall of Fame Collection Volume 3''
| style="text-align: center|1
| style="text-align: center|3
| style="text-align: center|June 23, 2015
|-
| colspan=4|Features "House of Bloo's" (included in ''Codename: Kids Next Door: Sooper Hugest Missions: File 1'').
|-
| colspan=4 style="background:black|
|-
| colspan=4 style="background:yellow|
|-
| style="text-align: center|''The Complete Series''
| style="text-align: center|1-6
| style="text-align: center|79
| style="text-align: center|October 18, 2022<ref>{{Citation |title=Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends: The Complete Series |date=October 18, 2022 |url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BBN7WCRK |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220824002554/https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BBN7WCRK |publisher=[[Cartoon Network]] |access-date=August 25, 2022 |archive-date=August 24, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| colspan="4" |11-disc release containing the complete series.
|-
| colspan=4 style="background:yellow|
|}
 
== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}
{{Reflist|group=nb}}
 
==References==
{{Reflist}}
 
==External links==
{{portal|Cartoon Network|Animation|United States|Television|Cartoon|2000s
*[http://www.cartoonnetwork.com/tv_shows/fosters/ ''Cartoon Network | Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends''] - Cartoon Network's official site.
}}
*[http://fridays.toonzone.net/fosters/index.html The Very Unofficial Guide to ''Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends''] - a fan site with an interview with McCracken and lots of show information.
{{Wikiquote}}
*[http://www.tv.com/fosters-home-for-imaginary-friends/show/28101/summary.html '''tv.com''''s guide to ''Foster's''] - From tv.com.
* {{IMDb title}}
[[Category:Hanna-Barbera and Cartoon Network Studios series and characters]]
 
[[Category:Shows on Cartoon Cartoons]]
{{Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends}}
[[Category:Anthropomorphic television programs]]
{{Navboxes
[[Category:2000s TV shows in the United States]]
|title = [[List of awards and nominations received by Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends|Awards for ''Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends'']]
|list =
{{Annie Award for Best Animated Television Production}}
{{EmmyAward AnimationLessThanHour}}
}}
{{Craig McCracken}}
{{Former Cartoon Network original programming}}
{{Kids' WB}}
 
{{DEFAULTSORT:Foster's Home For Imaginary Friends}}
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[[Category:2000s American animated television series]]
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[[Category:Works about imaginary friends]]
[[Category:Cartoon Network sitcoms]]
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