Animaniacs

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FOX (ended 1998)
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Show Summary

  • Ended
Warner Bros. follow-up to Tiny Toon Adventures was a show even nuttier than its predecessor. It originally ran every weekday afternoon and Saturday mornings on Fox for the first season, then moved to Saturday mornings on the (new at the time) WB permanently for the remaining seasons. The two Warner Brothers, talky Yakko and Liverpool-accented Wakko, and their Warner Sister, Dot ("I'm cute") had supposedly been created''in the 1930s, but their cartoons were too screwball for the general public. The three Warners (all black with long ears, but no distinguishable species or breed) were locked up in the studio water tower until they escaped in the early 1990s. Yakko, Wakko,''and Dot ran wild around the lot, pursued by studio CEO, Thaddeus Plotz, security guard, Ralph, studio psychiatrist, Dr. Scratchinsniff, and Scratchinsniff's buxom assistant, Hello Nurse (who didn't really have to do much pursuing, if you know what I mean. "Hellooooooo, Nurse!"). The show spat out pop culture references and throwaway visual gags with machine-gun rapidity, entertaining kids and adults alike. Also popular were the many songs and song parodies that graced the program. Various shorts rotated through the program, and characters often popped up randomly in other characters' segments. Among the supporting featurettes: "Pinky and the Brain" were a duo of lab rats, one goofy (Pinky), one bent on taking over the world (Brain). The Brain's best-laid plans always went astray, but he kept trying with Wile E. Coyote-like persistence. This was the most popular of the supporting segments, later spinning off into its own series. "Slappy Squirrel" was an aged cartoon star with a cranky temperament, plenty of anvils and dynamite, and a nephew named Skippy. "Mindy and Buttons" were a baby and dog, respectively. Cute, but mischievous, Mindy perpetually escaped from some sort of baby harness, playpen, etc., forcing Buttons to rescue her, sacrificing his own body in the''process. "Goodfeathers" parodied mob movies with a trio of pigeons. And, yes, there was a Godpigeon. "Good Idea/Bad Idea" was an informative segment starring Mr. Skullhead ("Good Idea: smell the roses. Bad Idea: grab the roses.") "Chicken Boo" was a chicken who masqueraded as a human Santa Claus, sheriff, prom date, etc., but was always discovered at episode's end. "Rita and Runt" were a singing cat and dog team searching for a good home (and food). "Mime Time" showed a hapless mime practicing his art, which inevitably led to''some painful physical consequences. "The Hip Hippos" were husband and wife Flavio and Marita, always concerned about being fat. "Minerva Mink" was a spoiled, but beautiful mink model who made male characters faint in about every episode. "Katie Ka-Boom" was a moody teen who exploded (literally) when things didn't go her way. Colin told stories about his friend Randy Beaman and his family. The show ran five seasons of original episodes, then reappeared as part of The Cat & Birdy Warneroonie Pinky Brainy Big Cartoonie Show.They're zany to the max!moreless
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Episode Guide

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S 6604 :  Ep 2 Aired 9/10/94
S 5 :  Ep 28 Aired 12/14/99
S 5 :  Ep 27 Aired 11/14/98
S 5 :  Ep 26 Aired 5/25/98
S 5 :  Ep 25 Aired 5/25/98

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Animaniacs News

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  • June 19, 2007 DVD Releases 20

    June 19, 2007 DVD Releases

    By Melissa Toutjian, Jun 12, 2007

    dvd_weekly_roundup.jpg AnimaniacsVolume Three Buy the DVD! More Animaniacs Show Summary | Episode Guide | Forum Perry MasonThe Second Season - Volume One Buy the DVD! More Perry Mason Show Summary | Episode Guide | Forum Picket FencesSeason One Buy the… more

  • December 5, 2006 DVD Releases 32

    December 5, 2006 DVD Releases

    By Melissa Toutjian, Nov 29, 2006

    dvd_weekly_roundup.jpg 24Season Five Buy the DVD! More 24 Show Summary | Episode Guide | Forum Saturday Night LiveThe Complete First Season Buy the DVD! More Saturday Night Live Show Summary | Episode Guide | Forum Survivor: VanuatuThe Complete Season Buy… more

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Fan Reviews (137)

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  • I remember this.

