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"Taming of the Screwy" is the 5th episode of the original Animaniacs and the first single-segment episode. It originally aired on September 17, 1993.

Theme Song

Open1

Variable Line

Dot: The rain in Spainy...

Taming of the Screwy

5-TamingOfTheScrewy

Animation by Tokyo Movie Shinsha, Ltd.

Plot

Dr. Scratchansniff has to teach the Warners good manners for a party. However, this is a task easier said than done. When the Warners do learn good manners, they are kicked out of the party by Mr. Plotz, who wants to impress two Japanese producers. In the end, it is the Warners who host the great party.

Crew

Songs

Trivia

  • This is the first episode of Animaniacs to feature a full half-hour story.
  • Part of "The Etiquette Song" was used in the intro in some versions of episode 62 (such as the DVD). The line "While Bill Clinton plays the sax" still played over it (in the version streaming on Hulu, the Bill Clinton scene plays properly.)
    • In Season 2, the clip officially replaced the Bill Clinton footage, with a new line, "We got wisecracks by the stacks" replacing the Bill Clinton line. However, the non-English dubs kept the Bill Clinton line, but not the Bill Clinton footage. In Season 3, the footage of "The Etiquette Song" and the line "We got wisecracks by the stacks" were replaced by the line "We pay tons of income tax" with new animation of the Warners paying taxes.
  • While the episode's title references the William Shakespeare play The Taming of the Shrew, the plot has far more in common with George Bernard Shaw's play Pygmalion and Lerner & Lowe's Broadway musical adaptation, My Fair Lady (which is also referenced in this episode's variable verse). The play involves a narcissistic professor of language taking a young Cockney flower girl off the street and teaching her to speak in an upper-crust English dialect in order to pass her off as a noblewoman at a ball (to win a bet).
  • The shot of Wakko doing a rimshot on the drums would be reused in future episodes to emphasize a bad joke.
  • It is shown that Yakko speaks in a perfect Japanese (where the show's animation studio originated) language. When translated into English, the conversation he has with Mr. Kato is:
Yakko: "Tokyo is an extremely interesting place, isn't it?"
Mr. Kato: "Please go there."
Yakko: "If there's still a place to go, eh?"
  • The Warners' favorite movie stars are Michelle Pfeiffer (Yakko), Mel Gibson (Dot) and Don Knotts (Wakko).
  • This is the appearance of the Dot's Pet running gag.
  • Slappy Squirrel, Rita and Runt make cameos at the party. At the beginning of the cartoon, Chicken Boo is first mentioned when someone says, "It was a chicken, I tell ya! A giant chicken!"
  • This is the first aired appearance of Mr. Director. The short "Hello Nice Warners" was produced before "Taming of the Screwy"[1] but aired afterward, making Mr. Director's appearance here really zany.
  • Thaddeus Plotz's full name still has never been revealed at this point. He is referred to only as "T.P." (likely a pun on the shorthand term for toilet paper) and he is credited as "C.E.O."
  • Celebrity guests at the studio party (in order of appearance):
    • Robert Patrick (as the T-1000 from Terminator 2: Judgment Day)
    • Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon (as Thelma & Louise)
    • Spike Lee
    • Annette Bening
    • Warren Beatty
    • Bea Arthur
    • Danny Devito (as the Penguin from Batman Returns)
    • Mel Gibson
    • Danny Glover
    • Joe Pesci
    • Sigourney Weaver (as Ellen Ripley from Alien3)
    • Jerry Lewis (as Dot's "pet")
    • Michael Keaton (as Batman)
    • Jack Palance
    • Luke Perry (Beverly Hills 90210)
    • Michelle Pfeiffer (as Catwoman from Batman Returns)
    • Mike Myers & Dana Carvey (as Wayne Campbell & Garth Algar)
    • Whoopi Goldberg
    • Billy Crystal (as Mitch Robbins from City Slickers)
    • Jaleel White (as Steve Urkel from Family Matters)
    • Gallagher
    • Madonna
  • The non-celebrity characters in this episode are Thing from The Addams Family and Disney's Beauty and the Beast.
  • Geena Davis sounds exactly like Slappy. Joe Pesci sounds exactly like Pesto (which makes sense, since Pesto is a caricature of Pesci).
  • Jack Palance doing a one-arm push-up is a reference to when he did it while accepting his Oscar for his role in City Slickers.
  • Due to a resemblance, some viewers mistaken Billy Crystal for Ted Danson when seated with Whoopi Goldberg. This was because of the fact that 1993, when the episode was produced, was the same year Goldberg briefly dated Danson due to the two of them meeting on the set of Made in America. Billy Crystal wearing the cowboy outfit was supposed to reference his role in City Slickers, however Ted Danson wore a similar outfit in Made in America, playing a sleazy car salesman who wore blue jeans and a ten-gallon hat as part of his gag.
  • This episode marks the first appearance of Mr. Director, though he is not identified as such, indicating he may be meant as a straight parody of Mr. Director's inspiration, Jerry Lewis.
  • The Warner brothers Yakko and Wakko make a Sanrio reference when greeting Michelle Pfeiffer.
  • At the beginning, a studio office worker is heard saying, "It was a chicken, I tell ya. A giant chicken." A catchphrase that would later be used in the "Chicken Boo" shorts.
  • Yakko makes a reference to Shamu, an orca whale that was the star of an aquatic display at SeaWorld. While the original Shamu died in 1971, the "Shamu" name was still being used at SeaWorld at the time, being given to each subsquent orca brought in to replace the original.
  • At the end of the first act, Scratchansniff says, "I've got a headache this big", a reference to a catchphrase in commercials for Excedrin: "I've got a headache this big and it's got 'Excedrin' written all over it." A variation of this joke would be used by Yakko during the credits of episode 84.

