Animaniacs Wiki
Register
Advertisement
Animaniacs Wiki

One Flew Over the Cuckoo Clock is the 83rd episode of the original Animaniacs and the first episode of season 4.

It originally aired on September 7, 1996. The episode is notable to be the only episode to feature a full half-hour dedicated to Slappy Squirrel.

Very Special Opening

Animaniacs special presentation logo

Animation by Tokyo Movie Shinsha Co., Ltd.


Slappy and Skippy Intro

Slappysquirreltheme2

Animation by Wang Film Productions Co., Ltd.

Trivia

One Flew Over the Cuckoo Clock

83-1-OneFlewOverTheCuckooClock

Animation by Wang Film Production

Plot

Slappy tries to watch TV, but all of the channels have shows with ridiculous concepts. Eventually, their constant ads and scheduling times cause Slappy to have a breakdown. Skippy tries to take care of the house for her, but when he leaves her alone to go to school, Slappy nearly burns their tree down by toasting her hat. She is subsequently committed into the Cartoon Motion Picture and Rest Home. Just like he did when they were at their old tree, Skippy visits Slappy at 3:01 PM everyday. However, her condition doesn't improve, although she does shed a tear after Skippy tells her that "I'll love you forever, Aunt Slappy."


However, a social worker, who was called by Skippy's teacher over concerns about Skippy mentioning Slappy's breakdown, comes to the house, and upon discovering Slappy is no longer living with Skippy, takes him away to an adoption village. When Skippy fails to show up at the rest home at 3 PM, Slappy snaps out of her daze and frantically looks for him. Finally, she escapes the rest home and rescues Skippy.

Crew

Songs

Trivia

  • This is the only half-hour Slappy Squirrel cartoon.
  • The title is a parody of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.
  • This episode was largely based on Tom Ruegger's memories of visiting his Great Aunt Kay at a nursing home.
  • A common fan rumor maintained that this episode was originally a pilot for a Slappy and Skippy spinoff series much like Pinky and the Brain, but there is no basis to the rumor. Tom Ruegger writes: "If a series came out of that half-hour Slappy cartoon, we would have been thrilled. But that was not the intention or goal."
  • Freakazoid is on the cover of the TV Guide issue that Slappy is reading at the beginning.
  • As Slappy starts to go crazy, the sound of someone saying "Uma, Oprah" can be heard repeatedly. This is a reference to the 67th Academy Awards hosted by David Letterman where he pointed at Oprah Winfrey and Uma Thurman and went back and forth saying "Oprah, Uma, Uma, Oprah." Video here.
  • Throughout the episode, Slappy mentions numerous talk show hosts from that era (Regis Philbin, Kathie Lee Gifford, Rosie O' Donnell, Oprah Winfrey, Tempestt Bledsoe, Jerry Springer, Geraldo Rivera, Sally Jessy Raphael, Ricki Lake, Jenny Jones and Montel Williams).
  • The doctor who examines Slappy is a caricature of George Clooney's portrayal of Doug Ross as he appears in the medical drama ER.
  • When Skippy first leaves home for school, he utters Mindy's catchphrase, "Okay, I love you, buh-bye!"
    • A picture of Buttons can be seen in the same shot.
  • An elderly version of Wally Walrus can be spotted at the retirement home (credited Walrusman), as well as elderly versions of Minnie Mouse (named Rena Rat), Donald Duck (called Quacky Duck), Goofy (called Doofy), Mighty Mouse (called Rocket Rat) and Woody Woodpecker.
  • Elderly versions of Tom and Jerry can be seen chasing each other around the rest home. Jerry is white in this episode, even though in the Tom and Jerry cartoons, Jerry is orange-brown.
  • Hello Nurse appears as one of the nurses at the retirement home.
  • This has gone down in history as the most emotional episode of Animaniacs (and to some degree, Slappy Squirrel: According to Tom Ruegger, they had never attempted using heart and emotion in Slappy segments).
  • Yakko, Wakko, and Dot are only shown in the very beginning of the episode, singing the Skippy & Slappy theme song before the episode's title card appears.
    • Later on, Wakko can be seen on the TV when Skippy first appears in his aunt's house.
  • The Arabic dub and the UK airings removed the scene where Slappy kicked the doctor in the groin after he hit her knee with a medical hammer.
  • A sped-up, high-pitched "Kabong" sound from Hanna-Barbera's Quick Draw McGraw can be heard when the cuckoo clock hits the Old Pig on the head in the Laundry Chute at the Cartoon Motion Picture Rest Home (this episode was first aired one month and three days prior to the merge of H-B's parent company, Ted Turner's Turner Broadcasting with Time Warner, which in turn led to the transfer of its various properties to Warner Bros.). This sound effect would later be reused in "Acquaintances."
  • Slappy calls herself "A regular Speedy Gonzales" referencing the famous Looney Tunes star of that name.

