Bugs vs. Daffy: Battle of the Music Video Stars
Encyclopedia
Bugs vs. Daffy: Battle of the Music Video Stars is a 1988 animated television special broadcast on CBS
. October 21, 1988. The story revolves around two competing television stations that show music videos from classic Looney Tunes
shorts. The stations are hosted by Bugs Bunny
(WABBIT) and Daffy Duck
(KPUT).
It was one of the first specials on the WB where new animation was both traditionally and digitally animated. It can be found in the Adventures section of the Space Jam
2-disc box set.
". He runs the highly successful music video TV station WABBIT
. He then plays his "highly requested" song "Home on the Range
". We then leave the city where WABBIT is to the woods, where Daffy's music video TV station KPUT is. Daffy plays "Sunrise in Nutzville
", then displays his disgust for WABBIT because they have higher ratings. On a television screen (above is a picture labeled the Nielsens, but the family in the picture is not yet seen), a hand changes the station to WABBIT.
After the commercial break, Bugs and Daffy deliver their signature songs "What's Up, Doc?" and "Oh, People Call Me Daffy!". Then, Bugs presents "The Songs of the 1930's", which displays songs from the 1930s Looney Tunes. He plays "Those Were Wonderful Days
" and describes how some of the best music came from Vaudeville, using a song from the Bunny Sisters as an example. On his break, Daffy is clueless at watching Bugs do his radio show with "no panache, no charisma". He sees "We're in the Money
", then his break is over. He has a caller service giveaway for a free T-shirt and free copy of his disco
album. He then rips off WABBIT on KPUT by presenting his own golden oldie "We Watch the Skyways
" before the same hand changes the channel. Bugs presents a back-to-back tribute to Porky Pig
with his debut single "Porky's Poppa Has a Farm", his imaginative videos, and his duet with Petunia Pig
. Watching this, he is disgusted. He then delivers a trivia question: "Whose musical talent combined the upper-beat level of bluegrass music with the intoxicating Latin rhythm of salsa?" He is the answer to that, and then plays the song "Banjo Chicky-Boom
", the song for said answer. He is dead last in his competition ratings, then shows lament before the same hand changes the channel again.
After the commercial break, Bugs displays "The Songs of WWII
" with songs "We Did It Before
" and "Any Bonds Today?
". Daffy then rips off WABBIT once more, saying that "those bigshots at WABBIT would have you believe that us ducks did nothing but sit on our tail feathers during World War II". He then plays "We're In to Win
" before being changed by the hand. Bugs then plays "Gee Whiz Willigans
", which infuriates Daffy. He then jams WABBIT with one of his songs also from The Bugs Bunny Show. Bugs jams KPUT right back with "The Old Soft Shoe
", with a confused jamming him back with a solo by Yosemite Sam
. They then jam each other back-to back with songs by Tweety
("Wee Widdle Bird
") and Sylvester ("Pussycat's Parade
"). They then resort to holidays like Valentine's Day, Halloween
, Columbus Day
, St. Patrick's Day
, The 4th of July
, and Christmas
.
The Nielsen Family Ratings come in, and Daffy announces the show canceled. But then, he asks who the Nielsen Family is. The hand (which is from the Nielsen family) switches to WABBIT. The family is revealed to be a family of rabbits. Bugs gives a shout-out to the Nielsens, saying, "It helps to have a lot of relatives". The Old Soft Shoe video plays over the end credits.
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
. October 21, 1988. The story revolves around two competing television stations that show music videos from classic Looney Tunes
Looney Tunes
Looney Tunes is a Warner Bros. animated cartoon series. It preceded the Merrie Melodies series and was Warner Bros.'s first animated theatrical series. Since its first official release, 1930's Sinkin' in the Bathtub, the series has become a worldwide media franchise, spawning several television...
shorts. The stations are hosted by Bugs Bunny
Bugs Bunny
Bugs Bunny is a animated character created in 1938 at Leon Schlesinger Productions, later Warner Bros. Cartoons. Bugs is an anthropomorphic gray rabbit and is famous for his flippant, insouciant personality and his portrayal as a trickster. He has primarily appeared in animated cartoons, most...
