Take 4 TV: Grown-Up Cartooniverse
Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law - Season One (2000)
What's the Premise?: Classic cartoon characters, from Scooby and Shaggy to the Flintstones and Speed Buggy, have their share of legal problems, too. And where do they turn when charges of drug possession, racketeering, and vehicular manslaughter come their way? Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law.
What About the Children?: Yeah, keep them away from this. Not much of a filter between Harvey's brain and mouth, and his legal assistant, Peanut, isn't much better.
And I Quote: Harvey Birdman: "Debbie, we're going to need some law books. With pictures this time."
Top IMDB Plot Keywords: Bird; Restroom; Bear; Levitation; Law Partner
Life Lessons from Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law: 1) Gary Cole (of Office Space fame) is a very versatile actor (he is the voice talent behind Harvey); 2) Even Superfriends, like Apache Chief, have the occasional need for legal representation; 3) There are lots of mob references in The Flintstones, if you keep your eyes peeled for them.
Curt's Take: Worth Considering - Well, "Worth Considering" if cartoons that are geared towards adults is your thing. As an added bonus, these things are bite-size, running at about twelve minutes per episode on your DVD player (I think they originally aired on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim in fifteen-minute chunks). Because of this, the comedy is pretty fast-paced. And, call me twisted, but it's pretty fun just watching my favorite cartoons from my youth having to testify to their own innocence on all sorts of legal charges. Plus, I love courtroom dramas. So it's kind of like getting your chocolate in my peanut butter.
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What's the Premise?: Hearkening back to the ol' Johnny Quest days, The Venture Bros. follows the adventures of Hank and Dean Venture, their father (Dr. Venture) and the family bodyguard, Brock Samson. The Ventures must deal with the machinations of their arch-enemy, The Monarch, as well as their own incompetencies, as various evil-doers inflict their evil-doing on society.
What About the Children?: Maybe a little more family-safe than Harvey Birdman, but still enough questionable topics that it can be looped in with South Park in regards to child-friendly viewing. Guessing it would sail over the heads of most kids, anyway.
And I Quote: Henchman 21: "Here is where you are wrong, my friend. This woman has killed before." Henchman 24: "Allegedly." Henchman 21: "Okay, whatever. But she was a big girl. We are talking about a large, healthy woman of questionable stability." Henchman 24: "Oh, you are totally underestimating the never-say-die scrappiness of a survivor." The Monarch: [To Henchmen] "Hey, guess what? Nobody cares who would win in a crazy fantasy fist-fight between Anne Frank and Lizzie Borden. [To Dr. Girlfriend] We never should have brought the henchmen. We're going to be the only ones there with henchmen!"
Top IMDB Plot Keywords: Henchmen; Different Gags During Credits; Inventor; Bodyguard; Scientist
Life Lessons Learned From The Venture Bros.: 1) When you program a killer robot to protect your home in case of an attack, you might want to prioritize making sure that it recognizes your children as "non-threats"; 2) Inviting evil geniuses to yard sales is just asking for trouble, especially when you're marking down all the experimental weaponry you created; 3) Numbering your henchmen is easier than remembering their names
Curt's Take: Worth Considering - This was just fun. Had a bit more pacing and story depth than Harvey Birdman, as it ran as a half hour show (22 minutes on DVD, without commercials). Plus, I think the humor was "smarter" and more developed than that of Harvey Birdman, which relied a bit more on non-sequiters and one-liners. Throw this one in your TiVo, too.
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What's the Premise?: Eight cartoon characters. One house. ONE MILLION CAMERAS!!! It's a twisted satire on reality television, with cartoon stereotypes living together under one roof. You've got Captain Hero (a superhero with a slightly off-kilter moral compass); Princess Clara (a Disney-esque princess who has lived a sheltered life in her kingdom, breeding all sorts of prejudices and bigotry); Spanky Ham (a crass internet download); Ling Ling (a cute psychotic and bloodthirsty Japanese trading card monster); Xandir (a closted video game adventurer on a never-ending quest to save his girlfriend); Foxxy Love (a crime-solving African American musician/band member); Wooldoor Sockbat (like Spongebob Squarepants, but ten times more wacky and annoying); and Toot (an out-of-date black and white sex symbol from the '20s, who has lost her appeal completely in the 21st century).
What About the Children?: For God's sake, keep them away.
And I Quote: Bizzaro Captain Hero: "Oh, hello, hello Captain Hero! I not see you since initiation into League of Heroes." Captain Hero: "Zip it! What happens in Bizzaro World, *stays* in Bizzaro World!" Bizzaro Captain Hero: "Well, technically bathroom at bus station not considered Bizzaro World."
