So you've seen the cartoon Animaniacs for the first time.
You've been watching it for some time now and beagn to wonder about two characters in the opening title.
The Warners, Pinky and the Brain, Good Feathers, Slapppy Squirrel, Buttons and Mindy but.....
A cute gray cat standing on the head of a big shaggy dog?...who are these two?
It's been three, four months now but still no cat and dog cartoons and you still don't know anything about them.
Well worry no more 'cause in this page I will try ny best to explain Animaniacs' most elussive major characters
Oh! and thanks to AHEM for this page!

RITA AND RUNT

Just look at the background of their pics. Truely fire and Ice

Alrighty then! Listen up toonsters! This is about two of Animaniacs most unique and mysterious major characters. So for those who are beginners to Animaniacs go here.
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Character profile (This is universal! True for that matter!) RUNT Name: Runt the Dog Age : Human equivalent of 24 Gender: Male Status: Stuck with Rita and Homeless Class: First Class Animaniacs Co-star, 90's toon, Capable of speech, Protagonist. Toon Skills: Running gag, Parody of Dustin Hoffman in the movie "Rain Man", Time and space travel. Average toon maliability, Though conjuring, and situation switch is theoretical. Voice Actor: Frank Welker RITA Name: Rita the Cat Age : Human equivalent of 20 Gender: Female Status: Stuck with Runt and Homeless Class: First Class Animaniacs Co-star, 90's toon, Capable of speach, Semi-Protagonist. Toon Skills: Maximum singging skills, Maximum toon maliability, Time and space travel, Though conjuring, and situation switch is theoretical. Voice Actor: Bernadette Peters Description (By everyone on the web!!!)

These two are homeless pets that search the world for a home through song. Rita and Runt are the resident musicians of Animaniacs. They are two souls wandering the highway of life taking on the world alone with nothing but their friendship. Their musical tale of survival is as touching :>) as it is funny. With Rita's brain and Runt's brawn They are truely a perfect couple. Perfectly mismatched that is!!

Rita is street savvy cat who loves to sing. She thinks she is a little better then everyone else but is still looking for a home. She probably tells herself that she hangs around Runt just for transportation but in truth she likes him and besides he helped her out of a few jams.

She is a street smart alley cat who guards her "tough girl" persona with her life. She is a little conceited but she has a kind heart. All she really wants is a loving home, warm place in front of the fire and the occasional hug. Rita is voiced by Bernadette Peters, who has made a name for herself in several Broadway musicals, including "Into The Woods" and starred in several movies. Bernadette Peters (Rita), is best known for her fabulous singing in Broadway musicals, and in particular her work with Stephen Sondheim. See, for example, "Into the Woods". (JW)

Runt is just a big dumb mutt with a big heart. For instance, he thinks Rita is a dog. But he'll do anything for her and sometimes help deflate Rita's ego, if only unintentionally. Nothing will break Runt's perpetual optimism. Runt's "definitely" shtick is a parody of Dustin Hoffman's performance in the movie *Rain Man*. (WBB) Every great personality has a sidekick. Runt is Rita's sidekick. He is just a big dumb mutt. What he lacks in intelligence, he makes up in heart. He would do anything for Rita. Runt never sees the glass as half empty, but rather half full of 24k gold. His overly trusting nature and optimism can sometimes get him into trouble. Runt is voiced by Frank Welker, one of the animation industry's most respected and versitile voice artists. For Animaniacs alone, in addition to Runt, he does the voices of Ralph the Guard, Thaddeus Plotz, Flavio, and Chicken Boo, plus numerous single shot voices.

A cat named Rita a dog named Runt. They are so good! Rita has an incredible voice (she's voiced by Bernadette Peters, who sings in musicals) and Runt is totally blur. Definitely, definitely blur. (That's one of the running gags. Runt keeps going "definitely".) Whenever you see an R&R episode, you know you're in for a good time.


Fox: "Well that's your oppinion about 
Rita and Runt. I for one agree! But do 
we really know Rita and Runt!?

If you think Rita and Runt is a love-hate beat up each other cat and dog team(almost Tom and Jerry style), well your wrong. This is the first odd couple team I've seen with the members having different genders. I think it's cute and unique. Most associated as Animaniacs song division, Rita The Cat (Bernadette Peters) along with a most; some call typical; funny, dumb, lovable, selfless, and brave sidekick Runt the Dog(Frank Welker) they are to me the most complex toons on Animaniacs. Adventure, humour and heart-warming cartoons truly is proof that R&R are major characters but because of their rare appearances seem to be minor characters(characters that don't have complex characteristics like Mime or Mr.Skullhead). Rita and Runt are as good singers as the Warner sibs, has a unique goal like plot same as Pinky and the Brain, uses personality humour like the Good feathers(R&R avoid using dynamite and anvils), has complex characteristics like Slappy Squirrel and of course as lovable as Buttons and Mindy. Though Rita and Runt are a team they appear to be independent from one another. Their personalities, though unstable in my point of veiw, is capable of functioning properly even when separated from each other. Reffer to "Home on de Nile". I guess this is a incomplete summary of "The Origin of Rita and Runt". It's finally here!

Runt's definitely collection. (It's the running gag! All in *.wav) Just for you beginners to get used to how he uses his running gag.

"Wow! Look at all the rocks..."
"I sure wish Rita was here..."
"This is good..."
"Your a good dog..."
"I was..."
"It's over..."
"Gee, your sweet Rita..."
"Yup! It's wet..."
"Get'em! Get'em definetly get'em..."
"Definetly not..."
"definately nice pilgrims..."
"names Runt..."
"Uh-oh Rita's in trouble..."
"Where's everyone..."
I know! These aren't Runt's but I love them anyway!
Rita: "Dogs...Go fig!"
Rita and Runt talking on a slab
"That gave me a realy..."
"Thanks Runt." "Your welcome..."
Where it came from no one knows...R&R's theme tune 










History (All dates are in Charles Brown's perspective. U.K. date that is!)


