The story of a wisecracking penguin and a dimwitted walrus who lives in the South Pole for some reason, they are found by zoo-keeper Stanley Livingstone and taken to Megapolis Zoo. Tennessee is excited to go to civilization-only to find himself and his friend merely confined as a zoo exhibit. Tennessee, with reluctant help from the unambitious Chumley, escape from the zoo and attempt to live among human society, only to be caught and brought back in the end. To help with their problems they encounter, they visit the office of the always-helpful and friendly Phineas J. Whoopee, who answers their often scientifically-based questions. Tennessee and Chumley usually but not always try to escape into the human world-sometimes their problems are based on what goes on in the zoo.
The show works because the science is explained simply but clearly for children, and yet the science lessons don't always help our heroes-the cartoon isn't a morality play. Also, Tennessee Tuxedo is wisecracking and ambitious without being obnoxious; Chumley is dim but not overly stupid; Stanley is the villain, but he is sometimes legitimately provoked by Tennessee's actions; the supporting cast does their jobs properly too. Sadly they don't make shows like this for children anymore. :(