Top IMDB Plot Keywords: Gross-Out Comedy; Surreal; Nudity; Vulgarity; Politically Incorrect
Life Lessons Learned From Drawn Together: 1) The other reality television shows I watch could be much, much worse; 2) Forget food competitions...this summer's Big Brother needs an "Oxygen Competition;" 3) Kissing another girl won't get a woman pregnant, but can inspire the two women involved to break out into a wonderful Disney-esque musical number.
Curt's Take: Not a Priority - On the one hand, I laughed out loud several times during the show. On the other, they were those "I can't believe they just said that" laughs. I managed to get hold of the "uncensored" version of the DVD, so my eyes and ears were treated to all sorts of things they've never experienced from a cartoon before. I'm still recovering. It's hard to get too offended by what is said, though, because while the show takes a cavalier attitude toward how it treats issues such as racism and sexual preference...it doesn't really spare anyone or anything from mockery. One of those equal opportunity offenders. Still, the comedy wasn't as clever as the two shows above, and relied more on shock than on well-delivered humor. But if the concept intrigues you, I believe it is still playing on Comedy Central.
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What's the Premise?: Three roommates, Master Shake (a milkshake), Frylock (a floating container of fries) and Meatwad (a wad of meat) live together and get each other out of the various situations they inexplicably find themselves in.
What About the Children?: Of the four shows reviewed, this is the most child-friendly. Besides, they might be able to make more sense of it than I did.
And I Quote: Meatwad: "I don't have any real dolls, I prefer to use my infinite imagination... cause I ain't got no damn money."
Top IMDB Plot Keywords: Boston; Cartoon; Hero; Death; Explosion
Life Lessons Learned From Aqua Teen Hunger Force: 1) Mad scientists who reside off the Jersey shore can make your life a living hell; 2) It pays to have a neighbor with a pool; 3) Boston overreacted.
Curt's Take: Don't Bother - I'm not sure if there are any cartoon-watching purists out there, but I have the feeling this isn't going to be a popular call. I just didn't get it. I didn't find it funny, and I think the entire premise just shot way over my head. Like Harvey Birdman, this series aired in fifteen-minute chunks, so it's pretty quick and painless to sit through an episode. But there was nothing really likeable about any of the characters, and...I don't know. It just wasn't funny. And cartoons (especially ones on Adult Swim) should be funny. But what do I know...they made a movie out of it and scared a city. So if you're a cartoon maven, you've probably already seen this and formed your opinion of it, and like it. If not, don't bother.
What's the Premise?: Classic cartoon characters, from Scooby and Shaggy to the Flintstones and Speed Buggy, have their share of legal problems, too. And where do they turn when charges of drug possession, racketeering, and vehicular manslaughter come their way? Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law.
What About the Children?: Yeah, keep them away from this. Not much of a filter between Harvey's brain and mouth, and his legal assistant, Peanut, isn't much better.
And I Quote: Harvey Birdman: "Debbie, we're going to need some law books. With pictures this time."
Top IMDB Plot Keywords: Bird; Restroom; Bear; Levitation; Law Partner
Life Lessons from Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law: 1) Gary Cole (of Office Space fame) is a very versatile actor (he is the voice talent behind Harvey); 2) Even Superfriends, like Apache Chief, have the occasional need for legal representation; 3) There are lots of mob references in The Flintstones, if you keep your eyes peeled for them.
Curt's Take: Worth Considering - Well, "Worth Considering" if cartoons that are geared towards adults is your thing. As an added bonus, these things are bite-size, running at about twelve minutes per episode on your DVD player (I think they originally aired on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim in fifteen-minute chunks). Because of this, the comedy is pretty fast-paced. And, call me twisted, but it's pretty fun just watching my favorite cartoons from my youth having to testify to their own innocence on all sorts of legal charges. Plus, I love courtroom dramas. So it's kind of like getting your chocolate in my peanut butter.-----------------------------------------------------------
The Venture Bros.: Season One (2003)
What's the Premise?: Hearkening back to the ol' Johnny Quest days, The Venture Bros. follows the adventures of Hank and Dean Venture, their father (Dr. Venture) and the family bodyguard, Brock Samson. The Ventures must deal with the machinations of their arch-enemy, The Monarch, as well as their own incompetencies, as various evil-doers inflict their evil-doing on society.
What About the Children?: Maybe a little more family-safe than Harvey Birdman, but still enough questionable topics that it can be looped in with South Park in regards to child-friendly viewing. Guessing it would sail over the heads of most kids, anyway.
And I Quote: Henchman 21: "Here is where you are wrong, my friend. This woman has killed before." Henchman 24: "Allegedly." Henchman 21: "Okay, whatever. But she was a big girl. We are talking about a large, healthy woman of questionable stability." Henchman 24: "Oh, you are totally underestimating the never-say-die scrappiness of a survivor." The Monarch: [To Henchmen] "Hey, guess what? Nobody cares who would win in a crazy fantasy fist-fight between Anne Frank and Lizzie Borden. [To Dr. Girlfriend] We never should have brought the henchmen. We're going to be the only ones there with henchmen!"
