For many who grew up in the Eisenhower-Kennedy era, and for later generations enthralled by reruns, this mega-funny enterprise set a standard for wild comic invention, jam-packed narratives and merciless punnery (as in Bullwinkle's alma mater Wossamotta U., or its arch-rival college, Heckwith U.). The talking cartoon animals suggested it was a kid's show; the smart humor, delivered at warp speed, clued adults that the series was really for them. ...