Looney Tunes Cartoons

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For a list of the original Looney Tunes films, see Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies filmography.

Looney Tunes Cartoons
Looney Tunes Cartoons title card.jpeg
Title card
Genre
  • Comedy
  • Slapstick
Based onLooney Tunes
Developed byPeter Browngardt
Directed by
  • David Gemmill
  • Ryan Kramer
  • Kenny Pittenger
  • Pete Browngardt
Voices of
  • Eric Bauza
  • Jeff Bergman
  • Bob Bergen
  • Fred Tatasciore
  • Michael Ruocco
  • Candi Milo
Music by
  • Carl Johnson
  • Joshua Moshier
Opening themeMerry Go Round Broke Down by Cliff Friend and Dave Franklin
Merrily We Roll Along by Charles Tobias, Murray Mencher and Eddie Cantor
Ending themeWhat's Up, Doc? by Carl W. Stalling
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons3
No. of episodes51 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
  • Pete Browngardt
  • Sam Register
Producers
  • Rebecca Palatnik
  • Alex Kirwan (supervising)
Editors
  • Tommy Meehan
  • Nick Simotas
Running time9-29 minutes
Production companyWarner Bros. Animation
Distributor
  • WarnerMedia Direct
  • Warner Bros. Television Distribution
Release
Original networkHBO Max[1]
Picture formatHDTV 1080i
Audio formatDolby Digital 5.1
Original releaseMay 27, 2020 (2020-05-27) –
present
Chronology
Preceded byNew Looney Tunes (2015–2020)
External links
HBO Max

Looney Tunes Cartoons is an American animated television series developed by Peter Browngardt and produced by Warner Bros. Animation, based on the characters from Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies.[2] The series made its worldwide debut at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival on June 10, 2019,[3] and premiered on HBO Max on May 27, 2020.[1][4]

Production[]

Peter Browngardt came up with the idea with rebooting the Looney Tunes in its classic 1940s form.

In 2017, after Browngardt finished Uncle Grandpa, he met with Audrey Diehl, the creative executive at Warner Bros., at a lunch meeting. They discussed a project in which he was not interested, and as they wrapped up lunch, Pete said, "You know, what I really want to do is to direct a Looney Tunes short". She was surprised that he was a fan of Looney Tunes and booked him a meeting with studio president, Sam Register. Browngardt expressed that he wanted to direct it in the spirit of the classic 1940s cartoons. He then began casting, hiring Eric Bauza, and as an admirer of Jim Soper's art on Instagram, hired him as a character designer.[5]

Warner Bros. Animation announced a new series in June 2018, to "consist of 1,000 minutes spread across 1–6 minute shorts each season" (despite that claim being retconned via splitting those minutes into more seasons), be released in 2019 and featuring "the brand's marquee characters voiced by their current voice actors in simple gag-driven and visually vibrant stories". The style of the series is reminiscent of the classic Looney Tunes shorts made by Tex Avery, Bob Clampett, Chuck Jones, Friz Freleng, Robert McKimson and others. Register and Browngardt serve as executive producers for the series.[3][6] The characters are designed by Jim Soper, with the model sheets copyright dating back to 2018.[7][8][9] The initial designs for Looney Tunes Cartoons were previewed in the Warner Bros. Animation logo that was first shown before Teen Titans Go! To the Movies.[10] The animation was directed by Joey Capps, who also did animation work on Adult Swim's Superjail!.

The series brings all of the Looney Tunes together under one roof, having already reintroduced Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Tweety, Sylvester, Porky Pig, The Gremlin, Elmer Fudd, The Gashouse Gorillas, Yosemite Sam, Granny, Beaky Buzzard, Mama Buzzard, Road Runner, Wile E. Coyote, Cecil Turtle, Sam Sheepdog, Ralph Wolf, Cicero Pig, Taz, Gossamer, Dr. Frankenbeans, Petunia Pig, the French Horse, Rocky, Mugsy, the Irish Policeman, the Russian Dog, the Rich Lady, Foghorn Leghorn, Barnyard Dawg, The Weasel, Hector the Bulldog, Marvin the Martian, the Dead End Kid, the Judge, Pete Puma, Hubie, Bertie, Claude Cat, Fred Sheepdog, George Wolf, Charlie Dog and the Instant Martians as more original characters have been confirmed to appear along the way.[11]

The animation for the series was outsourced to different studios, including Yowza! Animation, Yearim Productions, Snipple Animation and Tonic DNA.[12] One animator that worked at Yowza!, named Blair Ktchen, died during production on January 5, 2020.[13] A trailer for the series was released on April 21, 2020. The short Pest Coaster was released on May 5 on the WB Kids YouTube channel as a sneak preview ahead of the release date.[14]

