Yakko, Wakko, and Dot

Yakko, Wakko, and Dot, also known as "The Warner Brothers (and the Warner Sister)", are three fictional cartoon characters featured on the animated series Animaniacs. The trio of red-nosed Warner siblings were considered to be the stars of the ensemble of characters on the show. They appear in the logo, and the show usually begins and ends with gags performed by them. Adding to their uniqueness is the fact that they aren't cartoon representatives of any actual animal.

The first episode of Animaniacs established a backstory for Yakko, Wakko and Dot. According to the show, they were created at the Warner Bros. Studios as part of the 1930s animation boom (their character design is intentionally similar to other animation stars of the time, such as Bosko and Honey). However, the three of them were so crazy and caused so much mayhem that studio executives decided to have them locked in the studio lot's water tower, "never to be released." Their films, which made even less sense than they did, were also locked in the studio lot's water tower, also never to be released. This move apparently worked well at first, but by the first episode (set in the present), Yakko, Wakko, and Dot were able to escape frequently and at will.

The Warners' age is an issue that was almost completely avoided; although they routinely acted like pre-teen children (and were frequently referred to as children, particularly by Dr. Otto Scratchansniff), they had allegedly been locked inside the water tower for more than half a century. (Although it could be argued that cartoon characters don't age, this fails to explain the senior-citizen status of Slappy Squirrel.)

The comedy that the trio performed can be described as an updated version of that of The Marx Brothers and early Bugs Bunny cartoons; each segment would usually involve them at odds with an authority-figure antagonist, defeating any attempts at control with a non-stop barrage of slapstick comedy and wit. However, one notable difference is that while Bugs was usually defending himself against an aggressor, it is characteristic for the Warners to wreak havoc only because they enjoy it. The Warners were not complete anarchists, however: in an episode titled "The Sound of Warners", they wouldn't fight back against a Julie Andrews-esque nanny because she wasn't attacking them, only being excessively mothering and annoyingly saccharine—hence, establishing a sort of moral core for the Warners. Wanting her gone but seeing their hands were tied, they asked Slappy Squirrel to come in and deal with her as only she could: explosively.

Upon orders from Thaddeus Plotz, CEO of Warner Bros. (in the series), the security guard Ralph pursues the Warner siblings when they escape. Other recurring human characters include Dr. Otto Scratchansniff and Hello Nurse as the therapists who try to civilize them and teach them manners.

Each of the trio has a unique personality and role in the group:

• Yakko Warner (voiced by Rob Paulsen): The tallest, oldest and most verbal, he serves as the ringleader of the two younger siblings. Highly reminiscent of Groucho Marx, he wears brown slacks. Has a tendency to pounce on attractive women.

• Wakko Warner (voiced by Jess Harnell): Wearing a red cap and blue shirt, he speaks with a Scouse accent reminiscent of Ringo Starr. He's the middle child, and subsequently the most weird and absurdist of the bunch. Often pulls objects from his "Gag Bag" when situations call for it. He generally supplies the more crude humor sometimes featured on the show. Wakko has a voracious appetite, and will eat almost anything, including gum found under a seat and even rocks. He also has a phobic fear of clowns. According to one song ("Hello Nurse") he is seven years of age although this was the only reference ever giving to their age. He is a big fan of Don Knotts and also likes women.

• Dot Warner (voiced by Tress MacNeille): The only sister, Dot wears a skirt and a flower tie in her hair. Also known as "Princess Angelina Contessa Louisa Francesca Banana Fanna Bo Besca...the Third." Offensively cute and annoyingly aware of it, she is very confident. She is arguably the smartest one, and occasionally the most overtly aggressive. As she puts it, "Call me Dotty, and you die."

As with other Animaniacs characters, the Warner siblings were part of a loosely-defined cast of players and often made appearances in other characters' segments (as well as hosting occasional appearances by other characters in their segments).

External links

• Don Markstein's Toonopedia (http://www.toonopedia.com/warnrbrs.htm)