Histeria!

Last updated

Histeria!
Histeria logo.jpg
Title card
Created by Tom Ruegger
Voices of Frank Welker
Tress MacNeille
Jeff Bennett
Laraine Newman
Luke Ruegger
Cody Ruegger
Nathan Ruegger
Maurice LaMarche
Billy West
Cree Summer
Paul Rugg
Rob Paulsen
Nora Dunn
Theme music composer Richard Stone
John Philip Sousa
Composers Richard Stone
Steve Bernstein
Julie Bernstein
Tim Kelly
Gordon Goodwin
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes52
Production
Executive producerTom Ruegger
ProducerBob Doucette
Running time22 minutes
Production company Warner Bros. Television Animation
Original release
Network Kids' WB
ReleaseSeptember 14, 1998 (1998-9-14) 
March 31, 2000 (2000-3-31)

Histeria! is an American animated series created by Tom Ruegger and produced by Warner Bros. Television Animation. [1] Unlike other animated series produced by Warner Bros. in the 1990s, Histeria! was an explicitly educational program created to meet FCC requirements for educational/informational content for children. [2] [3]

Contents

Histeria! aired on Kids' WB from September 14, 1998 to March 31, 2000, and continued to air reruns until August 30, 2001. [4] The show was presented as a Saturday Night Live -style sketch comedy, with its cast often filling the roles of historical figures. It was to be WB's most ambitious project since Animaniacs . Like the aforementioned series, 65 episodes were originally going to be made,[ citation needed ] but due to being $10 million over budget,[ citation needed ] only 52 episodes were completed before production of the series was canceled in March 2000. Due to the high production costs, footage from previous episodes was often re-used and re-timed to match newly recorded audio, as well as several non-educational segments being used as filler. More recently, the show was aired on In2TV, first from March to July 2006, and then it returned in October of that year. In January 2009, all of the episodes were taken off the site. MeTV Toons included the program as part of its educational/informational slate when it launched on June 25, 2024. [5]

Summary

Like other animated series produced at the time by Warner Bros. Animation, Histeria! derived most of humor from its slapstick comedy and satire, with the distinction of combining historical figures and events. Episodes would commonly feature a large cast of children and typecast adults in comedic skits and song parodies, e.g. the cause of the American Civil War sung to the tune of The Brady Bunch theme.

Characters

The hosts

The Kid Chorus

Others

Parody of historical figures

Most of the recurring real-life historical figures in Histeria! were portrayed as caricatures of real-life celebrities from the modern era. The intent was to make analogies to contemporary individuals in terms of personalities and attitudes. Some of these include:

Episodes

Series overview

SeasonEpisodesOriginally released
First releasedLast released
1 46September 14, 1998 (1998-9-14)July 17, 1999 (1999-7-17)
2 6September 20, 1999 (1999-9-20)March 31, 2000 (2000-3-31)

Season 1 (1998–99)

No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
1"Inventors Hall of Fame – Part I"Herb Moore, Stephen Lewis, Bob Doucette, Scott JeraldsBrian Palermo, Julie McNally, Tim Cahill, Tom Ruegger, Mark SeidenbergSeptember 14, 1998 (1998-9-14)

Wraparounds: The Hall of Fame presents Alexander Graham Bell, Thomas Edison, J. Robert Oppenheimer and Thomas Crapper.

