The Tom and Jerry Show (2014 TV series)

The Tom and Jerry Show is an American animated comedy television series produced by Warner Bros. Animation and Turner Entertainment Co., and animated by Renegade Animation. Based on the characters and theatrical cartoons created by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera, the series premiered on Teletoon in Canada on March 1, 2014, and on Cartoon Network in the United States on April 9, 2014. It also aired on Boomerang in the U.S., which became its primary network starting in 2017.[1]

The Tom and Jerry Show
GenreAnimation
Comedy
Slapstick
Based on
Tom and Jerry
by
Directed byDarrell Van Citters
Voices of
Narrated byGary Cole ("The Cat & Mouse Detectives")
Chris Parnell ("The Great Outdoors")
Theme music composerScott Bradley
Opening theme"Tom and Jerry Theme" (written by Scott Bradley; performed by Andy Sturmer)
Composers
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons5
No. of episodes117 (325 segments) (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producerSam Register
ProducersAshley Postlewaite
Darrell Van Citters
EditorMichael D'Ambrosio
Running time11 minutes (per segment, season 1)
7 minutes (per segment, seasons 2–5)
21–22 minutes (full episode)
Production companies
Original release
NetworkCartoon Network (seasons 1–2)
Boomerang (seasons 2–5)
Cartoon Network app (season 5)
ReleaseApril 9, 2014 (2014-04-09) –
February 15, 2021 (2021-02-15)
Related
Tom and Jerry Tales
Tom and Jerry Special Shorts

The fourth season premiered on February 1, 2021, on Boomerang SVOD and the Cartoon Network app, while the fifth season was released on the Cartoon Network app and Boomerang on February 1 and 15, 2021, respectively.[2][3] The fifth season was later removed from the service.

Following the conclusion of the series, HBO Max launched Tom and Jerry Special Shorts and Tom and Jerry in New York, the latter debuting on July 1, 2021.[4][5][6][7]

Plot

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The series follows the comedic rivalry between Tom and Jerry, with various scenarios throughout its run. In a typical modern-day urban setting, Tom's attempts to catch Jerry lead to numerous antics. The show also features Tom and Jerry in different roles, including working as detectives in Tolucaville, Tom as a butler in a Downton Abbey-style estate, and various other settings such as a farm and a Transylvanian environment.

Episodes

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SeasonSegmentsEpisodesOriginally released
First releasedLast releasedNetwork
15226April 9, 2014 (2014-04-09)August 4, 2014 (2014-08-04)Cartoon Network
FilmOctober 7, 2014 (2014-10-07)Direct-to-video
27826February 6, 2016 (2016-02-06)November 29, 2018 (2018-11-29)Cartoon Network
Boomerang
37826February 1, 2019 (2019-02-01)December 2, 2019 (2019-12-02)Boomerang
47826February 1, 2021 (2021-02-01)Boomerang
Cartoon Network app
53913February 15, 2021 (2021-02-15)

Characters

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Main

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  • Tom Cat – A hapless, navy blue tuxedo cat who clashes with Jerry.
  • Jerry Mouse – A clever brown mouse who usually clashes with and outsmarts Tom.
  • Spike Bulldog – An bad-tempered tan bulldog whom Tom and Jerry are frequently at odds with. However, he and Tom seem to be more friendly to each other this series onwards, and the former is more aware of Jerry's participation in provoking his anger, despite retaining their friendship occasionally.
  • Tyke Bulldog – A tan bulldog puppy who is Spike's son.
  • Tuffy Mouse – A young grey mouse who wears a nappy and is Jerry's nephew.
  • Butch Cat – A black alley cat who lives on the street and is Tom's friend.
  • Little Quacker – A young yellow duck who is a good friend to Jerry.

Recurring

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  • Meathead Cat – A brown alley cat who is friends with Butch.
  • Toots (credited as "Toodles Galore") – A female yellow cat with a blue bow on her head who is Tom's on and off girlfriend. Tom and Butch often compete for her affections.
  • Chérie – A female mouse with a blue bow around her neck who is Jerry's girlfriend.
  • Muscles - Who is Jerry's cousin and a mouse with incredible strength.
  • Uncle Pecos - Who is Jerry's cowboyish uncle.

