Tiny Toon Adventures is an American animated television series created by Tom Ruegger and produced by Warner Bros. Animation and Amblin Entertainment. The show follows the adventures of a group of young cartoon characters who attend Acme Looniversity to become the next generation of characters from the Looney Tunes series.
| Tiny Toon Adventures | |
|---|---|
![]() | |
| Also known as | Steven Spielberg Presents Tiny Toon Adventures Tiny Toons |
| Genre | |
| Created by | Tom Ruegger |
| Based on | Looney Tunes by Warner Bros. |
| Directed by | Andrea Romano (voice director) |
| Voices of | |
| Theme music composer | Bruce Broughton |
| Opening theme | "Tiny Toon Adventures Theme" by Charlie Adler, Tress MacNeille & Joe Alaskey |
| Composers |
|
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 3 |
| No. of episodes | 98 (233 segments) (list of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Executive producer | Steven Spielberg |
| Producers |
|
| Running time | 22 minutes |
| Production companies | |
| Original release | |
| Network | CBS |
| Release | September 14, 1990 |
| Network | First-run syndication |
| Release | September 17, 1990 – February 24, 1992 |
| Network | Fox Kids |
| Release | September 14 – December 6, 1992 |
| Related | |
| |
Originated as an idea by Warner Bros. Animation president Terry Semel in the late 1980s, Semel proposed a new series that included either young versions of the original Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies characters or new characters as the offspring of the characters. With executive producer Steven Spielberg involved in the creation, the characters were made similar to the Looney Tunes characters with no relation. It was developed as an animated film for two years before it became a television series. After character design sessions and story meetings, production commenced in April 1989 and concluded in 1991, with Spielberg approving every aspect of production on each episode. The first episode "The Looney Beginning" aired as a prime-time special on CBS on September 14, 1990, before the series ran on first-run syndication from September 17, 1990, to February 24, 1992. The final season was broadcast on Fox's Fox Kids block from September 14 to December 6, 1992.
Tiny Toon Adventures received generally favorable reviews from critics and won seven Daytime Emmy Awards, one Young Artist Award, and one Environmental Media Award. The series was also nominated for two Annie Awards and one Primetime Emmy Award. A direct-to-video film, Tiny Toon Adventures: How I Spent My Vacation, was released in 1992, and two specials aired on Fox Kids in 1994 and 1995. The Plucky Duck Show, a spin-off television series, was created for Fox Kids and ran for one season. A second spin-off series Pinky, Elmyra & the Brain ran on The WB's Kids' WB block for one season. From 2023 to 2025, a reboot, Tiny Toons Looniversity, streamed on HBO Max and aired on Cartoon Network.
Premise
editSetting
editTiny Toon Adventures is set in the fictional town of Acme Acres, where most of the Tiny Toons and Looney Tunes characters live. The characters attend Acme Looniversity, a school whose faculty primarily consists of those from previous Warner Bros. cartoons, such as Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Sylvester the Cat, Wile E. Coyote and Elmer Fudd. In the series, the university is founded to teach cartoon characters how to become funny.
As with the original Looney Tunes cartoon shorts, the series uses cartoon violence (e.g. anvils falling on someone, liberal use of explosives) and slapstick. Some episodes feature sequels to the original Looney Tunes cartoon shorts.[1] Other episodes parody contemporary films,[1] references the events of the early 1990s and Hollywood culture, and delve into ecology, self-esteem, and crime.
Characters
editThe series centers on a group of young cartoon characters who attend a school called Acme Looniversity to be the next generation of Looney Tunes characters. Most of the Tiny Toons were designed to resemble younger versions of the Looney Tunes characters by exhibiting similar traits and looks. The main characters are Buster and Babs Bunny, two young rabbits with "no relation", their friends, Plucky Duck and Hamton J. Pig, and antagonists Elmyra Duff and Montana Max. They are accompanied by a wide variety of supporting and recurring characters, such as Dizzy Devil, Furrball, Gogo Dodo, Calamity Coyote, Little Beeper, Sweetie Bird, Fifi La Fume, Shirley the Loon, Li'l Sneezer, Byron Basset, Concord Condor, Fowlmouth, Arnold the Pit Bull, Mary Melody, and Bookworm, among others.
Feeding off the characters are the more traditional Looney Tunes including (but not limited to) Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and Porky Pig. Most of the adults teach classes at Acme Looniversity and serve as mentors to the Tiny Toons while others fill secondary positions as needed.
