Updated on March 19, 2023
Media conglomerates often like to celebrate the anniversaries of their favorite franchises. Below are some examples of such anniversary celebrations.
Hanna-Barbera
In 1989, Hanna-Barbera produced for TNT a 50th anniversary special, based on Tom and Jerry’s debut in 1940 as the starting point of William Hanna and Joseph Barbera’s partnership. That said, the bulk of the references were to Hanna-Barbera’s famous animated TV characters. Hosting the special? Tony Danza, of then-popular sitcom “Who’s the Boss,” and Annie Potts (Janine in the 1980s “Ghostbusters” films).
Someone on YouTube uploaded the opening of the special. It shows (via humorist musician Victor Borge mixed with animated footage) most of the studio’s classic comedic characters playing a medley of classic theme songs. The ones chosen: “Yogi Bear,” “Huckleberry Hound,” “Quick Draw McGraw,” “The Jetsons,” “The Flintstones,” and “Scooby-Doo.”
A few aspects about the special’s opening I noticed:
- Lots of obscure characters are present: Breezly and Sneezly? Mildew Wolf? Touche Turtle?
- This might be one of Scrappy-Doo’s last animated appearances before being permanently dropped as a character (save for modern-day shots at his lack of popularity).
- Jerry (of “Tom and Jerry”) is in his 70s-90s Hanna-Barbera design, i.e. wearing a bow tie.
- The Scooby-Doo theme is the version that became the default in 70s and 80s spin-offs, i.e. the one based on “The New Scooby-Doo Movies.”
- None of the non-comedic/”action” characters like Space Ghost or Jonny Quest seem to appear.
Finally, as Slate noted, the Flintstones were clearly considered the studio’s headline characters; the special’s titled “Hanna-Barbera’s 50th: A Yabba Dabba Doo Celebration.” Since the late 90s, Scooby-Doo’s become the flagship character for the Hanna-Barbera brand.
The studio’s post-80s fate saw it becoming a Warner Bros. Animation subsidiary in 1996, and shut down in 2001. Cartoon Network Studios originally was founded as a subsidiary of Hanna-Barbera in 1994; after Hanna-Barbera’s WB merger, CN Studios became its own entity. These days, the name “Hanna-Barbera” is basically a brand name/shell company for projects featuring the classic roster of characters.
Cartoon Network
Cartoon Network ran a series of bumpers to celebrate its 20th and 25th anniversaries. Fortunately their YouTube page has a few of these up:
- A music video montage for CN’s 20th anniversary.
- A similar video for CN’s 25th anniversary.
There’s also this extended 20th anniversary party bumper Cartoon Network produced. Among other highlights is seeing the short-lived 2011 “Thundercats” version of Lion-O interact with Velma Dinkley. There’s also characters like Jabberjaw appearing in the group photo at the end. Said photo’s taken by Bugs Bunny—who also takes a verbal shot at Daffy…
Superman
See my previous posts about Superman’s 75th and 80th anniversaries, celebrated in 2013 and 2018 respectively. There’s also my post about Lois Lane’s 75th birthday (in-universe and in real life).
Batman
I’ve written previously about Batman’s 900th anniversary issue in his debut title, “Detective Comics.” At the current rate of publication, his 1000th anniversary issue should come out in 2019, coinciding with Bruce Wayne’s 80th anniversary.
Wonder Woman
See my previous post about anniversary issues of Wonder Woman’s comic. The Amazing Amazon’s 80th anniversary is due in 2021.
Mickey Mouse
Mickey’s 60th birthday in 1988 was celebrated with a special that aired on NBC. Coinciding with “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?,” it featured cameos by the rabbit, plus a parade of then-popular NBC stars. (Mickey visiting the bar from “Cheers?”)
In 2018, Mickey’s 90th birthday will be celebrated by Disney, with apparent plans for a new TV special, airing this time on (Disney-owned) ABC of course.
Bugs Bunny
There was much made of Bugs Bunny’s 50th anniversary in 1990, with a metric ton of merchandise, media attention, etc. Episodes of “Tiny Toon Adventures” would occasionally make reference to Bugs’ age.
The 1991-made (but unaired until 1997) short “(Blooper) Bunny” took pretty heavy shots at all of this, in a mockumentary about the making of Bugs’ (fictional) “51½ anniversary special.” Daffy, Elmer, and Yosemite Sam are shown involved, grumbling about the whole thing (or their dislike of Bugs). It’s pretty hilarious; I liked Yosemite Sam’s barrage of insults toward Bugs.
“Peanuts”
While there’s been various anniversary specials related to Charles Schulz’s “Peanuts,” the 40th anniversary one in 1990 is the only one to date released to video (at least according to Wikipedia).
Super Bowl XXIV in 1990 also featured a halftime show tribute to the anniversary of “Peanuts,” via various marching bands and performers, back just before the game’s halftime show became all-star blowouts. (The 1992 Simpsons episode where Lisa and Homer gamble on football parodies what Super Bowl halftime shows were like in the pre-all-star-bonanza days.)
