How did this one pass me by!! I’ve long been a fan of the Animaniacs and their fast-paced "plank-swinging" humour so I was surprised when I got an email telling me of a, partially, Lake inspired character in the series.
Inspiration:
John who put me onto the Minerva connection initially pointed me at the site and work of Sue Katowich. Like John she’s something of a furry fan and shes done some excellent interpretations of Minerva as Lake. With permission these images are viewable here:
Minerva’s Background:
In 1993 "Meet Minerva" was aired by Steven Spielberg’s Animaniacs. The premise of this cartoon was for a dozy dachshund dog called Newt to bring back the pelt of a Mink, enter Minerva. Her first appearance was in "Hercule Yakko". "Meet Minerva", "Moon Over Minerva" were her only 2 lead part episodes.
Created by Dan Haskett (animator and character designer) and voiced by Julie Brown; she is said to be inspired by the combination of Carole Lombard, Veronica Lake and Jayne Mansfield. Indeed at times she displays a leaning to the attributes of each one.
Much like Nurse (my personal favourite) she was a sexy tease which probably made her too risqué a character for children’s television (or more likely too risqué for adults to accept). She only had a lead part in two shows but had 10 or so further appearances and many cameos, including 3 covers, of the Animaniacs Comic.
She notably played the Dame in "This Pun For Hire" which was actually a parody of "The Maltese Falcon".
Sadly the: F. Baker’s Minerva Mink Page and the Minerva Mink Yahoo Club are now defunct.
"Animaniacs" is an American animated television series created by Tom Ruegger. It is produced by Amblin Entertainment and Warner Bros. Animation. The show first aired on September 13, 1993, and became known for its witty humour, educational segments, and its appeal to both children and adults. The original run of "Animaniacs" concluded on November 14, 1998, after five seasons and a total of 99 episodes.
The series centres on the Warner siblings—Yakko, Wakko, and Dot—who are cartoon characters from the 1930s that were locked away in the Warner Bros. water tower until their escape in the 1990s. The show follows their zany adventures as they explore the world, often causing mayhem and chaos in the process. The siblings’ antics are characterized by slapstick comedy, clever wordplay, and a barrage of pop culture references.
"Animaniacs" is notable for its ensemble cast of recurring characters, including Pinky and the Brain, two lab mice with plans to take over the world; Slappy Squirrel, a grumpy old cartoon star; and Rita and Runt, a singing cat and dog duo, among others. Each episode typically consists of several short segments that feature different characters and storylines, much like a variety show.
One of the defining aspects of "Animaniacs" is its use of music and songs to educate and entertain. The show included a wide variety of musical numbers, ranging from genres like Broadway to pop, often used to teach subjects such as geography, history, and mathematics.
The series received critical acclaim for its sophisticated humour, satirical approach to entertainment, and its clever use of educational content. It won several awards during its original run, including Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Animated Program.
In January 2018, Hulu announced it had ordered two new seasons of "Animaniacs," making it a part of the growing trend of reviving popular 1990s television series. The revival, which premiered on November 20, 2020, sees the return of the original voice actors for the Warner siblings and Pinky and the Brain, as well as the show’s signature blend of comedy, education, and musical numbers, updated for a contemporary audience. The revival aims to capture the original’s charm while addressing modern themes and trends, appealing to both new viewers and long-time fans of the original series.