Episodes
edit| Season | Episodes | Originally released | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First released | Last released | Network | |||
| 1 | 65 | 1 | September 14, 1990 | CBS | |
| 64 | September 17, 1990 | March 29, 1991 | First-run syndication | ||
| 2 | 13 | September 16, 1991 | February 24, 1992 | First-run syndication | |
| How I Spent My Vacation | March 11, 1992 | Direct-to-video | |||
| 3 | 20 | September 14, 1992 | December 6, 1992 | Fox (Fox Kids) | |
| Specials | 2 | March 27, 1994 | May 28, 1995 | ||
Production
editDevelopment
editOriginally titled Tiny Tunes,[2][3] Warner Bros. president Terry Semel wanted to revitalize their Warner Bros. Animation department by creating a series based on the Looney Tunes series, where the characters were either young versions of the original Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies characters or new characters as the offspring of the original characters.[4] In 1987, Warner Bros. approached Amblin Entertainment chairman Steven Spielberg to develop a film based on Semel's concepts.[2][5] While discussing with Tom Ruegger, Spielberg wanted new characters to resemble older characters and include sensibilities of the 1990s.[6] Ruegger and Spielberg decided that the new characters would be similar to the Looney Tunes characters with no relation, with Spielberg involved with the creation of some new characters.[7]
Warner Bros. Animation initially planned Tiny Toon Adventures to be an animated film, developing the project for two years.[4] By December 1988, the studio transferred the project into a television series.[7] By January 1989, Spielberg announced the series, and a 100-member production team was organized.[3][5] After three days of discussions between MacCurdy, Ruegger, and animator Mitch Schauer, new characters were created; their names were finalized by Jim Reardon, Tom Minton, and Eddie Fitzgerald.[2][8] Animator Ken Boyer developed the series' bible and designed 14 characters with a few modifications by others.[8][9] Finished in one week,[9] Spielberg approved the concept and its new characters.[2][8]
Production of Tiny Toon Adventures commenced in April 1989.[5] Warner Bros. Animation established several unit systems as with the theatrical shorts.[10] Working three to four times faster than the previous Warner Bros. shorts, each unit had a director supervising the production of selected episodes.[10][11] Attempting to follow the tradition of the Warner Bros. shorts,[12] many artists who worked with the formula of producing television animation in other studios had to be uneducated to produce a "free-form" style for the series.[13] The production process per episode took 34 weeks,[5] including four to six weeks of preparation,[14] 14 weeks of pre-production,[5] and four to six weeks of post-production,[15] and required a budget of approximately $400,000 per episode.[1] Involved with the development, personalities, and designs of the characters as well as the overview of the series,[16] each production aspect required Spielberg's approval; Spielberg wrote and sent notes to the production team if declined.[2][5][16]
Warner's animation department produced the series with a budget of $25 million for the first season.[a] For one year and a half, the first season was produced,[2][5][10][16] with the animation department growing from 15 to 120 artists in many weeks.[16] Each unit produced approximately 15 episodes of the first season.[10] By late October 1990, the first season was nearly completed.[6] Production concluded in 1991.[18]
Writing
editIn March 1989, Paul Dini became story editor after being hired to develop the characters.[8] In late 1989, Sherri Stoner joined Dini as story editor, writing stories together in sessions.[19] Intended to include three six-minute shorts for each episode, the series varied from a set of shorts to half-hour episodes.[13][20] "Buster and Babs Go Hawaiian" was co-written by Renee Carter, Amy Crosby, and Sarah Creek, who were fans of the series and in the eighth grade at the time.[21][22]
With no major focus on Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and other Looney Tunes characters, it was difficult to write stories during development.[23] Characters such as the Tasmanian Devil and Foghorn Leghorn were developed to represent adults that "talk too much or are stick-in-the-mud types" as foils for the Tiny Toons.[23] Because it was a syndicated series, the writers were able to use physical humor that was restricted by the networks in Saturday-morning cartoons.[1] Despite the creative freedom, Spielberg declined to let Montana Max and other characters use handguns and rifles.[1] War toys, tanks, and bombs were also not allowed, keeping the violence strictly to anvils and dynamite.[5] To emphasize the humor, the writers entertained themselves by adding their own jokes, depending heavily on the use of dialogue to propel the characters.[24] Adult humor was also applied to continue the legacy of Looney Tunes.[16]
Casting and recording
editVoice director Andrea Romano auditioned over 600 to 1,200 voice actors for less than three months, choosing several actors during a long process of casting.[5][8] Charlie Adler was cast as Buster Bunny for his energy to the character.[8] During the third season's production, John Kassir replaced Charles Adler for the remainder of the series. The role of Babs Bunny was given to Tress MacNeille for her extensive vocal range,[8] including Babs' voice impressions.[2][8] The role of Plucky Duck was given to Joe Alaskey.[5][25][26] Alaskey briefly left for financial reasons, but returned when an agreement was reached with the studio.[citation needed] Veteran voice actor Don Messick was cast as Hamton J. Pig.[5][26][27] Danny Cooksey voiced Montana Max. To perform the voice, Danny Cooksey used a "tremendous mean voice" by screaming frequently.[26] Cree Summer provided the roles of Elmyra Duff and Mary Melody.[26][28][29]
