David "Dave" Seville is the overall tetartagonist of all the Chipmunk series and many of the films and the sole deuteragonist of the first live-action film. He is The Chipmunks' confidant and adoptive father, The Chipettes' legal guardian (dependent of the incarnation), and the son of Grandma and Grandpa Seville.
Dave is the loving father of The Chipmunks, despite his children, especially Alvin driving him crazy in most of the cartoon episodes and CGI/live-action films. Like any other single parent trying to raise their kids, Dave has his patience tested on a daily basis. Dave is actually based on the creator of Alvin and the Chipmunks and The Alvin Show, Ross Bagdasarian, Sr., whose stage name was David Seville. Bagdasarian, Sr. released many singles under this name before the creation of The Chipmunks.
Contents
- 1 Biography
- 2 Alternate Identities
- 3 David Seville Singles
- 4 Quotes
- 5 Trivia
- 6 Also see
- 7 References
Biography
David Seville, or Dave to his friends and the Chipmunks, has his patience and sanity tested in practically every episode, song, and film he is included in with the Chipmunks.
Beginning in The Alvin Show series, Dave is seen as the boys' songwriter and producer with the ability to play the piano and guitar. He tries extremely hard to keep the group focused during performances but he always has the challenge to deal with such as getting them to practice and keeping them focused. When Alvin plays up, Dave yells his famous yell, "ALVIN!!!!" to which Alvin replies with "Okay!".
In the 80’s series, his fatherly side is shown more. Though he gets tested at times, Dave has always been a very loving and caring father. The Chipmunks have to remind him sometimes that even though things are tough, they wouldn't be the same without him. For instance, in The Chipmunks episode Dave's Wonderful Life, Dave believes that the boys are better without him, but their failures without him guiding and loving then become clear. In "We're So Glad It's You," the boys tell him they aren't better without him.
Dave in the CGI / live-action films can seem more like their manager at times than a father. Throughout Alvin and the Chipmunks, he denies for most of the film that he is their father. By the end of the film, he finally claims that they are family. His role in Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel is minor since he is in the hospital for most of the film. Dave is finally seen as more of a father in Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked. He talks about setting rules and seems to take more of a disciplined role. He tries taking advice from Simon to give them the chance to prove themselves, which turns out as a disaster. When the chipmunks go overboard, he does everything he can to get them back. By Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip, Dave changes careers and decides to become a music producer. The career swap leaves no time for the boys to tour and less time for Dave to be involved as a father, but, as a result of uncertainties, Dave finally decides to formally adopt them and cement the idea that they are indeed family.
In the ALVINNN!!! and The Chipmunks series, Dave is once again portrayed as the caring father as in the 80s series. In the new era, Dave has to overcome his weakness with improving technology with the help of his boys, a notable difference from previous incarnations. His kids especially Alvin still push his buttons. Dave is also stated to be an Eagle Scout in Kickin' It Old School, which gives additional insight into his character and experience.
Alternate Identities
- Chipmunk Vice - Bartender at the Lavender Orchid
- Elementary, My Dear Simon - Detective Seville of Scotland Yard
- Treasure Island - Long John Silver
- Alvin in Neverland - Captain Hook
- Bigger! - Dave Smith, Alvin Smith's father
- Chip Tracy - Police Chief Bland
- Irrational Buffoon's European Vacation - Clark Sevillewald
David Seville Singles
David Seville was originally the stage name for Ross Bagdasarian, Sr. before the name was applied to the character. At this time, in the late fifties and early sixties, Bagdasarian produced singles independent and even prior to his idea of Alvin and the Chipmunks. The following tracks are performed without The Chipmunks:
- 1956: "Armen's Theme"/"Carousel in Rome" (Liberty 55041)
- 1957: "Gotta Get to Your House"/"Camel Rock" (Liberty 55079)
- 1958: "Witch Doctor"/"Don't Whistle at Me Baby" (Liberty 55132)
- 1958: "The Bird on My Head"/"Hey There Moon" (Liberty 55140)
- 1958: "Little Brass Band"/"Take Five" (Liberty 55153)
- 1958: "Almost Good" (Liberty 55168)
- 1959: "Mediocre" (Liberty 55179)
- 1959: "Judy"/"Maria From Madrid" (Liberty 55193)
- 1959: "Flip Side" (Liberty 55200)
- 1960: "Copyright 1960" (Liberty 55233)
- 1960: "Sack Time" (Liberty 55277)
- 1961: "Freddy, Freddy"/"Oh Judge, Your Honor, Dear Sir, Sweetheart" (Liberty 55314)
Quotes
Dave: "Hello, Ms. Miller? I want Alvin, Simon, and Theodore, to meet me in Europe. Bye bye." - (The Chipmunk Adventure)
Dave: Hey! That looks like my boys! - (The Chipmunk Adventure)
Dave: I'm awake! I'm up! And I'm late! - (Alvin and the Chipmunks)
Dave: Squirrels can't talk! - (Alvin and the Chipmunks)
Dave: Yeah! Which only makes me want you out of my house that much more! It's creepy! Unnatural! Somewhat evil! - (Alvin and the Chipmunks)
Dave: "On my presentation boards! You got me fired!!!" - (Alvin and the Chipmunks)
Dave: Well, how's this: Pretend that I need the money and I hate my job and you're staying at my place, so you owe me! - (Alvin and the Chipmunks)
Dave: Clam it, sudsy! - (Alvin and the Chipmunks)
Dave: Theodore, that's not your side of the bed. - (Alvin and the Chipmunks)
Dave: To "Dav." Let's see, it says, "Merry Christmas. Love, Theodore." And it's got a nice picture of, uh...some pineapples? - (Alvin and the Chipmunks)
Dave: "That looks nothing like Alvin." - (Alvin and the Chipmunks)
Dave: "Hello, ugly little Alvin doll, that looks nothing like Alvin. " - (Alvin and the Chipmunks)
Dave: I can't hear you; the music's too loud. - (Alvin and the Chipmunks)
Trivia
- The stage name 'David Seville' came from a city in Spain where Ross Bagdasarian, Sr. was stationed during World War II.[2]
- David Seville was created because 'Ross Bagdasarian' was too ethnic and too long to fit on a 45.[2]
- Sometimes Alvin acts more like The Chipmunks' manager than Dave.