New Characters

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  • Rick and Ginger – The owners of Tom and Spike, who are a married couple. Rick favors Spike while Ginger favors Tom.
  • Hildie and Beatie – Two witches living with Tom and Jerry, in a haunted house.
  • Newt – An orange Triton which uses an eyepatch. He also lives in the house of the two witches.
  • Napoleon – A gray rat who is a friend of Jerry. He lives in the scientific laboratory of Dr. Bigby.
  • Hamster – A clever, yet unnamed hamster who also lives in Bigby's laboratory.
  • Dr. Bigby – A scientist working in a peculiar laboratory. He is also the owner of Jerry, Napoleon, Hamster and Bot.
  • Uncle Harry - A Hawaiian mouse who is Jerry and Tuffy's uncle in the episode, "Say Uncle".
  • Doofy - A young light brown mouse and is Tuffy's cousin.
  • Rutger, Rolf and Rudy – A trio of loud German grey mice introduced in season 3, who live in Catsylvania.
  • Cates – The top butler and boss of Tom in the Downton Abbey manor.
  • Maude – A farmer that owns a farm.

Voice cast

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Production

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The Tom and Jerry Show was initially announced as a series of 26 episodes, each comprising two 11-minute segments, intended to air on Cartoon Network and remain faithful to the original theatrical shorts. The premiere, originally set for 2013, was delayed to April 9, 2014.[8]

From the second season, the show underwent a retooling of its art style and adjusted the segment length to 7 minutes to better align with the original MGM shorts. As a result, episodes feature three segments instead of two.[9]

Produced by Warner Bros. Animation and Renegade Animation, the series is presented in a 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio and animated using Adobe Flash.

Broadcast

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The Tom and Jerry Show premiered on March 1, 2014, on Teletoon in Canada, and on April 9, 2014, on Cartoon Network in the United States.[10][11] It subsequently premiered on Cartoon Network in Australia on May 5, 2014.[12] In the United Kingdom and Ireland, the series began airing on Boomerang on April 12, 2014, and later on CITV starting in 2016.[13] In India, it premiered on Cartoon Network on April 21, 2014, and was later rebroadcast with Hindi dialogue on November 14, 2020.[14] In the United States, Boomerang began airing the series on January 5, 2015.[15] In Japan, it was broadcast on NHK BS Premium under the title New Tom and Jerry Show. In Indonesia, it was broadcast on GTV beginning February 13, 2017, and on RCTI starting August 13, 2017. In China, it has aired on China Central Television.[16]

Home media

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Region 1 DVDs

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Main series

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Region 1
Season DVD title Episode count Total running time Release date
1 The Tom and Jerry Show (Season One, Part One – Frisky Business) 13 286 minutes September 23, 2014
2 The Tom and Jerry Show (Season One, Part Two – Funny Side-Up) 13 286 minutes January 13, 2015[17]

Region 2 DVDs

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Main series

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Region 2
Season DVD title Episode count Total running time Release date
1 The Tom and Jerry Show (Season One, Part One – Frisky Business) 13 272 minutes October 13, 2014[18]