Rita and Runt first met up in surprisingly "When Rita met Runt" 
which was first screened on 21st September 1993, This first 
episode has only been shown ONCE in the UK and I would 
desperately like anyone with a PAL video recording of it to 
contact me! 

A excellent parody of Les Miserlabes, suitable titled, Les 
Miseranimals was Rita and Runt's second episode, it was first 
screened on the 27th of September 1993. 

The first episode in which Rita was in trouble and not Runt was 
set in Germoina Italy, late 1790's. Not being picky but how did 
they get here? Anywho the Cat and the fiddle was first screened 
on the 5th of October in 1993. 

Two weeks later Rita and Runt returned even further back in time 
for Home on De Nile, this was first screened on the 19th of 
October 1993 and repeated in an Hour long special on the 9th of March 
1996. 

A few days before Halloween Rita and Runt starred in the very 
scary, Phranken-Runt, a parody of Frankenstien. It was first 
screened on the 29th of October 1993. 

The next Monday (1st November 1993) they were back with Puttin 
on the blitz. 

On Thursday the 11th of November 1993 a most joyous occasion 
happened, Runt had puppies! Smitten with Kittens was first 
screened on the 11th of November 1993 

A week later Rita and Runt came across Kiki the gorilla for 
Kiki's Kitten, which was shown on the 18th of November 1993. 

On the 24th of November things almost went sour with Rita and 
Runt breaking up in Icebreakers, with the generic statesman that 
nobody in the U.K can quite identify. (Yes I know it's Ross 
Perot, but that's beside the point......) 

Rita and Runt also had a *cameo* in The day before christmas, 
which in the U.K due to the terrible re-scheduling of episodes, 
was the first time we saw or heard Skippy Squirrel. It was shown 
on the 29th of November 1993 

A year later on the 18th of February came Up a Tree. Which was 
the penultimate episode, I don't know what else to write about 
this episode so.... 

The last episode of Rita and Runt Witch One was shown on 3rd May 
1994 and was a huge let down to all Rita and Runt fans since we 
were hoping beyond hope that they would get a home. 

Of Nice and Men has never appeared on UK television, I would not 
have know it was an episode unless I had read the Cultral 
referance guide so thanks Will!! 

Bones in the Body, Was a cameo by Runt only in a song with mr 
Skullhead, this has sadly (baring minor miracles) been confirmed 
as the last sighting of Runt in Animaniacs. 

Mindy in Wonderland, Was a cameo by Rita only in a pardoy of 
Alice in Wonderland (She is the Cheshire cat.) This is confirmed 
as the last sighting of Rita in Animaniacs. 

 
						-Charles Brown-





It's story time!! (Fan's fanfic! ....Go fig!!)

Check out R&R's Histories(It's make belive ofcourse by Runt-Abu).

Runt's History

Runt was born on the 24/6/1991 he is the human equivalent of 24 years old, his mother and father left him at birth to fend for himself (they did not actually leave Runt just sort of got left behind.) Taken into a animal shelter at death's door, suffering from starvation and extreme de-hydration. Was given rabies shot at shelter, then given another, and another, and another. Not that Runt had rabies, it was just one of the nurses was very evil, she was fired after the vet found out and took up life as a mad scientist. Unfortunately for Runt the damage was already done as the drugs had caused irreversible brain damage. Runt fell into a string of broken homes where his owners could never understand why he would not do as he was told; truth of the matter is Runt would have, if he had know how to... Met Rita on the 6th of December 1994 (This was when the episode was screened in the U.K for the only time!!) and made a pact to stay with Rita until one or both of them found a home. Still looking to this very day....

Rita's History

Rita was born on the 8/3/1992, She was taken from her parents aged three months old and adopted by Mr and Mrs Blackwell, a kindly old couple who loved Rita. Mrs Blackwell died in 1993 and Mr Blackwell was put into a residential home by his family, Rita was taken to the local animal shelter where she was placed for homing. She was taken by the Andersons after being in the animal shelter for only 27 minutes 12 seconds, apparently a new record. However Rita found that the Andersons did not care for her as much as the Blackwells did. She was returned to the animal shelter three weeks after be taken by the Anderson, five more homes went the same way until on the 6th of December she met Runt a dog! This was no ordinary dog, this dog was dumb. Rita made a pact with Runt to stick with him until one of them found a new home.





Check these out too!

"Runt's story" A story made by Runtabu

"Rita a Cat story" It's not Rita...It's her cousin Rita Warner Cat!

"Villege of the Tooned" by Furry. - Expect the unexpected! Rita and Runt got married in this story! Kinda makes you wonder if they are really *just* good friends!

"Rocky Warner Picture Show" by M. Neylon. - This is the second time someone tried to steal Runt's brain and Rita has to save him! This just gotta be a cartoon!

Disney Science Theater 3000 - I discoverd this site from Trey Tracket. It's got lots of Fan-Fic stories and even one that has Rita in it.

Also Trey Tracket - Another site with FF stories.

"The Origin of Rita and Runt"!!! by Jonathan (Fox) Sario - It's not really much of a fan-fic story but more of a...well...school report about Rita and Runt. I guess I'm more of an artist than a writter. This storyerr...report is supposed to explain why R&R always seem to have different personalities in each of their cartoons. Anyway it took a while to make so you better enjoy it! Y'know It could have been easier to download if this story was saved in text but noooOOOooo! If I copied and paste it from microsoft word to notepad you would've had to read it side wards!


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