For example, the stereotypical portrayal of blacks-from the character of "Mammy" to the numerous "blackface gags"-are nowhere to be found on TV. Although the violence has pretty much been left intact, the racial overtones and other "politically incorrect" bits found in classic episodes have been swept under the rug. Today, reruns of Tom and Jerry can be seen regularly on havens like The Cartoon Network, albeit in slightly abbreviated form. Although most cartoons of today would hardly be able to get away with this on a regular basis, it was Tom and Jerry's calling card. Fur was shorn, eyeballs were poked and teeth were broken, but things would be back to normal for the next scene. In true cartoon fashion, the violence was over-the-top and had no lasting effects. With only a handful of supporting characters (and a variety of locations, of course), the cat and mouse duo were usually left to their own devices. In all regards, the success of the show was in its simplicity. Heck, you'd be hard-pressed to find any serious lover of animation that didn't grow up watching Tom and Jerry, and for good reason: it was one of the most consistently funny and entertaining cartoons ever conceived. The influence of the show would reach long after the series' best years, as evident in creations like The Simpsons' infamous cat and mouse duo, "Itchy and Scratchy". Their hard work would stretch beyond commercial appeal, as several shorts won Academy Awards even the series premiere, Puss Gets The Boot, was nominated.
Created by the up-and-coming young team of William Hanna and Joseph Barbera, Tom and Jerry would eventually be eventually be graced by the presence of Chuck Jones, Tex Avery, and Friz Freleng (of Looney Tunes fame). Additionally, the simple premise of pitting one character against another was hardly anything new, but it certainly proved to be a successful one.
Truth be told, Tom and Jerry had much in common with the other "big fish" in the animation pond, Looney Tunes: madcap comedy, violence, and even a fully orchestrated score. The cat and mouse duo first appeared in 1940, immediately scoring big with audiences of all ages. It's no secret that Tom and Jerry is one of the cartoon world's most recognizable and enduring creations.
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