Watch Yosemite Sam

Yosemite Sam is an American animated series that aired on Boomerang from 1969 to 1970. The show centers around the adventures of Yosemite Sam, a short-tempered and trigger-happy cowboy with a fiery red mustache and goatee. Though often portrayed as an outlaw, he also takes on heroic roles as a lawman, cowboy, soldier, pirater or vigilante.

Each episode features Yosemite Sam getting himself into and out of hilarious antics and chaotic situations, usually caused by his own impulsive actions and explosive temper. He is constantly pursued by lawmen, attacked by animals, or dealing with backfiring schemes. Despite his reckless nature, he has a good heart underneath his rough exterior.

Yosemite Sam made his debut in Looney Tunes shorts in the 1940s as a rival and foil to Bugs Bunny. His characteristic rage, thick Southern accent and colorful cowboy outfit made him an instant fan favorite. The 1960s Yosemite Sam show expanded on his character and gave him a starring role with his own storylines.

The setting for the show is the classic Old West, with many episodes taking place in the fictional town of Gold Fever Gulch. Sam frequently clashes with the mayor, sheriff, and townspeople there. Gold Fever Gulch is known for its gold mines, saloons, general stores, and railroad station. Other common settings include forts, cattle ranches, frontier towns and lawless territories. There are train, wagon and horseback chases across deserts, canyons and mountains.

Yosemite Sam gets deputized as the new sheriff in Gold Fever Gulch, though he is often reckless in upholding the law. As a soldier at Fort Desperado, he defends against Indian raids and attacks from desperadoes. He pans for gold during the gold rushes and gets into claim jumping scuffles. On a cattle drive, he wrangles unruly steers. At a frontier trading post, he has shootouts with outlaws. Despite his rowdy nature, he protects the innocent and upholds justice in the Wild West.

The show incorporates classic Western plot lines and archetypes. Sam has run-ins with cattle rustlers, claim jumpers, train robbers, horse thieves, evil land barons, gamblers, bankers, and other outlaws. He encounters Native American tribes, foreign bandits, ruthless gunslingers, corrupt officials and rich city slickers trying to take advantage of small town folk. Though Sam frequently loses his temper, the good-hearted people of Gold Fever Gulch look out for him.

Yosemite Sam's short stature but larger-than-life, trigger-happy personality made him an iconic Looney Tunes character that was perfect for starring in his own Western comedy series. Kids and adults alike enjoyed watching the unreliable, comically angry Sam face off against scoundrels each week while narrowly avoiding the sheriff himself. The inventive storylines combined humor, action and classic cowboy movie excitement. Yosemite Sam's misadventures brought looney entertainment to Boomerang's 1969 Saturday morning cartoon lineup.

Yosemite Sam is a series that is currently running and has 2 seasons (22 episodes). The series first aired on April 11, 2017.