Whether we knew it or not, Bugs Bunny was always a bit adult with its pop culture references, cross-dressing antics and racial stereotyping.
So it makes sense that Cartoon Network is relaunching the beloved rabbit and his pals in a new show, "The Looney Tunes Show" (8 tonight).
The new show centers on Bugs and the delightfully bitter second banana Daffy Duck now living as roommates. They get a full-half hour, so there's more storytelling; the pace isn't as quick as the old Looney Tunes cartoons.
The humor isn't as sharp or broad either, but that doesn't mean it isn't funny. The first episode called "Best Friends" follows Daffy's desire to win on a game show. He talks bugs into going on "Besties," a show where friends earn money by sharing their knowledge of one another.
But it turns out that the completely self-absorbed Daffy doesn't know anything about his roomie. He hasn't even caught on that Bugs last name is Bunny.
Mining the depths of Daffy's love for himself is plenty funny; funny too is after getting advice from Speedy Gonzalez, he tries to change. Let's just say change is difficult.
If I have one complaint about the episode it's that Bugs is pretty much turned into a straight hare; he's so reasonable next to Daffy, there's no room for trademark Bugs' hilarity. Let's hope that's just in this episode.
There's also a Merrie Melodie; a short music video featuring Elmer Fudd singing the praises of grilled cheese.
Reinventing icons like Bugs and Daffy is a daunting task. (Thank goodness neither had to do a reality show!) "The Looney Tunes Show" shows with some good writing, vintage stars can still entertain us.
Assistant Features Editor Adrienne Johnson Martin would like to have her life turned into an animated cartoon. 
