4 out of 5

Created By: Doug TenNapel

Combining the frenetic, classic cartoon feverishness of Ren and Stimpy with creator Doug TenNapel’s (Earthworm Jim) wonderfully random style of humor and unique character design, ‘Catscratch’ was a short-lived animation classic, grounded by an initially small pool of writers (Peter Hastings, Mitch Watson) and a consistent series director (Watson).  While the latter half of the first and only season would start to shift more toward a typical Nick cartoon silliness, the core established early on seemed to keep things, for the most part, in the same vibe…  But perhaps it’s best that things were encapsulated to these 20 eps (split into 2 short episodes each, so 40 in actuality), as we’ll never have to suffer through justifying the quality of later seasons when the quality has obviously dwindled.  ‘Catscratch’ was also blessed with an amazing trio of voice actors.  Wayne Knight as the selfish and power-hungry Mr. Blik is a godsend, lending the character’s freakouts the same kind of hungry intensity as any of his various “I’m the best” proclamations.  Rob Paulsen is reliable as ever, but his Scottish Gordon is such a fun random note to the trio (and not a common accent for Paulsen, I believe) that all of his scenes are charming.  Somewhat misused as the simple dumb character when not scripted by Hastings or Watson or, for one ep, TenNapel, Kevin McDonald’s Waffle is pitched at the right level of goofy so as to not get obnoxious, and his chirping geckos are a hoot.  What makes the group sync well is something TMNT got right in their many incarnations as well – brotherhood.  While the cats are prone to their individual indulgences, there’s a nice center of family that’s woven into things without being over-moralized.  It was also wise (and typical of TenNapel) to make each character valuable – none are exactly the straight man, so you can spend your 15 minutes with any of them and have a good time.  Design-wise, the first half of the series sports some amazing set and character design, and you’ll see some well-know comic/animation names popping up in the credits – Scott Morse, Garrett Ho.  Again, things ‘normalize’ a bit later on, but by then the tone had been established.  Why it’s never been released as a set, who knows, but if you can find it for viewing, this show about three cats willed millions – and a mansion, and a butler, and a car named ‘Gear’ – by their deceased owner – is a bright spot in cartoon history, and an example of that time right before kid shows crossed over into uber self-awareness.