Pinky and the Brainmaker/Calvin Brain is the 13th episode of the 3rd season of the Pinky and the Brain spin-off series and the 38th episode overall. It originally aired on September 29, 1997. Both cartoons in this episode were animated by Rough Draft.
Pinky and the Brainmaker[]
Plot[]
The Brain uses a dance to demonstrate the true poetic majesty of world domination in this musical interlude.
Crew[]
- Written by Norm McCabe
- Directed by Russell Calabrese
Songs[]
- "Waltz Of The Flowers" by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (Instrumental Only)
Trivia[]
- This episode was written by Warner Bros. Animation veteran Norm McCabe, who animated for Looney Tunes and did sheet-timing for Animaniacs.
- The episode parodies the popular theatrical show Riverdance, which consisted of traditional Irish music and dance.
- The opening scene where Pinky gracefully plays with the balloon-globe parodies a scene from the 1940 film The Great Dictator, where Adenoid Hynkel plays with a similar toy.
Calvin Brain[]
Plot[]
The Brain becomes a fashion designer and Pinky becomes a supermodel to promote a mind-controlling fragrance.
Crew[]
- Written by Rich Fogel, Earl Kress, and Charles M. Howell IV
- Directed by Russell Calabrese
Songs[]
Trivia[]
- The episode title is a parody of American fashion designer Calvin Klein, who is parodied in this cartoon along with his fashion products.
- Brain's mind-control fragrance "Subjugation" is a parody of the popular Calvin Klein perfume "Obsession."
- When Brain mentions that he and Pinky are journeying to a place where "women are paid huge amounts of money to look beautiful and change their clothes frequently"; Pinky believes that Brain is referring to actor Charlie Sheen's house rather than a fashion show. This also references Sheen's lewd romantic endeavors.
- Elsa Kitsch is a caricature of Elsa Klensch who hosted Style with Elsa Klensch for CNN from 1980 to 2001.
- Baloney and his fictitious program make a cameo appearance during Calvin Brain and Pinky's press-tour. Notably, Baloney's mouth doesn't move when he speaks, seemingly making light of lower-budget children's programs utilizing mascots with limited movements.
- The following magazines are spoofed throughout this cartoon:
- Cosmopolitan (as "Cosmouse")
- Harper's Bazaar (as "Harpies Bizarre")
- Vogue (as "Vague")
- House of Fads a parody of House of Style, a fashion program which ran from 1989-2000 on MTV.
- The "I'm Too Happy" song is a parody of Right Said Fred's 1991 song "I'm Too Sexy."
- The fictitious director of Pinky's music video is Skeetz Edwards, who was also credited for Harold Foster Brain's movie The Day The Earth Moved Just A Smidge (as "Skeets") in "The Pinky Protocol." Edwards would later be credited with directing the Slappy and Suzy cartoon "Nutty Nurses"; as referenced in the Animaniacs episode "The Sunshine Squirrels."
- Pop-singer Michael Jackson is briefly spoofed along with his Neverland Ranch (called "Nevermore Ranch" here). Eerie theremin music accompanies Jackson's appearance.
Soundtrack[]
- Jeanie With the Light Brown Hair by Stephen Foster (Plays in "Calvin Brain")
- Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (Plays in "Calvin Brain")
- Yankee Doodle (Plays in "Calvin Brain")
- Entry of the Gladiators by Julius Fucík (Plays in "Calvin Brain")
Cast[]
| Voice Actors: | Character(s): |
| Rob Paulsen | Pinky, Additional Voices |
| Maurice LaMarche | The Brain, Additional Voices |
| Tress MacNeille | Elsa Kitch, Additional Voices |
| Jeff Bennett | Fabrizio Ditzio |
| Laraine Newman | Giselle |