You probably grew up with the original "Tiny Toon Adventures" theme song permanently etched into your brain. The "we're tiny, we're toony" energy was a staple of the 90s. So, when Max and Cartoon Network announced a reboot, people got nervous. Fast. The biggest question mark wasn't just the updated animation or the weird choice to make Babs and Buster Bunny fraternal twins—it was the Tiny Toons Looniversity cast. Voice acting is the soul of animation. If the voices aren't right, the whole thing feels like a cheap imitation of your childhood.
It’s tricky. Replacing legends like Tress MacNeille or the late Joe Alaskey is a tall order. But honestly? The new crew at Acme Looniversity handles the pressure surprisingly well. They aren't just doing impressions; they’re trying to find the heart of characters that have been off the air for decades.
The Big Switch: Babs and Buster 2.0
Let’s talk about the bunnies. In the original run, Charlie Adler and Tress MacNeille defined these roles. This time around, the Tiny Toons Looniversity cast features Eric Bauza as Buster and Ashleigh Hairston as Babs.
Bauza is basically the modern-day Mel Blanc. He’s already the voice of Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and Tweety in the Looney Tunes Cartoons shorts. Bringing him in as Buster makes sense from a legacy standpoint. He has that sharp, fast-talking kinetic energy that Buster needs. He sounds like a kid who just drank three sodas and is ready to direct a movie.
Ashleigh Hairston has a harder job. Babs Bunny is a whirlwind of impressions and high-octane comedy. Hairston doesn't try to mimic MacNeille’s specific rasp. Instead, she leans into the "theater kid" energy. It’s a different vibe—maybe a bit more grounded in modern sitcom delivery—but it works for this version of the show where the characters are literally attending college.
The chemistry is the part that surprised me. Even though they’re now siblings (a change that still sparks heated debates on Reddit), the comedic timing between Bauza and Hairston feels natural. It’s snappy. It doesn’t feel like two people reading lines in separate booths, even if that’s how the industry works now.
The Return of the Legends
One of the coolest things about the Tiny Toons Looniversity cast is that it isn't entirely new. The showrunners knew they needed some connective tissue. Jeff Bergman, a voice acting veteran who has been doing Looney Tunes voices since 1990, returns as Foghorn Leghorn and Sylvester. He also takes on the role of Bugs Bunny, who serves as a faculty member at the school.
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And then there's Cree Summer.
If you don't know the name, you definitely know the voice. She returned to play Elmyra Duff in the original, but in Looniversity, Elmyra isn't a student—she’s the groundskeeper. Summer is a powerhouse. Her voice is unmistakable. Having her back provides a level of legitimacy that a full recast would have lacked. It’s a nod to the fans who remember the "squeeze 'em and hug 'em" days while acknowledging that time has passed.
Bob Bergen is another familiar voice. He’s been the voice of Porky Pig for over 30 years. In this series, Porky is a professor. Hearing Bergen’s familiar stuttering delivery alongside the newer students creates this weirdly satisfying bridge between eras. It’s like the old guard is literally teaching the new generation how to be funny.
The New Class: Plucky, Hamton, and Sweetie
The rest of the core student body got a facelift too. David Errigo Jr. takes over as Plucky Duck and Hamton J. Pig. That’s a massive amount of work for one person. Plucky is notoriously difficult because he’s an egotistical, high-strung character who needs to be likable despite being a jerk. Errigo nails the "frantic" side of Plucky.
Hamton is a bit different this time around. He’s still the neurotic, clean-freak sidekick, but the voice feels slightly more youthful.
- Tessa Netting as Sweetie Bird: In the 90s, Sweetie was a bit of a background player. Here, she’s a chaotic, pink bundle of rage. Netting brings a high-pitched, manic energy that fits the "modern toon" aesthetic.
- The Faculty: Fred Tatasciore plays Taz. Tatasciore is the go-to guy for growly, monstrous voices (he's also the Hulk in most Marvel projects). His Taz is exactly what you expect—pure, unadulterated noise.