Quotes

Slappy:
(to the doctor) Y'know, you remind me of a very young Dr. Pepper, before the nose job.
Slappy:
(to orderly) You remind me of a very young Peter Potamus.

Gallery

Cast

Voice Actors: Character(s):
Sherri Stoner Slappy Squirrel, Sally Jessy Raphael
Nathan Ruegger Skippy Squirrel
Jess Harnell Walter Wolf, Rocket Rat, Wakko Warner
Tress MacNeille Hello Nurse, Mrs. Munk, Old Pig, Jenny Jones, Dot Warner
Rob Paulsen Dr. George, Geraldo Rivera, Walrusman, Yakko Warner
Gail Matthius Rena Rat, Ricki Lake, Jane Whitney
Frank Welker Quacky Duck, Old Dog, Tom & Jerry
Maurice LaMarche Doofy, Phil Donahue, Janitor
Jeff Glen Bennett Woodpeckerman, Maury Povich, Montel Williams
Vernee Watson-Johnson Mrs. Jenny, Oprah Winfrey

Stinger

CuckooClockSlappy

Animation by Tokyo Movie Shinsha Co., Ltd.

Slappy: It's ovah! Go away!

Trivia

  • This credits stinger is the first time Tokyo Movie Shinsha Co., Ltd. has provided "new" animation for Animaniacs since Season 2.
  • This is the second time where the credits doesn't feature the regular credits theme.
  • This is also the first and only time where the Water Tower is absent from both the credits and stingers, as Slappy's treehouse takes its place in this episode.
    • The credits to Episode 28 also mostly took place elsewhere, but that episode did at least feature the tower returning for the stinger.

Production Notes

  • On Netflix and HBO Max, this episode was listed as the final episode of "season 2" (On Netflix and HBO Max, "Season 2" was made up of all episodes from Seasons 2 and 3).

