The Christmas Tree/Punchline (Part I)/Prom Night/Punchline (Part II) is the 98th and penultimate episode of the original Animaniacs, and is the 8th episode of the show's fifth season. It originally premiered on April 25, 1998.
Animaniacs Theme Song (Holiday version)
Last line
Yakko: "Candy cane-y!"
Trivia
- Although the Kids' WB!-era lyrics of the theme song are heard, the animations from season 1 are shown. In addition, the "Citizen Kaney" line animation is shown over Yakko saying "Candy cane-y..."
- As a result, the line "We pay tons of income tax" is dubbed over "While Bill Clinton plays the sax". Also, the line "Meet Ralph and Dr. Scratchansniff, say hi to Hello Nurse!" is dubbed over "meet Pinky and the Brain who want to rule the universe".
- This is the final episode to use the regular Animaniacs intro in the original series.
- This is also the final episode to use the "We pay tons of income tax" and "Meet Ralph and Dr. Scratchansniff, say hi to Hello Nurse!" lines.
- However, on some listings such as Hulu, Magic Time/The Brain's Apprentice is the final episode to use the "We pay tons of income tax" line.
- However, on some listings such as Hulu, Magic Time/The Brain's Apprentice is the final episode to use the "We pay tons of income tax" line.
The Christmas Tree
Animation by Wang Film Production
Plot
Slappy's tree is chosen as the Christmas tree to stand in Rockyfellow Center in New York City.
Crew
- Written by Nick DuBois, Kevin Hopps, Randy Rogel and Tom Ruegger
- Directed by Mike Milo
Trivia
- This is the final Slappy Squirrel cartoon.
- Oddly, when Slappy & Skippy first appear they are at their normal sizes. When they went to meet the CEO, they are briefly the size of normal squirrels.
- The World's Oldest Woman makes a cameo.
- Slappy, at some point in the second part of this segment, references the Hanna-Barbera character Huckleberry Hound, whose show was the first animated TV program to ever win an Emmy Award.
- Rockyfellow Center is a spoof of Rockefeller Center.
- Katey Cupcake and Almond Rocha are parodies of Katie Couric and Al Roker, who, at the time, co-hosted the Christmas in Rockefeller Center specials on NBC.
- The Warner siblings make a cameo at the very end, where they were at the Water Tower and Dot shouts to “turn off that lights!” to end the episode.
Punchline (Part I)
Animation by StarToons
Plot
In this first parody of Nightline, Ted Foppel holds a discussion on the age-old question "Why did the chicken cross the road?" with his special guests Chicken Boo, Pinky and the Brain, the Goodfeathers, and Runt.
Trivia
- The opening sequence to Punchline was first used in the Tiny Toons Spring Break Special, then later used in a few Pinky and the Brain episodes.
- The Ted Koppel parody character here is named "Ted Foppel" instead of the usual "Fred Foppel."
- The Brain's "second chicken" theory is a parody of the "second shooter" conspiracy theory in the Assassination of John F. Kennedy.
- This episode was highlighted by YTV in a promo aired during the late-90's.
Gallery
Prom Night
Katie Kaboom returns for an encore!
Animation by Wang
Plot
Katie Ka-Boom is looking forward to the senior prom, but her family is surprised at how many demands she makes and she explodes when they can’t agree on a curfew.
Crew
- Written by Nicholas Hollander
- Directed by Charles Visser
Trivia
- This is the final Katie Ka-Boom cartoon.
- Unlike other Katie Ka-Boom cartoons, Katie's Dad actually stands up to her when he was talking about her curfew.
Punchline (Part II)
Animation by StarToons
Plot
In the second "Nightline" parody, Ted Foppel holds a discussion on "Which came first, the chicken or the egg?" which Chicken Boo automatically answers.
Trivia
- This is the final Chicken Boo cartoon. Boo would go on to become a minor recurring character in the 2020 Animaniacs reboot, resuming his occasional cameos in the Yakko, Wakko, and Dot segments.
- This is the final Animaniacs-related production to be animated by StarToons.
Production Notes
- Both parts of "Punchline" first aired on November 1, 1997; with "Hercule Yakko" and "The Brain's Apprentice" under "Episode 94A" of the Re-Arranged Animaniacs episode listing. Similarly, "The Christmas Tree" first debuted under "Episode 98A" on December 20, 1997. It was paired with "'Twas the Day Before Christmas" and "The Great Wakkorotti: The Holiday Concert." The full half-hour would later debut in its regular form on April 25th, 1998.[1]
- Apparently, an alternate version of this episode was planned to pair "The Christmas Tree" with "There's Only One of You" and "The Scoring Session" at one point.[2]
Cast
| Voice Actors: | Character(s): |
| Rob Paulsen | Yakko Warner, Pinky, Katie's Dad, Caroler #1 |
| Jess Harnell | Wakko Warner, Caroler #2 |
| Tress MacNeille | Dot Warner, Katey Cupcake, World's Oldest Woman |
| Maurice LaMarche | The Brain, Squit, Morris |
| Frank Welker | Chicken Boo, Runt, Ted Foppel, Announcer |
| John Mariano | Bobby |
| Chick Vennera | Pesto |
| Sherri Stoner | Slappy Squirrel, Assistant |
| Nathan Ruegger | Skippy Squirrel |
| Brian George | Lou |
| Scott Valentine | Jacobi Myers |
| Kevin Michael Richardson | Almond Rocha, Cab Driver |
| Steve Bernstein | Caroler #3 |
| Julie Bernstein | Caroler #4 |
| Mary Gross | Katie's Mom |
| Laura Mooney | Katie Ka-Boom |
| Justin Garms | Tinker |
| Buddy Hackett | CEO |
Gag Credit
You Better Not Cry
You Better Not Pout
I'm Telling You Why
Wakko Put A Little Surprise In The Eggnog
Trivia
- The last line in the gag credits implies that Wakko put alcohol in eggnog.
References
- ↑ Animaniacs Schedule Archive (1997-1998)- Kids Block Blog. Published September 27, 2011. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
- ↑ There's Only One Of You / The Christmas Tree / The Scoring Session - eidr. Retrieved October 2, 2024.