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Looney Tunes Cartoons
Title card
Genre
Based onLooney Tunes 
by {{{2}}}
Developed byPeter Browngardt
Directed by
  • David Gemmill
  • Ryan Kramer
  • Kenny Pittenger
  • Pete Browngardt
Voices of
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 seasons2
No. of episodes42 (96 segments) (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
Producers
  • Rebecca Palatnik
  • Alex Kirwan (supervising)
Editors
  • Tommy Meehan
  • Nick Simotas
Running time9-29 minutes
Production companyWarner Bros. Animation
Distributors
Original release
NetworkHBO Max[1]
ReleaseMay 27, 2020 (2020-05-27) –
present

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[]

Pete browngardt comic con

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]

On June 11, 2018, Warner Bros. Animation announced that a new series, which would "consist of 1,000 minutes spread across 1–6 minute shorts", would be released in 2019 and that it would feature "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][10] 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.[11] The animation was directed by Joey Capps, who also did animation work on Adult Swim's Superjail!.

The series will bring all of the Looney Tunes together under one roof, with Season 1 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, Taz, Sam Sheepdog, Ralph Wolf, Gossamer, Dr. Frankenbeans, Petunia Pig, the French Horse, Rocky, Mugsy, the Irish Policeman, the Rich Lady, Foghorn Leghorn, Barnyard Dawg, The Weasel, the Dead End Kid, Pete Puma, the Judge, Marvin the Martian, Fred Sheepdog and George Wolf as more original characters have been confirmed to appear along the way.[12]

The animation for the series was outsourced to different studios, including Yowza! Animation, Yearim Productions, Snipple Animation and Tonic DNA.[13] A trailer for the series was released on April 21, 2020. The short Pest Coaster was released on May 5, 2020, 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 season 1; Elmer Fudd, for example, used different non-firearm weapons (e.j. a scythe or an axe) to hunt Bugs Bunny instead of his shotgun.[15][16] With the release of Season 2 and the film Space Jam: A New Legacy, the restriction has been removed.[17]

On October 16, 2020, Browngardt confirmed production has resumed on more episodes.[18] Five new segments were released under the umbrella title Bugs Bunny's 24-Carrot Holiday Special on December 3, 2020.[19]

On May 20, 2021, Jim Soper stated 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 Looney Tunes Cartoons Back to School Special was released on August 19, 2021.[21]

Voice cast[]

Several archival recordings of Mel Blanc are used for numerous characters, such as the tiny Daffys in "Bubble Dum".[30] Wile E. Coyote appears, but does not speak.[31]

Shorts[]

List of Looney Tunes Cartoons episodes

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.[32] The complete first season became available to iTunes[33] 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. In June, it was announced that it would premiere on Cartoon Network on July 5, 2021, to promote Space Jam: A New Legacy.[34]

International broadcast[]

In Canada, the series premiered on Teletoon on October 11, 2020.[35][36] In Australia and New Zealand, the series premiered on Cartoon Network on April 23, 2021.[37] In the United Kingdom and Ireland, the series premiered on Boomerang on June 7, 2021.[38] In Japan, the series premiered on Cartoon Network on August 15, 2021.[39]

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.[12]

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."[40] Metacritic gave the series a weighted score of 71 out of 100 based on 11 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[41]

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 [42][43]
2021 48th Daytime Creative Arts Emmy Awards Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program Bugs Bunny / Daffy Duck Eric Bauza Nominated [44]

Feature film[]

On September 1, 2021, it was announced a TV movie based on the series is currently in the works by Tom & Jerry writer Kevin Costello, centering on Daffy Duck and Porky Pig trying to stop an alien invasion. The film will air on Cartoon Network's upcoming ACME Night block.[45]

