Little monsters need extensive training if they aspire to careers in scaring people. Luckily, the Monster Academy—conveniently located beneath the city dump—could mold young frighteners into productive members of the monster society. That was the premise of the animated series that ran for four seasons on Nickelodeon.

The three main protagonists were young monsters Ickis, Oblina and Krumm, each with their own flaws and strengths. Ickis—bright purple, with long ears and big feet—often got mistaken for a rabbit, which made his scare attempts not very scary at all. He labored under his famous father’s shadow, hoping to one day become as frightening as him, the great Slickis. Oblina, the girl (well, female, at any rate) and brains of the group, was shaped like a black and white candy cane, with big red lips. Her best trick was reaching inside her body and removing her internal organs. Finally, Krumm was squat, lumpy and hairy and carried his eyeballs in his hand; his greatest weapon was the overpowering armpit stench.

The three pupils studied under the tutelage of the Gromble—the headmaster with green hair, four legs and a penchant for red pumps, worn on each of his four feet. The Gromble was a strict teacher, often berating the youngsters for failing in their scare assignments. When they did particularly badly, the students were handed over to the Snorch and Zimbo, the two monsters in charge of punishment. Discipline in the Monster Academy mostly consisted of wayward pupils being forced to square dance or listen to human music.

As with any show featuring monsters and occurring under a landfill, AAAHH!!! Real Monsters contained gross out gags by the ton and plot lines were bizarre and surreal. Still, the series was a hit and original episodes lasted from 1994 till 1998, moving into reruns after that.