Why the Recast Was Necessary
A lot of fans were upset that the original actors weren't asked back for the student roles. Tress MacNeille is still very active in the industry. Why not use her?
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The reality of the industry in 2026 is that studios often want younger voices for "student" characters to ensure longevity. Also, the tone of Looniversity is different. It’s less of a 90s variety show and more of a serialized character comedy. The new Tiny Toons Looniversity cast had to be able to play the "college" aspect. They needed to sound like teenagers or young adults, not just caricatures.
Critics of the recast often point to "vocal fry" or the loss of that specific 90s "Vaudeville" snap. There is some truth to that. The new voices sound more like people you’d meet in 2024 or 2025 than people from a 1940s film reel. Whether that’s a good or bad thing depends entirely on your nostalgia levels.
Behind the Scenes: Direction Matters
Voice acting isn't just about the actor; it's about the direction. The voice directors for Looniversity clearly pushed for a "bigger" performance. Everything is dialed up to eleven. Eric Bauza has mentioned in interviews that playing these characters requires a specific kind of vocal stamina. You aren't just talking; you're screaming, falling, and exploding.
The recording sessions for the Tiny Toons Looniversity cast often involve a lot of improvisation. This helps the dialogue feel less scripted. When you listen to Plucky and Hamton bicker, you can hear those small overlaps and stammers that make it feel human. It’s that "human-quality" that prevents the show from feeling like an AI-generated mimicry of the past.
The Legacy of Acme Looniversity
Is the new cast better? No. Is it worse? Not really. It’s just... the now.
The original cast was a product of the "Ren & Stimpy" and "Simpsons" era of the early 90s. The new cast belongs to the era of "Adventure Time" and "Steven Universe," where timing is slightly more conversational even amidst the chaos.
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When you look at the Tiny Toons Looniversity cast as a whole, you see a group of actors who deeply respect the source material. They aren't trying to erase what came before. They’re trying to keep the characters alive for kids who have no idea who Tress MacNeille is.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans and Viewers
If you're diving into the show or introducing it to a younger generation, here is how to appreciate the voice work better:
- Listen for the "Nuance": Don't just look for impressions of the 1990 voices. Listen to how Eric Bauza handles Buster’s leadership versus his anxiety. Look for the subtle ways Ashleigh Hairston shifts Babs’ voice during her many impersonations.
- Compare the Mentors: Watch an episode with Bugs or Foghorn. Notice how the "Legacy" voices (Bergman/Bergen) interact with the "New" voices. There is a distinct difference in the "weight" of the delivery that highlights the student-teacher dynamic.
- Check Out the Credits: Many of the actors in the Tiny Toons Looniversity cast have massive bodies of work in other shows. Eric Bauza is everywhere. Tessa Netting has a huge following on YouTube and in the theater world. Knowing their backgrounds helps you see what they bring to these iconic roles.
- Ignore the "Siblings" Drama: If you can get past the change in Babs and Buster's relationship, the vocal performances actually make more sense. Their banter feels more like sibling rivalry than romantic tension, which changes the pitch and "bite" of their dialogue.
The world of Acme Looniversity is loud, bright, and exhausting. The cast is doing the heavy lifting to ensure that while the faces look the same, the voices feel fresh. It’s a hard tightrope to walk, but they’re doing it with a surprising amount of grace.
The best way to experience this is to watch the show with the "old" version out of your mind. Let the new voices stand on their own. You might find that while you miss the 90s, the 2020s version of these characters has plenty of its own charm. The transition from student to "Looniversity" attendee is never easy, but this cast makes the grade.
Next Steps for Toon Fans:
To get the most out of the new series, start by watching the pilot episode "Freshman" alongside the original 1990 pilot "The Looney Beginning." Focus specifically on the vocal pacing. You'll notice the original is much faster, while the new cast allows for more emotional "beats" between the jokes. This comparison helps you understand the evolution of voice acting over the last thirty years. Following the cast members on social media also provides a glimpse into the recording booths, showing the physical effort required to bring these "Tiny Toons" to life.