The Looney Tunes Show

Did You Know?

• The series premiered in Canada on Teletoon on September 5, 2011.
• A direct-to-video film, Looney Tunes: Rabbits Run, was released on August 4, 2015, retaining much of the cast and crew from the series but not following its continuity.
• The first episode was included as a special feature on the Looney Tunes: Rabbits Run DVD.

Premise

The series follows Bugs Bunny, who lives in a suburban home funded by royalties from his invention of carrot peelers, and his roommate Daffy Duck. They navigate everyday problems, often worsened by Daffy's poor lifestyle choices. Their neighborhood includes characters such as Yosemite Sam, Granny, Gossamer, and Speedy Gonzales. Bugs dates Lola Bunny, while Daffy dates Tina Russo, and both maintain a friendship with Porky Pig. Other Looney Tunes figures like Elmer Fudd, Foghorn Leghorn, and Sylvester and Tweety appear in smaller roles. The show emphasizes sitcom elements—love triangles, employment, and rooming—over slapstick and visual gags. Episodes typically feature two stories centered on Bugs and Daffy, and include Merrie Melodies music videos with original songs. The first season also added computer-animated shorts starring Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner.

Characters

Bugs Bunny, voiced by Jeff Bergman, enjoys an upper-middle-class suburban life thanks to income from his Carrot Peeler invention. He lives in a well-appointed house, drives a compact car, and houses Daffy Duck as his roommate. Though usually the voice of reason, Bugs occasionally displays his trickster side. He dates Lola Bunny. Daffy Duck, also voiced by Jeff Bergman, is Bugs's best friend and roommate. He is incompetent, loudmouthed, and lazy, often taking advantage of others, especially Porky Pig. Daffy is high-maintenance and demands much from his friends, but shows a kinder side at times. Porky Pig, voiced by Bob Bergen, is Bugs and Daffy's second best friend. Bright and bookish, he is also naïve, which Daffy exploits to trick him into lending money or joining schemes. Porky originally worked as an accountant but was fired and later started a catering company. He served on the city council and begins a relationship with Petunia near the series' end. Speedy Gonzales, voiced by Fred Armisen, is a fast Mexican mouse who lives in Bugs's wall and runs a pizza parlor called Pizzarriba. He is level-headed and occasionally acts as Daffy's conscience. Yosemite Sam, voiced by Maurice LaMarche, is a quick-tempered cowboy neighbor who claims to be a liar, thief, and cheat, though the show portrays him as less ruthless and more mild-mannered.

Production

Before it became the sitcom-style show that premiered on Cartoon Network in May 2011, the series was first announced in July 2009 as Looney Tunes Laff Riot, a project meant to stay true to the classic shorts. That version was directed by Mauricio Pardo and Matt Danner, who also co-wrote the theme song, with character designs by Jessica Borutski. Executives were not impressed, so the concept was retooled into The Looney Tunes Show, and Borutski's designs were later adjusted for the final series. The Laff Riot pilot eventually surfaced in September 2020. Like many modern animated sitcoms, the show has no laugh track. Animation was done by Yearim, Rough Draft Korea, and Toon City Animation for the first season, while the Wile E. Coyote and Road Runner shorts were produced by Crew972. The series was not renewed for a third season, as announced in July 2014.

Reception

The Looney Tunes Show received mixed reviews from critics, who praised the voice acting and animation but criticized its lack of ambition and departures from earlier Looney Tunes incarnations, including the character redesigns, portrayals, and reduced slapstick and meta humor. Common Sense Media rated it 4 out of 5 stars, calling it a fun remake with a more grown-up feel. Robert Lloyd of the Los Angeles Times found it amusing on its own merits despite not improving on the originals. Wired noted the series modernizes characters while staying true to their spirit. Conversely, Brian Lowry of Variety called the first season a disappointment, citing a shortage of sight gags and action. Brandon Nowalk of The A.V. Club described it as the most off-putting version of Looney Tunes, with standard sitcom plots. In 2010, CBC News reported that fans reacted negatively to Jessica Borutski's character redesigns, posting harsh online comments. Borutski defended the designs as appropriate for a new generation. Since the show ended, it has been reevaluated more favorably online, with comparisons to Seinfeld and praise for the portrayals of Lola Bunny and Tina Russo.