Cartoon All-Stars to the Rescue

From Freepedia

Cartoon All-Stars to the Rescue is an animated drug prevention television special starring many of the popular cartoon characters from American Saturday morning television, among them Winnie-the-Pooh, Bugs Bunny, Alf, the Muppet Babies, and several others. Financed by McDonald's, the special was originally simulcast on April 22 1990 on all three major American television networks: ABC, NBC, and CBS. McDonalds also distributed a VHS home video edition of the special, which began with an introduction from President George Bush, and First Lady Barbara Bush.

The plot chronicles the story of a teenage boy named Michael who is pressured into doing drugs, specifically marijuana. His concerned sister Corey worries about him, and her cries cause many of her toys, which depict several popular cartoon "all-stars", to come to life. The various cartoon characters proceed to take Michael on a fantasy journey that teaches him the health risks and other downsides a life of drug use can bring.

The special was able to get so many characters from various franchises because the licensors gave producers royalty-free access due to the importance of the special. However, the character of Garfield was reportedly used without its creator, Jim Davis's permission, and consequently the special was never rerun.