Histeria!

For years, this show and "Time Squad" were programs I actively looked for to buy. After all, I used to be a history teacher and loved how the shows made fun of our past. Plus, if I had to be forced to watch a cartoon with my kids, I sure preferred these to the rest of the recent cartoons. However, I have just about given up hope, as years later, they STILL have not been released.

So what did I like about "Histeria!". Well, it wasn't its historical accuracy, that's for sure. But I did appreciate how it taught the kids a bit of history but couched it in humor. Additionally, I loved how there was plenty of humor for the adults--such as the very funny lady censor who kept interrupting the show during its bawdier moments. All in all, fun, semi-educational and clever. My only reason for not giving it a higher score is that like so many made for TV cartoons, the quality of the animation was only about average.

I loved this show. I love history, and the way they played with history was one of the show's charms. It was very much in the vein of "Animaniacs," which I also loved. I'm hoping for DVDs someday! My friends and I still use some of the Lucky Bob-isms, such as "Yeth, now!" and "Heyo!" The songs and humor were top-notch, and the characters were hilarious. The kids were all distinct, and Father Time and the World's Oldest Woman were always a kick. One of my favorite episodes was a spoof of the Real World. Several famous historical people had to live together, such as Elizabeth I, who was obviously modeled on Bette Davis, and Caesar, who was Frank Sinatra. So funny!

As a history major, I'd just like to say that I loved this show. It was clever and silly at the same time. I've been able to use episodes I taped for school projects and my professors just loved it. Sure, it was not as much for the mainstream audience like some of the other Warner Bros. shows, but that's what I liked about it. Where else could you see a cartoon of Napoleon pointing to countries on a map and saying, "Got it. Got it. Want it. Need it!" I can see how some people would not get many of the jokes, but for the most part I felt this show painted a wonderful, fun view of history that should be used in classrooms. Kids can only take so much of text book facts and videos that had been made in the 70's.

Unlike the other person who commented, I find this show both funny and semi-educational. The actors (especially Rob Paulsen, who does several bit parts on the show) do a superb job of portraying the historical characters, and the writing is creative and witty. True, it may not be completely historically accurate, but it is a cartoon that is primarily geared towards entertainment and not education. I do find Big Fat Baby a bit much, but I suppose he appeals to kids. I believe Histeria! is a wonderful show, and I recommend it to any cartoon fan.

As did most other people, I thought this show came in at the weaker end of the Warner Bros./Steven Spielberg output. However, that's not to say that it wasn't funny. C'mon, think about "Women Leaders in Group Therapy" as did another commentator. Think of the episode which had a story about Thomas Jefferson played out like an episode of the Jack Benny show. Think of World's Oldest Woman opening a trap door in the floor and speaking to Hitler as he burned in hell. (Yes, that actually happened in one episode.) I guess what I'm saying is that no, it was not as good as "Animaniacs" or "Freakazoid!", but yes, it was still worth watching. Personally, I thought it was a rather funny show (too much Big Fat Baby at times, though), and at times, it was even rather educational. Unfortunately, the reruns aren't played anymore, as is the case with all the Warner/Spielberg cartoons, which makes me very unhappy. When Spongebob Squarepants is allowed to roam freely and these shows aren't, you know there's something wrong.