Producers included copious amounts of cartoon violence and Acme Corporation weaponry, but excluded any depictions of firearms in first season; Elmer Fudd, for example, used different non-firearm weapons (e.i. a scythe or an axe) to hunt Bugs Bunny instead of his shotgun.[15][16] With the release of second season and the film Space Jam: A New Legacy, the restriction has been removed.[17]

Browngardt confirmed production had resumed on more episodes in 2020.[18] Five new segments were released under the umbrella title Bugs Bunny's 24-Carrot Holiday Special on December 3, 2020.[19]

Jim Soper stated in May 2021 that the series had wrapped up its first 1000 minutes worth of content, with the remaining episodes to be released on HBO Max at later dates.[20]

A back-to-school special, titled Looney Tunes Cartoons Back to School Special, was released on August 19, 2021.[21]

The third season premiered on November 25, 2021.[22]

The fourth season will premiere on January 20, 2022.[23]

Voice cast[]

See also: List of Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies characters
  • Eric Bauza as Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Tweety, Pepé Le Pew,[24] Barnyard Dawg, Marvin the Martian,[25] Claude Cat, Charlie Dog, Henery Hawk, The Weasel, The Do-Do, and The French Horse
  • Jeff Bergman as Sylvester, Elmer Fudd, Foghorn Leghorn,[24] and Ralph Wolf[26]
  • Bob Bergen as Porky Pig,[25] Cicero Pig,[11] The Gremlin and The Dead End Kid
  • Fred Tatasciore as Taz,[27] Yosemite Sam,[25] Sam Sheepdog,[28] Mugsy, Gossamer, The Judge, and The Mummy
  • Paul Julian as Road Runner (archival recording)
  • Michael Ruocco as Beaky Buzzard[29]
  • Candi Milo as Granny[28]
  • Sean Kenin as Hubie and Bertie
  • James Adomian as Rocky
  • Keith Ferguson as Cecil Turtle
  • Lara Jill Miller as Petunia Pig[11][30]
  • Kevin Michael Richardson as The Gashouse Gorillas
  • Stephen Stanton as Pete Puma
  • Rachel Butera as Mama Buzzard
  • Carlos Alazraqui as The Irish Policeman and The Leprechaun
  • Tom Kenny as Mad Scientist[28][31]
  • James Arnold Taylor as Russian Dog
  • Kari Wahlgren as Rich Lady, Bear
  • Steve Blum as Goon and Proctor
  • Corey Burton as Norm Macabre
  • Roger Craig Smith as Dunk Ellington
  • Jennifer Hale as Additional Voices

Several archival recordings of Mel Blanc are used for numerous characters, such as the tiny Daffys in "Bubble Dum".[32] Wile E. Coyote appears, but does not talk.[33]

Shorts[]

Main article: List of Looney Tunes Cartoons episodes
SeasonEpisodesOriginally released
13110May 27, 2020 (2020-05-27)
1December 3, 2020 (2020-12-03)
10January 21, 2021 (2021-01-21)
10April 29, 2021 (2021-04-29)
21110July 8, 2021 (2021-07-08)
1August 19, 2021 (2021-08-19)
39November 25, 2021 (2021-11-25)

Home media[]

Ten episodes of the show (all centering around Bugs) were released as bonus features for the Bugs Bunny 80th Anniversary Collection Blu-ray set on December 1, 2020.[34] The complete first season became available to iTunes[35] on August 29, 2021.

Release[]

Following its Annecy premiere, the series' first 10 episodes was released on HBO Max on May 27, 2020, with the next 20 episodes of the first season releasing through April 29, 2021. The series also premiered on Cartoon Network on July 5, 2021, to promote Space Jam: A New Legacy.[36]

International broadcast[]

In Canada, the series premiered on Teletoon on October 11, 2020.[37][38] In Australia and New Zealand, the series premiered on Cartoon Network on April 23, 2021.[39] In the United Kingdom and Ireland, the series premiered on Boomerang on June 7, 2021.[40] In Japan, the series premiered on Cartoon Network on August 15, 2021.[41]

Reception[]

The first ten shorts debuted at Annecy International Animated Film Festival in June 2019 and were met with very positive reactions, being described as true to the spirit of the original Looney Tunes shorts. Film reviewing site Oneofus.net noted: "While only time will tell if these shorts will become classics, they decidedly will be seen as a noble attempt to bring the "Looney" back into Looney Tunes. The cartoons are manic, beautifully animated, and feature amazing voice acting. Even the music tries to recapture the spirit of the originals. Even the characters are doing like what they did in old 30s and 40s shorts".[11]

