The Bullwinkle Show

A variety show, with the main feature being the serialized adventures of the two title characters, the anthropomorphic moose Bullwinkle and flying squirrel Rocky. The main adversaries in most of their adventures are the Russian-like spies Boris Badenov and Natasha Fatale. Supporting segments include Dudley Do-Right, Peabody's Improbable History, and Fractured Fairy Tales, among others.

The Bullwinkle Show (1959-1963) is an American animated variety series created by Jay Ward and Bill Scott for NBC and ABC. Its main feature follows the anthropomorphic moose Bullwinkle and flying squirrel Rocky as they slip out of one scrape after another, usually hounded by the bumbling Russian-like spies Boris Badenov and Natasha Fatale, whose plots are always doomed to fail. Each five-minute installment is a piece of serialized cartoon adventure, and the broadcast around it carries supporting segments such as Dudley Do-Right, Peabody's Improbable History and Fractured Fairy Tales. Voiced by a cast that includes William Conrad as the narrator and June Foray as Rocky, the show runs five seasons and some 815 episodes. Its cold war spy parody, fast wordplay and deadpan narration make it a playful, cheerful watch. Fans of Animaniacs, Tom and Jerry and Shrek will find similar comedic energy in its anarchic, self-aware cartoon humor.

Critics and fans broadly praise the show's witty writing, sly parody and anarchic cartoon humor, while noting its modest animation.

• The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show (1959)shared slapstick animated comedy with cold war spy parody and serialized cartoon adventures
• Animaniacsshared animated family comedy with wordplay and satirical adult jokes aimed over children's heads
• Tom and Jerryshared anthropomorphic animal cartoon comedy with spy-versus-hero rivalry
• Shrekshared parody of fairy tales and classic stories with sharp deadpan voice work

Created by

Jay Ward, Bill Scott

Release Date

1959-11-19

Episode runtime

5 min

Rating

7.8 / 10 (62)

What is The Bullwinkle Show about?

Two cartoon characters, a flying squirrel and a moose, foil Russian-like spies in a variety show of short serialized adventures and parody segments.

What is The Bullwinkle Show like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Bullwinkle Show as brisk, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as easy to follow.

Is The Bullwinkle Show violent?

No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in The Bullwinkle Show.

What did critics think of The Bullwinkle Show?

Critics and fans broadly praise the show's witty writing, sly parody and anarchic cartoon humor, while noting its modest animation.

Which shows are like The Bullwinkle Show?

Shows with a similar feel include The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show (1959), Animaniacs, Tom and Jerry, and Shrek.

How long is The Bullwinkle Show?

The Bullwinkle Show: 5 seasons, 815 episodes.

Is The Bullwinkle Show still running?

No, The Bullwinkle Show has ended.