Animaniacs

Original Air Date: 1993-1998

Network: WB

Filled with off-the-wall comedy and numerous parodies per episode, Animaniacsappealed to kids and adults alike. Purportedly telling the story of the original Warner Brothers -- Yakko and Wakko -- and the Warner sister, Dot, Animaniacs episodes were made up of three mini-episodes, each featuring different characters. The second cartoon produced by Steven Spielberg and Warner Bros. Animation (the first being Tiny Toon Adventures), Animaniacs was in many ways a throwback to the slapstick and cartoon violence of classic toons like Looney Tunes.

Much like other animated Warner Bros. series during the '90s, Animaniacs was accessible to children but contained a level of sophisticated humor and older references that only adults would enjoy. The series had the feel of a vintage variety show, with running gags and catchphrases galore, from Yakko's Groucho Marx-esque "Goodnight, everybody!" to Wakko's "Faboo!" Two characters became so popular they got their own spin-off series, Pinky and the Brain.