    10
    "Perfect"
    By Garfieldlover1, Nov 01, 2011 Report Abuse
    This show is about three cats who go on adventures with people, and they do smart stuff like go teach us some stuff or anything, like the short when one of the cats taught us the names of the states. This is the coolest show I've ever seen in my entire life!

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    1 0

  • Perfect

    10
    "Perfect"
    By Southparkfa, Oct 04, 2011 Report Abuse
    I love this show so much. It's about 3 animal (mouse or rat) siblings and their wacky adventures. To me this is as good as Rocko or Spongebob, or any of the best cartoons often mentioned. It uses all the normally mentioned cartoon antics (extremely crude violence, silly humor, loveable characters) and makes them seem new all over again. The show was also very original with it's plots, and so it was easy for it to not go stale. This show is definitly one of the biggest enjoyments of my young childhood, and I reccomend it to you. 10/10 A+moreless

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    5 0

  • This is what a cartoon should be like, have humor for all ages, have awesome characters, and be well written

    10
    "Perfect"
    By That_TV_Dude, Oct 04, 2011 Report Abuse
    What is there to say about Animaniacs that hasn't already been already said? Nothing at all. In short, everything in this show is perfect, the characters, the humor, and the plots. The show is about Wacko, Dot, and Yakko, three Warner Brothers creations that were sealed away after being dubbed failures but escape. All three of them get into trouble at the Warner Studio and make life hectic for those who try to catch them. Yakko is the one who makes plenty of smart remarks to everyone. Wacko is a glutton and makes plenty of crude humor. Dot is the female and the one who flirts with men and is funny as well. All three of them have their own style of humor that is combined and executed perfectly. The stories with the Warner Bros and the sister are usually unique and revolve around the studio and driving everyone insane, but sometimes there are episodes that are satires like Star Trek and are well done. There are also other characters in the show who have their own funny segments. Slappy Squirrel and Skippy's episodes contain plenty of slapstick humor. Rita and Runt is about a cat and a dog who has no idea Rita's a cat who look for a new home and is a musical segment and combines humor and music together that is done very well. The three pigeons. can't remember names sorry, feels like watching the Three Stooges and is as funny as every other segment. Then there is Good Idea and Bad Idea witch has normal ideas that could work and exaggerated ones that don't. I could go on, but there are so many segments that I would probably be writing this review for a good hour. The humor itself may at first be for kids, but there are also adult jokes that are hidden well and some caught me by surprise when I saw this show again, so it appeals to kids and adults. The artwork and animation is perfectly well done and the characters are drawn with different and creative styles. There are really no other words to describe this show and I could go on for hours. The bottom line is, Animaniacs is truly a show that must be seen. The plots are original, the characters are funny and unique, and the humor appeals to everyone. I highly recommend this show for everyone, so go to a movie store and get the DVD season sets, or go to the internet and find episodes online. It's a masterpiece that must be seen by everyone and is a golden cartoon.moreless

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    8 0

  • One of the main reasons cartoon shows were so great in the 90's.

    10
    "Perfect"
    By CartoonKing50, May 05, 2011 Report Abuse
    "Animaniacs" is an animated variety show that succeded in doing what it's predecessor "Tiny Toon Adventures" tried to do. Bring back the style of the classic Looney Tunes shorts from the 1930's, 40's, 50's, and 60's. It premiered in 1993 on Fox as part of their Fox Kids line-up (wich doesn't exist nowadays). But in 1995 when Warner Bros. launched their own network (The WB) "Animaniacs" aired on their Kids WB! line-up (wich like Fox Kids sadly no longer exists). "Animaniacs" was just amazing. It was not only a funny kids show, but it was enjoyable for adults too. To this day, this show makes me laugh so hard that I can hardly breathe. The Warner siblings Yakko, Wakko, and Dot always have some kind of hilarious, witty comeback to anything someone else has to say. This show was full of adult innuendo, and pop-culture references, along with old-fashioned slapstick, and the classic wit of the Looney Tunes shorts. The Warner Siblings were the funniest cartoon characters since Bugs Bunny, and Daffy Duck. The show ran until 1998, ending with 99 episodes, 5 seasons, and in 1999 they released a direct-to-video movie titled "Animaniacs: Wakko's Wish". This show was always funny, and clever. And the back-up segments like Pinky and the Brain (wich got it's own spin-off show), The Goodfeathers, and Slappy Squirrel were funny as well, but the Warners were the best. I don't see how anyone couldn't enjoy this show, anyone who hates it clearly has no sense of humor. Everyone should watch it. Oh, I almost forgot to mention, they did start to release this show on DVD, but sadly they stopped after only a few volumes, and never released the whole show. I say people who like "The Ren & Stimpy Show", "The Simpsons", "Rocko's Modern Life", "SpongeBob SquarePants", and classic cartoons like "Looney Tunes", "Tom & Jerry", "Popeye", "Droopy" and "Mickey Mouse" will most likely love this show. Not only is "Animaniacs" one of the best 90's cartoons, but it could possibly be the greatest cartoon of all time.

