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
Animation by Tokyo Movie Shinsha Co., Ltd.
Slappy and Skippy Intro
Animation by Wang Film Productions Co., Ltd.
Trivia
- The Animaniacs opening theme is not featured in this episode and skips straight to the Slappy and Skippy theme.
- This is the second episode where the Animaniacs opening is not featured, following "The Warners' 65th Anniversary Special".
- This is the second episode where the Animaniacs opening is not featured, following "The Warners' 65th Anniversary Special".
One Flew Over the Cuckoo Clock
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
- Written by Nicholas Hollander, Jeff Kwitny and Tom Ruegger
- Directed by Jon McClenahan and Rusty Mills
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
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 a Mime Time segment in episode 69, the finale for the show's second season and run on Fox Kids.[note 1]
- The second time where the credits doesn't feature the regular credits theme and takes place elsewhere (Slappy's Treehouse), following Episode 28 (featuring Buttons and Mindy in a park ala Lassie).
- This is also the first where the Water Tower is absent from both the credits and stingers.
- Episode 28's stinger featured the Water Tower at the very end.
- Episode 28's stinger featured the Water Tower at the very end.
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).
Notes
- ↑ This does not count re-used TMS Wheel of Morality animation present in episode 76.
References