Bugs Bunny Inspired A Generation of Opera Stars

It turns out Bugs Bunny inspired a generation of opera-singers with his Wagner-inspired “Kill the Wabbit” cartoon.

At least, that's what members of the Washington National Opera cast of Wagner's Ring Cycle told the Wall Street Journal about Elmer Fudd and their first experience with opera.

Listeners call in to talk about the low-brow inspiration behind their so-called "high culture" later on in life. We heard some great responses - feel free to keep the conversation going on Twitter @BrianLehrer!

@BrianLehrer Hey Arnold episode based on Carmen was my first intro to opera. Sang classical choir & opera until I left college.

— Amanda Coyne (@AmandaCCoyne) May 31, 2016

@BrianLehrer My desire to become an artist came from an english-dubbed VHS of Cantinflas on Picasso I had at 6 y/o https://t.co/xH3gwJUd4O

— Strawberita Dreams (@grownupusername) May 31, 2016

@BrianLehrer TLC's Trading Spaces ultimately lead me to my Master of Architecture degree from Columbia University.

— PAO (@Paola_Echegaray) May 31, 2016

Professional artist here— I was absolutely enthralled w/ Ed Emberley books. The tidy wordlessness, the demystification of form! @BrianLehrer

— A. W. Sommers (@allison_sommers) May 31, 2016

@BrianLehrer 60s underground comics & Dead Kennedys inspired my children's book illustration career.

— Pete Williamson (@PeteCWilliamson) May 31, 2016

@BrianLehrer @WSJ My introduction to jazz, with "Owl Jolson":https://t.co/8hR4RDZkh6

— Unsocial Medium (@StillUnsocial) May 31, 2016