Buzz
Premiering on Nickelodeon on August 11, 1991, The Ren & Stimpy Show was the creation of John Kricfalusi, a former animator at Filmation and Hanna-Barbera, also known as John K. The show was part of Nickelodeon's push to highlight cartoons driven by their creators' distinct visions, breaking away from the traditional animation factory model. Despite its relatively short run compared to contemporary series, it played a crucial role in shaping 1990s animation and remains a source of inspiration for creators today.
1. IT PREMIERED ALONGSIDE RUGRATS AND DOUG.
August 11, 1991, marked not only the launch of The Ren & Stimpy Show but also the introduction of Nickelodeon's first-ever Nicktoons lineup, featuring Rugrats and Doug. These three shows laid the groundwork for the network's animation success in the following decade, paving the way for popular series like Rocko's Modern Life, Angry Beavers, and SpongeBob SquarePants.
2. STIMPY'S DESIGN WAS INFLUENCED BY A TWEETY BIRD CARTOON.
Stimpy's unique appearance, though unlike any real-world cat, was inspired by a specific source. As revealed in the "Ren & Stimpy: In the Beginning" featurette from the show's first DVD set, John Kricfalusi drew inspiration for Stimpson J. Cat's distinctive look—particularly his large blue nose—from a Tweety Bird cartoon titled "A Gruesome Twosome." Directed by the renowned Bob Clampett, the short features a cat with an exaggerated nose, modeled after the entertainer Jimmy Durante. This means a touch of classic Hollywood is embedded in Stimpy's design.
3. JOHN KRICFALUSI CONCEIVED REN AFTER SPOTTING A CHIHUAHUA IN A SWEATER.
In the same featurette, Kricfalusi shared that Ren's character was inspired by an Elliott Erwitt photograph of a Chihuahua wearing a sweater. "It's a hilarious image," Kricfalusi explained, "because it shows a fierce-looking creature dressed in something adorable." This contrast of ferocity and cuteness became the foundation for Ren's character from the very beginning.
4. THE VOICES OF REN AND STIMPY WERE INFLUENCED BY HOLLYWOOD LEGENDS.
When Ren and Stimpy engage in one of their heated arguments, the voices echo the styles of two Hollywood icons: Peter Lorre, known for his nervous, almost manic delivery, and Larry Fine from The Three Stooges. Kricfalusi envisioned Ren's voice based on Lorre's distinctive tone, but it was Billy West—famous for voicing Fry in Futurama—who brought Stimpy's voice to life, shaping the character's personality.
After trying various approaches for Stimpy's voice, Kricfalusi casually proposed that Billy West use his Larry Fine impression for the character. The unconventional idea proved successful. Reflecting on West's performance, Kricfalusi remarked in the featurette, "It was oddly fitting—Stimpy comes across as a childlike figure, yet he has the voice of a grown Jewish man. I can't explain why it worked, but the combination of his personality with that voice was incredibly funny."
5. EVERY EPISODE OFFERS A MASTERCLASS IN CLASSICAL MUSIC.
Classical music has long been a staple in animation, dating back to the Merrie Melodies and Looney Tunes era. Ren & Stimpy upheld this tradition by incorporating compositions from legendary figures like Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Charles Gounod, Camille Saint-Saëns, Raymond Scott, and others. These timeless pieces either drive the narrative or set the mood, ensuring each episode is enriched with the works of history's greatest composers.
6. NICKELODEON BANNED AN EPISODE DUE TO ITS VIOLENCE.
Ren & Stimpy was never a conventional Nickelodeon show, often clashing with Standards and Practices, parent groups, and the network over its content. One episode, titled "Man's Best Friend," was deemed too extreme and shelved for years. It featured a scene where Ren brutally attacks George Liquor with a canoe oar. Nickelodeon refused to air it, and the episode only resurfaced years later during the show's revival as Ren & Stimpy 'Adult Party Cartoon' on Spike TV.
7. KRICFALUSI WAS LET GO FROM THE SHOW IN THE SECOND SEASON.
Following the "Man's Best Friend" incident, Kricfalusi and much of his Spümcø team were dismissed. Nickelodeon moved the show to its in-house studio, Games Animation, and appointed Bob Camp to lead the series. Camp aimed to maintain the show's essence while appeasing the network and sponsors. "Ultimately, this will benefit everyone," Camp stated. "John wasn't suited for children's programming—he created fantastic content, but it wasn't his natural environment."
Despite Camp's attempts to preserve the show's quality, fans and critics felt his version of Ren & Stimpy fell short compared to its earlier seasons.
8. KRICFALUSI AND BILLY WEST HAD AN AWKWARD ENCOUNTER ON THE HOWARD STERN SHOW.
After being fired from Ren & Stimpy, Kricfalusi believed Billy West would stand by him, even claiming West had promised to leave the show in solidarity. However, West not only stayed but also took over voicing Ren after Kricfalusi's departure, leading to an uncomfortable reunion on The Howard Stern Show.
The two were unexpectedly brought together on The Howard Stern Show in 1995, where Stern stirred up tension by questioning their past split. An assistant even claimed West's version of Ren couldn't compare to Kricfalusi's. The segment was unforgettable in a cringe-worthy way, and shortly after this uncomfortable exchange, West—who was a frequent guest on Stern—decided to leave the show.
9. WEST WAS ABSENT WHEN REN & STIMPY MADE A COMEBACK.
After its original Nickelodeon run ended in 1995, Ren & Stimpy returned in 2003 on Spike TV, a Viacom-owned network like Nickelodeon. Kricfalusi was brought back for Ren & Stimpy 'Adult Party Cartoon,' a raunchier version of the show that Nickelodeon would never have approved.
Despite the revival, West declined to reprise his role as Stimpy, forcing Kricfalusi to voice both characters. West explained his decision, stating, "It would have hurt my career. It was one of the worst things I've seen. Kricfalusi reached out, but I wished him luck and declined." The Adult Party Cartoon series was canceled within two months.
10. REN & STIMPY PAVED THE WAY FOR FUTURE ANIMATED SHOWS.
Despite the behind-the-scenes conflicts, Ren & Stimpy achieved massive ratings and lucrative merchandising deals for Nickelodeon in the 1990s. Its success paved the way for other edgy, adult-focused cartoons, notably Beavis and Butt-head. Mike Judge, the creator of Beavis and Butt-head, credits Ren & Stimpy for helping his show get approved by MTV: "Ren & Stimpy aired on MTV and was a huge hit," Judge said. "That success was used to justify funding our project."
SpongeBob SquarePants also draws inspiration from Ren & Stimpy, particularly in its unique animation style. Vincent Waller, an animator who worked on both series, commented on their similarities: "Working on Ren & Stimpy and SpongeBob felt very alike. Both shows are storyboard-driven, meaning we start with an approved outline and develop it further, adding dialogue and jokes. It was a familiar process."
11. KRICFALUSI AND SPÜMCØ OFFER A TWISTED VERSION OF CLASSIC CARTOONS.
Since Ren & Stimpy ended, Kricfalusi and his Spümcø team have continued producing their signature brand of irreverent humor. They’ve even reimagined iconic animated characters like The Jetsons, Yogi Bear, and The Simpsons. With rumors of a Nicktoons crossover movie circulating, another Ren & Stimpy revival could be on the horizon.