The official launch of the first ten episodes with HBO Max was also met with positive reviews. Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reported an approval rating of 88% based on 25 reviews, with an average rating of 8.00/10. The critics consensus reads: "A vibrantly goofy return to form, Looney Tunes Cartoons is perfectly calibrated cartoon comedy".[42] Metacritic gave the series a weighted score of 71 out of 100 based on 11 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[43]

Accolades[]

Year Presenter Award/Category Nominee Recipient Status Ref.
2021 Annie Awards Outstanding Achievement for Storyboarding in an Animated Television / Broadcast Production Big League Beast / Firehouse Frenzy Andrew Dickman Won [44][45]
2021 48th Daytime Creative Arts Emmy Awards Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program Bugs Bunny / Daffy Duck Eric Bauza Nominated [46]

Feature film[]

A TV movie based on the series is currently in the works and is set to be written by Tom & Jerry screenwriter Kevin Costello, centering on Daffy Duck and Porky Pig trying to stop an alien invasion. The film will air on Cartoon Network's ACME Night block.[47][48]

References[]

  1. ^ a b "Warner Bros. Looney Tune "Curse Of The Monkey Bird" Begins Qualifying Theatrical Engagement". Animation Scoop. September 13, 2019. Retrieved September 13, 2019.
  2. ^ "New Looney Tunes Cartoons Debuting in 2019". CBR.com. June 11, 2018. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  3. ^ a b "Annecy > News". Annecy.org. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  4. ^ Porter, Rick (October 29, 2019). "'Looney Tunes' Update, Hanna-Barbera Series Set at HBO Max". The Hollywood Reporter.
  5. ^ Plummer, Alan (May 26, 2020). "TALKING LOONEY TOONS CARTOONS WITH PRODUCER PETER BROWNGARDT". Nuke The Fridge. Retrieved May 29, 2020.
  6. ^ Hipes, Patrick (June 11, 2018). "'Looney Tunes' Getting Short-Form Revival At WB Animation". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  7. ^ @WB_Animation (May 27, 2020). "Bugs Bunny Character Development: First visual development sketches to final design from character designer Jim Sop…" (Tweet). Retrieved May 28, 2020 – via Twitter.
  8. ^ @WB_Animation (May 28, 2020). "Breaking down Bugs. #LooneyTunes Cartoons streaming now on @HBOMax! #WBAnimation Credits: Images 1-2: Jim Soper…" (Tweet). Retrieved May 28, 2020 – via Twitter.
  9. ^ @JimSoper4 (June 18, 2019). "Warm up sketch of the day" (Tweet). Retrieved May 28, 2020 – via Twitter.
  10. ^ "Warner Bros. Animation (2018)". YouTube. October 9, 2018. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
  11. ^ a b c d Kur, Maciej (June 25, 2019). "Infestation: Annecy Animation Festival 2019: The New Looney Tunes Cartoons". One of Us. Retrieved June 30, 2019.
  12. ^ "'Looney Tunes Cartoons': HBO Max's Wendezvous with the Wascally Wabbit". Animation Magazine. April 27, 2020.
  13. ^ Anoopkumar, Ashwathi (January 6, 2020). "Veteran Canadian animator Blair Kitchen passed away". Animation Today. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
  14. ^ Looney Tunes Cartoons Pest Coaster – via YouTube.
  15. ^ "Bugs Bunny is back, and so is the 'Looney Tunes' mayhem". The New York Times. May 29, 2020. Retrieved June 8, 2020.
  16. ^ Polowy, Kevin (June 9, 2020). "'Looney Tunes' strips Elmer Fudd of trademark guns to acclaim — and controversy". Yahoo! Entertainment. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  17. ^ @peebgardt (July 8, 2021). "New Looney Tunes Cartoons out today! Now with guns!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  18. ^ "Felt really great to be back on the WB Lot mixing our #looneytunescartoons". Peter Browngardt. Instagram. October 16, 2020. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
  19. ^ Mercedes Milligan (November 24, 2020). "HBO Max Gifts Bugs Bunny's 24-Carrot Holiday Special in Festive lineup". Animation Magazine. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
  20. ^ @JimSoper4 (May 22, 2021). "I think I ended up causing a bunch of confusion. Let me clarify. #LooneyTunesCartoons is wrapping up because initia…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  21. ^ "New Elmo, Looney Tunes Specials Coming to HBO Max in August – Media Play News".
