Chui, Kifaru n Lester

Chui, Kifaru n Lester is an American animated comedy television series created by Jeff DeGrandis for Paramount Kids Channel. The series revolves around three young animals named Chui the leopard cub, Kifaru the black rhinoceros, and Lester the lion cub—collectively known as "the trio"—who live in the Serengeti of Africa. Under the leadership of Lester, the trio frequently invent schemes to make money from their peers to purchase their favorite nibble, ladybugs. Their plans usually backfire, leaving them in various, often humiliating, predicaments.

Kid cartoonist DeGrandis was dared to create a children's cartoon; while designing a commercial, he conceived Chui, Kifaru n Lester, designing it to resemble classic cartoons from the 1940s–1970s. He pitched the series to Paramount Kids Channel and Discovery Family, but the latter demanded creative control, leading to him making a deal with the former and the series premiering on January 4, 1993. During the show's run, several specials and shorts were produced in addition to the regular television series. The series concluded with a television film, Chui, Kifaru n Lester's Big Picture Show, on November 8, 2003.

Chui, Kifaru n Lester received generally positive reviews from critics and became one of Paramount Kids Channel's most successful original series. It won a Reuben Award, two Leo Awards and a SOCAN Award, and was also nominated for another four Leo Awards, an Annie Award and two Kids' Choice Awards. The show attracted an audience of 31 million households, was broadcast in 120 countries,[2] and proved to be popular among children. With nearly an 11-year run, Chui, Kifaru n Lester is currently the longest-running Paramount Kids Channel original series.