Animaniacs is an American animated comedy musical television series created by Tom Ruegger for Fox Broadcasting Company's Fox Kids block, before moving to The WB in 1995, as part of its Kids' WB afternoon programming block, until the series ended in 1998. It is the second animated series produced by Steven Spielberg's Amblin Entertainment in association with Warner Bros. Animation, after Tiny Toon Adventures. It initially ran a total of 99 episodes, along with a feature-length film, Animaniacs: Wakko's Wish. Reruns later aired on Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon and Discovery Family, which was at the time The Hub Network.
Animaniacs is a variety show, with short skits featuring a large cast of characters. While the show had no set format, the majority of episodes were composed of three short mini-episodes, each starring a different set of characters, and bridging segments. Hallmarks of the series included its music, satirical social commentary, pop culture references, character catchphrases, and innuendo directed at an adult audience.
A revival of the series was announced in January 2018, with at least two seasons and a third now announced to be produced in conjunction with Amblin Entertainment and Warner Bros. Animation, with producer Steven Spielberg, songwriter Randy Rogel, and many of the main voice actors returning. It premiered on November 20, 2020 on Hulu, with a second season premiering on November 5, 2021, and a third and final season premiering on February 17, 2023.
Cast and characters[]
- Rob Paulsen - Yakko Warner, Dr. Otto Scratchansniff, Pinky
- Jess Harnell - Wakko Warner
- Tress MacNeille - Dot Warner, Hello Nurse, Marita
- Frank Welker - Ralph T. Guard, Thaddeus Plotz, Runt, Buttons, Flavio, Chicken Boo
- Maurice LaMarche - The Brain, Squirt
- Sherri Stoner - Slappy Squirrel
- Nathan Ruegger - Skippy Squirrel
- Chick Vennera - Pesto
- John Mariano - Bobby
- Malachi Throne - Godpigeon
- Bernadette Peters - Rita
- Nancy Cartwright - Mindy
- Colin Wells - Colin
- Laura Mooney - Katie Kaboom
- Julie Brown - Minerva Mink
- Tom Bodett - "Good Idea-Bad Idea" Narrator
International broadcast[]
| Country | Network | Local title |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Fox (Fox Kids), The WB (Kids' WB), Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, Nicktoons, The Hub | Animaniacs |
| Asia | Boomerang, Cartoon Network | |
| Australia | Nine Network, GO! | |
| Austria | ORF eins | |
| Canada | Teletoon, Global, YTV, Ici Radio-Canada Télé, Teletoon Retro | |
| Denmark | TV 2, DR1 | |
| France | Canal+, France 3, Boomerang, Canal+ Family | |
| Germany | ProSieben, K-Toon, Junior, Sat.1, RTL II, Boomerang, Comedy Central | |
| Hong Kong (English) | TVB Pearl, Cartoon Network | |
| Iceland | Stöð 2 | |
| India | Chutti TV | |
| Ireland | TG4, Network 2 | |
| Italy | Italia 1, Rai Due, Cartoon Network, Boing, Boomerang, Paramount Comedy | |
| Netherlands | Nickelodeon, Nicktoons, Boomerang, RTL 4, Cartoon Network | |
| New Zealand | TV2 | |
| Norway | NRK1 | |
| Philippines | RPN, Cartoon Network | |
| Portugal | RTP1, RTP2 | |
| United Kingdom | CITV | |
| Latin America | Warner Channel, Cartoon Network, Tooncast, Boomerang | Animanía |
| Argentina | The Big Channel, Magic Kids, América TV, Canal 9 | |
| Bolivia | Unitel | |
| Chile | TVN, Telecanal | |
| Colombia | Caracol Televisión | |
| Costa Rica | Teletica | |
| Dominican Republic | Telesistema Canal 11 | |
| Ecuador | Gamavision | |
| El Salvador | Canal 6 | |
| Guatemala | Trecevisión | |
| Honduras | Telesistema | |
| Mexico | Canal 5, Azteca 7 | |
| Nicaragua | Televicentro | |
| Panama | RPC-TV | |
| Paraguay | Canal 13, Paravisión | |
| Peru | ATV, Frecuencia Latina | |
| Puerto Rico | Univision | |
| Spain | Telecinco, Paramount Comedy, Canal+, La 1, Cartoon Network, Boing | |
| Uruguay | Monte Carlo TV, Teledoce, Canal 10 | |
| Venezuela | Venevisión, Televen | |
| Albania | Çufo | Animaniakët |
| Arab World | Spacetoon, MBC 3 | الضاحكون |
| Brazil | Rede Globo, Cartoon Network, Warner Channel, Tooncast, Boomerang | Os Animaniacs |
| Bulgaria | Nova TV, bTV Comedy | Аниманиаци |
| Croatia | HRT 2, Nova TV | Animanijaci |
| Czech Republic | ČT1, Supermax | Animáci |
| Estonia | Kanal 2 | Animaniakid |
| Finland | MTV3, Sub, YLE2 | Animaaniset |
| Greece | Star Channel, Boomerang | Ανιμανιακς |
| Hong Kong (Cantonese) | TVB Jade | 狂歡三寶 |
| Hungary | HBO, RTL Klub, TV2, Cartoon Network, Boomerang | Animánia |
| Israel | Arutz HaYeladim | אנימניאקס |
| Japan | TV Tokyo, Cartoon Network, Toon Disney | アニマニアックス |
| North Macedonia | Kanal 5 | Анималија |
| Poland | TVP3, TVN, Cartoon Network, Boomerang | Animaniacy a |
| Romania | TVR1, Cartoon Network, Boomerang | Animaniacii |
| Russia | STS, TV-3, TNT, Paramount Comedy | Озорные анимашки |
| Boomerang, 2x2 | Анимашки | |
| South Korea | Tooniverse | 애니매니악스 |
| Sweden | SVT1, SVT Barnkanalen | Anima-Dårpippi |
| Turkey | Show TV | Animanyaklar |
| Ukraine | QTV | Мультиманія |