Earlier this month, HBO Max rolled out new Looney Tunes Cartoons shorts, a show that hasn’t released any rebooted episodes since 1969. But, a lot has changed in the last 51 years, which is why the series executive producer, Peter Browngardt, decided to omit an iconic visual often seen in the classic show. “We’re not doing guns,” Browngardt told The New York Times.
That’s right: Quintessential characters like Elmer Fudd and Yosemite Sam will no longer be carrying firearms. However, they’ll still be carrying explosives, scythes, and other violent items — which, um, is not necessarily much better? One thing is clear, and it’s that folks are conflicted about the change in Warner Bros.’ classic show.
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“The Looney Tunes remake with Elmer Fudd not having a gun is ridiculous,” @mudcaulks tweeted. “The whole premise of the cartoon was him hunting for BB and Daffy with a gun. What is he going to have a camera to take pics with. Chuck Jones must be turning over in his grave along with Mel Blanc,” one commenter wrote, citing the original Looney Tunes animator and voice actor.
Still, there are fans of the show who are happy their children won’t be exposed to gun violence, which is still so widespread in the United States, in a cartoon for kids. Those same fans would probably agree that toy guns should be banned — there’s even a study out there that found toy guns do increase aggressive behaviors in children.
The looney tunes remake with Elmer Fudd not having a gun is ridiculous. The whole premise of the cartoon was him hunting for BB and Daffy with a gun. What is he going to have a camera to take pics with. Chuck Jones must be turning over in his grave along with Mel Blanc. pic.twitter.com/Tvx9h76A2u
— david r. (@mudcaulks) June 7, 2020
So whether it’s toy guns, guns on kids’ TV shows, or even a mere water gun emoji, it’s worth it for parents to consider the impact exposure to gun imagery could have on kids’ brains and behavior. Some might argue that we’re making progress (after all, the pistol emoji has been removed too!) but we certainly have a long ways to go.
Luckily for parents who don’t want guns in the house and kids who still want to practice their aim, there are plenty of alternatives to toy guns out there that are, we think, even more fun.
In addition to HBO Max, here are the different streaming services you’ll need this year.
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