13-Episode Series, Presented by Steven Spielberg

by Liz Wiest

Amongst the tumultuous timeline that has been the year 2020, Hulu’s highly-anticipated reboot of the beloved 90s classic Animaniacs, shines as a much-needed silver lining around the ever-expanding “Quarantine Watch List”. Back with their “zany to the max” personas are Yakko, Wakko, the Warner Sister Dot and fan favorites Pinky and the Brain, who are still doing what they have been for the last 22 years- trying to take over the world. The 13 episodes are packed with moments of misadventure and music that everyone of all ages can enjoy and, considering that this is the Netflix competitor’s first major swing at a series geared toward families, it can absolutely be classified as a home run for everyone.

The reboot, as showrunner Wellesley Wild attests, proudly boasts a number of vital elements true to the original- per the direct request of creator Steven Spielberg, who remained an integral part of the entire development process. This is most notable in the return of the distinct original voice cast (Rob Paulsen, Jess Harnell, Tress MacNeille and Maurice LaMarche) and bright Sunday morning cartoon animation style that immediately kicks off the nostalgia factor right into the familiar and biting musical satire that fans all remember and love. That being said, the new factors are fresh enough that any new fans being ushered into the meta self-referential world for the first time still feels like they are in on the joke, even if all the older references (Jurassic Park, Seinfeld, etc.) don’t necessarily land with them. Yes, the show was undeniably created for those who grew up with it and who can point at the screen with familiarity like the Leonardo DiCaprio meme. However, the creators have left the door wide open for a whole new generation to appreciate the classic characters and their antics for the universal fun that they are. 

Animaniacs, though still centered around episodic shorts, picks up 22 years later where the original left off- inside the water tower of the Warner Brothers movie lot. Our heroes wake up again in a whole new era and find themselves struggling to navigate it- What’s different? What’s the same? Or the worst question of all: are they washed up? This crisis, of course, is explored how they know best- through a cheeky, self-aware musical number called “Reboot It!” where the Warner siblings lament the woes of being a part of a seemingly endless lineup of regurgitated 90s classics (Fuller House, X-Files, Charmed, you name it). And in some ways, they aren’t entirely far off. Without their original writing team returning, in many ways they are left to brand new devices, but with a two-season guarantee coming right out the gate, it seems like the network has quite a bit of faith stored in what our zany little friends have to offer. 

The current events factor, which I’m sure modern audiences will be most curious about, at times teeters on repetitive in terms of the topics that are satirized but is still fresh and entertaining with enough witty one-liners peppered in to keep you invested for whatever the next one will bring. Despite going into production in 2018, the creators were sure to come sweeping in as best they could with commentary on the 2020 election, though not even the all-powerful Steven Spielberg could have fully predicted where we are now. Hopefully, as more unfolds, we start to see more iconic moments like Wakko’s “Nation of the World” number that will leave a lasting impression beyond just a short stint reboot that feels more like a loving tribute than anything else. 

Ultimately, this show holds potential far past a two-season order, should they continue to deliver this strongly. There’s no denying the plethora of content from just this year that the writers now have to pick and choose from to satirize, and I predict that should they stay on top, the new Animaniacs could be on the fast track to being some of Hulu’s strongest content and will certainly put it higher up the ladder amongst the other streaming giants with a wider variety of family friendly content.   

Animaniacs is now streaming on Hulu.