Also see
References
- ↑ Little Golden Books Alvin and the Chipmunks: Happy Birthday, Dave!
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Alvin and the Chipmunks, Web.archive.org, Retrieved 2015-11-14.
FAQs
Who is Toby Seville to Dave? ›
Tobin "Toby" Seville is Dave's immature and lazy cousin or nephew also The Chipmunks' other caretaker. He is a slacker, who loves to play video games and is also irresponsible and idiotic compared to Dave who is mature, intelligent and responsible.
How did Alvin and the Chipmunks talk? ›The Chipmunks' voices were recorded at half the normal tape speed on audiotape by voice talent (on the 1960s records, generally Ross Bagdasarian Sr.'s own voice overdubbed three times, on the post-1980s records, studio singers) talking or singing at half the normal speaking rate.
How did Dave find the chipmunks? ›The fictional backstory of David Seville is that he was a singer-songwriter who discovered the helpless animals by pure happenstance, took them into his home, adopted them, dressed them up in cute little outfits, and turned them into singing sensations.
What does Dave Seville do for a living? ›David "Dave" Seville is a fictional character, the producer and manager of the fictional singing group Alvin and the Chipmunks.
Is Dave the Chipmunks dad? ›David "Dave" Seville is the Chipmunks' adoptive father. He is also a songwriter and the manager of the Chipmunks. He is one of the main characters of Alvin and the Chipmunks franchise. Dave and Alvin are very much alike in their personalities as they both are combative and headstrong.
Who is Toby Seville love interest? ›Julie Ortega is the homeroom teacher of The Chipmunks at West Eastman High School, Toby Seville's old friend and love interest, and one of the supporting characters in Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel.
What is Chipmunks real name? ›British rapper Chipmunk was born in 1990 on 26th November as Jahmaal Noel Fyffe before later changing his recording alias to Chipmunk, and later just Chip.
Who is the oldest chipmunk? ›Alvin is the oldest and also the most mischievous. Then there's the middle child, Simon, who is the smartest of the three chipmunks. Lastly, there's Theodore, the youngest chipmunk who's youthfully innocent and adorable.
Are Alvin and Brittany dating? ›In the song "Macarena" Brittany refers to Alvin as her boyfriend. In some episodes, Brittany has a picture of Alvin in her room. In Big Dreams, two alternate futures show Alvin and Brittany are married and have a set of twin boys, regardless of their economic status (rich and poor).
Who is Chipmunks dad? ›The series is an animated comedy about a single father named David Seville, who is raising three chipmunks. He can lose his patience sometimes, causing him to say "ALVINNN!!!".
Who is the oldest out of the 3 Chipmunks? ›
Alvin was the oldest up until this new series. Simon is now the oldest.
Why did all the Chipmunks disappear? ›As the season changes and temperatures drop they will disappear into their burrows to enter torpor, sleeping off and on through the winter.
Who adopted the Chipettes? ›Ross S. Bagdasarian (/bæɡdəˈsɛriən/; January 27, 1919 – January 16, 1972), known professionally by his stage name David Seville, was an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and actor, best known for creating the cartoon band Alvin and the Chipmunks.
Who is the bad guy in Alvin and the Chipmunks? ›Ian Hawke is the main antagonist of Alvin and the Chipmunks and its sequel Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel, and the secondary antagonist of Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked. He is Dave Seville's best friend and temporary enemy and Alvin Seville's former arch-nemesis.
Who is Dave Seville's daughter? ›Alicia Seville is the daughter of Dave Seville.
What happened to Dave from Alvin and the Chipmunks? ›Dave Seville, the Chipmunks and the Chipettes' manager had been attacked by an aggressive tyrant, and was launched into the top of the Angel Grove Bank Tower, he was killed in the massive combination of fireworks and other explosives by the perpetrator's enraged mob, his life has been cut short.” Today we mourn his ...
Why wasn t Jason Lee in Alvin and the Chipmunks 2? ›Jason Lee was meant to have a larger role in this film, but his screen time was rewritten shorter than planned due to scheduling conflicts with My Name Is Earl (2005). Most of his scenes were filled in with Zachary Levi's character, Toby Seville.