Maurice LaMarche voiced Dizzy Devil.[25][30] Prior to receiving the role, LaMarche wanted to work on a project produced by Spielberg but felt less optimistic about his chances for resembling a "shloob".[30] Frank Welker voiced Furrball and Gogo Dodo.[25] Rob Paulsen provided the voices of Arnold the Pit Bull and Fowlmouth.[25] Mel Blanc was initially considered to reprise his Looney Tunes roles; several of them were recast with Jeff Bergman following Blanc's death.[8][31] Stan Freberg reprised his roles as Junior Bear, Pete Puma, and other characters.[8] Other cast members included Candi Milo,[19] Gail Matthius,[5][19] and Blanc's son Noel Blanc.[32] Throughout the series, guest stars included Vincent Price and Carol Kane.[26]
Recording sessions commenced in 1989 at B&B Sound in Burbank, California.[8][14] Directed by Ruegger and Romano, an animation director also directed the sessions depending on its schedule.[33] Some episodes were re-recorded with a different reading to revise the dialogue and the tone of the performances.[33]
Designs and storyboards
editDuring development, Boyer created the original designs, model sheets, poses, and turnarounds of 14 characters by emphasizing their heads and feet with Gimeno assisting the character designs and Ruegger suggesting the "demented" design of Sweetie Pie.[8][9] Two character designs of Hamton J. Pig were created by Boyer and Jeff Pidgeon.[9] Pidgeon's design was used to differentiate from Porky Pig.[9] For Hamton J. Pig to scratch his head, approved model sheets were discarded to alter his proportions.[34]
Approximately 50 people worked on storyboards, color keys, and character models,[35] including storyboard artists Reardon, Minton, and Fitzgerald.[36] Storyboard artists were assigned by an episode's director to illustrate one-act panels for two weeks.[37] After the storyboards are finished, they were reviewed by Boyer and sent to Amblin for approval.[13] Spielberg declined the storyboards of some episodes, demanding the episodes to be rewritten.[13]
For two weeks, layouts were translated into animation by listening to the vocal performances to match the drawings and rendering key poses that included 40 drawings for some scenes.[38][39] During the process, Boyer revised the storyboards by drawing thumbnail poses to fix missing beats.[33] In some episodes, the episode's director was the layout supervisor, checking on the registration, field size, and backgrounds.[33] Background designer Ted Blackman recreated the look of the backgrounds from the Looney Tunes shorts in the late 1940s.[40]
Animation
editWith the use of 25,000 cels per episode instead of the standard 10,000 cels, Tiny Toon Adventures was made with a higher production value than standard television animation, allowing for more fluid movements.[6][16][26] The animation included a larger palette of colors than most television animated series, as well as fluid camera techniques and more detailed textures for the characters.[6] Time and speed constraints deemed the budget low for the production to afford Warner Bros. Animation to in-between, paint, and cleanup the animation.[10] The animation was completed at various animation studios contracted by the studio, including Tokyo Movie Shinsha in Japan,[33] AKOM in South Korea,[33] Kennedy Cartoons in Canada,[33] Wang Film Productions in Taiwan,[33][41][42] and StarToons in Chicago.[43] To devise the method of penetrating a language barrier, director Art Leonardi helped animators understand his intentions by acting every scene and explaining about the back lighting and shadows on a videotape.[44]
For two days, its director collected the backgrounds, layouts, models, and keys for shipping, checking the exposure sheets against the layouts and delivered them to an overseas animation studio.[13] The animation, including in-between drawings, cleanup animation, painted cels, and camera shots, was completed between 14 weeks to four months.[2][5][33] StarToons provided the main animation of the episode "Henny Youngman Day" and five to six minutes of animation for 18 episodes.[43] Warner Bros. executives were impressed, with Ruegger comparing StarToons' character animation to animation work done by Chuck Jones.[43] To animate the episode "Henry Youngman Day", StarToons stumbled across rare poses and expressions taken from Chuck Jones' cartoons in the late 1940s and early 1950s.[43] In some episodes, scenes of animation were retaken due to errors in character designs, mistimed actions, wrong colors, and a character speaking another character's dialogue.[45] Examined by Ruegger and the director of an episode, an animation checker wrote and sent notes to an animation studio to fix the mistakes.[15]
Music, sound effects, and post-production
editTiny Toon Adventures was one of the rare animated series to use individual scores per episode.[15][26] After an episode's animation was produced, a videotape was duplicated for the series' main composer Bruce Broughton.[15] The episode's director or one of their assistants reviewed an episode with Broughton and discussed the mood of the music, the types of instruments to use, and the sound effects to add.[15] Using a 27 player orchestra under Broughton's supervision,[b] no synthesizers were used, and none of the cues from other cartoons were recycled.[2] During post-production, music and sound effects were mixed into each episode, and retakes replaced original shots in the print.[15] Technicians cleaned up dirt, removed scratches, and balanced the color of an episode's print on the telecine, completing an episode.[15]
Promotion and release
editMarketing
editTiny Toon Adventures spawned several tie-ins and merchandise. In September 1990, JCPenney released children's clothing and other merchandise of the series.[49] Parties featuring costumed performers of Buster Bunny, Babs Bunny, and Dizzy Devil were also held at the Pompano Fashion Square, Palm Beach Mall, and Boynton Beach Mall.[49] Starting in the same month, Landmark Books released the Tiny Toon Adventures book series, aimed for ages 2 to 9.[50] In 1991, Quaker Oats Company had a tie-in with the series featuring cut-outs and activities.[51]
Broadcast
