- For the 1996 VHS release, see A Pinky and the Brain Christmas (VHS)
A Pinky and the Brain Christmas is the 8th episode of the Pinky and the Brain spin-off series, and the show's only Christmas Special. It originally aired on December 13, 1995.
Notably, this episode is the recipient of the 1996 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program, and is the only program in The WB's primetime lineup to have won a Primetime Emmy in any category.
A Pinky and the Brain Christmas[]
Animation by TMS
Plot[]
It may be Christmas time but The Brain is still hard at work plotting world domination. He and Pinky trek to the North Pole to slip-in Brain’s plans for a hypnotic doll to Santa’s toy-making production so every child on the Earth can get one. Brain hopes this will lead to everyone falling under the dolls’ hypnotic spell to obey him.
Crew[]
- Written By Peter Hastings
- Directed By Rusty Mills
Songs[]
- "Pinky and the Brain Theme (Christmas)"
- "Deck the Halls"
- "Jingle Bells"
- "Christmas Ballad" (contains "Joy to the World", "Hark the Herald Angels Sing", and the "Pinky and the Brain Theme")
Trivia[]
- This is the only episode of the spin-off to feature original animation provided by Tokyo Movie Shinsha Co., Ltd.
- This episode is the winning recipient of the 1996 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program, beating out the likes of even The Simpsons.
- It is currently the only WB Network series to have won a Primetime Emmy in the network's entire existence for 11 years.
- For this episode's intro, the theme song receives a festive re-arrangement with a new instrumental, a snow filter, and Christmas-oriented lyrics. At the end of the theme song, a quote of the Christmas carol "Good King Wenceslas" plays when Steven Spielberg's name appears in the logo. This was added by series composer Richard Stone, as a play on the original carol's line "Good King Wenceslas looked out on the Feast of Stephen."[1]
- Aspects of the Animaniacs episode "Puppet Rulers" are referenced in this episode. Brain's hypnotic dolls are named Noodle Noggin, a reference to Brain's stage name (and Pinky even says "I like that name!"). President Bill Clinton also receives a Noodle Noggin Doll, much like he did in "Puppet Rulers."
- When recounting on past Christmas plans, one adventure Pinky mentions is a trip through time to Bethlehem. This further implies that episodes set in other time-periods are a result of the mice time-traveling.
- A machine resembling the one from "Be Careful What You Eat" can be seen in the toy factory.
- When Pinky tells Brain that he would rather be a Dentist more than an Elf, he was referencing the character Hermey the Elf from the 1964 Holiday Special Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (Brain even responds back to Pinky that he's seen too many Christmas Specials).
- Brain mentions that he finds the reindeer Donner's party unappealing. This references the ill-fated Donner Party in the 1840s.
- The climactic scene where Brain reads Pinky's letter is generally considered by many to be one of the hallmark scenes of not only the Pinky and the Brain series, but also the entire Animaniacs franchise.
- Rob Paulsen and Maurice LaMarche have stated that they were in tears while recording this scene.
- The ending chorus receives a festive rearrangement. After Pinky sings "Joy to the World," the chorus sings the first line of "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" (ala the ending of A Charlie Brown Christmas) before singing the Pinky and the Brain theme with Pinky and Brain themselves joining in.
Quotes[]
- The Brain:
- (Reading Pinky's letter to Santa)
- Dear Santa,
- Hello, haha, NARF! This year Santa, I ask for nothing, but I wish to tell you about my dear friend, the Brain.
- He is honest and very hard working, and only wants what’s best for the world. But he gets no reward.
- He is only greeted with defeat. He never gives up, but I know it must be very hard.
- So please, take anything that you have for me and give it to my best friend in the whole world, the Brain.
- Love, Pinky
- P.S. By any chance, do you have in that big old bag of yours, the world?
Gallery[]
Promotional Material[]
Promotional Card
Poster Variant
WB 1995 Network Pinky & The Brain Christmas promo
Cover for the 1996 VHS release
1997 The WB Nick Freno- Licensed Teacher & A Pinky and the Brain Christmas promo
Pinky's Letter To Santa - Pinky And The Brain - Hulu Christmas
Production Notes[]
- The production for this episode began when Tom Ruegger and Jean McCurdy approached Peter Hastings to make a Christmas special. He then created two ideas: One idea featured Brain realizing the emotional value of Christmas specials, and creating his own with Pinky entitled The Littlest Snowflake to manipulate people through their televisions. In the other idea, the mice infiltrate Santa's workshop for a plan. When Hastings presented the ideas to Ruegger, he was advised to use the "Santa" story.[2] [3]
- As a result of the emotional ending scene, Maurice LaMarche has since played Brain in all future productions with the approach that he cares for Pinky deep-down.[4]
- Even after Pinky and the Brain left The WB's primetime schedule, this particular special would still be rerun occasionally in primetime around Christmas.
- On Hulu, this episode was swapped with "Snowball" in the episode count, making this episode 9 there.
Cast[]
| Voice Actors: | Character(s): |
| Rob Paulsen | Pinky, Additional Voices |
| Maurice LaMarche | The Brain, Additional Voices |
| Tress MacNeille | Dave Burl, Additional Voices |
| Frank Welker | The President, Additional Voices |
| Jeff Glen Bennett | Schotzie, Additional Voices |
| Earl Boen | Santa Claus |
References[]
- ↑ Animanicast 262- "A Pinky and the Brain Christmas" Commentary With Maurice LaMarche and Peter Hastings (11:50 - 12:30). Published December 11, 2022. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
- ↑ Animanicast 262- "A Pinky and the Brain Christmas" Commentary With Maurice LaMarche and Peter Hastings (5:00 - 6:30). Published December 11, 2022. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
- ↑ Brian VanHooker (12-10-2022) - NARF! An Oral History of 'A Pinky and the Brain Christmas'. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
- ↑ Animanicast 262- "A Pinky and the Brain Christmas" Commentary With Maurice LaMarche and Peter Hastings (10:36 - 11:10). Published December 11, 2022. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
External links[]