Hellloooo, nurse: It’s time for “Animaniacs” – again!
Amblin Television and Warner Bros. Animation are kicking around a brand new version of the hit 1990s cartoon, IndieWire has learned. The potential reboot comes as “Animaniacs” has experienced a new surge in popularity since arriving on Netflix last year. Steven Spielberg, who developed the original as a follow-up to the success of his “Tiny Toon Adventures,” is expected to be on board in crafting the updated version.
There’s no home yet for “Animaniacs,” and insiders caution that it’s still in the early stages of development. But 1990s nostalgia is big business these days – witness the success of another Warner Bros. TV title, “Fuller House,” which is one of the most-watched originals on Netflix.
“Animaniacs” ran for 99 episodes – from 1993 to 1995 on Fox Kids, before moving to Kids’ WB from 1995 to 1998. It also spawned the primetime spinoff “Pinky and the Brain,” which aired on The WB.
The cartoon consisted of various segments (including “Pinky and the Brain”), all tied together by the Warner siblings – Yakko, Wakoo and Dot, who were said to have been trapped in the Warner Bros. lot watertower since the 1930s until their escape. Tom Ruegger, who oversaw the show’s creation, was inspired by his own three children in developing the characters. “Animaniacs” was popular with kids, but young adults also gravitated to its sophisticated humor and references.
Voice stars on the series included Rob Paulsen, Tress MacNeille, Jess Harnell, Sherri Stoner and Maurice LaMarche. Each episode was also heavily scored with original songs and music.
“Animaniacs” won eight Daytime Emmy Awards during its run, as well as a Peabody Award. “Too often today, animation on television is produced in a workman-like manner, with little attention paid to characterization, illustration, and above all, narrative storytelling,” the Peabody website says in explaining the 1993 honor.
“This series, with appeal to adults as well as children, reminds us of the glory days of Hollywood animation and brings that period up-to-date with sparkling characters, witty dialogue, and stunning production. The magic touch of executive producer Steven Spielberg is in evidence in the work of senior producers Rich Arons and Sherri Stoner, and the rest of the outstanding production team. For restoring quality to the daily animated television series, and for doing so in a thoroughly engaging and highly kinetic manner, a Peabody to Steven Spielberg Presents Animaniacs.”
The show ended with the 1999 direct-to-video release “Wakko’s Wish.” But the show remains so fondly remembered that Paulsen and the cast recently announced plans to reunite via “Animaniacs Live!” stage shows, including one last month in La Mirada, Calif., with more dates later this year.
To refresh your memory, below is the famed “Animaniacs” theme song, as well as the equally classic “50 State Capitals” song (still used in schools to this day).
I'm a bit cautious. I LOVE Animaniacs when I was a kid.
Growing up in the 90s and not liking Animaniacs just doesn't mix because yes it is that good. I was definitely very happy to grow up in the 90s and early 2000s with so many great cartoons.
That would be crazy the whole idea of it is a throwback. You never can tell anymore but I think they will keep the throwback character of it. Kinda like Disney doing the throwback Mickey shorts.
Not sure how I feel about this. It will never be able to recapture the magic of the original show because they will never be allowed to get away with what they were able to back then. Also, it will probably be done in that horrid trendy animation style that looks like a 5 year old animated the thing. Just look at Duck Tales. Yuck!
That would be crazy the whole idea of it is a throwback. You never can tell anymore but I think they will keep the throwback character of it. Kinda like Disney doing the throwback Mickey shorts.
Except those are terrible with cheap looking animation... honestly seems like they got old Nickelodeon writers to write it, some of the stuff came off kind of gross like Ren and Stimpy or something.
Loved this as a kid, if they don't ruin it I'll watch it. But I'm fully expecting the animation style of new Ducktales and the Mickey shorts.
I'd be surprised if Spielberg was involved. He's not involved with the planned Amazing Stories reboot and he's busy with Amblin Partners right now.
And a new one won't look anything like the original. All the cel-animated productions are done on computers and almost all of them look unfinished or ugly. I get the feeling a new one would end up being liking MAD (where every sketch wants to be like Robot Chicken but ends up feeling like Seltzerberg).
I wouldn't say I loved it. I did watch here and there. I preferred Tiny Toon Adventures.
Animaniacs is in my top 10 best cartoons ever while I can barely even watch an episode of Tiny Toons anymore. How I spent My Summer Vacation is really the only thing I felt has held up outside of the "Keys go down the hooooooooole" segments with baby Plucky.
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Animaniacs Reboot Now In Production
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