editThe first episode "The Looney Beginning" premiered on September 14, 1990, on CBS as a prime-time television special.[52] Most of the first season was broadcast in first-run syndication in 135 television stations starting on September 17.[52][53] The third and final season of Tiny Toon Adventures was broadcast on Fox starting on September 14, 1992.[54] Two specials also aired on Fox after the series finale. The first special "Tiny Toon Spring Break" aired on March 27, 1994;[47] the second and final special "Tiny Toons' Night Ghoulery" aired on May 28, 1995.[55] The episodes continued to rerun on Fox until September 11, 1995.[56] The series moved to Nickelodeon and aired reruns from September 24, 1995 to September 1997.[56][57][58] In September 1997, it was moved to Kids' WB.[58]
Home video
editIn 1994, Warner Home Video released three volumes of the series on VHS, with each one including two episodes.[59] The first DVD release Tiny Toon Adventures: Season 1, Volume 1 was released on July 29, 2008.[60][61][62] Tiny Toon Adventures: Season 1, Volume 2 was released on May 5, 2009, on DVD.[63]
Reception
editRatings
editThe first episode "The Looney Beginning" received a 6.9 Nielsen rating (totaling 11.9 million viewers and a 13% share), ranking at number 72 on the prime-time television ratings chart for the week of September 10 to 16, 1990.[64][65] Throughout the first season, Tiny Toon Adventures was ranked as the third highest-rated television show during the first four weeks of the 1990–1991 television season,[66] became the highest-rated afternoon program in November 1990 and February 1991,[67] replaced TaleSpin as the highest-rated syndicated children's program,[6] and surpassed the ratings of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, DuckTales, and TaleSpin as the highest-rated children's afternoon program.[68] By November 1990, the series averaged a 37% share among children and 24% share among teenagers.[69]
During the third season, Tiny Toon Adventures increased its ratings on Fox's programming block Fox Kids,[70] tying at number five with The Addams Family on the most successful Saturday morning television series chart during the 1992–1993 television season.[71] In the first three weeks, it was ranked as the highest-rated television series among children aged six to eleven, earning a 7.1 Nielsen rating, and the second highest-rated series among teens (behind Batman: The Animated Series), earning a 4.4 Nielsen rating.[70] The series finale "It's a Wonderful Tiny Toons Christmas Special" received a 6.2 Nielsen rating, ranking at number 90 on the Nielsen Ratings chart for the week of November 30 to December 6, 1992.[72]
After the series ended, it continued to receive high ratings. In 1993, Tiny Toon Adventures was viewed by 1.4 million children on Fox and ranked consistently near the top of the Nielsen charts for children aged two to eleven.[73][74] By December, it was ranked in the top five highest-rated weekday afternoon programs.[75] In 1994, the series was placed in the top five highest-rated television shows for children aged two to eleven.[24] On the Nielsen Ratings chart for the week ending on March 27, 1994, the special "Tiny Toon Spring Break" received a 4.3 Nielsen rating (totaling 7.7 million viewers), tying at number 84 with Sinbad Special 1 on the chart.[76][77]
Critical response
editTiny Toon Adventures received generally positive reviews from critics. Most critics, such as television critic Jon Burlingame,[78] Noel Holston of Minnesota Star Tribune,[67] and Bill Mann of Oakland Tribune, praised its animation.[17] Janice Kennedy of The Vancouver Sun remarked the series as a "lovingly-crafted piece of artistry", deeming it "superior to most of the material churned by today's animators."[79] Times Colonist's Rick Forchuk lauded the "beautifully drawn" characters.[80] Steve McKerrow of The Evening Sun reviewed that the series "looks as good or better than the old, pre-feature movie shorts."[81] In a less complimentary review, animation historian Charles Solomon of The Los Angeles Times was critical of the animation and its originality, criticizing its "dull" explosions and expressions as well as Art Vitello's timing.[82] A few critics highlighted the techniques used in the series. Holston highlighted its cinematic techniques, such as "mixing long shots, extra-tight closeups, and odd perspectives."[67] Kennedy highlighted the techniques used in the previous Warner Bros. shorts, such as more animated frames per minute, a live orchestration, and the "wisdom of old masters."[79]
Other critics commented on various aspects. Television critic Chip Sudderth lauded the appeal of adults and children,[83] with Holston comparing the appeal of adults to TaleSpin.[67] Sudderth praised the voice acting as "expressive and distinctive",[83] but Mann criticized Plucky Duck's voice, deeming it "a bit disconcerting" and "a bad version of Mel Blanc['s] [Daffy Duck]."[17] While Forchuk lauded the writing as "more interesting and complex",[80] Sudderth deemed the thirty-minute stories inferior to the lineups of three shorts.[83] Despite ranking the series as the "best afternoon [cartoon] show", Thelma Scumm of Animato! dismissed the quality, satire, and repetitive focus on morals.[84] Alanna Mitchell of The Globe and Mail ranked it as the worst children's television show.[74] In January 2009, IGN ranked Tiny Toons Adventures as the 41st in their Top 100 Animated TV Shows list.[85]
Awards and nominations
edit| Award | Date of ceremony | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annie Awards | November 14, 1992 | Best Animated Television Program | Tiny Toon Adventures | Nominated | [86][87] |
| November 5, 1993 | Nominated | [88][89] | |||
| Daytime Emmy Awards | June 27, 1991 (main ceremony) | Outstanding Animated Program | Steven Spielberg, Tom Ruegger, Ken Boyer, Art Leonardi, Art Vitello, Paul Dini, and Sherri Stoner | Won | [90][91] |
| Outstanding Music Direction and Composition | William Ross for "Fields of Honey" | Won | |||
| Outstanding Original Song | Bruce Broughton, Wayne Kaatz, and Tom Ruegger for the "Main Title Theme" | Won | |||
| June 23, 1992 (main ceremony) | Outstanding Animated Program | Steven Spielberg, Tom Ruegger, Sherri Stoner, Rich Arons, and Art Leonardi | Nominated | [92][93] | |
| Outstanding Music Direction and Composition | Mark Watters for "The Love Disconnection" | Won | |||
| Outstanding Writing in an Animated Program | Nicholas Hollander, Tom Ruegger, Paul Dini, and Sherri Stoner | Won | |||
