Wacky Races (2017 TV series)


 * This article is about the 2017 TV series. For the original 1968 TV series, see Wacky Races (1968 TV series).

Wacky Races is an animated racing comedy television series produced by Warner Bros. Animation for Cartoon Network, although it began life on Boomerang's SVOD service. It ran from 2017 to 2019, airing 78 episodes. It is a quasi-sequel/reboot of the original Wacky Races that ran from 1968 to 1969.

The goal of the series is the same, pitting colorful racers into zany--or wacky--races, although that's where the similarities end. This new incarnation allows the racers to travel across the world, through time, outer space, and on other planets, nowhere and no-when is off-limits. The stories aren't limited to just races, and the races themselves don't even involve traditional racing cars, just as long as they race on something, whether it be a toboggan or skis. The racers have also been reduced which has allowed for more development for those who have remained, allowing far more complexity and humor than the original series could provide. There is also a brand new racer, named IQ Ickly, and a gender swap for Big Gruesome who is now named Bella.

The backstory of the Wacky Races themselves has been fleshed out, by revealing that the races are owned and sponsored by P.T. Barnstorm. The new announcer is also given an identity and interacts with the racers on-screen, instead of just being an unnamed and unseen voice providing commentary.

There's also a wide range of references to other Hanna-Barbera series, the company which also produced the original series, including either guest spots or cameos from the likes of Hong Kong Phooey, Huckleberry Hound, Snagglepuss, Scrappy-Doo, Space Ghost, and Top Cat.

Development
There was going to be a third season, but unfortunately it did not happen due to AT&T buying TimeWarner. However, the creator, Mike Disa, has posted animatics of season 3 on his Vimeo channel.

Aftermath
On December 12, 2018, Will Terrell an artist on Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz, another Warner Bros. Animation-produced series, announced that his series, Wacky Races, and Yabba Dabba Dinosaurs had been canceled.

Music
The original theme was carried over, having been written by William Hanna, Joseph Barbera, and Hoyt Curtin. The music was composed by Michael McCuistion, Lolita Ritmanis, and Kristopher Carter of Dynamic Music Partners.

Release
Dates are in order of release:


 * United States: August 14, 2017 on Boomerang SVOD
 * United Kingdom and Ireland: November 1, 2017 at 5:30 pm on Boomerang

Cast

 * Peter Woodward as Dick Dastardly
 * Billy West as Muttley and Tiny
 * Nicole Parker as Penelope Pitstop and Pandora Pitstop
 * Diedrich Bader as Peter Perfect
 * Tom Kenny as Bella
 * Christopher Judge as Brick Crashman
 * Jill Talley as IQ Ickly