The Looney Tunes Show
GenreAnimated sitcom
Based onLooney Tunes
by Warner Bros.
Developed bySpike Brandt
Tony Cervone
Voices ofJeff Bergman
Bob Bergen
Kristen Wiig
Fred Armisen
Maurice LaMarche
Jennifer Esposito
Annie Mumolo
June Foray
Theme music composerCliff Friend & Dave Franklin (adaptation by Andy Sturmer)
Opening theme"The Merry-Go-Round Broke Down"
Ending theme"What's Up, Doc?" Instrumental
ComposerAndy Sturmer
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes52 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producerSam Register
ProducersSpike Brandt (supervising)
Tony Cervone (supervising)
Matt Danner (season 1)
Hugh Davidson (season 2)
Running time22 minutes
Production companyWarner Bros. Animation
Original release
NetworkCartoon Network
ReleaseMay 3, 2011 (2011-05-03) –
August 31, 2014 (2014-08-31)

The Looney Tunes Show is an American animated sitcom that ran from May 3, 2011 through August 31, 2014 on Cartoon Network. The show consists of two seasons, each containing 26 episodes, and features characters from the Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies theatrical cartoons updated for the 21st century. It is produced by Warner Bros. Animation. On July 29, 2014, producer Tony Cervone confirmed that the series was cancelled and not renewed for a third season because of Warner Bros.' favor in the newer spin-off, Wabbit.[1] Despite the cancellation of the show, an animated direct-to-video feature, Looney Tunes: Rabbits Run was released to retail stores on August 4, 2015.[2]

Synopsis

The concept of the show revolves around roommates Bugs and Daffy living in Los Angeles with "colorful neighbors" and other characters including Lola Bunny, Tina Russo, Porky Pig, Foghorn Leghorn, Elmer Fudd, Sylvester, Tweety, Granny, Gossamer, Yosemite Sam, Speedy Gonzales, Marvin the Martian, Pete Puma, and more. The show's plots contain less visual gags and are more adult-oriented and dialogue-driven than has been seen in past Looney Tunes shows such as love triangles, employment, and rooming.[3]

Wraparound segments

The show also features two other segments which wrap around the main plot. These consist of:

Characters

The Looney Tunes Show has a variety of characters, classic and new, who appear or make cameos frequently in the show.

Main

Recurring

Others

Episodes

SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
126May 3, 2011 (2011-05-03)February 7, 2012 (2012-02-07)
226October 2, 2012 (2012-10-02)November 2, 2013 (2013-11-02)

Production

The Looney Tunes Show was first announced in July 2009.[4] However, it was delayed several times before finally premiering on May 3, 2011. The characters feature new designs created by Ottawa artist Jessica Borutski over the course of two years.[5]

The animation is produced by Yearim, and Rough Draft Korea (along with Toon City Animation in the first season.) The Wile E. Coyote and Road Runner CGI shorts are produced by Crew972.

On July 29, 2014, producer Tony Cervone announced via Twitter that the show was cancelled and not renewed for a third season [6] due to Warner Bros. now concentrating on production of the newest spin-off series Wabbit for the Looney Tunes franchise.

Broadcast

The Looney Tunes Show premiered in the United States on May 3, 2011 through May 14, 2014 on Cartoon Network. In Australia, the first two seasons of the series began airing on 9Go!. And Foxtel channel on Cartoon Network.

Home media release

Season 1 of The Looney Tunes Show has received home video releases, but not Season 2.

Season 1

DVD Name Ep # Release Date
3-Pack Fun: The Looney Tunes Show 12 May 8, 2012[7]
There Goes the Neighborhood 14 August 7, 2012[8]

The first episode was also released on Looney Tunes: Rabbits Run as a special feature.

