‘90s kids, grab your fluorescent binders and baggy overalls: Animaniacs is headed back to your screens courtesy of everyone’s least favorite streaming service, Hulu. (Okay, fine, it’s my least favorite streaming service. You got a lot of nerve charging me money to watch commercials, you bastards.)
Hulu is working with Amblin Television and Warner Bros. Animation to reboot the Peabody Award-winning animated masterpiece Animaniacs, which is an astonishing 25-years-old, and may actually be older than you, the person who is reading this right now. What you young’uns know ‘bout some Animaniacs, huh?
Steven Spielberg returns as executive producer on the new Animaniacs, which received a two-season straight-to-series order according to CartoonBrew. The new episodes will feature the loveable trio of Yakko, Wakko and Dot, as well as Pinky and the Brain, and are scheduled for a 2020 premiere. Animaniacs will be the first Hulu Original made for a family audience.
Just in case you’re not into rebooted versions of retro, childhood classics, Hulu and Warner Bros. have also struck a deal that will make Hulu the exclusive streaming source of all 99 episodes of the original Animaniacs. And Pinky and the Brain. And Pinky, Elmyra and the Brain. And the complete Tiny Toon Adventures. ("Elevator go down the hooooooole.") Goodness, leave some for Boomerang.
Animaniacs debuted way back in 1993 and won eight Daytime Emmys for being the funniest thing little kids had ever seen, wrapping its run in 1998.
"I am so pleased and proud that Animaniacs will have a home at Hulu,” said Spielberg in a statement. “Together with Warner Bros., we look to bring new audiences and longtime fans into this wild world of Yakko, Wakko and Dot. I am also excited that the full library of Animaniacs and Tiny Toon Adventures episodes are included in the deal.”
“We cannot wait to work with Steven Spielberg and the entire Amblin and Warner Bros. teams to bring more sketches, catchphrases, songs, and laughs from the Animaniacs to kids and adults everywhere,” said Craig Erwich, Hulu’s SVP of content, in a press release. “This marks yet another big move for us as we continue our efforts to be the #1 streaming destination for premium animated content.”
That’s great and all, Craig, but until you know every word to “Yakko’s World,” I can’t trust you. Even if original producers Spielberg, Warner Animation and Amblin are involved, I’ve been burned too many times. Luckily, I’ve scrounged up the video to the best Animaniacs song. Check it out below:
What do you think? Was Animaniacs a part of your childhood? Or are you a callow youth and aimless cretin devoid of Yakko, Wakko and Dot’s fine, cultured ways? Feel free to let us know your thoughts on Hulu’s acquisition of all things Animaniacs past, present and future in the comments section below.
