Brain wants to win $99,000 so he can finish his device to take over the world on the show Gyp-Parody, but ultimately loses when he doesn't know what classic TV character was known for saying, "Bang! Zoom! Right in the Kisser!" (which Pinky does know).
Characters[]
Pinky, The Brain, Alex Quebec, Cab Driver, Gyp-Parody contestants (Alvey, Matilda, Deloris), Dot Warner (run-through), Wakko Warner (run-through), Yakko Warner (run-through), Ralph the Guard (run-through)
Trivia[]
This was the first Pinky and the Brain short produced and the first aired, acting as a pilot for the mice. Many of the familiar elements (such as the "are you pondering what I'm pondering?" dialogue) were intended by writer Peter Hastings to be one-time gags, but supervising story editor Sherri Stoner convinced him to bring them back in future scripts.[1]
This short introduces Pinky's nonsense words "Narf" and "Poit," as well as his exclamation, "Egad, Brain!"
Yakko, Wakko, and Dot make a cameo where they run on top of the taxi the Brain is taking, being chased by Ralph, beginning a literal running gag throughout the series.
Gyp-Parody obviously parodies Jeopardy!
This short features the first appearance of Brain's human suit, which was featured in various episodes of the spin-off. Writer Peter Hastings actually had a replica of the human suit in his office.
This episode is a parody of The Honeymooners episode "The $99,000 Answer", in which Ralph Kramden repeatedly tells Norton to stop playing the song "Swanee River," and then loses a game show over that song. Similarly, the Brain loses here over Ralph's famous catch phrase from The Honeymooners.
Although Peter Hastings has stated that he always tried to have Brain threaten to hurt Pinky but never actually hit him (because he felt this was both funnier and truer to the character), Tom Ruegger and the other producers would often have Brain actually hit Pinky. Even in this very first short, the Brain does follow through.
This episode would be retold in the Animaniacs comic, but one difference is that Brain's human suit would be attired with a jacket and tie as opposed to the more formal tuxedo, which made somewhat better sense for going out in public during casual events.
Quotes[]
Brain: Pinky, are you pondering what I'm pondering?
Pinky: I think so, Brain, but, where are we gonna find a duck and a hose at this hour?