  22. ^ “King Richard,” “The Sex Lives Of College Girls,” “South Side,” “Black and Missing,” “8-Bit Christmas” And More Arrive On HBO Max This November
  23. ^ HBO Max - Coming this January 2022
  24. ^ a b Haasch, Palmer (June 12, 2019). "Bugs Bunny returns in a new set of Looney Tunes shorts". Polygon.
  25. ^ a b c @BobBergen (October 19, 2018). "Here we have Porky, @FredTatasciore (Yosemite Sam), @bauzilla (Bugs/Daffy), and casting director extraordinaire…" (Tweet). Retrieved July 1, 2019 – via Twitter.
  26. ^ Dutta, Anisha (May 26, 2020). "Looney Tunes Cartoons HBO Max Release Date, Cast, Characters". The Cinemaholic. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
  27. ^ WB Studio Tour group meets Looney Tunes Voice Actors, retrieved October 13, 2019
  28. ^ a b c Trumbore, Dave (May 5, 2020). "First Images from HBO Max's 'Looney Tunes Cartoons' Go All-In on the Classic Characters". Collider.
  29. ^ @AGuyWhoDraws (June 13, 2019). "I've been keeping a secret from all of you for MONTHS and now I can come clean: I'm the voice of Beaky Buzzard for…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  30. ^ @LaraJillMiller (April 28, 2021). "Hang on tight...and catch me as PETUNIA PIG in all-new episodes of Looney Tunes Cartoons, dropping tomorrow, April…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  31. ^ "'Looney Tunes Cartoons': Release date, plot, cast, trailer and all you need to know about the classic Warner Bros franchise's revival". meaww.com. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  32. ^ "'Looney Tunes Cartoons': Release date, plot, cast, trailer and all you need to know about the classic Warner Bros franchise's revival". meaww.com. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  33. ^ @AGuyWhoDraws (April 8, 2019). "Our crew shirts came in! #looneytunescartoons" (Tweet). Retrieved April 9, 2020 – via Twitter.
  34. ^ "Bugs Bunny 80th Anniversary Collection Blu-ray (UPDATED)". Retrieved September 11, 2020 – via www.blu-ray.com.
  35. ^ https://itunes.apple.com/us/tv-season/looney-tunes-cartoons-season-1/id1579374767
  36. ^ "Looney Tunes Cartoons | Full Episodes | Cartoon Network".
  37. ^ Milligan, Mercedes (June 23, 2020). "Corus Ent. Bolsters Specialty Portfolios, Including Toons for All Ages". Animation Magazine. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
  38. ^ Milligan, Mercedes (August 26, 2020). "Corus Plans Fall Harvest of Animated Premieres on YTV, Teletoon & Treehouse". Animation Magazine. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
  39. ^ "Cartoon Network and Boomerang Australia and New Zealand Highlights 2021". Foxtel Media. February 5, 2021. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  40. ^ "Boomerang UK Looney Tunes Cartoons New Show Coming Soon Promo". YouTube. May 23, 2021. Retrieved May 23, 2021.
  41. ^ "実写映画 「スペース・プレイヤーズ」（8/27公開 ）登場で話題沸騰！あのバッグス・バニーの最新アニメシリーズ「ルーニー・テューンズ・カートゥーンズ」 カートゥーン ネットワーク初放送". PR TIMES. August 13, 2021. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
  42. ^ Looney Tunes Cartoons: Season 1 - Rotten Tomatoes, retrieved August 6, 2021
  43. ^ Looney Tunes Cartoons - Metacritic, retrieved June 6, 2020
  44. ^ Foster, Elizabeth (April 19, 2021). "Pixar and Cartoon Saloon win big at the Annie Awards". Kidscreen. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
  45. ^ @AWDtwit (April 17, 2021). "I need to thank all the wonderful artists on Looney Tunes Cartoons, everyone did such an amazing job. We were so lucky to work on such fun and amazing shorts. These shorts would not be possible without the collaborative efforts of the LTC animators and artists!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  46. ^ "Daytime Emmys: Zac Efron, 'Jeopardy!: The Greatest of All Time' Among Winners". The Hollywood Reporter. July 17, 2021. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
  47. ^ WarnerMedia Kids & Family Launching ‘ACME Night’ Block Sept. 19
  48. ^ "WarnerMedia Kids & Family Launches New Family Destination, ACME Night, Sundays on Cartoon Network Starting Sept. 19 and HBO Max Next Year | Pressroom".

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