In the late 90’s the FCC implemented a series of educational and informational requirements on television networks. In response, Warner Brothers proved that they could provide such a show and still make it wildly entertaining in the process – as witnessed in their 1998 animated series Histeria!

From the group that brought viewers the Animaniacs, Histeria! was an unforgettable animated tour of world history, led by Father time and his trusty assistants, Big Fat Baby  and the World’s Oldest Woman. While Baby provided a steady stream of flatulence and vomit humor, the World’s Oldest Woman drew upon her longevity to offer plenty of historical trivia along the way.

Seemingly every significant moment in history was spoofed  on Histeria! Historical figures such as Alexander the Great, Washington and Montezuma made frequent appearances, along with just about every explorer, president, Viking or tyrant that ever lived. Significant events such as The Russian Revolution, The Civil War, and the Renaissance were promptly skewered.

Along with these forays into history were a collection of musical numbers, sketches and even talk shows such as Aka Pella’s “What’s the Dilly-Yo?” and surfer Toast’s “Ask Me if I Care.” Even communism managed to get it’s own episode.  Other notable cast members included the introverted intellect Mr. Smarty Pants, obsessive fan Pepper Mills, Lucky Bob, Cho-Cho and Network Censor, Lydia Karaoke.   

The show didn’t always remain entirely consistent with every historical record. Clark Kent and Jerry Lewis, for example, were not the two famed explorers that blazed a trail to the Pacific Ocean, nor was The Boston Tea Party reminiscent of the famous cheese shop sketch from Monty Python’s Flying Circus. And that was the point - history could be learned (even with all the correct facts contained within) and still be made a whole lot of fun to learn in the process. And in that regard, Histeria! most certainly deserves an A+.