Updated on December 10, 2021
Yep, another new episode of “The Looney Tunes Show.” While this one has some slapstick, it’s still marred by Daffy’s flaws in this series (i.e., being too dumb/nonsensical), plus the toned-down nature of the slapstick. Unlike last week’s show, we’re back to typical series Daffy this week, with Daffy possibly too unlikeable here.
The plot: Daffy’s parade float-car is ruined, and when Bugs won’t give him the money to replace it with a yacht, Daffy cons the money from Porky, financially ruining our favorite ham.
While it’s nice to see another classic Looney Tunes plot point used here (Daffy conning Porky), it was much better done in “Dime to Retire” (Daffy running a crooked hotel, with Porky as his guest) and “Fool Coverage” (Daffy trying to sell Porky an insurance policy). Both of these shorts were directed by Robert McKimson, whose version of Daffy is one “The Looney Tunes Show”‘s second season might want to shoot for modeling their Daffy on. McKimson’s Daffy was a mix of the zany Tex Avery/Bob Clampett duck and Chuck Jones’ greedy egoist. Thus, I figure that might work better for this show, and come off not making Daffy look unbelievably stupid, or like a bad Master Shake (from “Aqua Teen Hunger Force”) imitation.
The other highlight was seeing a few elements of slapstick this week, with Daffy being battered around the car wash and a destitute Porky beating up Daffy (while Bugs casually watches). Still, Porky beating up Daffy has the same toned-down feel as the realistic-looking fist fight in “The Foghorn Leghorn Story,” versus the bodyguard beating up Daffy in “Casa de Calma.”
The final scenes rely, of course, on the US’ health care system and its expensive nature… which, of course, is a bigger joke than anything in Looney Tunes canon. Unless you own stock in a health insurance company/think Canada has “death panels,” I suppose.
No Road Runner short this week, but we did get another “Merrie Melodie” with the Goofy Gophers (“You Like/I Like”), where they sing about each other’s tastes. Unlike “Be Polite,” the Gophers manage to finish their song without Marvin derailing things!