| May 22, 1993 (technical and creative arts ceremony) May 26, 1993 (main ceremony) |
Outstanding Children's Animated Program | Steven Spielberg, Tom Ruegger, Sherri Stoner, Rich Arons, Bryon Vaughns, Ken Boyer, Alfred Gimeno, and David West | Won | [94][95][96] | |
| Outstanding Music Direction and Composition | Steven Bramson for "The Horror of Slumber Party Mountain" | Won | |||
| Environmental Media Awards | September 30, 1991 | Children's Television Program – Animated | For the episode "Whale Tales" | Won | [97] |
| Primetime Emmy Awards | August 25, 1991 | Outstanding Animated Program | Steven Spielberg, Tom Ruegger, Paul Dini, Sherri Stoner, Dave Marshall, Glen Kennedy, and Rich Aarons for the episode "The Looney Beginning" | Nominated | [98] |
| Young Artist Awards | 1990 or 1991 | Best New Cartoon Series | Tiny Toon Adventures | Won | [99] |
| January 16, 1993 | Outstanding Young Voice-Over in an Animated Series or Special | Whit Hertford | Nominated | [100] |
1991 stolen background artwork and cels incident
editOn October 28, 1991, a Warner Bros. employee discovered that background artwork and cels of the characters from the series were sold at a flea market in Orange County, California, without its authorization.[101] As only 250 cels were released for sale at a studio store, the employee notified his supervisors about the incident.[101] Warner Bros. privately investigated the incident without the involvement of police.[101]
Warner Bros. identified five individuals who stole the cels,[102] including three suspects who sold the material at flea markets in Orange County, San Diego County, and Las Vegas.[101] According to court records, secretly filmed videotapes proved that suspects Travis Cowsill and Nicolette Harley separately met private investigator Kevin Berman to purchase cels from the series.[101] Cowsill stated that he stole some material while working as a freelance animator, finding out that some boxes were marked for disposal.[101][102] Warner Bros. said that they were not disposable and kept indefinitely.[101][102]
Warner Bros. filed five lawsuits against the defendants for copyright infringement.[101][102] Three civil suits were settled when they agreed to cooperate with the investigation and the seizure of the cels in their apartment by a court raid; two civil suits remained pending.[101][102] On December 26, 1991, Warner Bros. announced that it recovered more than 3,000 background artwork and cels from the series worth more than $500,000; three cels remained missing, believing to be sold by collectors.[101][102]
Franchise
editFilm
editInitially planned as a theatrical release,[103] a feature-length film, Tiny Toon Adventures: How I Spent My Vacation, was released direct-to-video on March 11, 1992, on VHS and Laserdisc.[103][104][105] This was later re-edited and aired as part of the series, airing on September 5, 1993, on Fox Kids.[106] It was released on DVD on August 21, 2012.[107]
Video games
editSince its debut, numerous video games based on Tiny Toons have been released. Nine video games based on the series were released after its original television run.
Spin-offs
editThe first spin-off series The Plucky Duck Show premiered on September 19, 1992, on the Fox Kids programming block.[108] The second spin-off series Pinky, Elmyra & the Brain premiered on September 19, 1998, on Kids' WB programming block.[109]
Reboot
editA rebooted series Tiny Toons Looniversity was announced on October 28, 2020, through the Amblin Entertainment website, ordering for two seasons.[110][111] Like the original series, Steven Spielberg returned as executive producer.[112] Sam Register, Darryl Frank, and Justin Falvey also served as executive producers, while Erin Gibson was the showrunner and co-executive producer.[112] The series premiered on HBO Max on September 8, 2023 and Cartoon Network on the next day.[112]
Notes
edit- ^ Attributed to multiple sources: [2][5][11][16][17]
- ^ Although multiple references listed the amount of players used for the orchestra from 26 to 40 players,[2][5][17][26][46][47] Richard Stone, who composed some episodes of Tiny Toon Adventures, confirmed in 2000 that it strictly used a 27 player orchestra, declining to exceed the limit.[48]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e Millerb 1990, p. 39.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Meisler, Andy (July 8, 1990). "TELEVISION; Steven Spielberg Promises: 'Th-Th-That's Not All, Folks'". The New York Times. Archived from the original on January 10, 2019. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
- ^ a b "Morning Report". The Los Angeles Times. January 5, 1989. p. 2 (Part VI). Retrieved December 3, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Millerb 1990, p. 35.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Rhodes, Joe (September 28, 1990). "Sufferin' Succotash! It's Looney Tunes, Take Two". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on November 28, 2014. Retrieved September 19, 2007.
- ^ a b c d e Niedt, Bob (October 28, 1990). "Spielberg cartoons give new spin to old Warner Bros. stars". Syracuse Herald-Journal. pp. 17, 22. Retrieved November 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Millerb 1990, pp. 35–36.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Millerb 1990, p. 37.
- ^ a b c d e Millerd 1991, p. 36.
- ^ a b c d e Millere 1991, p. 45.
- ^ a b Millerb 1990, pp. 38–39.
- ^ Millerc 1990, p. 65.
- ^ a b c d e Millere 1991, p. 46.
- ^ a b Millere 1991, p. 47.
- ^ a b c d e f g Millere 1991, p. 52.
- ^ a b c d e f g Powell, Stan (March 25, 1991). "No Bugs in this Buster". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 3S. Retrieved November 28, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d Mann, Bill (October 10, 1990). "Very hot 'Toons'". Oakland Tribune. p. 36. Retrieved December 3, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Jefferson, Graham (July 30, 1993). "'Animaniacs': 'Toons whose time is coming". USA Today. p. 3D. ISSN 0734-7456. ProQuest 306619184.
Tiny Toons is still on the air, even though production of 100 episodes ended two years ago. (Networks tend to re-run cartoons over and over in the belief that kids never tire of them.)
- ^ a b c Millerb 1990, pp. 37–38.
- ^ Millerb 1990, pp. 36–37.