(WABBIT) and Daffy Duck
Daffy Duck
Daffy Duck is an animated cartoon character in the Warner Bros. Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies series of cartoons, often running the gamut between being the best friend and sometimes arch-rival of Bugs Bunny...
(KPUT).
It was one of the first specials on the WB where new animation was both traditionally and digitally animated. It can be found in the Adventures section of the Space Jam
Space Jam
Aside from Jordan, a number of NBA players and coaches appeared in the film. Larry Bird portrays a friend of Jordan who joins him for a game of golf. When the Monstars steal the NBA players' talent, they invade a game between the Phoenix Suns and the New York Knicks, causing the Knicks' Patrick...
2-disc box set.
Plot synopsis
After the title is announced, we cut to a VJ Bugs at the end of "In Old IndianaRobot Rabbit
Robot Rabbit is a Warner Bros. animated short of the Looney Tunes series. Originally released to theaters on December 12, 1953, it stars Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd as its main characters.-Summary:...
". He runs the highly successful music video TV station WABBIT
Elmer Fudd
Elmer J. Fudd/Egghead is a fictional cartoon character and one of the most famous Looney Tunes characters, and the de facto archenemy of Bugs Bunny. He has one of the more disputed origins in the Warner Bros. cartoon pantheon . His aim is to hunt Bugs, but he usually ends up seriously injuring...
. He then plays his "highly requested" song "Home on the Range
Home on the Range
"Home on the Range" is the state song of Kansas, U.S.Home on the Range may also refer to:* Home on the Range , a drama directed by Arthur Jacobson* Home on the Range , a Disney animated feature film...
". We then leave the city where WABBIT is to the woods, where Daffy's music video TV station KPUT is. Daffy plays "Sunrise in Nutzville
Dough for the Do-Do
Dough for the Do-Do is a Warner Brothers Merrie Melodies theatrical cartoon short released in 1949 and directed by Friz Freleng. The color remake of Bob Clampett's cartoon Porky in Wackyland , it is available on Disc 2 of the Looney Tunes Golden Collection: Volume 1.-Plot:A newspaper shows Porky...
", then displays his disgust for WABBIT because they have higher ratings. On a television screen (above is a picture labeled the Nielsens, but the family in the picture is not yet seen), a hand changes the station to WABBIT.
After the commercial break, Bugs and Daffy deliver their signature songs "What's Up, Doc?" and "Oh, People Call Me Daffy!". Then, Bugs presents "The Songs of the 1930's", which displays songs from the 1930s Looney Tunes. He plays "Those Were Wonderful Days
Those Were Wonderful Days
Those Were Wonderful Days is a Merrie Melodies cartoon released in theaters on April 26, 1934 by Warner Bros. Studios. It was animated by Paul Smith and Don Williams. The musical score was by Norman Spencer...
" and describes how some of the best music came from Vaudeville, using a song from the Bunny Sisters as an example. On his break, Daffy is clueless at watching Bugs do his radio show with "no panache, no charisma". He sees "We're in the Money
The Gold Diggers' Song (We're in the Money)
"The Gold Diggers' Song " is a song from the 1933 film Gold Diggers of 1933, sung in the opening sequence by Ginger Rogers and chorus. The lyrics were written by Al Dubin and the music by Harry Warren...
", then his break is over. He has a caller service giveaway for a free T-shirt and free copy of his disco
Disco
Disco is a genre of dance music. Disco acts charted high during the mid-1970s, and the genre's popularity peaked during the late 1970s. It had its roots in clubs that catered to African American, gay, psychedelic, and other communities in New York City and Philadelphia during the late 1960s and...
album. He then rips off WABBIT on KPUT by presenting his own golden oldie "We Watch the Skyways
Yankee Doodle Daffy
Yankee Doodle Daffy is a Warner Bros. Looney Tunes theatrical cartoon short released in 1943, directed by Friz Freleng and written by Tedd Pierce...
