2002 "TV Guide's" 50 Greatest Cartoon Characters Quiz

Answer: Mickey Mouse

What is the 21st Century coming to? The icon of 'baby boomers' and foundation of a multi-zillion dollar entertainment industry barely made the top 20. Mickey did rate higher than his rival, Donald Duck, who placed #43, but poor Mickey was beaten out by the likes of Beavis and Butt-head at #4 and SpongeBob SquarePants at #9.

Answer: Alvin

The mighty Underdog, ranked #23 while the mischievous magpies Heckle and Jeckle were #25. Alvin the chipmunk was stuck on the ground at #44. Character actor Wally Cox provided the voice of the canine crime fighter.

Answer: Tom and Jerry

Incredible as it may seem, "TV Guide" place the popular cat and mouse team dead last on their list. Perhaps they failed to consider that between 1940 and 1954, "Tom and Jerry" cartoons won 7 Academy Awards and another 6 nominations. Their Saturday morning television show ran between 1965 and 1972.

Answer: Bobby Hill

Bobby, the son of Hank and Peggy Hill, attends middle school in Arlen, Texas in the Fox series "King of the Hill", and ranked #48. George was #30 and Space Ghost was #35. Russian spy Boris and his partner Natasha Fatale ranked #45.

Answer: Bam Bam

Bam Bam is the son of Fred Flintstone's friend Barney Rubble. Fred and Barney placed #6 on the all time list. Jellystone Park residents Yogi Bear and his sidekick Boo Boo placed #36 with the classic Winnie the Pooh at #27.

Answer: Cartman

Eric Cartman, #10 on the "TV Guide" list, is an eight year old boy living in South Park, Colorado with his friends Stan, Kyle and Kenny. The cynical teenager Daria ranked #41, while Pokemon creature Pikachu was #15. Gerald McBoing-Boing, the little boy who can only speak in sound effects, placed a surprising #21.

Answer: Betty Boop

Betty, #17 on the list, and her famous saying "Boop-oop-a-doop" have been around since the early 1930s. She did a television special "The Romance of Betty Boop" in 1965. Angelica, one of the "Rugrats" was #7, with Fat Albert at #12. Tom Terrific, the boy who could transform himself into anything he wanted, ranked #32.

Answer: Mighty Mouse

Are we men or are we mice? The flying rodent ranked #37 on the "TV Guide's" list. Superman trailed at #39, with Batman at #40 and Wonder Woman at #42.

Answer: Magoo

Mr. Magoo, the myopic troublemaker, ranked #29, and was voiced by actor Jim Backus. Daffy Duck, the highest ranked feathered creature was #14, followed by Felix the Cat at #28 and Porky Pig at #47.

Answer: Bugs Bunny

Bugs Bunny first appeared in the cartoon short "Porky's Hare Hunt" in 1938. It was co-directed by Cal Dalton and Ben Hardaway whose nickname was "Bugs". Homer was #2, Charlie and Snoopy were #8 and Popeye was #20. Other high-ranking characters were The Grinch at #5, The Powerpuff Girls at #13, and a most surprising Gumby at #16.

It would be interesting to know more about the composition of the selection committee of "TV Guide". Perhaps they are 'anti-rodent' which would explain Mickey at #19 and Jerry at #50.