- ^ "Spielberg's Writers: 3 Eighth Graders". The New York Times. December 29, 1990. Retrieved November 30, 2025 – via Gale.
- ^ Berkman, Meredith (February 1, 1991). "Adventures among the 'Toons'". Entertainment Weekly. No. 51. New York City: Meredith Corporation. ISSN 1049-0434. OCLC 21114137. Archived from the original on March 31, 2007. Retrieved May 28, 2011.
- ^ a b Millerb 1990, p. 34.
- ^ a b Kent, Milton (January 30, 1994). "Warner Bros. is whistling a happy toon: New characters have attitude, and an audience". The Baltimore Sun. pp. 1H, 8H. Retrieved December 19, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d Moore, Scott (August 29, 1993). "THE VOICES; Faces Behind Some Familiar Characters". The Washington Post. p. Y6. ISSN 0190-8286. ProQuest 307682063.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Millerb 1990, p. 38.
- ^ Dobbs, Michael G. (1995). "Face Behind the Voices: Don Messick – Man for All Toons". Animato!. No. 31. p. 27. Retrieved December 14, 2025 – via Internet Archive.
- ^ Zekas, Rita (April 10, 1990). "Teenage Mutant Spielbergs?". The Toronto Star. p. C1. Retrieved December 17, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Drazod, Jason; Romanski, Kelly; Smolenski, Joseph (May 6, 1990). ""TALKING WITH": Cree Summer". Newsday. Retrieved December 17, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Lawson & Persons 2004, p. 208.
- ^ McLarin, Kimberly J. (July 26, 1990). "Jeff Bergman assumes Mel Blanc's throne as the voice of Warner Bros". The Asheville Times. p. 1CL. Retrieved December 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Kelly, Dennis (July 11, 1989). "Mel Blanc, master of many voices, dies at 81". The San Bernardino County Sun. pp. D1 – D2. Retrieved December 3, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Millere 1991, p. 48.
- ^ Millerd 1991, p. 37.
- ^ Harris, Linda K. (June 13, 1993). "Kids' Talk". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. N7. Retrieved December 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Millere 1991, pp. 37–38.
- ^ Millere 1991, pp. 46–47.
- ^ Millere 1991, pp. 45, 47–48.
- ^ Millerc 1990, p. 27.
- ^ Dini & Kidd 1998, p. 46.
- ^ Basler, Barbara (December 2, 1990). "Peter Pan, Garfield and Bart - All Have Asian Roots". The New York Times. p. A35. ISSN 0362-4331. ProQuest 427923687.
- ^ Drogin, Bob (March 30, 1993). "Cartoon Stars Take Around-the-World Cruise". The Los Angeles Times. p. H6. Retrieved December 20, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d Owens, John (July 5, 1992). "Drawing On Experience". Chicago Tribune. Chicago, Illinois: Tribune Publishing. ISSN 2165-171X. OCLC 60639020. Archived from the original on November 5, 2012. Retrieved October 1, 2011.
- ^ Millerd 1991, p. 33.
- ^ Millere 1991, pp. 48, 52.
- ^ Trusdell, Brian (May 28, 1995). "Focus: Warner's Toon Factory for the 1990s". Los Angeles Times. El Segundo, California. ISSN 2165-1736. Archived from the original on October 14, 2012. Retrieved May 10, 2011.
- ^ a b Mendoza, N.F. (March 27, 1994). "Shows for Youngsters and Their Parents Too: Spielberg's 'Tiny Toons' Break for Prime Time and the Rites of Spring". Los Angeles Times. El Segundo, California. ISSN 2165-1736. Archived from the original on April 11, 2020. Retrieved May 10, 2011.
- ^ Goldmark 2000, p. 230.
- ^ a b Millera, Nancy (September 20, 1990). "'Tiny Toon' stars visit Penney stores". Boca Raton News. p. 35. Retrieved November 30, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ McDowell, Edwin (October 17, 1990). "Book Notes". The New York Times. Retrieved November 30, 2025 – via Gale.
- ^ Francella, Kevin P. (August 15, 1991). "Product into slowdown in RTE cereal segment?". U.S. Distribution Journal. Vol. 218, no. 8. The Nielsen Company. p. 17. Retrieved November 30, 2025 – via Gale.
- ^ a b Williams, Scott (September 2, 1990). "Animation Lives Again". The News Journal. p. 3. Retrieved November 30, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Donlon, Brian (September 13, 1990). "Star power fires new entries". USA Today. p. 7D. ISSN 0734-7456. ProQuest 306412515.
- ^ Shea, Kathleen (September 3, 1992). "Say, kids, what time is it?: Time for a new TV season!". Philadelphia Daily News. p. 41. Retrieved December 20, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "TV highlights: Sunday, May 28". The Desert Sun. May 28, 1995. p. B6. Retrieved December 3, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Hughes, Mike (September 8, 1995). "Kids channel their viewing to action TV". The Times Herald. p. 12B. Retrieved December 3, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
On Monday, two dandy Steven Spielberg comedies leave Fox. Tiny Toon Adventures moves to Nickelodeon in reruns; Animaniacs goes to the new WB lineup.
- ^ Kiesewetter, John (September 23, 1995). "Television". The Cincinnati Enquirer. p. D18. Retrieved December 3, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Tooning in the Fall Season". Animation World Magazine. Vol. 2, no. 6. September 1997. p. 22. Retrieved December 12, 2025 – via Internet Archive.