" before the same hand changes the channel. Bugs presents a back-to-back tribute to Porky Pig
Porky Pig
Porky Pig is an animated cartoon character in the Warner Bros. Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies series of cartoons. He was the first character created by the studio to draw audiences based on his star power, and the animators created many critically acclaimed shorts using the fat little pig...
with his debut single "Porky's Poppa Has a Farm", his imaginative videos, and his duet with Petunia Pig
Naughty Neighbors
Naughty Neighbors can refer to:*"Naughty Neighbors," a 1939 Looney Tunes cartoon featuring Porky Pig*Naughty Neighbors, a 1989 pornographic film produced by Harold Lime...
. Watching this, he is disgusted. He then delivers a trivia question: "Whose musical talent combined the upper-beat level of bluegrass music with the intoxicating Latin rhythm of salsa?" He is the answer to that, and then plays the song "Banjo Chicky-Boom
Yankee Doodle Daffy
Yankee Doodle Daffy is a Warner Bros. Looney Tunes theatrical cartoon short released in 1943, directed by Friz Freleng and written by Tedd Pierce...
", the song for said answer. He is dead last in his competition ratings, then shows lament before the same hand changes the channel again.
After the commercial break, Bugs displays "The Songs of WWII
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
" with songs "We Did It Before
The Fifth-Column Mouse
The Fifth-Column Mouse is an animated cartoon in the Merrie Melodies series from 1943. Directed by Friz Freleng, the cartoon features a band of humble mice who engage in war against a cat.-Synopsis:...
" and "Any Bonds Today?
Any Bonds Today?
"Any Bonds Today?" is a song written by Irving Berlin, featured in a 1942 animated propaganda film starring Bugs Bunny. Both were used to sell war bonds during World War II.-The song:...
". Daffy then rips off WABBIT once more, saying that "those bigshots at WABBIT would have you believe that us ducks did nothing but sit on our tail feathers during World War II". He then plays "We're In to Win
Scrap Happy Daffy
Scrap Happy Daffy is a Warner Bros. World War II short featuring Daffy Duck, directed by Frank Tashlin and released in 1943. Daffy is the guard of a scrap yard, doing his part to help America win the war against the Nazis, but the Nazis decide to destroy his scrap pile by sending a billy goat out...
" before being changed by the hand. Bugs then plays "Gee Whiz Willigans
The Bugs Bunny Show
The Bugs Bunny Show is a long-running American television anthology series hosted by Bugs Bunny, that was mainly composed of Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies cartoons released by Warner Bros. between August 1, 1948 and the end of 1969. The show originally debuted as a primetime half-hour program on...
", which infuriates Daffy. He then jams WABBIT with one of his songs also from The Bugs Bunny Show. Bugs jams KPUT right back with "The Old Soft Shoe
Hot Cross Bunny
Hot Cross Bunny is a 1947 Warner Bros. Merrie Melodies theatrical animated short, starring Bugs Bunny. The title is an obvious play on the nursery rhyme Hot Cross Buns as well as a punny allusion to the basic plot premise.-Summary:...
", with a confused jamming him back with a solo by Yosemite Sam
Yosemite Sam
Yosemite Sam is an American animated cartoon character in the Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies series of cartoons produced by Warner Bros. Animation. The name is somewhat alliterative and is inspired by Yosemite National Park...
. They then jam each other back-to back with songs by Tweety
Tweety
Tweety Bird is a fictional Yellow Canary in the Warner Bros. Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies series of animated cartoons. The name "Tweety" is a play on words, as it originally meant "sweetie", along with "tweet" being a typical English onomatopoeia for the sounds of birds...
("Wee Widdle Bird
Tweet Tweet Tweety
Tweet Tweet Tweety is a 1951 animated short featuring Sylvester and Tweety.-Plot:Sylvester is in Yosemite National Park and, hearing birds chirping, climbs up the tree to Tweety's nest, despite the ranger's warnings. Unfortunately, he hasn't hatched, so Sylvester must wait him out. Once Tweety does...