Quotes

Wakko: (playing with a head statue of Dr. Scratchansniff) Ooh, a giant Pez dispenser! Want some?
Dr. Scratchansniff: Stop playing with my bust!
Yakko: (pause) Mwah, goodnight, everybody!
Scratchansniff: But there's also bad news.
Yakko: Bea Arthur's putting out a swimsuit calendar?
Scratchansniff: She is?
Dr. Scratchansniff: (demonstrating polite etiquette with Hello Nurse) How do you do? Now, Yakko, you try.
Yakko: How do you do...that thing with your mouth?
Scratchansniff: Now, how do we avoid bad elocution?
Yakko: Stay inside during a thunderstorm?
(Wakko does a rimshot on the drums)
Yakko: Shamu wouldn't work under these conditions.
Scratchansniff: But Shamu is not going to the party tonight!
Bea Arthur: I'm putting out a swimsuit calendar.
Danny DeVito: Please! Not while I'm eating!
Jack Palance: Hey, Slappy, did you ever see this? (does a one-armed pushup like he did at the Oscars)
Slappy: Save it for the Jack LaLanne story, bubele! (to Luke Perry) Y'know, you remind me of a very mature Jonny Quest.
Tanaka: Mr. Kato would like to know who is responsible for this.
Plotz: It was them! It was them! I had nothing to do with it! Don't look at me!
Mr. Kato: Great party!
Other Japanese investor: Great party!
(both men laugh, then stop when Plotz begins to laughs)
Plotz: Great party? Hehehe, yes, uh, great party... ehehehe.
Madonna: Come on, you guys! We're gonna play truth or dare.
Yakko: Well, there's a lesson to be learned from all this.
Scratchansniff: What is that?
Yakko: I don't know, but it's worth a billion dollars!

