Clueless, the 1995 movie, was so popular with '90s teens that ABC (and later UPN) adapted it into a TV series. Mainstays of the network television primetime lineups, these best current sitcoms, many with top-notch acting, are among the funniest shows on television today with witty jokes and lovable characters. I mean, it's still on. There were so many different cartoon blocks on so many different channels that it's almost impossible to count them and some of them were just plain better than the others. Originally, it started out as its own absurdist comic series for New England Comics, until its creator, Ben Edlund, was approached about doing an animated series. . 4,696. It was an admirable attempt by Looney Tunes to stay relevant. The show also included some familiar premises that were later adapted into the live-action film franchise, including the Sentinels scenario from X-Men: Days of Future Past and the "Age of Apocalypse" storyline kinda sorta seen in X-Men: Apocalypse. The Complete List of the Original Saturday Morning Cartoons! Whereas Pinky was a happy, fun-loving idiot who had a Tourettes-like tic, Brain was a megalomaniacal genius who was hell bent on world domination. If you were a hardcore Goofy fan, it may have seemed like an embarrassing attempt at keeping the character relevant, but to everyone else, it was just another Disney show with its own strengths and weaknesses. It also showcased the talents of some really prolific voice actors like Rob Paulsen, Jim Cummings, and Nancy Cartwright. still remains a fan favorite to this day. as well, as SAT-level words appeared along with their definitions in the end credits. It even had two Jewish holiday specials—one for Hanukkah and one for Passover. Originally, Marsupilami only spoke one word in a Hodor-like fashion—his catchphrase “, was one of those fun-loving cartoons that lacked much in the way of educational value, it made up for it with slapstick humor in the vein of, featured a character we were already familiar with, the Tasmanian Devil, and built up his backstory with a family and supporting characters. Top stories. And today, we're taking a look at some little-known details about their long, wild history. But it also gave us the song "Happy Happy Joy Joy", so there. Grew up waaaaay before cable TV. If you are like me — or like most people — you may have been shocked and gutted this week by the revelation that the last block of Saturday morning cartoons has ended, meaning that future generations of children won't have anything to watch if they have the distinct misfortune of waking up early on a Saturday. Essentially a parody of superheroes like The Shadow and Batman, Darkwing Duck was filled with references to the Golden Age of comics, primarily the 1940s, with a bit of film noir and pulp novelization thrown in for good measure. Instead, the older incarnations appeared as teachers at the Acme Looniversity, where the younger characters were pupils. Back then we had 4 TV stations: ABC, CBS, NBC and PBS. won multiple Emmy Awards for Outstanding Animated Children’s Program, and it was also one of the only kid’s shows that featured Jewish characters. It taught me how to spell recycle, conserve, and pollute. After shows like X-Men: The Animated Series and Spider-Man: The Animated Series ruled Saturday mornings in the mid-1990s, Silver Surfer explored the furthest reaches of the Marvel Universe in 1998.Like those shows, the Saban Entertainment series ran on Fox's Fox Kids programming block. Good morning, this is Imogen Dewey bringing you the main stories and must-reads on Monday 7 December. animated series, at a time when it was not very common to see that done, especially in animation. Another long-running animated series that played out through the end of the ‘90s. The show latched onto Batman, in particular, naming Freakazoid's headquarters the Freakalair (with a butler named Ingmar) and his primary means of transportation was known as the Freakmobile. If you grew up during the era of Saturday morning cartoons and after the era of toy-commercials-turned-TV-shows, then there’s a big chance your favorite animated series is either getting a fresh start in the near future or has already been the recipient of a recent makeover. In tribute to these animated relics of the past, we’ve compiled a list of the 15 Best Saturday Morning Cartoons From The ‘90s. It was definitely one of the few Saturday morning cartoons that were ahead of its time. Besides all the wacky antics and silly catchphrases, Animaniacs worked because it dared to venture into risky territory. Certain shows just stay with you, whether it’s because of a catchy theme song, wacky scenarios, or hilarious voice talent. However, whether they were reruns carried over from the '60s to '80s or incredibly short lived, there were some '90s Saturday morning cartoons that are forever in my heart. The Internet did it Today, all of those cable channels (and more) continue to churn out animated material, but the world of TV and how it's consumed continues to evolve. Based on a Franco-Belgian comic book character, Disney developed their own iteration of. Rocko's Modern Life was like Ren and Stimpy but better. Cough Hollywood cough. In practice, it ended too soon. In fact, it became it's own unique creature. I consider this a prequel to The Goofy Movie, which was basically the best movie ever. Essentially a parody of superheroes like The Shadow and Batman. Did I get up at 5AM to watch twelve little girls in two straight lines? There also isn't any part of Arthur that isn't just as fun to watch now as it was back then. Originally appearing as part of Animaniacs, Pinky and The Brain got its own spinoff series in 1995 and was later followed by another version called Pinky, Elmyra, and the Brain, where the two mice accidentally get adopted by Elmyra from Tiny Toons. It effectively broke the fourth wall time after time, combined