The Tom and Jerry Comedy Show
The classic chase returns with new laughs and friends.
The Tom and Jerry Comedy Show is a 1980s animated television series that revived the classic cat-and-mouse duo for a new generation. Produced by Filmation, this show expanded the Tom and Jerry universe by introducing new characters and settings, while maintaining the slapstick humor and chase dynamics that made the original MGM shorts iconic. It served as a bridge between the classic era and later revivals, offering fans a fresh take on the timeless rivalry.
- Character
- Tom and Jerry
- Role
- Protagonists and central duo
- Affiliation
- Filmation
- First appears
- 1980
- Status
- Completed series
Lore & Background
The Tom and Jerry Comedy Show is part of the broader Tom and Jerry franchise, which originated in the 1940s with MGM's theatrical shorts. This series, produced by Filmation, debuted in 1980 and ran for one season, consisting of 15 episodes. It was notable for introducing new characters like Quacker the duck, a recurring friend of Jerry, and for placing Tom and Jerry in more varied settings, such as a haunted house or a science lab, while keeping the core premise of Tom's failed attempts to catch Jerry. The show also featured a laugh track, a departure from the original shorts' musical scores, and aimed to appeal to younger audiences with lighter, family-friendly humor.
In Their Own Story
The sun cast long shadows across the kitchen floor as Tom, armed with a newfangled mop, plotted his latest scheme. Jerry, nibbling a wedge of cheese atop the counter, watched with a knowing grin. The chase began—a whirlwind of clattering pots and flying dishes—until a sudden slip on a stray banana peel sent Tom crashing into a bucket of paint. Jerry, safe in his mouse hole, let out a tiny chuckle as the screen faded to black, the familiar theme music playing them out.
Reader's Guide
The Tom and Jerry Comedy Show is a 1980s animated series that brought the iconic duo to television after their theatrical run. Produced by Filmation, it aired on CBS and featured 15 episodes, each with multiple segments. The show introduced new characters like Quacker the duck and expanded the duo's world beyond the typical house, including adventures in outer space and medieval times. While it retained the slapstick chases, the tone was softer than the original shorts, with more dialogue and a laugh track. The series is remembered for its colorful animation and for keeping Tom and Jerry relevant during a period when classic cartoons were transitioning to TV. It remains a nostalgic favorite for fans who grew up with this version.
Did You Know?
- The Tom and Jerry Comedy Show was the first Tom and Jerry television series produced by Filmation, not MGM.
- It introduced Quacker the duck, a character who later appeared in other Tom and Jerry media.
- The show featured a laugh track, which was a departure from the original shorts' reliance on music and sound effects.
- Despite only one season, it paved the way for future Tom and Jerry TV series.
More in Lore & History
Elsewhere in the Tom and Jerry universe
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record