The Looney Tunes Show – Season 1, Episode 20: “Working Duck” & “Pizzarriba”
Episode 20 of The Looney Tunes Show is another gem in the modern revival of this classic cartoon universe. Featuring two hilarious segments, "Working Duck" and "Pizzarriba," this episode delivers a perfect blend of relatable humor, zany antics, and sharp character writing. As usual, Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck take center stage, but with new settings and twists that breathe life into familiar dynamics.
Let’s dive into the full breakdown of each part and explore why this episode is a must-watch for any fan of the series.
💼 Part 1: “Working Duck” – Daffy’s Office Misadventure
“Working Duck” kicks off with Daffy Duck growing increasingly insecure about his lack of employment. After overhearing some less-than-kind comments, Daffy becomes convinced that he needs a job to gain respect—from both society and Bugs Bunny.
🕴️ Daffy Lands a Job (Somehow)
In true Daffy fashion, he stumbles his way into a job at Speedy Gonzales’ accounting firm, even though he has absolutely no skills or experience. He exaggerates his abilities during the interview, claiming he’s a “numbers guy” and “Excel wizard.” Of course, Daffy can barely count past twenty without help.
Somehow, Speedy believes him, or at least is too polite to call his bluff.
🖨️ Chaos at the Cubicle
Once Daffy enters the office environment, chaos is inevitable. From misusing the copy machine to flooding the breakroom with coffee, Daffy proves that he’s entirely unqualified for professional life. He spends more time pretending to work than actually doing anything productive—often narrating his “strategies” like a Wall Street tycoon in a movie.
One of the funniest moments comes when Daffy tries to send an email but accidentally CC’s the entire company… with a picture of himself posing like a model in the supply closet.
💼 Commentary on Work Culture
While exaggerated, “Working Duck” playfully mocks corporate office culture. From meaningless jargon to unnecessary meetings, the episode captures the absurdity of certain workplace behaviors. Daffy’s cluelessness exposes how some people can fake their way through jobs, while others (like Speedy) do the real work behind the scenes.
Eventually, Daffy is politely let go—but not before throwing himself a lavish "promotion party" in the breakroom, complete with balloons and cake.
🍕 Part 2: “Pizzarriba” – A Slice of Friendship
The second segment, “Pizzarriba,” focuses on Bugs Bunny and Speedy Gonzales, this time exploring their friendship and shared history through Speedy’s pizzeria, which is called (you guessed it) Pizzarriba.
🧀 The Struggle to Stay Afloat
Speedy is running his own restaurant, but business has slowed down. Bugs, wanting to help his friend, suggests a few “modern marketing ideas” to bring in more customers—like starting a loyalty program, improving signage, and even launching a website. Bugs’s business-savvy contrasts nicely with Speedy’s more traditional approach.
They team up to revamp the place, with Bugs acting as a manager of sorts. The result? Things actually start improving. Word spreads, and customers begin flooding in.
🔧 Too Much of a Good Thing?
But soon, the popularity becomes overwhelming. Speedy can’t keep up with orders, and the simple charm of the restaurant begins to fade as they chase higher profits and slicker branding. Bugs realizes that the very changes they made are compromising the spirit of what made Pizzarriba special in the first place.
The story takes a touching turn when Bugs admits that helping Speedy was never about business—it was about friendship. The episode ends with the restaurant scaling back and returning to its cozy roots, with Speedy behind the counter and Bugs enjoying a slice with his friend.
😂 Humor Highlights
This episode delivers several standout comedic moments across both parts:
-
Daffy’s “Corporate Speak”: He invents buzzwords like “synergy strategy loop” and pretends to take calls with no one on the other end.
-
Office Slapstick: Whether it's jamming the printer, spilling coffee on a coworker, or turning the breakroom into a disaster zone, Daffy’s office scenes are full of visual gags.
-
Pizzarriba Renovations: Bugs introduces quirky ideas like a pizza-themed jingle and a “slice cam” for social media.
-
Speedy's Frustration: Watching Speedy try to balance tradition with modern expectations makes for hilarious—and surprisingly relatable—scenes.
🧠 Themes & Takeaways
Both segments in Episode 20 offer more than just laughs—they explore meaningful ideas in a lighthearted way:
-
“Working Duck” tackles the pressure to appear successful and how some people chase titles rather than actual achievement. It also pokes fun at how workplaces can look impressive on the surface, but underneath the buzzwords, things often don’t make sense.
-
“Pizzarriba” emphasizes the value of friendship, authenticity, and knowing when to say no to unnecessary change. It shows how well-meaning support can sometimes lead people down the wrong path—but also how self-awareness can bring things back on track.
🎨 Animation & Voice Acting
As always, The Looney Tunes Show shines with expressive animation and dynamic character movements. From Daffy’s manic energy in the office to Speedy’s speedy cooking montages, the visual comedy is on point.
Voice actors Jeff Bergman (Bugs, Daffy) and Fred Armisen (Speedy Gonzales) bring charisma and comedic timing to their roles. Their performances elevate each scene, making even the quiet moments enjoyable.
🏁 Final Verdict
The Looney Tunes Show – Season 1, Episode 20 is a fantastic example of why this modern reboot works. It blends classic slapstick with contemporary themes like job insecurity, entrepreneurship, and friendship. With one segment focused on Daffy’s over-the-top behavior and another highlighting heartfelt connection, this episode balances humor and warmth perfectly.
Rating: 9/10 – Funny, thoughtful, and deliciously entertaining.