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 "Warner Bros. Looney Tune "Curse Of The Monkey Bird" Begins Qualifying Theatrical Engagement". Animation Scoop. September 13, 2019. Retrieved September 13, 2019. {{cite web}}:
  2. "New Looney Tunes Cartoons Debuting in 2019". CBR.com. June 11, 2018. Retrieved April 17, 2019. {{cite web}}:
  3. 3.0 3.1 "Annecy > News". Annecy.org. Retrieved April 17, 2019. {{cite web}}:
  4. Porter, Rick (October 29, 2019). "'Looney Tunes' Update, Hanna-Barbera Series Set at HBO Max". The Hollywood Reporter. {{cite web}}:
  5. Plummer, Alan (2020-05-26). "TALKING LOONEY TOONS CARTOONS WITH PRODUCER PETER BROWNGARDT". Nuke The Fridge. Retrieved 2020-05-29. {{cite web}}:
  6. Hipes, Patrick (June 11, 2018). "'Looney Tunes' Getting Short-Form Revival At WB Animation". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 17, 2019. {{cite web}}:
  7. @JimSoper4 (2019-10-01). (Tweet) https://x.com/JimSoper4/status/1179239993644126209. Retrieved 2020-05-28 – via Twitter. {{cite web}}: ; title
  8. @WB_Animation (2020-05-27). "Bugs Bunny Character Development: First visual development sketches to final design from character designer Jim Sop…" (Tweet). Retrieved 2020-05-28 – via Twitter. {{cite web}}:
  9. @WB_Animation (2020-05-28). "Breaking down Bugs. #LooneyTunes Cartoons streaming now on @HBOMax! #WBAnimation Credits: Images 1-2: Jim Soper…" (Tweet). Retrieved 2020-05-28 – via Twitter. {{cite web}}:
  10. @JimSoper4 (2019-06-18). "Warm up sketch of the day" (Tweet). Retrieved 2020-05-28 – via Twitter. {{cite web}}:
  11. "Warner Bros. Animation (2018)". YouTube. 2018-10-09. Retrieved 2020-06-09. {{cite web}}:
  12. 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 Kur, Maciej (June 25, 2019). "Infestation: Annecy Animation Festival 2019: The New Looney Tunes Cartoons". One of Us. Retrieved June 30, 2019. {{cite web}}:
  13. "'Looney Tunes Cartoons': HBO Max's Wendezvous with the Wascally Wabbit". Animation Magazine. 2020-04-27. {{cite web}}:
  14. Looney Tunes Cartoons Pest Coaster. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=i6AM7BJ_IpQ. 
  15. "Bugs Bunny is back, and so is the 'Looney Tunes' mayhem". The New York Times. May 29, 2020. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/29/arts/television/looney-tunes-hbo-max.html. 
  16. Polowy, Kevin (June 9, 2020). "'Looney Tunes' strips Elmer Fudd of trademark guns to acclaim — and controversy". Yahoo! Entertainment. https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/looney-tunes-elmer-fudd-gun-controversy-174631976.html. 
  17. @peebgardt (July 8, 2021). "New Looney Tunes Cartoons out today! Now with guns!" (Tweet) – via Twitter. {{cite web}}:
  18. "Production is resumed on the Looney Tunes show!". Peter Browngardt. Instagram. October 16, 2020. Retrieved November 24, 2020. {{cite web}}:
  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. {{cite web}}:
  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. {{cite web}}:
  21. https://www.mediaplaynews.com/new-elmo-looney-tunes-specials-coming-to-hbo-max-in-august/
  22. 22.0 22.1 Haasch, Palmer (June 12, 2019). "Bugs Bunny returns in a new set of Looney Tunes shorts". Polygon. {{cite web}}:
  23. 23.0 23.1 23.2 @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. {{cite web}}:
  24. 24.0 24.1 Dutta, Anisha (2020-05-26). "Looney Tunes Cartoons HBO Max Release Date, Cast, Characters". The Cinemaholic. Retrieved 2020-05-28. {{cite web}}:
  25. (in en) WB Studio Tour group meets Looney Tunes Voice Actors, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uXiin5iXmo, retrieved 2019-10-13 
  26. 26.0 26.1 26.2 26.3 Trumbore, Dave (May 5, 2020). "First Images from HBO Max's 'Looney Tunes Cartoons' Go All-In on the Classic Characters". {{cite web}}:
  27. @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. {{cite web}}:
  28. @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. {{cite web}}:
  29. "'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 2020-05-08. {{cite web}}:
  30. "'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 2020-05-08. {{cite web}}:
  31. @AGuyWhoDraws (2019-04-08). "Our crew shirts came in! #looneytunescartoons" (Tweet). Retrieved 2020-04-09 – via Twitter. {{cite web}}:
  32. "Bugs Bunny 80th Anniversary Collection Blu-ray (UPDATED)". Retrieved September 11, 2020 – via www.blu-ray.com. {{cite web}}:
  33. https://itunes.apple.com/us/tv-season/looney-tunes-cartoons-season-1/id1579374767
  34. https://www.cartoonnetwork.com/video/Looney-Tunes-Cartoons/index.html
  35. Milligan, Mercedes (June 23, 2020). "Corus Ent. Bolsters Specialty Portfolios, Including Toons for All Ages". Animation Magazine. https://www.animationmagazine.net/tv/corus-ent-bolsters-specialty-portfolios-including-toons-for-all-ages/. 
  36. Milligan, Mercedes (August 26, 2020). "Corus Plans Fall Harvest of Animated Premieres on YTV, Teletoon & Treehouse". Animation Magazine. https://www.animationmagazine.net/tv/corus-plans-fall-harvest-of-animated-premieres-on-ytv-teletoon-treehouse/. 
  37. "Cartoon Network and Boomerang Australia and New Zealand Highlights 2021". Foxtel Media. February 5, 2021. https://www.foxtelmedia.com.au/news/cartoon-network-and-boomerang-2021-highlights. 
  38. "Boomerang UK Looney Tunes Cartoons New Show Coming Soon Promo". YouTube. May 23, 2021. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZcdNkbN7C0. 
  39. "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. 2021-08-13. Retrieved 2021-08-31. {{cite web}}:
  40. (in en) Looney Tunes Cartoons: Season 1 - Rotten Tomatoes, https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/looney_tunes_cartoons/s01, retrieved 2021-08-06 
  41. Looney Tunes Cartoons - Metacritic, https://www.metacritic.com/tv/looney-tunes-cartoons/season-1, retrieved 2020-06-06 
  42. Foster, Elizabeth (April 19, 2021). "Pixar and Cartoon Saloon win big at the Annie Awards". Kidscreen. https://kidscreen.com/2021/04/19/pixar-and-cartoon-saloon-win-big-at-the-annie-awards/. 
  43. @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. {{cite web}}:
  44. "Daytime Emmys: Zac Efron, ‘Jeopardy!: The Greatest of All Time’ Among Winners". The Hollywood Reporter. July 17, 2021. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/daytime-emmys-winners-list-2021-childrens-animation-lifestyle-1234981821/. 
  45. WarnerMedia Kids & Family Launching ‘ACME Night’ Block Sept. 19

External links[]

Template:HBO Max

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