2"The U.S. Civil War – Part I"Stephen Lewis, Mike Milo, Herb MooreTim Cahill, Julie McNally, Roger Eschbacher, Tom Ruegger, Michael Maler, Mark Seidenberg, Erin Erlich, Alex Borstein September 15, 1998 (1998-9-15)
Abraham Lincoln provides a monologue, and gives a Histeria! version of the Gettysburg Address. The Histeria! gang also listens to The Hits of the 1860s and The Emancipation Proclamation Hoedown.
3"The Attack of the Vikings"Herb MooreTim Cahill, Julie McNally, Victor Wilson, Tom Ruegger, Mark Seidenberg, Roger EschbacherSeptember 16, 1998 (1998-9-16)
The gang sing about being a Viking, play "See It/Don't See It", and Meet the Vikings with Bill Straitman.
4"The Wild West"Jon McClenahan, John Griffin, Dave PryorRoger EschbacherSeptember 17, 1998 (1998-9-17)
The Histeria! gang present The Billy the Kid Show, sing about the gold rush, meet the Earps, and learn about the Pony Express.
5"The American Revolution – Part I"Scott JeraldsBrian Palermo, Roger EschbacherSeptember 18, 1998 (1998-9-18)
The gang listen to George Washington give his monologue, visit Molly Pitcher, and attend the Showdown at York.
6"The Know-It-Alls"Stephen Lewis, Mike MiloPaul Rugg, Roger Roger Eschbacher, Brian Palermo, Stephen Moore, Mark SeidenbergSeptember 21, 1998 (1998-9-21)
The gang meet René Descartes; a talk show discussing the age-old question "Which came first: the chicken or the egg?", and Miss Information appears on a Dating Game -style show with history's greatest inventors, philosophers, and geniuses lined up as potential suitors.
7"The Renaissance"Herb MooreBrian PalermoSeptember 22, 1998 (1998-9-22)
The gang meet Leonardo da Vinci, see masterpieces of the Renaissance, and explore the book formerly known as The Prince .
8"The U.S. Civil War – Part II"Herb Moore, Stephen LewisTim Cahill, Roger Eschbacher, Julie McNally, Brian Palermo, Mark Seidenberg, Jed Spingarn, Victor WilsonSeptember 23, 1998 (1998-9-23)
The gang dive back into the Civil War and sing about it, Lydia Karaoke learns why "Damn the torpedoes" should not be censored, and a visit to Abe Lincoln's Tall and Geeky Shop.
9"Really Oldies But Goodies"Mike Milo, Bob DoucetteTim Cahill, Julie McNally, Brian Palermo, Mark Seidenberg, Jed Spingarn, Victor WilsonSeptember 24, 1998 (1998-9-24)
It is a musical trip to Egypt as the gang sing about mummies, slaving on the pyramids, and see the Egyptian musical "Cats".
10"The American Revolution – Part II"Scott JeraldsBrian Palermo, Roger Eschbacher, Tom Ruegger, Victor Wilson, Mark SeidenbergSeptember 25, 1998 (1998-9-25)
Histeria! takes another look at the American Revolution as the gang listen to George Washington sing a duet with his wife Martha, attend the Boston Tea Party, and see Midnight Line.
11"A Blast in the Past"Bob DoucetteTom Ruegger, Mark Seidenberg, Marc Drotman, Chad EinbinderSeptember 26, 1998 (1998-9-26)
The gang spew their guts at a Roman vomitorium (despite Lydia Karaoke's best efforts to warn viewers that bingeing and purging is not allowed on TV), listen to the Big Fat Twin Babies sing, and meet Romulus and Remus.
12"China"Stephen LewisJohn LudinSeptember 28, 1998 (1998-9-28)
The gang take a pop quiz and join the Confucius Group again.
13"Tribute to Tyrants"Mike Milo, Herb Moore, Scott JeraldsSteve Moore, Marc Drotman, Tim Cahill, Julie McNally, Victor Wilson, Mark Seidenberg, Erin Erlich, Alex BorsteinSeptember 30, 1998 (1998-9-30)
The gang meet Attila the Hun and hear more from Miss Information.
14"The Montezuma Show"Stephen LewisVictor Wilson, Marc Drotman, Tim Cahill, Julie McNally, Tom Ruegger, Mark SeidenbergOctober 2, 1998 (1998-10-2)
The gang visit the Sacrificial Well, stop in on The Order of the Eagle, and browse the Inca Shopping Network.
15"Great Heroes of France"Scott JeraldsRandy Rogel, Roger Eschbacher, Tom Ruegger, Victor Wilson, Mark SeidenbergOctober 7, 1998 (1998-10-7)
The gang meet Joan of Arc and sing the Invasion song. Napoleon sells the Louisiana Purchase to make up for the money lost by his shopping addict wife, Josephine.
16"The Terrible Tudors"Scott JeraldsTim Cahill, Marc Drotman, Tom Ruegger, Julie McNally, Mark SeidenbergOctober 8, 1998 (1998-10-8)
The gang play Name Thy Cure, and tell the tale of the Tudors.
17"The Wheel of History"Stephen LewisSteve Moore, Roger Eschbacher, Tom Ruegger, Brian Palermo, Victor Wilson, Mark SeidenbergOctober 9, 1998 (1998-10-9)
The gang spin the Wheel of History and visit four places in history.
18"When Time Collides"Mike MiloMelody Fox, Brian Palermo, Tom Ruegger, Mark SeidenbergOctober 10, 1998 (1998-10-10)
The gang look at the United Nations and honor more great women in history.
19"Around the World in a Daze"John Griffin, Dave Pryor, Mike MiloTim Cahill, Julie McNally, Marc Drotman, Brian Palermo, Roger Eschbacher, Tom Ruegger, Mark SeidenbergOctober 14, 1998 (1998-10-14)
The gang explore explorers exploring the world, Christopher Columbus and Magellan.
20"Histeria Satellite TV"Mike MiloSteve Moore, Victor Wilson, Brian Palermo, Tom Ruegger, Mark SeidenbergOctober 16, 1998 (1998-10-16)
Tune in to Histeria! Satellite TV for looks at various points in history.
21"General Sherman's Campsite"Mike Milo, Stephen LewisBrian Palermo, Roger Eschbacher, Tom Ruegger, Mark SeidenbergOctober 17, 1998 (1998-10-17)
In this parody of the 1980s CBS kids' show Pee-wee's Playhouse , Pee-wee Herman is a gray-suited man-child, General William Tecumseh Sherman, who plans to burn Atlanta and turn the tide of the Civil War in favor of the North with the secret word of the day, "Total War". In the meantime, the Histeria! kids pester Harriet Tubman (voiced by CCH Pounder), thinking her Underground Railroad is an actual train line, and Lydia Karaoke briefly interjects to complain about the line "War is hell".
22"Return to Rome"Herb Moore, Bob DoucetteMark Seidenberg, Randy Rogel, Tom RueggerOctober 23, 1998 (1998-10-23)
The gang take a day and look at how Rome was built and sing about it.
23"The Russian Revolution"Bob Doucette, Mike MiloDavid Doré, Mark Drotman, Tom Ruegger, Mark SeidenbergOctober 24, 1998 (1998-10-24)
The gang take a look at Joseph Stalin and the USSR.
24"Inventors Hall of Fame – Part II"Bob Doucette, Mike Milo, Herb MooreRandy Rogel, Roger Eschbacher, Tom Ruegger, Mark Seidenberg, Stephen Shaw, Victor WilsonOctober 30, 1998 (1998-10-30)
The gang once again dig into the Inventors' Hall of Fame to honor Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and others.
25"Megalomaniacs"Bob Doucette, Scott JeraldsJed Spingarn, Mark Drotman, Alex Borstein, Erin Erlich, Roger Eschbacher, Jeff Zimmer, Mark Seidenberg, Tom RueggerOctober 31, 1998 (1998-10-31)