    Rating: 100% "Amazing"

    -Cartoon Kingmoreless

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  • I liked Tiny Toons better but this is still a solid show.

    7.7
    "Good"
    By Trey_Vore, Mar 26, 2011 Report Abuse
    "Animaniacs" is quite a memorable cartoon. Maybe it wasn't the most plot-heavy of cartoons, but it's character-driven nature made up for it.

    The best part of "Animaniacs" was its multi-tier level of humor. Like the Looney Tunes of the 1940s and 1950s, the slapstick could appeal to children while the satire and spoofing could appeal the more mature audience.

    The worst part of "Animaniacs", beyond maybe the ocassional 'fluffiness' is the uneven nature of the skits. I will run down the major skits on the show:

    The Warner Siblings: arguably the main skit of the show. The Warner Brothers, brainy, talkative Yakko and Liverpool-accented Wakko (and their sister, Dot, just plain cute) basically annoyed the hell out of a jerk/moron/creep (who just had it coming) and they often provided frequently funny moments (They're not supposed to be any species of animal, really just old 'inkblot' characters remembered from cartoons of the 1920s/1930s).

    Pinky and the Brain: probably the most recognizable skit on the series. It was about two lab mice who, each night, would concoct a new scheme to rule Earth. Also reccommended, along with their spin-off show (but don't bother with "Pinky, Elymra and the Brain").

    Goodfeathers: A pigeon spoof of movies like "The Godfather" and "Goodfellas", three pigeons, Bobby, Squit and Pesto, were always on a quest to be the best in their mob. It was an uneven skit, mainly due to the large amount of songs. Some were good, others were okay, others just stunk. Also, there are lots of "Godfather" spoofs out there.

    Slappy Squirrel: my personal favorite skit. It is about a retired Looney Tune actress named Slappy and her nephew Skippy. The generation gap offered very funny moments and Slappy's acid sarcasm always made me laugh. I always thought Slappy was just plain cool.

    Buttons and Mindy: A baby girl would go off wandering into potentially dangerous areas and her dog would often take the bullet for her. Extremely repetitive and formulaic, with the only difference being the cosmetics (whatever Mindy goes after and the location of danger, geographic location, superhero). When you see one of these skits, that's basically it. There's not really any reason to see the rest.

    Rita and Runt: A streetwise cat and a dimbulb dog escape the pound and search for a new home. Rita does have a nice singing voice, but this wasn't a very good skit. Mainly because it wasn't especially funny, Rita's singing could be a bit excessive and there wasn't any real chemistry between Rita and Runt.

    Minerva Mink: A shapely mink obsessed with her looks and boys. It almost acted like a send-up of old Tex Avery cartoons and typical Disney cliches. It did work, however, maybe beyond 4 episodes and guest spots, Warner Brothers didn't use Minerva very much mainly because her cartoons were a little too risque for a child-friendly cartoon (where the other skits depended on slapstick, hers often used the concept of sex).

    Chicken Boo: A giant chicken disguises himself as a person and tries to fit in with people. This was a joke that followed a set formula, but it worked.

    Katie Ka-Boom: A teenage girl becomes a horrible beast when under stress/rage/irritation. Not exactly deep and the characters never evolved.

    The Hip Hippos: A pair of pampered endangered hippos indulge in the finer things in life. I don't reccommend these cartoons. They were never funny. Arguably the worst Animaniacs skit.

    So yes, while not every skit is worth its weight in gold, it is still worth watching.

    "Good night, everybody!"moreless

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