slapstick humor with parody, and captured the hearts of kids and adults alike. The Tick excelled at making fun of itself and constantly pushed the boundaries of what a cartoon could be, and especially, what a superhero cartoon could be. This underrated ABC Saturday morning cartoon, which started originally on the Disney Channel, marks the first time an animated Disney character like Pooh had a made-for-TV series based on them. Basically, There sure were a lot of animated superhero shows in the ‘90s. The go-to source for comic book and superhero movie fans. You're welcome. Ducktales (1987-1990) If you loved this show as a child, then you are probably singing the theme … Hey Arnold! Serkis Folk: Disney's first all CG character was the carpet from Aladdin. , which were also generally well-regarded. Especially Cousin Itt. Another long-running animated series that played out through the end of the ‘90s, Recess explored schoolyard politics among a group of elementary school kids at Third Street School. Generally regarded as the best animated series produced by Warner Brothers in coordination with Steven Spielberg, Animaniacs still remains a fan favorite to this day. Like. Before Johnny Depp and Captain Jack Sparrow, there was Pirates of Dark Water. I preferred the books. fans will be happy to learn that a full-length film is set to air on Nickelodeon in November. A team of mutant superheroes fight for justice and human acceptance in the Marvel Comics universe. Taz-Mania often broke the fourth wall and had a number clever cultural references that went over kids’ heads. counterparts, they weren’t actually related to them (or each other, as Babs and Buster constantly reminded us). Essentially, Freakazoid was the Mr. Hyde to Dexter’s Dr. Jekyll, although he was a lot less nefarious and much more insane. I dare you to try and get this theme song out of your head after you listen to it. So, grab your bowl of Fruit Loops and see if you agree with our top picks. The Mask was admittedly a better movie than it was a cartoon, but that didn't stop me from loving it. I'm a sucker for kid versions of my favorite cartoon characters. … Hey Arnold! Rocko's Modern Life (1993-1996) Rocko's Modern Life is about an average wallaby who leaves his home in Australia and moves to the United States for a better life, but soon finds out that life in the U.S. is not what he hoped it would be. Well, those days are over. Created by Mark Edward Edens, Sidney Iwanter, Eric Lewald. Cartoons become movies (Rugrats), movies become cartoons (Men in Black), and the decade closes with a massive outbreak of Pokemania. Kids', toddler, & baby clothes designed and sold by independent artists. You might also remember Bobby’s mother’s distinct Minnesotan accent and her frequent colloquialisms like “don’t cha’ know.” She was voiced by SNL alum Gail Matthius, who did a large amount of voiceover work for '90s animation, as did other cast members like Edie McClurg (Aunt Ruth) and Frank Welker (Roger the dog). while choking on a piece of cake as a kid. Ironically, Pinky often ended up saving the day or pointing out the flaws in Brain’s plans, despite his supposed lack of intellect. That didn't stop it from being AMAZING. The Banana Splits (Hanna-Barbera, 1968) The Bugaloos (Krofft, 1970) Gumby and Pokey (Clokey Productions, 1953) H.R. Easily one of the most beloved pillars of Disney's Saturday morning cartoon series, Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers is one of the most welcomed additions to the list. Each member of the Recess gang represented a “type”, not only within school, but in everyday life as well. The Magic School Bus should probably have ranked higher than this. Ren and Stimpy was a gross-out show of epic proportions that you probably wouldn't believe actually made it on television back then. This was by far my favorite of all the Jonny Quest cartoons. Kablam! The Tick helped fill out the Fox Kids Saturday morning block, but it generally appealed to a more adult audience than the other shows due to the comic book’s already established cult following. No preexisting Disney characters were used in the show with the exception of Darkwing’s sidekick, Launchpad McQuack, who had appeared in, as Scrooge’s pilot. Fans of the X-Men comics could enjoy seeing some of their favorite characters come to life on the small screen in both original stories and those adapted from the Marvel comics. In fact, it was so well received, the show took home eight Emmy awards (and even a Peabody Award) in its debut season. Sorry not sorry. Try to take over the world!” Whereas Pinky was a happy, fun-loving idiot who had a Tourettes-like tic, Brain was a megalomaniacal genius who was hell bent on world domination. While at the turn of the century Disney was still making original programming for One Saturday Morning on ABC, when the block got rebranded as ABC Kids, it became mainly a dumping ground for Disney Channel reruns before dying in 2011. One of the big changes in animation in the '00s was the slow death of Saturday morning cartoons. The show was noticeably darker both in tone and appearance than most other cartoons of the time, tackling themes of death, abuse, and revenge. sitcom. In particular, it was refreshing to see a show with so many emotional nuances embedded in it, especially when it came to Helga’s feelings for Arnold. It was really a dark, dark time in our history. The show mainly focused on the relationships of the main characters, namely Goofy’s relationship with his son Max and his neighbor Pete (who loses some of his villainy in exchange for providing a contrast in parenting styles from Goofy). was filled with references to the Golden Age of comics, primarily the 1940s, with a bit of film noir and pulp novelization thrown in for good measure. Although Tiny Toons looked like the cuter versions of their Looney Tunes counterparts, they weren’t actually related to them (or each other, as Babs and Buster constantly reminded us). Votes: 996 Another cartoon with another addictive theme song, but what can I say? While an inherently fun show, especially for kids. 1,692 . However, whether they were reruns carried over from the '60s to '80s or incredibly short lived, there were some '90s Saturday morning cartoons that are forever in my heart. Alvin and the Chipmunks mostly used this cartoon series to bring back every '80s song your mother sings in the car, but it also gave us two animated movies: Alvin and the Chipmunks Meet the Wolfman and Alvin and the Chipmunks Meet Frankenstein. Get ready for a heavy dose of nostalgia as we look at its best Saturday morning cartoons. Try to take over the world!”