Dog Show (The Ren & Stimpy Show)

Did You Know?

• American journalist Thad Komorowski gave the episode four out of five stars, considering it inferior to its predecessor but praising it.
• American critic Matt Langer described "Dog Show" as typical of episodes that led to Kricfalusi being fired, noting scenes of cruelty were too extreme for a children's TV show.

Plot

George Liquor has entered his pets Ren and Stimpy into a dog show, despite Stimpy being a Manx cat; he had trained them some time ago. George braids Ren's ears with bows, massages his gums, and docks Ren's tail with a rubber band. He brushes their fur, unintentionally shaving Stimpy's fur and Ren's skin, revealing his skeleton. George brings them to pre-judging, where Mr. Horse serves as judge.

Mrs. Buttloaves' dog Periwinkle is judged; Mr. Horse chews it, finds it uncomfortable, and disqualifies it, throwing it to a bulldog who eats it. A hyperactive poodle is disqualified, then articulately slanders its owner before accepting its demise. Ren is judged; his rheum and ear mites are considered typical of Chihuahuas, and he is allowed entry. Stimpy is disqualified for having smooth buttocks; George's furious assault convinces Mr. Horse to change his mind.

The Salesman judges the final round. A well-groomed greyhound gets a near-perfect score. Stimpy is disqualified again for an ingrown claw. George rips his shirt and vows to win; Ren tells him to compete instead.

George agrees, wins the competition due to his muscular physique despite being human, and has his ego expanded as the honored pet, while Ren and Stimpy celebrate as owners.

Production

"Dog Show" had an extremely troubled production due to disputes between John Kricfalusi and Nickelodeon executive Vanessa Coffey over its content; its predecessor "Man's Best Friend" was banned for similar reasons. The judges were originally stereotypically effeminate gay men, and George Liquor made homophobic remarks. Coffey ordered the judges replaced with Mr. Horse and the Salesman, delaying the episode. Some homophobic remarks were removed, but others like "keep this strictly professional, Mack" were retained out of context. Animation was done at Rough Draft Korea in Seoul. The episode was scheduled for September 5, 1992, but aired December 12, 1992 due to delays.