Nate's DVD Collection ~ Animaniacs

It's time for Animaniacs

And we're zany to the max

In the tradition of Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and of course the much more recent vintage Tiny Toons comes Animaniacs. Following the exploits of Yakko and Wacko, the “Warner Brothers” and the Warner Sister, Dot who were locked away in the tower of Warner Studios in the early thirties when their shows made absolutely no sense to the critics.

Animaniacs introduced us to Rita and Runt, the Goodfeathers, Slappy the Squirrel, and of course the even more culturally iconic Pinky and the Brain. (Oh, we'll get to them later. I could never forget that little mouse that inspired me to want to take over the world in my youth)We even get a cameo appearance from Buster and Babs Bunny (no relation) every now and again. (though not in Volume 1 unfortunately)

Ground breaking and guided by director Steven Spielberg, Animaniacs actually represents one of the last children's cartoons that doesn't rely on crude humor to get laughs. (Read: Spongebob, Fairly Odd Parents, and just about every show on Cartoon Network these days.)

Disc 3:

Maurice LaMarche (The Voice of The Brain) interviews Animaniacs cast and writers via satellite as they recount career and series highlights.

This is one of the few shows my brothers and I watched while we were still living under one roof. It's a show that makes me think of very fond childhood memories and best yet, I would feel good about recommending this show to parents.

Granted there are some very risque jokes. Roll Over Beethoven makes a rather subtle jab at the word “pianist” for example but the people who are nit picky enough to base the entire show on that are the same people who tried to ban Huck Finn all because of one word. It's negligible considering the time period and the fact the entire show isn't just a half hour of jokes like it.

Unlike a lot of cartoons geared towards younger audiences, Animaniacs doesn't treat it's viewers like total idiots. Episodes like When Rita Met Runt are funny but thought provoking. I actually cry whenever I hear Rita (voiced by Bernadette Peters) singing 'Humans Don't Mean That Much To Me'.

I could go on about Pinky and the Brain but I want to save what I have to say about that for the next review.

Animaniacs is like Snapple. There's bound to be a flavor you don't like. For me that flavor is Buttons and Mindy. I'm just going to leave it at that.

ou can get it cheap at Costco or you can order it on line. If you're tired of your kids watching crap like Ed, Ed, and Eddy then the Warner Brothers are you go to boys...and girl.

I'll be upfront. There is some humor that is geared towards adult audiences. It's no surprise that this show had a surprising demographic of viewers over the age of 25. But again, when you stack it up against shows like Spongebob Squarepants, it's hardly any worse.

The bottom line is it's a cartoon. If you're that turned off by the humor then stick with the Bible Network.