The previous made-for-TV Tom and Jerry Show for the ABC network in 1975 was produced by Hanna and Barbera under their own studio (with MGM), but had made the cat and mouse friends in most of the episodes, due to the reaction against violence in cartoons. After the original 114 theatrical shorts run of the William Hanna- Joseph Barbera directed series, the characters were leased to other animation studios which changed the designs, and eliminated all of the supporting characters. The series was notable in being the first attempt since the closing of the MGM studio in the 1950s to restore the original format of the cat and mouse team. The series is the fifth incarnation of the popular Tom and Jerry cartoon franchise, and the second made-for-television production.