. But by the time the 90s rolled around, there was another special time to watch cartoons that has always stuck out in my mind. A one-stop shop for all things video games. Come on, Damon Wayans, we need it now! Shop high-quality t-shirts, masks, onesies, and hoodies for the perfect gift. Especially since the cartoons of my day were way better than the ones that were on now. 2021 Bustle Digital Group. PufnStuf (Krofft, 1969) Here Come the Double Deckers (Booth/Jones, 1971) Land of the Lost (Krofft, 1974) Lidsville (Krofft, 1971) Sigmund and the Sea Monsters (Krofft, 1973) Author's Note. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is an American television sitcom that originally aired on NBC from... more on … In theory, this sounds like a great idea for a time traveling cartoon. ... 90s Cartoons Wiki is a FANDOM TV Community. Aaahh!!! Despite only lasting for one season in the early ‘90s, the show’s comical scenarios and feel good father-son bonding eventually inspired two spin-off movies, A Goofy Movie and An Extremely Goofy Movie, which were also generally well-regarded. It also showcased the talents of some really prolific voice actors like Rob Paulsen, Jim Cummings, and Nancy Cartwright. Doesn't that terrify you? And despite her villainous behavior, we all looked forward to seeing what kind of trouble Angelica could cook up (even if she was a spoiled brat). Every superhero and supervillain on the show was more absurd than the last, including a character named Hand Man, which was actually just Freakazoid’s right hand (who ended up marrying his left). In fact, here is my definitive ranking of 56 of the best '90s Saturday Morning cartoons. A lot of scenes also took place in a hotel, where Taz was employed as a bellhop, which was meant to spoof John Cleese’s Fawlty Towers sitcom. It was like watching the movie to avoid reading the book. All the latest gaming news, game reviews and trailers. Everyone else can just go home. All the best shows were on, and you had to … In fact, it was so well received, the show took home eight Emmy awards (and even a Peabody Award) in its debut season. That's further down. Watching Animanics over again as an adult is like rewatching a Disney movie: filled with bonus, adult jokes that went right over your head. was acquired during Margaret Loesch’s appointment as head of children’s programming for Fox. The Fantastic Four deserves its props for being a fairly accurate representation of the comic book's storylines. The show was a microcosm of society, showing the diversity of human nature and the benefits of working through conflict for the betterment of everyone. Actors: Will Smith, James Avery, Alfonso Ribeiro. Besides all the wacky antics and silly catchphrases, Animaniacs worked because it dared to venture into risky territory. Batman Beyond might have been on the darker side of children's programming, but what were you expecting from a Batman cartoon? With an accountant for a sidekick and villains with names like Chairface Chippendale, it’s a small wonder the show lasted for three seasons on a mainstream network, but they always managed to throw enough comedy in that both kids and adults could enjoy. Originally, it started out as its own absurdist comic series for New England Comics, until its creator, Ben Edlund, was approached about doing an animated series. And despite her villainous behavior, we all looked forward to seeing what kind of trouble Angelica could cook up (even if she was a spoiled brat). And let’s not forget the show’s super amazing, ultra '90s hip-hop theme song performed by Jeff Pescetto, who also did the DuckTales and Rescue Rangers intros. Based on a Franco-Belgian comic book character, Disney developed their own iteration of Marsupilami, which originally aired during Disney’s Raw Toonage segments. Pepper Ann taught us all how to be too cool for seventh grade. Plus, we all know Lydia was calling the shots in that relationship on the cartoon. Spoiler alert: We never actually find out how they use the bathroom. The block broadcasts nightly from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. got its own spinoff series in 1995 and was later followed by another version called, where the two mice accidentally get adopted by Elmyra from. In the same vein as Muppet Babies and A Pup Named Scooby-Doo before it, Tiny Toon Adventures utilized younger versions of existing animated characters. The show also hilariously played with the idea that Taz could speak perfectly fine, especially if he wanted something, but chose not to. Although. Batman fans were also blessed with the, 15 People-Hunting Movies To Watch If You Liked The Hunt, 15 Best Saturday Morning Cartoons From The '90s, Friends: 10 Worst Times A Character Was Slut-Shamed (Ranked Least To Most Offensive), Downton Abbey: The First And Last Lines Of Every Character, Professional Athletes Turned Movie Stars: 5 Attempts We Loved (& 5 That Didn't Work Out As Well), Top 5 Times Star Wars Exceeded Fan Expectations (& 5 Times Fans Were Let Down), Curb Your Enthusiasm: 10 Well-Known Guest Stars Who Didn’t Play Themselves, Harry Potter: 10 Mistakes J.K. 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