Top IMDB Plot Keywords: Henchmen; Different Gags During Credits; Inventor; Bodyguard; Scientist
Life Lessons Learned From The Venture Bros.: 1) When you program a killer robot to protect your home in case of an attack, you might want to prioritize making sure that it recognizes your children as "non-threats"; 2) Inviting evil geniuses to yard sales is just asking for trouble, especially when you're marking down all the experimental weaponry you created; 3) Numbering your henchmen is easier than remembering their namesCurt's Take: Worth Considering - This was just fun. Had a bit more pacing and story depth than Harvey Birdman, as it ran as a half hour show (22 minutes on DVD, without commercials). Plus, I think the humor was "smarter" and more developed than that of Harvey Birdman, which relied a bit more on non-sequiters and one-liners. Throw this one in your TiVo, too.
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Drawn Together: Season One (2004)
What's the Premise?: Eight cartoon characters. One house. ONE MILLION CAMERAS!!! It's a twisted satire on reality television, with cartoon stereotypes living together under one roof. You've got Captain Hero (a superhero with a slightly off-kilter moral compass); Princess Clara (a Disney-esque princess who has lived a sheltered life in her kingdom, breeding all sorts of prejudices and bigotry); Spanky Ham (a crass internet download); Ling Ling (a cute psychotic and bloodthirsty Japanese trading card monster); Xandir (a closted video game adventurer on a never-ending quest to save his girlfriend); Foxxy Love (a crime-solving African American musician/band member); Wooldoor Sockbat (like Spongebob Squarepants, but ten times more wacky and annoying); and Toot (an out-of-date black and white sex symbol from the '20s, who has lost her appeal completely in the 21st century).
What About the Children?: For God's sake, keep them away.
And I Quote: Bizzaro Captain Hero: "Oh, hello, hello Captain Hero! I not see you since initiation into League of Heroes." Captain Hero: "Zip it! What happens in Bizzaro World, *stays* in Bizzaro World!" Bizzaro Captain Hero: "Well, technically bathroom at bus station not considered Bizzaro World."
Top IMDB Plot Keywords: Gross-Out Comedy; Surreal; Nudity; Vulgarity; Politically Incorrect
Life Lessons Learned From Drawn Together: 1) The other reality television shows I watch could be much, much worse; 2) Forget food competitions...this summer's Big Brother needs an "Oxygen Competition;" 3) Kissing another girl won't get a woman pregnant, but can inspire the two women involved to break out into a wonderful Disney-esque musical number.Curt's Take: Not a Priority - On the one hand, I laughed out loud several times during the show. On the other, they were those "I can't believe they just said that" laughs. I managed to get hold of the "uncensored" version of the DVD, so my eyes and ears were treated to all sorts of things they've never experienced from a cartoon before. I'm still recovering. It's hard to get too offended by what is said, though, because while the show takes a cavalier attitude toward how it treats issues such as racism and sexual preference...it doesn't really spare anyone or anything from mockery. One of those equal opportunity offenders. Still, the comedy wasn't as clever as the two shows above, and relied more on shock than on well-delivered humor. But if the concept intrigues you, I believe it is still playing on Comedy Central.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Aqua Teen Hunger Force: Season One (2000)
What's the Premise?: Three roommates, Master Shake (a milkshake), Frylock (a floating container of fries) and Meatwad (a wad of meat) live together and get each other out of the various situations they inexplicably find themselves in.
What About the Children?: Of the four shows reviewed, this is the most child-friendly. Besides, they might be able to make more sense of it than I did.
And I Quote: Meatwad: "I don't have any real dolls, I prefer to use my infinite imagination... cause I ain't got no damn money."
Top IMDB Plot Keywords: Boston; Cartoon; Hero; Death; Explosion
Life Lessons Learned From Aqua Teen Hunger Force: 1) Mad scientists who reside off the Jersey shore can make your life a living hell; 2) It pays to have a neighbor with a pool; 3) Boston overreacted.
Curt's Take: Don't Bother - I'm not sure if there are any cartoon-watching purists out there, but I have the feeling this isn't going to be a popular call. I just didn't get it. I didn't find it funny, and I think the entire premise just shot way over my head. Like Harvey Birdman, this series aired in fifteen-minute chunks, so it's pretty quick and painless to sit through an episode. But there was nothing really likeable about any of the characters, and...I don't know. It just wasn't funny. And cartoons (especially ones on Adult Swim) should be funny. But what do I know...they made a movie out of it and scared a city. So if you're a cartoon maven, you've probably already seen this and formed your opinion of it, and like it. If not, don't bother.
posted by Curt at 10:08 PM
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