Cast

Voice Actors: Character(s):
Rob Paulsen Yakko Warner, Dr. Scratchansniff, Steve Urkel, Dana Carvey
Jess Harnell Wakko Warner, Mike Myers
Tress MacNeille Dot Warner, Hello Nurse, Bea Arthur, Michelle Pfeiffer, Whoopi Goldberg, Madonna
Frank Welker Thaddeus Plotz, Ralph T. Guard, Dot's Pet
Sherri Stoner Slappy Squirrel, Geena Davis
Chick Vennera Joe Pesci
John Mariano Danny DeVito
Maurice LaMarche Jack Palance, Billy Crystal
Bob Ito Mr. Kato
Julia Kato Miss Tanaka
Valri Bromfield Mary Hartless
Dorian Harewood Spike Lee, Danny Glover
Paul Rugg Mr. Director

Transcript

See here

Sources


List of Animaniacs (Original Series) episodes
Season 1
De-Zanitized / The Monkey Song / Nighty-Night ToonYakko's World / Cookies for Einstein / Win BigH.M.S. Yakko / Slappy Goes Walnuts / Yakko's UniverseHooked on a Ceiling / Film Projector Transition / Goodfeathers: The BeginningTaming of the ScrewyFlipper Parody / Temporary Insanity / Operation: Lollipop / What are We?Piano Rag / When Rita Met RuntThe Warners' Lot Song / The Big Candy Store / Bumbie's MomWally Llama / Where Rodents DareKing YakkoNo Pain, No Painting / Les MiseranimalsGarage Sale of the Century / Fortunes / West Side PigeonsHello Nice Warners / La Behemoth / Little Old Slappy From PasadenaLa La Law / Cat on a Hot Steel BeamSpace-Probed / Battle for the PlanetChalkboard Bungle / Hurray for Slappy / The Great Wakkorotti: The Master & His MusicRoll Over, Beethoven / The Cat and the FiddlePavlov's Mice / Chicken Boo-Ryshnikov / Nothing But the ToothMeatballs or Consequences / A Moving ExperienceHearts of Twilight / The BoidsThe Flame / Wakko's America / Davy Omelette / Four Score and Seven Migraines AgoGuardin' the Garden / Plane PalsBe Careful What You Eat / Session 1 / Up the Crazy River / Session 2 / Ta Da DumpYakko's World of Baldness / Opportunity Knox / Wings Take HeartHercule Yakko / Home on De-Nile / A Midsummer Night's DreamTestimonials / Babblin' Bijou / Potty Emergency / Sir YaksalotYou Risk Your Life / I Got Yer Can / Jockey for PositionMoby or Not Moby / Mesozoic Mindy / The Good, the Boo, and the UglyDraculee, Draculaa / Phranken-RuntHot, Bothered and Bedeviled / Moon Over Minerva / Skullhead BoneyhandsO Silly Mio / Puttin' on the Blitz / The Great Wakkorotti: The Summer ConcertChairman of the Bored / Planets Song / Astro-ButtonsCartoons in Wakko's Body 1 / Noah's Lark / Cartoons in Wakko's Body 2 / The Big Kiss / Cartoons in Wakko's Body 3 / Hiccup / Cartoons in Wakko's Body ConclusionClown and Out / Bubba Bo Bob BrainVery Special Opening / Animaniacs Stew / In the Garden of Mindy / Pinky and the Cat / We've Been Mixing Up the Scripts / No Place Like Homeless / Katie Ka-Boo / We Found This Old Computer / Dottie the Squirrel / Baghdad CaféCritical Condition / The Three Muska-WarnersDough Dough Boys / Boot Camping / General Boo-RegardSpellboundSmitten with Kittens / Alas Poor Skullhead / White GlovesCasablanca Opening / Fair Game / The Slapper / Puppet RulersButtermilk, It Makes a Body Bitter / Broadcast Nuisance / Raging BirdAnimator's Alley / HollywoodchuckOf Nice and Men / What a Dump! / Survey LadiesUseless Facts / The Senses Song / The World Can Wait / Kiki's Kitten / • Mary Tyler Dot Song / Windsor Hassle / ...And Justice for SlappyTurkey Jerky / Wild Blue YonderVideo Review / When Mice Ruled the EarthMobster Mash / Lake Titicaca / IcebreakersVery Special Opening / A Christmas Plotz / Little Drummer