Adult Swim--My Reaction

[Maxie Zeus]

So, as I noted the other day, I am finally re-cabled, got my first look at "Adult Swim" last night. By and large, I'm very pleased.

Home Movies seems to be unpopular around here, and squigglevision particularly execrated. I don't mind sq-vision particularly, so have an easier time appreciating the show's virtues. Shows like this and "Dr. Katz" aren't really animated programs anyway (they're radio pieces, basically, and the pictures just give the eye something to focus on), and it is the writing and performances that will make or break it. I have the impression that like "Dr. Katz" this show will be a series of personal encounters--revelations of characters--rather than stories, and that makes a nice break from the usual sitcom structures. But I must say I am not thrilled with the "precocious kid" angle of the show, which is at least as hackneyed as certain directors' taste for fish-eye lenses.

In fact (and this will be heresy to everyone else) I liked "Home Movies" better than The Brak Show, and mostly because "Brak" was far too story-oriented. SG:C2C and "Cartoon Planet" I loved because their characters are trapped in an absurd, story-less situation that cuts entirely against them: Zorak and Moltar and Brak and SG don't belong as regulars of a talk-variety show, and those series are about their frustration and rebellion; Zorak is pure evil, but evil thwarted in a way that it can't comprehend. But on "The Brak Show" he is called upon just to be an evil character, and his villainy is far less interesting as a result. Mostly, he came across as just a jerk and bully no different from a thousand other jerks and bullies on TV. George Lowe's father has potential, but the mother is entirely wasted. Brak himself continues to amuse, however.

Harvey Birdman was the real find; I don't know if every episode will be as brilliant and twisted and adult as last night's, but if they are then I have a new all-time fave. "Superfriends" always had to ignore the deep absurdity of its characters, their powers and their circumstances; this show stares long and hard at them and draws out, with murderous clarity, all the implications and possibilities we wondered about even as kids.

Sealab 2021 wasn't bad except in comparison to "Harvey Birdman"; it's characters either aren't well-known enough to me, or simply haven't got sufficient depth, to be satirized, so I just enjoyed it as a series of "L.A. Connection" riffs superimposed on old footage. As such, I suspect the show will be extremely hit-or-miss.

Space Ghost: Coast to Coast: What can I say, except that I love this show. Last night's eps were repeats, but were two of the best they've ever done. "Brilliant Curling Flowers" particularly rocks; it rocks the universe; there isn't a planet it can't rock; and I was rocking along right with it.

The appeal of anime, for whatever reason, continues to elude me, and despite a sensational title sequence that left me desperate and hungry for more, Cowboy Bepop is not going to solve the mystery. I watched only the first ep they ran last night ("Ballad of Fallen Angels") and while I appreciate the stylish designs and the creepy and evocative use of music (and was quite entranced by the fall-from-the-church-window sequence), the whole thing was far less than the sum of its parts; the dialogue in most anime shows has never impressed me, and there wasn't a character in CB that couldn't but open his or her mouth and subtract from the power of the images.

[frame runner]

Is adult swim on every night or once week. I've seen it twice. Both times I have missed the first two shows,which sux b/c the main reason I wanted to watch this thing is b/c of Brak. I like Harvey Birdman. Sealab gets old really fast. I can find the humor in Space Ghost, but it is just too boring to sit through. And then CowBoy Beebop and by that time I've had enough cartoons for one night. What day is it on and at what time does it start?

[Joe Tully]

It is on Sun. and Thurs. at 10 PM. Thursday's shows are repeats of Sunday's.

[Nightwing]

Nice overview of the ADULT SWIM lineup by Maxie, although I can't believe he doesn't like the Brak Show. It and Space Ghost are my two high horse favs that will NEVER be topped!

My only quarel is about HOME MOVIES. I like it a lot, it's really funny, and I agree with what Maxie said about it. But I'd rather just have Dr. Katz back. I already know and love those characters and it was stupid to end that damn show.

And my only slightly disliked show is Sealab2021. When I first head about it, I thought yeah that'd be funny as a little movie or something, but I could easily see that it would get old fast as a show.

My overall thoughts: Give me MORE Brak and Space Ghost!

