The Pink Candidate is the 4th episode of the second season of the Pinky and the Brain spin-off series and the 17th episode overall.
The Pink Candidate[]
Animation by Wang
Plot[]
When Pinky sends a letter to the newspaper about how The Family Circus is no longer funny, the editors misconstrue his complaints about the comic for criticizing the lack of family values in America, which resonates with the America public. Loved by the citizens of the country, Pinky runs for president with The Brain running as his Chief of Staff. During the campaign, Brain assists Pinky by teaching him democracy and specialized glasses that will give him answers to difficult questions. After securing the presidency, Brain informs Pinky of his plan to use military equipment from the Pentagon to rig the radio stations. However, Pinky objects to Brain's plan, saying that it goes against everything he's come to stand for. Brain leaves in a huff and tries to enact the plan himself only to find that his book of world domination plans has been stolen and is put on trial. When Brain is sentenced to be stoned, Pinky intervenes and takes full accountability for Brain's actions. Though the Senate finds Pinky's courage admirable, they impeach him from office. When the mice leave, Brain thanks Pinky for saving his life and reminding him about the principles of democracy.
Crew[]
- Written By Reid Harrison
- Directed By Charles Visser
Songs[]
Trivia[]
- This episode's title is a reference to the 1959 novel The Manchurian Candidate.
- This entire episode is a satire of the 1996 United States presidential election, which occurred three days after this cartoon first aired.
- Circus of the Wannabe Presidential Candidates is a spoof of Circus of the Stars.
- The scene with the Meryl Streep caricature with her back to her boring husband, looking out into the garden at the Clint Eastwood character is a reference to the 1995 film The Bridges of Madison County.
- The back of Time Magazine that reads "B. Caldwell Alias S.B. Elf" is a reference storyboard artist Barry Caldwell. According to lore, Caldwell earned the nickname "Story Board Elf" when his coworkers could not find him in the studio, but when he's there his door is always closed, and on his desk are a bunch of storyboards he did at some time, somewhere, like a little elf in the night.
- One of the political parties, "The Fight for Your Right to Party" is a nod to the song by the Beastie Boys.
- Dan Anchorman returns from the Animaniacs episode "Broadcast Nuisance." He is a caricature of anchor Sam Donaldson. This time, he is voiced by Maurice LaMarche rather than Phil Hartman.
- Tiger Beet is a nod to Tiger Beat, a magazine catered to teenage girls.
- One of the people attending the Allied Front To Smear Candidate Pinky meeting is a caricature of Robert Shaw, specifically his performance as Quint in the 1975 film Jaws. It is later revealed that it was a disguise for Bil Keane, the creator of the comic strip The Family Circus, which the Brain criticized as never being funny at the beginning of the episode.
- The reporter who jokingly asks Pinky who he is going to vote for appears to be a caricature of Jerry Lewis, and uses a slightly-modified design of Lewis-caricature Mr. Director.
- Michigan J. Frog makes a cameo when Bil Keane is rummaging through Acme Labs for "dirt" on Pinky and his campaign.
- Before the ending chorus, an instrumental snippet of "Hail to the Chief" is heard. Then, Pinky and the Brain fall off the stairs, as they miss the plane that's heading back home.
Gallery[]
Cast[]
| Voice Actors: | Character(s): |
| Rob Paulsen | Pinky, Additional Voices |
| Maurice LaMarche | The Brain, Dan Anchorman, Additional Voices |
| Tress MacNeille | Old Woman |
| Frank Welker | Mr. President |
| Richard Karron | Sweaty Pete |
| Jim Meskimen | Bob D. |
| Kevin Michael Richardson (as Kevin M. Richardson) | Bernard S. |
| Steve McGowan | Reporter |
| Phil Snyder | Bob C. |
External links[]
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0674893/