") and Sylvester ("Pussycat's Parade
Tweety's Circus
Tweety's Circus is a "Merrie Melodies" cartoon animated short starring Tweety, Sylvester, and various circus animals. Released June 4, 1955, the cartoon is directed by Friz Freleng...
"). They then resort to holidays like Valentine's Day, Halloween
Have You Got Any Castles?
Have You Got Any Castles? is a seven minute animated short film that premiered in theaters on June 25, 1938. It was a part of the Merrie Melodies series produced by Leon Schlesinger, and distributed by Vitaphone...
, Columbus Day
Hare We Go
Hare We Go is a 1949 Warner Bros. Merrie Melodies cartoon starring Bugs Bunny that was released in 1951.-Plot:In 1492, Christopher Columbus is arguing with the king of Spain whether the world is round or flat. Eventually the King kicks Columbus out of his palace...
, St. Patrick's Day
The Wearing of the Grin
The Wearing of the Grin is a Looney Tunes cartoon directed by Chuck Jones and written by Michael Maltese where Porky Pig spends a night in a castle inhabited by leprechauns. It was released theatrically on July 28, 1951....
, The 4th of July
Bunker Hill Bunny
Bunker Hill Bunny is a 1949 Warner Brothers Merrie Melodies theatrical cartoon short, released in 1950 and starring Bugs Bunny and Yosemite Sam as a Hessian Mercenary in the American Revolution.-Crew:...
, and Christmas
Daffy Duck Hunt
Daffy Duck Hunt is a 1949 animated Warner Bros. Looney Tunes cartoon, directed by Robert McKimson, and starring Porky Pig, Daffy Duck and Barnyard Dawg...
.
The Nielsen Family Ratings come in, and Daffy announces the show canceled. But then, he asks who the Nielsen Family is. The hand (which is from the Nielsen family) switches to WABBIT. The family is revealed to be a family of rabbits. Bugs gives a shout-out to the Nielsens, saying, "It helps to have a lot of relatives". The Old Soft Shoe video plays over the end credits.
Trivia
- The theme music for WABBIT is the "What's Up, Doc?" score that played over numerous Bugs Bunny cartoon title cards.
- The Nielsen family spoofs the Nielsen ratingsNielsen RatingsNielsen ratings are the audience measurement systems developed by Nielsen Media Research, in an effort to determine the audience size and composition of television programming in the United States...
for television that conducts ratings studies. - Melissa Duck appears posing with the Daffy T-Shirt.
- Daffy Goes Disco is a play on the term disco duckDisco Duck"Disco Duck" is a satirical disco novelty song performed by Memphis disc jockey Rick Dees and His Cast of Idiots. It became a number-one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 for one week in October 1976 . It also made the top 20 on the Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart, peaking at number 15...
. - The section "Let's Rub Noses Like the Eskimoses" seems to have new sound effects.
- The only video sources that appear twice are Yankee Doodle DaffyYankee Doodle DaffyYankee Doodle Daffy is a Warner Bros. Looney Tunes theatrical cartoon short released in 1943, directed by Friz Freleng and written by Tedd Pierce...
, The Fair-Haired HareThe Fair-Haired HareThe Fair-Haired Hare is a Looney Tunes cartoon starring Bugs Bunny and Yosemite Sam. Released April 14, 1951, the cartoon is directed by Friz Freleng. The voices were performed by Mel Blanc....
, and the short-lived program The Bugs Bunny ShowThe Bugs Bunny ShowThe Bugs Bunny Show is a long-running American television anthology series hosted by Bugs Bunny, that was mainly composed of Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies cartoons released by Warner Bros. between August 1, 1948 and the end of 1969. The show originally debuted as a primetime half-hour program on...
. - Only "Any Bonds Today?Any Bonds Today?"Any Bonds Today?" is a song written by Irving Berlin, featured in a 1942 animated propaganda film starring Bugs Bunny. Both were used to sell war bonds during World War II.-The song:...