References

List of Animaniacs (Original Series) episodes
Season 1
De-Zanitized / The Monkey Song / Nighty-Night ToonYakko's World / Cookies for Einstein / Win BigH.M.S. Yakko / Slappy Goes Walnuts / Yakko's UniverseHooked on a Ceiling / Film Projector Transition / Goodfeathers: The BeginningTaming of the ScrewyFlipper Parody / Temporary Insanity / Operation: Lollipop / What are We?Piano Rag / When Rita Met RuntThe Warners' Lot Song / The Big Candy Store / Bumbie's MomWally Llama / Where Rodents DareKing YakkoNo Pain, No Painting / Les MiseranimalsGarage Sale of the Century / Fortunes / West Side PigeonsHello Nice Warners / La Behemoth / Little Old Slappy From PasadenaLa La Law / Cat on a Hot Steel BeamSpace-Probed / Battle for the PlanetChalkboard Bungle / Hurray for Slappy / The Great Wakkorotti: The Master & His MusicRoll Over, Beethoven / The Cat and the FiddlePavlov's Mice / Chicken Boo-Ryshnikov / Nothing But the ToothMeatballs or Consequences / A Moving ExperienceHearts of Twilight / The BoidsThe Flame / Wakko's America / Davy Omelette / Four Score and Seven Migraines AgoGuardin' the Garden / Plane PalsBe Careful What You Eat / Session 1 / Up the Crazy River / Session 2 / Ta Da DumpYakko's World of Baldness / Opportunity Knox / Wings Take HeartHercule Yakko / Home on De-Nile / A Midsummer Night's DreamTestimonials / Babblin' Bijou / Potty Emergency / Sir YaksalotYou Risk Your Life / I Got Yer Can / Jockey for PositionMoby or Not Moby / Mesozoic Mindy / The Good, the Boo, and the UglyDraculee, Draculaa / Phranken-RuntHot, Bothered and Bedeviled / Moon Over Minerva / Skullhead BoneyhandsO Silly Mio / Puttin' on the Blitz / The Great Wakkorotti: The Summer ConcertChairman of the Bored / Planets Song / Astro-ButtonsCartoons in Wakko's Body 1 / Noah's Lark / Cartoons in Wakko's Body 2 / The Big Kiss / Cartoons in Wakko's Body 3 / Hiccup / Cartoons in Wakko's Body ConclusionClown and Out / Bubba Bo Bob BrainVery Special Opening / Animaniacs Stew / In the Garden of Mindy / Pinky and the Cat / We've Been Mixing Up the Scripts / No Place Like Homeless / Katie Ka-Boo / We Found This Old Computer / Dottie the Squirrel / Baghdad CaféCritical Condition / The Three Muska-WarnersDough Dough Boys / Boot Camping / General Boo-RegardSpellboundSmitten with Kittens / Alas Poor Skullhead / White GlovesCasablanca Opening / Fair Game / The Slapper / Puppet RulersButtermilk, It Makes a Body Bitter / Broadcast Nuisance / Raging BirdAnimator's Alley / HollywoodchuckOf Nice and Men / What a Dump! / Survey LadiesUseless Facts / The Senses Song / The World Can Wait / Kiki's Kitten / • Mary Tyler Dot Song / Windsor Hassle / ...And Justice for SlappyTurkey Jerky / Wild Blue YonderVideo Review / When Mice Ruled the EarthMobster Mash / Lake Titicaca / IcebreakersVery Special Opening / A Christmas Plotz / Little Drummer WarnersSlippin' on the Ice / 'Twas the Day Before Christmas / Jingle Boo / The Great Wakkorotti: The Holiday Concert / Toy Shop Terror / Yakko's UniverseBranimaniacs / The Warners and the Beanstalk / Frontier SlappyUps and Downs / The Brave Little Trailer / Yes, AlwaysDrive-Insane / Girlfeathers / I'm CuteBrain Meets Brawn / Meet MinervaGold Rush / A Gift of Gold / Dot's Quiet TimeSchnitzelbank / The Helpinki Formula / Les Boutons et le Ballon / Kung BooOf Course You Know, This Means Warners / Up a Tree / Wakko's GizmoOh, Oh, Ethel / Inkblot Test / Meet John Brain / Smell Ya LaterRagamuffins / Woodstock SlappyKaraoke Dokie / Cranial Crusader / The Chicken Who Loved MeBaloney & Kids / Super Buttons / Katie Ka-Boom: The Driving LessonScare Happy Slappy / Witch One / MacBethWith Three, You Get Eggroll / Mermaid Mindy / Katie Ka-Boom: Call WaitingLookit the Fuzzy Heads / No Face Like HomeMy Father the Tuna / The Warners' 65th Anniversary Special
Season 2
Take My Siblings, Please / The Mindy 500 / Morning MalaiseWe're No Pigeons / Whistle-Stop Mindy / Katie Ka-Boom: The Broken DateMiami Mama-Mia / Pigeon on the Roof / CooI'm Mad / Bad Mood Bobby / Katie Ka-Boom: The Blemish / Fake
Season 3
Super Strong Warner Siblings / Nutcracker Slappy / Wakko's New Gookie / A Quake, a Quake!Variety Speak / Three Tenors and You're Out / BingoPreviously on Animaniacs / Deduces Wild / Rest in Pieces / U.N. MeA Hard Day's Warners / Gimme a Break / Please Please Please Get a Life FoundationThe Tiger Prince / All The Words in the English Language (Part 1) / The Kid in the Lid / All The Words in the English Language (Part 2) / Method to Her Madness / All The Words in the English Language (Part 3)The Presidents Song / Don't Tread on Us / The Flame ReturnsGimme the Works / Buttons in Ows / Hercules UnwoundThis Pun for Hire / Star Truck / Go Fish / Multiplication (song)The Sound of Warners / Yabba Dabba BooMy Mother the Squirrel / The Party / Oh! Say Can You See / The Twelve Days of ChristmasDot's Entertainment / The Girl with the Googily Goop / Gunga Dot2001 Parody 1 / Soccer Coach Slappy 2001 Parody 2 / Belly Button Blues / Our Final Space Cartoon, We Promise / Valuable LessonWakko's 2-Note Song / Panama Canal / Hello Nurse / The Ballad of Magellan / The Return of the Great Wakkorotti / The Big Wrap Party Tonight
Season 4
One Flew Over the Cuckoo ClockCutie and the Beast / Boo Happens / Noel / Cold EndingAnimani-rats /• Jokahontas / Boids on the Hood / Mighty Wakko at the BatA Very Very Very Very Special Show / Night of the Living Buttons / Soda JerkFrom Burbank with Love / Anchors A-Warners / When You're TravelingParody Commercials / Papers for Pappa / Amazing Gladiators / Pinky and the RalphTen Short Films About Wakko Warner / No Time for Love / The Boo NetworkPitter Patter of Little Feet / Mindy in Wonderland / Ralph's Wedding
Season 5
Moosage in a Bottle / Back in Style / Bones in the BodyIt / Dot - The Macadamia Nut / Bully for SkippyCute First (Ask Questions Later) / Acquaintances / Here Comes Atilla / Boo WonderMagic Time / The Brain's Apprentice
Hooray for North Hollywood: (Part 1Part 2)
The Carpool / The Sunshine SquirrelsThe Christmas Tree / Punchline (Part 1) / Prom Night / Punchline (Part 2)
The Ultimate Animaniacs Super Special:
(Birds on a Wire / The Scoring Session / Transition: Very Special Opening / The Animaniacs Suite)
Advertisement