What Ever Happened to Baby Brain/Just Say Narf is the 32nd episode of the 3rd season of the Pinky and the Brain spin-off series and the 57th episode overall. It originally aired on May 9, 1998. Both cartoons in this episode were animated by Wang.
What Ever Happened to Baby Brain[]
Plot[]
It's the Great Depression and all of Hollywood is down on its luck-- child star Trudy Simple is getting too old for her roles in her movies, which lift America's spirit in these trying times. In hopes to gain money for his latest plan to take over the world, The Brain takes advantage of this and poses as "Little Baby Brain" to replace her, with Pinky posing as his mother. Baby Brain becomes a rising star, much to the ire of a competing star.
Crew[]
- Written by Jed Spingarn
- Directed by Charles Visser
Songs[]
Trivia[]
- The title of this cartoon and Brain's alias "Baby Brain" is a parody of the novel What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?; and takes cues from the 1962 film adaptation.
- Benzeweinger is a caricature of Bette Davis, star of Baby Jane.
- Trudy Simple is based off-of child-star Shirley Temple.
- Brain dances with Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, much like the dance Bojangles shared with Temple in the 1935 film The Little Colonel.
- It should be noted that Bojangles previously appeared in the episode "Mice Don't Dance."
- The movie Brain stars in where he sings "Nice Boat, Candy Cane" is a parody of the movie Bright Eyes.
- Pinky and Brain seek out producers at Schwab's Pharmacy, a popular hangout for movie actors and movie industry dealmakers from the 1930s through the 1950s.
- The film that Benzeweinger, Joan Crawford and the Brain read for is a take on the 1981 biographical drama Mommie Dearest; which was based off Joan's daughter Christina Crawford's toxic experiences with her.
- Joan Crawford also starred in Baby Jane.
- The character of Irving Thyroid is based off-of film-producer Irving Thalberg.
- Gossip columnist Hooda Hepper is a parody of gossip columnist Hedda Hopper.
- The Puce Fedora is a parody of the Brown Derby, a chain restaurant in Los Angeles.
- Brain's escort, Rickey Mooney, is a caricature of actor Mickey Rooney.
- Brain finally has a face-to-face meeting with the very man his voice was initially based-off of: famous director Orson Welles. The two apparently share a desire to take over the world and bond over their hatred for the paparazzi.
Gallery[]
Just Say Narf[]
Plot[]
Brain is depressed, and converses with Pinky. In an attempt to raise his spirits, Pinky performs a song for Brain.
Crew[]
- Written by Bill Canterbury and Gordon Bressack
- Directed by Charles Visser
Songs[]
- "Just Say Narf!" (Version 2)
Trivia[]
- The titular song is reprised from "This Old Mouse", which aired earlier in season 3.
- Once again, the song is a spoof of the song "Make 'Em Laugh" from the musical film Singin' in the Rain. During the instrumental break, Pinky and Brain recreate the puppet scene.
- This is one of the few Pinky and the Brain cartoons that doesn't end with the ending chorus performing the Pinky and the Brain theme song (a practice which would become a more regular occurrence in Pinky, Elmyra and the Brain and the 2020 Animaniacs reboot).
Cast[]
| Voice Actors: | Character(s): |
| Rob Paulsen | Pinky, Additional Voices |
| Maurice LaMarche | The Brain, Additional Voices |
| Pamela Hayden | Trudy Simple |
| Cary Elwes | Director Fritz |
| Tress MacNeille | Hooda Hepper, Assistant, Joan Crawford, Benzeweinger |
| Jeff Bennett | Irving Thyroid, Additional voices |
| Jim Cummings | Orson Welles, News Anchor |