" appears in a Looney Tunes advertisement film. It advertised bonds for WWII. - Daffy's ranting at the end when he wants to know who the Nielsen family is before being blocked off is reminiscent of the cartoon Duck AmuckDuck AmuckDuck Amuck is a surreal animated cartoon directed by Chuck Jones and produced by Warner Bros. Cartoons. The short was released in early 1953 by The Vitaphone Corporation, the short subject division of Warner Bros. Pictures, as part of the Merrie Melodies series...
. In that cartoon, Daffy rants at the end and demands for the animator to reveal himself. He is blocked off by a door drawn by the animator, Bugs Bunny (who says to the camera "Ain't I a stinker?")
Clips used
- Robot RabbitRobot RabbitRobot Rabbit is a Warner Bros. animated short of the Looney Tunes series. Originally released to theaters on December 12, 1953, it stars Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd as its main characters.-Summary:...
("In Old Indiana") - The Fair-Haired HareThe Fair-Haired HareThe Fair-Haired Hare is a Looney Tunes cartoon starring Bugs Bunny and Yosemite Sam. Released April 14, 1951, the cartoon is directed by Friz Freleng. The voices were performed by Mel Blanc....
("Home on the Range", "I Can't Get Along, Little Doggie") - Dough for the Do-DoDough for the Do-DoDough for the Do-Do is a Warner Brothers Merrie Melodies theatrical cartoon short released in 1949 and directed by Friz Freleng. The color remake of Bob Clampett's cartoon Porky in Wackyland , it is available on Disc 2 of the Looney Tunes Golden Collection: Volume 1.-Plot:A newspaper shows Porky...
("Sunrise in Nutzville") - What's Up, Doc? ("What's Up, Doc?")
- Boobs in the WoodsBoobs in the WoodsBoobs in the Woods is a 1948 animated Warner Bros. Looney Tunes cartoon, released in January 1950, directed by Robert McKimson, and starring Daffy Duck and Porky Pig.-Plot:...
("Oh, People Call Me Daffy") - Those Were Wonderful DaysThose Were Wonderful DaysThose Were Wonderful Days is a Merrie Melodies cartoon released in theaters on April 26, 1934 by Warner Bros. Studios. It was animated by Paul Smith and Don Williams. The musical score was by Norman Spencer...
("Those Were Wonderful Days") - Shake Your Powder Puff ("Shake Your Powder Puff")
- Bosko's Picture ShowBosko's Picture ShowBosko's Picture Show, released in 1933, was the last Looney Tunes Bosko cartoon produced by Hugh Harman and Rudolf Ising for Leon Schlesinger and Warner Bros...
("We're in the Money") - Yankee Doodle DaffyYankee Doodle DaffyYankee Doodle Daffy is a Warner Bros. Looney Tunes theatrical cartoon short released in 1943, directed by Friz Freleng and written by Tedd Pierce...
("We Watch the Skyways", "Boom-Chicky-Boom") - Polar Pals ("Let's Rub Noses Like the Eskimoses")
- Porky's Poor Fish ("Porky's Fish Store")
- Naughty NeighborsNaughty NeighborsNaughty Neighbors can refer to:*"Naughty Neighbors," a 1939 Looney Tunes cartoon featuring Porky Pig*Naughty Neighbors, a 1989 pornographic film produced by Harold Lime...
("Would You Like To Take a Walk?") - The Fifth-Column MouseThe Fifth-Column MouseThe Fifth-Column Mouse is an animated cartoon in the Merrie Melodies series from 1943. Directed by Friz Freleng, the cartoon features a band of humble mice who engage in war against a cat.-Synopsis:...
("We Did It Before") - Any Bonds Today?Any Bonds Today?"Any Bonds Today?" is a song written by Irving Berlin, featured in a 1942 animated propaganda film starring Bugs Bunny. Both were used to sell war bonds during World War II.-The song:...
("Any Bonds Today?")