Reception

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The series has received generally mixed reviews, with criticism directed at a lack of innovation compared to previous iterations of the franchise.[19]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Spangler, Todd (7 March 2017). "Turner, Warner Bros. to Launch Boomerang Cartoon Streaming-Subscription Service for $5 Monthly". Variety. Penske Business Media, LLC. Archived from the original on 2017-03-07.
  2. ^ "Shows A-Z – tom and jerry show, the on boomerang". TheFutonCritic.com. Archived from the original on 2023-07-20. Retrieved 2022-05-05.
  3. ^ Marie Zorrilla, Mónica (February 17, 2021). "HBO Max Renews 'Tiny Toons Looniversity' and 'Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai,' WarnerMedia Expands Kids and Family Slate". Variety. Archived from the original on June 11, 2021. Retrieved June 11, 2021.
  4. ^ Ruocco, Michael [@AGuyWhoDraws] (February 20, 2021). "Well, I guess the cat (and mouse) were let out of the bag today! Between "Looney Tunes Cartoons" shorts, we had the honor to create a few special Tom & Jerry cartoons, just in time for their 80th Birthday! Hope you folks check 'em out and enjoy them! https://t.co/z22ULPGpND" (Tweet). Archived from the original on July 21, 2021. Retrieved July 27, 2021 – via Twitter.
  5. ^ Ruocco, Michael [@AGuyWhoDraws] (February 20, 2021). "Under @davidcoolzone's direction, @timetravelnow and I really just got to play. We had a blast just taking a simple premise and just running with it, bouncing ideas and gags back and forth, turning off our Looney Tunes brains for a bit and trying to get in the T&J mindset. https://t.co/6OYqKxBj9g" (Tweet). Archived from the original on June 30, 2021. Retrieved July 27, 2021 – via Twitter.
  6. ^ "CORUS ENTERTAINMENT DEBUTS ITS BIGGEST SLATE OF SPECIALTY SERIES EVER". Corus Entertainment. June 8, 2021. Archived from the original on June 10, 2021. Retrieved June 11, 2021.
  7. ^ Hemmert, Kylie (June 10, 2021). "HBO Max's Tom and Jerry in New York Animated Series Debuting in July". ComingSoon.net. Archived from the original on June 11, 2021. Retrieved June 11, 2021.
  8. ^ Basile, Nancy (2013). "Cartoon Network Upfront Presentation 2013". About.com. Archived from the original on January 3, 2014. Retrieved March 10, 2014.
  9. ^ Fendler, Rob (2015). "The Tom and Jerry Show". www.fusionbomb.com. Archived from the original on 2018-03-16.
  10. ^ Webster, Rebecca; Rondinelli, Netta (February 19, 2014). "March 2014 Programming Highlights TELETOON, TELETOON at Night, TELETOON RETRO". Corus Entertainment. Archived from the original on November 4, 2020. Retrieved December 13, 2014.
  11. ^ Wolfe, Jennifer (March 26, 2014). "'Tom and Jerry Show' Premieres April 9 on Cartoon Network". Animation World Network. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved December 13, 2014.
  12. ^ DHiggins (May 5, 2014). "New this week: Continuum, Secret Meat Business, House of Cards finale & Powerpuff Girls 15th anniversary". Foxtel. Archived from the original on May 6, 2014. Retrieved December 13, 2014.
  13. ^ Munn, Patrick (March 10, 2014). "Turner UK Unveils 2014 Programming Slate: 4 New Shows For Cartoon Network, New 'Tom & Jerry' Series & More". TV Wise. Archived from the original on July 22, 2020. Retrieved December 13, 2014.
  14. ^ "The Tom And Jerry Show Makes A Come Back On Cartoon Network". Business of Cinema. April 19, 2014. Archived from the original on April 19, 2014. Retrieved December 13, 2014.
  15. ^ "Boomerang TV Schedule". LocateTV. December 24, 2014. Archived from the original on May 3, 2012.
  16. ^ CCTV Network (July 8, 2015). "The Tom and Jerry Show – Eps.55: Ghosts of a Chance (Chinese)". CCTV. Archived from the original on November 4, 2020.
  17. ^ "The Tom and Jerry Show Season One Part Two: Funny Side Up DVD". Blu-ray.com. Archived from the original on 2020-06-06. Retrieved 2020-07-22.
  18. ^ "The Tom and Jerry Show Season One Part One: Frisky Business DVD". Amazon.co.uk. 13 October 2014. Archived from the original on 20 July 2023. Retrieved 23 February 2019.
  19. ^ Lowry, Brian (2014-04-08). "TV Review: Cartoon Network's 'Clarence,' 'The Tom and Jerry Show'". Variety. Retrieved 2024-09-02.
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