The gang take a look at some of the big bad guys of history.

Note: Two versions of this episode exist: a sketch about Custer's Last Stand — in which the kids mistakenly believe George Armstrong Custer is running a custard stand — replaced a sketch depicting the Spanish Inquisition as a game show called "Convert or Die", hosted by Tomás de Torquemada after a complaint from the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, who claimed the sketch "[taught] children to reject Catholicism". The "Convert or Die" sketch has since been restored when the show aired online on In2TV.
26"Hooray For Presidents"Bob Doucette, Stephen Lewis, Mike Milo, Herb MooreTim Cahill, Roger Eschbacher, Julie McNally, Tom Ruegger, Mark Seidenberg, Jed Spingarn, Brian SwenlinNovember 6, 1998 (1998-11-6)
The gang meet President Lincoln again and explores even more presidents.
27"The Thomas Jefferson Program"Mike Milo, Herb MooreTom Ruegger, Mark Seidenberg, Tim Cahill, Julie McNally, Roger Eschbacher, Alex Borstein, Erin EhrlichNovember 7, 1998 (1998-11-7)
In this homage to the 1950s and 1960s The Jack Benny Program , Thomas Jefferson leads the fun when the gang learn handwriting from John Hancock (played by Chit Chatterson), and make a flag with Betsy Ross (played by The World's Oldest Woman). John Adams is voiced with an impression of George Burns, who was Jack Benny's close friend, and John Dunlap was voiced with an impression of Eddie "Rochester" Anderson.
28"More Explorers"John Griffin, Stephen Lewis, Herb Moore, Dave PryorMarc Drotman, Roger Eschbacher, Brian Palermo, Julie McNally, Tim Cahill, Tom Ruegger, Mark Seidenberg, Jed Spingarn, Victor WilsonNovember 13, 1998 (1998-11-13)
More from the Confucius Group and learn why one should never explore without the Discoverer Card.
29"Super Writers"Scott JeraldsTim Cahill, Julie McNally, Roger Eschbacher, Brian Palermo, Jed Spingarn, Mark SeidenbergNovember 21, 1998 (1998-11-21)
Ernest Hemingway and Mark Twain join forces to bring writing to the world, in typical Histeria! style.
30"History Of Flight"Scott JeraldsJohn Ludin, Mark Seidenberg, Tim Cahill, Julie McNallyFebruary 6, 1999 (1999-2-6)
The gang meet the Wright Brothers and park in the No Parking Zone.
31"Presidential People"Mike Milo, Stephen LewisTom Ruegger, Mark Seidenberg, Roger Eschbacher, Tim Cahill, Julie McNally, Paul Rugg, Barry Braverman, Jed Spingarn, Marlowe WeismanFebruary 13, 1999 (1999-2-13)
A heavy musical look into the lives and doings of more presidents.
32"Writers of the Purple Prose"John Griffin, Jon McClenahan, Mike Owens, Dave Pryor, Scott JeraldsTom Ruegger, Mark Seidenberg, Brian Palermo, Randy Rogel, Jed SpingarnFebruary 20, 1999 (1999-2-20)
Famous writers Samuel Butler and William Shakespeare and see Mary Had A Little Lamb 2000.
33"Histeria Around the World I"Stephen Lewis, Bob Doucette, Herb Moore, Scott JeraldsTom Ruegger, Mark Seidenberg, Tim Cahill, Julie McNally, Roger Eschbacher, Randy Rogel, Jeff ZimmerFebruary 27, 1999 (1999-2-27)
The gang learn the complete and unabridged history of Greenland, Antarctica, and New Zealand and play "Ask Me If I Care".
34"When America Was Young"Stephen Lewis, Bob Doucette, Herb Moore, Mike MiloTom Ruegger, Brian Palermo, Victor Wilson, Tim Cahill, Julie McNally, Chris DargaMarch 6, 1999 (1999-3-6)
Daniel Boone and Benedict Arnold star in their own shows depicting the Revolutionary War and the western frontier.
