“They don’t make them like they used to.” You hear it all the time, and yeah, they don’t. It’s called improvements, but the one thing could never be topped is Looney Tunes. I’m guilty of having watched a lot of television when I was younger, but I have no regrets because a big chunk of my time way spent watching the classic Looney Tunes cartoons with all the greats: Bugs, Daffy, Tweety, Road Runner, they always knew what to do.
Whether saving the world or saving themselves, the cleverness, unique characters and comedic timing cements Looney Tunes as one of the most iconic cartoon series ever. They held no punches (literally), and never ceased to be entertaining.
They may have come from a simpler time, but most, if not all, are timeless, and all of them have a least one little nugget of wisdom. So here’s a list of all of the great life lessons Looney Tunes taught me.
1. Be yourself.
Cliché? Yes. Insignificant? Absolutely not. Whether Bugs was running away from villains or just plain torturing them, he never stopped being his wacky self. No matter what the circumstances. Should you be yourself if you’re a maroon? No, but in a world of Yosemite Sams and Elmer Fudds, be a Bugs.
2. Never give up.
Daffy never knows when enough is enough, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. No matter how many times he (epically) fails, he keeps on trying. He’s going to keep at it until he’s on top, and that’s an admirable quality.
3. Think outside the box.
Sometimes when you’re stuck, you just have to change your way of thinking about the situation. Or to keep with the card analogy, if you don’t like the cards you’re dealt, get new ones. Always keep your mind nimble and take time to laugh a little.
4. Sometimes life’s not fair.
We all have good days and bad days, and the bad ones remind us that the good ones are still possible. Whether you’re hunted by pirates, kidnapped by gangsters or chased after by a skunk, there’s always going to be a good day on the horizon.
5. World destruction is not okay.
Yeah, it’s just not. But A for effort Marvin.
6. Be fast and be furious.
Poor Wile E. Coyote never caught a break. What was unique about the Road Runner cartoons was that the focus was on Wile E. Coyote, and Road Runner only showing up to foil his plans. Ambition can be a powerful tool, but if you’re slow to the bat, you’re never going to catch your prize.
And lastly...
7. Kill them with kindness.
Even if you don’t like someone, it’s usually not worth it to start drama or an all out brawl. A little kindness and laughter can go a long, long way. So be nice and try to diffuse a situation in any way you can before it becomes a bigger problem.
And so, in the words of the great Porky Pig, that's all folks.