- ^ "Video". The Orlando Sentinel. February 25, 1994. p. 34. Retrieved December 4, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Comic-Con crowds to get lots of Blu". Video Business. Vol. 28, no. 29. Reed Business Information. July 21, 2008. p. 6. Retrieved December 1, 2008 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "NEW ON DVD". The Record. August 15, 2008. p. G12. Retrieved December 4, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Milligan, Mercedes (August 2008). "Cool Toon Relief". Animation Magazine. Vol. 22, no. 7. p. 22. Retrieved December 11, 2025 – via Internet Archive.
- ^ Longsdorf, Amy (May 3, 2009). "DVD". The Record. p. F2. Retrieved December 4, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "'60 Minutes' starts off in high gear". The Orlando Sentinel. September 21, 1990. p. E6. Retrieved December 22, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Donlon, Brian (September 19, 1990). "NIELSENS; NBC wins yearly crown; Using this chart". USA Today. p. 3D. ISSN 0734-7456. ProQuest 306363356.
- ^ Taylor, Cathy (October 15, 1990). "Kids' syndication at an all-time high". Adweek. Vol. 31, no. 42. p. 17. Retrieved November 30, 2025 – via Gale.
- ^ a b c d Holston, Noel (May 12, 1991). "Fresh from the loony bin, 'Tiny Toon' animates TV". Minnesota Star Tribune. pp. 1F, 12F. Retrieved November 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Kloer, Phil (December 5, 1990). "'Tiny Toon' gang at head of the pack". Waco Tribune-Herald. p. 5B. Retrieved December 1, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ McClellan, Stephen (November 19, 1990). "October demos are mixed bag". Broadcasting. Vol. 119, no. 21. Future US. pp. 24+. Retrieved November 30, 2025 – via Gale.
- ^ a b Freeman, Mike (October 19, 1992). "Caped crusader helps FCN to top". Broadcasting. Vol. 122, no. 43. Future US. pp. 18+. Retrieved December 19, 2025 – via Gale.
- ^ Donlon, Brian (December 28, 1992). "'Ready, Set, Learn! takes off". USA Today. p. 3D. ISSN 0734-7456. ProQuest 306598780.
- ^ "Nielsen Ratings: Week of Nov. 30-Dec. 6". Anchorage Daily News. December 10, 1992. p. D6. Retrieved December 22, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Chira, Susan (July 11, 1993). "TELEVISION; How a Friendly Ghost Became a TV Muse". The New York Times. p. A26. ISSN 0362-4331. ProQuest 429166483.
- ^ a b Mitchell, Alanna (April 3, 1993). "Saturday Morning Hell: Watching this barrage of ghastly villains, gruesome violence, infant sexpots and retro women, it's hard to believe this is children's television". The Globe and Mail. p. C1. Retrieved December 20, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Mangan, Jennifer (December 21, 1993). "Comic havoc: 'Animaniacs' stars can make even a parent laugh". Chicago Tribune. p. 7 (Section 5). Retrieved December 20, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ DeRosa, Robin (March 30, 1994). "Winner ABC can thank the academy". USA Today. p. D3.
- ^ "Oscars make ABC a winner – 4 ABC sitcoms make the top 10". The Orlando Sentinel. March 31, 1994. p. E6. Retrieved December 22, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Burlingame, Jon (September 14, 1990). "Turtles, Toons Take Turn Tonight". The Scranton Times-Tribune. p. 26. Retrieved August 17, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Kennedy, Janice (July 19, 1991). "Vintage Wackiness with a Twist". The Vancouver Sun. p. 55. Retrieved November 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Forchuk, Rick (May 28, 1995). "'Toons' pierce animation cliches". Times Colonist. p. M11. Retrieved December 16, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ McKerrow, Steve (September 17, 1990). "High-quality cartoons are b-b-b-back on TV". The Evening Sun. p. 29. Retrieved December 1, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Solomon, Charles (September 17, 1990). "Cartoon Series Deliver New Twists". The Los Angeles Times. p. F11. Retrieved December 20, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c Sudderth, Chip (October 18, 1990). "Acme Looniversity creates future legends". The Daily Tar Heel. p. 7. Retrieved November 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Scumm, Thelma (1992). "A Little Birdie Told Me". Animato!. p. 56. Retrieved December 14, 2025 – via Internet Archive.
- ^ "Top 100 Animated Series: 41. Tiny Toon Adventures". IGN. Archived from the original on February 11, 2009. Retrieved October 24, 2021.
- ^ "Annie Awards - 20th Annie Awards". Annie Awards. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
- ^ Kield, Beth (November 16, 1992). "Toon Talk". The Los Angeles Times. p. F4. Retrieved November 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
The International Animation Society/ASIFA Hollywood presented its 20th annual "Annie Awards" for excellence in the medium at the Academy of Television Arts & Science on [last] Saturday.
- ^ "Annie Awards - 21st Annie Awards". Annie Awards. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
- ^ Snow, Shauna (September 17, 1993). "Animation Nominees". The Los Angeles Times. p. F2. Retrieved November 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Guiding Light snags 16 Daytime Emmy nominations". The Gazette. May 12, 1991. p. 43. Retrieved November 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Susan Lucci's losing streak unbroken". News Journal. June 29, 1991. p. 5. Retrieved November 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "DAYTIME EMMY AWARDS". The Washington Post. June 21, 1992. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
- ^ "Emmys: And all the winners are . . ". The News Journal. June 25, 1992. p. E2. Retrieved December 3, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Lowry, Brian (March 31, 1993). "CBS tops Daytime Emmy noms". Variety. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
- ^ Lowry, Brian (May 24, 1993). "CBS nabs 13 Daytime Tech Emmys". Variety. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
- ^ "Lucci denied for 14th time". The La Crosse Tribune. May 27, 1993. p. D7. Retrieved November 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Higgins, Bill (October 2, 1991). "Show Biz Gets Its Organically Grown Awards". The Los Angeles Times. p. E3. Retrieved November 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
The first Environmental Media Awards held Monday at Sony Studios in Culver City.