35"Loud Kiddington's Ancient History"Bob Doucette, Scott Jeralds, Stephen Lewis, Jon McClenahan, Mike MiloTom Ruegger, Mark Seidenberg, Brian Palermo, Victor Wilson, Jed Spingarn, Alex Borstein, Erin Ehrlich, Michael MalerMarch 13, 1999 (1999-3-13)
The gang see the First Wheel, sing about the names of the gods, and see an Olympic Moment.
36"Super Amazing Constitutions"Scott Jeralds, Herb MooreTom Ruegger, Mark Seidenberg, Roger Eschbacher, Brian PalermoMarch 20, 1999 (1999-3-20)
The Constitution gets a Histeria! overhaul and the gang meet Andrew Jackson and fire when they see the whites of their eyes.
37"Better Living Through Science"Bob Doucette, Scott Jeralds, Jon McClenahan, Mike Milo, Herb MooreMark Seidenberg, Brian Palermo, Tim Cahill, Julie McNally, Victor Wilson, David Doré, Roger Eschbacher, Randy RogelMarch 27, 1999 (1999-3-27)
The gang take the Road of Invention to see that what goes up, must come down and witness great moments in medicine.
38"The Dawn of Time"Jon McClenahan, Bob Doucette, John Griffin, David PryorTom RueggerApril 3, 1999 (1999-4-3)
Histeria! takes a scientific twist and looks at the dawn of time, which only the World's Oldest Women know much about, including dinosaurs.
39"Music"Scott Jeralds, Herb Moore, Bob DoucetteTom Ruegger, Jeff Zimmer, Brian PalermoApril 17, 1999 (1999-4-17)
Histeria! looks at music and wonders "Music to Whose Ears?" with Mozart. Plus, Big Fat Baby and twin sing a jingle.
40"World War II"Herb Moore, Vince Price, Stephen Lewis, Bob Doucette, Mike MiloTom Ruegger, Mark Seidenberg, Roger Eschbacher, Jed SpingarnApril 24, 1999 (1999-4-24)
Histeria! introduces the Freedom League and learns why there is nothing to fear from Franklin D. Roosevelt.
41"The Teddy Roosevelt Show"Bob Doucette, Stephen Lewis, Herb Moore, Mike Milo, John Griffin, Wendie Price, Djordie CakovanRoger Eschbacher, Victor Wilson, Jeff ZimmerMay 1, 1999 (1999-5-1)
Histeria! meets Teddy Roosevelt and explores the Canal of Doom.
42"Communuts!"Bob Doucette, Mike Milo, Jon McClenahan, Mike Owens, Stephen Lewis, Scott JeraldsTim Cahill, Julie McNally, Jeff Zimmer, Stephen Shaw, Mark Seidenberg, Brian Palermo, Tom RueggerMay 8, 1999 (1999-5-8)
A twisted Histeria! look at communism, including raps from Winston Churchill and Will Rogers.
43"Americana"Stephen Lewis, Herb Moore, Bob Doucette, Mike MiloJeff Zimmer, Michael Maler, Tim Cahill, Julie McNally, John LudinMay 15, 1999 (1999-5-15)
A patriotic look at American lifestyles now and how they used to be, and a visit to Berry Ding Live.
44"20th Century Presidents"Scott Jeralds, Herb Moore, Bob Doucette, Mike Milo, Stephen LewisJeff Zimmer, Roger Eschbacher, Marc Drotman, Mark Seidenberg, Jed Spingarn, Barry BravermanMay 22, 1999 (1999-5-22)
A Histeria! look at President Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy, along with the Watergate scandal, then Rally At The Beach with Pepper!
45"Histeria Around the World II"Bob Doucette, Stephen Lewis, Mike Milo, Herb MooreTom Ruegger, Michael Maler, Brian Palermo, TIm Cahill, Julie McNally, Roger Eschbacher, Mark SeidenbergJune 5, 1999 (1999-6-5)
The show looks at the Great Woman World Leaders Therapy Group and the Pastry War, along with another round of "Ask Me If I Care" with Mohandas Gandhi.
46"Histeria Goes to the Moon"Herb Moore, Bob Doucette, Stephen Lewis, Mike MiloRoger Eschbacher, Mark Seidenberg, Jeff ZimmerJuly 17, 1999 (1999-7-17)
The gang sets foot on the Moon with Neil Armstrong and the Apollo 11 .

