Tom and Jerry is a classic animated television series created by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera. The show features a comedic rivalry between Tom, a house cat, and Jerry, a clever mouse. Each episode typically revolves around Tom's attempts to catch Jerry, leading to humorous and chaotic situations. The series first premiered in 1940 and has since become iconic for its slapstick humor and minimal dialogue. Tom and Jerry has won several Academy Awards for Animated Short Film and remains popular worldwide, influencing many other animated shows and films over the years.