Music

Two albums compiling songs from the show have been released digitally by WaterTower Music:

Reception

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (January 2012)

Reaction to The Looney Tunes Show have been mixed. Though the voice acting has received praise, the series has been criticized for its infrequent use of slapstick, its lack of cartoon gags, character designs, personality changes and the "sitcom-styled" format that consists of the characters living in a suburban neighborhood.[11][12][13] The show, however, remained consistently popular, garnering an average of 2 million viewers every episode.[14][15]

In a 2010 interview with CBC News, series animator Jessica Borutski said in response to fan criticism of the series' new character designs, that the original designs were intended for adults and that "[it is] time for a new generation to meet the characters."[13] Borutski said, "a fresh, new design is the only way to keep characters alive."[13] Cartoon historian Chris Robinson noted also that the mark the original characters have on fans is indelible, and that fans are not receptive to change. "[Fans] just really become attached to these things," Robinson said. "It's just so strongly rooted in their childhood that they're unable to separate themselves."[13]

Awards and nominations

The Looney Tunes Show has been nominated for three Primetime Emmy Awards.[16]

Year Award Category Nominee Outcome
2011 Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Voice-Over Performance Bob Bergen
  • For the voice of Porky Pig
  • Episode "Jailbird and Jailbunny"
Nominated
2012 Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Voice-Over Performance Kristen Wiig
  • For the voice of Lola Bunny
  • Episode "Double Date"
Nominated
2013 Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Voice-Over Performance Bob Bergen
  • For the voice of Porky Pig
  • Episode "We're in Big Truffle"
Nominated

Direct-to-video film

A direct-to-video film, Looney Tunes: Rabbits Run, was announced on April 30, 2015, with an accompanying trailer. It was released on August 4, 2015, though it was released earlier on July 7, 2015, through Walmart and Vudu.[2][17]

References

  1. ^ "Frantz on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
  2. ^ a b "Looney Tunes: Rabbits Run Trailer Teases New Animated Movie". Collider. Retrieved 3 May 2015.
  3. ^ "The Looney Tunes Show: Season 1 Volume 1". tvshowsondvd.com.
  4. ^ "TAG Blog: At the 'Toon Factory of the Brothers Warner". animationguildblog.blogspot.co.uk. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
  5. ^ CBC News http://www.cbc.ca/news/arts/artdesign/story/2010/05/26/ottawa-looney-tunes-new-design-bortuski.html. ((cite news)): Missing or empty |title= (help)
  6. ^ FrantzEdCharles (July 29, 2014). "No Season 3 for the Looney Tunes Show". Twitter. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  7. ^ "Amazon.com: Looney Tunes Show 3 Pack Fun S1-V1,V2,V3: Jeff Bergman, Bob Bergen, Fred Armisen, Kristin Wiig, Jennifer Esposito, Maurice LaMarche, June Foray, Jim Cummings, Billy West, Roz Ryan, John Kassir, Eric Bauza, Jess Harnell, Rob Paulsen, Rene Auberjonis, Spike Brandt, Tony Cervone, Sam Register: Movies & TV". amazon.com. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
  8. ^ "The Looney Tunes Show: There Goes The Neighborhood". tvshowsondvd.com.
  9. ^ "Songs from the Looney Tunes Show - Season One". Amazon.com.
  10. ^ "Songs From The Looney Tunes Show - Season Two". WaterTower Music.
  11. ^ "Toonzone: the looney-tunes show three critics one reaction".
  12. ^ "REVIEW: The Looney Lunes Show".
  13. ^ a b c d "Ottawa animator bashed for Looney Tunes changes". CBC News.
  14. ^ "Tuesday's Cable Ratings: TNT Rides NBA Doubleheader". The Futon Critic.
  15. ^ "Tuesday's Cable Ratings: MLB Playoffs, BET Hip Hop Awards No Match for "Anarchy"". The Futon Critic. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
  16. ^ "Outstanding Voice-Over Performance – 2011". Emmys.com.
  17. ^ King, Darryn (May 5, 2015). "Bugs Bunny to Return in Direct-to-Video 'Rabbits Run'". Cartoon Brew. Retrieved May 5, 2015.