Season 2 (1999–2000)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
471"Return to China"Mike Milo, Stephen Lewis, Herb Moore, Bob DoucetteMark Seidenberg, Roger Eschbacher, Tom Ruegger, Brian Palermo, John LudinSeptember 20, 1999 (1999-9-20)
More historical sketches regarding China are shown, such as the construction of the Great Wall of China and the Cultural Revolution. Plus, Yin and Yang are presented as superheroes.
482"The French Revolution"Scott Jeralds, Herb Moore, Bob Doucette, Stephen LewisTom Ruegger, Brian Palermo, Tim Cahill, Julie McNally, Victor WilsonSeptember 24, 1999 (1999-9-24)
The gang meet Nostradamus and a man named Louie. Napoleon also appears as the butt of many size jokes. The Tennis Court Oath is also explored.
493"North America"Herb Moore, Mike Milo, Scott Jeralds, Bob DoucetteRoger Eschbacher, Jeff Zimmer, Michael MalerOctober 1, 1999 (1999-10-1)
It is a wild look at North America. Stops include Canada, Klondike Acres and Mayberry - that is to say, the Histeria! version of Mayberry.
504"Heroes of Truth & Justice"Bob Doucette, Herb Moore, Mike MiloMark Seidenberg, Jeff Zimmer, Marc Drotman, Sean HoganJanuary 17, 2000 (2000-1-17)
Histeria! takes a march with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and boycotts buses, and attends the trial of the century with Socrates.
515"Euro-Mania!"Herb Moore, Jon McClenahan, Stephen Lewis, Bob Doucette, Scott Jeralds, Mike MiloMark Seidenberg, Brian Palermo, Michael Maler, Marlowe Weisman, Marc Drotman, Chris DargaMarch 24, 2000 (2000-3-24)
It is off to Europe to witness the Renaissance and a scrapple at the chapel, with another round of "Ask Me If I Care" with Charlemagne.
526"Big Fat Baby Theatre"Stephen Lewis, Mike Milo, Dave Bodensteiner, Dave Pryor, Scott Jeralds, Herb Moore, Bob Doucette, Lenord RobinsonJeff Zimmer, Mark Seidenberg, Brian Palermo, Marlow Weisman, Stephen ShawMarch 31, 2000 (2000-3-31)

The episode takes a look at random moments in history through the eyes of Big Fat Baby.

Note: This episode ends with the cast and crew of Histeria singing "Auld Lang Syne" a cappella over a live-action photo montage of the people who worked on the show.

See also

References

  1. Perlmutter, David (2018). The Encyclopedia of American Animated Television Shows. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 285. ISBN   978-1538103739.
  2. Mifflin, Lawrie (December 2, 1996). "Broadcasters and Producers Make Time for Children". The New York Times . USA. Retrieved May 10, 2011.
  3. Robertson, Virginia (September 1, 1998). "Warner Bros.' Histeria!". Kidscreen. Retrieved November 25, 2011.
  4. Erickson, Hal (2005). Television Cartoon Shows: An Illustrated Encyclopedia, 1949 Through 2003 (2nd ed.). McFarland & Co. pp. 897–898. ISBN   978-1476665993.
  5. "MeTV Toons - Program Schedule" (PDF). Retrieved June 6, 2024.
  6. Lee, Helen (October 11, 1998). "Histeria! proves history can be fun". Archived from the original on October 21, 2012. Retrieved October 19, 2006.