Bugs Bunny Rides Again Bugs Bunny Rides Again Bugs Bunny Rides Again is a 1948 Warner Bros. "Merrie Melodies" short, released in 1948, directed by Friz Freleng, and written by Tedd Pierce and Michael Maltese. The short is both part of the Western and a parody of the genre's conventions. Voice characterizations are performed by Mel Blanc. The cartoon features Bugs Bunny and Yosemite Sam. It is the second cartoon to pair them, after their first encounter in 1945's "Hare Trigger". The title is a typical Western reference, as in "The Lone Ranger rides again", and also suggests a reference to the 1940 Jack
Bugs Bunny Bunny" (1991). This was the first Bugs Bunny cartoon since 1964 to be released in theaters and it was created for Bugs' 50th anniversary celebration. It was followed by "(Blooper) Bunny," a cartoon that was shelved from theaters, but later premiered on Cartoon Network in 1997 and has since gained a cult following among animation fans for its edgy humor. In 1996, Bugs and the other "Looney Tunes" characters appeared in the live-action/animated film, "Space Jam", directed by Joe Pytka and starring NBA superstar Michael Jordan. The film also introduced the character Lola Bunny, who becomes Bugs' new love interest.