- ^ "Emmy Nominees". Kentucky New Era. August 24, 1991. p. 3B. Retrieved November 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Twelfth Annual Youth in Film Awards: 1989-1990". Young Artist Awards. Archived from the original on July 16, 2015. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
- ^ "Fourteenth Annual Youth in Film Awards: 1991-1992". Young Artist Awards. Archived from the original on July 16, 2015. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Connelly, Michael (December 27, 1991). "Gumshoes Help Studio Solve Case of the Missing Cartoon Cels". The Los Angeles Times. p. B7. Retrieved December 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d e f "Studio recovers missing 'Tiny Toon' animation cels". The Santa Fe New Mexican. December 29, 1991. p. D2. Retrieved December 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Hettrick, Scott (January 17, 1992). "Puppies and bunnies and toons on the loose". The Kansas City Star. p. G23. Retrieved December 2, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Scala, Betsy (March 27, 1992). "Ton of 'toons keeps buyers busy". Video Business. Vol. 12, no. 12. Reed Business Information. pp. 1+. Retrieved December 1, 2025 – via Gale.
- ^ Clark, Mike (March 13, 1992). "New in Stores". USA Today. p. 3D.
- ^ Lenburg 2008, p. 399.
- ^ Castaneda, Maribel; Ratcliff, Ashley (July 30, 2012). "WARNER HOME VIDEO". Home Video Magazine. Vol. 34, no. 30. Questex. p. 10. Retrieved December 1, 2025 – via Gale.
- ^ Flick, Heidi (September 11, 1992). "New 'toons hit morning airwaves". Fort Pierce Tribune. p. 3 (Weekend). Retrieved December 2, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "New kids' TV: A mom's guide to 27 fall shows". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. September 5, 1998. p. 74. Retrieved December 2, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Otterson, Joe (October 28, 2020). "'Tiny Toon Adventures' Reboot, Genndy Tartakovsky Series Ordered at HBO Max and Cartoon Network". Variety. Archived from the original on October 28, 2020. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
- ^ "WarnerMedia Expands Kids & Family Offerings on Cartoon Network and HBO Max Under New Tagline Redraw Your World" (Press release). WarnerMedia. February 17, 2021. Archived from the original on February 17, 2021. Retrieved February 17, 2021.
- ^ a b c Zahed, Ramin (January 17, 2023). "Warner Bros. Animation to Launch 'Tiny Toons Looniversity' This Year". Animation Magazine. Archived from the original on January 17, 2023. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
Sources
editBooks
edit- Dini, Paul; Kidd, Chip (1998). "Dark By Design: Batman's Backgrounds". Batman Animated. Harper Entertainment. p. 47. ISBN 0-06-757531-5. Retrieved December 12, 2025 – via Internet Archive.
- Goldmark, Daniel (June 2, 2000). "An Interview with Richard Stone, Steve Bernstein, and Julie Bernstein". In Goldmark, Daniel; Taylor, Yuval (eds.). The Cartoon Music Book. A Cappella (published 2002). p. 230. ISBN 1-55652-473-0. Retrieved December 11, 2025 – via Internet Archive.
- Lawson, Tim; Persons, Alisa (2004). "Maurice LaMarche". The Magic Behind the Voices: A Who's Who of Cartoon Voice Actors. University Press of Mississippi. p. 208. ISBN 1-57806-695-6. Retrieved December 3, 2025 – via Internet Archive.
- Lenburg, Jeff (2008). "Tiny Toon Adventures: How I Spent My Vacation". The Encyclopedia of Animated Cartoons. Vol. 1 (3 ed.). Checkmark Books. p. 399. ISBN 978-0-8160-6600-1.
Magazine articles
edit- Millerb, Bob (October 1990). "New Toons on the Block: They're attending Acme Looniversity & hoping to graduate as classic cartoon characters". Comics Scene. No. 15. Starlog Group. pp. 33–39. Archived from the original on April 22, 2025. Retrieved April 10, 2025.
- Millerc, Bob (December 1990). "Fine Tooning: After battling Bart Simpson, Kent Butterworth helps raise Bug Bunny's heirs". Comics Scene. No. 16. Starlog Group. pp. 27, 65. Retrieved December 14, 2025 – via Internet Archive.
- Millerd, Bob (February 1991). "Tiny Toon Adventures Directing: Four animated guys offer looney lessons at Acme University". Comics Scene. No. 17. Starlog Group. pp. 33, 36–37. Retrieved December 14, 2025 – via Internet Archive.
- Millere, Bob (June 1991). "Directions through Acme Acres: The directorial team tours the Tiny Toons' team". Comics Scene. No. 19. Starlog Group. pp. 45–48, 52. Retrieved December 3, 2025 – via Internet Archive.
External links
edit- Tiny Toon Adventures at IMDb
- Tiny Toon Adventures at The Big Cartoon DataBase (Archived August 6, 2014, at archive.today)
- Tiny Toon Adventures at Don Markstein's Toonopedia
