Otaku Dome recently had the opportunity to speak with WB Animation over it’s upcoming Tom & Jerry reboot entitled” The Tom & Jerry Show”, not to be confused with the original 1975 series. We discuss the cat & mouse duo’s recent success on DVD, their past, what makes them connectable to audiences and more:

1. How did development on The Tom & Jerry Show come about?

Tom and Jerry have never really gone away, but there are always requests to make more to help keep interest alive. We were lucky enough to work with Darrell Van Citters and his team at Renegade, since Darrell really understands what makes classic animated characters tick. We set out to make something new, but still be true to the characters and sensibility of the original classic shorts.

2. I’m sure some people will wonder due to the name, but for confirmation’s sake, is this a remake of the original 1975 series?

No, this is a whole new show…based on the classic characters and scenarios of the original shorts.

3. Do you think Tom & Jerry have the same appeal to keep this generation’s attention like they did around the early 2000s & the beginning days of it’s run?

Tom and Jerry and their dynamic are timeless. I really don’t think Tom is even trying to eat Jerry. Sylvester desperately wants to kill and eat Tweety, but Tom and Jerry seem more like brothers just trying to one up the other. Sibling rivalry is very relatable, especially when it escalates to slapstick violence. Who doesn’t want to hit their brother in the face with a frying pan from time to time?

4. Does it surprise you that Tom & Jerry manage to connect with audiences despite the fact that they’re for the most part voiceless/silent characters?

I think that’s a big reason why they do connect with the audience. Since they don’t have any dialog to rely on, they need to communicate through their acting and behavior, which makes you pay attention to them even more.

5. How will The Tom & Jerry Show differ from past series in the franchise?

We have four rotating scenarios on the show (a classic home setting, a science lab, a witches’ house and a cat and mouse detective agency) which allow us to introduce new reoccurring characters and settings. They also allow us more things for Tom and Jerry to throw at each other (crazy new inventions, magic spells, etc.).

6. Do you think the recent success of Tom & Jerry on DVD helped bring interest in a new television series?

Absolutely. Spike Brandt and Tony Cervone have done an amazing job integrating the characters into such classic stories as The Wizard of Oz, Sherlock Holmes and Robin Hood, which helps keep the characters fresh and new. Spike also truly understands what makes Tom and Jerry tick better than most people on the planet.

7. Will we see fan favorite characters such as Spike and Butch making appearances in The Tom & Jerry Show?

It’s hard to do it without them. Since Tom and Jerry don’t talk, they’ve always been surrounded by characters that do to help tell the story. Various episodes of the show feature Spike, Tyke (who doesn’t talk), Butch, Lil’ Quacker, Tuffy, Toodles and even Meathead.

8. With recent classic cartoon reboots such as The Tom & Jerry Show and The Looney Tunes Show, do you think this could be a growing trend within the coming years?

Characters like Tom and Jerry, Bugs Bunny, Scooby-Doo and Batman never seem to disappear for too long. They’re some of the hardest working and greatest characters in animation, and we’re honored to get to work with them at WBA.

9. What can US audiences who are just now getting a glimpse of The Tom & Jerry Show expect?

If we’ve done our jobs right, a lot of character driven, enjoyable, cartoony violence.