WarnersSlippin' on the Ice / 'Twas the Day Before Christmas / Jingle Boo / The Great Wakkorotti: The Holiday Concert / Toy Shop Terror / Yakko's UniverseBranimaniacs / The Warners and the Beanstalk / Frontier SlappyUps and Downs / The Brave Little Trailer / Yes, AlwaysDrive-Insane / Girlfeathers / I'm CuteBrain Meets Brawn / Meet MinervaGold Rush / A Gift of Gold / Dot's Quiet TimeSchnitzelbank / The Helpinki Formula / Les Boutons et le Ballon / Kung BooOf Course You Know, This Means Warners / Up a Tree / Wakko's GizmoOh, Oh, Ethel / Inkblot Test / Meet John Brain / Smell Ya LaterRagamuffins / Woodstock SlappyKaraoke Dokie / Cranial Crusader / The Chicken Who Loved MeBaloney & Kids / Super Buttons / Katie Ka-Boom: The Driving LessonScare Happy Slappy / Witch One / MacBethWith Three, You Get Eggroll / Mermaid Mindy / Katie Ka-Boom: Call WaitingLookit the Fuzzy Heads / No Face Like HomeMy Father the Tuna / The Warners' 65th Anniversary Special
Season 2
Take My Siblings, Please / The Mindy 500 / Morning MalaiseWe're No Pigeons / Whistle-Stop Mindy / Katie Ka-Boom: The Broken DateMiami Mama-Mia / Pigeon on the Roof / CooI'm Mad / Bad Mood Bobby / Katie Ka-Boom: The Blemish / Fake
Season 3
Super Strong Warner Siblings / Nutcracker Slappy / Wakko's New Gookie / A Quake, a Quake!Variety Speak / Three Tenors and You're Out / BingoPreviously on Animaniacs / Deduces Wild / Rest in Pieces / U.N. MeA Hard Day's Warners / Gimme a Break / Please Please Please Get a Life FoundationThe Tiger Prince / All The Words in the English Language (Part 1) / The Kid in the Lid / All The Words in the English Language (Part 2) / Method to Her Madness / All The Words in the English Language (Part 3)The Presidents Song / Don't Tread on Us / The Flame ReturnsGimme the Works / Buttons in Ows / Hercules UnwoundThis Pun for Hire / Star Truck / Go Fish / Multiplication (song)The Sound of Warners / Yabba Dabba BooMy Mother the Squirrel / The Party / Oh! Say Can You See / The Twelve Days of ChristmasDot's Entertainment / The Girl with the Googily Goop / Gunga Dot2001 Parody 1 / Soccer Coach Slappy 2001 Parody 2 / Belly Button Blues / Our Final Space Cartoon, We Promise / Valuable LessonWakko's 2-Note Song / Panama Canal / Hello Nurse / The Ballad of Magellan / The Return of the Great Wakkorotti / The Big Wrap Party Tonight
Season 4
One Flew Over the Cuckoo ClockCutie and the Beast / Boo Happens / Noel / Cold EndingAnimani-rats /• Jokahontas / Boids on the Hood / Mighty Wakko at the BatA Very Very Very Very Special Show / Night of the Living Buttons / Soda JerkFrom Burbank with Love / Anchors A-Warners / When You're TravelingParody Commercials / Papers for Pappa / Amazing Gladiators / Pinky and the RalphTen Short Films About Wakko Warner / No Time for Love / The Boo NetworkPitter Patter of Little Feet / Mindy in Wonderland / Ralph's Wedding
Season 5
Moosage in a Bottle / Back in Style / Bones in the BodyIt / Dot - The Macadamia Nut / Bully for SkippyCute First (Ask Questions Later) / Acquaintances / Here Comes Atilla / Boo WonderMagic Time / The Brain's Apprentice
Hooray for North Hollywood: (Part 1Part 2)
The Carpool / The Sunshine SquirrelsThe Christmas Tree / Punchline (Part 1) / Prom Night / Punchline (Part 2)
The Ultimate Animaniacs Super Special:
(Birds on a Wire / The Scoring Session / Transition: Very Special Opening / The Animaniacs Suite)
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