The Pink Panther to me is one of animation's most iconic characters. DePatie-Freleng Enterprises' output was very hit and miss, or at least post-1970 it was, especially the later theatrical series. With hits such as Pink Panther and the Ant and the Aardvark, and duds such as Crazylegs Crane. For me, The Pink Panther on the whole was the studio's best theatrical series, though The Inspector and Ant and the Aardvark ones come close. It did become very variable from the mid-70s onwards, but the 60s-early 70s output contained some of the studio's best work.
'Pickled Pink' has gotten a more mixed reception on this site compared to the previous Pink Panther cartoons and compared to many cartoons of the series produced after, but count me in as somebody who liked it very much. While also understanding why others would not, as a couple of elements are admittedly not for all tastes. 'Pickled Pink' is not one of the best Pink Panther cartoons or one of the studio's high points, but it is also not one of the worst of the series or from DePatie-Freleng Enterprises.
Admittedly, the ending is rather lame.
Did feel on recent re-watch after many years that the drunk character was not that funny or interesting. He interacts well, just not crazy about him as a character.
Much is great though. The animation is effective in its simplicity, it is colourful and also endearingly abstract. The music is still the jazzy and cool music we know and love, with a theme that is one of the most iconic in all animation.
Furthermore, 'Pickled Pink' may not be hilarious, but it is still funny and enough to put a smile on your face. Likewise the story is not the most original but the efficient pacing helps to not make that matter too much. The characters are also fun. The wife has some great lines and her delivery helps to give those lines the impact they ought to. Pink steals the show though, seeing as he's the main character he ought to and he does so just by being effortlessly cool, cute and funny.
Not one of the series' best but fun all in all. 8/10.