Revisiting The New Woody Woodpecker Show: Classic Chaos, Missed Potential, and One Tex Avery Gem

[Jess Matthews]

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Fox Kids’ The New Woody Woodpecker Show tried to revive a chaotic legend—and came surprisingly close. In this deep dive, we examine the show’s third episode, which aired May 22, 1999, and take a closer look at what worked, what didn’t, and why Woody is such a difficult character to root for. In this Pick of the Week, Jess breaks down both of Woody’s featured shorts in the episode—“Temper, Temper” and “Crash Course”—and how they channel the spirit of the 1940s Woody while struggling under mediocre animation and a character that’s frankly hard to like. But in a bizarre twist, this episode also includes Tex Avery’s classic short “Rockabye Point” starring Chilly Willy, and it absolutely steals the show. Exploring Tex Avery’s Legacy We explore the animation legacy of Tex Avery, the brilliance of Mike Maltese, and the short’s lasting emotional punch—all in contrast to the uneven modern revival. Whether you’re nostalgic for Fox Kids or curious about lost animation gems, this one’s for you. Let us know in the comments: Did you watch Woody on Fox Kids? And what’s your favorite classic cartoon revival? A full transcript follows the video. Revisiting Classic Cartoons Through Fox Kids Fox Kids Club […]
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Revisiting The New Woody Woodpecker: Tex Avery Classic Chaos

Fox Kids’ The New Woody Woodpecker Show tried to revive a chaotic legend—and came surprisingly close. In this deep dive, we examine the show's third episode, which aired May 22, 1999, and take a closer look at what worked, what didn’t, and why Woody is such a difficult character to root for. In...

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[Mr.Bridges]

I think this article nailed a very real challenge in reviving older characters. Woody Woodpecker, especially his 1940s version, is hard to bring back without making people feel uncomfortable. You can tell the team wanted to preserve that chaotic energy, but without high-level animation and smarter writing, it just feels mean-spirited. Billy West gave it a good try though—his voice performance was one of the few highlights. I also agree completely that Tex Avery's “Rockabye Point” makes everything else look worse in comparison. It’s just better designed and funnier, even with a smaller budget. This episode feels like a missed opportunity, but one worth studying.

 

[GlossyBubbles]

I didn’t grow up with Woody Woodpecker, so I watched this episode out of curiosity after reading this article. I was shocked at how annoying Woody is. He destroys things for fun and shows no guilt. I kept asking, why am I supposed to enjoy this? But then I saw the Chilly Willy cartoon. That one made me laugh a lot. It had clever jokes and good pacing. I don’t know who Tex Avery was before, but now I want to see more of his work. The contrast really was huge. They should’ve just done more like that and less of Woody being rude for no reason.

 

[Neonblights]

What’s most striking in this piece is the honesty about Woody’s personality not holding up. I often tell my students that nostalgia isn’t enough to sustain a revival. When a character is intentionally annoying without nuance or emotional anchor, the story fails, no matter how “classic” it feels. The article’s point about Homer Simpson is excellent. Antiheroes must have something redeemable. Woody has nothing but noise and cruelty. That’s a structural problem. And yes, “Rockabye Point” feels like it was made by someone who knew exactly how to build tension and deliver humor visually. That short is almost timeless. The rest? Not so much.

 

[PADAM PADAM]

I actually liked The New Woody Woodpecker Show when I was a kid. But reading this now and going back to rewatch it, I kind of see what Jess is talking about. Woody doesn’t feel fun anymore—he just feels mean. It’s sad because I remember loving the colors and the voices, but the stories just don’t hold up well. The Chilly Willy short is really sweet though, and it brought back nice memories. Maybe that’s the best way to bring back these characters—use the best from the past and let them shine, instead of remaking everything with less energy.

 

[Showoff]

This is a solid analysis. Bob Jaques and Jim Gomez are names I respect, especially from Ren & Stimpy. But you can tell their hands were tied. Without Carbunkle’s animation, you lose that snap and flow that makes chaotic comedy work. The article’s comment about Woody being “held back by somebody” hits home. It’s likely true—network control and tight budgets ruin a lot of good work. The Chilly Willy short, even though it's decades older, still feels fresh because it was created by a team allowed to push boundaries. Avery was a master of structure, rhythm, and visual humor. He didn’t rely on dialogue or shock value. He worked for the laugh.

 

[ScotL544851]

I never watched the show, but this review made me interested in watching “Rockabye Point.” It sounds funny but also kind of emotional, especially the ending with the bear and the dog. That’s the kind of mix I like—humor with a little sadness. I’m surprised it was even included in a modern cartoon show. Woody’s episodes sound weird though. I don’t understand why anyone would want to follow a character that just ruins things and never learns. Maybe that worked in the 40s, but today it just sounds tiring. Thanks for introducing me to Tex Avery, I’m going to look him up now.

 

[Sure Your Ken]

This piece really resonated. I work with retro properties and there’s always that conversation—how much do you keep from the past, and what do you modernize? Woody is a tough one. He’s from a time when loud, aggressive comedy was new and exciting. But now, audiences expect characters to have some emotional logic. This show didn’t find that balance. It either needed better writing or a full rethink of the character. Including “Rockabye Point” was a blessing and a curse. It reminds viewers what truly great cartoon timing and character-driven gags look like. It’s an unfair comparison, but also a helpful one.

 

[Clymemarys]

I don’t watch many cartoons, but this article was very clear and interesting. I never liked Woody Woodpecker. He seemed too noisy and selfish. But the old Chilly Willy cartoon sounds very good. I liked how the article explained the polar bear’s story and how the dog falls asleep to the song. That feels more clever. Also, learning about Tex Avery’s contract troubles was sad. He was clearly talented but didn’t get what he deserved. I hope more people discover his work through articles like this.