I can't believe they're giving Brak a rest in the next coming weeks though. I hope the show is doing well ratings-wize. I can't help but wonder what CN's plans are....

[Flying Grayson]

Maxie Zeus, I have only two problems with your overview of Adult Swim. Firts, the Brak show is one of my favorite shows on adult Swim. Zorak isn't dampered by the fact there is no one to stop him. He's just as evil, just now his mouth gets him shot by MR. Thunderkills(some one check the spelling of the name). Second is that Harvey Birdman Attorney at Law was Hilarious with the Superfiends thing. Black Vulcan's rants about racial problems and his name were humorous, and the whole "can't enlarge thing" was great, althought It might be hard to top. But other wise you overviewed quite well.

[Maxie Zeus]

Originally posted by Flying Grayson
Maxie Zeus, I have only two problems with your overview of Adult Swim. Firts, the Brak show is one of my favorite shows on adult Swim. Zorak isn't dampered by the fact there is no one to stop him. He's just as evil, just now his mouth gets him shot by MR. Thunderkills(some one check the spelling of the name). Second is that Harvey Birdman Attorney at Law was Hilarious with the Superfiends thing. Black Vulcan's rants about racial problems and his name were humorous, and the whole "can't enlarge thing" was great, althought It might be hard to top. But other wise you overviewed quite well.

Ya know, I don't completely understand why I'm not happy with The Brak Show either. It was OK, but just didn't excite me that much. I will definitely watch it, though, and hope that it clicks. I wish it weren't disappearing for awhile, that is for sure. I liked "Home Movies", but not that much.

We actually agree on Harvey Birdman: It was hilarious, and I thought I said so. It was my fave of the evening, and I can't wait to see more.

[Joe Tully]

It's Thundercleese. Think of John Cleese if he changed his first name to Thunder.

I am a big Brak fan and I liked him most on Cartoon Planet and occasional SGC2C appearances. I don't think that this show suits him as well. The Brak Show is good, but just not as good as his earlier appearances. I'd probably rather see something more like Cartoon Planet here. This is still better than Home Movies and Aqua Teens though.

Birdman is really becoming one of my favorites, but it would help if it got aired more frequently. That was definitely the highlight of last week's AS. I am really looking forward to seeing Birdman destroy the classic HB universe.

Note to Maxie: The Oct. 28 SGC2C is called "Sweet for Brak" so I'm guessing Brak will show up.

[Maxie Zeus]

Originally posted by Joe Tully
Note to Maxie: The Oct. 28 SGC2C is called "Sweet for Brak" so I'm guessing Brak will show up.

Oh, cool! Do we know that it's a new one?

[Joe Tully]

Yup, it's new. I'm guessing it might have been done to help promote The Brak Show, but I don't have any info for it other than the title.

[The Mad Hatter]

Maybe, maybe not. Brak shows up on SG frequently. I remember one episode where he was attempting to fill in for Zorak as the musical director... funny stuff!

[Flying Grayson]

Originally posted by Maxie Zeus


Ya know, I don't completely understand why I'm not happy with The Brak Show either. It was OK, but just didn't excite me that much. I will definitely watch it, though, and hope that it clicks. I wish it weren't disappearing for awhile, that is for sure. I liked "Home Movies", but not that much.

We actually agree on Harvey Birdman: It was hilarious, and I thought I said so. It was my fave of the evening, and I can't wait to see more.

Sorry I miss read something. I think I was Half-asleep when I read your message. that's nothing new. sorry.

Okay, not to get too off topic ,but who else dislikes Aqua Teen Hunger Force?

[Lonestarr]

Put me in the 'dislike' category. The show is so stupid. Everything else is entertaining.

[Maxie Zeus]

Originally posted by Flying Grayson
Sorry I miss read something. I think I was Half-asleep when I read your message. that's nothing new. sorry.

Okay, not to get too off topic ,but who else dislikes Aqua Teen Hunger Force?

I just thought "Wow. Flying Grayson must've liked Harvey Birdman so much that even my rave review sounded like a pan."

I've only seen 1 ATHF (with the "vampire bus"). It had a few moments, but was pretty weak overall.