Pinky and the Brain, Vol. 1 (2006)

Combining the best of Animaniacs — songs like ''Cheese Roll Call'' and indispensable vocabulary lessons (''Do you have any idea what obsequious means?''/''No, but it sounds squishy!'') — with a more structured narrative, Pinky and the Brain, which began as an Animaniacs short, ultimately surpassed that show in wit and wisdom. Rob Paulsen won an Emmy as the voice of Pinky, who was responsible for supporting Brain (Maurice LaMarche) in his Sisyphean quest for world domination and answering his cohort's recurring query, ''Pinky, are you pondering what I'm pondering?'' with non sequiturs. (His reply in the very first Animaniacs short: ''I think so, Brain, but where are we going to find a duck and a hose at this hour?'') Despite its one-joke premise — Brain concocts elaborate (and ultimately fruitless) schemes involving mass hypnosis or exploding crepes suzette — these irreverent episodes never feel repetitive.

EXTRAS An interview with behind-the-scenes talent. LaMarche confirms that Brain was an extended Orson Welles impression and insists ''the show is about the love'' between his megalomaniacal mouse and sensitive pal Pinky, who does indeed embody the role of neglected spouse, apron and all.

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